"Grandma, what are you talking about? You recognize this jade pendant?"
Wang Min wiped away her tears, a hint of authority flashing in her eyes: "Who gave you this?"
“It’s a young lady.” Lu Tu naturally wouldn’t reveal Zhao Qingyao’s identity, after all, it was a gesture of goodwill from the other party, and besides, Zhao Qingyao’s identity was too sensitive.
"Is she a Miss Zhao?"
Lu Tu was startled: "Grandma, how did you know?"
"Hmph, you don't want to know. This is a secret that could get you beheaded. Do you dare to listen?"
Hearing the sarcasm and disdain in Wang Min's words, Lü Tu laughed loudly, "Grandma, please speak freely. Even if this is a capital offense, as long as it concerns Miao Ling's safety, I'll take the blame."
Wang Min stared intently at Lü Tu, trying to see if he was lying, but in the end she still nodded sincerely: "You kid really are as tough as the rumors say. Alright, since you dare to listen, I'll tell you!"
"This is a relic of the late emperor! And it was given to him by me back then!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Tu's gaze towards Wang Min changed. No wonder the Wang family had been so wealthy for so many years; the reason was right here!
Moreover, according to Lu Tu's observation, although Wang Min was old, her silver hair was like a waterfall, her face did not have as many wrinkles as other old women, and her eyes were clear, so you could vaguely see that she was no less beautiful than Wang Miaoling when she was young!
It seems the Wang family has really good genes. If anyone else had said this, Lu Tu would have just thought they were bragging, but Wang Min definitely has the confidence to say so!
"Kid, what kind of look is that? You don't believe me?"
Lu Tu cupped his hands and said, "Grandma, I believe you. I'll wait for you to continue."
Wang Min found Lü Tu's words amusing and beckoned to him, "Come sit here and try my pre-rain Longjing tea."
"Oh? Grandma, you're really that generous? It's only a few months, and you can already drink pre-rain Longjing tea in Wuchuan?"
"Don't underestimate your great-aunt! Back in my day, I was sitting in the north and could eat lychees from the south anytime!"
Lu Tu's gaze towards Wang Min changed. There was no way this old lady could have been anything but a favored concubine back then!
Seeing Lü Tu's changing expression, Wang Min deliberately put on a stern face and said, "Now that you've guessed my identity, why don't you kneel down and pay your respects?"
Lu Tu chuckled: "If you're asking me to kneel as Aunt Miaoling, of course I can. But if you're asking me to kneel as you used to, I'm sorry, but even as the girl Zhao who gave me this jade pendant, I've never knelt before."
Wang Min smiled and said, "Miaoling was right about you. My Wang family's son-in-law can only be someone like you, a dragon among men, a man of exceptional talent!"
Lu Tu cupped his hands and said, "Grandma, you flatter me. I'm not actually that outstanding; I'm just a bit bold."
Seeing that Lü Tu spoke with neither servility nor arrogance, and with a touch of elegance and commonness, which suited her temperament very well, she nodded and said, "When the late emperor came to the border to lead the army to fight against the Wuhuan, he stayed at my house. Later, he developed feelings for me. Before he left, I gave him this jade pendant."
Lu Tu's gossip-loving nature burned fiercely: "Grandma, did you and the late Emperor have any children?"
"No, if we did, would my Wang family still be staying in Wuchuan?"
Lu Tu nodded: "That's true."
Since we've come this far, it means that the Second Princess Zhao Qingyao was indeed very favored. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for the late emperor to pass on this jade pendant to her. It's also possible that the late emperor foresaw that Zhao Qingyao would be sent for a political marriage and intended to use her to deliver this item.
"Do you hate him, Grandma?"
"I hate him so much I wish I could tear him apart. He ruined my life."
Lu Tu disagreed with this. Since neither of them had ever had a child, how could there be so much hatred between them?
Is it really true, as those people said in my past life, that a woman protected by an eagle could fall in love with a mongrel? That's ridiculous. Why don't you just find someone to marry? Even if you don't really like them, you won't end up alone.
Seeing Lü Tu subconsciously shake his head, Wang Min said coldly, "You're cursing me in your heart!"
Lu Tu was shocked: "You know that?"
Wang Min sneered, "I'm an old woman who's lived for decades. What don't I know? I can tell whether you're having diarrhea or not just by lifting your butt!"
"Grandma, what you're saying is too wild. It doesn't suit your image as a lady of a respectable family at all. Why don't you come back to the village with me?"
"Alright! Let's go then." Wang Min finished her tea in one gulp and got up to leave.
The contrast between before and after really stunned Lü Tu; he hadn't expected the old woman to have such a strange personality.
"You've made up your mind so quickly? Aren't you going to pack your bags?"
Wang Min snorted, "You've emptied my entire Wang family home, what else is there for me to pack up? You'll take care of it for me yourself."
Lu Tu gave her a thumbs up: "As expected of your great-aunt, even your eyelashes are hollow. I admire you!"
He tried to help Wang Min, but she dodged him. You wouldn't believe that this woman, who is around 60 years old, walks with such a brisk pace. That's the body of someone who has never given birth. She's really strong!
Nie Yun returned with Lin San. As soon as Lin San saw Wang Min, he knelt down and said, "Greetings, Great-Grandmother! This is what Miss asked us to move!"
"Get up, I know everything, and I'm not angry! But Lu Tu, you have to hire me a carriage."
Lu Tu gave Tuoba Yue a wink, and the latter immediately mounted his horse and rode away.
After all the money and grain were finally loaded onto the cart, Liu Hong cautiously approached and asked, "Sir, who is this old lady? Her bearing is so extraordinary!"
Lu Tu nodded secretly. Liu Hong was indeed worthy of being a grassroots leader in the Southern Imperial Guard; his ability to judge people was superior to others.
He deliberately exaggerated, saying, "A friend of the late emperor."
Liu Hong's eyes widened, and he muttered, "As expected..." Then he decisively shut his mouth and dared not say another word. He spontaneously rode his horse to guard Wang Min's carriage all the way.
Lu Tu found it amusing; it seemed this kid's occupational habit had kicked in again. After all, the Southern Palace Imperial Guards were responsible for protecting the royal family. Lu Tu couldn't really say anything, since Wang Min was also a great-aunt.
They stopped and started along the way, not for any other reason than that Lu Tu and his group were carrying so much grain, which was quite eye-catching. Many refugees' eyes lit up when they saw these things.
Since the grain came from the Wang family, he would naturally act as the Wang family had done before, having the refugees by the roadside follow behind him, so that they would have food to eat when they reached Kuishan Village.
This scene made Wang Min, sitting in the carriage, nod repeatedly, and her fondness for Lü Tu grew even stronger.
Wang Min asked Liu Hong, who was standing to the side, "Is your master always this polite to the common people?"
Liu Hong said solemnly, "Reporting to the old lady, it is indeed so. Back when I was still a coal-mining soldier, Lord Lü never had any prejudice against me."
Looking at Lü Tu, who treated everyone with utmost respect and without any airs, Wang Min thought to herself, "Perhaps handing the entire Wang family over to him wouldn't be a bad idea."
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