Chapter 46 A smile touched her eyes, her words were sweet…
His gaze was fixed on her, as if he wanted to tear her apart and devour her whole.
Panic swept over Meng Yu in an instant, but her expression remained unchanged. She simply looked at him as he raised his hand and said calmly, "General Lu, are you so insecure? Don't you believe you can move me? Or do you think the guards in the manor can't keep an eye on me?"
Lu Xiuyi hadn't expected her to be so blunt. The gloom in his eyes vanished in an instant, and he gently placed his hands on her shoulders: "It was just a joke, Yu'er, why take it so seriously?"
Meng Yu raised her shoulders expressionlessly, shook off his hand, and said, "I don't like jokes like this, and since you've brought it up, I think we should make some things clear."
Her gaze was extremely light and indifferent, yet cold and intimidating. Lu Xiuyi regretted asking that question, which abruptly shattered the little bit of warmth he had finally received.
The maidservant Sun had left the room at some point. Lu Xiuyi sighed softly and lowered his head, a rare occurrence for him: "Meng Yu, don't torture me like this. I was wrong, okay?"
His voice held a hint of grievance. With the crisis averted, Meng Yu didn't want to waste any more time on this, so she softened her tone and raised her hand: "I ran away before because you wanted to take me as a concubine. Now I am your legal wife, and immense wealth is right in front of me. Since things are settled, why should I suffer for it?"
Her face was full of sincerity, without a trace of lying. Lu Xiuyi composed himself and smiled at her like a wolfhound wagging its tail: "Well, from now on, I won't believe anything Yu'er says, and I will never ask her again."
Meng Yu sighed: "Can you have someone summon Zhang Zhuangtou now? Those villages in the eastern suburbs urgently need someone to manage them; this matter cannot be delayed."
Lu Xiuyi quickly agreed and instructed the newly promoted Steward Cao to inform Zhang Zhuangtou to come over.
Not long after, Zhang Zhuangtou arrived in a hurry. He was an honest man who spoke his mind: "If Madam really wants me to take over those estates in the eastern suburbs, the first thing I need to do is to get rid of those tenants who are bullying us because of Cui Hao's power. Some of them have signed contracts with us for eight years, some for ten years, and some even for twenty years. If we want to remove this cancer, we will have to pay a sum of money. I wonder if Madam is willing?"
Even if Zhang Zhuangtou didn't mention it, Meng Yu already had this intention, so he raised his hand: "Only by scraping the bone can the poison be cured. If the tumor is not cleared, how can the wound heal? Go ahead and do it. Just tell me how much compensation you want, and I will definitely support you."
Huaiyin translated it as usual.
With Meng Yu's promise, Zhang Zhuangtou agreed to the matter with peace of mind and took office in the eastern suburbs the next day.
Unexpectedly, a few days later, some shameless tenants came to the door, saying that Meng Yu was bullying the weak and oppressing them, and was trying to force them to their deaths. The commotion was so great that it became known throughout the capital. Many people were unaware of the inside story and had no ability to think independently. Their minds were simply following the rumors. In addition, in the eyes of the people, Lu Xiuyi was originally a person who disrespected his elders and was immoral and disgraceful. Now that they heard these rumors, they naturally believed them to be true.
When this matter reached the palace, the emperor was furious and immediately summoned Lu Xiuyi and Meng Yu to the palace.
***
The Marquis of Jiangyang's residence.
The last lotus flowers bloomed in the lotus pond. The plump lotus leaves were covered with water droplets, which were crystal clear in the morning light. The pink and white petals were elegant and large, and the faint fragrance was carried to the double-eaved pavilion on the breeze.
Tao sat sideways on the goose-neck chair, holding a white jade porcelain bowl in her hand. Her jade-like fingertips were picking up fish food and throwing it into the pond. As the fish food was scattered, the nearby goldfish swarmed over, like hungry wolves pouncing on their prey, fighting over it.
"Madam's move is truly brilliant. It saves us from having to get involved, yet it still manages to trip up the couple. I heard that this morning, the Emperor was furious and summoned them to the palace. These past few days have been the time when the Di envoys have entered the capital. With things turning out so badly, the Emperor has lost face. Even if he wanted to protect them, I'm afraid it would be difficult." Madam Shi said smugly, feeling a surge of satisfaction just thinking about how Lu Xiuyi and Meng Yu would be punished by the Emperor.
Tao's eyes and brows were filled with smiles: "If my husband hadn't casually mentioned that envoys from the Di and Rong tribes had come to the capital these past few days to discuss the tribute trade with the Emperor, and that it was such a crucial time to avoid losing face, I wouldn't have thought of this."
As fish food was continuously sprinkled in, more and more goldfish flocked to it, drawn by the aroma.
“Those lowly people are no different from these fish. Give them a little benefit and they'll forget who they are. You can ask them to kill or set fires and they'll do it. Besides, all you have to do is ask them to come and make a scene and spread the word in the marketplace. It doesn't hurt them or take any effort. It's just a matter of talking. Who wouldn't be happy to do that?”
Upon hearing this, Madam Shi looked slightly worried: "But what if this gets out and people say that Madam instigated it? What should we do then?"
Tao raised an eyebrow, unconvinced: "Who said I gave them money so they would do that? I just felt sorry for them, who have elderly parents and young children to support, and now that someone has broken their promise and they have lost their means of making a living. That's why I was so kind and gave them some money. Is it wrong to do good deeds?"
Mrs. Shi smiled and lowered her eyebrows: "That's right, that's right, Madam is wise."
As they were talking, Mother Shi looked up and saw a person walking towards her from afar under the eaves.
When Lu Jiayan returned from outside, he saw Tao feeding the fish, so he came over to pay his respects: "Your son greets Mother."
Tao hurriedly put down the fish food, helped him up, and said gently with a smile, "Did you make an appointment with the second daughter of the Meng family today?"
Lu Jiayan nodded: "Mm."
Seeing that he seemed somewhat unhappy, Tao gave Shi's mother a wink, and Shi's mother quickly retreated to a distance.
Tao pulled Lu Jiayan down to sit in the goose-neck chair and comforted him, "Miss Meng is a good girl. Although her family background is somewhat humble, at least she has no burdens. Moreover, her maternal grandparents are wealthy merchants; I've heard they've even opened tea shops in the capital, practically all over Daqi. She's also very pretty and gentle. Look around the whole capital, which young lady can compare to her? Those from better families have bad tempers; those from lower families are not pretty; those with good temperaments and pretty faces are all burdened by their families. Miss Meng is the best girl I could choose for her. Or perhaps you're worried because she was rejected by Qin Musui before?"
Lu Jiayan's face darkened, and he said coldly, "Does Mother think her son is that kind of person?"
“Of course not,” Tao hurriedly said, “Then why do you look down on her?”
Tao was too aggressive, and he had been exhausted from dealing with Meng Shuang these past few days. Now, he could no longer hold back his words and said what had been weighing on his mind: "I want to choose my own future spouse, not someone like you and Father who are so wary and calculating."
With that, Lu Jiayan turned and left, leaving Tao Shi standing there in a daze. Her face showed shock and bitterness, as if she could hardly believe that these words came from her gentle and refined son.
When her parents died, her clan seized her family property and she was driven out of her home. It was the most desperate time for her. She originally thought of going to Lu Huaiyuan, her childhood sweetheart, but after a night of passion, he cruelly kicked her out.
Not long after, his marriage to Princess Minghua became known throughout the land, and on the same day, she discovered that she was pregnant.
Later, Princess Minghua gave birth to Lu Xiuyi, but died less than three months later due to her weakened health. He brought dozens of boxes of gold and silver to her door to beg for forgiveness and said he wanted to take her and her son back. At that time, she was desperate to raise her child. Although she was not swayed by his sweet words, she knew that she had no other way out.
Unexpectedly, upon entering the mansion, she learned that Princess Minghua had asked the Emperor to witness her will, stipulating that if he were to marry another woman and have another child, everything in the Jiangyang Marquis's mansion would be confiscated by the national treasury, and he would become a commoner. She was nameless and without status in the mansion until he earned military merit. He asked for nothing, only requesting the Emperor's permission to marry her. The Emperor agreed, but her son could only be raised as an adopted son in the Marquis's mansion.
Even then, she naively believed that sincerity could be reciprocated. Later, as she grew old and her beauty faded, one concubine after another appeared in her household. Apart from being unable to bear children, they all bore some resemblance to the deceased Princess Minghua.
How ridiculous!
He doesn't cherish people when they're around, but he misses them terribly when they're gone.
Yes! All the affection is just an act for others to see; otherwise, how could one maintain their current wealth and status?
Having gone through all this, she finally understood that only what she held in her own hands truly belonged to her. Since her son couldn't inherit the marquis's title, he needed power, and dealing with people always required money.
Tao slumped dejectedly in the gooseneck chair, as if all his strength had been drained from his body, and he was completely unable to move.
Madam Shi walked up to her at some point: "Madam, are you alright? What did Yan-ge say to you?"
Tao shook her head, as if she had lost her soul: "It's nothing, help me back to my room, I want to rest for a while."
Mother Shi responded and quickly helped Tao back to her room to rest.
***
Chengde Hall.
Dark clouds gathered outside the door, and suddenly a downpour began, the raindrops pouring down and soaking the eaves.
Emperor Jinghuai paced back and forth, seemingly helpless with the person kneeling below. He sighed, wanting to rebuke him, but then felt that his words made sense, so he swallowed back the words he was about to say and instead said, "If you want to eliminate this cancer, when can't you do it? Why did you have to choose to do it when the Di Rong entered the capital? Even if you had eliminated it, you would have done it, but you let things escalate to this extent. Xiu Yi, Xiu Yi, aren't you just making trouble for me?"
"Your Majesty, the Di envoys came to the capital to discuss the tribute trade with our dynasty. It has nothing to do with this street farce. Besides, even a small family of three has its little squabbles from time to time, let alone a great nation like ours..."
Before Lu Xiuyi could finish speaking, Meng Yu suddenly poked him in the waist, forcing him to stop talking and look at Meng Yu.
She glanced at him and gestured to Emperor Jinghuai.
After finishing the sign language, she turned her head and saw Lu Xiuyi staring blankly at her. She frowned and nudged him, signaling him to translate it quickly.
Lu Xiuyi hurriedly addressed Emperor Jinghuai: "Your Majesty, the Lady said she can resolve this matter tonight, both to avoid giving others grounds for criticism and to save face for our dynasty."
Jing Huai's tense expression relaxed slightly, but he couldn't help but wonder, "Oh? You're just a woman confined to the inner quarters, unable to speak, what method could you possibly have?"
The person on the high seat couldn't hide the contempt in their eyes. Meng Yu suppressed her temper and slowly raised her hand: "Although I cannot speak, I have my husband to protect me. When husband and wife are of one mind, their strength can break metal."
A smile touched her eyes, and her words warmed Lu Xiuyi's heart.
He translated these words, and his heart was filled with sweet joy.
The disdain in Emperor Jinghuai's eyes faded, replaced by approval. He instructed them to leave the palace and resolve the matter as soon as possible.
On the carriage, Lu Xiuyi asked with a smile, "I wonder if Madam has any good ideas to resolve this matter? If you need my help, I will go through fire and water without hesitation."
Meng Yu raised her hand with a forced smile: "Of course."
"Please speak, Madam."
"Stop with that attitude of yours, it makes my heart ache."
"..."
Lu Xiuyi had no choice but to reluctantly return to normal.
Back at the manor, Zhang Zhuangtou was already waiting inside. Meng Yu took the list he handed over and carefully looked through it. After a long while, he finished reading it and instructed, "Tell them to put down their work and go to taverns, teahouses, cosmetic shops, antique shops, street stalls, etc., anywhere with a lot of people. Catch someone and tell them how Cui Hao colluded with those domineering tenants to bully the villagers, and how General Lu pitied their plight and reduced their rent for half a year. Don't hide their identities. Just tell them the truth. Expose the whole story, no matter how big or shameful the matter is."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Zhuangtou hesitated, "But this matter concerns the Marquis of Jiangyang's residence. If it gets out, I'm afraid..."
"Since it's Madam's order, just do it. Besides, the Marquis of Jiangyang's mansion doesn't care about my life or death, why should we care about them?" Lu Xiuyi's cold voice rang out. Meng Yu looked up and saw that the thick clouds had dispersed and the sun was peeking out. He walked towards her with his hands behind his back, stepping on the golden light that had spread out under her feet.
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