Chapter 23: Slander
Mrs. Lu felt both distressed and angry when she saw Lu Yu's miserable appearance.
She gathered her skirts and sat on the edge of the bed, then began to scold him: "My Yu'er, why don't you learn your lesson? Is this because of that little bitch from the Jiang family again?"
Lu Yu struggled for a moment and retorted: "Mom! No, you are not allowed to say that..."
"Isn't that enough? Mother knows everything clearly, don't make excuses for her." Mrs. Lu slapped him on the back, but she couldn't bear to do it. She raised her hand high and lowered it gently.
"It hurts, it hurts, mom. Your son is in so much pain." Lu Yu knew he couldn't fool her, so he hummed to get her to say less.
Mrs. Lu knew that he was being cunning, but she felt sorry for him, so she coaxed him for a while by calling him her darling.
She thought about it again, but still felt angry.
"I think Jiang Ran is your nemesis. She's a real disaster! Look at yourself, how many injuries have you suffered recently because of her?"
"Now you're trying to instigate your uncle and support an outsider like her. What a sly thing!"
Lu Yu frowned, "Mom, please stop talking. I'm so tired. Nothing else to do. I'm going to sleep."
Mrs. Lu became even angrier when she heard this.
"You're obsessed with something, like you've never seen a woman before. What's so good about that rude girl? You're just thinking about her all the time."
Lu Yu buried his head in the pillow, not wanting to listen anymore.
Seeing that he was determined, Mrs. Lu sighed and said helplessly, "If you really like the girl from the Jiang family, it's not impossible."
Lu Yu suddenly perked up and said excitedly, "Mom? You agreed! You agreed to let me marry her and won't stop me from going to find her?"
"Look at you, such a loser. My silly son, you've been deceived by her!"
"Think about it, Jiang Ran has been chasing you for so many years. How could she suddenly change her personality?"
"She is deliberately keeping you hanging, wanting you to beg her to marry her so that our Lu family will give more betrothal gifts."
Lu Yu thought it made some sense.
He felt aggrieved, but also glad that Jiang Ran had put some thought into him.
He ignored the pain, turned his body sideways and grabbed Mrs. Lu's sleeve tightly.
"Mom, what should we do now?"
"Listen to me, go chase Xu Qingwan. When you and Xu Qingwan get engaged, Jiang Ran will realize that he's messed up. He'll definitely come back and beg you to marry her."
Lu Yu hesitated, "Xu Qingwan? Will this work?"
"Of course I can! I'm an experienced person, so just listen to me. After you and Xu Qingwan are married, you can welcome Jiang Ran in and make her your concubine. I won't interfere."
"Noble concubine?! How can this be possible? You know Jiang Ran's personality very well. She will definitely not agree."
Madam Lu snorted coldly and said viciously, "What is her status? What is Miss Xu's status? You are about to take the imperial examination. The Prime Minister's Mansion will be of great help to your career."
Seeing that Lu Yu was still reluctant, Madam Lu had already prepared some soft words and immediately advised him: "You are just spoiling her too much! That's why she has tormented you like this. Listen to me, and wait for her to be your concubine. I will make sure she is obedient and gentle to you."
When Lu Yu heard this, he couldn't help but imagine the scene of red candles warming the tent, Jiang Ran helping him undress and carefully trying to please him.
My heart feels like it's on fire.
Seeing that he was moved, Madam Lu added, "When the time comes, it will be up to you to choose between your beautiful wife and concubine."
Lu Yu made up his mind after hearing this. Although he couldn't give her a proper status, he would definitely favor Jiang Ran and would never let her suffer any loss. When he became successful, he would also help the Jiang family when it was convenient.
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Ever since he was punished by the family discipline that day, Lu Yu finally stopped coming here to annoy people from time to time.
Jiang Ran's life became more and more comfortable.
She thought she would have to endure another half year of hardship, but unexpectedly, that day, when she arrived at the wood carving workshop before dawn, her master sent her home, saying that her hand was not healed yet and she needed to rest for another ten days.
After ten days, her master stopped her from planing wood and instead allowed her to learn carving with her fellow apprentices. Furthermore, he only allowed her to study for half an hour each time before sending her away.
The master was still strict with everyone else, but he turned a blind eye to her laziness. Whenever she walked away, her brothers and sisters were envious.
I didn’t expect Jiang Ran to be so talented. After just half a month of study, she was already able to produce decent works.
"I've worked very hard, so let's stop here for today."
Jiang Ran was just thinking about what to eat for lunch when a galloping Arabian horse suddenly brushed past her.
"You don't have eyes."
She cursed, and the next second she felt herself flying into the air, and the next second she landed on the saddle.
"Eh? Jiang Chuan, what are you posting..."
Jiang Ran suddenly realized that something was wrong, "No, you are stupid, wuwuwu..."
Before she could finish her words, her mouth was covered and the smell of dust made her cough.
Only when they arrived at Jiang's house did the man let go.
"Second brother, why are you back?"
Jiang Ran didn't dare to speak loudly. Border guards were not allowed to enter Chang'an unless summoned by the emperor. If they were discovered, it would be a big trouble.
"It's okay, Jiang Chuan will take my place." Jiang Huan took off his cloak and walked into the inner room.
Jiang Huan and Jiang Chuan are twins who have loved playing the game of swapping identities since childhood. They know each other's personalities and habits intimately. If they were to imitate each other deliberately, even those closest to them would be unable to tell them apart.
Jiang Ran realized later that Jiang Chuan's going to the academy was just a cover.
"Hmph, you're going too far by hiding this from just me." Jiang Ran stomped his foot and hurried to catch up.
"So what are you doing here?"
"If you don't tell me, don't even think about drinking water."
Jiang Ran knew that he was in a hurry and must be thirsty, so he ran a few steps quickly and held the teapot and teacup in his arms.
"See each other."
Jiang Huan said two words briefly, and taking advantage of Jiang Ran's surprise, he grabbed the kettle and drank the tea smoothly.
"Ah? Let's meet!"
"Which girl? My eldest brother hasn't even gotten married yet, why are you so anxious, second brother?"
"Have you been secretly in love with that girl for a long time?"
"Is it Miss Wang who sent you a love letter? Or is it Miss Shen next door who always leans over the wall to watch you?"
Jiang Ran smelled gossip and kept circling around him, muttering non-stop, trying to find clues from his face.
Jiang Huan said nothing, slowly sipped three cups of tea, and then gave her a look.
"I'll show you."
Jiang Ran jumped three feet high and took several steps behind the door, fearing that Jiang Huan was about to drag her away.
"I?!"
"I'm not in a hurry. I'm fine. I don't want to marry anyone!"
Jiang Huan didn't say much to her, only saying, "Dad, Big Brother, and I are all aware of Lu Yu's affairs. The Lu family is not suitable for you."
Jiang Ran was deflated and couldn't even say no.
In this case, the affairs of the Xu family and the bookstore certainly cannot be hidden from them.
Her father and brother were thousands of miles away and still worried about her safety.
The second brother risked violating military orders and rushed back to Chang'an because he was afraid that the third brother was unreliable and could not protect her. How could she dare to be willful again?
"The person has been chosen, the Yongqing Marquis's son. They are all from military families, so there won't be so many twists and turns."
Jiang Ran was surprised and said, "The Prince of Yongqing? How could he possibly be interested in me?"
"Marquis Yongqing took the initiative to propose the marriage to my father."
"I've made an appointment with someone. We'll meet tomorrow. Be good."
"Oh." Jiang Ran agreed resentfully and dragged his feet back to his room.
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