Chapter 217 World Nine (Fourteen)
The dense shadows of the trees, cast by the frosty moonlight, trembled gently in the breeze beneath the veranda. Under the porch, Bao Shan and Lu Yuanhui walked side by side. Lu Yuanhui, whose hand, usually tightly gripped the Embroidered Spring Knife, now held a candle. He took a half-step ahead of Bao Shan, walking in front.
When Baoshan came to the small Buddhist temple to pray, there had still been a glimmer of light in the sky, but now it was completely obscured by a thick, dark hue. Chanting sutras for Wei Mao often took many hours, and reading the scriptures was a tedious task for those waiting nearby. Baoshan couldn't bear to see Zhenzhu wait so long, so he allowed her to rest early. So, when Baoshan returned to her room, she had to hold the sutras and the candlestick tightly, which was quite strenuous.
In a moment of carelessness, the precious fan almost knocked over the candlestick, causing the scalding lamp oil to drip onto her slender arm.
Lu Yuanhui intervened just in time, letting the crimson lamp oil drip onto the bindings of his long sleeves. The oil was so hot that even through his clothes, Lu Yuanhui could feel the faint warmth. It was only natural for Lu Yuanhui to hold the candlestick for Baoshan and personally escort her back to her room.
This has nothing to do with love; it is simply the natural protection that the strong have for the weak.
The candlelight swaying in the wind stretched Lu Yuanhui's shadow on the ground into a long and slender shape.
But even so, just looking at the figure, I still felt it was tall and wide, as if even if a hundred ghosts were parading at night, they would take a detour after seeing this figure.
Baoshan's small and soft feet, wrapped in solid satin embroidered shoes, just stepped on Lu Yuanhui's shadow.
Lu Yuanhui suddenly spoke, his voice slightly hoarse, just like the extremely cold moon in the dark night, which was visible but seemed thousands of miles away.
"Have the palpitations been relieved?"
As if she hadn't expected Lu Yuanhui's sudden concern for her, Baoshan's eyebrows lifted slightly, a soft look in her eyes. She shook her head gently, her long black hair draped over her shoulders, almost blending into the night. A soft and gentle voice rang out, "It's okay. Several famous doctors have been treating me, and I'm not as nervous as I was at the beginning."
Those beautiful eyes seemed to be wrapped in warm spring water, looking at him with tenderness and dependence, which made Lu Yuanhui tighten his grip on the candlestick in his hand and avoid Baoshan's sight without leaving a trace.
Since Chen Zhang mentioned this, Lu Yuanhui would certainly ask whether it was true that hearing his name could temporarily relieve Baoshan's heart palpitations.
When Baoshan heard these words, her eyelashes trembled slightly, and a hint of embarrassment appeared on her porcelain-white cheeks. It was not like shyness, but more like guilt.
Bao Shan knew very well that the only connection between her and Lu Yuanhui was Wei Mao.
But the mention of Wei Mao would remind Lu Yuan of Bao Shan's identity. Acting restrained and obedient was the most important thing.
She no longer looked at Lu Yuanhui, but turned slightly and looked at the flowers and plants in full bloom in the courtyard. Her eyes were filled with deep longing.
“Ever since my husband passed away, I’ve felt a void in my heart.
Although I still have relatives in this world, but…"
Baoshan's biological parents only thought about how to torture her, so how could they give her protection?
"After my husband left, I felt a hollowness in my heart. Looking around, I felt dull and boring. Every day, I ate and walked, like a wandering soul. The day Ma Sheng broke into the house, I called out my husband's name in desperation, and vaguely saw him coming to save me."
Hearing Bao Shan mention that day, Lu Yuanhui's expression darkened. Judging from her expression, he assumed she was already unconscious at the time. She couldn't remember what she had done, so Lu Yuanhui naturally wouldn't bring it up and embarrass the two of them.
Baoshan continued, “I later learned that the person who saved me from Ma Sheng was the Lord.
I know that you are kind and for my husband's sake, you have taken good care of me, but here——"
The precious fan gently stroked her chest, and the interweaving moonlight and candlelight made her skin look even whiter than snow, more beautiful and charming.
"But it was as if I regarded you as my support. Whenever my heart palpitated, I would hear your name and my originally frantic heart would instantly calm down.
I just think that I should not panic, because my Lord will definitely hold that embroidered spring sword and save me from the water and fire."
Baoshan stopped, raised her soft hand, and said softly, "But I was negligent in not telling you about this matter, and then I rashly relied on you, which was really inappropriate.
Although the road ahead is dark, with the candlelight, we can reach our destination safely. Sir... please return the candlestick to me."
After being frank with each other, he retreated to advance, making it impossible for Lu Yuan to find any inappropriate behavior.
Bao Shan's heart was beating slightly. She asked Lu Yuanhui for the candlestick, just to test Lu Yuanhui.
If Lu Yuanhui returned the candlestick to Baoshan without hesitation and let her go back alone, it would mean that Lu Yuanhui had no sympathy for Baoshan and would not allow her to rely on him.
Seeing Lu Yuanhui handing the candlestick to Baoshan, Baoshan lowered her eyelids slightly to hide the loss in her eyes.
But when she raised her eyes again, her beautiful eyes trembled slightly, and only the clear light of water flashed.
But Lu Yuanhui didn't let go of the candlestick. He just looked up at the night and said, "It's just a matter of time for us. There's no need."
As for the fact that Baoshan regarded him as someone he could rely on, Lu Yuanhui remained noncommittal.
In Lu Yuanhui's opinion, life is the most important thing. Besides, Baoshan was just calling his name when she was feeling anxious, so it was not a big deal.
He was not a man who would fuss over trivial matters. Seeing Bao Shan sweating profusely, he refused to give in and refused to let Bao Shan call him by his name to ease his palpitations.
But Lu Yuanhui didn't know that he retreated one step at a time, and by the time Lu Yuanhui realized it, they had already retreated to an unknown extent.
Seeing that his goal had been achieved, Bao Shan naturally would not pretend to refuse. It was already extremely difficult to get Lu Yuan to give in.
If she continued to act coy and caused Lu Yuan to change his mind, it would be more trouble than it was worth.
After returning the treasured fan to the house, Lu Yuanhui returned to the Northern Pacification Office.
Since taking up the post of commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lu Yuanhui rarely returned to the Lu family.
During this period of time, because Debaoshan lived in the Lu family, Lu Yuan returned to the Lu family more and more frequently.
Lu Yuanhui took off his robe and looked at the bright yellow paper on his lapel. He gently pinched it with his fingertips. This piece of paper was not even as big as his palm, but it claimed to guarantee safety.
In this way, it can only deceive weak and ignorant women.
Such as his mother and the precious fan.
Lu Yuanhui opened the box and was about to throw the amulet together with the other miscellaneous items.
But the image of that slender and frail figure emerged in my mind, whispering softly, "I prayed for this by placing myself under a Buddha statue and chanting sutras for seven days."
Lu Yuanhui's movement to throw the amulet froze, and he grumbled softly, "What a hassle."
But the amulet was not thrown into the pile of junk after all.
Zhenzhu stayed by Baoshan's side, relaxing in the Lu family's mansion.
Baoshan didn't talk much, most of the time it was Zhenzhu who did the talking and Baoshan who listened.
Zhenzhu is a family-born girl who has been in the Lu family for a long time. She knows a thing or two about everything in the mansion.
Baoshan asked a few questions inconspicuously and learned from Zhenzhu about Lu Yuanhui's experience that was unknown to outsiders.
According to Zhenzhu, Mother Lu was an extremely kind mistress, gentle and kind to her servants. However, after giving birth, she was depressed for several years and finally passed away.
As a slave, Zhenzhu did not dare to express her dissatisfaction with her master's behavior.
But Baoshan could guess from her expression that not only Zhenzhu, but probably all the servants in the mansion felt that Lu Yuanhui was heartless and ungrateful.
The death of Lu's mother was more or less related to Lu Yuanhui.
When she learned she was pregnant, Lu's mother's face was filled with joy at the prospect of having a child. However, once Lu Yuanhui was born, she began to worry about everything. She could only find peace of mind by staying in the small Buddhist temple. When Lu's mother passed away, she left her personal dowry to Lu Yuanhui.
But Lu Yuanhui did not treasure it, but treated it as an ordinary treasure.
Zhenzhu added that the new mistress Zhang Qingping was inferior to the original mistress Lu in every way except her youth.
All day long he either stayed in the yard, reciting poems and feeling sad, or waited in the corridor, pretending to be waiting.
But when Mr. Lu stayed in the mansion, Zhang Qingping still waited as usual, which shows her Sima Zhao's intention.
Pearl looked at Baoshan's beautiful face and sighed softly, "It seems that no matter how good a person is, he can't compare to being only twenty-eight years old."
No matter how considerate Mother Lu was, Master Lu would easily forget about her and marry another beautiful wife.
Baoshan's brow furrowed as she heard this. If anyone else had heard Zhenzhu's final words, they would have been seen as criticizing her master's actions.
Baoshan opened her soft lips and was about to interrupt Zhenzhu and remind her, but she suddenly froze, a look of panic on her face, and she knelt down, "Master."
Bao Shan turned around and saw that the man who came was handsome. Although he did not have the youthful vigor and ambition, he had a calm demeanor and his eyebrows and eyes were somewhat similar to Lu Yuanhui.
However, Lu Yuanhui's face was more profound and distinct, while this person was more gentle.
The visitor was accompanied by Manager Zhao, and when Baoshan heard Zhenzhu calling him, she knew that this person was Lu Yuanhui's father, Master Lu.
Bao Shan was staying at the Lu family as a guest, so she just bowed gently and called out, "Master Lu."
Mr. Lu looked at the treasured fan and responded softly.
Before Master Lu could speak, Manager Zhao sternly shouted at Zhenzhu, who was kneeling on the ground, "How dare you criticize the master!"
Pearl was already shaking with fear, unable to utter a complete sentence.
Manager Zhao called a few people and was about to pull Zhenzhu down.
But because it was Lu Yuan who pointed the pearl back at Bao Shan, Manager Zhao explained, "This maid can't keep her mouth shut. I'm taking her back and teaching her a lesson. I'll replace Miss Bao Shan with a smart and sensible one."
When Pearl heard this, she couldn't even utter the words to beg for mercy, and knelt on the ground with despair in her eyes.
Baoshan lowered her beautiful eyes, her dark blue eyebrows slightly wrinkled, and she said softly: "My lord treats me well, and the mansion also takes good care of me. I am extremely grateful in my heart, so how can I be picky?
Zhenzhu is a simple person. She usually recites scriptures in the small Buddhist hall. I have told her to go to bed early.
But she was worried, so every time the time came, she would hold a lantern to welcome me back.
Manager Zhao, you took the pearl away. When can you bring her back? It's dark at night. If there's no one to light the way, it will be difficult to go anywhere."
Although Baoshan had never employed a maid before coming to the Lu family, when she was in the Luo family, some neighbors sent their daughters to the mansion to be maids, but when they returned, they were lifeless corpses.
Manager Zhao took Zhenzhu away, claiming to teach her, but in reality it was probably a punishment.
Baoshan pretended not to know Manager Zhao's good intentions and asked when Zhenzhu would return.
Manager Zhao glanced at Master Lu's expression. Seeing that Master Lu looked normal, he spoke up, "If Miss Baoshan doesn't want to change it, then don't change it. After all, it was the young master who personally pointed it out to Miss Baoshan."
"As for when Pearl can return—"
Mr. Lu spoke slowly, his voice was gentle, like a warm spring breeze, unique to scholars.
"It won't delay your chanting."
Upon seeing this, Manager Zhao hurriedly stood aside and kept silent.
Master Lu looked at the treasure fan with a gentle expression, observing a junior. He asked curiously, "Do you like chanting scriptures?"
Obviously, Mr. Lu is quite interested in chanting scriptures.
But Baoshan did not try to please him, but answered truthfully: "No, I just want to pray for blessings."
Mr. Lu did not ask any further questions and let Baoshan leave.
Zhenzhu had been dragged away for punishment by a few skillful maids, leaving only Master Lu and Manager Zhao.
Manager Zhao watched Bao Shan leave and said softly, "Miss Bao Shan has a gentle temperament, somewhat similar to Madam. No wonder the young master felt sympathy for her..."
Mr. Lu frowned: "How are they similar?"
Apart from having the same frail figure, their personalities and ways of doing things are completely different.
If Mother Lu were here, she wouldn't allow Zhenzhu to be punished, which would surely displease Master Lu. Ultimately, Zhenzhu wouldn't be spared punishment, and her punishment would be even more severe.
At this time, because of the precious fan, the servants who punished Zhenzhu would also be mindful of the measure.
As for what Manager Zhao said, that Lu Yuanhui felt pity for Bao Shan because of the similarities, Master Lu was even less convinced.
Lu Yuanhui had little feelings for Lu's mother, and was naturally averse to extremely weak women. How could he be moved by Lu's mother?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
