"Who's here?" Aunt Qiao had already dressed up and had the maid help her put on her earrings.
The servant who reported the incident hesitated. "It seems to be the Duke of England. The master was also frightened and hurried to greet him. I looked and saw that there were many soldiers standing outside!"
Duke of England?
Luo Yilian said, "I remember the Duke of England's niece came to visit us last time with her elder sister. She was just a distant niece, but she was incredibly pampered."
Aunt Qiao also remembered that this Duke Ying had often followed Commander Lu in battle, and now commanded the Shenji Battalion, having served as the General of the Xuantong Army. He was a top-tier figure among the aristocratic families. How could such a person suddenly show up? Aunt Qiao didn't think much about it. She took the maid's hand and hurried to the kitchen to give instructions.
Luo Chengzhang was still brooding over the matter with Yining, but after a night of reflection, he had made up his mind: he would just consider it his job to keep someone idle, just to provide him with food. However, he wanted to take back the things the old lady had left behind. While he was pondering this, a servant arrived with the news that Duke Yingguo, Wei Ling, had sent a visiting card.
Luo Chengzhang was startled. The Duke of Yingguo was so rare that even if he visited Beijing, he might not be able to see him. Why would he suddenly show up?
He hurriedly changed into his official uniform and went to the screen wall to greet him.
A tall man with a handsome face, as if carved by a sword and an axe, stepped out of the carriage. He was wearing a sable fur cloak and looked very impressive. A group of guards followed behind him.
Wei Ling had been waiting for days, until last night, when he received a letter. It was unsigned, but it told him that Luo Chengzhang had nearly driven Luo Yining out of the mansion and was about to claim she had died suddenly. Although he was dissuaded, he still had her relocated to a remote location, seemingly unwilling to see her again. His daughter, only twelve years old, was being manipulated by her concubine in this mansion and neglected by the servants. Seeing this, he was nearly furious. He had managed to force himself to reply, but he couldn't hold back any longer and came to visit today.
His daughter has such a noble status, why should she stay here and be insulted?
Luo Chengzhang smiled respectfully and said, "I didn't know the Duke was coming, so I was a little hasty in welcoming him. I hope the Duke won't mind."
"Of course I'm not surprised," Wei Ling said calmly. As he walked and looked around, he felt that the Luo family was cramped everywhere. Luo Chengzhang led him into the front hall and whispered to someone to tell Aunt Qiao. Then he sat down and asked, "I wonder what the Duke is doing here this time? I heard that the Duke is now serving the emperor and is even busier than before. Is he here on an inspection tour under the emperor's order?"
Wei Ling took a sip of tea. He had already taken off his cloak, now wearing a round-necked robe with a right-side opening and a jade belt engraved with a qilin. He said, "This time, I've come to bring back my long-lost daughter. I hope Lord Luo can help me. My daughter would be a real nuisance to you if she stayed with you."
Luo Chengzhang subconsciously wanted to agree, but suddenly realized what Wei Ling said. His heart skipped a beat, and he smiled and said, "My Lord, you are too polite. As long as you want my help, I will do my best to help you. But I don't know yet - you actually have a daughter living outside, but is she in my house?"
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