Chapter 368 If You Say It Again, I Will Believe It

Madam Shen was not as aggressive as Madam Wei, but she also followed her and greeted the two sisters-in-law from the Zong family.

"Hello, two sisters." Xu Wan introduced Yan Suxue to her.

The two of them held one of their daughters' arms and said as they walked in, "Let's get acquainted. I've seen you before when I went to your house. I was wondering why Mr. Baili wanted to adopt a daughter. It turns out that he already knew the whole story."

In fact, when Bailixi recognized Yan Suxue, he didn't know that Yan Xiang had any grievances, he just thought that his merits outweighed his faults. But now that the truth is out, there is no need to delve into Bailixi's original motives, so as to avoid being criticized by others.

So before Yan Suxue could explain, Xu Wanqiang responded, "Yes, Mr. Baili is very righteous."

Yan Suxue was a little surprised, but still agreed with the young sister-in-law and nodded and smiled at the others.

The sisters sat down one after another and chatted animatedly. They didn't care what people talked about behind their backs. With their status here, everyone had to be polite.

Yan Suxue followed everyone to see the flowers and drink tea, and occasionally said a few words. Mrs. Shen praised: "Sister Yan is worthy of being a lady from a noble family. The temperament in her gestures can't be concealed. Thanks to your etiquette teaching the children, I think Yibai has become much more polite than before."

Mrs. Wei laughed and said, "That's true. My family has become more polite when walking, but it's hard to change their personality. But it's also our family's problem. There is no polite person in my family."

Xu Wan chuckled and said, "Come to think of it, I thought you weren't coming today. Has the relationship between your master and Master Lu been reconciled?"

Lord Wei is the Right Censor of the Capital, the second in command of the Censorate. When Lord Wei was competing with Lord Lu for the top position, Lord Lu exaggerated his mistakes and reported them, which prevented him from getting promoted. Lord Wei was so angry that he had no private dealings with the Lu family for many years.

Mrs. Wei snorted and said, "How can that be possible? My master has a bad temper."

"Pfft..." All the ladies were convinced.

Xu Wan smiled and said, "You are so bold to say that." There are not many people in the capital who say that their husbands have a bad temper.

Madam Wei lowered her head and whispered to them, "Lord Lu is old. He just submitted his resignation to the emperor a few days ago. Do you understand?" Madam Wei blinked at them, unable to hide the pride on her face.

Xu Wan understood.

Lord Wei is going to be promoted, and Lord Lu is going back to his hometown. Today's party is said to be a flower-viewing party, but in fact it is almost like a farewell party. No wonder even Mrs. Wei is here.

Mrs. Wei straightened her back and said, "We will have a good life in the future."

Her voice was a little loud, and the ladies nearby looked over at her with a mixture of envy and jealousy.

At this moment, Cuizhi's eyes lit up when she received the news from the maids.

She whispered in Xu Wan's ear: "Madam, the general is here."

"Ah?" Xu Wan was confused. "Didn't today's flower viewing banquet only invite female guests?"

Cuizhi shook her head and said, "I don't know either. Anyway, my family saw the general go to the front hall, and Lord Lu went to pick him up personally."

When Lord Lu was mentioned, Xu Wan understood: "He is probably here to see Lord Lu off. It's okay, just ignore him." Anyway, the carriage was full and she had to ride with Yan Suxue.

Cuizhi stepped aside, but Mrs. Wei heard every word of Xu Wan. She chuckled and said, "Sister, I think the general is here to see you."

Xu Wan: “??? How could that be? Stop teasing me, sister.” What kind of man would chase his wife to a flower viewing party when he hasn’t seen her for a while? Besides, Zong Zhao hasn’t been home for several days, so he doesn’t need to wait any longer.

Madam Shen also agreed, "I agree. Think about it. No one else is here. Why is your general here alone? Moreover, he has been away from Beijing for many years and has few friends. Lord Lu is older than the old marquis. What can the general say to him?"

Yan Suxue also nodded: "I think so too."

Xu Wan: “…”

Don't think so anymore. If you continue, I will really believe it.

They said so, but Zong Zhao didn't come or send any message, so they started talking about other topics. Only Xu Wan held her handkerchief, thinking about what they said, feeling confused.

After the flower viewing party was over, the ladies from various families left one after another, and only their team did not move. Madam Wei waited until everyone had left before she stood up and walked towards Madam Lu.

The two families had not interacted for many years, and the relationship between the two ladies was even more tense. Madam Wei spoke frankly: "Madam Lu, the children in your family are still serving as officials in Beijing, why do you two want to return to your hometown?"

Madam Lu replied, "If my master doesn't leave, how can your master sit here peacefully?"

Madam Wei paused and sneered, "Look at what you said, as if our master forced him to leave. If it weren't for Master Lu's tricks, who knows who would have been the Zuodu Yushi."

Xu Wan and others were stunned. Madam Wei was too bold. She and Madam Shen held Madam Wei on both sides, signaling her not to be impulsive.

Madam Lu still smiled faintly. She reminded him, "Compared to my old man, Lord Wei is still relatively young and his methods are immature. He couldn't even get over such a small trick back then, so how could he support the entire Censorate?"

Mrs. Wei was so angry that she turned the tables on her: "You set a trap and you think you're right?"

Madam Lu smiled and said, "What happened back then is done. There is no point in saying anything now. Before we parted, my father asked me to pass on a message to your master: 'To be with the emperor is like being with a tiger. I hope you will be careful in what you say and do in the future.' I have Madam Wei to pass on this message."

Mrs. Wei was furious. She replied angrily, "Do you need to tell me this? Everyone knows it."

Xu Wan and Madam Shen continued to pull her away, but Madam Lu just left.

Madam Wei was so angry that she blushed and complained, "I shouldn't have come today. Look at her condescending attitude. It's as if she gave up the position of the head of the Censorate. It should have belonged to my master a few years ago. When my master was promoted all the way, which old minister would not praise him for his bright future?"

Madam Shen and Yan Suxue both felt that Madam Wei was right in her complaints, and it sounded like Lord Lu was indeed being dishonest.

But Xu Wan, who knew some of the inside story, still felt a pang in her heart when she heard the phrase "serving the emperor is like serving a tiger". She felt that this might not be that simple.

Several people tried to persuade Madam Wei to calm down while walking outside. All the people who came to attend the flower viewing banquet had left, and only some servants were left at the door to see people off. Xu Wan and Yan Suxue sent their two sisters to their respective carriages, and then walked towards their own carriages.

Just when she looked up, she saw the person she almost forgot.

Zong Zhao was dressed in black clothes, tall and straight, with a handsome face like a painting, shining brightly under the scorching sun. And those dark and calm eyes looked at her without blinking, hitting her heart without bias.