Chapter 24 The Double-Pupiled Beauty in the Backyard of the Deep Mansion 6
The torrential rain washed the roads clean and relieved the unbearable heat; a breeze brought a refreshing coolness.
Meanwhile, in Luo Yunyao's boudoir, a passionate spring fever was brewing.
Wei Chengyan was dressed in black. His face was pale, due to excessive blood loss. His thin lips were tightly pressed together, his hair was disheveled, and his chest was bare. The hideous wounds were wrapped with snow-white strips of cloth. The small wounds all over his body added a different kind of charm to him. He was unrestrained and had the noble temperament unique to royalty. He was an absolute handsome man.
Why did you save me?
Wei Chengyan's voice was hoarse and deep. He stared intently at the pretty woman in front of him, his eyes deep and unfathomable, but his expression remained unchanged.
Luo Yunyao looked at the man's strong chest and well-defined abs, her face flushing slightly. Although she had seen many handsome men in her previous life, that was a long time ago.
As for why I saved him?
Isn't this a common trope in novels? This must be a special favor bestowed upon Luo Yunyao by heaven; she is the chosen one.
“Young Master is too badly injured. Yun Yao doesn’t think he’s a bad person. Anyone who sees him so badly injured would lend a helping hand.”
After saying that, Luo Yunyao revealed a bright smile, like a lily with dew on it, pure and beautiful.
Wei Chengyan's expression darkened. He had to admit that, at such a critical moment of life and death, meeting such a woman seemed to have melted a corner of his cold and ruthless heart.
Wei Chengyan had endured harsh and ruthless treatment in the Wei Kingdom, which made him stubborn, obstinate, and extremely ruthless. He had never met a woman as gentle and kind as Luo Yunyao.
Wei Chengyan carefully traced the woman's graceful features, as if trying to imprint her image in his heart. Luo Yunyao seemed to blush under his gaze, her face turning red, making her even more charming and lovely.
The next day, the procession set off for the summer palace. Luo Yunyao disguised Wei Chengyan as her maid. Wei Chengyan was tall and slender, but they set off very early in the morning light. Wei Chengyan blended in without being noticeable, and the group successfully left the city gate.
As for such an important matter as going to the imperial palace, Luo Shu naturally had no part in it.
The morning after the rain is clear and bright, a perfect time to sleep.
Luo Shu had just lain down on the wicker chair when the courtyard gate creaked open. The person who arrived was none other than Grand Tutor Luo.
Luo Shu didn't even look up. Seeing her like this, Grand Tutor Luo wasn't angry. Instead, his expression became even more loving, and he said gently, "Luo Shu, I know you resent that I haven't come to see you for so many years. Actually, it was to protect you."
Grand Tutor Luo's face was somewhat sorrowful, and his gaze towards Luo Shu was loving and gentle. He sighed before continuing, "I promised your aunt that I would protect you, but your mother, alas, has wronged you all these years. I must make it up to my dear daughter. It's all my fault that my Luo Shu has suffered."
His words were sincere and earnest, making him seem like a loving father. If a young girl who hadn't yet reached marriageable age were here, she would surely be fooled by him.
Luo Shu didn't want to play along with this old man's act. What was a thousand-year-old fox doing playing at Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio? She lazily raised her jade-like arm to cover her eyes, her expression languid and unmoved.
For a moment, Grand Tutor Luo's expression turned ferocious. This daughter showed him no respect or affection, and he was afraid she would be difficult to control. However, when Grand Tutor Luo looked at Luo Shu's stunning face, a smile appeared on his lips. It was alright for such a beauty to have a temper, after all, the benefits she brought were immeasurable.
“Luo Shu, your mother chose this courtyard for you because she thought you liked peace and quiet. She didn’t consider that this place was too remote and dangerous. It was her oversight. I’ll get you a bigger courtyard. What do you think?”
With a loving expression, Grand Tutor Luo spoke gently.
If Luo Shu hadn't always lived here and never met this father from her memories, she probably would have believed his lies.
However, if they move to a better place, she will benefit, and he won't have to put in any effort. Why not?
"Yeah, not too many people around, it's too noisy."
Luo Shu spoke softly, her voice clear and melodious, like a mountain stream, refreshing and soothing.
Grand Tutor Luo seemed very happy to see his daughter finally speak, stroking his beard and saying, "Good, I will arrange a place that will satisfy you. There's no time like the present, let's move in this afternoon. This place is so remote, I'm really worried about your safety."
As if they had no idea that Luo Shu had lived here for so many years, it has to be said, old foxes are spicier and their skin is thicker.
In the afternoon, Luo Shu's new residence was arranged. It was the most beautiful courtyard in the mansion, which was newly built and originally intended for Luo Yunyao. She had previously said that the courtyard was too small and wanted to change to a new one, but unexpectedly, it ended up benefiting Luo Shu.
What an elegant and charming courtyard! There are hundreds of green bamboos in the east wing; two pine trees by the west wall; and a dozen or so chrysanthemums under the south eaves, budding and ready to bloom. In the center of the courtyard, a large tree with a graceful canopy and verdant pines create a serene and elegant atmosphere with a certain grandeur.
Luo Shu was very satisfied with the courtyard. It was quiet and secluded, with no one else around. As for Zhou Ma and Chun'er who came with her, they were dazzled by the sight. Chun'er was incredulous when she learned that she would be able to live here in the future. It was wonderful that they could live in such a nice courtyard.
Although a new courtyard was arranged for Luo Shu, Grand Tutor Luo did not assign her many maids or servants. In other words, the maids in the back courtyard were all under the management of the mistress of the Luo family, and he did not want to question the authority of the mistress of the family. He asked Luo Shu to understand him, which sounded so heartbreaking and pitiful.
Luo Shu didn't believe any of this; it was just a way to put her in her place. The old man was very shrewd. He played the good cop, while Madam Luo played the bad cop. He showed a loving heart for his daughter, while Madam Luo played the harsh one, so that Luo Shu would be completely devoted to Grand Tutor Luo and achieve his goal.
Ha, Luo Shu wasn't buying it. She ignored Grand Tutor Luo and led Zhou Ma and Chun'er inside. They didn't have much to begin with, and even though Li Xuanshu and Li Xuanwei had sent some things recently, Chun'er was strong and Zhou Ma was a hard-working woman, so how could she not carry all those things?
The three of them, master and servants, ignored the fact that there were no maids or servants in the large courtyard and went to settle in on their own.
In the afternoon, a well-dressed, middle-aged woman with a prosperous appearance came to the courtyard. At that time, Luo Shu was lying on the chaise lounge in the inner room reading a storybook and paid no attention to the visitor.
The newcomer was none other than the old woman serving the matriarch of the Luo family. Seeing that Luo Shu completely ignored her, she cursed inwardly, thinking, "She comes from a humble family and doesn't know any manners at all. Even the young lady would greet me with a smile and call me 'Mama'."
"Second Miss, Madam wants you to come over. There are some things she needs to tell you."
Upon hearing this, Luo Shu didn't even raise her head, and casually said through the beaded curtain, "I don't have time to go over there. If there's anything, have him come over and tell me."
Seeing Luo Shu's audacious behavior, the old woman became furious: "How can you speak like this, Second Miss? Madam, she is still your stepmother no matter what. It is absolutely unacceptable for you to be so disrespectful to your elders and have no sense of hierarchy."
She wanted to say something more, but felt a chill run through her body. She realized that the gaze behind the beaded curtain was terrifying and made her tremble. The old woman involuntarily stopped the words that were about to come out of her mouth. Her lips trembled a few times, and she didn't dare to speak.
"Tell her to come to me if she needs anything. If you have nothing else to say, you can get lost."
Luo Shu's voice was calm, but her words were wild and unrestrained. The old woman left angrily, and judging from her appearance, she was definitely going to complain to Luo's mother.
As expected, the old woman went straight to Madam Luo's residence, knelt down with a thud, and wailed tearfully, "Madam, this second young lady is really... really... oh dear, not only did she verbally abuse me, but she also told me that she had something to discuss with you and that she was too busy to come. I simply cannot stand her arrogant attitude; she has no respect for you whatsoever. It's one thing for the second young lady to verbally abuse me, but for her to be so disrespectful to you as well... it's truly... truly..."
The old woman tearfully accused Luo Shu of her heinous acts. Luo's mother's face darkened. She couldn't understand why her husband had suddenly started to pay attention to this illegitimate daughter who had been so insignificant, and even gave her the courtyard that was originally intended for Yun Yao. She wanted to see what kind of sorcery this little vixen had used.
The group marched towards Luo Shu's courtyard in a grand procession. Luo's mother looked gloomy, and the servants and maids they encountered along the way held their breath, keeping their eyes down and not daring to look too closely. After all, Luo's mother was not a kind-hearted woman.
Nothing is more poisonous than a woman's heart; the backyard of the Grand Tutor's mansion is a deep well of water.
As the group entered, Madam Luo sat down at the head of the table with a serious expression. Chun'er and Mama Zhou stood trembling to the side, hesitant to speak.
"Go and invite your young lady out. Her stepmother has arrived; doesn't she know to greet her at the door? I'm going to teach her some manners today."
Luo Shu had already noticed Madam Luo's group. Seeing their menacing approach, she showed no fear. Only after Chun'er lifted the beaded curtain did she lazily stand up. The setting sun shone through the window lattice onto her face, and in the interplay of light and shadow, she was breathtakingly beautiful.
Madam Luo looked at her stepdaughter with a complex expression. The girl's black hair was loosely tied up, adorned only with a few pink pearl flowers that shimmered with light. She wore a seven-layered purple brocade robe with a slightly narrow collar that revealed her slender, snow-white neck. Her delicate face was flawless, like solidified cream. The robe was embroidered with several half-lotus branches, making her exquisitely beautiful. This intense beauty seemed like the sharpest knife, each stroke potentially fatal.
How did she come to be so beautiful?
Her Yun Yao was already incredibly beautiful, but compared to this man, she was nothing more than a firefly and the bright moon, utterly incomparable.
The maids and servants who came with Luo's mother also stared wide-eyed. This was the second young lady, who was said to have been born with an illness. She was so beautiful, like a fairy descended from heaven.
Luo Shu sat down on the other side of Madam Luo as if taking a leisurely stroll, without showing any intention of paying her respects.
Luo's mother was looking at her, and she was looking at Luo's mother as well. The woman in front of her had fair and delicate skin, was well-maintained, and was dressed in exquisite clothes. Her expression revealed the arrogance unique to noblewomen, as well as the prestige accumulated by the matriarch over the years.
Luo Shu looked at it for a while, then looked away as if she wasn't interested, and listlessly curled up in the chair like a bored cat.
It wasn't until Luo Shu sat down in front of her mother that her mother could see her eyes clearly. They were like stars and the moon, mysterious and boundless, firmly attracting everyone's attention.
Such a stunning beauty, an irreplaceable and special treasure, how could any man resist?
Luo's mother was somewhat unwilling; her Yao'er deserved the best man in the world. But compared to the man before her, she paled in comparison.
No, she couldn't touch the person in front of her.
Being the matriarch of the Luo family requires more than just a powerful background; it also demands a sharp mind. Madam Luo is a very intelligent woman. She knows that if she were to harm Luo Shu, Grand Tutor Luo would inevitably turn against her. Luo Shu would be Grand Tutor Luo's most powerful trump card.
She cannot be touched.
Not only can't you touch her, you have to hold her in your arms.
“Luo Shu, you’ve been staying in that little courtyard all these years. Your mother was afraid that people would disturb your peace, so she didn’t dare to visit you often.”
Luo's mother spoke in a grand and dignified manner, as if it were her own request that Luo Shu stay in that small courtyard all these years.
Seeing that Luo Shu's expression remained unchanged, Madam Luo was somewhat annoyed and said, "Now that you've moved into this courtyard, I'll get you a few more maids and servants so you can live more comfortably. If they don't serve you well in the future, you can come and tell me. I'll definitely punish them properly."
She presented herself as a loving mother, and Luo Shu gave a noncommittal "hmm." Luo's mother looked embarrassed; illegitimate children were truly unruly, lacking any manners, and even when she offered them a way out, they didn't know how to accept it. She completely failed to realize that she herself had never disciplined this illegitimate daughter all these years.
After saying some polite words to herself, Luo's mother became increasingly angry when she saw that Luo Shu was unmoved by her words. In the end, she left behind two maids and servants and hurried back.
The maids and servants who stayed behind usually served Madam Luo. The reason for leaving them behind this time was also to act as spies to monitor Luo Shu. Luo Shu didn't care. Let them watch. She had nothing to hide.
"You few go outside; the latter are not allowed to enter the inner room."
The group of people had just started serving Luo Shu. Looking at her angelic face, they all blushed and dared not say a word, obediently going to the outer room.
It was dinner time, and Luo Shu's status had risen significantly today, so the dishes sent from the kitchen were quite plentiful, with red on top and white on the bottom, a common occurrence in the world.
Luo Shu tasted it and found it quite delicious. Then, she ate too much for dinner.
At the Prince's residence, Li Xuanshu frowned as he read the message from his secret guards. The Prefect of the Capital had actually searched the Luo residence, and coincidentally, he went to Luo Shu's courtyard. If the secret guards hadn't been keeping a close watch, he would have thought it was a deliberate arrangement by someone else. This was not a good situation. Such a priceless treasure had actually been discovered by others.
Tsk, if anyone overestimates themselves, then just kill them.
Li Xuanshu's face, illuminated by the candlelight, appeared somewhat bewitching.
In the palace.
Li Xuanwei had a bright smile on his face, but his hands were clenched tightly under the table, and the veins on his hands were bulging.
He also received a message from the secret guards, but now that he was in the palace, his every move was being monitored. Even if he was in turmoil, he couldn't show it on his face, otherwise his treasure would probably attract even more covetousness.
Meanwhile, at the princess's residence, Li Yu looked dazed and smiled foolishly. The princess opposite him was somewhat helpless. Her son had been like this ever since he returned home. As far as she knew, her son had lost the Grand Tutor Luo's residence yesterday.
Could it be that he saw Luo Yunyao? But that doesn't make sense either; her son's reaction to Luo Yunyao had never been this strong before.
The eldest princess was curious and asked Li Yu, "Did my son see Yun Yao?"
Li Yu hesitated, his handsome face flushed red, and said only, "I didn't, Mother, please don't ask. I'll tell you in a few days."
The princess didn't press the matter further. Looking at her son's expression, she figured it wasn't anything serious; it was normal for a young man to be in the throes of first love.
But being young is wonderful!
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