Chapter 170 Fang’s Gift
Lu Zhiran said calmly, "Why don't you go find your father? He doesn't have many children. Tell him, and he will definitely protect you."
Zijuan shook her head vigorously. "Master is certainly interested in having an heir, but he doesn't often walk around the inner house. He certainly can't protect me and the child."
In the inner house, there are countless ways to get rid of a child, and Lu Guanxuan is not someone who can be trusted.
"Even your father couldn't protect you, but I can? You think too highly of me."
Zijuan's face was full of hope. "I believe in you, young lady! In the entire Lu family, no one can rival Madam except you. Only you can save me!"
After saying that, she started to kowtow "bang bang bang" very hard.
Lu Zhiran raised her hand to stop her, "You can ask me to help you, but you have to show enough sincerity."
Zijuan quickly expressed her loyalty, "If you have any instructions, please speak up. I will definitely do my best to fulfill them."
…
Fang lost her power as housekeeper and was ordered by Lu Guanxuan to be confined to her house for reflection, and her situation in the Marquis' Mansion plummeted.
Originally, Lu Zhiran's Yaoguang Pavilion was heavily guarded, and now, it would be even more difficult for her to poison Lu Zhiran without anyone noticing.
After some thought, she finally came up with an idea.
She called Lu Juncheng back from the academy under the pretext of being sick.
Her originally well-maintained face showed a bit of age, and she had lost her former energy and spirit. When Lu Juncheng saw this, he couldn't help but feel distressed.
Fang held his hand and said, "Jun'er, I have been reflecting on myself every day and have realized my mistakes. In the past, I was too extreme and had a bad temper, causing unrest in our family."
"Your father is fed up with mother, and your eldest sister has also grown estranged from mother. Now mother is filled with regret. But it's too late for mother to make amends. They all have a deep misunderstanding of mother. Only you can help mother."
After hearing his mother's words of reflection, Lu Juncheng couldn't help but feel relieved.
But then he felt a little embarrassed. How could he help?
Fang said earnestly, "Go visit your elder sister and speak well of me to her. Although your elder sister has misunderstandings about Xi'er and me, she is very gentle towards you. She will listen to you to some extent."
Lu Juncheng hesitated to speak.
In fact, he is not familiar with the elder sister at all.
It’s not that he doesn’t want to be close to his older sister, but he doesn’t have the opportunity.
Every time he came back, his mother would keep a close eye on him and not give him any chance to talk to his older sister.
That is why I did not go to visit my elder sister after she returned home.
Now, his mother had made such a request to him, and Lu Juncheng was really in a dilemma.
When Fang saw his timid look, she immediately became angry.
But thinking of her own plan, she could only suppress her anger and said without question, "Mother has just found a potted plant. It's a very rare shape. You can give it to her as a gift and say it's your own unexpected find. Put it in the room. It will not only be a place for viewing, but also a place for meditation."
The potted plant was indeed rare, with twisted branches growing upwards, thick and shiny leaves, and branches full of bright red fruits, which were round and plump, dotted on the branches like rubies, contrasting with the dark green leaves.
"Don't hit someone who smiles at you. If you take the initiative to bow your head, she will definitely give you some face."
When Lu Juncheng heard this, he knew that he had to go on this trip.
He didn't say anything more and just nodded in agreement.
Lu Juncheng walked towards Yaoguang Pavilion.
He walked slowly, as if he was running away from something.
But no matter how slow it is, it will eventually arrive.
He stood at the door of Yaoguang Pavilion, hesitating for a long time without going forward to knock on the door.
Nanny Jin came out of the courtyard and saw him, "Master, why are you here?"
Lu Juncheng looked like a child who had been caught doing something wrong, and an embarrassed look appeared on his face.
"I, I need to talk to my elder sister about something. Is she available?"
"Master, please come in first. I'll go and tell you."
Lu Juncheng soon saw Lu Zhiran. She was wearing a plain homely long dress, with her hair simply tied up in a bun and fixed with a jade hairpin. A few strands of hair hung down naturally, making her look even more lazy and casual.
Lu Juncheng bowed his head and saluted respectfully.
"Meet big sister."
Lu Zhiran smiled at him, "Jun'er is back? I remember that today is not the day off yet."
Her gentle words made Lu Juncheng's tense heart relax a little.
"My mother is sick, and I came back to visit her."
Lu Zhiran nodded, "You have always been a filial child."
Lu Juncheng mustered up the courage to speak, "Big sister, if Mother did something inappropriate, I apologize to you on her behalf. Please don't take it personally."
Lu Zhiran's tone remained gentle. "My mother and I are family. Even if there really is something going on between family members, it's just a small matter. Why would I take it to heart? What's more, as a junior, it makes no sense for me to argue with my elders."
When Lu Juncheng heard this, a glimmer of joy flashed in his eyes.
"Then I knew that my elder sister wasn't that kind of person. It was just my mother who was overthinking it."
Lu Zhiran just smiled and said nothing.
He ordered the servant to bring the potted plant forward. "Big sister, this... is what my mother asked me to bring to you. She wanted to bow to you, but she couldn't bring herself to do so. This plant may not be worth much, but it's a token of my mother's love. Please accept it, big sister."
Lu Juncheng very considerately attributed the credit of the potted plants to his mother and looked at Lu Zhiran sincerely.
Lu Zhiran raised her eyebrows slightly, looked at the potted plant, and then let Cui Fu take it.
"Since this is a gift from Mother, there's no reason for me to refuse. However, Mother probably doesn't want me to know that this is a gift from her. It would be somewhat embarrassing for her, so don't mention it in front of her."
Lu Juncheng had no doubts and nodded repeatedly.
"Indeed, my mother just told me to just say it was something I got by accident."
Lu Zhiran said quietly, "Since I know this is a gift from her, I will naturally remember this kindness and will definitely find a way to return the favor in the future."
"It would be great if Big Sister and Mother could resolve their differences."
Lu Zhiran smiled faintly.
After finishing his business, Lu Juncheng didn't know what to say. He made some random remarks and then he was really at a loss for words.
Lu Zhiran said, "Jun'er, you don't need to worry too much about the family affairs. Just study hard and pass the imperial examinations. That's the right path."
Lu Juncheng nodded quickly.
"I will definitely remember Big Sister's teachings!"
Lu Zhiran invited him to have dinner, but he declined.
After watching him leave, Lu Zhiran turned her gaze to the brightly colored potted plant, a sarcastic smile appearing at the corner of her lips.
Fang probably didn't expect that Lu Juncheng was so straightforward that he would sell her out directly.
Cui Fu and Dan Yan looked at the potted plant as if they were facing a great enemy.
"Miss, the Madam sent this thing here specially. She must have bad intentions. I will deal with it right away."
Lu Zhiran shook her head. "No need. Pick those fruits and find some similar fruits to decorate the place. Finish this play first and then deal with it."
There is indeed something wrong with this potted plant, and those round and beautiful fruits are the key to the problem.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
