Chapter 20 The real source of trouble
After returning to the Marquis' Mansion in a depressed mood, he was immediately summoned to Yongfu Residence.
It was rare that Xuanping Hou Chu Dingfeng was here today, and Zhao Shuning was also there, and all of them had smiles on their faces.
After paying their respects, Jiang couldn't wait to speak, "I have good news. The Li family has accepted the invitation from the Marquis' Mansion. Lord Li and Madam Li will personally attend the banquet to congratulate you."
The Lord Li and Madam Li mentioned by Jiang are the brother and sister-in-law of Concubine Li, and the current head of the Li family.
Lord Li Mingyuan is a second-rank official and a cabinet scholar. Madam Li Zheng is also from a noble family. The sixth prince born to Concubine Li is a popular candidate for the crown prince. The Li family can be said to be a true noble family. In the past, the Xuanping Marquis Mansion would have no chance of climbing up the Li family.
Now that they have finally established contact with the Li family, Chu Dingfeng and Jiang are naturally happy.
After hearing this good news, Chu Yian's depressed mood finally improved, and he looked at Zhao Shuning with tenderness in his eyes.
"All this is thanks to Shuning."
Chu Dingfeng stroked his short beard and looked at Zhao Shuning with admiration. "Zhao, you have made great contributions to the Marquisate this time. An'er made the right choice by marrying you."
Jiang also agreed with a smile, "That's right. When I first saw you, I felt that you would bring prosperity to our family. You really didn't disappoint us."
Jiang's words at this time can be said to be sincere.
Zhao Shuning works in the palace, and has great opportunities to make friends with nobles. If she makes a few more contributions in the future, there will be no need to worry about the future of the Marquis' Mansion.
Chu Dingfeng's idea was exactly the same as Jiang's. He was even more pleased with himself. He had seen that Zhao Shuning had an extraordinary future, so he acquiesced to his son's request for an imperial decree. Now it seemed that he was indeed far-sighted.
Zhao Shuning was very pleased with the attitude of the two. The corners of her lips rose unconsciously, and her heart was full of complacency.
"Father, Mother, I just did what I was supposed to do. It's my honor to bring honor to the Marquis' Mansion."
Jiang smiled kindly, "What a good child! It would have been great if you had started learning earlier."
These words were suggestive, and Zhao Shuning felt like he was fed a sweet date. The sense of superiority in his heart that was valued swelled to the extreme.
If she had gotten started earlier, would Lu Zhiran have had any place?
It’s a pity that life is so unpredictable.
Chu Dingfeng changed the subject and said, "An'er, I heard that your job has been finalized?"
Chu Yian nodded, speaking in a slow tone, "My son has been transferred to the military garrison and is serving as the commander of the infantry."
Chu Dingfeng's brows immediately furrowed. "You are the first to achieve merit in this battle, why do you only get this assignment?"
The smile on Zhao Shuning's face also faded a little.
Chu Yian pursed his lips and said nothing. Jiang felt heartbroken when she thought about her son's bright future being ruined.
She gritted her teeth and said, "My Lord, you don't know that this was all done by the Lu family!"
In the past few days, Zhao Shuning has been showing off in front of Jiang again. Jiang is certain that Lu Zhiran entered the palace that day to file a complaint with the emperor.
Chu Dingfeng's face darkened. "What's going on?"
Jiang: "She entered the palace some time ago. She must have reported An'er to the Emperor, which is why the Emperor only assigned An'er this task."
Chu Dingfeng was furious. "Is this really true?"
"Shuning found out about this in the palace, how could it be false? I thought Mrs. Lu was sensible, but I didn't expect her to be so petty and intolerant. She even brought this to the Emperor. How will the Emperor view you and our Marquisate?"
This statement was ambiguous, but Zhao Shuning did not explain it because she also believed that this matter was related to Lu Zhiran.
"They say you should marry a virtuous woman. It's truly unfortunate for the Marquis's family to marry such a troublemaker! She should really be divorced!"
Zhao Shuning's eyes flickered slightly.
If Lu Zhiran was really divorced, then she would be the only mistress of the Marquis' Mansion in the future.
Zhao Shuning took these words seriously, not knowing that Jiang was just saying them on purpose.
Lu Zhiran had a generous dowry and her father was a third-rank minister of the Ministry of Revenue. These were things that Zhao Shuning, an orphan, could not compare to.
Her son has two wives, both of whom can provide support. Why should he make a loss-making deal of choosing one over the other?
Chu Dingfeng slammed his palm on the table.
"This is outrageous! She's a wife of the Chu family, yet she's so ignorant and betrays her husband's family. She's the source of our family's troubles! Someone, bring Lu to me. If she doesn't give me an explanation, my Chu family will definitely not tolerate her!"
Seeing his father furious, Chu Yian did not say anything to stop him.
That woman really deserves a good lesson, otherwise she would even forget whose last name she is.
Yusheng Residence.
Lu Zhiran received a message from a servant. She used the excuse of being under house arrest as an excuse, but the servant was firm in his attitude. "Young Madam, I am here to invite you on the orders of the Marquis. It would be better for you to come with me."
A hint of surprise flashed through Lu Zhiran's mind.
In her two lifetimes, she had rarely interacted with her father-in-law. Why did he suddenly summon her?
When Lu Zhiran went inside to change her clothes, Nanny Jin smiled and took out a rather heavy purse and handed it to the nanny who came in to summon her.
"Old sister, this is a small token of my appreciation. Take it and enjoy your wine."
The nanny pretended to refuse, then put it into her sleeve, and her face looked a little more relaxed.
"When the Young Madam was in charge, she was always kind to us servants, and I remember her kindness. Today, besides the Marquis, the eldest son and Madam Ning were also here, and it seemed they were arguing about the eldest son's assignment."
After Lu Zhiran had finished packing, Nanny Jin whispered the information she had found out to her.
Nanny Jin was worried. "It's likely that the task assigned by the eldest young master was not good. The Marquis and his wife are dissatisfied with it. And with Madam Ning fanning the flames, they are increasingly convinced that you have complained to the Emperor. I'm afraid you will be in trouble this time."
Lu Zhiran's expression was quite calm. "I've been in trouble enough, haven't I? This is no less."
When Nanny Jin heard this, she was heartbroken and felt even more that this mansion was not a place for human beings to stay.
It was already late autumn, and the weather was finally no longer hot and humid, and was slowly becoming a little cooler.
Because of falling into the water last time, Lu Zhiran was a little afraid of the cold. She wore a madder blue double-breasted outer gown with lace and a green jade hairpin on her head. Her whole body exuded an elegant and profound charm like ink painting, neither ostentatious nor dull, but just the right brilliance.
The moment she stepped in, she immediately attracted everyone's attention.
There was a flash of surprise in Chu Yian's eyes, but when he thought of the ridicule he suffered at Yushengju last time, shame and anger surged in his heart, and there was a hint of disgust in his eyes.
After greeting the leader, Lu Zhiran asked, "I wonder why my parents called their daughter-in-law here?"
Chu Dingfeng's face was stern, his eyes dignified. "I heard that you went to the palace to meet the emperor a while ago. Why have you never mentioned such an important event?"
A pair of eyes were fixed on her, and if she felt guilty, it would show on her face.
Lu Zhiran spoke slowly, "Father, please forgive me. It's not that I intentionally concealed this. It's just that there are other reasons behind my meeting with the emperor, which cannot be made public."
They were obviously dissatisfied with this answer.
Chu Dingfeng demanded sharply, "Is it inconvenient to make it public, or are you afraid? An'er made great contributions in Xiping this time, but was only given a lowly position. Did you, an ignorant fool, say something nonsense in front of the Emperor?"
This questioning was merciless and didn't leave her any face at all.
Chu Yian just looked at her coldly, waiting for her to make excuses.
Lu Zhiran's face showed appropriate fear, and she hurriedly said, "Father, please understand. How dare I speak nonsense in front of the Emperor? If I really said that, wouldn't it be suspected of interfering in the affairs of the court? How could I have the face to do that? Moreover, the Emperor is a wise ruler. How could I be influenced by a mere woman like me?"
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