Chapter 22: Obedient Children Get No Candy

Li Xianyue: "..."

This bizarre creature—why does she refuse to play by the rules?

"You truly have no respect for your elders. After causing such a catastrophic mess yesterday, do you wish to face the family discipline?"

"I would be happy to, but Madam, do not forget that the Autumn Hunt is tomorrow. I fear that if I were to catch a cold through such measures, I might find myself willing but unable to perform—"

Lu Lanxi curled her lips slightly.

The reason Lu Lanxi mentioned the Autumn Hunt was that every year, she had hunted a significant portion of the game for Lu Zhouzhou. Aside from the princes, Lu Zhouzhou always ranked near the top. This was because Lu Wuwei had strictly commanded that no one must ever outshine the princes.

Hearing the mention of the Autumn Hunt, Li Xianyue’s tone softened considerably.

"It is good that you still remember the Autumn Hunt. Very well, I shall permit you this momentary willfulness. Tomorrow, you must protect Zhouzhou and help him secure first place so that he may stand out from the crowd."

"—I have another condition!"

"You dare to set conditions? Do not mistake my tolerance for weakness."

"Then forget it... I didn't want to go anyway. I am afraid of the cold."

Li Xianyue: "..."

This wretched girl had truly changed; she no longer feared her. So be it. She would let this pass for now, but once the Autumn Hunt concluded, she would see to it that she was flayed alive, and she and her mother would be brought to their knees to beg for mercy.

"Speak, what is the condition?"

"Give me one thousand taels."

"One thousand taels? Have you lost your mind?"

"Just tell me whether you will give it or not."

"Hmph, the Lu family provides your food and clothing; do not push your luck."

"Madam Lu, I have worked like an ox and a horse for you all these years, serving as a human shield for Lu Zhouzhou. Even if you were to hire a bodyguard, you would have to pay, would you not?"

"What could you possibly need so much silver for?"

"The weather is turning cold, and I have no clothes to wear."

"You don't need that much silver just for clothes! Do you intend to wear gold on your back? One thousand taels... the sheer nerve of you to ask..."

"I am protecting your son while walking on the edge of a blade. If I am not kept warm, I fear my hands might tremble, and if by any chance—"

"Fine, I will have the steward send it to you shortly. You had best keep your word, otherwise, I cannot guarantee that I will—"

"—that you will make my life easy, right? My ears have grown calloused from hearing that line."

"Madam Lu, bring me the silver. I have no desire to wait... I heard my maid died in the manor last night... I must go and report it to the authorities later..."

"Report what to the authorities?"

Li Xianyue was not afraid of the authorities; she was afraid that reporting it would uncover Qiao’er’s death and further tarnish Lu Wanhe’s reputation.

"A mere maid who accidentally ingested the wrong medicine and died of poisoning. Dead is dead; why is there any need to involve the authorities? Rest assured, I will arrange for another maid to serve you shortly... Did you not say you needed silver to buy clothes? Go on then, hurry, or it will be too late..."

Lu Lanxi narrowed her eyes, smiling brilliantly.

So, children who are obedient do not necessarily get candy. And children who are thorns in one's side do not necessarily go without.

*Thud.*

After Lu Lanxi left, Li Xianyue angrily smashed the porcelain on the table.

"What is that thing? How dare she speak to me like that."

"Mother, calm yourself. Once the Autumn Hunt is over tomorrow, we shall deal with her properly." Lu Wanhe glared viciously at Lu Lanxi’s departing back.

"You are right. We cannot be hasty. She still has her uses, but the matter of Zhuang Huaijin must be resolved as soon as possible."

"Mother, you need not worry. With his cowardly nature, how can he be compared to His Highness Prince Yuan? He will certainly make a fool of himself tomorrow."

"Do not be careless. Although what she said earlier sounded absurd, we must remain vigilant."

After Li Xianyue finished speaking, she retrieved a bottle of medicine from a secret compartment.

"Mother, what is this?"

"Lingling Fragrance—a drug that leaves one craving more."

"What? Mother, do you mean...?" Lu Wanhe looked somewhat bashful.

"Tomorrow, find a way to make Zhuang Huaijin drink it, and have Yueya make Lu Lanxi drink some as well. Then, find a way to arrange for them to meet. In the public eye, they will have no choice but to be locked together."

"Mother, I do not understand. Why must we bind Lu Lanxi and Zhuang Huaijin together?"

"Are you foolish? Why has your wit dulled? Zhuang Huaijin is devoted to you, and Lu Lanxi is a puppet of our Lu family. Only if they are together will the Lu family suffer no losses. Then, Zhuang Huaijin can continue to risk his life for you, while Lu Lanxi continues to brave fire and water for the Lu family."

Lu Wanhe nodded in satisfaction; compared to her mother, she was still far too naive.

"Second Miss, why are you standing there instead of going in?"

Lu Wanhe’s sister, Lu Wanning, stood on tiptoe, trying to peer into the room, when one of Li Xianyue’s maids spotted her and greeted her loudly.

"Quiet, keep your voice down." Lu Wanning signaled for her to be quiet, but the maid was oblivious to the situation.

"Second Miss, Second Miss, what is the matter? Shall this servant go and announce your arrival?"

"No need..." Lu Wanning prepared to leave.

"Wanning, when did you arrive? You should have knocked." Li Xianyue opened the door and walked out, followed by Lu Wanhe.

"Mother, Sister." Lu Wanning kept her head low, not daring to speak. Since childhood, Li Xianyue had always favored Lu Wanhe, leading her to wonder if she was even her biological daughter.

"Wanning, what is wrong? Why are you crying?" Seeing Lu Wanning inexplicably in tears, Li Xianyue took the initiative to step forward and take her hand. "Who has bullied you? Tell Mother, and I shall see justice done for you."

"Mother, Wanning is just feeling a bit sad. Does Mother not love Wanning?" Hearing this, Lu Wanning felt even more aggrieved and poured out all the thoughts she had been harboring.

"Why would you say such a thing? You are the child I bore after ten months of pregnancy; how could I not love you?" Li Xianyue led Lu Wanning toward the inner room, while Lu Wanhe followed behind, comforting her, "Is my little sister jealous of me?"

"Wanning, is there something Mother has done wrong, or have I neglected you, causing you to misunderstand?"

"Mother, you have always loved Sister more since we were young. You let Sister choose everything first. Even when it came to choosing a husband, you selected a royal family member for Sister, but for me? You chose merchants. Do you not think you are being too partial?" Lu Wanning grew more aggrieved as she spoke.

Li Xianyue was stunned for a long moment before she reacted.

"Silly child, you and Wanhe are both children I risked half my life to bring into this world; how could I not love you?"

"Your sister is the eldest daughter of the primary wife, destined to marry into power. You are the second daughter, destined to marry into wealth."

"This is the path I have arranged for you both. One with power, one with wealth—would it not be better for you to support each other in the future?"

"Furthermore, the Lu family gains both power and wealth; this is the best arrangement."

"Or could it be, Wanning, that you do not wish to marry into a wealthy family, but also desire to marry a prince?" Li Xianyue sighed.

"Mother, Wanning understands now. I am no longer sad. As long as I know that Mother loves me, that is enough. In the future, I will listen to Mother."