The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1106: Chapter 1080: Honor in Turbulent Times 148

Anning said so, and Lin Lianshuang listened in kind: ”The Empress said that if the Lu Family can’t understand the situation, it doesn’t matter if the Second Miss isn’t married off from the Lu Family.”

As for whether the Lu Family’s reputation would look good in the future, or whether they could maintain their dignity, that was not in the scope of Anning and Lin Lianshuang’s considerations.

Anning’s main concern right now is Lu Zhen’s feelings and safety.

Her son had a hard time fancying a girl; of course, she had to protect her carefully. In case something happened to Lu Zhen, or if she was harmed by Lu Shan intentionally or unintentionally, where would Anning find another girl as perfect as Ru Yi for Xiao Ying?

Lin Lianshuang appreciated Lu Zhen.

She thought that Lu Zhen’s nature and wisdom were good, and she could assist the Crown Prince well in the future, making her good material to be the mother of the nation.

Having settled their discussion, Xiao Ying did not say much to Lu Zhen. After viewing the flowers and chatting briefly, he sent Lu Zhen back to Fengqi Palace.

Xiao Ying had many tasks to attend to, and nowadays many memorials required his review. He did not have the time for idle talk and left after sending Lu Zhen back.

When Anning saw Lu Zhen return, she smiled and asked her to sit down, then said, ”Today, the Crown Prince, the Commandery Prince, and the Princess are all busy with matters. Only I am dining alone; it is just as well that the Second Miss has come to keep me company.”

Lu Zhen quickly complied.

Anning chatted with her for a while, asking her about her daily activities at home. When it was time for lunch, she led Lu Zhen and Lin Lianshuang to move to the main hall, where the meal was already prepared.

After this meal, Anning became more and more appreciative of Lu Zhen.

Such a good girl, yet she has such a confused mother like Mrs. Liu. It’s truly a pity for this girl.

After the meal, Anning said to Lu Zhen, ”I just spoke with Minister Lin. In the coming days, you should stay at Minister Lin’s place. I will send Nanny Wu with you, so she can teach you some palace rules. Learn well from her.”

Lu Zhen quickly stood up and said, ”Thank you for your trouble.”

She then bowed to Lin Lianshuang: ”Please take good care of me, Minister Lin.”

Lin Lianshuang smiled and said, ”It’s my duty.”

Afterward, Lin Lianshuang went to handle official matters and only picked up Lu Zhen at the palace gate to return home together by evening.

At the Lu Family

Mrs. Lu, Mrs. Liu, and Lu Shan were all growing more and more frustrated waiting for Lu Zhen, especially Lu Shan, who kept cursing, and Mrs. Liu also felt it was wrong for Lu Zhen to speak harshly about her sister.

Moreover, all three believed Lu Zhen must have been scheming or done something secretly; otherwise, why would the Empress choose her to be the Crown Princess Consort?

Clearly, Lu Shan was better than Lu Zhen in every aspect. Lu Zhen was so unattractive; why would the Empress abandon Lu Shan in favor of her?

Lu Shan cursed, ”It must be because His Majesty wants to employ my father, so the Empress chose a girl from the Lu Family to be the Crown Princess Consort. That day the Empress clearly favored me; she even gifted me the Eight Phoenix hairpin. Isn’t that a sign she wanted me to be the Crown Princess Consort? How did it become Lu Zhen? It must be that Lu Zhen spoke ill of me outside, ruining my reputation. Anyway, the Royal Family definitely wanted a girl from the Lu Family to enter the palace. If it wasn’t me, it’d be her. What a wretched person she is. She’s such a despicable being.”

Mrs. Liu didn’t see anything wrong with Lu Shan cursing Lu Zhen and even supported her: ”Exactly, Miss speaks the truth. Lu Zhen has always been deceitful, looking sweet on the outside but bitter on the inside.”

Lu Shan pounded the table and said, ”In front of Minister Lin, she said I was possessed by something dirty. Isn’t that ruining my reputation? She must have said the same before. The Royal Family always avoids such talk, which is why she was chosen instead. She’s simply atrocious. How could she do such a thing?”

Mrs. Lu also thought Lu Shan made a valid point.

She was so furious that she said, ”Quickly write to your father, explain the situation to him, and have him submit a memorial to His Majesty explaining everything. Perhaps once His Majesty knows Lu Zhen’s true nature, he will replace her with you as the Crown Princess Consort.”

The spies Anning placed in the Lu Family were utterly bewildered upon hearing these words.

What on earth were these three thinking? How could they be so muddleheaded?

Anyone with a clear mind would understand that the Second Miss saying Lu Shan was muddled and sick was to preserve the Lu Family’s reputation; it was to save Lu Shan.

If not, Lu Shan, in Minister Lin’s presence, in front of officials from the Ministry of Rites, said she was the Crown Princess Consort, clamoring about punishing the future Crown Princess Consort, even claiming a mistake in the imperial edict—such talk was highly disrespectful. If the Royal Family pursued the matter earnestly, the entire Lu Family could be implicated, and confiscation and exile would be the best outcomes. There might even be beheadings involved.

Lu Zhen, in a moment of desperation, had the quick thinking to say she was ill and disoriented, and even suggested Lu Shan might be possessed by something unclean, all in an effort to save Lu Shan’s life.

If Lu Shan wasn’t sick or troubled, and a maiden of the boudoir uttered such words, causing such a scandal, it would be a capital offense. Even if she were spared death, she would be beaten and her reputation would be ruined, nobody would dare marry her.

Anyone perceptive could see why Lu Zhen said that, yet the three women of the Lu Family were so foolish that they failed to understand Lu Zhen’s good intentions. Truly, it’s puzzling how such a sharp man like Mr. Lu could foster three complete fools at home.

The secret agents wrote down the words Lu Shan said and the reactions of Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Liu and passed the note into the palace.

Anning, after reading it, felt both angry and amused.

She was angry because some people don’t understand, amused because Mrs. Lu and Mrs. Liu are not the sort to be unworldly, yet they uttered such foolish words.

Anning called Xiao Ying over and showed the note to him, Xiao Ying’s face immediately darkened.

Xiao Ying and Xiao Yuan have similar temperaments—they fiercely protect their own. Anyone dear to him won’t be allowed to be bullied by others.

If anyone dared harm his people, he would fight them to the bitter end.

”I’m grateful to Mother for keeping me in mind.”

Xiao Ying thanked Anning and added, ”This year, Mother needn’t bother with Lu Family matters, leave it to me.”

Anning nodded: ”As long as you’re aware.”

Xiao Ying chuckled: ”If Father Emperor knew Mother was still worrying about my marriage affairs, he’d probably scold me.”

Anning flicked him lightly on the forehead: ”Now you know how to tease your mother, well, if you’re willing to handle it, go ahead, I won’t worry about this matter anymore.”

Xiao Ying left Fengqi Palace and immediately called his men for arrangements.

Jizhou Ancient City

The Liu Family is considered a prestigious household in the ancient city, with just their residence taking up half a street. Built like a fortress, the Liu residence has corner towers on all four walls, as well as watchtowers. Their courtyard walls resemble city walls, employing hundreds of house servants for patrolling, and craftsmen resided there year-round for maintenance work.

Known locally as Half City Liu, this reflects the Liu Family’s wealth.

Liu Cai is the current head of the Liu Family; though unsuccessful in his studies, he is excellent in commerce, making profits from all the businesses he manages. Even the rare occasion of low profits is unusual.

During the wars across various regions two years ago, the Liu Family, due to their stronghold-like home, remained unaffected. When the Jing Dynasty was established, Liu Cai discovered numerous business opportunities, extending his trade to Jiangnan. Good items from Jiangnan were sold to Jiangbei, and vice versa. The Liu Family opened several trade routes and even considered sea trade.

That day, Liu Cai returned from outside, dusty and tired. Heading home, he first paid respects to his mother, Mrs. Liu. They exchanged a few words, then she asked, ”Did you see your brother-in-law?”

Liu Cai smiled: ”Yes, I saw him. My brother-in-law is quite esteemed now; His Majesty trusts him, entrusting him with all river management. He can request funds and manpower as needed, and his word carries weight over the waterways.”

Mrs. Liu was pleased to hear this: ”That’s good, hopefully your sister’s days are easier now.”

Liu Cai grimaced at the mention of Mrs. Liu, and his face turned sour: ”Don’t mention her. I truly don’t understand how she was raised, how she can be so muddle-headed. She doesn’t bond with her own daughter, instead favoring the one born first in Lu Family. Every mention of her irritates me.”

Mrs. Liu also disapproved of Mrs. Liu’s conduct, but it was still her own daughter, after all, so she cared.

”Next time you visit the Capital, drop by the Lu Family, have a good look at Zhen’er. If she’s unhappy staying with them, bring her to our home for a while, let her relax. Alas, speaking of Zhen’er makes me unsure of how to cherish her. Such a wonderful child, yet your sister fails to bond with her, and the old madam of Lu Family only cares for the elder one, saying she doesn’t have a mother, but doesn’t consider our Zhen’er is no different, with or without a mother. She has a mother, but it’s as if she doesn’t.”

Liu Cai nodded: ”I was planning a trip to the Capital soon. Previously, I met some friends in Jiangnan who found connections to get me acquainted with Prince Xin. I thought to try, if I truly align with the Prince, business will be easier for our family.”

”That’s a necessary visit.”

Mrs. Liu laughed: ”Your brother-in-law is an official but can’t do much for us; he’s managing rivers, and our family isn’t in that kind of trade...”

As the mother and son conversed, they saw the steward rushing over in a fluster: ”Master, Master, quickly come and see, people from the Capital have arrived, sent specifically by the Crown Prince for you.”