The Comeback of the Cannon-Fodder Supporting Actress

Chapter 1109: Chapter 1083: Nobility Amid Chaos 151

Liu Cai went to the entrance of Lin Lianshuang’s Mansion. He was wealthy and directly used money to bribe the gatekeeper, asking them to send a message to Lin Lianshuang.

At this time, Lin Lianshuang had just returned from the government office. Upon hearing that Lu Zhen’s uncle was here to see her, she instructed someone to take Liu Cai to Lu Zhen’s courtyard.

Lu Zhen lived comfortably at the Lin Mansion.

Lin Lianshuang prepared a separate courtyard for Lu Zhen. Nanny Wu also helped Lu Zhen manage things, and with her personal maid Shi Liu serving her, she lived quite contentedly.

Nanny Wu didn’t remain idle either. She taught Lu Zhen the palace’s rules daily, shared interesting stories about Anning from the Nanyi Prefecture in the past, and even told Lu Zhen about the Crown Prince’s preferences.

Lu Zhen studied diligently.

She was an intelligent lady. Many things Nanny Wu explained once, she was able to remember. If there was something she got mixed up, she would ask Nanny Wu again and have it sorted out.

One day, as Nanny Wu continued to explain the temperaments of the palace’s masters to Lu Zhen, when she spoke of Princess Fengyang, Nanny Wu softly said, ”You know about Miss Qi from the Beijing Grand Theater now?”

Lu Zhen actually knew about it.

”I’ve heard him sing, and he sings very well.”

Nanny Wu smiled and said, ”In the future, when you encounter Mr. Qi, be polite and absolutely avoid any conflict with him.”

”Why is that?”

Lu Zhen was somewhat puzzled.

Nanny Wu quietly explained, ”Mr. Qi is under the protection of Princess Fengyang. Those of us who are experienced in the palace all understand this. Even Little Fuzi, who serves closely beside His Majesty, is very respectful to Mr. Qi.”

Lu Zhen was momentarily stunned.

”Does His Majesty and the Empress know about this?”

She was quite confused, as Nanny Wu’s words suggested that the relationship between Princess Fengyang and Mr. Qi was extraordinary. Mr. Qi was essentially Princess Fengyang’s kept companion, and yet Princess Fengyang was unmarried. Wouldn’t the Emperor and the Empress intervene?

Nanny Wu laughed, ”They know. Princess Fengyang petitioned the Empress, and the Empress permitted it. Otherwise, why do you think we treat Mr. Qi with such politeness? Although Princess Fengyang seems well-natured and amiable, she was raised under the doting care of His Majesty and the Empress. If you truly provoke her, she will never let it go easily.”

Lu Zhen nodded, ”Thank you, Nanny, for the reminder. I’ve taken note.”

Just then, a young maid from the Lin Family came over to tell Lu Zhen that her uncle had arrived. Lu Zhen quickly stood up, tidied her clothing, and went to welcome him with Shi Liu.

Just as Liu Cai stepped into the small courtyard, Lu Zhen saw him and couldn’t help but let her tears fall.

When Lu Zhen was young, she had lived with the Liu Family for a period. Later, when she followed Lu Wang during water projects, Liu Cai frequently went out for business. Whenever he came across fresh things, he’d stop by to see Lu Zhen, bringing her clothes and jewelry, and would chat with her. Even Lu Zhen’s current maid, Shi Liu, was a girl Liu Cai rescued during a business trip. After saving Shi Liu and finding she had nowhere to go, he brought her to Lu Zhen.

At that time, Lu Zhen was surrounded by servants from the Lu Family. These servants often paid her lip service, making them hard to manage and causing inconvenience to Lu Zhen. Only after Shi Liu joined her, sharing a single mind as mistress and servant, did her life become easier.

It could be said that from childhood to adulthood, the care Lu Zhen received from family, aside from Lu Wang, mostly came from Liu Cai.

”Uncle.”

Lu Zhen stepped off the stairs, crying as she greeted Liu Cai.

Liu Cai also wiped his tears, his eyes red, ”You’ve grown up, it’s been just over a year since we last met, and you’ve grown so tall.”

Lu Zhen smiled through her tears, ”I don’t need to run around in the Capital, and the food is good, so I’ve grown taller.”

She quickly invited Liu Cai inside to talk.

Once Liu Cai entered the house, he said, ”I just went to see your mother. I’ve already scolded her. Judging by her appearance, she should be able to change. You watch over it; if she can change and treat you well, after all, she is your biological mother, we should honor her as we ought to. If she doesn’t change and continues her old ways, uncle is here to support you. I spoke to your grandmother when I came, if you truly can’t stay with the Lu Family, you can come back with me; we can return to Gu City and settle down. Our Liu Family mansion is even bigger than the Lu Family’s, lacking nothing, whether food or clothing you want.”

”Okay.”

Lu Zhen nodded, ”I will listen to Uncle.”

On the Lu Family side, after seeing off Liu Cai, Mrs. Liu saw Lu Shan coming over with a maid.

She smiled at Mrs. Liu, ”I heard the Liu Family uncle just visited; I wonder what good things he brought?”

Mrs. Liu invited Lu Shan inside, ”He didn’t bring anything; he just came to see me.”

Lu Shan sat down and pouted, ”What do you mean ’my uncle’? My uncle’s surname is Gao, not Liu.”

Previously, Mrs. Liu didn’t think much of it; after all, she had gotten used to Lu Shan’s sarcastic remarks. But Liu Cai’s earlier scolding, labeling Lu Shan as an ungrateful wolf no matter how raised, resonated with her.

Now, seeing Lu Shan refusing to acknowledge Liu Cai as her uncle made Mrs. Liu quite furious.

Over the years, Liu Cai sent many things to the Lu Family. Every time there were good things, Mrs. Liu would let Lu Shan choose first. It could be said that for many years, the good things Lu Shan used and ate were mostly provided by the Liu Family. As for the Gao Family, they only talked the talk and didn’t actually give anything.

The Gao Family had oppressed Mrs. Liu all these years, making her revere them, never daring to think they were wrong.

But now, upon reflection, what did the Gao Family have?

Nothing but an empty reputation and, in fact, over the years, the family had fallen into decline.

Previously, the old master of the Gao Family held a second-grade official title, making them a notable family in the Capital. But in recent years, after the old master passed, the unworthy descendants left behind nothing but an empty shell. Honestly, the Gao Family wasn’t even on par with the Liu Family.

At least the Liu Family had wealth, what did the Gao Family have?

”Yes, the surname is Gao.”

Mrs. Liu, feeling angry and recalling Liu Cai’s advice to restrain Lu Shan, was anything but polite, ”Miss, you know your maternal family’s surname is Gao, right? All these years, what you’ve eaten and used mainly came from the Liu family. So what, I thought you wanted to change uncles, turns out when you lack money and goods, it’s the uncle Liu. When it’s not needed, back to uncle Gao. Isn’t this changing too quickly?”

Mrs. Liu’s words immediately inflamed Lu Shan.

”What does mother mean by this?”

Mrs. Liu sneered, ”You know what I mean. My brother leaves just moments ago, and the moment after, Miss comes to ask for things. Those who know would say Miss is close to her mother; those who don’t might think Miss is shallow, always eyeing others’ belongings. By the way, not long ago, Miss mentioned missing a set of headwear for the palace and borrowed my ruby headgear set to go with it. Shouldn’t it be returned now?”

Lu Shan couldn’t sit still. She stood up abruptly, ”What do you mean borrow? Mother asks her daughter to return a set of headwear, where is there such a thing?”

Mrs. Liu slapped the table, sternly saying, ”I am a Liu, not a Gao. Your mother is Mrs. Gao, and you perform rituals for Mrs. Gao on holidays and birthdays. Why, then, shouldn’t you return what you borrowed from me?”

She chided loudly, ”Miss, when you were younger, I had some patience for you, but now that you’re grown, you cannot be without manners and discipline like when you were a child. From today on, discipline needs to be established. Besides, your younger sister is about to get married, yet your own marriage isn’t arranged. Previously the Old Madam said you were young and waiting two more years is fine, but now it’s not possible. There can’t be a situation where the younger sister marries before the elder one. Your marriage needs to be prepared. In the meantime, you should stay at home and learn some needlework and cooking, lest you embarrass the Lu Family by knowing nothing once married.”