Lu Yao

The middle-aged man smiled: "Great! We'll go after we finish our meal!"

The woman, seeing her son so happy, thought it had been worth coming here. There was definitely some fun to be had.

By noon, Xujia Village was bustling with people—many visitors had arrived.

The crayfish pond was surrounded by crowds, mostly families with children out to play. Behind the houses, the flower fields attracted many women who loved beautiful things. If not for the guards nearby, they would have picked flowers to make wreaths for their heads.

Xu Family's large vegetable greenhouse also caught the eye of the tourists. Luckily, there were men keeping watch.

"Excuse me, sir. Do you know where Xu Wenwu lives?" asked a young man dressed in fine silk robes.

The guard, hearing this stranger inquire about his benefactor's home, became cautious: "Young master, Master Xu is currently studying for his exams. He's preparing to take the imperial examination next year, so the old Xu patriarch has said we shouldn't disturb Master Xu unless it's urgent."

"Hoi! Our young master is asking a simple question. What's the big deal? Our young master just wants to meet him. Can't he spare even a little time?" Said a servant boy standing next to the young man.

The patrolling man, sensing the youth's polite manner, decided not to be rude. He asked: "Is there something you need from Master Xu, Young master?"

The young man replied: "I don't mind telling you. I'm here to share some good news about Xu Wenwu's future."

Hearing this, the patrolling man couldn't take it lightly. He absolutely couldn't let his actions affect his benefactor's future. But he still said carefully: "Young master, please wait here a moment. I'll go tell him first. I can't decide on my own."

The young master said: "Go ahead! I'll wait for you here."

"Okay, I'll be right back." The patrolling man quickly turned and ran off.

"Young master, why are you so polite to him?" The servant next to him asked: "Look at his poor, shabby clothes. Is he even fit to talk to you?"

The young man gave the servant a quick look: "You don't understand! Maybe the Xu family will be on our side someday!"

The servant said: "Yes, yes! The young master is always thinking ahead. Wouldn't the Xu family be dying to cling to your coattails if they knew your identity?"

The young master chuckled smugly at these words.

The patrolman ran all the way to the Xu residence and knocked on the door. Uncle Fu answered.

"Uncle Fu, is the old master and the young master at home?"

"Yes! Has something happened?" Uncle Fu asked.

"Yes! I need to speak to the old master right away."

Uncle Fu led the man into the main house.

"Old master, someone from the patrol team is here to see you."Uncle Fu said.

Seeing the visitor, the old master asked: "Changsheng, what happened?"

The patrolman said: "There's a rich young master here who says he needs to see your son. He mentioned it's about his future."

The old master frowned.

"Who does he think he is? A person's future depends on their own efforts, not anyone else's." Su Chenyu and Xu Wenwu walked in, shaking their fans.

"I wonder what this person really wants." The old man said.

"Don't worry, Grandpa Xu." Su Chenyu said: "As long as I'm here, no one can lay a finger on Wenwu. Bring him in. I'd like to see just what kind of freak this person is."

Changsheng glanced at the old man. Seeing him nod, he immediately ran out the door.

Su Chenyu sat down in a chair and waited for the big-talking kid to show up.

Changsheng soon brought two newcomers into the Xu residence, scanning it as they walked side by side alongside their servant.

As soon as they entered, the old man asked: "Young Master, what brings you here?"

"Are you the head of the Xu family?" the young master asked.

"I am indeed." The old man answered.

The young master looked around at the people sitting down and not standing up. He frowned and said: "Which one of you is Xu Wenwu?"

"I am Xu Wenwu." He said: "We don't seem to know each other, so how can you talk about my future?"

The young master looked Xu Wenwu up and down like he was looking at a piece of merchandise, which was extremely rude.

Su Chenyu couldn't stand it any longer and said: "What kind of snot-nosed kid are you? If you have something to say, say it! If you have nothing to say, don't pollute my air!"

"Who do you think you are, saying such bold words?!" the servant replied angrily.

The young master raised his hand to stop the servant's chatter. His face already showed anger, but he spoke with pride: "I'm Lu Yao, son of Baohe Town's governor."

When the old man heard that this man had such a prominent background, he felt a little worried.

Su Chenyu sneered and said: "So he is just a fourth-rank governor. I thought he was some great figure!"

"Who do you think you are, talking like that?" The young master couldn't help snapping back.

"Me?" Su Chenyu replied: "Someone you can't handle. Even in the capital, no one dares to mess with me. You're the first to talk to me like this."

Hearing the young man was from the capital, Lu Yao's tone softened slightly: "Although there are many high-ranking officials in the capital, there are only a few people who are truly at the top of the power. To be honest with you, my aunt is from the Prime Minister's Mansion."

Su Chenyu raised her eyebrows and said: "No wonder you are so arrogant. It turns out that you have the support of the Prime Minister's Mansion. However, your father is only a fourth-rank official. I guess your aunt is not a legitimate wife, right?"

Lu Yao snorted coldly and said: "So what if it's not? As long as my aunt is favored by the prime minister's son, who dares to look down on her easily!"

Su Chenyu laughed so hard he couldn't straighten up, slapping his thigh and saying: "That son of the High Minister accomplished nothing except fathering Lan Jie, who managed to please the High Minister. Otherwise, why would he still be just known as the High Minister's son? Everyone in the capital knows that the man spends his days in debauchery and idleness. Even Lan Jie inherited his father's habits."

Lu Yao's face turned bright red as he struggled to contain his fury: "How dare you mock the Prime Minister's Mansion! Aren't you afraid they'll retaliate?"

Su Chenyu feigned terror, covering his mouth with his hand: "I'm so terrified!"

Lu Yao looked smug, as if he had won a small victory. "Hmph! What a coward. If we were in the capital, I'd have sent someone from the Prime Minister's Mansion to arrest you right then and there!"

"All right, enough with all the chatter." Lu Yao continued: "Xu Wenwu, I must say, you look quite impressive and accomplished. I'm quite satisfied with your appearance. Let me offer you a chance to soar to success. I have a younger sister who's breathtakingly beautiful. She fancies talented men just like you."

"Pack your bags and come with me today. Don't worry, I'll have my father at the Prime Minister's Mansion help you prepare for next year's imperial exams. This is a great opportunity few people get. If you succeed in the future, you'll owe it to the Prime Minister's Mansion."

Xu Wenwu frowned: "I'm sorry, I can't accept. Please go now."

Lu Yao persisted: "Don't be ungrateful. If you marry my sister, your Xu family will benefit too. Are you happy being just a farmer?"

Xu Wenwu replied: "My family has been farmers for generations, and I'm not ashamed of that. I don't want to live off others' favors. I'll fight for what I want on my own."

Lu Yao lost his temper: "I've been nice in my request, but you're acting entitled! You should feel lucky just to marry into the Prime Minister's Mansion. If it weren't for your talent, I wouldn't even bother looking at someone from this backwater!"