Chapter 49 Tearing Off the Mask

The eerie atmosphere in Jiuling Hall had dissipated, with the laughter of children reverberating in the streets.

Now, most of the children in the city had been vaccinated and no longer needed to hide in fear within their homes, enjoying the childhood joy they deserved.

Manager Liu stood by the window and let out a light sigh.

"Old Heavenly Father is truly unfair," he said softly.

Those who bring joy to others always have to bear endless troubles.

"No."

Miss Jun, who had washed up and came back in, heard this and said,

"In fact, this is very fair."

The deeds of Lu Yunqi today originated from her deliberate guidance that day, and the reason why she guided so deliberately was to obtain the handwritten notes from her master without being discovered.

This was the price. This was fairness. She did not feel regret or annoyance about the troubles that arose today.

"There's nothing to be troubled about," she said, accepting the tea Liu'er handed to her, "Such matters are trivial; relationships between men and women always need mutual affection."

Manager Liu nodded with a smile.

"Indeed, this matter is both troublesome and simple," he said. "Not to mention that marriage is under the decree of the parents and the matchmaker's arrangement, with your current reputation, Miss Jun, even the emperor could not force a marriage."

Seventh Chen nodded his head in agreement repeatedly.

Miss Jun just smiled and did not speak.

Seventh Chen's gaze fell on the stacked trunks and chests.

"What should we do with these?" he said.

The truth of the matter was known to everyone, and the hearts that had been startled by the sudden wedding gifts had settled down, but how to handle this matter next was still a headache.

"Same as last time, with the ten thousand taels of silver banknote?" Seventh Chen said.

Last time, Miss Jun's explanation was that she dared not refuse, could not change her name, so she just pretended as if nothing had happened.

Fang Jinxiu frowned slightly.

"This can't be ignored; this isn't about money," she said.

Once the dowry is accepted, it means it is agreed upon, and when someone comes to escort the bride, if you then say you dare not refuse, it will be a joke.

"What's there to do about it? Just return it," Manager Liu laughed.

Seventh Chen stood up from his chair.

"I don't know how to send it back," he said. "It must be returned, the key is how."

Manager Liu and Fang Jinxiu looked at him without speaking.

"Nobody paid attention when these things were delivered," Seventh Chen continued. "Even though they saw the Jinyiwei carry these things down, people wouldn't think too much of it; they would only assume it was a gratitude gift for Miss Jun."

"So what?" Fang Jinxiu said.

"So we must send it back quietly again," Seventh Chen said. "Do you say in the dark of night, or in the evening? Just drop it off and leave; we won't even need the carriage."

Fang Jinxiu gave him a sideways glance.

"You think this matter can still go unnoticed?" she said.

Seventh Chen made a sound of realization.

"Right, if Thousand-Man Commander Lu used this tactic, he intended for everyone to know," he said, his brows knitted, clapping his hands, "Then straightforwardly, since it's going to be public knowledge anyway, we might as well take the initiative. We'll dump the things right in front of Thousand-Man Commander Lu's door for everyone to see our indignation."

Fang Jinxiu had yet to speak when Miss Jun, who was drinking tea, put down her cup.

"Good idea," she said.

Seventh Chen was momentarily stunned.

"What's good?" he stood up and said.

Miss Jun walked over to the trunks and chests and patted them.

"Just dump the things right in front of Thousand-Man Commander Lu's door," she said.

Seventh Chen was taken aback.

"Are we really doing this?" he said.

He really wanted to say that he was just speaking casually.

If they really did that, it would become well-known to all, and it would also mean a fallout with Lu Yunqi.

Miss Jun went over and swept a piece of red silk off a trunk.

"Face? Wasn't it already torn?" she said. "Is there need for courtesy?"

Manager Liu laughed heartily.

"Exactly," he said. "Who needs face anyway."

Lu Yunqi, such a person, has never had a face to lose, but what does it matter? Jiuling Hall has never relied on face either.

Whether wandering the streets as bell healers or claiming to only cure diseases that other doctors could not, Jiuling Hall has never cared about face since it stood in the capital.

Instead, it often causes others to lose face.

Manager Liu looked at Seventh Chen with a smile again.

"Shopkeeper Chen, will you go or shall I?" he asked.

Seventh Chen also laughed.

"Manager Liu, you jest. Why should we divide ourselves into you and me?" he said. "How could we trouble De Sheng Chang with the affairs of Jiuling Hall?"

After saying that, he lifted his feet and walked out.

"I will prepare the carriage and call some people."

Fang Jinxiu, however, called out for a wait and took out a silver banknote.

"Send this betrothal gift back, and also return to him the eight thousand taels of money from last time," she said.

Seventh Chen took the silver banknote with a hehe and strode out.

At this time, Lu Yunqi also walked into Lu Mansion, and the maidservants could hardly conceal their joy and were somewhat flustered.

Lord Lu hadn't returned for a long time, but fortunately, during this period, he hadn't visited the other mansion.

Now that the dynasty's affairs were over, he still returned here first.

After all, this place is home.

Princess Jiuli also heard the news and came out to welcome him in the corridor.

"Princess," Lu Yunqi saluted several steps away.

Princess Jiuli returned the salute.

"You've returned," she said. Though there was no surprise of a distant one returning, the smile on her face grew thicker. She extended her hand in invitation, "Dinner is ready. Please, Lord."

The hall of Princess Jiuli was filled with the spirit of spring; the maidservants and maids fluttered in and out, bringing forth exquisite wines and dishes one after another.

"Lord, you've worked hard," Princess Jiuli said, personally passing a cup of wine.

Lu Yunqi stood up and took it.

"It was not hard," he said, sitting down and pausing, "His Excellency Prince Huai will re-examine in three days."

The smile in Princess Jiuli's eyes grew deeper.

"It's hard work," she said, pouring herself a cup of wine, "I never expected Miss Jun to actually be able to suppress smallpox."

Lu Yunqi drank his wine with lowered eyes, silent as if he hadn't heard.

Princess Jiuli finished her drink in one gulp, which did not resemble her usual dignified manner.

"I wonder how she did it?" she asked with a smile as she put down the wine cup, looking at Lu Yunqi.

Lu Yunqi's wine slowly emptied and he set it down, still without a word.

The maidservants standing by felt some anxiety and unease.

Lord had long returned, it would have been good to ask about and show concern for the Lord, but why is the princess only asking about others, what's the meaning of inquiring about smallpox?

Although it's understandable that Princess Jiuli, confined within the deep courtyards, is curious about such a rare event as suppressing smallpox, she could also ask tomorrow.

A maidservant decided to smooth things over, but before she could speak, a man came in swiftly.

The fact that a man could come directly into the inner mansion did not surprise the people of Lu Mansion, and the maidservants and young girls present were all busy bowing their heads and stepping back. Princess Jiuli also stopped speaking, watching the man whisper something into Lu Yunqi's ear.

Lu Yunqi's expression remained unchanged, but he stood up.

"I'll step out for a moment," he said.

Princess Jiuli nodded with a smile, watching as Lu Yunqi turned and walked out.

Only then did the maidservants step forward.

"Princess, will you wait for the Lord?" a maidservant asked quietly.

Would they wait for the Lord to return and eat together, or would the princess eat first?

Princess Jiuli smiled.

"There's no need for so many formalities," she said. "Everyone may do as they please."

Do as they please?

How can this couple be so casual?

The maidservant was puzzled, but seeing Princess Jiuli had already picked up her bowl and chopsticks, she did not dare to persuade her further.

After all, she is a princess, though fallen from grace.

There was a rapid footsteps outside, and a young girl walked in with a panicked face.

"Princess, something bad has happened," she said. "There's trouble outside..."