CHAPTER 275: CHAPTER 275: PRETTY BOY

Lu Tiannan asked the Lu Family stewards to come forward and help, but he was refused.

According to these stewards, the Lu Family had already done their utmost by not expelling his family from the Lu Family.

Lu Tiannan ran around on his own; those who used to greet him politely now avoided him like a plague, afraid of getting involved in the scandal.

There was no way around it; the affair with the great steward of the Lu Family was too disgraceful.

Most importantly, as the situation developed, the Lord of Anyang had already stated that the great steward of the Lu Family had always used underhanded methods to coerce people.

After the incident, the second wife of the Anyang Lord’s household had already committed suicide to prove her innocence, dying with her unborn child.

She left behind a final letter detailing the wrongdoings of the great steward, and there was even a ledger documenting the steward’s embezzlement while managing business for the Anyang household, which had already been sent to the Lu Family.

The Lu Family stewards met and took back the businesses and various assets from the Lu Family’s primary household.

They also sent a notification to the Government, hoping for the great steward’s severe punishment according to law, and stated that the Lu Family would not cover up for him.

This act of righteousness slightly restored the Lu Family’s reputation.

Lu Luoxing also took charge of donating incense money to the temple for the second wife of the Anyang household and asked the monks to perform charity in her name to accumulate virtue for her.

The Anyang household then announced that as long as the Lu Family expelled the great steward’s family, they would not blame the other members of the Lu Family.

The Lu Family stewards reluctantly agreed to the Anyang household’s request.

There was no choice, they couldn’t disregard the interest of the other family members.

The great steward, for his heinous conduct, was sentenced to be executed after the autumn, temporarily held in death row, awaiting his execution.

The incident was so serious that it even caught Emperor Jing’s attention, who specifically instructed that no one was allowed to visit the great steward.

Therefore, the execution of the great steward was certain.

Listening to Lu Luoxing narrate all these, Meng Yao was utterly shocked; how did the great steward’s family fall from grace in just a few days? She had been thinking of finding a good opportunity to vent her anger, and now, it seemed there was no chance?

"How did it happen so suddenly?" Meng Yao asked.

Lu Luoxing also sighed, "I don’t know either; it just happened suddenly. To be honest, my people have been watching the great steward, but we didn’t discover anything about this matter. I asked the Lord, but he was evasive, telling me not to ask more."

"Could it be that walking the path of evil leads to one’s own destruction?" Meng Yao thought this was the only explanation.

"In any case, this outcome pleases everyone," Lu Luoxing said, "Saves me a lot of trouble. Now, Lu Tiannan and his mother have been expelled from the Lu Family, and they no longer pose any threat to me. The other Lu Family stewards have also made their positions clear."

Lu Luoxing chuckled bitterly, "They think I had a hand in this, that’s why the great steward met such an end; they are intimidated by it. What an injustice to me, I clearly did nothing."

In the courtyard, Zhao Ting, who was working as a carpenter, had a faint smile in his eyes, hiding his accomplishments and reputation.

He just didn’t expect the second wife of the Anyang Lord’s household to go straight to seeking death.

Originally, when he disclosed the information to the Anyang Lord, the Lord intended to protect the second wife.

But then—

"Father, was it you?" Zhao Dahe squatted beside Zhao Ting, holding sandpaper to smooth a table leg.

"How did you know?"

"A guess."

"Do you think I was too ruthless? After all, it cost several lives," Zhao Ting asked.

"I don’t think so. First, you didn’t frame anyone. Secondly, it was the great steward of the Lu Family who messed with us first. If you did nothing, I would have looked down on you," Zhao Dahe said, "They brought this upon themselves. Nothing deserving sympathy! But I’m curious, how did you find those skeletons in the great steward’s closet?"

"Your father is at least a Great General; how could I not have some people to use? It was just gathering some information," Zhao Ting replied.

Zhao Dahe nodded, deeply convinced, "Father, I also want to gather some people; I want to protect my mother and them."

"What kind of people do you want?"

"Killers, loyal ones," Zhao Dahe said.

"Alright."

——

Sixty miles from the Capital City, on an estate, an elderly man with graying hair and beard spoke in a trembling voice, "Xiao Ye, are you serious?"

The young man called Xiao Ye nodded, "Grandfather, it is true, that woman looks very much like Aunt."

Moreover, in recent days, he had secretly investigated, and learned that the woman came from Qingzhou Prefecture.

Back then, Aunt and Uncle were killed in that area.

"Moreover, she bought the hairpin engraved with the word Yao on it. She even expressed a wish to see you," said Qi Yunye.

"Meet her, meet her, immediately," the elderly man said excitedly.

"Don’t get too excited, Doctor said your health can’t handle such emotional swings," Qi Yunye patiently comforted his grandfather, "Give your grandson some time to make the arrangements, alright?"

"You arrange it, make it quick, quickly."

"Alright."

——

Meng Yao never imagined that the owner of Yunbin Shengxiang would personally approach her.

"Every year, Yunbin Shengxiang randomly selects one customer to observe how we craft our jewelry and win an opportunity to customize a piece," Qi Yunye explained smoothly.

"Counting my daughter, we’ve only bought there twice, and we’re this lucky?" Meng Yao was skeptical.

Truthfully, they hadn’t purchased much, always feeling that something was fishy.

They weren’t big clients, nor did they spend a lot.

How did such a good opportunity fall into her lap?

"Madam must know, our business model at Yunbin Shengxiang differs from other shops; we’ve always sold or not sold according to our whims," Qi Yunye said, "Or, put it this way, Madam and I have fate, and I find Madam pleasant to look at."

This reasoning really fitted with what Meng Yao knew about Yunbin Shengxiang’s style.

Indeed, selling or not selling, all on a whim.

"Should I thank you for finding me pleasant?" Meng Yao teased.

"No need for that, as long as Madam agrees, I’m very happy," Qi Yunye said.

"Such a good opportunity should not be wasted," Meng Yao said.

Qi Yunye handed her the invitation and then took his leave.

Zhao Ting approached, "Just one look, and you can tell he’s up to no good; Ah Yao, don’t be fooled."

He’s just a pretty face, and on top of that, what kind of tactless talk was that, claiming fate, and finding her pleasant? Is he blind, doesn’t he see this big man standing right here? Ah Yao has a man! This pretty face guy sticking around must have some ulterior motive!

Meng Yao rolled her eyes at Zhao Ting, "He’s inviting me to Yunbin Shengxiang, not to some bizarre place."

The invitation clearly stated Yunbin Shengxiang as the location.

"Then, I will go with you," Zhao Ting said.