The carriage sped through the streets, spurring the horses, and soon passed through the bustling market, stopping on a quiet street.
Although this street was deserted, it was extremely exquisite, with even the stones paving the ground being top-grade jade.
White blossoms bloomed on the precious camphor trees lining the street, emitting a fragrant aroma. Jade railings, carved and separated, extended endlessly in both directions. Only a few residences were visible in the distance, astonishing to behold.
This was the residence of the five great families of Jiangnan. For some unknown reason, the ancestors of these five families had all built their mansions on this very street. Legend had it that the ancestors of the five families were brothers, claiming brotherhood, and thus built their homes together.
However, their descendants gradually grew hostile, scheming against each other and undermining one another. Despite living on the same street, they never acknowledged each other.
Before the Lu Mansion.
The coachman jumped down from the carriage and respectfully asked, "Miss, have we arrived home?"
Lu Wanqing nodded, lifted the curtain, and leaped out of the carriage. She turned back to look inside, smiling. A crowd of servants, three layers deep, were pressed against the carriage, their eyes wide open, staring at the carriage to see what their young lady had picked up this time.
Before Lu Wanqing could speak, a pleasant laugh sounded from behind her.
"Sister, what have you picked up this time? Be careful, they might throw it all out."
After speaking, she peered into the carriage. With just one glance, she quickly pulled Lu Wanqing over, her face serious. "Sister, you've gone too far this time. Where did you abduct this child from? No one would abandon such a cute child."
Lu Wanqing was taken aback. She hadn't really considered what her sister, Lu Wanyun, had said, but her words did hold some truth. Why would Mu Xing be chased?
This was the most confusing part, but she had no habit of kidnapping children. She glared displeasily at Lu Wanyun, about to retort, when a voice sounded from inside the carriage.
"This sister, it wasn't Miss Lu who abducted me; I came back with her voluntarily."
The tender voice was like heavenly music, leaving Lu Wanyun stunned. As the sweet voice faded, Mu Xing's small body emerged from the carriage. He looked up at the tall lintel.
Two large characters, "Lu Mansion," in gilded lettering hung above the main gate. Stone lions stood on either side, exuding grandeur. The Lu Mansion was indeed a wealthy family.
Hearing Mu Xing's words, Lu Wanqing nodded with satisfaction. She reached out and embraced Mu Xing's small body, lifting him down from the carriage.
All the servants in front of the Lu Mansion collapsed in unison. Their young lady had picked up another person this time, and they had lost a lot.
Only the steward of the Lu Mansion remained as steady as a mountain, a smile on his lips, because he had earned several thousand coins. This feeling was exhilarating. As soon as he saw Lu Wanqing leading Mu Xing into the main gate, he respectfully said,
"Greetings, Eldest Miss."
A chorus of voices then sounded from the front of the gate.
Mu Xing looked at everything before him. Without needing to think, he knew that his Sister Lu was such a good person that she was deeply loved by the servants. His little face beamed with joy, and he held his head high, following Lu Wanyun into the Lu residence.
Lu Wanqing nodded and greeted the servants with a smile, showing no annoyance. They passed through the main hall with its five rooms, decorated with beast heads and lion faces, and proceeded to the rear.
Lush green trees, pavilions, and waterside terraces were arranged in an orderly fashion. This place seemed to have an abundance of water, with fish ponds and lotus ponds everywhere. Some courtyards were even built over the water. Mu Xing was greatly amazed, unaware that this was a characteristic of Jiangnan, possessing a unique charm, xxs yi'er.
Lu Wanqing led Mu Xing all the way to the back courtyard. The numerous residences in the back were dizzying, making one feel disoriented, but thankfully, they soon arrived.
Two young maids stood by a circular carved archway. Upon seeing Lu Wanqing, they smiled and greeted her, "Miss, you've returned."
"En," Lu Wanqing nodded and asked with concern, "Is everything alright in the courtyard?"
"Everything is fine, the cats, dogs, and people are all well," the young maids said with pursed lips and smiles, showing no fear of Lu Wanqing. They playfully teased their young lady, but Lu Wanqing was not angered. She walked to the side of a young maid and reached out to pinch her cheek. "You little rascal, you're four years old and your mouth is so sharp."
The three of them began to playfully tussle, while Mu Xing watched curiously. He had never seen anyone get along so well with servants. Even his mother, Aunt Cui, was quite afraid of her. She possessed a unique aura that made people instinctively fear her.
Lu Wanyun, who had been staying close to Mu Xing, held onto him and smiled fawningly, "What's your name?"
Mu Xing glanced at her, arrogantly lifted his head, and ignored Lu Wanyun. He never bothered with people he didn't like.
Seeing Mu Xing's demeanor, Lu Wanyun became extremely angry, her eyes flashing with fire. Why was it that everything Sister brought back was like this? From a cat to a person, they all disliked her. Hadn't she offended them?
"Sister, this little brat is too rude. He won't even tell me his name when I ask."
Hearing Mu Xing, Lu Wanqing released the young maid she was holding and walked over. Due to their recent tussle, her face was flushed and exceptionally charming. Mu Xing looked at her with a sweet smile, not even glancing at Lu Wanyun.
"Oh, his name is Mu Xing. Don't be fooled by his precocious nature; he's very obedient."
Lu Wanqing said proudly. Mu Xing immediately nodded in agreement with her words. Lu Wanyun's jaw nearly dropped. Such an arrogant and impolite demeanor was called obedient? However, the name was rather cute, Mu Xing.
But thinking of his attitude, she pouted displeasedly and snorted, "What's so great about that."
As the group stood talking by the courtyard gate, the gate of the adjacent courtyard opened, and someone walked out. A man in a dark blue shirt leaned against the gate, gazing intently at Wanqing, his eyes lingering on her face for a long time without speaking. Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked over.
This man was truly beautiful. A man who looked more beautiful than a woman, yet possessed a kind of beauty that evoked pity without inspiring hatred. He was serene and distant, like a wisp of cloud on the horizon, a ripple on the water, or a patch of fragrant grass on the bank.
The moment Wanqing saw him, her heart began to race. The wind blew her hair, sweeping across her cheek, and her eyes looked at him with clear transparency. She heard him softly say, "I miss you, Wanqing."
With just those words, Lu Wanqing froze, stunned, her heart constricting. She knew that everything about him now was an illusion, and perhaps another woman resided in his heart, yet she was still excited and happy, smiling sweetly. Their gazes locked, unable to separate.
Lu Wanyun, standing behind Lu Wanqing, quickly nudged her sister and said with some frustration, "Sister, Sister, what are you looking at?"
She also liked Wanfeng, but he was someone Sister had picked up. More importantly, Wanfeng liked Sister. When Sister wasn't around, she tried to tease him, but he wouldn't even respond, remaining silent all day.
No matter how much she chattered in his ear, he wouldn't say a word, making her so angry that she almost smashed the flute in his hand out of frustration.
But she dared not. She knew Wanfeng was Sister's darling. If anything happened to him, Sister would fight her to the death. She couldn't possibly defeat this wild woman.
"En," Lu Wanqing came back to her senses, smiling sheepishly. She turned to look at the group behind her. Except for Lu Wanyun, whose expression was rather unpleasant, the young maids were playfully winking at her, making her even more embarrassed.
"Wanyun, what's wrong?"
"Hmph, Sister, give him to me. You're getting married soon anyway, so keeping him is useless."
Lu Wanyun said resentfully. Wanqing's expression immediately turned cold. She turned to look at Wanfeng opposite them. His expression seemed very displeased, a flicker of helplessness in his eyes. He turned and walked silently into the courtyard. Wanqing said anxiously,
"Wanfeng, that's not true. Don't listen to Wanyun's nonsense."