CHAPTER 199: CHAPTER 199: LU FAMILY

Not only Grandmaster Tang Wu, but the fourteen County Magistrates were also sent on their respective journeys home.

The Commandery Princess’s original words were like this: "Each of you performing your duties diligently is the best birthday gift."

Thus, each County Magistrate bid farewell to the Commandery Princess and hurriedly left Nanyang County.

Chen Sheren and Ma, in the name of the Commandery Princess, escorted the County Magistrates to the city gates. As County Magistrate Chen departed, he repeatedly looked back, waving frequently to his daughter.

Chen Jinyu, with a bright smile, saw her father off. It was only when the carriage went far away that her eyes became slightly red.

Ma Yaosong caringly handed over a clean cotton handkerchief: "Chen Sheren, wipe your eyes."

Chen Jinyu took the handkerchief, wiped her eyes, and blew her nose incidentally: "I’ll wash it clean and return it to you."

In Ma’s eyes, Chen Sheren was straightforward in nature, acting at her own will, and overall, appearing pleasing no matter how you looked at her: "No need to return it. Previously, I also borrowed your handkerchief twice."

He hadn’t even used them, carefully keeping them all!

Chen Jinyu didn’t even notice the subtle affection Ma Yaosong had, casually saying: "County Magistrate Ma is about to leave, you go see him off!"

Ma Yaosong nodded, walked to his grandfather’s carriage, and whispered: "Grandfather is old, can’t endure jolts, take it slow on the road."

County Magistrate Ma hummed, his slightly clouded eyes scanning his eldest grandson’s face, then turning to the pretty young girl not far away, holding back words he wanted to say. He only smiled and advised: "Write home often."

Ma Yaosong watched his grandfather depart, feeling a bit melancholic in his heart.

However, it was vastly different from the helplessness he felt when leaving Biyang County that day. He knew clearly the path he was on now and the one he was to take in the future.

The road ahead was bright, and he would give it his all, pressing forward without hesitation.

...

In the blink of an eye, it was Lantern Festival.

Last year’s Lantern Festival, the Commandery Princess was still in mourning for Prince Nanyang, and her birthday passed quietly and forlornly.

This year it was different. The Prince Mansion posted an announcement before the year-end, intending to hold a lantern festival on the Lantern Festival day, and to release Kongming Lanterns as was customary in the past years.

The wealthy families in Nanyang County all crafted lanterns. On this day, ordinary folks took their wives and children to join the festive crowd at the lantern market.

At Nanyang Prince Mansion, naturally, it was exceptionally lively.

The Fan Yang Lu Family also sent a congratulatory gift.

Lu Xuan, coming from a collateral branch of the Lu Family, was not significant in the family’s eyes in his youth. Ever since marrying into Nanyang Prince Mansion, Fan Yang Lu Family sent representatives every year.

The person sending the gifts was called Lu Cong, who was thirty-five this year, three years older than Lu Xuan. In terms of seniority, Lu Cong was considered a distant cousin to Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan was acknowledged as a Scholar back then and never pursued the Imperial Examination further. However, Lu Cong was the true scholarly seed of the Lu Family, progressing from Scholar to scholar and then Advanced Scholar. At twenty-two, he became an official and rose to the position of Prefectural Governor in ten years.

Unfortunately, Lu Cong was not fortunate. Three years ago, there was a civil unrest under his governance, and the governor’s mansion was attacked. His wives and concubines perished in the riot, as did his two daughters, with only his sole son studying abroad surviving.

The court dispatched troops to suppress the unrest, dismissing Lu Cong from office. He returned to his ancestral home with disgrace and has since secluded himself to focus on academics.

Unexpectedly, this year Lu Cong actively came to Nanyang County.

"Should the Commandery Princess meet this Lu County Magistrate?" Chen Jinyu curiously whispered.

Jiang Shaohua smiled meaningfully: "Since he’s here, it’s only right to meet."

Chen Jinyu pondered for a moment, then chuckled softly: "I have a feeling he seeks something from the Commandery Princess."

"No matter the reason, we’ll know once we meet." Jiang Shaohua smiled faintly: "Invite Lu Junma over, and also bring Lu Ying and Lu Ruohua, so they can connect with their kin."

...

An hour later.

Lu Xuan led Aunt Mei and her children into the main hall.

Lu Cong had already taken a seat and was chatting with the Commandery Princess. He immediately stood up to greet them: "Brother Xuan, it’s been years, do you still remember me?"

How could he not remember?

Back when he was at the family school, this cousin, three years his senior, was considered a genius of the Lu Family. Under cousin’s strong aura, he could barely be considered an up-and-comer in the Lu Family.

Lu Cong, being the legitimate son, had never considered his collateral cousin in his eyes during their youth. Now, he warmly and affectionately called him Brother Xuan.

Lu Xuan sneered in his heart but maintained a kind smile: "Cousin Cong, after you returned home as an Advanced Scholar, we met once. It has been over ten years since then."

"Many years apart, Brother Xuan is still as impressive as ever." Lu Cong complimented, then mocked himself: "While I, my hair’s even gone gray."

All these are matters of fate.

Back in the day, he was heaven’s favored son, the pride of the Lu Family. When the news of Lu Xuan marrying into the Nanyang Prince Mansion reached his ears, he sneered at Lu Xuan for giving up a man’s future to live off a woman.

Now, he became a criminal, with his official rank stripped to nothing, and life back at the old mansion in Fan Yang County wasn’t easy. Meanwhile, Lu Xuan continued to live gracefully and comfortably in the Prince Mansion.

From relying on his father-in-law to depending on his daughter, he could eat from this wealth all his life. It really made others envious and jealous.

Looking at the white hairs and the haggardness on his cousin’s face, Lu Xuan felt extreme satisfaction, though he modestly exchanged pleasantries. Then he called Lu Ying and his siblings to meet their elders.

Before coming to the Prince Mansion, Lu Cong had already gathered sufficient information.

Here at the Commandery Princess’s, it wasn’t the place for him to assert seniority. Both Lu Ying and Lu Ruohua bore the surname Lu; thus, their meeting gifts were inevitable.

As for Aunt Mei, she barely had any presence. After paying her respects, she silently withdrew to the side, hanging her head without speaking.

"Uncle, having traveled far, don’t hesitate to settle down at the Prince Mansion." Jiang Shaohua said with a smile: "Father hasn’t seen family in quite some time; it’s a good opportunity to strengthen familial bonds."

Lu Xuan nodded with a smile: "I had the same thought."

He secretly sighed in relief.

No matter what, Jiang Shaohua had granted him enough dignity in front of Lu Cong. If anything improper showed, he wouldn’t have been able to hold his head up among the Lu Family members.

Lu Cong, with years of experience in the officialdom, possessed particularly keen insight. Seeing Lu Xuan acting especially cautious before the Commandery Princess, he detected something amiss.

This kind of reverence was not the kind expected from a father towards his daughter.

"Today is both the Lantern Festival and Shaohua’s birthday." Lu Xuan said with a smile: "Cousin came at the right time, this evening you can witness the bustling lantern festival in Nanyang County."

Lu Cong withdrew his thoughts, laughing heartily: "Indeed, I must see it earnestly. Thank you, cousin."

Lu Cong settled into the guest rooms at the Prince Mansion, just in time for the family feast that night.

Chen and Feng, the two Chief Historians, personally attended, granting Lu Cong ample face while honoring Lu Junma. After the banquet, the Prince Mansion released the Kongming Lanterns.

The sky brimmed with lanterns and stars, glimmering brightly.

Jiang Shaohua gazed with concentration, as if locking eyes with her grandfather through the flare of lanterns and stars. Her ears rang with her grandfather’s gratified laughter.

Shao Hua, you’ve done well. I am proud of you.

...