Thinking about his youngest son’s health, Lu Qing once again silently thanked the family’s ancestor from top to bottom. “Your recovery is thanks to the medicine our ancestor bestowed upon you. Never forget this debt of gratitude.”
“Father, rest assured. I will always remember the life-saving grace of our ancestor,” Lu Xingyan replied as he reached out to help support his father.
Gu Xingzhao watched her system panel as the offerings value ticked up a bit more. Walking behind them, she understood that the old man was starting to groom Lu Xingyan for the future.
Lu Qing spoke earnestly, “Your elder brother is wooden and indecisive, and your second brother only knows how to eat. Fortunately, you are the smart one.”
Lu Xingyan said nothing in response to his father’s remarks.
Gu Xingzhao had to stifle a laugh. Out of three sons, the old man was putting down two and praising one—it was quite amusing.
Lu Qing continued, “I originally wanted to entrust the Lu family to Xingyao, but that child is growing more and more unreliable. It’s really worrying.”
Gu Xingzhao silently lit a candle in sympathy for Lu Xingyao. Losing the right to inherit was no small blow.
Lu Xingyan finally spoke up to defend his nephew, “Though Xingyao may not be as steady as others, he has always been dependable. Among his peers, he stands out.”
Lu Qing coughed lightly, ignoring his youngest son’s comment. “But only with the family in your hands can I feel truly at ease.”
Lu Xingyan fell silent again.
Lu Qing sighed. “Xingyao is a good seed, but his temperament is indeed too restless. Keep him by your side and teach him.”
“I know you’ve never liked getting too close to others, but in the future, you’ll need to befriend more people. Liu Xiangbai, for instance, is a capable man—make sure to connect with him.”
He could feel his age weighing on him, and though he still had some years left, he feared that if he passed, the Lu family would crumble.
Both his youngest son and grandson needed more tempering.
“Achoo!”
Far off in the distance, Lu Xingyao rubbed his nose, puzzled. Why had he been sneezing so much today?
After the father and son returned with Lu Youtang safely, the Lu family could finally relax after the tense ordeal.
Before anyone else could speak, Lu Yang—seeing the injury on his daughter’s head—grabbed her and burst into tears. “My precious daughter! It’s all your father’s fault for not watching you properly. That villain took you away because of me!”
“If anything had happened to you, I would’ve fought him to the death, no matter who he is!”
His loud sobbing drew everyone’s attention. People couldn’t help but sigh; the Lu family’s second master was indeed just as the rumors said—he loved food, cherished his wife, and spoiled his daughter.
Look at this burly man, crying his heart out over his injured daughter, with snot and tears everywhere.
Madam Xu, standing nearby: “…”
She quietly pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and handed it to her husband. “Wipe your face. You’re embarrassing yourself.”
It was unseemly for a grown man to cry so openly in front of everyone.
Lu Yang sniffled, tears still flowing, but he held back the sobs to avoid his wife’s displeasure.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhou approached Lu Qing to inform him that Du Hangwu had captured someone and was asking him to come for questioning.
Seeing that his younger sister was fine, Lu Xingyao quietly grabbed the bottle of Maotai he had stolen while no one was watching, and poured it into the insulated cup their ancestor had previously given him. He left the empty bottle behind.
His sneaky movements didn’t escape Gu Xingzhao’s eyes, who observed with amusement. It was obvious he was up to no good.
Watching this, Gu Xingzhao recalled Lu Qing’s earlier words and looked over at Lu Xingyan.
Lu Xingyan stood tall and poised, his expression calm, neither happy nor sad, yet his eyes seemed to comprehend everything around him. There was a sense that he had everything under control.
Perhaps Lu Qing was right. Among these people, Lu Xingyan did seem like the only reliable one.
The old man had indeed endured much over the years, standing strong alone.
Meanwhile, Lu Qing noticed the empty Maotai bottle and felt a pang of loss. Those little rascals had finished the whole bottle in his absence!
This was simply unacceptable!
Gu Xingzhao, understanding his thoughts, sighed silently.
Frustrated over the empty bottle, Lu Qing took two men with him and stormed off with his cane to meet the person Du Hangwu had captured.
“Lord Du, may I ask what this man has done that concerns my Lu family?”
Du Hangwu didn’t dare hide anything and truthfully reported, “This man sent messages to Prince Su, which led to Miss Lu being kidnapped. Lord Lu, I now leave him to your family for punishment.”
Lu Qing snorted, lifting his cane and striking the tightly bound and gagged man. “So you’re the scoundrel who harmed my granddaughter!”
The strike landed hard, and the bound officer whimpered in pain, his tear-filled eyes pleading with Du Hangwu for mercy.
Gu Xingzhao secretly recorded the old man’s rare display of authority on her phone. His fierce defense of his granddaughter had stirred the spirit of the former grand councellor within him.
Lu Qing stared at the man on the ground, his anger boiling. This man had caused his granddaughter’s kidnapping, and because of him, they had been forced to travel to Ji County. If it weren’t for that trip, that precious Maotai would never have been finished so quickly!
Gu Xingzhao: “…” What a tragedy.
She suddenly felt that perhaps the reason Lu Xingyan seemed like the only competent one was because he had spent the least time under his father’s influence.
Lu Qing coldly addressed Du Hangwu, “Those who conspire and relay information are nothing but vermin. Keeping such a man alive will only bring trouble in the future.”
Du Hangwu nodded in agreement. “Lord Lu speaks the truth.”
Lu Qing added, “I may be a sinner now, but since this man is under your command, Lord Du, it’s only fitting that you handle his punishment. I won’t interfere.”
“Mmph! Mmph!” The bound officer struggled frantically.
Hearing their words, he suddenly recalled the gruesome fate of Li Si and began trembling in fear, tears streaming down his face.
Desperately, he twisted his body to retrieve something from his pocket, managing to drop a string of jade bracelets and gold bangles onto the ground, his eyes pleading for mercy.
Du Hangwu sneered, paying no mind to the jewels on the ground.
However, Gu Xingzhao’s eyes sparkled. “!!!” Such beautiful pieces!
Thanks to Xu Shisan’s influence, Gu Xingzhao had gained some appreciation for these items. She now had an eye for what was valuable and collectible.
Swallowing her excitement, she asked, “Lu Qing, why did these items fall from this man’s pocket?”
Lu Qing, thinking the ancestor was simply curious, responded, “Ancestor, this man was likely bribed by Prince Su, and these are his ill-gotten gains.”
Gu Xingzhao could hardly contain herself. “I see, these things are quite exquisite and valuable.”
Lu Qing, still upset over the Maotai, paid little attention to her tone. “Yes, indeed. They are likely the prince’s possessions.”
However, Lu Xingyan had caught the full meaning of the ancestor’s words. His gaze fell on the items scattered on the ground, understanding that the deity might have taken them had she not been bound by her status.
It seemed the ancestor had a fondness for such precious items.
Gu Xingzhao was nearly frantic with impatience, but her status as a deity made it difficult to ask directly. All she could think was, “Just dispose of him already and hand over those treasures!!!”
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