nucmednet Chapter 530 Those who dislike him have already set their sights on Sister Lan.
Chapter 530 Those who dislike him have already set their sights on Sister Lan.
The carriage finally stopped at the Gu residence.
Master Gu was the first to get out of the car, straightening his back as if he were the greatest contributor of the day.
Lu Ge'er then dismounted, and servants came forward to lead the horse and unload the luggage.
Madam Gu was already waiting inside the hanging flower gate. As soon as she saw them return, she immediately greeted them with a beaming smile.
"Master, Brother Lu, you're finally back." Her voice was as gentle as ever as she helped Master Gu up.
"You must have had a long journey."
"No trouble at all! I'm so happy today!" Master Gu laughed heartily, pulling Brother Lu inside.
"Madam, you have no idea how well Lu Ge'er behaved in front of His Majesty today..."
He recounted the events of the day in great detail, his words filled with boastfulness and pride.
Madam Gu listened patiently, nodding in agreement from time to time, and her gaze toward Lu Ge'er seemed warmer than usual.
"Oh my, our Lu-ge'er is so promising! I always knew this child was lucky and would bring glory to the family in the future."
"This is all thanks to your excellent teaching, sir."
Her words were impeccable, praising Brother Lu while attributing the credit to Master Gu, which made Master Gu even more pleased and happy.
Lu Ge'er stood to the side, bowing slightly, his face still bearing that calm, almost indifferent expression.
He listened to Madam Gu's insincere praise, but felt no joy whatsoever.
His nominal grandmother was not related to him by blood at all.
Ever since he could remember, his grandmother had never given him a kind look.
They either mock and ridicule us or ignore us completely.
This is the first time I've ever seen someone so kind and gentle, even offering praise.
"Brother Lu, come in quickly. Grandmother asked the kitchen to stew bird's nest for you to nourish your body." Madam Gu took his hand, appearing very affectionate.
Lu Ge'er felt the slight coolness of her fingertips, and subtly withdrew his hand, hiding it in his sleeve.
"Thank you for your trouble, Grandmother. I'm not tired at all."
He lowered his head, his long eyelashes concealing the fleeting doubt and wariness in his eyes.
There must be a demon in the abnormal situation.
Their overly attentiveness today suggests they're up to something else.
Is it because he has gained the Emperor's favor and they feel he has some use?
Or... is there another motive?
Master Gu, however, was unaware of the undercurrents in the situation. He assumed that his wife was genuinely happy for her grandson and waved her hand dismissively.
"Good! We're all having a good time today, so get some rest!"
Lu Ge'er responded and bowed again, "Grandson will take his leave now."
He turned and left, his back straight and solitary, which seemed somewhat out of place with the deliberately created lively atmosphere in the room.
As Madam Gu watched his departing figure, the smile on her face faded slightly, and a glint of shrewdness flashed in her eyes…
When Lu Ge'er returned to his courtyard, it was already completely dark.
He took off the brocade robe he wore in public and changed into ordinary clothes.
The hustle and bustle and flattery of the daytime seemed to have been stripped away along with the clothes, leaving only exhaustion.
He pushed open the door. The room was brightly lit by candlelight, but his usual servant Fu'an was nowhere to be seen. Instead, there were two somewhat unfamiliar maids.
He was about thirteen or fourteen years old, with delicate features, and wearing a brand-new vest.
She was standing meekly by the table when he entered, and immediately curtsied.
"I hope you are well, young master."
One of the more clever ones stepped forward, carrying a copper basin, her voice soft and sweet.
"Young master, the hot water is ready. Let me help you wash up."
The other one quickly went to make his bed.
Lu Ge'er stopped at the doorway, his gaze calmly sweeping over the two of them.
The air inside seemed to cool down a bit as a result.
"Where is my servant Fu'an?" he asked, his voice cold and unreadable.
The maid carrying the copper basin quickly smiled and said, "Young Master, it was the Old Madam who saw that you had worked hard today, so she specially sent the two of us to serve you properly so you can wash up and rest."
It turned out to be the case.
Lu Ge'er sneered inwardly. All that eager enthusiasm during the day, it turned out, was for this very purpose.
He was only eleven years old, and this kind grandmother couldn't wait to use such underhanded methods to "cultivate" him.
Are you trying to raise him to be another Gu Jiacheng who only knows how to indulge in women and is good for nothing?
What a good plan.
"All of you, leave." Lu Ge'er's voice was completely flat. "Call Fu'an in."
The two maids exchanged a glance, their faces showing embarrassment.
The maid carrying the copper basin even knelt down, on the verge of tears.
"Young master, this is the old lady's order. If we leave like this, the old lady will beat us to death."
"Please, young master, have pity on me..."
The other one also knelt down, without saying a word, just hanging his head and his shoulders shrugging slightly.
Lu Ge'er's face darkened completely.
What he detested most was this kind of coercion that used retreat as a means of advancement.
Just as he was about to lash out, the curtain was lifted, and a petite figure skipped and hopped in.
"Brother, why are you only just getting back?"
It's Sister Lan.
She was wearing a pink jacket and skirt, with her hair styled in two buns, and her little face was rosy, like a porcelain doll.
Seeing the two maids kneeling in the room, she blinked curiously.
When Brother Lu saw his sister, the frost on his face melted a little.
Kelan's next words were like a bucket of ice water, dousing the anger that had just ignited in his heart and making it burn even brighter.
"Why are you two kneeling? Get up quickly."
Lan-jie imitated the adults and went forward to help them.
"Didn't Grandmother tell you to take good care of your brother? You must do your best, or you'll upset him."
Those words, spoken in that innocent child's voice, carried a chilling familiarity.
Lu Ge'er's aura instantly plummeted to freezing point.
He slammed his hand on the table next to him, making a sharp "smack" sound.
"Who taught you these words?"
Lan Jie was so frightened that she trembled all over, her smile froze, and her eyes quickly reddened.
The two maids were so frightened that they lay prostrate on the ground, not daring to lift their heads.
Lu Ge'er's chest heaved violently as he forcefully suppressed the anger that was about to erupt.
He was all too familiar with those words.
As a child, he had heard his mother speak to his father in this tone countless times.
I also heard the concubines who were carried into the house speak to my father in an even more obsequious tone.
Kelan is only six years old!
Where did she hear such filthy language?
The person who taught her is utterly despicable!
He took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound less intimidating.
"Lan'er, come here, come to your brother."
Lan Jie was terrified by his appearance just now. She stood there, too scared to move, her mouth trembling, and tears fell down her cheeks.
"Brother is bad! Brother scolded me!" she sobbed, her cries growing louder. "Grandmother said that brother has won His Majesty's favor and is a great hero, and that we should all listen to him. But he throws a tantrum as soon as he comes back!"
"I don't like my brother anymore!"
She cried out, turned and ran out, disappearing into the night.
The room was deathly silent.
Seeing this, the two maids also quietly withdrew, not daring to stay any longer.
Those who dislike him have already reached out to his sister, whom he has always wanted to protect!