Following the sound, Lu Yinxi saw that sitting beside the bed was a woman in her forties.
She had her hair coiled up with a silver hairpin and her features were as delicate as a painting.
Although her attire was extremely plain, it made her look even more elegant and refined, with a faint air of compassion.
A flicker of admiration flashed across Lu Yinxi's eyes, but then her expression turned cold and defensive. "Who are you? Why are you in my boudoir?"
The smile on the woman's face froze for a moment. Beneath her gentle gaze, her deep - seated guilt was almost palpable. "Xier, don't you remember me?"
An acquaintance?
Lu Yinxi sized up the woman beside the bed. For some reason, her wariness eased a bit.
The original owner had left the Prime Minister's Mansion in her childhood, so her memories of the people in the mansion were extremely vague. For a moment, she really couldn't recognize who this person was.
The young girl observed very carefully, as if the person sitting beside the bed was not a human being but a delicate antique. Finally, when she saw those extremely familiar phoenix - shaped eyes, she had some thoughts in her mind.
If she remembered correctly, the original body also had a pair of similar eyes. When she first saw them, she had even praised them.
At this thought, something in her mind seemed to break. The long - forgotten memories penetrated the layers of barriers and bloomed like gorgeous fireworks in front of her eyes.
"Don't cry, Xier. Mother is here. Mother is here!"
"Quickly eat, Xier. This is what Mother secretly saved for you. Even your second elder sister doesn't have it!"
"My lord, Xier is your own daughter. Please don't send her away, okay?"
Time went back. The voices from thirteen years ago exploded in her ears with a "boom", making Lu Yinxi stand still in a daze. Her eyes were filled with tears, and her chest was full of indescribable sadness.
"Are you... Mother?"
"Xier!"
Tears streaming down, the woman finally dropped her pretense and hugged the young girl in front of her tightly, fearing that if she let go, her daughter would disappear again.
"I'm sorry, Xier. You've suffered all these years. It's Mother's fault. Mother failed to protect you well!"
This was the first time since Lu Yinxi had memories that she had been so close to someone. The continuous warmth was transmitted through the clothes, making her a bit dazed.
After a long time, Mrs. Lu of the Su family loosened her embrace of the young girl slightly. There was a cautious plea in her eyes.
"Xier, call me Mother one more time, okay?"
Hearing her words, Lu Yinxi almost didn't hesitate and blurted out those two words.
"Mother."
"Yes!"
Outside the door, the foot hanging above the threshold finally didn't step in. Lu Wenhan's eyes were deep. He glanced at the inner room and then turned away.
"Don't tell the lady and the young lady that I've been here."
In Luoxia Courtyard, the mother and daughter were having a happy reunion, but in Rongjing Courtyard, another vase was broken.
"Auntie, you can't smash things anymore!"
Before the blue - and - white vase hit the ground, Nanny Sun quickly grabbed it into her arms. She felt a bit relieved, but when she turned around, she was met with Wang's fierce gaze.
"Old thing, what did you call me? What did you call me!"
Wang in this state was really terrifying. Nanny Sun was so scared that she stepped back again and again, but didn't dare to mention the word "auntie" again.
Early this morning, Prime Minister Lu went in person to pick up Mrs. Lu, who had been in seclusion in the Buddhist hall for more than a decade and rarely saw outsiders. Then he ordered that there would always be only one mistress in the Prime Minister's Mansion.
After this order was issued, the servants' address to the second lady reverted to "auntie".
Wang had always known that Prime Minister Lu had never had feelings for her in his heart, but she never expected that he would be so heartless.
Thirteen years ago, Lu Yinxi was sent away, and Mrs. Lu locked herself in the small Buddhist hall and never stepped out. At that time, there were three young children in the back courtyard of the Prime Minister's Mansion who needed to be taken care of. For the sake of the children, Lu Wenhan promoted Wang to the second lady.
But it was just a change in the title. Her actual status was still that of an auntie. But for Wang, this was enough. She believed that one day she would become the real Mrs. Lu.
However, after thirteen years, as soon as that woman came out, she was completely beaten back to her original state.
"Miss, why are you doing this to yourself?"
The one who spoke was Nanny Zhao. She was Wang's wet - nurse and also her confidant.
"Why? Because I'm not convinced! In terms of family background and talent, which aspect am I inferior to that bitch? Why, why can she win the Prime Minister's heart?"
"Miss..."
Nanny Zhao was a bit helpless. She wanted to persuade but didn't know how to start. In the end, all her words turned into a sigh.
Luoxia Courtyard
The reunited mother and daughter were having breakfast. After Lu Yinjian finished his morning lessons, he rushed over in a hurry.
"Yinjian, have you told Qianqian about Xier's return?"
Lu Yinqian, the second daughter of the Lu family, was now the wife of the heir of the Yongchang Marquis Mansion.
"Some days ago, I heard from the heir that the second younger sister's pregnancy was a bit unstable, so I didn't send the news there."
Lu Yinjian knew his second younger sister's temperament very well. If she knew that the youngest sister was back, she definitely wouldn't stay in the Yongchang Marquis Mansion to nurture the fetus properly.
"You did the right thing."
Mrs. Lu moved the plate of dishes that Xier often reached for to her. Then she continued, "Don't tell Qianqian for the time being. Wait until her pregnancy is stable."
Although Mrs. Lu had been in the small Buddhist hall for thirteen years, she was not completely ignorant of the outside world. There were some things that she might know more about than Wang.
"Xier, are you full?"
Out of the corner of her eye, seeing Xier put down her chopsticks, Su immediately turned her attention to her. "Do you want some more?"
"No, Mother. I'm really full."
As she spoke, the young girl deliberately slapped her belly "pop - pop". Although it was a very rude action, Mrs. Lu couldn't help but have her eyes well up with tears, and she secretly made a decision in her heart.
"Xier, how about going to Anguo Temple with Mother in a few days?"
"Anguo Temple?"
Lu Yinxi thought for a while. She still remembered that it was a temple near the capital with extremely prosperous incense. Many noble families in the capital liked to go there.
To be honest, she didn't really believe in such things. Moreover, she had just used the words of the spirit. Who knew what bad luck she might encounter if she went out now.
However, looking into Mrs. Lu's slightly pleading eyes, Lu Yinxi finally softened her heart.
"Okay, I'm willing to go with Mother."
Prince Jing's Mansion
Shang Luoshu practiced spear - fighting for an hour as usual. Just as he put away his spear, Chen Guang rushed into the martial - arts training ground in a hurry.
"Your Highness, Zhu Chengjie is on the move!"
"Tell me."
"According to the spy's report, Zhu Chengjie plans to go to Anguo Temple in three days."
Anguo Temple?
After meeting the Assistant King, he planned to go to Anguo Temple. The man didn't think there was no connection in this.
"Do you know what he's going there for?"
"I'm incompetent, Your Highness."
Chen Guang hung his head, looking ashamed.
Although Zhu Chengjie was a military general, he was extremely meticulous in mind. It was already very difficult for the spy in his mansion to find out this information and send it out.
Shang Luoshu naturally knew their difficulties and didn't scold them. He just pondered for a moment and then said, "Tell everyone to get ready. Three days later, follow me to Anguo Temple!"
"Yes."
Chen Guang took the order and left. Shang Luoshu also left this place, leaving only the long spear stuck upside down in the soil. The silver tip of the spear emitted a cold light.