Chapter 10 – Family Dinner

When Lu Xiangzhi took his leave again to join Lu Lingzhi, Old Madam Lu pulled Ye Zhen with her to meet the other members of the family.

Several misses of the Lu family has not arrived yet and the hall was mostly occupied by the men — sons, and daughters who have clearly reached the age of marriage but not have wed yet.

Lu family’s advancement in society turned them into one of the prominent figures in Kyoto. Because of this, people wanted to appease the Lu Family at any chance they could. Some are even hoping to have their daughters married to one of the Lu’s bachelors. Why not? Tying the knot with any Lu family member would mean a secured life not only for their daughter but also for their family!

Among the husband candidates, Lu Lingzhi appeared to be the most promising. It was rumored that he will become the minister of war in two years time. Aside from that, he now served as the emperor Mo Rongzhan’s right hand.

“These two gentlemen here are your second and third older brother.” Lu Shiming introduced to her two young men namely Lu Tingzhi, her second brother and Lu Zanzhi, her third brother. Both were handsome and prim and were also were kind enough to ask about her health to which she answered with thanks.

Being introduced to the members, Ye Zhen cleverly put each person’s appearance in her mind.

Just then there was the laughter that resonated from outside. Two girls of similar age, Second Miss Lu, Lu Yingying and Fourth Miss Lu, Lu Yanyan came in and immediately injected a beautiful scenery into the hall.

Both of them are charming and lovely, making people at awe for a while. These girls must be the ladies of the Lu family, Ye Zhen thought.

Second miss Lu was the eldest daughter of a concubine, and Fourth miss Lu was born of a second concubine. Only Lu Wushuang and Fifth miss Lu who was not around were the legitimate daughters of the Lu family, that is, they were the daughters of the first wives.

The fifth miss Lu who was not able to attend the dinner. She went to Jiangnan with his uncle as guardian and the family wasn’t told of her return.

Lu Shiming wasn’t fond of concubinage and had Pei as his legal and only wife. So, in the eyes of many, Lu Yaoyao is also a legitimate daughter of the family as well.

“Yao Yao, do you still remember me? I went to see you the other day.” Second miss Lu was older than Ye Zhen. Though she is not as beautiful as Lu Shuanger, she still has the charm of a jasper.

Ye Zhen no longer remembered her. She was trapped between the memory of her past life and her sister’s memory. Her memory of this person was muddled in her mind and she did not know when and where exactly did she see her. “Third miss doesn’t particularly remember but she must remember it sometime from now.”

“Oh! Don’t feel obliged. It is just understandable for you were ill for almost a month.” Second miss Lu said, taking no offense that Ye Zhen didn’t remember her.

Looking at the two girls, Ye Zhen saw the difference between the two miss. Second miss Lu looked gentle as she is gentle to everyone. On the other hand, Fourth miss Lu who was only two months younger than Ye Zhen, looked haughty and seemed to look down on her. She doesn’t even look at Ye Zhen right in the eye. Like she was not worth even an ounce of her attention.

Liu Xiangzhi, who went to Lu Lingzhi, also came back ” … suddenly someone in the palace called the eldest brother, and eldest brother ordered me to inform everyone his apology. He would not come back tonight.”

The disappointment was evident on Old Madam Lu’s face. On her side was Ye Zhen who released a deep sigh of relief she didn’t have to see Lu Lingzhi so soon.

She was not afraid of him but rather, she’s afraid of herself. Seeing him in the flesh, she might be out of control and attack him right in front of everyone. Time is what she needed. Time to think over her moves and how she would face him—her cousin in everyone’s eye.

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