Chapter 43 – Reluctance (1)

Ye Zhen waited for the return of the Old Madam. She sat on the porch until a familiar carriage was seen approaching the mansion at sunset.

“Grandma, you’re back!” Ye Zhen cleverly welcomed the Old Madam and practically clung at the side her with some feigned uneasiness and nervousness.

“Please forgive me for I wasn’t able to spend the festival with you. It’s because I was invited to hunt.”

“Oh, child! Don’t be sorry. What kind of grandmother would forbid her granddaughter from doing the thing that she likes? I heard Mr. Shan saying that you need to take a riding test in the next month’s exam. Then, by all means, you should practice!” Old Madam Lu assured her. Their arms interlocked as they went inside the mansion.

“Before I forget, did you really beat a sika deer for your grandmother?” Old Madam Lu voice which sounded pleased. She had a simple heart and liked a person who does things to be in her favor, just like Ye Zhen.

Maybe she loves her granddaughter and loves her youngest son Lu Shiming who had been away from her for many years.

“Yes, grandma. It’s a male deer which I sent to the tailor to make leather out of it. I’ll make a coat for my grandmother and several rabbits furs into sleeves,” Ye Zhen said smilingly, leaning on Old Madam Lu’s arm.

Old Madam Lu beamed as she felt that although her granddaughter didn’t grow under her roof, she was the most filial and obedient. “Well, Grandmother is waiting for your coat and don’t forget to make one for your mother.”

“I won’t forget, grandma.”

“Good!” Old Madam Lu eyes squinted with her smile, and she led Ye Zhen by the hand into a corner, having something important to tell her.

“Today, the Wang Fei asked how you are doing with your preparation for the entrance exam of the women’s college. She encourages you to work hard to have the opportunity to work inside the imperial palace!”

Ye Zhen’s eyes flashed a dim light, which the Old Madam mistook for satisfaction. “Her Highness is so kind,” was Ye Zhen’s timid answer.

Old Madam Lu smiled and nodded, “The Wang Fei is the blessing of our Lu family.”

“Grandma, aren’t you tired after a day outside? Your legs must beat!.” Ye Zhen veered the topic off of Lu Wushuang. After the incident with Lu Lingzhi, she couldn’t trust herself anymore.

The mere mention of Lu Wushuang’s name would put her into rage. She was afraid that she would uncontrollably show her disgust for the reigning Wang Fei in front of the Old Madam.

“I heard that your eldest brother was injured by a sharp branch during the hunt. Don’t you still want to take an examination of the medical museum? Show your eldest brother your skills and mend his wound.”

Old Madam Lu encouraged her, not knowing a bit of the unfortunate incident.

Ye Zhen reluctantly accepted the suggestion. She came to curry favor from the old madam just to avoid attending to Lu Lingzi. But the old madam readily introduced her grandson as a practice patient for her!

She was about to decline but she suddenly remembered Pei Shi. Ah! She would definitely scold her if a word of her apathy reaches her ears.

“Of course grandma, I’ll take some medicine to my eldest brother,” said Ye Zhen reluctantly.

Old Madam Lu, however, regarded her as shy and nervous. “Go ahead, that’s your eldest brother. Don’t be afraid. You know that your eldest brother is the best person to get along with.”

Ye Zhen scoffed softly. He was indeed the best person to get along with who could kill people without blinking an eye!