Lin Zhidong was filled with shock, his pupils frozen, unable to even contract.
Against ordinary folk, a holding spell was that powerful.
Seeing Lin Zhidong suddenly freeze at Lu Zheng’s single word, Xiao Yuzhen was understandably startled.
“Lin Lang? Lin Lang!” she called, grabbing his sleeve anxiously, but he didn’t respond.
“You, what did you do? Who are you?” Xiao Yuzhen looked at Lu Zheng in panic, then turned to Liu Qingyan. “Qing… Qingyan…”
Liu Qingyan nodded to her, smiling gently to reassure her, then turned to Lu Zheng. “Lu Zheng.”
“Hm.” Lu Zheng nodded, pointing at Lin Zhidong again. “Release!”
“Hoo—”
Lin Zhidong exhaled heavily, his body softening, nearly collapsing to his knees.
Xiao Yuzhen, quick to react, caught him, sparing him public embarrassment.
“You, you’re…” Lin Zhidong stared at Lu Zheng, eyes wide with disbelief.
Lu Zheng smiled faintly. “We just want to stroll alone. Is that alright?”
“Yes! Yes!”
“Of course! Of course!”
…
Watching the pair hurry away, Liu Qingyan shook her head. “He’s not a good match.”
Lu Zheng chuckled. “She was showing off in front of you, and you’re still concerned if she’s found a good man?”
“Yuzhen isn’t a bad person. She shared snacks with me when we were kids,” Liu Qingyan said. “Though we’ve had our differences, I don’t want her to be unhappy later.”
“That’s tricky,” Lu Zheng said, shaking his head. “They’ve exchanged betrothal tokens, sent gifts, and the wedding’s set for winter.”
“Yes…” Liu Qingyan sighed helplessly. “I can only hope Lin Zhidong doesn’t let her down.”
Lu Zheng gave a dry laugh.
…
The two wandered Wanfu County all day, returning to the estate by late afternoon.
“Sister! Brother-in-law!”
“Cousin! Cousin-in-law!”
Liu Qingquan was playing in the courtyard with the Huangfu sisters, Shuang and Lu.
Huangfu Shuang sniffed the air, her eyes lighting up. “That smells amazing! It’s braised chicken!”
“Your nose is too sharp!” Huangfu Lu giggled, hopping over. “Let’s guess which shop in town it’s from. The loser gives the winner a drumstick.”
“Deal!” Huangfu Shuang nodded eagerly.
Liu Qingquan shouted, “I’m not playing, but the wings are mine!”
“Wings are yours!”
“I bet it’s You’s shop in the east. Their chickens are the fattest!”
“No, no, it’s Grandpa Liu’s stall in the south. His braise is the tastiest… *slurp*!”
Liu Qingyan: (*°ω°*)ﾉ
Hold on, when did I say I’d share it with you?
Seeing the three girls divvy up the chicken in no time, Liu Qingyan grabbed the wrapped package and dashed inside. “It’s an extra dish for dinner, everyone gets some.”
“No way!” The Huangfu sisters chased after her.
Meanwhile, Liu Qingquan’s eyes darted slyly, then she turned to Lu Zheng. “Brother-in-law, any more snacks?”
Lu Zheng laughed. “There’s some dried pork and chocolate in the carriage, but pace yourselves, or there’ll be nothing for the trip back.”
“Got it!” Liu Qingquan scampered off to the back courtyard.
She knew Lu Zheng’s carriage was stocked with treats, but it was only polite to ask first.
…
At dinner, everyone gathered joyfully. Liu Qingyan sat to the left of the matriarch, Xu Yingyu to her right, surrounded by family, making the old lady beam with delight.
Lu Zheng learned then that the Xu girl, Xu Yingyu, was a refined and well-mannered young lady.
…
After dinner, Liu Qingyan and Xu Yingyu went to chat privately, as they were to return to Tonglin County the next day.
Lu Zheng strolled to a quiet corner, slipped through a portal to restock the carriage’s snack cupboard, and returned.
He overheard Liu Qingquan and the Huangfu sisters planning to invite them to Tonglin County.
“You know, Sister Shen’s Peach Blossom Ridge is gorgeous, and Sister Cui can carve!”
“Brother-in-law always brings out tons of yummy stuff. This milk candy’s one of them, tasty, right?”
“So good!”
“Exactly! You haven’t tried orange soda or chocolate yet, so delicious. Stick with me, and I’ll make sure you eat and drink well!”
“Uh-huh!”
“Totally!”
Lu Zheng: (°ー°〃)
Not wanting to interrupt the kids, Lu Zheng quietly headed another way.
Back at their room, he found Liu Qingyan already there.
“Done talking?” Lu Zheng asked. “I thought you’d chat longer.”
“Finished,” Liu Qingyan said with a sly smile. “Not that much to say. Oh, I invited Yingyu to visit Tonglin County sometime.”
“Nice,” Lu Zheng said. “Wanfu and Tonglin Counties are in different prefectures, but they’re not far, easy to visit.”
Liu Qingyan’s eyes twinkled. “Exactly, plenty of chances later. I can’t keep disturbing my cousin and his bride’s rest…”
Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, nodding solemnly. “Right, it’s late. We shouldn’t disturb their rest.”
“So…” A blush flashed across Liu Qingyan’s face. “Are you resting, Lu Zheng?”
“Of course!”
…
After a night’s rest, Lu Zheng felt even more exhausted.
…
The next morning, Lu Zheng stepped outside, stretching lazily.
“Light of luck! Consume!”
“Buzz!”
“Hm.” Lu Zheng nodded, basking in the summer sun and the surging energy within, feeling thoroughly refreshed.
…
“Qingyan, Lu Zheng, a group’s at the gate looking for you,” Huangfu Ning said, appearing suddenly in the back courtyard. “They say they’re from the Lin family in the north city, here to plead.”
“Plead?”
“What’s this about?”
Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan exchanged puzzled looks.
They’d met Lin Zhidong yesterday and used a holding spell on him, but it was lifted, not a days-long curse. Why plead?
“No idea,” Huangfu Ning said. “It’s led by the Lin family’s eldest son, Lin Zhijing, with a girl who says she’s Qingyan’s old acquaintance.”
“Yuzhen?” Liu Qingyan said instinctively.
Lu Zheng frowned. “Let’s go see what’s going on.”
Liu Qingyan nodded, and they walked together to the estate’s gate.
The Lin family group was barred outside, the Huangfu family not letting them in.
No joke, though the details were unclear, it was obvious they’d offended Lu Zheng somehow.
Without knowing Lu Zheng’s stance, how could the Huangfu family let them in?
At the gate, Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan saw a group bearing gifts, a young man resembling Lin Zhidong with a furrowed brow, and Xiao Yuzhen, sobbing with teary eyes.
“Qingyan! Master… Master Lu!” Xiao Yuzhen dropped to her knees upon seeing them. “Yesterday, Lin Lang’s words offended you, but it was for my sake. Please, Master Lu, be magnanimous and spare Lin Lang’s life!”
