Chapter 19: Raising Troops to Demand Justice (Part Three)

“You little wretch, your tongue is far too sharp—I can’t win an argument with you! I’ll have the Magistrate of Jingzhao investigate this matter!” As Lu Anrong met Anran’s gaze once more, he found her eyes now tinged with hatred, sending a chill through him, making his whole body uncomfortable.

“That’s even better! Prime Minister Lu, before you go to seek the magistrate, go and look at that child. And while you’re at it, pay for the damage you caused to my gate! Otherwise, I’ll be the first to file a complaint against you at the magistrate’s yamen!”

“Prime Minister Lu, since fate seems to have brought us together, I’ll give you one more chance for the sake of our ‘connection.’ If Lu Junfan kneels and sincerely asks for the child’s forgiveness, I’ll heal him. Isn’t that far more reliable than searching the world for a miracle doctor?”

Suddenly, Anran became quite interested. Her gaze was icy, but her lips curled in a faint smile as she leisurely stroked Snowball’s fur. Her voice, however, carried a subtle mockery.

Lu Anrong’s thoughts were laid bare by Anran’s blunt words, making veins bulge on his forehead in anger and his fists clench tightly. This damned girl! He shot Anran a fierce glare, then, fuming, tossed down a silver ingot and stalked off with his servants.

Anran glanced at the silver on the ground—quite a generous amount, and she found herself looking at Lu Anrong in a new light. Indeed, the son of a rat knows how to dig holes—his way of paying compensation was just as sneaky! Her dark eyes narrowed, a cold smile playing on her lips. With a swift kick, she sent the silver ingot flying out the door.

The beggars at the gate erupted in joy, snatching up the silver and darting away in a flash.

On his way back, Lu Anrong couldn’t shake the feeling that Anran was truly uncanny. Her eyes, clear as water, seemed to bewitch the soul. He found himself unable to look away, yet felt a vague fear and curiosity, wondering if he had seen those eyes somewhere before.

As the group neared the Prime Minister’s residence, Lu Anrong suddenly halted. Noticing the growing bustle on the street, he asked, “Where does that woman live?”

“She’s staying at an inn on East Street, sir,” a servant replied.

“Come, let’s go see her!”

*

“Mother, it hurts, it hurts so much... Mother...” Lu Junfan lay on the bed, grimacing in agony, crying out for Lady Leng.

Lady Leng had not slept a wink the previous night, but early that morning, Lu Anrong had left to teach that wretched Anran a lesson. Her exhaustion vanished, replaced by a buoyant mood despite the fatigue lining her brow.

“Don’t worry, Fan’er, your father is already dealing with that little wretch for you. Don’t be afraid! Yesterday, your father also said he’d send for a miracle doctor. Once we find one, your leg will be fine! Mother won’t let anything happen to you.”

Lady Leng took a bowl of bird’s nest porridge from Nanny Gu, cooled it with a breath, and gently spooned it to Lu Junfan.

Hearing that his father had gone to punish Anran, Lu Junfan felt greatly relieved—his leg almost seemed to hurt less. He imagined Anran being beaten, perhaps having her legs broken or being thrown out of the barracks, and a twisted smile lit up his face.

“Father!” He took another bite of porridge, and, seeing Lu Anrong return, greeted him from afar—a rare occurrence, since he usually avoided his father whenever possible.

Lady Leng’s face brightened at Lu Anrong’s return. She stood at once, handed the bowl to Nanny Gu, and called out as he entered, “Husband!”

“Father!” Lu Junfan called again, excitement making him brace himself on the edge of the bed, as if he might leap to his feet at the good news.

“Don’t call me father—I have no son like you!” Lu Anrong stormed across the threshold, his face thunderous, and roared at Lu Junfan. He had no regard for Lady Leng’s delicate beauty; instead, he let loose a torrent of scolding upon his son.