Chapter 6: Seeking Justice (Part Two)
Three horses galloped hurriedly through the streets, reins drawn tight as they came to a halt before the gates of the Prime Minister’s residence. With a smile, Lu Junfan tossed the reins over to the man behind him. As soon as he stepped through the main doors, the passing maids and attendants all set aside their tasks, bowing respectfully and greeting him as, “Second Young Master!”
With casual ease, he caught one of the maids and asked, “Has Father returned home yet?”
Recently, Lu Anrong had accompanied His Majesty the Emperor on a tour and had only arrived in Moon City that very morning. Lu Junfan himself had been absent for several days, and upon hearing the old man had returned, he hurried back to the residence without delay. If his father found out he’d been idling away his time at the House of Crimson Pleasures, he’d be in for a severe scolding!
“To answer Second Young Master, Master is attending the celebration banquet this evening and hasn’t returned yet. However, Madam has instructed that if you come back, you are to see her immediately!” The little maid, utterly dazzled by Lu Junfan’s charming gaze, felt her heart flutter helplessly.
Indeed, Lu Junfan was quite the handsome figure—tall and spirited, with striking features. He might not merit the title of a true young talent, but as a first-rate scoundrel, he was indeed well-deserving!
When he heard that his mother was also looking for him, his heart sank. He groaned inwardly, but knew he had no choice but to face Lady Leng. After all, every penny he spent came from her.
With a glum mood, he pinched the maid’s chin playfully before heading off toward Orchid Court.
In Orchid Court, Lady Leng sat savoring a fine bowl of blood bird’s nest, the monthly account books sent by the steward laid out on the stone table. Two young maids kneaded her shoulders and back, while Nurse Gu waved a fan gently by her side.
Lu Junfan glanced at the account books, deliberately slowing his steps before offering a bright smile. “Mother!”
Lady Leng didn’t pause her eating, taking two more sips of the bird’s nest before replying coolly, “You’ve finally decided to come home? I was beginning to think you’d forgotten you even had a mother.”
Though just past forty, she had maintained herself with such care that she looked scarcely over thirty. Her skin was fair and radiant with a healthy glow.
Lu Junfan stuck out his tongue sheepishly, then squeezed past one of the maids to massage Lady Leng’s shoulders himself. “How could I forget you, Mother? Are my hands to your liking?”
“Much better than that useless maid.” At once, Lu Junfan snapped at the girl, “Useless thing!”
But even as Lady Leng praised him, her expression soon darkened as she remembered why she had summoned him. “You refuse to study for the civil exams or help your father and elder brother share the family burdens. Why do you spend all your days loitering in disreputable places? Does the Lu family’s reputation mean nothing to you? Have you no regard for your father’s and my good name?”
She had scolded him thus many times before. Each time, he would apologize quickly and repeatedly, but her words would go in one ear and out the other; hopelessly incorrigible!
“Your father is back now. You’d best watch yourself and behave…”
Before Lady Leng could finish her reprimand, Steward Liu burst in, flustered and breathless, cutting her off.
“What is the matter, causing such panic?”
Without pausing to bow, Steward Liu blurted, “A crowd of townsfolk has gathered outside! They say Second Young Master rode his horse through the city and trampled someone. They’ve all come to demand justice for the woman!”
“What?” Lady Leng shot to her feet, turning sharply to her son. Lu Junfan’s eyes darted evasively, his words tumbling into incoherent excuses. She understood at once—this good-for-nothing brat had caused yet another disaster!
The Lu family were honored ministers of the new dynasty, and her husband was a favorite at the Emperor’s side. If it was merely commoners making a scene at the gate, she could dismiss them with an excuse and a bit of silver without troubling her husband. With the Lu family’s standing in Moon City, those people wouldn’t dare make too much noise.