Chapter 007: Reprimanded

The Lady Leng, upon thinking it through, had already made her decision. She cast a stern glare at her troublemaking younger son and asked, “Has the master returned to the manor yet?”

The old steward, with hands tucked into his sleeves, bowed and replied, “Madam, the master has just returned and summoned the second young master.” After speaking, Uncle Liu gave Lu Junfan a nervous glance.

“What? Didn’t father say he’d return later? How come he’s back already?” The moment Lu Junfan heard that Lu Anrong had returned, his legs began to tremble uncontrollably. His father valued the reputation of the Lu family more than his own life—after what had happened, how could he possibly escape unscathed?

“The master came back to fetch something and ended up getting stopped by the townsfolk,” Uncle Liu explained slowly. The master was no stranger to good deeds, but how could he have raised such a wastrel for a second son? Truly a calamity!

Lady Leng, exasperated beyond words, couldn’t help but strike Lu Junfan, “You unfilial child! Are you truly trying to drive me to my grave? Get to the study at once!”

“Mother, I don’t want to go, I don’t want to…” Lu Junfan’s heart was filled with terror. If he went, he might face the family law directly—he couldn’t bear that bone-deep pain!

“You’ll go whether you want to or not!” Lady Leng shouted, dragging Lu Junfan by the ear all the way to the study. As his mother, she had to consider everything on his behalf, but sometimes, there was no other choice!

The study.

“Father!” Lu Junfan called out weakly, and as he looked up to meet Lu Anrong’s blazing, blood-red gaze, he trembled from head to toe.

“Disgrace! The Lu family does not have a son like you!” Lu Anrong, seeing Lu Junfan, erupted in fury, cursing him without restraint.

Lu Anrong had always prized reputation above all else. Over the years, he had built the Lu family's name into one admired by all. Yet, how had he ended up with such a feckless son? Had he not happened to return home and been stopped by the townsfolk, exposing his shame, he wondered how long he would have been kept in the dark.

Lu Anrong was beside himself with rage, his chest heaving violently, his eyes bloodshot and staring at Lu Junfan, pupils dilated many times over, his eyes wide as saucers.

“Master, please calm yourself. Junfan already knows he was wrong. Besides, it was an accident. Let him bring a physician to see the injured and offer some silver and an apology. What do you think?” Lady Leng’s voice was gentle as water, her expression humble and respectful, and only then did Lu Anrong’s anger abate somewhat.

Yet, Lu Junfan, the wastrel, immediately protested upon hearing Lady Leng’s words. As the second young master of the Prime Minister’s residence, how could he stoop so low as to apologize?

“I won’t go!”

“Scoundrel!” Lu Anrong’s fury rose again. He slammed his palm onto the sandalwood table with all his strength, shattering it in an instant. Though he was a civil official, he possessed martial prowess—otherwise, he’d have died many times over through the years.

Lu Junfan was cowed, staring at the shattered table as his heart raced in terror, calling out to his father in a trembling voice.

“Don’t call me that! I’ve no son like you! Nor does the Lu family have a descendant like you! Since you refuse to apologize, I’ll break your legs and cast you out of the Prime Minister’s residence to give the townsfolk an explanation! Don’t let your disgrace bring shame upon the entire Lu family!”

“I’ll go, all right?” Lu Junfan gritted his teeth and agreed. He knew his father meant every word; if he refused to apologize, his legs would truly be broken and he’d be thrown out of the manor, and then he’d be nothing. Only by staying in the Prime Minister’s residence, with the aura of the legitimate second son, could he survive in Moon City.

Though Lady Leng’s eyes were filled with resentment, she nodded in satisfaction. As long as Lu Anrong was mollified, some hardship for Junfan was not unwelcome.

“Apologize properly—don’t shortchange them. If you don’t earn their forgiveness, don’t bother coming back!” Lu Anrong snorted coldly, then took his things and left the study. He, the grand Prime Minister of Crescent Moon, was forced to leave through the back gate of his own residence—his fury had yet to subside.