Chapter 167 – Rejection
“Grandma, I didn’t mean it that way.” Lu Lingzhi hurriedly took back his words. He was only worried that people around Mo Rongzhan would recognize Lu Yaoyao’s resemblance to the deceased Wang fei Ye.
“Yao Yao is pure and tolerant. It was only a coincidence that the Emperor met her which angered Shuang-er. Lu Shiming and Pei Shi don’t even raise their hands against Yao Yao, how could Shuang’er do so? She is very hot-tempered—” Old Madam Lu wanted to criticize Lu Wushuang more but suddenly remembered that she was already the Wang fei, so she didn’t continue.
Lu Lingzhi listened intently. He knew his sister like he knew his own mind. Lu Wushuang wouldn’t act so rash if she was not provoked.
She must have heard the Chief princess’ taunting word, adding up to her jealousy to Lu Yaoyao’s beauty. Then, she became agitated, thinking that her cousin would garner the Emperor’s interest, and in a haze of fury, slapped Lu Yaoyao hard.
His younger sister still did not understand that Mo Rongzhan was not the kind of person who would be tempted by beauty. Did the Wang fei Ye not look good at the very beginning? But the Emperor ignored him.
In the end, it was Lu Wushuang’s insecurity that made her act callous.
Yet, why would she feel insecure in the first place? If the Emperor still doted on her, she would not feel threatened every time a woman approaches Mo Rongzhan.
“Grandma, I will go into the imperial palace and talk to Shuang’er.”
The Old madam nodded encouragingly. “Since she was still a child, she listens only to you. Tell her to keep herself from overthinking and her actions must stay in modesty. If she doesn’t trust her sister, who else can she trust?”
“Grandma, I know you are already tired. You must rest early.” Lu Lingzhi told her.
Different from Old Madam Lu, he knew that Lu Yaoyao, is not a weak and timid person. What happened in the palace was not as simple as the Old madam believed. He couldn’t wait to get to the bottom of it.
Indeed, Old Madam Lu felt a little tired. “I didn’t see the Wang fei when I left the palace. I don’t know what she could have been thinking that moment. I’m afraid of the things she could do against Yao Yao. Watch her.”
“Yes, grandma.”
Coming out of the upper hall, Lu Lingzhi looked at the small courtyard situated on the other side, which is Ye Zhen’s.
Perhaps, I should visit her tomorrow.
In her chamber, Ye Zhen was sighing at the red spots on her face. “If I had known it was useless, I wouldn’t have done it! Now I must find a way to make you disappear.”
“Third miss.” Just then, Dai Mei came in from outside.
Ye Zhen wiped her face with the ointment once more and looked at her maid. “What’s the matter?”
“Minister Lu Lingzhi just left the hall.” She said, wondering why her mistress suddenly wanted her to spy on Lu Lingzhi.
“Oh, alright. You should retire now.” Ye Zhen smiled at her gratefully. Now she knew that Lu Lingzhi was indeed suspicious. Otherwise, he would not have stayed longer to talk to Old Madam Lu alone.
He would visit her tomorrow, she was sure.
“Dai Mei.” Ye Zhen stopped the maid on her tracks before she reaches the door, “You can’t say a word about this to anyone. Do you understand?”
“This maidservant understands and rest assured that she would be silent of this, Third miss.” Dai Mei has now taken Ye Zhen as her only master. How could she ever betray her?
Ye Zhen nodded with satisfaction, “Thank you and rest well.”
Tomorrow she would go to the Women’s College, but this time, she would go with great determination. She would achieve her goal, no matter how hard it could be.
She glanced at the mirror again, hoping that by the time she got up tomorrow, the red spots already disappeared and she wouldn’t have to go to the college with it.
As she changed her clothes and laid down on her bed, her mind kept coming back to today’s events. Mo Rongzhan’s attitude towards Lu Wushuang baffled her. Could it be that he already knew that she tricked him?
In the palace, Lu Wushuang gradually calmed down from the outrage she felt and realized she lost her gentle and dignified manner in front of Mo Rongzhan. A tremendous regret in her heart.
As an apology, she willed herself to get up and visit Mo Rongzhan in his study.
Mo Rongzhan was holding a piece of the broken jade pendant when he heard of Lu Wushuang’s request for an audience. His dark and gloomy eyes flashed a cold light. He tucked the pendant away and ordered;
“Let the Wang fei in.”
Lu Wushuang, who was outside, heard the summon of the Emperor, her face beamed with joy, she fixed her hair and entered the imperial study with a smile. With injustice and tenderness on her face, she spoke ruefully.
“Your Majesty, I have come to apologize.”
Mo Rongzhan looked at her, “What is the Wang fei apologizing for?”
“Today, this Wang fei acted impulsive and rude in front of the Emperor. Will the Emperor forgive her for this?” Lu Wushuang remorsefully asked.
If he hadn’t found out that Lu Wushuang is a fraud, Mo Rongzhan would not have been angry with her for such a trivial matter, but today he felt repugnant of her presence. If not for Lu Lingzhi’s upcoming war and his quiet search for the little girl who saved him, he won’t have this conversation with her to begin with.
“I’m not angry with you, don’t take it to heart. I have other things to do. Go home.” was Mo Rongzhan’s dispassionate response before he drew his gaze back to his scrolls.
Lu Wushuang’s smile froze in that very instant. She didn’t expect to be driven away so soon.
For so long, it was only at this moment that she felt like a nobody in his eyes.
This blatant rejection, was this how the Wang Fei Ye felt before?