The Concubine's Daughter Travels Through Time and Space and Takes the Road of Confrontation

When Lu Lingcong arrived at the farm, he happened to run into officers from the Ministry of Justice. The leading officer was very polite and bowed to him as usual. "Sir Lu, I am here on the orders of Sir Li to ask Miss Fang to come over and take a statement. I hope Sir Lu will forgive me."

"That's as I should. No need to be so polite." Lu Ling hurriedly asked the driver to make way and signaled them to go first.

Zhang stood at the side of the gate and came forward, "I am a burden to you this time." Her expression was gloomy.

Master Lu held his wife's hand and comforted her gently, "Madam, you don't have to be like this. This is what I should do."

The couple walked side by side and entered the Shanshui Yunju.

Lu Yun had already had the other side of the waterside pavilion tidied up. Master Lu was clearly delighted with this waterfront, mountain-viewing residence. Last time, he'd been in such a hurry that he hadn't been able to explore properly, so this time, he felt it was time to make up for what he'd missed. So, he and Zhusheng wandered around the farm until they reached a small pond in the back hills. They saw a handsome young man with a distinguished demeanor sitting on the bank, holding a bamboo pole. A white feather adorned with cotton thread lay quietly on the water.

The young man stood up very humbly and bowed to him, "Junior Zhou Boli greets Uncle Lu."

"Who are you?" Master Lu stepped forward and asked in confusion.

"Ah, I'm from Shu. I came to Kyoto on my father's orders to do business. By chance, I met Princess Ning'an and, using her reputation, I opened a clothing store in Kyoto."

So that's how it is. Every famous shop in Kyoto always has some backers. Seeing the young man in front of him with a handsome appearance, extraordinary bearing, and concise and measured speech, Master Lu nodded secretly.

"How many years of schooling did Mr. Zhou go to, and what books did he read?" Master Lu Er became more interested.

"Uncle, I started studying at the age of three and continued until I came of age. After my father handed over the household responsibilities to me, I stopped studying due to my busy schedule. I only have one younger brother who is still studying and will take the imperial examination this year."

Although the young man in front of him tried his best to hide it, Master Lu Er still heard the regret in his words, which reminded him of what happened when the family was divided. Putting himself in his shoes, he felt a little more pity for him.

"Studying is not a matter of one moment, nor of early or late. As long as you want to study after you have established a family and a career, it is not too late. If you have any questions about your studies, you can come to me at any time. I am not talented, but I have some achievements in academics." Master Lu Er got his fame through hard work.

Zhou Boli showed gratitude and bowed deeply. "Thank you very much, uncle. I am very grateful."

Master Lu Er stroked his inch-long beard, and with his sharp eyes, he noticed the white feather floating up and down, and said hurriedly, "My dear nephew, the fish has taken the bait."

The fishing rod was lifted up, and a carp with a white belly and black back as long as an arm was picked up.

Master Lu Er clapped his hands and laughed, "My dear nephew, your fishing skills are really good."

Zhou Boli took out another fishing rod he had prepared long ago and said, "I have nothing to do now. The mountains are quiet. Uncle, why don't you enjoy this moment of leisure with the younger generation?"

This was exactly what he wanted. Master Lu took the fishing rod and sat down on the spot. The two of them fished for the whole day.

At night, when it was dark, the two of them walked back carrying seven or eight carp, talking and laughing.

When Lu Yun came back from the mountain, she saw that Miss Fang had red eyes and was wiping the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief from time to time. She walked in and sat next to her mother.

Fang Hao stood up and saluted, "Greetings to Princess Ning'an."

"Miss Fang, are you in trouble?" Lu Yun asked, motioning her not to be polite.

Zhang replied, "Nothing. Miss Fang went to the Ministry of Justice today to give a confession. Magistrate Fang has made meritorious contributions while serving his sentence, and is now awaiting the outcome of the higher-ups' decision. If nothing unexpected happens, she can return home after this."

Miss Fang's eyes reddened even more when she heard this. "Father had already made all the arrangements before he left, and Mother has already divorced and returned home. I was worried and sneaked back. When this matter is over, I will return to Mother's side."

Everyone in the room sighed when they heard this, and they obviously felt very sympathetic towards her tragic experience.

After she left, Zhang sighed, "Miss Fang will probably have a hard time after she goes back." Not to mention the officials and their relatives whose properties were confiscated and beheaded, just the fact that she herself had fallen from the daughter of a prefect to the daughter of a criminal was a difficult feeling.

Although Lu Yun sympathized, she felt that the fact that Fang Zhifu had sacrificed himself to save his wife and children had already offset his faults, so it was not easy to force other matters. She then turned to talk about her eldest cousin becoming a nun at Qingping Temple.

Zhang frowned. "Sister Ling hasn't had an easy time these past few years. Among the Lu family's daughters, only you can compare with her in terms of cleverness. It's a pity that Sister Ling suffers from this very cleverness. She finds everything boring when she sees through it. And you—" Zhang caressed Lu Yun's hair lovingly. "You've always been intelligent, but you've also hidden your shortcomings. You've always looked strong, even though you didn't show it. A few days ago, I saw you had a little golden donkey on your stand." She couldn't help but smile. "I don't know who gave it to you, but it's quite iconic."

Lu Yun was embarrassed. Her mother had probably guessed it, so she simply said, "Don't worry about whether it's a donkey or not. That's real money."

Zhang smiled and poked her forehead with her finger. "You are such a money-grubber. I know exactly how much money you and the young master Zhou earn from the shop every year."

The door curtain was lifted and Rong Jie'er walked in with a depressed look on her face. She sat next to Zhang and began to daydream.

"Is it because of the Lu family's cancellation of the engagement?" Zhang hit the nail on the head.

Lu Rong raised her eyes, her expression startled. "Mother, have you known about the Lu family's breakup of the engagement with ours?"

Zhang took a handkerchief and wiped her daughter's face. "I agree to this, too. It's my fault that I only cared about their peaceful family and promising children, and forgot to inquire about the character of the Lu family. But our family is in a low point now, so it's understandable that they broke off the engagement."

Lu Rong gradually regained her composure after hearing this. After thinking for a moment, she suddenly said, "Mother, I don't understand why women in this world have to get married when they reach a certain age. When they marry into other people's families, they have to serve their parents-in-law and be filial to their elders. It's better if the marriage is called off. I don't like the young master of the Lu family." After saying this, she showed a mischievous smile, "Sister, do you still need a little Taoist boy by your side? What do you think of me?"

Zhang slapped her in annoyance and said, "You're really good at avoiding leisure. The March 3rd Spring Festival outing will be in a month. For years, our family has just watched other families have fun. This year, you can't avoid it."

Speaking of the outing, Lu Rong's cheeks turned red with embarrassment, and she lay in her mother's arms without saying a word.

Lu Yun smiled and said, "Don't worry, sister. I'm here. The door of our Qingxin Temple is always open to you—" Before she could finish her words, her mother slapped her in the face.

On the mountain road outside Xishan City, a small carriage with a green canopy approached. The servant sitting in the carriage kept complaining, "If it weren't for the young master insisting on seeing the inscriptions of some great master, we wouldn't have missed the post stations along the way. Now the gates of Kyoto are closed. There's no village in front and no inn behind. Where can we find a place to stay?"

A fast horse came galloping up the mountain path. The dark-faced young man on horseback dismounted and walked up to him, saying, "Master, there's a farm ahead. Why don't you go there and stay for the night?"