Happy Spring Every Year

Lu Yunsheng's return alarmed everyone in Ningxiangyuan.

Lu Yunyao came out with a worried look on her face when she heard the voice and asked with concern, "Brother, what's wrong?"

Lu Yunsheng walked very quickly into the mansion, sweat oozing from his forehead. He was very angry with Lu Yunyao, angry that she had no self-respect and was too bold.

But when he saw Lu Yunyao frowning and standing on tiptoe to wipe the sweat off his face, the angry words that were on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back.

Sister, sister...

Lu Yunsheng clenched his fists and finally said in a gentle voice:

"It's nothing. I just left a book behind that I need tomorrow, so I hurried back to get it. Go and have a rest, sister. I'll be leaving soon."

Lu Yunyao didn't doubt him after hearing this, but advised distressedly: "Brother, why don't you stay home tonight?"

Lu Yunsheng was extremely confused at the moment, and before he could answer, Aunt Zhou beside him had already noticed that something was wrong.

Sheng'er is a very careful child. Every time he goes out, he will pack everything he wants to take early. Over the years, has he ever forgotten anything?

She glanced calmly at the sweat on Lu Yunsheng's forehead, and advised Lu Yunyao to go and rest, while she accompanied Lu Yunsheng to the side room to get the book.

As soon as the mother and son entered the house, Aunt Zhou frowned and asked, "Sheng'er, what's going on?"

Lu Yunsheng's lips turned pale at this moment. He took out a pair of knee-length gowns from his bosom and said, "Auntie, this is what my sister asked me to give to Shen Jiaheng."

When Aunt Zhou heard this, she felt something was wrong. She raised her hand to take the knee-length gown and soon saw the word "Yao" embroidered in the corner.

Her breathing suddenly stopped, and she said in a trembling voice, "Sheng'er, you said, is this something Yao'er wants to give to the young master of the Shen family?"

Before Lu Yunsheng could answer, Aunt Zhou was already unable to stand.

Lu Yunsheng hurried forward to support her, his eyes a little sore, "Auntie, there may be something hidden in this. My sister is not that kind of person. Let's-"

Aunt Zhou was a capable person after all. She was too shocked just now, but since the thing had already happened, she knew it very well. Anger and worry would not help solve the dilemma.

She took a deep breath, slowly stood up straight, and said in a deep voice: "Sheng'er, go back to the Imperial College. Don't let any rumors spread, and don't show any abnormality. Auntie is here for you."

Lu Yunsheng was not at ease after hearing this, and was worried that his aunt would punish Lu Yunyao in anger, so he couldn't help but plead:

"Auntie, it's okay for me to take a day off tomorrow. I want to go see my sister."

The person in front of her is the child she loves deeply. How could Aunt Zhou not know what Lu Yunsheng is thinking?

She shook her head slightly, and at this moment a hint of regret appeared on her face.

"Sheng'er, it's Auntie's fault."

"No!"

When Lu Yunsheng saw that Aunt Zhou took the blame on herself, he couldn't help but get anxious.

But Aunt Zhou patted Lu Yunsheng on the shoulder, her face calm, and continued:

"My aunt's mistake was that she protected Yao'er too well, making her ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, and unaware of the treacherous nature of human nature."

"In this world, there are some things you have to fall down hard before you know how painful it is and remember never to make the same mistake again."

"Sheng'er, Yao'er should grow up too..."

When Lu Yunsheng heard this, he felt extremely sad. His aunt had done so much for them.

His throat choked with sobs, and he couldn't help shouting:

"mother--"

"Shhh."

Aunt Zhou raised her hand as a gesture to keep quiet, but tears welled up in her eyes.

"Sheng'er, you must abide by the rules even in private, so that you can be consistent in your words and deeds."

"Auntie is just a concubine. You and Yao'er are so good to each other, but you were born in my womb. I am sorry that you have suffered."

"Sheng'er, Auntie has been very strict with you since you were a child. Don't blame Auntie. You are a man, and you can still earn fame and success through your own hard work."

"Auntie hopes that one day, you can realize your ambitions with your own real talents and knowledge, no longer be burdened by your background, and find a better way out for Yao'er."

"What I can do is to keep you away from the secrets of the inner courtyard and the backyard, so that you can focus on your studies and become a true gentleman."

At this point, Aunt Zhou was already choking up. She knew very well how difficult it had been for Lu Yunsheng over the years.

This child is too sensible.

But the child will eventually fly high, and as his aunt, she just wants to do her best to support him.

"Go, go back to the Imperial College. Everything in the mansion is under the care of Auntie. Don't you trust Auntie's ability?"

Aunt Zhou raised the corner of her mouth and gently pinched Lu Yunsheng's cheek like she did when he was young.

With tears in his eyes, Lu Yunsheng nodded obediently.

He naturally knew that his aunt was the most powerful mother.

Over the years, he and his sister were able to grow up smoothly, and he was able to study at the Imperial College, all thanks to his aunt.

Aunt Zhou sent Lu Yunsheng to the gate of the courtyard. With a smile on her face, she waved at him, as usual, so that no one could find any flaws in her.

Only after Lu Yunsheng's figure disappeared around the corner did Aunt Zhou turn around and walk towards Lu Yunyao's door with a calm expression.

Lu Yunyao hadn't rested yet because she was very nervous.

This time, it was her own decision to send the knee-length shirt to Brother Jiaheng, and she did not mention it in the letter.

Did my brother really come back because he left his book behind?

This is not like my brother's temperament...

Lu Yunyao was daydreaming when there was a knock on the door. She was startled and quickly got off the bed to open the door.

When she saw that it was her aunt outside the door, Lu Yunyao hurriedly welcomed her in.

However, just as the door closed, Aunt Zhou's cold voice rang out: "Kneel down!"

Lu Yunyao trembled all over, feeling guilty. She immediately bent her knees and knelt in front of Aunt Zhou.

When Aunt Zhou saw Lu Yunyao's head hung and cowering appearance, a trace of pity flashed in her eyes, but she quickly hardened her heart again, took out the knee-length clothes in her arms, and threw them in front of Lu Yunyao.

"Lu Yunyao, do you know what this is?"

Lu Yunyao felt a flash before her eyes, and the knee-length robe she had just given to her was in front of her again.

She trembled all over, feeling ashamed and guilty. Before she could explain, tears had already rolled down her cheeks.

Aunt Zhou did not show any mercy, but stepped forward, leaned over, and spoke word by word in an unprecedentedly cold voice:

"This is a backdoor transaction. It has ruined your brother's more than ten years of hard study, your aunt's twenty-plus years of business, and you are pushing yourself into an irretrievable situation!"

"Lu Yunyao, you are so brave, are you tired of living?"

Even though she was furious, Aunt Zhou suppressed her voice and refused to let any of it escape outside the house.

Lu Yunyao raised her head, tears already streaming down her face.

She knelt down and took a few steps, then she put her arms around Aunt Zhou's legs and started crying, "Aunt, Yao'er was wrong! Please don't be angry with Yao'er. Yao'er will never dare to do it again."

When Aunt Zhou saw Lu Yunyao like this, tears began to flow from her eyes.

She has always cherished Yao'er at the top of her heart, but who could have known that overprotection would lead to such disastrous consequences, almost ruining Yao'er's life!

When she spoke again, Aunt Zhou's voice was also wet, but she still raised her hand and hit Lu Yunyao's shoulder hard.

"How could you be so foolish! The lesson of your elder brother and Gu Xizhi is right there, haven't you forgotten it?"

"People are always harsh on women. Look at your eldest brother. Even after that incident, he was still able to walk around and take up his post at the Command Department."

"But what about Gu Xizhi? After being kicked out of General Dingguo's mansion, she was trapped in a small courtyard and couldn't move a single step. What's the difference between her and a bird in a cage?"

"If she dares to appear in front of others, I'm afraid she will be drowned by the spit of others!"

"Auntie has taught you to cherish yourself since you were young, and this is how you act? Why don't you tell me the whole story?"