Since she had already been discovered, Lu Nian Fu decided to go all out, pretending not to see Madam Fang’s displeasure. She boldly approached, "What wind brings Mother to my humble courtyard? Is there something you need?"
Madam Fang was furious. "What do you mean, 'something you need'? If I hadn't come here today, how would I know you've turned this marquis’s mansion into your backyard? Coming and going as you please, do you have any regard for me, your mother?"
"Look at what you're saying. It's just climbing a wall. It's not allowed to climb over other people's walls, but is it illegal to hop over our own? Qing Ya, quickly go make Mother a pot of good tea to calm her down."
Madam Fang was momentarily stunned by her retort, almost falling for it. When she came to her senses, she was even more incensed. "What are you talking about? Which noble lady climbs walls? If you want to go out, you only need to ask me for a token, and when have I ever refused? As the young mistress of a marquis’s mansion, sneaking in and out by climbing walls all day, what would people say?" httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
Lu Nian Fu replied, "I just didn't want to bother you with the token every time. Climbing the wall is cheaper, so I just go out this way."
"And 'every time'? Tell me, how many times have you climbed this wall?"
"I have no choice. Business needs to be done, and there's too much to manage at the shop," Lu Nian Fu spread her hands. "Fortunately, the busy period is mostly over by today. I definitely won't be climbing walls from now on, so please don't worry, Mother. Oh right, you still haven't told me why you came."
Madam Fang finally remembered the main reason for her visit, and her brows tightened even further. "There are rumors going around that you are the lost eldest daughter of the Ping Ning Marquis’s mansion. What is this all about?"
Lu Nian Fu blinked. "There's such a thing?"
"The entire capital is buzzing about it."
Thinking of this, Madam Fang felt displeased. She had thought Lu Nian Fu was merely a merchant's daughter, only to discover she was a marquis's descendant. Although the Ping Ning Marquis’s mansion had declined, they still held a noble title. It would be difficult for her to find fault with Lu Nian Fu based on her status in the future.
What if Lu Nian Fu wanted to contend for the management of the household? That would be troublesome.
"Although this rumor sounds absurd, and not many people believe it, where there's smoke, there's fire. You should think carefully about what's truly going on. Let me tell you, the Ping Ning Marquis’s mansion is only good in name. Their family entered officialdom through medicine, and the current Marquis of Ping Ning, Zeng Guang Yi, is still the supervisor of the Imperial Hospital. However, his medical skills are not outstanding. He has long lost the emperor's favor. In essence, they are just a declining family with a good-sounding title. Don't go chasing after them foolishly."
Madam Fang was very worried. What if Lu Nian Fu seized this opportunity and recognized them without a second thought?
The Ping Ning Marquis’s mansion was in decline, and perhaps they wanted to gain some favor through Gu Yan Chen. This would also give Lu Nian Fu a better status. What if the two families struck a deal…
Lu Nian Fu, of course, had no intention of telling Madam Fang the truth. After a few breaths of thought, she said, "This matter has come too suddenly. Mother, please wait for me to sort it out first."
"Hmph, I'll wait for your explanation. Also, you are forbidden from climbing this wall again." Madam Fang said hatefully, "I'll have someone come and raise the courtyard walls tomorrow."
Lu Nian Fu: …
After seeing Madam Fang off, Lu Nian Fu’s face also fell. "Qing Ya, what's this rumor outside about?"
Qing Ya was also helpless. "Miss, I've been run off my feet by Wang Shou Cheng lately. Where would I find the time to listen to such things? However, this matter seems to have just happened. Please wait a moment, I'll go out and gather some news."
Lu Nian Fu said, "Go after lunch."
"Miss, it's better to eat outside when gathering news. This is just the right time for lunch."
So Lu Nian Fu pressed a silver ingot into her hand. "Thank you for your hard work. Since you're going out, go and eat something good. Don't mistreat yourself."
Qing Ya was deeply moved. "It's you, Miss, who is kind. Unlike Wang Shou Cheng, who makes me work without even providing food, and even dares to complain about my weight. What's wrong with me being fat? I haven't eaten his rice."
Lu Nian Fu: …