Chapter 16: Marital Dispute (Part Two)
"Living under a borrowed name..."
"Enough! How could she possibly know? All those who knew are dead!" Lu Anrong could no longer contain himself, abruptly cutting her off. His agitation became palpable. No one knew what happened that night; those who did are all dead, dead!
"Master, wasn't there still someone who witnessed what happened back then..."
"How could she possibly know? She was only a month old at the time!" Lu Anrong immediately interrupted Madam Leng, glaring at her with a fierce, icy expression. "You are not to touch her, nor mention her again! As for Fan'er, I will decide his fate!"
"Master, I can’t help feeling that woman is targeting our Lu family on purpose." Whenever Madam Leng recalled the calm yet unsettling gaze in Anran’s eyes, she couldn’t shake the feeling that the events of that year had already been exposed to the light of day.
"How could that be possible? How could we have offended a girl of her age?" Lu Anrong dismissed the thought. According to the servants’ descriptions, the girl was barely fourteen or fifteen, accompanied by an elder she called Master—someone he had never encountered before. How could there have been any offense?
"Master, we still have to rely on her to heal Fan’er’s leg. It might not even be curable..." Madam Leng now felt a twinge of regret.
"Rely on her? She broke my son’s leg—she ought to heal him! Otherwise, I’ll have her thrown in prison at the Capital Prefecture!"
Lu Anrong flung his robe, brimming with the air of a high official, head held high and chest out, full of disdain. Was he, the grand chancellor, supposed to stoop to pleading? Ridiculous!
"Master, perhaps tomorrow you could..."
"Don’t even think about it! Hmph!" Lu Anrong shot her a look and snorted coldly. "I simply do not believe there’s no one else in the world who can cure Fan’er. Perhaps she’s just bluffing!"
"Leave her alone—this is my final warning!" Lu Anrong cast Madam Leng a sidelong glance, then strode away. Wasn’t there a descendant of the divine healer in Night Moon Kingdom?
Madam Leng remained standing in the courtyard, watching his retreating back, a bleak sadness rising within her. Guilt gnawed at his heart, yet even his son’s crippled leg could not outweigh the Lu family’s reputation. So be it—perhaps he would calm down once his rage had passed.
But why did he allow the child born of that woman to continue living in this world? Was it out of guilt, or did he wish to keep her as a reminder of her mother? Lu Xuexin, do you have any idea what a cruel mockery your existence is to me?
"Madam, let’s go inside. The night is chilly," said Nurse Gu, draping a thin cloak over her shoulders, her tone brimming with concern.
She had overheard the entire conversation between the master and mistress. While Madam might fear the master, she herself did not. Even if it cost her life, she would help Madam fulfill her long-cherished wish. Nurse Gu’s resolve only grew stronger at the thought.
Anran had purchased a residence for Wanxia and changed the signboard, naming it "Anran Residence." Liu Yi Lane was not a main thoroughfare, so few pedestrians passed by. Anran intended to open a medical clinic here, hiding in plain sight.
"Wanxia, I’m going out for a while. Get some rest—you’ll have plenty to do tomorrow," Anran said, already dressed in night-black attire that hugged her graceful curves. Though her hair barely reached her temples, she was developing well for her age.
"Yes, Miss," Wanxia replied, retreating with a fox in her arms. Her mistress’s medical skills were unmatched, and she was accomplished in martial arts as well—Wanxia had complete confidence in her. Besides, Anran would never act unless she was sure of success.
Anran glanced at the fox on her shoulder and smiled gently. "Snowball, go find Snow Velvet. I’ll be back soon."
"Owoo… owoo…" The little fox, brimming with intelligence, barked twice before leaping off Anran’s shoulder. Its chubby body rolled away, following Snow Velvet’s scent.
Anran, too, quietly vanished into the upper chamber...