Chapter 17: Assembling Troops to Demand Justice (Part One)

Everything unfolded just as Anran had anticipated. Early the next morning, Lu Anrong arrived in person to demand an explanation! He was accompanied by several burly servants, each towering and solidly built—clearly men well-versed in martial arts. Was he intending to resort to violence?

Lu Anrong had spent the previous night listening to Lu Junfan moaning in pain, his nerves frayed to the breaking point. He had already sent word to the emperor to request leave, and before dawn had even broken, he rose, washed, and, in a fury, led his men straight to Anran’s door.

“Anran, get out here at once!”

Lu Anrong banged thunderously on the doors of Anran’s residence, his voice thick with rage, as if he had swallowed a barrel of gunpowder.

“It’s still early, my lady is resting. Perhaps the Prime Minister should come back later,” came a calm reply from within.

Come back later? Was she hiding in shame, or did she simply not dare to face him?

“Enough nonsense! Get that girl Anran out here now! Or I’ll break this door down myself!” Lu Anrong’s anger was now a blazing inferno, impossible to restrain. His son had suffered through a night of agony, yet she slept soundly—how could any father endure such insult?

He was shouting so loudly for two reasons: one neighboring house was empty, and the other was inhabited only by an old man and a few servants; and at this hour, the street was utterly deserted. Dressed and acting as he was, he had no fear of being recognized as the Prime Minister of Crescent Moon.

Hearing the once-familiar voice, Anran slowly opened her eyes, her gaze tranquil as a still pool. A cold smile curved her lips, though her heart raced at the prospect of confronting her enemy. Lu Anrong, you have finally come!

Wanxia had been waiting outside the door for some time already, holding the little fox, Snowball, in her arms and awaiting Anran’s instructions.

A moment later, the door opened. Anran had simply gathered her hair into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Dressed in white, she resembled a celestial maiden descended to earth—fresh, ethereal, her beauty beyond compare.

“My lady, why don’t Grandfather Yue and I handle this? You should return to sleep,” Wanxia greeted her at once, bowing respectfully. She had never seen a young mistress of such unworldly beauty, and yet a cold hatred smoldered in her eyes.

“That won’t be necessary. Come, the old dog has come to seek justice for the young one,” Anran replied, stroking the fox in her arms, her voice icy and that cold smile never leaving her lips.

“Yes, my lady.”

With their foxes in their arms, mistress and maid made their way to the entrance, where Old Yue was already in position. He bowed to Anran, just as he was about to open the door—but with a crash, the doors of Anran’s residence fell inward, sending up a cloud of dust.

Lu Anrong—he grew more temperamental with age!

“Anran, why did you break my son’s leg? Today, I’ll show you what the law truly means!” Lu Anrong stormed in, but Anran was shielded by Old Yue, so he saw only Old Yue and Wanxia. Mistaking the violet-robed Wanxia for Anran, he bellowed at her.

Wanxia stared back coldly, her face expressionless as she clutched Snowball tighter, her eyes filled with boundless loathing. How was it that every member of the Lu family seemed more detestable than the last?

“The law? Is this the Prime Minister’s idea of the law—forcing your way into a private home and destroying another’s property?” Anran’s cold laughter cut through the air as she stepped out from behind Old Yue, the fox cradled in her arms. Her commanding presence left Lu Anrong momentarily speechless.

“You…” Lu Anrong was left choking with indignation, unable to retort. Thinking back, he realized he had indeed forced his way in.

In Lu Anrong’s eyes, however, this woman named Anran was arrogant to the extreme. Since her arrival in Moon City, she had stirred up a storm, placing the Lu family at the heart of public scrutiny. Her methods were ruthless—such a calamity could not be allowed to remain, lest she bring tragedy upon the city’s people. He would be the one to act on heaven’s behalf!