Chapter 76.2 - Plan Progressed Without a Hitch (1/2)

It had already been many years since he experienced this kind of feeling. Luo Cheng was stupefied as he watched Hongyu withdraw again to sit by Luo Qing Luan’s side. He couldn’t help but feel a bout of regret. Why was it that only today could he see this young woman? If he could have known her at an earlier time……

“Father, what’s going on with you?” Luo Qing Luan spoke up, “Did you hear my zither music? What do you think of it?” She laughed, as if she didn’t notice Luo Cheng’s absent-mindedness at all.

Luo Cheng finally became thoroughly sober, yet glanced again at the bowing Hongyu, reluctant to part. He then nodded and replied, “Mn. Just now, I was up ahead chatting with your Father’s Concubine and heard the sound of your zither. That’s why I came to take a look. I didn’t expect that you actually have a friend visiting.”

Luo Qing Luan nodded, and responded obediently, “Mn. I recently have been diligently increasing my practices, but felt that playing music by myself was somewhat uninteresting. I recalled that Hongyu wasn’t bad at dancing, so I set up a date for her to visit. Having two people is also more lively.”

Hongyu also recovered her normal appearance after her ‘panic’ and spoke softly, “I’ve turned up without being invited. Thank you, General Luo, for not blaming me.”

“How can I, how can I.” Luo Cheng laughed and had not finished speaking when Wang Xue Ru and Ziyu finally quickly arrived after chasing him. Once they entered the pavillion and saw the young woman dressed in green sitting together with Luo Qing Luan, they noticed her picturesque appearance and the flirtatious expressions across her face. Wang Xue Ru immediately shouted with a faceful of disgust. “Aiya, sure enough it’s you!”

“Master, this girl sure have the guts. She actually made her way to our General’s Mansion.”

Without waiting for Luo Cheng to open his mouth, Wang Xue Ru already spoke in a huff, “Qing Luan, you’re a noble daughter from the General’s Mansion. How can you get mixed up with this kind of woman from the brothels. You even brought her here? If His Lordship the Prince of Chu were to find out, I’m afraid that you……”

“Shut up!” With a deep shout, Luo Cheng already broke her words up and continued inwardly angry, “Miss Hongyu came as a guest, how can you speak like that?”

Completely not anticipating that Luo Cheng would actually change his attitude. Just now, he was still wishing that he could beat Luo Qing Luan to death. Who would’ve thought that in the twinkling of an eye, he would change. Wang Xue Ru looked at Luo Cheng in disbelief, “Master, she, she’s indeed a woman from the brothels. She’s so contemptible, our General’s Mansion……”

“Father’s Concubine, how can you say such things of Hongyu? She’s my friend and came as a guest.” Luo Qing Luan couldn’t help but speak out and explain.

“What friend or whatever?” Wang Xue Ru coldly jeered, casting a despising glance at Hongyu before continuing, “Qing Luan, it’s not that I want to criticize you, but you’re a young lady in the General’s Mansion. Your status is respected. How can you associate with this kind of servile women? If the Prince of Chu’s people were to find out, would he not become angry.”

Already having anticipated such a situation, and having waited for such a moment to arrive, Luo Qing Luan smirked in her heart, yet her face didn’t reveal anything. She opened her mouth to reply, “Father’s Concubine, you can’t say those things, Hongyu is as clear as ice and as clean as jade. She sells her art, not her body. Even His Majesty’s previous tutor, Venerable Teacher Wang, also praises Hongyu for her principles and incorruptibility. Father’s Concubine, how can you make general assumptions?”

“Qing Luan, don’t speak anymore. I’m sorry, I’ve implicated you.” Hongyu was no longer able to sit still, blushing across her entire face, as if she wanted to cry. She stood up and turned towards Wang Xue Ru to curtsy and said softly, “I’m sorry, General’s Madam, I’m the one who’s not good. I don’t deserve to associate with the Second Lady. I beseech the Madam to forgive me.”