Lu Ming headed toward Tingnuan Tower, his anger simmering beneath the surface.
Along the way, Qingbao said nothing, but the look in her eyes was one of pure mockery. Lu Ming caught a glimpse of it, and his fury flared even higher.
However, since this maid had been sent by Prince Jin's Manor, he didn't dare put on the airs of a grand master.
When he reached Tingnuan Tower and stepped through the door, he saw Lu Zhaoling leaning indolently against a soft couch. She was currently reading a piece of paper covered in writing. When he entered, she merely lifted her eyelids slightly and spared him a sidelong glance.
Seeing her posture, Lu Ming could no longer suppress his rage.
"Just look at you! Seeing your father walk in, you still sprawl there without moving a muscle. You truly have no upbringing, no sense of etiquette at all!"
When he entered, shouldn't she have immediately stood up, bowed, and called him 'Father'?
"Heh."
Lu Zhaoling couldn't help but let out a derisive chuckle.
"Lord Lu, allow me to remind you that you should cherish the fact that you can still put on airs with me. Once I become the Princess Consort of Jin, you will be the one bowing to me."
"You!"
Lu Ming was livid.
This unfilial daughter! "Even if you truly become the Princess Consort of Jin, I am still your old man!"
"Then if you have the ability, go put on your airs in front of Prince Jin. What? Do you intend to use filial piety to suppress a member of the Imperial Family? Do you want to ride over the head of imperial authority?"
Truly, she felt sorry for him, but in this era where imperial authority was greater than the heavens, the paternal authority and filial piety of a small household really had to step aside.
Lu Zhaoling's phrase "ride over the head of imperial authority" caused Lu Ming's face to change color instantly.
He shot a wary glance at Qingyin and Qingbao.
"Stop your nonsense! I am utterly loyal to the Emperor and hold nothing but the utmost devotion toward the Imperial Family. I have never shown even a shred of disrespect."
Lu Zhaoling smiled brightly. "Then was there anything wrong with what I just said?"
Once she truly became the Princess Consort of Jin, he really would have to bow to her!
Seeing Lu Ming's face turn a flushed, angry red as he seethed without daring to refute her, Lu Zhaoling once again felt that Prince Jin was quite useful.
Bulling people using his influence was much more convenient than exerting her own effort.
Lu Ming took a deep breath and asked, "What did Prince Jin want with you just now?"
"What does that have to do with you?"
"Lu Zhaoling! Don't think for a second that your position as the Princess Consort of Jin is a done deal. Prince Jin cannot marry within a year. Who knows how many things can happen in a single year? I advise you not to get carried away, lest some accident occurs and you find yourself with nowhere to cry!"
Lu Ming's face was dark as he threatened her through gritted teeth.
Within this year, he would absolutely think of every possible way to ruin this marriage!
Looking at this wretched girl's attitude, even if she truly became the Princess Consort of Jin, she wouldn't bring him any benefits. Instead, she would just have someone to back her up, making her even more arrogant in front of them.
Therefore, he absolutely could not allow her to marry Prince Jin!
Looking at it this way, the Retired Emperor had passed away at the perfect time! It gave them a year-long buffer.
"I'll tell Prince Jin later that you're cursing him to have an accident," Lu Zhaoling said coolly.
Lu Ming was nearly driven to a heart attack by her words.
"You! When did I ever curse Prince Jin? I was talking about your marriage!"
"If our marriage fails, Prince Jin will be heartbroken. Isn't that the same as cursing him?"
"Shut up! As a young lady, how can you be so shameless!" What did she mean by 'Prince Jin would be heartbroken'? Did she think she was that important?
Prince Jin probably didn't think of her as anything at all!
"I'm far more modest than Lu Zhaoyun..."
Seeing that she was about to bring up the matter of Lu Zhaoyun losing face at the commandery princess's manor again, Lu Ming almost lost his mind with exasperation.
"Enough! Why exactly did you call me here?"
"Husband!"
Madam Lu had also arrived. She scanned the room, and seeing that nothing seemed to have changed, her heart settled.
But at that moment, Lu Zhaoling waved the paper in her hand. Her gaze swept over Madam Lu's face with a half-smile that wasn't quite a smile.
"I called you here for official business, of course. While I was at Prince Jin's Manor, a thief entered our house!"
Madam Lu's expression changed instantly as she cried out, "How is that possible! No such thing happened!"
"Nothing was stolen from your room, but things are missing from mine. Qingyin has already conducted a thorough inspection and recorded everything that was lost."
Qingyin immediately took the list and handed it to Lu Ming.
Lu Ming looked down. When his eyes fell upon the entries for two silk handkerchiefs, a sachet, and silk flowers, his mouth twitched and his temple throbbed.
He knew his wife to some extent, and these items...
She really might have taken them!
A few days ago, she had been constantly grumbling in front of him. She said the fabrics sent by Prince Jin's Manor were rare and high-quality, impossible to buy outside. Even obtaining a single handkerchief or a sachet would bring prestige to one's face.
She had even questioned why a wretched girl from the countryside like Lu Zhaoling deserved to use such fine things.
But now, he could not admit to it!
Lu Ming managed to restrain himself, not even looking at his wife.
If he looked at her now, it would be a sign of a guilty conscience.
His face darkened as he crumpled the paper into a ball and threw it forcefully onto the floor.
"What exactly are you trying to start? Whether you used these trifles yourself or your maids took them, is it really such a big deal?"
Qingbao's eyes widened. "Lord Lu, Qingyin and I are not that petty! Our Lady has already rewarded us; why would we need to steal?"
The Lady had even rewarded them with green jade bracelets. Since they wouldn't lack silk handkerchiefs or sachets, why would they need to steal?
"Who knows if you lot grew greedy? Perhaps you took them outside to sell?" Madam Lu said hurriedly.
Qingbao rolled her eyes.
She actually had the nerve to say that! Selling the mistress's trinkets? Just how short-sighted were the people of the Lu family that Madam Lu could even conceive of such a thing!
However, Madam Lu was truly panicking.
She had caught a glimpse of the list earlier. She hadn't expected Lu Zhaoling to actually list every single thing she had taken!
As expected of someone raised in the countryside she was stingy and petty. To make such a scene over a few small items!
"Lord Lu didn't read to the end, did he?"
Lu Zhaoling arched an eyebrow. "Besides those trifles, I also lost three hundred taels!"
She looked at Madam Lu and added, "That's right, it was the three hundred taels the manor gave me as reimbursement earlier. Tsk, I wonder who it was. Who could have known that a poor wretch from the countryside like me had three hundred taels in her room? Personally, I think it was a thief from within the family."
Madam Lu snapped instantly, screaming, "Nonsense! Who took your three hundred taels!"
Qingyin and Qingbao both looked at her.
Lu Ming's temple throbbed again.
No, she wasn't this stupid before! After giving birth to a few children, had the placenta managed to clog up her brain?!
"Oh..." Lu Zhaoling drawled, staring at Madam Lu. "So, you did take the other things then?"
Madam Lu's face turned a deep crimson. She regretted the words the moment they left her mouth.
But now, meeting Lu Zhaoling's gaze, she was once again half-dead with rage.
"You dare suspect me of being a thief? What would I want with your rubbish?"
She simply wouldn't admit it. What could Lu Zhaoling possibly do to her?
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