Lu Shu and Lu Qi reluctantly moved the belongings. Lu Qi, completely unable to hide his emotions, grumbled under his breath: "Young master, we finally managed to leave this place—why must we return?"
"Even if we're coming back, why bring your most cherished books and zither? Are we truly going to treat this as our home from now on?"
The two had previously been punished by Xiao Li with caning—Lu Qi, in particular, had been struck across the mouth, losing two teeth. Now, their feelings toward Xiao Li were not mere resentment but genuine hatred.
Yet, while nursing this hatred, they still had to follow their master back to reside here—it was utterly humiliating.
Lu Yanzhi did not respond to Lu Qi's words, but neither did he scold or stop him. Clearly, he too was unwilling at heart.
Last night, he had a detailed discussion with his grandfather, who told him that the key to resolving everything still lay with the Princess.
The Princess had always been Infatuated with him. The more she targeted him now, the more it proved she couldn't let him go.
The Lu family was an established noble clan, while the Princess was merely a pawn raised under the Empress Dowager's name, disposable at any moment. If this entanglement continued, the Lu family would be the ones truly suffering.
Was his decision to return truly the right move?—Xiao Li wanted to kill Lu Yanzhi, but Lu Yanzhi could not die in the Princess Manor.
See, stuck now, aren't you? "Hahahaha!" Her hypocritical facade shattered in less than a quarter of an hour. Xiao Li openly mocked him: "Don't torment yourself and strain my eyes. You're much more amusing when you maintain that aloof, unyielding demeanor."
He needed to lower the Princess's guard, make her believe he had changed his mind. If he could get the Princess pregnant, everything would resolve itself.
Ancient artifacts held little appeal for Xiao Li. Even if they were antiques, she couldn't take them with her—they were all illusory.
At the rate the Princess was shopping, it was downright lethal.
Xiao Li's emotionless gaze swept across, her pale, slender fingers lazily tapping the table: "A mere attendant dares to shout at this Princess? Is this the Imperial son-in-law's sincerity in reconciling? Or do you still take me for the pushover I used to be?"
In the end, it was Lu Shu who hurriedly provided tableware for Lu Yanzhi.
Xiao Li clapped her hands, and Yang Jun immediately stepped forward: "What are your orders, Princess?" Xiao Li pointed at Lu Qi: "Take him away and teach him some proper manners."
The Princess's love for him and a child would both be leverage to control her.
Xiao Li asked again: "What if I hit you in the future?"
Lu Yanzhi lowered his eyes, his expression indifferent, adopting a thoroughly submissive attitude. He picked up his chopsticks, first served a portion to Xiao Li, and only then began to eat himself.
"Wow, this one's nice—I'll take it. That one's good too—wrap it up!"
Lu Yanzhi felt stifled, but he still came, albeit unwillingly.
The reputation he had lost, the pain from her beatings, and Xue Yin's child—he would make her pay for all of it.
Lu Shu did a quick calculation: in just this short while, she had spent twenty thousand taels of silver.
Lu Yanzhi: "…"
Lu Yanzhi: "…"
Lu Yanzhi wore a magnanimous expression: "It's all in the past."
"Young master, you need to stop this quickly."
Lu Yanzhi looked up, meeting Xiao Li's smiling eyes directly. Was that smile affection? What was the point of going shopping? Of course, it was to buy, buy, buy!
She didn't care about these ancient people's attitudes, but she couldn't let herself become a public nuisance—she had no intention of suffering.
"This one, this one, and that one—these three are too ugly, I don't want them. Imperial son-in-law, pay up."
Only Xiao Li had tableware on the table. Lu Yanzhi sat down, but no one brought any for him.
Xiao Li's gaze was fixed unwaveringly on Lu Yanzhi, her eyes direct and intense, with a subtle, ambiguous smile playing at the corners of her brows. Anyone who saw it would think she adored Lu Yanzhi beyond measure.
"Shopping, of course, means going to the street," Xiao Li replied casually, glancing at him.
"Imperial son-in-law, aren't you coming to pay?"
It was truly a rare occurrence. Lu Yanzhi was dressed in a gray-green plain silk overlap robe—an unusual color, and plain garments were the most challenging to wear, yet on him, it was strikingly eye-catching.
"Shall I charge your expenses to your account as well?"
Today, Lu Shu had brought attendants along, and Lu Yanzhi carried little silver on him. It was quickly spent, and the remaining purchases were recorded under the Imperial son-in-law's name, to be paid for later.
His hair was tied up in a jade crown, his tall figure standing erect like a slender bamboo. Though his features were understated, they carried the elegance of autumn frost and jade bamboo—unassuming yet uniquely captivating.
Heli was not an option, nor could he remain indifferent, so he had to return.
Xiao Li lifted her eyelids slightly. Was this a gesture of goodwill?
But such trivial matters couldn't stump her.
Lu Yanzhi could sense the calculations in his grandfather's heart and eyes, yet the old man remained silent.
Just as Lu Yanzhi was about to speak, Xiao Li's expression turned cold and ruthless. "This is the Princess Manor. How dare anyone step into my domain and defy me? It is mercy enough that I haven't killed him. If the Imperial son-in-law cannot control those around him, I will do it for you."
Lu Qi could no longer restrain himself and stepped forward angrily. "The young master suffered greatly from your beatings, yet he now seeks reconciliation without holding grudges. Do not go too far."
"Princess, since you refuse Heli, let bygones be bygones. From now on, I will learn to treat you well."
Therefore: "This, this, and this… wrap them all up for me. The Imperial son-in-law will pay."
"Go, summon the Imperial son-in-law to accompany me shopping."
Yet he had his own calculations—he needed to keep the Princess in check to prevent her from harming Xue Yin again.
Xiao Li set down her bowl, ending the meal. Lu Yanzhi had eaten little but also put down his chopsticks; he hadn't come here to dine.
Otherwise, the Lu family would not spare her, and the Emperor would not protect her.
Her mind raced through possibilities—solutions existed, but she lacked allies.
Then, Lu Yanzhi appeared voluntarily at Xiao Li's dining table.
Xiao Li raised an eyebrow and continued sipping her soup.
Finally, Lu Yanzhi could no longer avoid meeting Xiao Li's gaze directly. Staring into those deep, cold, and unfeeling eyes, the weight in his heart sank further.
If the original host had heard this, wouldn't she have been moved to tears?
Thus, Lu Yanzhi had to die outside, preferably in a manner that was justifiable and utterly unsuspicious of her involvement.
Lu Yanzhi clenched his sleeves and reprimanded in a low voice, "Lu Qi, do not be rude."
As a male lead contender and the female lead's white moonlight, he indeed possessed considerable charm.
"Where does the Princess wish to go?"
At least on the surface, she had tamed this Imperial son-in-law—why not flaunt it while she could?
In her eyes, he saw not a trace of past admiration or love. Though hatred can stem from love, he detected no hatred in Xiao Li's gaze—only boundless coldness.
Without Xiao Li needing to speak, Qian Momo immediately stepped forward, sternly scolding, "When your superiors are speaking, how dare a servant interrupt?"
"Heh!" Xiao Li let out a mocking laugh. "How amusing."
His gaze swept over the plate beside him—the food he had served Xiao Li remained untouched.
Even with the Lu family's vast wealth, such extravagance was unwarranted.
Lu Yanzhi stepped forward and said, "You must be tired after walking for so long, Princess. There's a teahouse ahead; let's go there to rest."