Lu Yang bowed politely and said, "Uncle Duan, do you remember that one night more than ten years ago, a young man and woman came here to stay overnight?"
Duan Zhengyuan really doesn't remember it. After all, it has been too long, more than ten years have passed. There have been too many people who have come to stay at his place over the years, and most of them are people with status. However, a child like Lu Yang still can't remember it.
I have never been here alone. However, the tone of the other person's words did not sound like a child from an ordinary family.
For a moment, Duan Zhengyuan became curious about Lu Yang's identity. He looked at Lu Yang for a while and said: "Little guy, I'm afraid I can't remember what happened all these years ago. Judging from your age, you should be only more than ten years old.
More than ten years ago, your parents came to spend the night in the humble house. If you tell me your parents' names, I should be able to remember them."
Lu Yang hesitated for a moment, but finally did not say his father's name and replied: "My mother is Su Rui. I wonder if my uncle has any impression of her?"
Don't mention it, Duan Zhengyuan really thought of Su Rui. It wasn't that Su Rui and him were so close, but that Su Rui's mother was so beautiful when she was young. Most men can't forget it after seeing it. That night more than ten years ago
, Duan Zhengyuan heard that a young man and woman had arrived. These two people were Lu Yang's parents. At that time, Lu Zhentian was not the patriarch of the Lu family, and the Lu family was not as big as it is now.
After Duan Zhengyuan saw Su Rui's mother, he wanted to take her as his concubine, but he didn't expect that as soon as he revealed his intention, Lu Zhentian told him that Su Rui was his woman. Duan Zhengyuan naturally didn't believe it, so he inquired secretly for a while, and later learned that the relationship between the two
It didn't matter, he was very angry in his heart, feeling that Lu Zhentian had deceived him.
Later, Duan Zhengyuan wanted to propose marriage to the Lu family, and an even more unexpected scene occurred. The old patriarch of the Lu family made great contributions to the empire, was named a duke, and transformed from a small family into a behemoth. Duan Zhengyuan was calculated.
I was unwilling and did not dare to compete with such a big family, so I finally gave up the idea.
The idea was dismissed, but Duan Zhengyuan couldn't forget the appearance of Su Rui. Su Rui's young and beautiful appearance often appeared in his mind. Maybe many people don't believe in love at first sight, but that's how Duan Zhengyuan treats Su Rui, otherwise he wouldn't listen after all these years.
After hearing this name, Shu Rui's appearance immediately comes to mind.
Duan Zhengyuan looked at Lu Yang more carefully, and saw that Lu Yang's appearance was indeed somewhat similar to Su Rui's. He couldn't help but ask: "Are you really Su Rui's child?"
"Yes! I am." Lu Yang replied.
Regret flashed across Duan Zhengyuan's eyes, and then he thought of something and asked again: "Who is your father?"
"This..." Lu Yang thought for a while, shook his head and said, "Uncle, I don't want to mention my father. I want to live here for a while. Is it convenient?"
Hearing this, Duan Zhengyuan agreed without even thinking: "If someone else comes to live for a while, I may not agree. Since you are Su Rui's daughter, of course you can." As he said that, he looked at Wu Zhongpu beside him.
, said in a commanding tone: "Steward Wu, go and prepare a good private room for your nephew, and have dinner with me in the evening."
"Yes." Wu Zhongpu was a good man and said to Lu Yang respectfully, "Master Lu, please come with me."
Wu Zhongpu took Lu Yang to a large wing, then left and hurried to the study.
The door of the study room had not yet been closed, and as soon as footsteps sounded, Duan Zhengyuan walked out and said: "Tell me! What did he show, and you brought him here?"
"Sir, you are very smart. You must have guessed it." Wu Zhongpu said flatteringly.
Duan Zhengyuan did guess it. He even guessed that Wu Zhongpu was coming back and said in a solemn voice: "Just now you called him Master Lu. It seems that he is Lu Zhentian's son. I know all the wives and concubines of that boy Lu Zhentian. There is no Su Rui. Even if he is
Lu Zhentian’s son is also a bastard, could it be that you let him in just because he gave Lu Zhentian’s name?”
"Master, your analysis is absolutely correct. This guy is indeed not Lu Zhentian's legitimate son. It can be seen from his clothes that he must have been born as a concubine." Wu Zhongpu said, "I don't understand at all. Since he is
Bastard, why do you have a jade pendant belonging to the Lu family? Judging from the appearance of the jade pendant, it should be the one belonging to the head of the family."
Duan Zhengyuan was slightly startled and said in disbelief: "What, you said he has Lu Zhentian's jade pendant?"
"Yes! If he hadn't presented such a jade pendant, the old slave would not have brought him here without his own initiative." Wu Zhongpu kept observing Duan Zhengyuan's eyes while speaking, obviously worried that Duan Zhengyuan would be angry.
Duan Zhengyuan did not blame him. He remained silent for a while and then said: "This matter is a bit complicated. How do you think we should handle it?"
Wu Zhongpu thought for a while and said: "Sir, since he owns Lu Zhentian's jade pendant, he must have a high status in the family. Now he ran out wearing such clothes and stayed at Duan's house. He is most likely here to hide from trouble.
There is only one reason for the heirs of a big family to hide among themselves, and that is to compete for the position of heir. We might as well let him live here. If he becomes..."
Duan Zhengyuan obviously knew what he was going to say, so he snorted coldly and interrupted: "Don't think about controlling the Lu family. Even if this kid is capable in the future, he may not be able to become the heir of the Lu family in the future. So what if Lu Zhentian likes him? Lu Zhentian likes him.
There are so many elders in the family! It is not easy to become the future patriarch of the Lu family. The bigger the family, the more difficult it is."
Wu Zhongpu nodded quickly and said: "What I taught you is that I think too much."
Duan Zhengyuan waved his hand and said seriously: "Okay, don't tell anyone his identity. I'll go to the Lu family overnight to see if Lu Zhentian knows about this. If he knows, it's best this way. You can return him to the house."
With the Lu family, we can also avoid unnecessary trouble. If you don’t know, Lu Zhentian might be grateful to us, and secretly supporting our Duan family is also a good thing."
In the evening of that day, Lu Yang was dining alone in the private room. Wu Zhongpu told him that Duan Zhengyuan had to go out temporarily for something.
Lu Yang didn't take it to heart. Duan Zhengyuan was the head of the Duan family and was naturally busy with affairs. It was impossible for him to revolve around a half-year-old child. After dinner, Lu Yang went to bed. After all, he was just a child, and his thoughts were relatively small.
It was relatively simple. He never dreamed that the person introduced by his mother would also sell his master.
Duan Zhengyuan went to Tianlang City overnight and went straight to Lu Mansion.
Tianlang City is the largest city in Tianyuan County, and it is also where the county government is located. All the big families in the county live here, and the Lu family's mansion is naturally also in the city. Compared with Hechong County, Tianlang City is incomparable.
It is many times bigger. The guards guarding the city wall are all strong men in the early stage of the earth level. If they have not reached the earth level, they cannot become guards at all. It is said that the cultivation of the generals guarding the city has reached the heaven level.
Arriving at the Lu family, after Duan Zhengyuan reported his identity, Ye Hong, the chief steward of the Lu family, received him.
Ye Hong was very surprised when he heard that Duan Zhengyuan had come late at night. He came to greet him in person and politely clasped his fists and said, "Master Duan, why did you come to the Lu Mansion late at night?"
Duan Zhengyuan didn't waste any time, and after following Ye Hong to the guest room, he went straight to the point, "Is the Master of the Lu family here? Duan has something important to tell you."
"Is it important?" Ye Hong has followed Lu Zhentian for many years. He has been Lu Zhentian's confidant since he was a child. Many non-confidential matters are handled by him, so he said, "I don't know how important this matter is. Can I tell this old slave?"
Duan Zhengyuan thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "This matter is of great importance. I must see the head of the Lu family."
Ye Hong didn't say much and said truthfully: "Master Duan, to be honest, I have left Lu Mansion for a few days and will not be coming back in the near future. Is Master Duan here waiting for me to come back?"
"Leaving?" Duan Zhengyuan rolled his eyes, as if he wanted to understand what was going on. He waved his hand and said, "Since I'm not here, I won't bother you. I'll go to the inn to rest for a night." After saying that, he turned around and left.
.
Ye Hong did not dare to neglect him. After all, the other party was also a duke. He hurriedly said: "Master Duan, why don't you spend the night in Lu Mansion?"
"No, I have to meet some old friends later, so I won't bother you." Duan Zhengyuan said and had already walked out of the guest room.
Ye Hong naturally wanted to send Duan Zhengyuan out. As soon as the two of them came to the corridor, a young man appeared. The young man's face was a little pale, his brows were furrowed, and he was obviously in a bad mood. Behind the young man were two slaves, who were holding medicine bowls in both hands.
, followed closely behind him. This young man was none other than the eldest young master of the Lu family and Lu Tao's future heir.
When Lu Tao saw Duan Zhengyuan, he was startled for a moment, then clasped his fists and said, "Uncle Duan, what kind of wind brings you here?"
There are nine counties in the Western Chu Kingdom. Tianyuan County ranks among the top three in terms of area and wealth. The Lu family is the largest family in the county, and the other small families are affiliated with it. That is why,
Whenever there is an important event in the Lu family, people from other families will come. As the future heir of the family, Lu Tao also knows the patriarchs and legitimate sons of other families.
Duan Zhengyuan didn't expect to see Lu Tao. When he saw the servant holding the medicine bowl, he couldn't help asking: "Master Lu, what's wrong with you?"
"It's okay. I have some cold. I'll be fine in a few days." Lu Tao waved his hand and changed the subject, "Uncle Duan, my father is not in the house, why don't my nephew come to receive you tonight?"
Duan Zhengyuan was silent for a while, with a weird smile that was hard to detect at the corner of his mouth, and said: "Well, I also have something to talk to Master Lu tonight."
Ye Hong has been a housekeeper for so many years and has naturally matured. He hurriedly said: "Isn't this good? Why not wait for the master to come back and then invite the Duan family leader to come?"
Ye Hong could tell at a glance that Duan Zhengyuan wanted to tell Lu Tao his secret, so he wanted to interrupt. He had followed Lu Zhentian for so many years and knew Lu Zhentian's thoughts well. After all, Lu Tao was still young and there were many things that he could not know.
If you understand the secrets within the family early, you will most likely be able to force Lu Zhentian to hand over his position as the head of the family when you become more powerful in the future.
Lu Tao's face darkened, he glared at Ye Hong and said angrily: "Steward Ye, what do you mean? My father is not in the house, can't I entertain Uncle Duan on behalf of the Lu family?"