"Your Highness, are we returning to the Prince's Manor?" Qingfeng, the bodyguard and coachman, asked, looking at the darkening sky.
With all the fuss today, if he brought this girl back to the Prince's Manor for the night, then—
However, no sound came from the young girl in the carriage. Could His Highness have choked her to death directly?
Would he have to dispose of a body later?
Qingfeng's thoughts ran wild. After a long while, he finally heard his Prince's voice.
"To the Lu family."
"Yes."
A moment later, Prince Jin's voice rang out again.
"Have Physician Fu come as well."
Lu Mansion.
The maid Qiuju ran over, her skirts swishing, her voice arriving before she did.
"Young Miss, this is bad, this is bad!"
Lu Zhaoyun was startled, pricking her finger with the needle in her hand, and a drop of bright red blood welled up.
An ominous premonition rose in her heart.
"Why are you so flustered? Who's in trouble?" Lu Zhaoyun glared angrily at the rushing Qiuju.
"The, the Eldest Young Miss is back!" Qiuju gasped, stuttering slightly.
"Who are you calling Eldest Young Miss?" Lu Zhaoyun shot up, instantly furious.
In the Lu Mansion, she was the Eldest Young Miss!
Qiuju was scared by her fierce expression and quickly corrected herself, "This servant misspoke, it's the Second Young Miss, the Second Young Miss is back!"
"How could she possibly be back at this time?" Lu Zhaoyun cried out.
"Really! Master and Madam are both in the main hall waiting!"
"And they even want my parents to personally greet her? Where does she get such audacity!" Lu Zhaoyun bit her lower lip. "I'll go see!"
She immediately rushed out the door.
"Young Miss, wait! The Second Young Miss was sent back by Prince Jin!" Qiuju quickly chased after her.
In the main hall of the Lu Mansion.
Lu Ming was about forty years old, youthful and handsome, quite presentable.
Madam Lu was adorned with jewels, her clothes vibrant, looking no older than thirty.
The two were looking at Qingfeng, somewhat bewildered.
"Young man, you said Prince Jin sent my humble daughter back? Right at the entrance?"
Qingfeng was expressionless. "Yes, Miss Lu Zhaoling, she is your esteemed daughter, correct?"
Lu Ming's heart skipped a beat. "Indeed, she is my unfilial daughter. Where is she?"
"Miss Lu is unwell. Please have two people come out to help her."
Madam Lu's eyes widened in disbelief. "She's at our doorstep and can't come in herself? She needs someone to help her? How can a child raised in the countryside be so delicate? This is outrageous!"
Qingfeng glanced at her, thinking only that Lu Zhaoling looked nothing like Madam Lu.
Lu Ming sharply reprimanded her. "What are you arguing about? Didn't you hear that Prince Jin sent her back?" He quickly called two house servants over and straightened his robes. "Go welcome Prince Jin."
Qingfeng stopped him and looked at the two house servants.
"Lord Lu intends to have them help Miss Lu?"
Two men to help her? Was Lord Lu joking?
"Right, right, right, I got so excited hearing Prince Jin returned to the capital that my mind wasn't clear. Madam, why don't you quickly call two maids?" Lu Ming realized his mistake.
"She's just so troublesome! In my opinion, she's definitely using some trick to make us personally greet her at the main gate!" Madam Lu muttered under her breath, gnashing her teeth.
The group hurried towards the main gate.
Lu Zhaoyun rushed over and immediately followed. She linked arms with Madam Lu. "Mother, was it really Prince Jin who sent Second Sister back?"
Prince Jin, they weren't familiar with him. But Lu Zhaoyun knew that Prime Minister Shen's daughter had been infatuated with Prince Jin since childhood.
Miss Shen was the foremost noblewoman in the capital. The man she coveted must be extraordinary!
"Who knows how she hooked up with him! She truly was raised in the countryside, no manners, no shame!" Madam Lu gnashed her teeth.
They arrived at the main gate and saw the unassuming carriage.
Lu Ming had some discernment. Although the carriage looked plain, it appeared sturdy and spacious, made of the finest wood, and pulled by rare, good horses. He immediately put aside his slight indifference and quickly stepped forward to bow.
"Your humble official Lu Ming greets Prince Jin, and welcomes Prince Jin back to the capital."
Although he couldn't see anyone through the carriage curtains, who would dare impersonate a Prince so casually?
Inside the carriage, Prince Jin looked at the still unconscious girl, extending an index finger to poke her swollen forehead.
She didn't move, but her head wobbled from his poke.
"Lord Lu has raised a very bold daughter."
The voice floated out, lightly scratching at Lu Zhaoyun's heart. She curiously widened her eyes and peeked at the carriage.
This was Prince Jin's voice? It was so pleasant to hear!
Lu Ming's face, however, changed. Was Prince Jin's remark meant as an accusation? What had Lu Zhaoling done?! His heart was a little panicked.
Prince Jin was not to be trifled with back then!
"Your Highness, this daughter of your humble official was raised in the countryside since childhood. Her nature is certainly crude, and her words improper. If she has offended Your Highness in any way, Your Highness is free to punish her."
Prince Jin looked at the unconscious girl, a hint of disdain in his expression.
This was clearly a case of a child unloved by her father and mother, who was being given a crime before anyone even knew what happened.
"Hmph." Prince Jin chuckled softly, pushing the girl out. "Physician Fu will come to treat her injuries later. Take good care of her until she wakes up."
After all, she was his "fiancée." When she woke up, he would properly discuss the "fiancée" matter with her.
Qingfeng signaled, and two maids quickly stepped forward to help her.
Lu Zhaoling was helped down, unable to stand on her own. The two maids gritted their teeth and supported her.
Madam Lu and Lu Zhaoyun both looked at her.
Lu Ming also glanced, a sharp intake of breath! She's this badly off? Could she have been beaten by Prince Jin?
Beaten half to death, then sent back to be revived, only to be beaten again once awake?
At that moment, Lord Lu felt he had a clear understanding of Prince Jin—this one was definitely violent, cruel, and heartless!
"Yes, yes, yes, your humble official will certainly have her well looked after." Lu Ming quickly said, "Why haven't you helped the Second Young Miss inside yet?"
The carriage turned and left.
"Tell someone to wait for Physician Fu!" Lu Ming instructed the butler.
"Master, Prince Jin beat her to this state, why would he still invite Physician Fu to treat her injuries? Physician Fu isn't someone just anyone can invite!"
Madam Lu was a little jealous.
Physician Fu had retired from being an imperial physician and had a youthful friendship with the Emperor Emeritus. Even the Emperor gave him some deference. His medical skills were exquisite, but being old, he rarely made house calls.
Madam Lu had previously prepared heavy gifts to invite him, but couldn't even get past his door.
Now, Physician Fu was actually coming to personally treat Lu Zhaoling's injuries? Where did that girl get such a big face!
"Prince Jin definitely wants to treat her so he can punish her severely! Lu Zhaoling is in deep trouble!" Lu Ming said with a grim face.
Lu Zhaoyun's eyes darted around. "Father, I'll go see Second Sister and first find out what happened, so she doesn't implicate you."
"Zhaoyun is indeed sensible and thoughtful. Alright, Father leaves her to you." Lu Ming said, relieved.
A bowl of cold water was splashed onto Lu Zhaoling's face.
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