Chapter 282: Beauty Like Flowers (19)
Xiao Xiao sat on the bed for a while before moving to the embroidery to tidy up the things on the floor.
【Why was she sitting alone for so long just now?】
【Perhaps she heard what her Lu family Old Madam said about getting married and was feeling lovesick?】
【Or, does she already have someone in her heart?】
【Thinking that if the engagement meant they couldn't be together, her heart would be filled with immense sorrow...】
【What a beautiful and tragic story, boo hoo hoo.】
【If there is, that would be great!】
【Hehe, I know what the person upstairs wants.】
【Hehe, it’s good that you understand me! Tragic aesthetics are eternally divine!】
After tidying up the messy things on the floor, Xiao Xiao called in the maids to help her prepare for bathing and washing.
Xiao Xiao’s beautiful hair was unbound, flowing like a waterfall, black, shiny, smooth, and like silk.
The maid Chun Xiao praised, “Young Miss, your hair is truly wonderful. The girls around other Young Misses all come to ask us how we care for your hair. We tell them that besides jasmine oil, we don’t use anything else, and their expressions immediately… hehe.”
Xiao Xiao playfully chided, “Chatterbox.”
She seemed to suddenly notice a missing voice and looked around before asking, “Why don’t I see Cai Ping?”
Cai Ping was the talkative maid from earlier, always eager to show off in front of the Young Miss, so her absence was quite noticeable.
Another maid, Tao Er, immediately leaned forward mysteriously.
“Cai Ping went to inquire about news.”
“Something happened to the main branch…”
The more she spoke, the more exaggerated her tone became.
Xiao Xiao recalled her Lu family Old Madam’s hesitant expression earlier and asked curiously, “What happened?”
“We don’t know yet, it seems to be related to the Eldest Young Master,” Tao Er shook her head.
When Xiao Xiao finished bathing and sat in the room with her hair loose, while Chun Xiao helped her dry and apply jasmine oil, Cai Ping finally returned.
As soon as Cai Ping entered Xiao Xiao’s room, she dropped a bombshell: “The Eldest Young Master is gone!”
“What?!” Tao Er exclaimed in surprise.
Xiao Xiao also cast a curious glance.
“Yes, they’ve checked all the taverns and brothels he usually frequents, but there’s no trace of him. They’ve also asked the young masters he usually plays with, but there’s still no news.”
“Now all the housekeepers and servants are out looking for him,” Cai Ping said excitedly, “The main branch is filled with wails, and it’s said that the Head Madam even fainted from crying.”
Everyone was shocked.
However, despite such a major event, no one present showed any concern.
Including Xiao Xiao.
Some even let out a schadenfreude-filled snort.
“I think this is just retribution,” Tao Er said bluntly.
Everyone’s eyes turned to her, and Xiao Xiao, blinking, also looked at her.
“Tao Er, don’t say anymore…” Chun Xiao reminded her.
But Tao Er, finally feeling a sense of satisfaction, continued to speak non-stop.
“Why can’t I speak? Has he not bullied us enough? My sister was… by him…”
As Tao Er spoke, her eyes reddened, and her hands clenched tightly into fists.
“He… he did that to us maids… fine, but he even dared to eye our Young Miss…”
As she spoke, her voice choked with emotion.
“We don’t know what will happen to the Eldest Young Master yet, so say less.”
Chun Xiao frowned, secretly glancing at her Young Miss.
Xiao Xiao at this moment lowered her head, twirling a strand of hair with her fingers, remaining silent, unsure of what she was thinking.
…
The next day, the entire household was in a state of alarm, and the Lu family Old Madam was said to have fallen ill again due to excessive worry, even being excused from the morning and evening greetings.
Xiao Xiao quietly embroidered the longevity scroll at home, seemingly unconcerned about everything.
However, in the afternoon, new news still arrived.
It was brought by her father.
Her father, Lu Shousheng, strode into her room.
His brows were tightly furrowed, and his expression was solemn.
“Your eldest brother is dead,” he said as soon as he entered.
Xiao Xiao’s almond-shaped eyes widened, and she covered her mouth, her face filled with disbelief.
“How is that possible? This… it’s common for Eldest Brother to not be home, often not returning for several days. Perhaps he went somewhere to play again? Maybe wait a few more days?”
Lu Shousheng stroked his beard and shook his head, “No need to wait, his body has already been found.”
“Moreover,” Lu Shousheng looked at Xiao Xiao, as if afraid of scaring her, and said cautiously, “His limbs… that is, his hands and feet, were all severed and are missing.”
At these words, Xiao Xiao’s face turned pale, and she bit her lower lip, truly looking frightened.
Seeing this, Lu Shousheng’s heart softened, and he pulled Xiao Xiao into his embrace, gently patting her back to comfort her.
“Don’t be afraid, my dear, Father is here.”
Xiao Xiao’s soft, fragrant body was in his arms, and he lowered his head to gently inhale the faint scent of jasmine from her hair.
“Father, I’m fine,” Xiao Xiao gently pushed Lu Shousheng away and lowered her head.
“You child, don’t pretend to be strong. I know you and your eldest brother have always been close. If you’re sad, just lean on Father’s chest.”
Lu Shousheng patted his chest, making his strong pectoral muscles thump loudly.
Xiao Xiao looked at Lu Shousheng’s strong pectoral muscles stretching his brocade robe, her face flushed, and she looked away.
Lu Shousheng was very pleased with this reaction.
He had always been confident in his charm. Although he was getting older now, he always paid attention to maintenance, often playing ball, riding horses, and practicing swordplay. His physique and face were well-maintained, and combined with the temperament and aura cultivated from his wide range of interests in zither, Qi, calligraphy, and painting, he was a noteworthy refined and handsome middle-aged man on the street.
If not for this, he wouldn’t have taken nearly twenty concubines, not to mention countless confidantes in the brothels.
Xiao Xiao’s recently deceased eldest brother practically regarded his second uncle as a role model in life.
Unfortunately, he no longer had the opportunity to learn from his second uncle.
“In any case, later you will go to the main branch with your mother to comfort your aunt, which will also fulfill your sibling affection for you and your eldest brother.”
“Si Niang understands,” Xiao Xiao nodded, her face very obedient.
Lu Shousheng was even more delighted to see her endearing appearance, reaching out to pinch her smooth, jade-like cheek.
…
After visiting the main branch and respectfully parting ways with her mother, Xiao Xiao then carried a food box to find her true mother.
To be precise, she should be called her concubine mother.
Since she was in the Lu family, the one qualified to be her mother was, of course, the legitimate mother, Lu Shousheng’s official wife.
Her mother, Rou Niang, could only be a concubine mother.
She initially failed to grasp this point and suffered a lot of ridicule, being told that she had indeed grown up in a ditch and had no upbringing at all. Rou Niang was also beaten, scolded, and taught a lesson because of this.
From then on, Xiao Xiao dared not make the same mistake again.
Xiao Xiao arrived at Rou Niang’s room and saw Rou Niang embroidering a bellyband for her unborn brother.
As for why it was said to be a brother, everyone said it was a brother, so it naturally could only be a brother.
“Concubine Mother,” Xiao Xiao called out.
“Si Niang, you’re here.”
Hearing this, Rou Niang looked up, saw it was Xiao Xiao, said a faint word, and then lowered her head to meticulously embroider the eyes of a little tiger on the bellyband.
A slight curve appeared at the corner of her lips, finally showing a trace of maternal affection.
The two were quiet for a while before Xiao Xiao broke the silence.
“I’ve brewed you some prenatal medicine.”
“And also some calming soup for Father; have someone warm it up and serve it to him tonight.”
Rou Niang glanced at the food box, had a maid bring out her bowl, and then had the maid take the remaining calming soup away to warm it on the stove as Xiao Xiao instructed.
Only then did she say indifferently,
“Si Niang is truly thoughtful. As usual, you could have just had a servant bring it; why come yourself?”
“Because I have something to tell you,” Xiao Xiao said seriously.
Rou Niang did not respond.
“You all may leave,” Xiao Xiao said to the nannies and maids serving Rou Niang in the room.
They hesitated, exchanged glances, and then looked at Rou Niang.
Rou Niang then looked up at Xiao Xiao and said, “Is there something that must be said in private?”
“It’s about him,” Xiao Xiao said abruptly.
Rou Niang understood, however, and instructed, “You may all go down.”