Chapter 1500 - 1495: Leng Muling’s Ingenious Mind
Chapter 1500: Chapter 1495: Leng Muling’s Ingenious Mind
Now, the young girl knows that he was the one who bumped into her, yet instead of inciting Zhuo Junli to take revenge on her behalf, she facilitated their cooperation in governmental affairs, showing her to be a visionary woman with both magnanimity and breadth of mind.
Just as other legitimate daughters from the Prime Minister’s Estate, Leng Shuqing, fueled by jealousy, entered the harem and harbored grudges, plotting against the Crown Prince in such a treacherous act, whereas Leng Muling remained frank and open-hearted.
Her affair with the Commander Mo had long embarrassed her from stepping out of her home, yet she found herself rather joyous staying indoors!
Yet, Lu Mian just couldn’t bear to see the Leng’s household happy!
After handing over the document to Chu Heng, and listening to Chu Jinling’s opinions, he took the document and made a trip to the Prime Minister’s Estate.
He indeed wanted to meet this ’broad-minded’ young girl!
Ever since Leng Muling discovered treasonous intentions among the servants at the estate, she started taking daily walks within the estate grounds, partly to exercise and partly to help her aunt by overseeing things around.
Yun Sijin, managing the vast affairs of the Prime Minister’s Estate alone, often found herself dizzyingly busy. Leng Muling’s offer to help brought immense joy to Yun, which, after advising her not to overexert herself, led Yun to assign a competent old woman to follow and protect Leng Muling, also guiding her in handling the estate affairs.
As Leng Muling patrolled around, she did not notice any more suspicious activities within the Prime Minister’s Estate but saw an official being stopped at the entrance.
Lu Mian, clad in a deep red official robe, stood dignified and firm like a pine, his black belt embroidered with gold patterns matching his rank, adding an aura of majesty to his strikingly handsome face that inevitably intimidated onlookers.
However, Leng Muling visibly noticed that while passing by the entrance of the Prime Minister’s Estate, young women and wives couldn’t help but steal glances at Lu Mian, their eyes reddening.
Lord Lu, known for his stern impartiality, was also remarkably handsome, making him the most popular among the unmarried men in Jiang Du City.
Unfortunately, dedicated to serving the imperial court, he brusquely turned away all matchmakers who came proposing, breaking many hearts of noble maidens, remaining single up till now.
Leng Muling had also resented him before; her uncle said that it was Lu Mian who had hired someone to cripple her legs, seeking to kill her!
He was her enemy!
Across half the courtyard, Lu Mian also spotted Leng Muling instantly. Her looks were not exceptionally striking, especially compared to the heavenly beauty of the empress, Leng Muling’s face could at most be considered delicate.
But her eyes were unforgettable.
It seemed as though a thousand sprites resided in her eyes, each blink radiating a different kind of brilliance.
Truly endearing.
Stopped at the entrance, seeing her, Lu Mian pursed his lips and said, "Miss Leng, I have official matters to discuss with Prime Minister Zhuo, could you convey the message? You should know, Lord Zhuo and I hold significant positions in the court."
He intentionally stressed his tone, trying to intimidate Leng Muling with his official authority, seeking to frighten her — after all, she came from the Leng family, his enemy.
But Leng Muling was not at all intimidated.
She blinked, tucking a stray hair behind her ear, revealing her fair, jade-like skin, and responded deeply with a simple, "Oh."
Lu Mian’s close aide: ...
Oh?
My Lord shows such grave authority, and you, a young girl, dismiss it with just an ’oh’?
Even more unexpectedly, Leng Muling did not just dismiss Lu Mian with that; before turning to leave, the old woman beside her stayed to say, "Miss asked the Lord to wait. She will convey the message, but the waiting time depends on her mood."
Lu Mian’s trusted confidant immediately protested, "Lord! Let’s return to the estate! Miss Leng is deliberately playing with you!"
Lu Mian squinted his eyes slightly, "Not going back."
He waited.
To see how long Leng Muling dared to make him wait.
Leng Muling indeed intended to make Lu Mian wait; she didn’t go herself to inform Zhuo Junli, nor did she let anyone else in the estate deliver the message.
Lu Mian would be stopped because, before the temporary truce between them, Zhuo Junli had ordered that neither Lu Mian nor dogs could enter the Prime Minister’s estate. He forgot to lift this ban, so no matter what Lu Mian came for today, he was not allowed in.
Leng Muling returned to her room and slept for a while. When she saw the sky had darkened, she sent Leng Qiu to check if Lu Mian was still waiting at the entrance.
Leng Qiu reported back, "Lord Lu’s carriage hasn’t left yet; he seems to be waiting inside the carriage."
Leng Muling scoffed lightly, "This Lord Lu really doesn’t take any losses."
He broke her leg, and she just wanted him to stand at the entrance of the Prime Minister’s estate for a few hours, yet he had the audacity to sit back down in the carriage—it’s not manly at all!
But now, she had no choice but to pass on this information to Zhuo Junli.
Lu Mian had not yet left; there was certainly something very important from the court. She could spar with Lu Mian but only up to a point; it couldn’t be excessive, or else it might lead to significant consequences.
Zhuo Junli was in his study. Upon hearing from Leng Muling, he raised his eyebrows, "How long did you make him wait?"
"About four hours. I slept a little, then strolled over, and he was sitting in the carriage, which must have been quite uncomfortable," Leng Muling replied.
Zhuo Junli chuckled lightly, "Four hours in a carriage in exchange for a broken leg? If it were me, I would have made him sleep in the carriage."
"It’s not something you would do!" Leng Muling chuckled lightly, "Although you still harbor some mischievousness, at heart, you care most about matters of the state. Lu Mian must have an urgent issue to discuss with you for him to wait; otherwise, he would have left earlier instead of bearing our temper."
Zhuo Junli tapped her forehead with his nose, feeling quite moved, "You’re sensible indeed. If it were any other girl, the conversation between me and Lu Mian today would have surely been spoiled with further complications."
"Since you indulged me this time, how could I mess up your important matters or the country’s matters? I know the empress is facing a tough time now; please convey my regards on my behalf when you see her."
After finishing her words, Leng Muling excused herself without further intrusion.
Her accounts with Lu Mian could be settled slowly later; there was no need for haste.
Zhuo Junli watched her leave appreciatively, then walked to the entrance, standing in front of Lu Mian’s carriage and talked to him.
Lu Mian found it odd, but since there were people guarding around, he started discussing with Zhuo Junli.
After they finished talking, it was already dark. Zhuo Junli snapped the folder shut, then turned around, planning to return to his residence.
"Zhuo Junli."
Lu Mian called out to him with a cold face.
Zhuo Junli looked back at him, "Is there anything else?"
Lu Mian’s gaze was cold and stern, "It’s getting late, and as the Prime Minister, aren’t you going to invite me into your estate for a cup of tea?"
Zhuo Junli glanced at the carriage behind him, "I just had someone fill Lord Lu’s carriage with enough tea; with that, you can circle around Jiang Du City."