Chapter 542: You Should Call Me 2nd Uncle
Chapter 542: Chapter 542: You Should Call Me 2nd Uncle
To Shen Ningning’s surprise, Mo Lingwei did not attend Grand Tutor Ye’s birthday banquet either.
He had merely sent Wu Fang with a message for her.
"The Crown Prince is preoccupied with state affairs, and with the Emperor’s continuing poor health, he is stretched too thin and cannot attend. He asks for the Princess’s understanding."
As Wu Fang spoke, a guard behind him presented a brocade box about half an arm’s length. Opening it revealed a pair of Mutton Fat Jade carvings of old men symbolizing longevity.
"Although the Crown Prince could not be here, he prepared this gift in advance. He also said that if the Princess has not prepared a suitable gift, you may use this one and present it as a joint gift from you both."
Shen Ningning had Wanchun accept the gift before saying, "My brother is so kind. But I’ve prepared my own gift. Please go back and tell him not to worry. Also, tell him not to forget to rest, no matter how busy he is."
Wu Fang nodded and turned to leave.
Just as Shen Ningning turned back, she saw Lu Shaoyuan, dressed in sky-blue robes and a white jade crown, striding toward her with a dashing air.
By now, many guests had already arrived at the Ye Family’s estate for the banquet.
But he was completely unabashed, calling out Shen Ningning’s name loudly and drawing everyone’s attention.
When Lu Shaoyuan reached her, Shen Ningning tugged his sleeve. "Why are you being so loud? Don’t steal the host’s thunder!"
Lu Shaoyuan had sharp, defined brows and star-like eyes, and his broad smile was exceptionally warm.
"What’s there to be afraid of? Look, I have something to show you." He pulled a pink Jade Seal from his sleeve.
One look and Shen Ningning couldn’t tear her eyes away.
"Wow, it’s an icy-pink hibiscus color." Such a shade was quite rare, and it was even rarer to find a piece like this Jade Seal, with a texture completely free of impurities.
Shen Ningning instinctively asked, "Is this the birthday gift you plan to give Grand Tutor Ye?"
As soon as she finished speaking, she saw her name carved on the bottom of the Jade Seal.
Lu Shaoyuan fanned himself. "Of course it’s for you. I already had my brother deliver the gift for Grand Tutor Ye."
"My brother went to the suburbs of the capital on business not long ago. I knew an antique shop in a town over there was auctioning this piece of Jade, so I had him buy it for me."
"You’ve always liked Jade, haven’t you? This is for you."
Shen Ningning accepted it gladly.
She and Lu Shaoyuan had known each other for years, and they even co-owned a shop. Their relationship was as close as that of a brother and sister.
Over the years, Lu Shaoyuan had helped her scout out many fine pieces of Jade, and she reciprocated as best she could.
She would send crates of Spirit Grass, Spiritual Spring Water, and countless other rare medicinal herbs to Lu Shaoyuan’s home.
It got to the point where Mrs. Meng would send someone to thank her every time.
Mrs. Meng always felt that her son had gotten the better end of the deal, getting to know such a wonderful girl like Shen Ningning.
But in Shen Ningning’s eyes, friendship was built on sincerity and genuine feelings.
"Thank you, Lu Shaoyuan. By the way, before the new year, I asked you to come to the shop to settle the accounts. Uncle Zhong has already calculated last year’s profits. If we split the dividends, your share is five thousand taels. You never came. Don’t you want the Silver?"
Hearing this, Lu Shaoyuan was about to say that five thousand taels was nothing and that she could have it.
But on second thought, he recalled that he had previously refused the dividends, telling Shen Ningning to keep it all for herself.
Unexpectedly, she had refused. Fearing he would bring it up again, she had even suggested they part ways and dissolve their business partnership.
Lu Shaoyuan knew that Shen Ningning would never let a friend be taken advantage of.
He had only invested in the shop in the first place to help her achieve her goals.
So, with the words on the tip of his tongue, he said instead, "I’ve been extremely busy lately. My mother is insisting I take over her businesses and has been arranging for me to meet with all the clan uncles one by one. It’s been a huge headache."
"How about you bring the silver note to my residence in two days? As it happens, my mother was also saying it’s been a long time since she saw you. If you could come and chat with her for a while, she would definitely be delighted."
Shen Ningning was about to agree. After all, Mrs. Meng was a very kind person, and she didn’t dislike her.
But then she suddenly remembered. "Oh, I can’t. The Matchmaker Festival is in two days, and I promised Changyi I’d go with her to the Matchmaker Temple to see the lanterns."
Lu Shaoyuan’s original intention was to have her visit on the day of the Matchmaker Festival.
Unexpectedly, upon hearing her words, a light sparked deep in his dark eyes.
"You’re going out? Why didn’t you invite me?"
"Um... I forgot," Shen Ningning said with a dry laugh, hiding her guilt.
In truth, she had promised Ye Shangyi she would help her invite Xu Jingxi out.
It was a private matter, so Shen Ningning wouldn’t go broadcasting it.
But once Lu Shaoyuan found out, he insisted on tagging along.
"Two days from now, right? I’ll wait for you at the Matchmaker Temple. Just bring the silver note to me then."
With that, Shen Ningning had no choice but to agree.
Thinking that Lu Shaoyuan was no outsider, she hesitated for a moment, then crooked her finger at him.
"Lean down. I have a secret to tell you."
Lu Shaoyuan was a head taller than her, with a tall, straight posture. He bent down slightly, ready to listen patiently.
Probably worried someone might overhear, he even used his folding fan to shield his and Shen Ningning’s faces.
Shen Ningning briefly told him about Ye Shangyi’s plan.
Lu Shaoyuan clicked his tongue. "She has such a shy side? How rare!"
Shen Ningning’s limpid eyes shimmered with a dark, sparkling light as she chided him, "Don’t you dare talk about Changyi like that. Anyway, when the day comes, don’t cause any trouble. Just behave and follow my lead."
"I will certainly obey the Princess’s command." Lu Shaoyuan cupped his hands, his star-like eyes crinkling as he smiled.
Just then, an inopportune female voice, tinged with amusement, sounded from the side.
"My, Your Highness, Cousin Lu, what secrets are you two whispering in broad daylight?"
Shen Ningning jerked back half a step and looked toward the speaker, seeing Miss Meng approaching with her attendants.
Lu Shaoyuan recognized her. She was, in a manner of speaking, a distant relative from his mother, Mrs. Meng’s, side of the family.
"Miss Meng, I was just about to leave. You two can chat." Shen Ningning gathered her skirts and quickly walked away.
Lu Shaoyuan’s expression turned cold as he watched Miss Meng walk up to him.
She was still unaware of what she had said wrong.
"Why did the Princess leave so quickly? Cousin, did you make her angry?"
Lu Shaoyuan shot her a look, his expression hostile. "Don’t call me cousin. My mother says that according to our seniority in the family, you should call me Second Uncle."
Miss Meng’s face instantly stiffened.
It was not exactly a reputable story. Miss Meng’s mother had originally married Mr. Meng Sr., who was a distant cousin of Mrs. Meng.
However, Mr. Meng Sr. passed away from illness soon after, before the marriage could even be consummated. So, Miss Meng’s mother remarried his eldest son from his first wife.
Thus, Miss Meng’s seniority went from being on the same level as Lu Shaoyuan to being a generation below him.
During holiday gatherings of the Meng Family, Miss Meng’s father even had to address Lu Shaoyuan as cousin.
Such a disgraceful matter was rarely mentioned. Now that Lu Shaoyuan had brought it up again, her face turned pale and stiff, her smile freezing in place.
"Cous—... Second Uncle, there’s no need to talk like that. I didn’t do anything to you. Why are you so angry?"
Lu Shaoyuan scoffed. "You should know that I’m famously rebellious and unruly in my family. The way you were joking just now was incredibly rude. If I were you, I’d find a chance to apologize to the Princess."
After saying his piece, he coldly snapped his fan shut and turned to leave.
Meng Wanning bit her lip, staring at his back. Only when Lu Shaoyuan was far away did she angrily flick her sleeve.
’Putting on such princely airs with me. He’s so unreasonable.’