Under the bright moonlight, Lu Yuan’s party spurred their horses on, quickly catching up to the group ahead.
As they approached a luxurious carriage, the curtain was pulled aside, revealing a beautiful and noble face.
’If my wife is stunningly beautiful and Aunt Zhao is gracefully elegant, then Song iqin’s disposition is one of pure, unadulterated nobility.’
’There really is such a thing as a person’s aura.’
’And it’s sothing that can truly be cultivated.’
’It’s like seeing an old man on the street with graying hair, but he holds his head high and his chest out, exuding an effortless authority.’
’You just know that old man must have drunk his fair share of Maotai when he was young.’
Song iqin was the sa. As the eldest daughter from the main line of a family of high officials, the education and etiquette she received from a young age were unlike those of ordinary people.
Although Song iqin could be rather feisty in front of Aunt Zhao, her refined etiquette was still visible in the details.
At this mont, Song iqin was leaning by the window.
’Her exquisite face isn’t stunning like my wife’s, nor does it possess the ripe, mature charm of Aunt Zhao.’
’Under the moonlight, she actually looks sowhat saintly.’
Her long hair was ticulously styled, coiled flawlessly at the back of her head.
Song iqin showed no surprise at Lu Yuan’s appearance.
’Soone must have reported my approach,’ he figured.
"Your aunt didn’t dote on you for nothing."
Sitting upright in her carriage, Song iqin gave Lu Yuan a light huff and said indifferently.
She wasn’t being childish like she had been with Zhao Qiao’Er during the day.
Right now, Song iqin truly resembled a high-ranking Official’s Wife.
Lu Yuan was taken aback for a mont, then he quickly cupped his hands in a slight bow and said:
"Aunt Song, are you also headed to Xilingzi...?"
Before Lu Yuan could finish, Song iqin cut him off with a dismissive wave of her hand.
"Don’t go around claiming relations. I’m no aunt of yours!"
Lu Yuan: "..."
’Damn it! As if I’m dying to be related to you!’
’If I don’t call you Aunt Song, what am I supposed to call you?!’
’The Great Widow Song?!’
While Lu Yuan was left speechless, Song iqin gazed up at the clear, cold moon in the sky and said:
"I think your aunt has made too much money these past two years, and it’s gone to her head. She’s being utterly foolish.
I can’t just stand by and watch her act the fool. No matter what, real power and money are what you hold in your own hands.
Even if Xilingzi can’t be held onto in the long run, she can’t just give it up at the drop of a hat.
Giving up Xilingzi now would cut the Zhao Family’s power in half.
The enemies your Aunt Zhao has made in the past will imdiately co seeking revenge. How will the Zhao Family maintain its footing then?
If she’s going to let it go, she has to do it slowly. It absolutely cannot be done like this!"
Song iqin spoke quietly, her tone asured and calm.
Lu Yuan stared at Song iqin, his face a mask of astonishnt.
’This Song iqin...’
’She really is different from before.’
The Song iqin he’d seen before was always with Aunt Zhao, and if they weren’t arguing, they were bickering.
She acted like an arrogant, willful young lady.
But now, she was like a completely different person.
’Heh, this woman has two faces.’
’Then again, who doesn’t...?’
’In front of , Aunt Zhao is always cooing pet nas, calling her dearest nephew with every breath.’
’But in front of others, if she wanted soone dead, they’d be dead. She’s absolutely ruthless.’
’And wasn’t I the sa?’
’A well-behaved nephew to Aunt Zhao’s face, but behind her back, I’m full of secrets and not the least bit honest.’
Of course, as he grew more familiar with Aunt Zhao, Lu Yuan was finding it harder and harder to maintain his original persona.
Fortunately, however, Aunt Zhao’s affection for him hadn’t diminished in the slightest; on the contrary, it had only grown more intense.
It was like a fine aged wine, growing richer with ti.
’Speaking of which, the only person in this world who’s truly the sa on the inside and out is probably my dear, sweet wife.’
’So sweet and naive.’
’Just thinking about her makes want to pull her into my arms and cherish her.’
’Of course, now isn’t the ti to be thinking about my wife.’
Just as Lu Yuan was looking at Song iqin’s entourage and about to say sothing,
she looked at him and spoke again in that sa indifferent tone:
"You’re more capable than I gave you credit for. I underestimated you before.
You snuck away to co here today, didn’t you?"
Song iqin knew a fair bit about Lu Yuan’s situation.
After all, while she and Zhao Qiao’Er might bicker, their relationship was closer than that of blood sisters.
So, Song iqin knew a thing or two about Lu Yuan.
For instance, she knew that it was Lu Yuan who had carried Zhao Qiao’Er out of a ravine on his back, saving her life.
And later on, when Zhao Qiao’Er was in danger, Lu Yuan refused to leave no matter how much they tried to drive him away.
He insisted on staying, and it was a good thing he did—otherwise, Zhao Qiao’Er would already be gone.
And only after Zhao Qiao’Er was safe did Lu Yuan turn and leave.
Song iqin knew all of this.
She envied the bond between Lu Yuan and Zhao Qiao’Er.
It also made her understand why Zhao Qiao’Er, who could be as venomous as a viper, doted on Lu Yuan so completely.
Who wouldn’t cherish a young man like that?
Especially with what was happening today; he must have snuck out on his own.
After all, with Zhao Qiao’Er’s fiercely protective nature, she would rather die than let Lu Yuan go to Xilingzi.
Their mutual love and loyalty was sothing Song iqin truly envied.
In response to Song iqin’s words, Lu Yuan just grinned and said:
"Aunt Zhao treats like her own nephew. Naturally, I can’t just stand by and do nothing when I see she’s in trouble.
I’m reasonably capable, so of course I want to give it a try."
Song iqin huffed lightly, her expression unchanging as she said coldly:
"Get up here and have a seat."
Lu Yuan froze, then looked at her, utterly baffled.
"Huh?"
Song iqin shot him a glare with her beautiful eyes and snapped:
"What do you an, ’huh?!’
Xilingzi is a long way off! If you ride all the way there like that, you’ll freeze to death!"
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