Lu Chongyuan's face still bore some pallor. Unlike Lu Zhao, he did not have the time to concern himself with whether Song Tangning knew shame; he only knew that since Xiao Yan had kept someone waiting for them outside the residence, today’s events were likely truly orchestrated by that eunuch.
After yesterday's assassination attempt failed, Xiao Yan must have held a grudge. They wanted to protect the Lu family and the Empress from him, but that might be difficult.
Lu Chongyuan was already prepared to make sacrifices. When Xiao Yan brought Song Tangning in, he saw that both father and son from the Lu family were standing in the hall with serious expressions, not yet seated.
Xiao Yan’s sleeves brushed against the air as he led Song Tangning directly to the upper seat. After they sat down, he turned to the outer room and said, “What kind of unrefined people are these? With guests arriving, don’t they know how to serve tea?”
Canglang smiled and said, “Sir Supervisor, you’re wrongfully accusing us. This *Lu Zhongshu and Lu Langling suddenly came over, and once inside the residence, they didn’t even touch the chairs. Lu Langling looks at us as if we’re thieves; I’m afraid that after serving tea, he might suspect we’ve poisoned it.”
He turned his head, “Lu Langling, would you like some tea?”
Lu Zhao’s face turned red with anger.
Lu Chongyuan raised his hand to block the speaking Lu Zhao, merely looking up at Xiao Yan, “Xiao Supervisor, your rules here are truly different from others.”
*Xiao Yan said lightly, “You flatter me, Lu Zhongshu.”
Canglang awkwardly smiled while holding his sword, “Please don’t praise me so; I’m feeling shy.”
Lu Chongyuan: “…” Blood surged in his chest.
Lu Zhao’s face turned even darker, nearly spitting out words of disgrace.
Seeing Lu’s father and son getting infuriated by her brother and his servant within just two sentences, Song Tangning was earnestly trying to learn from their skills.
Even though Lu Chongyuan was vexed by the shamelessness of Xiao Yan and his servant, he knew the situation tonight was not favorable for them. He had no intention of beating around the bush anymore. Taking a deep breath to suppress his anger, he said, “Xiao Supervisor, there’s no need to anger me. You should know why I’m here tonight. I won’t go in circles with you or Miss Song. The Lu family is willing to accept the consequences for this matter. I just want to ask one question: what would it take for Miss Song to withdraw the complaint?”
Lu Chongyuan did not look at Xiao Yan, fearing he might die of anger from this eunuch. His gaze was instead firmly fixed on Song Tangning.
“Although Miss Song is under the protection of Xiao Supervisor, you should understand that if we truly tear apart the Lu family, it won’t be good for you either. Rather than both sides suffer, it’s better for everyone to take a step back.”
“While what the Lu family owes you is hard to repay, I am willing to compensate with other things. You can ask for whatever you want, as long as you are willing to show mercy. The Lu family will owe you a favor, and in the future, if Miss Song has any requests, the Lu family will never decline.”
Song Tangning didn’t expect Lu Chongyuan to speak so directly. She tilted her head for a moment before replying, “Anything I want?”
Lu Chongyuan said, “Yes.”
“Then what if I want Lu Zhinian to kneel at the gate of Tangfu and admit his wrongdoings to me?”
Without hesitation, Lu Chongyuan replied, “That’s fine.”
Song Tangning did not expect him to be so straightforward. She couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at the side of Lu Zhao, “Does Lu Langling have no objections? Lu Sanlang is your own son, after all.”
Lu Zhao’s jaw tightened, his teeth seemingly ready to grind down. He felt pained for Lu Zhinian but understood family interests came first. He endured the sorrow and anger, speaking in a deep voice, “As long as you agree to withdraw the complaint and no longer pursue it, Sanlang can kneel before you.”
“Ha…”
Seeing that such a noble family as the Lus was willing to sacrifice Lu Zhinian for self-preservation, Song Tangning couldn’t help but scoff.
He had once been the most valued descendant of the Lu family, a legitimate heir they took pride in and considered unattainable. Once so proud and arrogant, he could now be easily discarded.
Song Tangning couldn’t help but laugh, “The sky hasn’t even darkened yet, and Lu Langling has already fallen asleep in a dream? How precious is your Sanlang’s knee that it can offset the Lu family’s debts just by kneeling once?”
Xiao Yan chuckled lightly at her words, and that laughter fell heavily on Lu Zhao's face like a slap.
“You!”
Lu Zhao was furious. How dare this woman mock him?!
But Lu Chongyuan was not angry; he simply looked at her steadily and said, “Then what does Miss Song wish to ask for?”
Song Tangning imitated Xiao Yan’s manner, raising her gaze with a cold look in her eyes: “I have had a marriage engagement with the Lu family for several years; I don’t really want to put the Lu family in a desperate situation. It’s not impossible for Lu Zhongshu to want me to withdraw the complaint and not pursue the Lu family.”
“I want Lu Zhinian to kneel at the gate of Tangfu for three days and admit to the outside world that he has wronged me and is ashamed to continue the engagement. Let that serve as compensation for the humiliation I have suffered for him over the years. Furthermore, the items the Lu family took from me cannot go unreturned…”
“Song Tangning!” Lu Zhao was filled with cold rage and was about to speak.
Song Tangning interrupted him, “Lu Langling, don’t be anxious. I know some of those items are no longer in the Lu family’s possession, and the Lu family can’t repay them. However, the Lu family can return the remaining items, and the ones they cannot repay can be compensated with other things.”
Lu Zhao’s expression relaxed slightly, “Fine. What do you want?”
“The Lu family’s collection of books.”
Lu Zhao was momentarily stunned, not expecting Song Tangning to want this. He had thought the young lady would ask for gold or silver.
His expression relaxed even more, feeling that this matter was easy to resolve. After all, just some books weren’t a big deal for the Lu family. He opened his mouth to agree, but beside him, Lu Chongyuan’s face was dark as he said, “Just books?”
He looked over at Xiao Yan, not believing these two would be so easily appeased by just a few volumes.
Song Tangning smiled, “Just books. However, the items taken by the Lu family were all cherished possessions of my maternal grandfather; each one is worth a fortune. I think Lu Zhongshu would feel embarrassed to return them in equal quantity.”
“I have already listed the items taken by the Lu family; their value is something Lu Zhongshu should be well aware of. I won’t force you to repay what the Lu family can’t, but simply compensate me with books.”
“I’m not asking for much; I only need Lu Zhongshu to be willing to give me half of the books from the Lu family’s library, and I will consider the matter with the Lu family settled. What do you think?”
What do you think?
Lu Chongyuan was nearly angered to laughter by Song Tangning’s light-hearted words, while Lu Zhao directly shouted in fury: “Song Tangning, you’re simply asking for too much!!”
Half of the Lu family’s collection?
How dare she say such a thing.
A noble family stands firm thanks to its heritage. The Lu family’s books were accumulated over hundreds of years. Not to mention other powerful families, even those in the palace could not compare.
The Lu family’s library housed at least a hundred thousand volumes. The items taken by Song Tangning could be compensated with gold and silver, even multiples of that would not harm the Lu family. But Song Tangning dared to ask for half of the Lu family’s collection of books; she was simply dreaming!
Lu Chongyuan was also infuriated by Song Tangning’s demand. With a stern face, he said, “Miss Song, I have come here today to sincerely discuss matters with you. Don’t joke around with me.”
Song Tangning looked up at him, “Does Lu Zhongshu think I’m joking?”
=======
T/N: *Lu Zhongshu and Lu Langling is referring to them by their positions in court
Xiao Yan and his men are just clowns for real. I couldn't stop laughing. I’m so glad Tangning is learning from them lol.
You can read ahead to chapterr 200 here
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