The sound of hooves caught Lanxin's attention, and she hurried forward with small, anxious steps to greet the newcomers.
Glancing at the few people accompanying Lu Yueming, she wanted to speak but hesitated.
Lu Yueming, however, was an impatient man. Noticing her peculiar expression, he immediately inquired, "What's the matter? Speak up."
"Miss, Young Master Lu Zhi Ming has moved into the Cuizhu Pavilion again today, carrying his belongings. He claims to be a part of the Lu Family genealogy and thus entitled to a share of the family's assets."
"What nonsense!" Lu Yueming burst out in anger.
The thought of living under the same roof as the son of her enemy sickened her.
As for the family assets, she was not worried. Before her mother's incident, most of the shops and farmlands had already been transferred to her name. Yet whenever she recalled how Lu Baiian had doted on Lu Zhi Ming merely because he was a boy, sparing no effort in planning for his future, Lu Yueming felt indignant to the core.
Seeing her distressed, Qi Huan quickly took her hand and consoled her, "Don't be upset, Yueming. It's not worth getting angry over such people. If you get ill from anger, it would only serve their purpose. What does it matter if his name is on the genealogy or not? Just strike it out, and that's it."
"Yes! After all, the Lu Family genealogy is newly revised, and Lu Baiian is the new patriarch. I don't believe he would still be willing to support another's son at this point."
With this thought in mind, the next morning, Lu Yueming dragged Lu Zhi Ming along, determined to settle the matter formally.
Chen the county magistrate, frustrated with the family affairs, ordered Lu Baiian to be summoned.
His hair had turned gray, his limbs were disabled, and he could not speak. All he could do was shake his head vigorously, his eyes blazing with fire as he glared at Lu Zhi Ming.
A bastard daring to covet the Lu Family's wealth?
Under Lu Baiian's stance, Chen the county magistrate ruled on his behalf, striking Lu Zhi Ming's name from the Lu Family genealogy. From that day on, there was no more Lu Zhi Ming, only Zeng Zhiming, bearing his biological father's surname.
In an instant, Zeng Zhiming panicked.
Being removed from the Lu Family genealogy meant he had lost all claim to the Lu Family's assets. The spacious, bright rooms, the soft, fragrant bedding, and the Lu Family's boundless wealth – all of it no longer had anything to do with him?!
He first lunged towards Lu Baiian, but seeing his inability to move or speak, he then turned and knelt before Lu Yueming.
"Sister, you can't abandon Zhi Ming like this! I'm Mother's acknowledged legitimate son."
"Pah! I don't have an ugly-hearted, ugly-looking brother like you."
Only after he had knocked his head on the ground a few times did Lu Yueming speak, then turn and walk out of the county office, arm-in-arm with Qi Huan.
Glancing up at the sky, it was another bright, sunny day with a gentle breeze.
The sun's glare made her squint slightly, and Lu Yueming said with satisfaction, "The troublesome affairs of the Lu Family have finally been resolved. From now on, I call the shots at the Lu's Residence."
"Yes! After hitting rock bottom, the gloomy times have passed. Good fortune lies ahead."
Qi Huan spoke with conviction, sincerely believing that Yueming's days would only get better and better.
However, she had another matter to attend to, unable to accompany her friend for long.
After a moment's thought, she extended an invitation, "Yueming, would you like to come with me to check on the progress of my new house and then visit the starch mill?
The Yunying Caravan has brought back a new batch of potatoes, so Lv Yin and the others will undoubtedly be swamped. I also plan to recruit a few reliable new workers to help them out."
"Sure," Lu Yueming agreed readily.
Mindful that Qi Huan was a novice rider, Lu Yueming rode slowly along the way.
Upon arriving at the new residence, she dismounted first, then walked over to Qi Huan, intending to assist her in dismounting safely.
Qi Huan smiled warmly – this was true friendship, considering her needs whether she required it or not.
Stepping firmly onto the stirrup, Qi Huan followed and gracefully dismounted, and the two friends walked hand-in-hand to the entrance of the new residence.
The courtyard, built with gray bricks and tiled roofs, was largely completed. Outside the gate, a group of workers were transplanting birch trees, lining them at the entrance.
As they peered inside through the crimson lacquered gate, a few craftsmen were digging a well, while others were even building a kennel specifically for the servants' dogs.
"Ah Huan, your new residence may not be grand, but it's quite cozy and nice," Lu Yueming remarked.
"Yes, the house doesn't need to be too big, just enough for our needs. It saves money and is easier to clean and maintain."
"You make a good point. The Lu's Residence spans over ten acres, with countless scenic landscapes and pavilions, but my mother and I actually lived in just two sections.
We had so many maids and servants, yet who knows how many were truly loyal? So, I selected a few frequently-used servants to keep and had the rest sold off through a broker. As for the courtyards, I locked up the unused ones. It saves a considerable amount of silver each year. Why waste money on those who might turn around and bite the hand that feeds them at any moment?"
Qi Huan nodded in agreement with her reasoning.
As they conversed, the two entered the inner chambers.
Their timing was fortuitous, as Master Liu and the other craftsmen were testing the heated brick beds.
Qi Huan approached the bed, feeling the warmth radiating from the surface to her palm, causing her hand to sweat.
In the current weather, it might feel too hot, but come winter, they would likely never want to leave the cozy bed.
Lu Yueming, too, experienced the benefits of the heated brick bed, her eyes widening in amazement as she reached out to touch it.
"Ah Huan, these heated brick beds are so warm! I want one too!"
Then, changing her mind, she added, "No, not just a heated brick bed, but a small courtyard like yours, big enough for my mother and me!"
Ever impulsive, Lu Yueming wasted no time in putting her words into action.
She first purchased the plot of land next to hers at the county office, then intercepted the craftsmen who had just finished their work and were about to return to Lingzhou. Offering the same high price, she hired them to undertake the rushed project.
Seeing her earnest preparations, Qi Huan had some doubts, "What about your grand residence? Will you leave it abandoned or sell it?"
"If I were to sell, it would have to wait until after my mother awakens, as the deeds to the Lu's Residence are not in my name. But I really don't want to live there anymore. It housed Lu Baiian, Mei Chun, and even Zeng Zhiming – so many people I detest have lived there. It's tainted. I don't want to live there anymore."
Respecting her decision, Qi Huan did not insist further.
Around noon, the two friends first had lunch at a restaurant, then visited the various shops together.
After expanding operations at the starch mill, it had become quite crowded. A brilliant idea suddenly struck Lu Yueming.
"Lanxin, my family has many unused courtyards that are just sitting idle. Why don't I let you use them for a starch factory?"
The concept of a starch factory was something she had only heard about from Qi Huan. Thinking of Qi Huan's mention of needing to hire people, she became even more excited.
"Not only does my family have large courtyards, but we also have many idle servants! I had previously mentioned selling off the surplus maids and servant girls, but there are only a few wealthy households in Mo County. The Lu Residence doesn't lack people, and others are unwilling to buy those sold by the Lu Family, fearing they may be disloyal.
So, I've decided not to sell them. Instead, I'll have them help you with the work. I'll find a few reliable people to oversee them, and if any of them dare to slack off or goof around, I'll give them a beating and then sell them off!"
