Chapter 829

·

·

·

Main Character:

Shen Yao

The facts proved that the Lu Family was unwilling.

When the Lu Family received the news, they first rejoiced, then breathed a sigh of relief, followed by a stifled bitterness, and finally busied themselves sending people to invite Lu Yan back.

"Father, why let him come back?" He doesn't even count as a Lu Family person; what is he coming back for, to cause trouble for them?

Thinking of how they had suffered plenty because of Lu Yan in childhood, regarding Lu Yan as a thorn in the eye and a splinter in the flesh, the brothers were very displeased, wishing they could just pack him up and send him away directly.

The Lu Family Head glared up at his useless son, thinking to himself: he doesn't even have this much patience, how can he sell Lu Yan for a good price?

"Lu Yan comes back, only then can we understand his movements and know his arrangements; otherwise if something happens suddenly, will you be compensated to the Sima Clan or will the Lu Family be compensated to the Sima Clan? Do you really think the Sima Clan is some easy-going aristocratic family? Can't you see how hard the Xuan Yuan Clan has had it these days?"

Idiot!

How did Lu Jin give birth to such an idiot!

Sigh

He shouldn't have only cultivated this one back then; Lu Jin had many children. Lu Yan's origin meant the Lu Family had no relation with the other party, but the others were all ones Lu Jin liked, including these children's mothers who were all understanding and sensible. Pity, their aptitude wasn't enough.

Shaking his head helplessly, Lu Jin waved his hand to urge the person to leave quickly. He now had to send someone to invite Lu Yan. Since the person had already arrived at the Floating City, the Sima Clan's benefits would definitely fall to the Lu Family.

"Why hasn't the Lu Family sent anyone over?" Shen Yao stood in the small courtyard, raising her hand to gaze at the Change of Clothes Tree beside her in full bloom.

The palm-sized crimson flowers were like gems, set against the green-shaded environment, dazzlingly brilliant.

"They should still be on the way." Their news wasn't hidden. Thinking of the Lu Family's previous feat of practically sending three letters a day, there was no reason they would let them slip by.

It wasn't that Lu Yan overestimated the Lu Family, but the people inside the Lu Family simply weren't too smart. In childhood, Lu Yan couldn't leave the Lu Family and could only suffer, but Lu Yan didn't actually suffer that much loss; it was mostly mutual wins and losses. It was just that Lu Yan had no backing, so he looked miserable.

Later, Lu Yan grew up. The other people in the Lu Family wanted to bully Lu Yan but had no way to do so. They could only let Lu Yan grow stronger on his own, and finally leave the Floating City, shaking off the Lu Family.

Right now, Lu Yan being able to return is a rare opportunity for the Lu Family, because they no longer have any new excuses to threaten Lu Yan. Therefore, this time they will definitely package and sell Lu Yan for a good price no matter what, and conveniently get rid of this ticking time bomb.

Hearing Lu Yan's words, Shen Yao simply had the system in her mind go investigate.

This side of the Floating City was more dangerous than all the cities they had visited before, but as long as the system didn't approach those aristocratic clans, it could still move freely within the city.

The Lu Family in the Floating City belonged to the middle-lower tier of aristocratic clans, not reaching top-tier standards, and had no backing worth fearing beside them. Back then, Lu Yan's mother chose the Lu Family also considering the Lu Family was easy to deal with. This was probably a two-way rush, each mutually determining the other was a soft persimmon.

The system flew out without a second word. When it returned, it indeed reported seeing a carriage bearing the Lu Family emblem at the alley entrance.

"Looks like they really came. As expected, Lu Yan understands the Lu Family's behavior style better."

But what use is inviting them back to the Lu Family? With the Lu Family's pitifully meager ability, they fundamentally cannot stop Shen Yao and Lu Yan from doing whatever they want.

"The Lu Family doesn't know Lu Yan and the Host's true strength. They definitely aren't thinking much." Otherwise, even given a few times their courage, they wouldn't dare do this.

The system hmphed twice, then scurried off to wander around the surroundings.

Just as Lu Yan had said before, this was a relatively ordinary residential area. The people living here were mostly minor wealthy families. Such families lack gossip the least. The system had held it in for so long on the road; it definitely had to go eavesdrop hard.

The two stood in the courtyard. There were also several stone round stools around.

A palm-sized red flower fell from overhead, smashing right into Shen Yao's hand.

Casually pinning the flower at the side of her hair bun, Shen Yao raised her hand to touch it, thinking the name Change of Clothes Flower sounded very auspicious, especially since the flower color matched her aesthetic. Another day she would have the servants collect more to store in her space.

"Young Master, Steward Lu has arrived."

A servant ran over to notify. The Steward Lu mentioned was the Floating Air Lu Family's butler. Living in such an aristocratic clan, if one performed well, one would be bestowed the master's surname.

Lu Yan had lived in the Lu Family for so long. The stewards surnamed Lu could be counted on one hand. This time it was Steward Lu who came. It seemed the Lu Family really wanted him to go back.

As his thoughts turned, Lu Yan waved his hand, telling the servant to quickly invite Steward Lu in.

The servant nodded in agreement upon hearing this. In just a moment, a middle-aged man dressed in a low-key manner entered. One could see he possessed considerable dignity, making the servant leading the way ahead look dusty and shabby by comparison.

"Eldest Young Master"

Steward Lu, upon seeing Lu Yan, immediately saluted respectfully and greeted him.

Different from the arrogant and domineering attitude Shen Yao had imagined, this Steward Lu's attitude was very proper. He showed no contempt whatsoever toward Lu Yan. Tsk, could it be that Lu Yan had great prestige among the Lu Family servants?

Lu Yan didn't know what Shen Yao was thinking. Otherwise, he would definitely shake his head, indicating he was just a nobody in the Lu Family.

Not to mention servants, even those slaves with lower status than him would badmouth him behind his back in various ways.

Steward Lu's attitude could only be said to be consistent. He treated all masters of the Lu Family equally. This was also the reason Steward Lu had stood in the Lu Family for so many years. After all, some people just like to inexplicably give others attitude. One must know the word 'change' has always been unfathomable. Who knows when this mocked poor youth might transform into a rich young master? Not leaving oneself a way out is the most foolish decision.

"Steward Lu, long time no see. You're still as consistent as ever."

No wonder he could stand firm in the Lu Family for so many years. Even that useless father of his trusted him deeply. One must know Steward Lu was originally Lu Yan's grandfather's man. It was just that after Lu Yan's grandfather passed away, Steward Lu was arranged by Lu Yan's father and transformed into his father's confidant.

"Eldest Young Master is courteous." Steward Lu smiled slightly, then spoke of how Lu Yan had already returned to the Floating City. There was no reason not to return to the Lu Family and stay outside. Moreover, the Floating City had been unsafe recently. Some aristocratic clans had experienced many incidents. "The Family Head worries about Eldest Young Master's safety living outside and specially sent a subordinate to invite Eldest Young Master back to the Lu Family to recuperate."

Lu Yan raised a brow upon hearing this. "Unsafe? I'm worried returning to the Lu Family would be even more unsafe.

Steward Lu, you also know my brothers and sisters have a bad attitude toward me. They've caused quite a few incidents over this before.

If I truly return to the Lu Family to recuperate now, I'm more worried they won't be able to take it."

They were still siblings after all. Although the relationship between both sides was terrible, Lu Yan couldn't really screw people over without blinking. He had to at least save some face for the Lu Family to smooth things over.

Steward Lu: ……

Tsk

The Eldest Young Master hasn't been seen for several years. His growth speed is really too fast.

Especially this mouth of his. Steward Lu was confident that none of the Lu Family masters were a match for the Eldest Young Master. They couldn't even out-talk him.

Sigh

He also didn't understand why the Old Master insisted on targeting the Eldest Young Master, this one child. Even if there were schemes in the past's inside story, the Eldest Young Master was indeed the Old Master's offspring. To actually be able to do it to this extent.

"Eldest Young Master, it's the Family Head's command. We cannot refuse."

Steward Lu didn't know Lu Yan's true strength, nor did he know how extraordinarily beyond standard the seemingly weak Shen Yao beside him was. From his standpoint, this was a lose-lose situation. But he was just a steward, not the Family Head. He couldn't make the master's decisions. Therefore, he could only follow orders.

"Yes, Father has always been like this; my opinion isn't that important."

From childhood to now, Lu Yan knew Lu Jin's true colors all too well; it was only thanks to the Lu Family's small temple being unable to contain such a troublemaker as Lu Jin that things hadn't gone worse — otherwise, in any other great clan, he would have caused a massive scandal long ago.

He nodded, letting Steward Lu go back to prepare first; he had only just arrived today, and no matter what, he couldn't be so rude as to leave with the other party right away.

"Tomorrow morning then; I hope my residence is still there, Steward Lu."

Steward Lu nodded and turned to leave.

Seeing Steward Lu leave, Shen Yao raised her hand and poked Lu Yan's arm. "Your residence? Could it be that it was occupied by someone else after you left?"

With such eagerness, Lu Yan's interpersonal relationships in the Lu Family were excessively poor; if she returned to the Lu Family with him, wouldn't she be deliberately targeted by certain people?

Wow~

Just thinking about it makes one's blood boil with excitement!

System:...?

Don't understand but respect it; does Host really look forward to a life of being targeted like this?

"That would be interesting; the journey is too boring otherwise. I hope the Lu Family doesn't disappoint me." Shen Yao smiled even more sweetly, perfectly fitting the fragile persona.

The System thought to itself that the last one who didn't disappoint her was that crazy girl from the Sima Clan; she foolishly dragged the entire Sima Clan of Jin Jue City into it, indirectly driving the progress of the demonic affair; even the current Floating City crisis had connections to that past.

If the Lu Family could be like Sima Zhenzhen, the System would truly feel the Lu Family was already finished; after all, no one could gain any advantage from the Host, not even those chosen by the Host.

"My residence — I'm afraid no one would occupy it, but they would destroy it."

Destroy it in the literal sense, just like the day Lu Yan left the Lu Family, when his brothers and sisters cheered and raised their hands in celebration.

Shen Yao:...

That really is unsurprising; no wonder Lu Yan said tomorrow morning — this is giving the Lu Family time to rebuild the small courtyard?

That was exactly what Lu Yan meant; anyway, he just wanted to live in his own place, and Steward Lu knew without asking that this was Lu Yan's bottom line. He hurried back to report to the Family Head, then mobilized everyone the Lu Family could mobilize, and at an inconceivable speed and time, manifested a small courtyard that had collapsed into ruins out of thin air.

For this, those Lu Family brothers and sisters were all very angry and vexed; those who knew the situation chose to endure, while those who didn't thought Lu Yan had gained Lu Jin's favor and could actually return — then wouldn't their previous efforts have been in vain? Truly infuriating.

Infuriated or not, their emotions were useless; right now Lu Yan was the key to the Lu Family's surrender. Before the Sima Clan took over Lu Yan, the Lu Family had to serve him with fine food and drink.

"Father, what kind of reasoning is this? Lu Yan himself wouldn't believe it."

After all, Lu Yan didn't have it this good from the start; both sides understood this time wasn't simple. As long as Lu Yan wasn't a fool, he knew returning to the Lu Family was no different from attending a Hongmen Banquet.

"Whether Lu Yan believes it or not isn't important; how we treat Lu Yan isn't important either.

What's most important right now is the Sima Clan's attitude. The Xuan Yuan Clan is already finished; if our Lu Family wants to take a step forward, we must cling to the Sima Clan's thigh."

Lu Jin was glad that when the Lu Family first made contact with the Xuan Yuan Clan, they hadn't revealed too much about Lu Yan's situation; otherwise, a dead camel is still bigger than a horse — if the Xuan Yuan Clan really wanted to intervene, the Lu Family would have had no choice but to sell Lu Yan to the Xuan Yuan Clan.

"Father, can it really work?" Right now the Sima Clan's main force was still in Chen Zhou; the few people temporarily stirring up trouble in the Floating City fundamentally couldn't do anything.

He didn't understand why the Xuan Yuan Clan had withdrawn into its shell; if he were the Xuan Yuan Clan, he would first deal with these people inside the Floating City, then look for an opportunity to retaliate against the Sima Clan in Chen Zhou, rather than letting these people in the Floating City stir up wind and rain, striking at their reputation and letting the Xuan Yuan Clan's illustrious prestige decline.

"What kind of clan is the Sima Clan — why couldn't they?" Lu Jin believed it firmly, just as he had believed in the Xuan Yuan Clan before.

The brief conversation between father and son was heard by the System, who turned and told Shen Yao, who was picking flowers.

"Oh? Then the Lu Family really is hopeless; they can't even think of such a simple fishing scheme." The Xuan Yuan Clan's methods were crude; seeing through them was simply effortless.

"The Sima Clan and the Xuan Yuan Clan — what are they waiting for?"

"Waiting for the right timing, waiting for the other states of the Jiuzhou Continent, waiting for many things; anyway, it's not doing work for nothing."

Shen Yao picked a full handful of red flowers; their rich fragrance permeated the air around her.

The Change of Clothes Flower's function was singular — just using its fragrance to make some items women liked.

Shen Yao handed the handful of flowers in her hand to the servant waiting nearby, then clapped her hands and went to find Lu Yan.

Lu Yan was arranging the small courtyard's servants; these people had also worked hard, traveling from Lian Tang Town, cutting through thorns all the way, finally returning to the Floating City.

Lu Yan had to return to the Lu Family tomorrow; he didn't plan to bring these people along. After all, the Lu Family was no paradise; he and Shen Yao had self-preservation ability and could even leave easily, but these servants were just ordinary people — once they encountered anything in the Lu Family, it would be a matter of life and death.

"Just stay in the small courtyard; it has everything." Lu Yan was always generous to his own people; this was also why the servants, despite knowing going out was dangerous, would not refuse.

"Young Master, we..."

"No need for more words; I'll be fine here. As for you, don't go out unless necessary." The rules here were stricter than in other cities.

"Yes, this lowly one understands."

Lu Yan gave an "mm" and nodded, then turned and beckoned to Shen Yao standing not far away. "Something the matter?"

Shen Yao nodded. "Time to dine."

The two ate a meal of Floating City specialty cuisine, then went to bed early to rest.

A night's sleep and adjustment left both fully refreshed. They rose early and ate a simple morning meal; the Lu Family's carriage to fetch them was already waiting at the door.

Shen Yao:... They're strangely punctual.

The two boarded the carriage with calm expressions and headed straight for the Lu Mansion in the Floating City.