Chapter 45: Chapter Forty-Five

The next day, Granny helped Lu Bao'er dress and groom her, then helped her onto the small carriage with blue curtains. To be frank, now that Xie Junling has been promoted, the family's carriages and horses ought to be upgraded to something more impressive. At the very least, the blue curtains on the carriage should be changed, hung with pearls or gilt-glass bead curtains; only then would the jingling of pendants make the outing elegant.

However, Lu Bao'er wasn't very interested in these trinkets; spending money on them would be better spent buying a few more tables of He Yang Lou's banquet for a hearty meal at home. Thus, the hairpins and ornaments Granny daily arranged for her went unnoticed, and she wasn't particularly fussy. Having a low-maintenance mistress is naturally good, but one who is too low-maintenance can be worrisome. Granny constantly feared Lu Bao'er might be schemed against somewhere, so she kept a tight watch on every aspect of her affairs.

Those who didn't know might think Granny had been Lu Bao'er's wet nurse since childhood!

Old Lady Su first went to Red Snail Temple in her own sedan chair, seeking the first incense stick of the day, so she naturally rose early to worship Buddha. As an official's family, the temple's abbot gave her great face, opening the rear hall's Buddha statues early in the morning and leaving only the front hall for commoners to offer incense and pray.

Lu Bao'er also brought some pastries she claimed to have made herself, though she had merely advised Ye Daniang on what fillings to use from the side. Since learning that Old Lady Su was her maternal great-grandmother, her feelings were mixed. She had indeed longed for family, but after finally letting go of her worries about them and focusing wholeheartedly on Xie Junling, a new family suddenly appeared. Was it joy? It should be joy. Yet at this moment she felt a little shy about affection, unsure how to get along with relatives or what Old Lady Su liked.

She vaguely wanted to please Old Lady Su, but didn't know where to start, fearing she might make things worse.

Granny seemed to notice her worry, patted Lu Bao'er's hand, and said, "Madam, are you worried that the Princess of Qingping County won't like your sweet pastries?"

Lu Bao'er naturally knew she couldn't tell Granny the truth about this for now, so she merely nodded slightly and said yes.

Granny smiled, pursing her lips: "You're overthinking it; as an outsider, I can see that the county princess likes you very much!"

"Granny, can you see that?"

"Of course. When you dine at the Fu household, the county princess notes which dishes you use more chopsticks on and which you use fewer; the next day, if you used less of a dish, she wouldn't even set it on the table, having it removed outright. If she didn't like you, why would she pay such attention to your food? Think about it—doesn't that make sense?"

"No wonder I've found the food at the old lady's place increasingly to my taste these past few visits—I hardly want to return home." Lu Bao'er exclaimed in surprise.

Granny gave a faint smile, seeing that Lu Bao'er had understood, she said no more. She left an unspoken remark: actually, Xie Junling would also come specially to ask her what dishes Lu Bao'er had taken a liking to at the Fu household, then tell Ye Daniang to try making them at home. Originally, saying that to Lu Bao'er could also win Xie Junling a smile. But lately he has been indulging in bedroom affairs without restraint, causing noises in the house even at midnight. As an elder, Granny naturally knows Lu Bao'er can't endure such turmoil; seeing her sleep poorly every day, with dark circles under her eyes, she feels resentful. Granny naturally favors Lu Bao'er a bit, so she simply pays little attention to Xie Junling's matters.

The carriage was on the mountain road when suddenly a loud bang was heard. A long arrow with black fletching pierced the curtain and struck straight into the carriage. Lu Bao'er and Granny both jumped in fright, shouting, "What happened?! Are we encountering bandits?!"

Just as they were about to step out to inquire, they saw blood spattering three feet, staining the curtain—it turned out the passing carriage had been shot through the heart by an arrow and killed! The horses, startled, had wanted to gallop forward, but the arrow was so precise it pierced the horse straight through, killing it outright and sending it crashing to the ground.

The carriage lurched violently, nearly overturning. Lu Bao'er quickly grabbed Granny, and they curled up at the innermost part of the carriage, where side planks shielded them from easy piercing. Yet the arrows flew thick and fast, turning the carriage into a hedgehog.

At that moment, someone suddenly leapt onto the carriage's top. Appearing to hold a blade, after a few cries of anguish, half of the arrow‑shooting bandits were wiped out.

"Madam, it's all right; I am acting on Master Xie's orders to secretly protect you." Someone outside the carriage called for her to come out. Lu Bao'er, still shaken, released Granny's hand and found her legs going weak.

Lu Bao'er said embarrassedly, "Thank you, young brother, for guarding me, but my legs are weak—I doubt I can walk out just now. If convenient, please help me report to the officials so they can send someone to fetch me home."

The person was Zhu Sheng, who upon hearing this replied, "All right; I'll send someone back to the capital to give notice."

Old Lady Su had already heard the news; before the officials arrived, she had dispatched guards and a palanquin to meet Lu Bao'er.

Old Lady Su, chanting Buddha with tears in her eyes, called to Lu Bao'er, "My dear, where are you hurt?"

Lu Bao'er shook her head, comforting the elder: "Don't worry, I'm fine—I'm not injured anywhere."

Old Lady Su gritted her teeth in hatred, saying, "How can the Xie family not even muster a few guards? What are they eating? If you return to the Fu household, I will certainly send dozens of highly skilled guards to protect you—not just to stop flying arrows, but even a fly won't be able to get near you!"

"I know, I know. Lady, don't worry; today I was simply careless and didn't bring many attendants. My husband also made preparations, having his hidden guards secretly protect me and repel the bandits." Lu Bao'er, fearing that her high‑status maternal great‑grandmother might misunderstand Xie Junling, hurriedly defended him.

Old Lady Su dismissed this, snorted coldly, and said, "If I had found you earlier, I would never have let you marry into the Xie family; I would have sought the best husband in the capital for you."

"My husband treats me extremely well, but no matter how good he is, it still doesn't compare to even half of your kindness toward me." Lu Bao'er coaxed Old Lady Su as one would a child; after these words, the old lady's anger faded.

Today's incense offering probably won't happen; Old Lady Su had her guards capture several bandits, and after a few rounds of harsh interrogation they naturally revealed who was behind them.

Old Lady Su suppressed the news and returned to the Fu household in a mighty fury.

Upon entering the Ten Fragrance Courtyard, she reached out and slapped Cheng Lingyan hard across the face, knocking her to the ground.

Cheng Lingyan had not yet realized her own scheme had been exposed; she stared at her in disbelief, calling out, "Grand…grandmother?"

"Shameless wretch, who do you think you are calling my grandmother?!" Old Lady Su was furious, not bothering to check whether any servants were nearby. In her youth she had been decisive and ruthless, but years of ease had softened her into a kind‑looking appearance.

Now that things had gotten serious, Granny Zhao was delighted. She repeatedly rubbed Old Lady Su's palm and snorted, "When did it become your turn to strike?"

Having said that, Granny Zhao had someone lift Cheng Lingyan up and rained several slaps on her, knocking her teeth loose and sending her sprawling on the ground.

No matter how foolish Cheng Lingyan was, she now understood. She shouted furiously, "What right do you have?! What right do you have?! You're the ones who brought me back to the Fu household, yet now you act like benevolent benefactors—as if only I am the wicked one?!"

－－－－－－By the way－－－－－－

Deng Deng tilted her head: Dear Grass Lamp Master

Everyone, don't skip subscribing to chapter 40; although it's pricey, it really is seven thousand words of Xie Junling and Bao'er's sweetness.