Chapter 61 I Shouldn't Have Let Her Off So Easily

"Zhao Qiming?"

Lu Huaijin narrowed his eyes slightly, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the desk.

"That matter in Tongzhou..."

Changting understood immediately. "Rest assured, My Lord, it has been cleanly handled."

After a brief pause, Changting added, "This is already General Zhao's second petition for an audience..."

"Oh? So eager to see me? Then let him in."

When Zhao Qiming stepped into the study, his steps were slightly hesitant, and his expression could hardly conceal his nervousness.

Along the way, he had heard that the Senior Grand Secretary had declined visits from numerous officials on the grounds of illness, yet had uniquely accepted his petition.

Inside the study, Lu Huaijin was dressed in a dark-colored embroidered robe, sitting upright at the upper seat. His gaze swept downward, carefully sizing up Zhao Qiming and, standing somewhat shyly behind him, Zhao Zhirou.

Lu Huaijin narrowed his eyes slightly, a faint, ambiguous smile curving the corners of his lips.

The General took the lead in breaking the silence, his face beaming with a warm smile as he cupped his hands and said, "Senior Grand Secretary, some days ago, I happened to acquire a century-old ginseng of exceptional quality. Hearing that Your Lordship has fallen ill recently, I was anxious and rushed to bring it to you, hoping it might help nourish your health and aid your speedy recovery."

As he spoke, he signaled Zhao Zhirou with his eyes.

"General Zhao is too kind," Lu Huaijin said unhurriedly. "I have merely caught a chill, and the physician specifically instructed that heavy tonics are not suitable at this time; my diet should remain light. You should take this precious ginseng back with you so as not to let it go to waste."

"Your Lordship can simply wait until you have fully recovered to enjoy it. A rough martial man like me knows nothing of the wonders of such precious medicinal herbs. Leaving it in my hands would truly be a terrible waste of heavenly gifts." The General remained all smiles, his words dripping with utmost humility.

With that, he once again gave Zhao Zhirou a subtle cue. Understanding the intent, Zhao Zhirou hurriedly stepped forward, holding the ginseng in both hands, curtsied slightly, and respectfully presented it.

Lu Huaijin swept a casual glance over the ginseng, his expression calm, yet he made no move to receive it.

For a moment, the air in the study seemed to freeze, plunging the atmosphere into an awkward stalemate.

Seeing this, the General hastily coughed a few times to shatter the suffocating silence.

With an ingratiating smile, he said, "This is my foolish daughter, Zhirou. Zhirou, pay your respects to the Senior Grand Secretary."

As he spoke, he gently nudged Zhao Zhirou forward.

Zhao Zhirou bowed slightly and offered a respectful salute, "Zhirou greets Your Lordship."

Lu Huaijin merely emitted a faint, indifferent acknowledgment.

"My humble daughter has studied some massage techniques since childhood, and her skills are not too shabby," the General continued hastily, his smile growing even more eager. "Why not let her administer a massage for Your Lordship's chill? It is guaranteed to help Your Lordship recover all the more quickly."

He spoke while closely observing Lu Huaijin's expression.

"It will work after a single session?" Lu Huaijin raised an eyebrow.

"Naturally, it would require a few sessions to achieve a full recovery," the General hurriedly explained. "Your Lordship need not have any misgivings; my daughter can remain in this manor to serve Your Lordship exclusively until you are fully restored to health."

His words were utterly blatant. The moment they left his lips, Zhao Zhirou's face flushed a brilliant crimson. She lowered her head, not daring to meet Lu Huaijin's eyes, her fingers nervously tugging at the hem of her dress.

Outside the door, Su Yao had quietly approached at some point, hearing every single word of the conversation inside.

She gripped her skirt tightly, her fingertips turning white from the immense pressure.

It was not that she cared about Lu Huaijin himself, but rather because the person inside was Zhao Zhirou.

"Lady Su, why are you here?" Changting's voice suddenly rang out.

Though his voice was not loud, in the quiet corridor outside, it sounded exceptionally clear.

Inside the room, Lu Huaijin's ears twitched as he keenly intercepted the subtle sound.

Immediately following, footsteps approached, and Su Yao was gently pulled away by Changting.

Her steps were somewhat unsteady, and she kept looking back toward the study door.

"What is the meaning of this, General Zhao?" Lu Huaijin withdrew his gaze, turned toward Zhao Qiming, and let his voice turn icy cold in an instant.

The General quickly explained, "Senior Grand Secretary, this official has heard that the Empress Dowager is currently selecting a match for Your Lordship... My eldest daughter is refined, intelligent, gentle, and virtuous. I wonder if Your Lordship..."

He left his sentence unfinished, but the implication was already glaringly obvious.

The corners of Lu Huaijin's mouth curled upward into a knowing, half-smile, as he inwardly found the situation rather amusing.

The Zhao family's daughter who had chased him all the way to Tongzhou and subsequently "disappeared" had yet to be found, and here was Zhao Qiming rushing to present him with yet another "daughter."

After being led away by Changting, Su Yao remained in a state of constant anxiety, unaware of how the conversation inside would ultimately conclude.

It was not until she saw Zhao Zhirou being led away by her father without being left behind that the stone weighing heavily in her heart finally dropped.

Standing in the courtyard, she watched the retreating figures of Zhao Qiming and his daughter, her heart experiencing a complex mix of emotions.

At that very moment, Lu Huaijin quietly materialized behind her. "Afraid I would keep her?"

Startled by the sudden voice, Su Yao jerked violently and hurriedly spun around.

Catching sight of Lu Huaijin's stern visage, panic seized her, and she stammered, "No..."

Her voice was as faint as the buzzing of a mosquito, her eyes darting away to avoid meeting Lu Huaijin's gaze.

"No?"

Lu Huaijin frowned slightly, displeasure masking his tone. He took a step forward, towering over Su Yao with an intense, penetrating stare.

"Whoever Your Lordship wishes to keep is none of my concern; I was merely curious," Su Yao said, biting her lower lip.

Lu Huaijin's expression darkened instantly. "Su Yao, have I been too lenient with you? It seems you've forgotten your place!"

Blushing deeply, Su Yao turned on her heel and ran off.

Watching her retreating figure while rubbing his thumb and forefinger together, Lu Huaijin mused to himself that out of consideration for her pregnancy, he had been far too merciful; such a long night should not pass without properly settling accounts with her.

A few days later, upon hearing that the General intended to gift Zhao Zhirou to the Emperor's Maternal Uncle, Su Yao rushed anxiously into Lu Huaijin's study.

"My Lord, do you know what kind of character that Maternal Uncle possesses?"

Lu Huaijin was hunched over his desk reviewing memorials. Hearing Su Yao's voice, the brush in his hand halted abruptly.

He slowly raised his head and looked at her. "You burst in here so devoid of decorum, just to ask me about the character of another man?"

Realizing her impulsiveness, Su Yao quickly reined in her emotions and softened her tone. "Lady Zhao was once betrothed to my elder brother. I was merely... concerned for her... Regardless of everything else, our Su family owes her. I simply wanted to know what kind of household she is being married into."

Lu Huaijin's expression softened marginally. He laid down his brush, leaned back in his chair, and said indifferently, "The Maternal Uncle is the Empress Dowager's younger brother, and he is already married."

"Already married? Then she...?"

"Will be a concubine."

"How could her father agree to such a thing? She is the legitimate daughter of a General's estate!" Su Yao exclaimed passionately, her voice involuntarily rising a notch.

"She is no longer young, and having had her engagement broken previously, her reputation is ruined. Naturally, it is difficult for her to find a good match."

"My Lord, if that is the case, it would be far better for her to stay with you. If you were to speak with the General, he would surely agree—wasn't he trying to send her to you in the first place?"

Irritated, Lu Huaijin snapped, "Su Yao, you are meddling far too much. Do you still remember your status?"

Undeterred, Su Yao continued to plead, "My Lord, please help her."

"Changting! Take her away! Without my command, she is not allowed to step a foot outside the Qingfeng Courtyard!"