You expect me to serve your mistress? The mistress is driving this scumbag and his entire family cra

Chapter 159 This is your master's father

Liang Jiang brought Lu Zhengqi back to the Duke's mansion. The servants immediately rushed forward, welcoming her with joy and chattering, "Princess, you're finally back!"

Seeing how travel-worn she looked, the mute man felt a pang of sympathy: "You've lost weight, you've lost so much weight, you must be exhausted."

As soon as he spoke, his throat tightened with emotion, a mixture of relief that the Duke of Liang had finally been exonerated and pride in his own princess.

Liang Jiang grinned and said, "You're back. Let the kitchen know so we can make something delicious tonight to celebrate."

The crowd cheered and spread the news.

Liang Jiang handed the horsewhip to the mute man and rushed inside almost excitedly, shouting all the way.

"Mother, Mother, come quick and see who's here!"

Lady Liang stumbled out.

Liang Jiang threw herself into her arms, and the woman's eyes immediately filled with tears: "You child, why didn't you tell your mother you were going to Xiliang? What if you didn't come back? How would your mother live on?"

Liang Jiang laughed heartlessly, "Mother, don't cry yet. Look quickly, who have I brought back?"

Madam Liang raised her tearful eyes, and Lu Zhengqi knelt down before her, saying, "Zhengqi greets Master Aunt."

The long-awaited greeting of "Master Aunt" startled Madam Liang for a moment before she recognized the man before her as the chief disciple of her eldest brother.

He immediately wiped away his tears, happily stepped forward to exchange pleasantries, and inquired about the recent situation of his fellow disciples.

The people in the second household, as well as Lady Liangwen, had already received the news. Upon hearing that Liangjiang had returned to the mansion, they all came out to greet her.

Liangwen grabbed Liangjiang's hand: "Liangjiang, your grandmother heard that your father was framed for treason, is that right?"

My aunt clapped her hands and said, "I told you two years ago that my older brother shouldn't do such a foolish thing!"

Liang Su asked impatiently, "Has His Majesty said when the Duke's Mansion will be exonerated?"

Master Liang smiled insincerely: "Is this matter true or false? Let's hope it's not just a misunderstanding, and that we end up with nothing but as a result, and we've also offended the General's Mansion."

Liang Erye's sarcastic remark immediately angered Liang Jiang.

"What are you saying, Second Uncle? I know you have a very good personal relationship with Tong Shouliang. Now that I have exonerated the Duke's Mansion, it seems you are very unhappy."

Aunt Liang quickly stepped in to smooth things over: "How could that be? Your second uncle has been unable to hold his head high in the Ministry of War because of your father's affair. Now that your father's name has been cleared, wouldn't we all be able to hold our heads high?"

This time, Lady Liangwen also praised Liang Jiang from the bottom of her heart: "That's right, the Duke's Mansion has been living a very frustrating life these past two years. I never thought that it was because of Tong Shouliang, that heartless and treacherous dog, that it was all his fault."

"My eldest granddaughter has the keen eye; if the injustice can truly be redressed, the Duke's mansion can regain its former glory."

Liang Su was very unhappy with Liang Wen's praise of Liang Jiang, and glanced at Lu Zhengqi sideways.

"Yes, it's better for you to be out in the public eye every day. You're naturally beautiful, that's your asset. You've made so many influential people around you, and you're surrounded by benefactors."

"If it were me, someone who never leaves the house and has no one to help me, I certainly wouldn't be able to accomplish such a monumental feat."

How could Liang Jiang not hear the sarcasm in her words? She did not refute, but instead echoed, "You are absolutely right. After all, making friends depends on character. If someone has bad character, everyone will avoid them like the plague. Who would confide in them, let alone risk their life for them?"

Liang Su choked: "I was born inferior to my sister. You are a princess, while I am just a dependent. Who would want to curry favor with me?"

How could Lu Zheng, who was standing next to her, not understand the implied meaning behind her veiled criticism? His expression darkened slightly, showing some displeasure.

Liang Jiang smiled and said, "If no one is trying to curry favor with you, you can take the initiative to do so. Take Madam Liu for example, aren't you clinging to her coattails quite tightly?" "What are you saying, sister? No matter how famous Madam Liu is, she's just an embroiderer. Why would I, the second young lady of the Duke's mansion, need to curry favor with her? It was she who saw my talent and that I was from the Duke's mansion, so she offered to take me as her apprentice."

"Really?" Liang Jiang suppressed a laugh and glanced at Lu Zhengqi beside her: "Senior Brother, when did Sister Liu lower the bar for accepting disciples so much?"

Lu Zhengqi looked completely bewildered: "How come I didn't know about this? I've never heard her mention it."

Liang Su was taken aback: "Does this kind of thing really need to be publicized?"

Liang Jiang laughed and said, "Indeed, there's no need to announce it widely, but you still have to have the apprenticeship tea, and you should at least kowtow to your master and master's father, right?"

"Master's father? What master's father?"

Liang Jiang said slyly, "Haven't you been asking me all along how I know Madam Liu, and where that embroidery of a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix came from?"

Liang Su turned to look at Lu Zhengqi, a bad feeling rising in her heart.

Liang Jiang pointed at Lu Zhengqi and said, "This is Madam Liu's husband, my senior brother. According to seniority, you should call him Master Father and then call me Master Aunt."

Lu Zhengqi said seriously, "My wife is very strict in accepting disciples; not just anyone can become her disciple. Therefore, I am not worthy of being called 'Master Father.' Second Miss, please also be respectful in the future and do not use my wife's name to flaunt your status. My wife detests such people the most."

Liang Su was immediately ashamed and mumbled in defense, "That year when Madam Liu came to the capital, I did receive guidance from her, and I have always respectfully called her Master in my heart."

Lu Zhengqi said coldly, "Enough. You are the second young lady of the Duke's mansion, while my wife is just an embroiderer. I dare not accept such an honor."

Liang Su, recalling the insults she had just hurled at Lady Liu, was instantly enraged and pointed at Liang Jiang: "She deliberately provoked me, which is why I misspoke."

Seeing her daughter's embarrassment, Aunt Liang quickly stepped forward to smooth things over: "So, Liang Jiang, you actually have this connection with Madam Liu. In that case, it's like the flood washed away the Dragon King's temple—we're all family."

"Please come in, distinguished guest. Today we have a joyous occasion at your home, and we should offer our heartfelt congratulations."

Lady Liangwen also said happily, "That's right, our Duke's Mansion is finally going to have something to show for itself! Congratulations! We'll host a banquet tonight to welcome Liangjiang and this distinguished guest."

This was the first time Liang Jiang had ever seen Liang Wenshi treat her so warmly, so she didn't continue to argue with Liang Su. She invited Lu Zhengqi inside and instructed the household cooks to prepare a banquet immediately.

Lu Xingzhan didn't even need Liang Jiang to send anyone to invite him; he came to the Duke's mansion just by following the scent. He was very excited to see his master and insisted on taking Lu Zhengqi back to the Earl's mansion so that he could properly show him respect. He almost got into a fight with Liang Jiang.

After the banquet and Lu Zhengqi was settled in, Liang Jiang and her daughter finally had some time alone.

Lady Liang asked Liang Jiang seriously, "Tell your mother the truth, why did the Prince of Pingxi go to Xiliang with you?"

Seeing her serious expression, Liang Jiang honestly said, "For the past two years, Prince Pingxi has been secretly investigating the truth of the Battle of the Great Rift Valley. In fact, all the information from Xiliang came from Prince Pingxi."

"You two are very close in private?"

"No!" Liang Jiang denied guiltily, "We only met because of my father's wrongful conviction, and we don't have any personal relationship."

"That's good," Lady Liang said earnestly. "Prince Pingxi is a man of great loyalty and righteousness, and he has also been kind to my family. That's why you must stay away from him in the future and not have any unrealistic fantasies."

"Why?" Liang Jiang asked in surprise.

"Differences in social status and rank mean you must not harbor any delusions, lest you end up disappointed and heartbroken."

Liang Jiang felt a pang of loss as she recalled her brief marriage with Fang Chengxu, and interrupted her, saying, "I know, Mother, you don't need to say more."

Madam Liang lowered her eyes, hesitated several times before finally swallowing her words, her face showing even more guilt.

(End of this chapter)