The temperamental white moonlight is back, and the entire Marquis's family obediently calls him

"You're awake?"

Hearing footsteps, Lu Mingzhao turned around and grinned, casually lifting the handkerchief on his shoulder to wipe his sweat.

"My body is too weak, I need to exercise more."

Zhao Xianglan came to her senses, and her legs went weak as she was about to kneel down.

This was the first time in all the years she had served the old lady that she had gotten up later than the old lady.

But the next moment, Lu Mingzhao said with a smile, "Don't worry about me, it's just that I'm not used to sleeping in."

"Back in the village, people would have been up and working in the fields by this time of year."

"Otherwise, when the sun comes out in a while, it will be unbearably hot."

Seeing that the old lady did not blame her, Zhao Xianglan's weak legs gradually straightened up.

"Then... shall I serve you while you wash up?"

"I've already washed up. Do I need someone to do this for me?" Lu Mingzhao waved his hand dismissively. "But I do have something else to ask of you—could you comb my hair? I don't know what kind of hairstyles are fashionable in the capital."

Zhao Xianglan spent the whole night preparing herself mentally, but she still couldn't quite handle it today.

The old lady of the past would never have used the word "beg".

She followed the old lady into the house with trepidation.

Just as she picked up the wooden comb, Lu Mingzhao said, "Give me a more imposing hairstyle, so that people will think you're not someone to mess with."

"Their son can kill someone, so his parents must be no better. We'll have to be humble and submissive if we break off the engagement, but if they push their luck, a fierce battle is inevitable."

Zhao Xianglan's heart skipped a beat as she listened.

What does this have to do with anything?

It's true that Feng Liang killed someone, but our second young master is no pushover either!

Didn't the old lady get herself involved in the insult?

What other "fierce battles" are there?

Good heavens!

Could the old lady really get into a fight?

The old lady has indeed gone even crazier!

Zhao's mother reluctantly helped Lu Mingzhao with his hair and makeup, and Liu Muqiu arrived with breakfast.

Liu Muqiu bowed and was about to serve her mother-in-law her meal when Lu Mingzhao pulled her down to sit by the arm.

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and eat it while it's hot!"

Liu Muqiu was speechless and looked to Zhao Mama for help. The latter gave her a helpless look, so Liu Muqiu had no choice but to suppress her strange feelings and have a meal with her mother-in-law.

After the two finished eating, Zhao Mama told them that Second Master had already prepared a carriage and was waiting at the door.

"That kid cleaned up pretty quickly."

She was even more eager than her to annul the engagement with An'an.

But this is good, at least it proves that the siblings have a good relationship and that they did not develop any rifts with each other because of the time-traveling woman's twisted upbringing.

Lu Mingzhao had already had a feast for the eyes on his way to the East Courtyard yesterday, and today, as he walked out from the main courtyard, he was once again overwhelmed with sights.

Upon exiting the Marquis's mansion, two carriages belonging to the Marquis's family were parked on the road, each carrying two large boxes.

Liu Muqiu said softly, "This is the apology for the annulment of the engagement. I arranged it according to the master's wishes. The list of gifts is here, please take a look."

Lu Mingzhao chuckled: "You're so thorough in your work, I don't need to review it at all. Besides, I wouldn't understand it anyway."

Liu Muqiu knew that her mother-in-law was illiterate, but she still had to go through this formality as usual.

Moreover, at such times, even if the mother-in-law didn't understand, she would still try to find fault to demonstrate the majesty of the Marquis's wife.

Her mother-in-law had been behaving very strangely these past two days, and she was finding it quite unusual.

"Hurry up and go!"

Zhou Shixu had long been impatient and lifted the curtain to urge the two of them on.

Lu Mingzhao whispered something to Liu Muqiu, then walked straight to the carriage where Zhou Shixu was.

By the time Zhou Shixu realized what was happening, Lu Mingzhao had already boarded the carriage and was sitting opposite him.

"How did you get on this train?" Zhou Shixu leaned against the carriage as if facing a formidable enemy.

Lu Mingzhao remained calm: "What's wrong with me sharing a carriage with my son, who hasn't even come of age yet?"

Zhou Shixu's face turned red and then pale. If the carriage hadn't already started moving, he would have jumped out of it.

Lu Mingzhao noticed his embarrassment.

It is conceivable that over the years, although the time-traveling woman has not done anything excessively malicious to Zhou Shixu, she has also not shown him any tenderness.

So-called spoiling is nothing more than letting them roam freely on a daily basis, and occasionally teasing them like a cat or dog when they feel like it.

Otherwise, Zhou Shixu wouldn't be so uncomfortable right now.

Lu Mingzhao straightened his expression and said, "I'm not teasing you anymore. I came here to ask you a few questions."

Zhou Shixu paused, looking at her with a hint of disbelief: "What do you want me to ask you?"

Lu Mingzhao: "What exactly did they say that day that provoked you to take action?"

Zhou Shixu's expression changed.

Why are you asking this?

"You're not planning something again, are you?"

"You were the one who wanted to break off the engagement with An'an, and now you're going to go back on your word? Let me tell you, even if you don't go today, I'm going!"

"You can forget about it..."

The questioning abruptly stopped, replaced by Zhou Shixu's cry of pain—"Ouch! Let go!"

Lu Mingzhao sighed and loosened the grip on his youngest son's ear: "I'm asking you about this because I want to annul An'an's engagement."

"Can't you just listen to what your mother has to say?"

"Yes! Yes!" Zhou Shixu pleaded repeatedly, "I'll tell you, okay?! Stop twisting my ear!"

Lu Mingzhao then released his hand and waited patiently for him to speak.

Zhou Shixu rubbed his ears, which had been pinched red, and looked at her with a complicated expression.

She actually dared to lay a hand on me!

This is the first time in over a decade that she has ever laid a hand on herself, and with such force!

When he gets home, be sure to tell your older brother!

However, for now, Zhou Shixu could only obediently recount what happened that day in its entirety.

Lu Mingzhao listened quietly, his expression gradually darkening.

After Zhou Shixu finished speaking, Lu Mingzhao's face showed no extra expression, only a slight nod: "I understand."

Zhou Shixu pursed his lips, still somewhat skeptical that Lu Mingzhao truly wanted to annul the engagement with An'an: "You know all this, and you think you can help An'an annul the engagement?"

Lu Mingzhao smiled helplessly: "What do you mean by 'helping'? An'an is my daughter, how could I let her marry someone like that?"

Zhou Shixu muttered, "If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have gotten engaged in the first place..."

Lu Mingzhao wasn't angry; instead, he looked at his youngest son with some relief.

However, Zhou Shixu's love for his younger sister is one thing, but physically assaulting her is another.

Lu Mingzhao said gently:

"I know you meant well for An'an and wanted to protect her reputation, which is why you lost control and hit her. But this method won't help An'an; it will only damage your reputation."

"Even if you don't care about your reputation, aren't you afraid that everyone in the capital will gossip that Zhou Ming'an has a hot-tempered, violent, and spoiled older brother?"

"..."

Zhou Shixu wanted to refute, but after hearing the last sentence that hit his weak spot, he choked up.

Not knowing how to refute, he could only stubbornly change the subject: "You're so capable, then teach me how to do it! I think you're all talk and no action."

Lu Mingzhao smiled and said seriously, "Alright, then I'll set an example for you."

Two quarters of an hour later, as the carriage was about to enter the corner in front of the Duke of Huguo's mansion, Lu Mingzhao called the carriage to a stop.

She lifted the curtain and waved her hand. A man from the roadside jogged over along the wall, hands clasped together, and said respectfully, "Greetings, Madam. This servant has been keeping watch since early this morning, and Feng Liang has not left the house yet."

Zhou Shixu looked over curiously, about to ask a question, but Lu Mingzhao had already lowered the curtain.

Zhou Shixu had no choice but to swallow his doubts.

The carriage started moving again, and soon came to a slow stop in front of the Duke's mansion.

Last night, after Lu Mingzhao decided to annul the engagement, the Marquis's residence sent someone to deliver an invitation.

Logically, some people should have come to greet us at this time.

But right now, there's only one steward standing alone in front of the Duke of Huguo's mansion.

"Greetings to Madam Lu, Master Zhou, and Madam Liu." The steward smiled and gave a curtsy. "Our Madam was unwell last night and couldn't be exposed to the wind, so she's waiting in the house today. She specially asked me to come here to welcome you all."