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

Liu Muyuan was reading with his head down when he suddenly heard footsteps not far away. He was about to turn around to greet them when he found that it was Lu Mingzhao. He panicked for a moment and dropped the book in his hand.

"Greetings, Madam Lu."

Liu Muyuan snapped out of his daze and quickly bowed his head in greeting.

Lu Mingzhao nodded slightly in acknowledgment: "Why are you here alone? Where are your servants?"

Liu Muyuan was, after all, a respectable young master from a respectable family. It was one thing for him not to bring any attendants, but the Marquis's mansion should at least provide him with a few; otherwise, it would not be proper hospitality.

"I……"

Liu Muyuan opened his mouth, but couldn't answer for a long time.

Lu Mingzhao found it strange. Her question wasn't difficult to answer, so why was Liu Muyuan so flustered and at a loss? Could it be that her tone was too harsh?

Thinking of this, she softened her tone, "Don't be afraid, I was just asking casually. Have you seen your sister these days?"

Liu Muyuan nodded.

"That's good. You and your sister are close, so you can talk to her, which will make her feel better. You don't need to worry about anything else; just treat this place as your home."

"...Alright, I won't bother you any longer. But it's freezing cold outside, wouldn't it be better to go back early and warm up to read?"

Strangely, Lu Mingzhao always felt that Liu Muyuan seemed even more at a loss when facing her than his daughter did, so he had no choice but to leave early.

On the way back, she couldn't understand what she had done to frighten Liu Muyuan so much.

Is she that scary-looking?

It doesn't seem that bad.

She was lost in thought, and Zhao Xianglan, being quite sensible, didn't speak to her; the two remained very quiet.

Halfway there, I heard the sound of footsteps in the snow not far away.

The two looked up, only to see the figure dodge away in a flash.

Lu Mingzhao frowned. "Who is it?"

Realizing he had been seen, the other person could no longer hide and slowly walked out.

Zhao Xianglan stepped forward: "Cuilan, what brings you here? Aren't you supposed to be serving the young lady in Longcui Pavilion? What are you doing here?"

"This servant needs to go to the kitchen to fetch some pastries to take back to the courtyard," Cuilan said, her head bowed.

For some reason, Lu Mingzhao felt that her expression was exactly the same as Liu Muyuan's earlier—panicked.

Zhao Xianglan clearly noticed this as well, and her tone turned colder: "Since it's nothing shameful, why didn't you come to pay your respects to Madam? Hiding like this, anyone who didn't know better would think you were some kind of thief."

"Last time, Madam scolded me. I thought to myself, I must not go up to Madam and offend her, or displease her. That would be my fault."

Cuilan spoke respectfully, but there was a barely perceptible tremor in her voice.

Lu Mingzhao paused, subtly glancing at her a few times, then looking in the direction she had come from, and chuckled, "I remember Longcui Pavilion added a small kitchen, didn't it? Why would you need to get pastries from the main kitchen? Besides, this isn't the shortest route to the main kitchen."

"Are you going to pick up the pastries, or is there something else? Or... are you meeting someone?"

As soon as Lu Mingzhao finished asking, Cuilan hurriedly replied, "This servant doesn't understand what the old lady means. This servant wanted to pick a few plum blossoms from the garden to take back, so I took a longer route. As for anything else, or meeting anyone, this servant has no such plans..."

But as she finished speaking, Cuilan stopped breathing rapidly, realizing that she had answered too quickly and hastily, as if trying to cover something up.

This reaction is tantamount to admitting guilt, and there's no point in her offering any further explanation.

Cuilan suddenly knelt on the ground: "Madam, I have always served you well, Miss. I just wanted to take a break today."

"Please forgive this servant, Madam."

Seeing that she still wouldn't tell the truth, Lu Mingzhao took a deep breath and said slowly, "If you're willing to tell the truth honestly, I'll spare you. If you continue to be evasive and refuse to tell the truth, then I'll have no choice but to call the person you want to see over and let you talk things out face to face."

"One is taking a long detour through the snow, while the other is waiting in the dead of winter; there must be something important going on."

No matter how much Lu Mingzhao threatened or bribed her, Cuilan refused to confess.

Lu Mingzhao lost his patience and waved his hand, signaling Zhao Xianglan to take the person away.

"I originally intended for you to stay and serve the young lady for a few more days. But in your current state, I'm really worried about you."

Zhao Xianglan asked in a low voice, "If the young lady asks, how should I answer?"

"..."

Lu Mingzhao lowered his eyes and pondered for a moment.

"No need to go back, just make up some excuses to buy some time."

"If she's willing to come, let her see me directly."

Lu Mingzhao brought Cuilan back to the courtyard and assigned several maids and servants to take turns guarding her, while ordering the steward to bring Cuilan's indenture.

Cuilan refused to tell the truth no matter what.

Lu Mingzhao held her indenture in his hand, his face expressionless: "In that case, I have no choice but to sell you off."

Cuilan suddenly raised her head, her body trembling, but she still gritted her teeth: "Old Madam, you can't treat me like this! I've served you for over ten years, Miss. You won't let me be sold off like this!"

Although Cuilan was stubborn, Lu Mingzhao could tell that she was on the verge of collapse.

Just a few more questions would reveal the truth, but at that moment, Zhou Ming'an and Chu Yuan'er rushed into the courtyard.

Without saying a word, Zhou Ming'an pushed open the door and entered, blocking Cuilan's way.

She didn't even ask what Cuilan had done wrong, but instead said, "What did Cuilan do wrong? Mother, just punish me."

Lu Mingzhao had considered that, given his daughter's personality, she would definitely come to plead for Cuilan.

But she didn't expect her daughter to arrive so quickly; she had clearly told Zhao Xianglan to stall for some time.

It's impossible that no one tipped them off before their daughter arrived so quickly.

Lu Mingzhao's gaze fell on Chu Yuan'er. The moment their eyes met, Chu Yuan'er's anxious and worried expression revealed a hint of provocation and smugness, clearly indicating her intention to confront Lu Mingzhao.

Lu Mingzhao found it laughable.

As expected, Chu Yuan'er was no simple woman; her true colors could no longer be hidden.

If Cuilan is Chu Yuan'er's person, then could Liu Muyuan, who is waiting for Cuilan in the snow, also have a connection with Chu Yuan'er?