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The next day Lu Xiaolian and Zhongshan Huang returned to her paternal home to pay their respects as was tradition.
The got down from the carriage and were greeted by Lu Xiaolian father, Lu Guoliang and Her stepmother Ming Meiren and the rest of the Lu family main branch.
"Welcome your highness" Lu Guoliang said to Zhongshan Huang bowing slightly.
"No no you don't need to stand on ceremony father" Zhongshan Huang said raising Lu Guoliang up.
"Xiaolian greets father and mother" Lu Xiaolian said.
"Hmm, your highness please come in. I will lead the way" Lu Guoliang said Standing and turning back to lead Zhongshan Huang inside.
Ming Meiren reduced her pace until Lu Xiaolian walked next to her. She quickly took hold of Lu Xiaolian's arm, moving closer until they were closer.
"How have you been Xiaolian" Ming Meiren said softly in a voice only audible to Lu Xiaolian.
"I have been well. I have been trying to familiarize myself with the Manor" Lu Xiaolian replied.
"Good, you have to be very carefull, the Dowager Imperial Noble Consort Xu has retired to the nunnery. The palace announced it yesterday" Ming Meiren said.
"Really ,that's surprising I thought she already escaped that quite expertly if I may add" Lu Xiaolian replied shocked.
"It would seem that she couldn't escape that ultimately" Ming Meiren said.
"And the Xu family? Lu Xiaolian asked. They had already arrived and were about walking into the room when Ming Meiren replied "Running trying to get a footing. they are getting desperate like I said be very careful with the princess Consort". They separated and Lu Xiaolian took a seat next to Zhongshan Huang and Ming Meiren next to Lu Guoliang on the Master's seat.
The table had already been set for lunch so they began to eat. After lunch the women left for the garden while the men stayed back. Lu Xiaolian was already aware that the crown Prince wished to speak with her father and she could already guess what the conversation will be about.
"we can finally relax, His highness seems to treat Elder sister Xiaolian well" Lu Yue said.
"Yes, Lu Yue looks well too" Lu Xiaolian said smiling.
"thanks Xiaolian jei jei" Lu Yue said.
They all arrived at the garden and took their seats in the pavilion at the center of the garden.
"second aunt I heard that congratulations are in orders for Fifth elder sister Jiayi" Lu Xiaolian said to her second uncles wife Wenqian.
"That is true, the three years of mourning his father's death has elasped so Young master Chu has decided to get married, the date has already been set for three weeks from now" Wenqian replied.
"Good that is truly a thing of joy. Xiaolian congratulates Jianyi jei jei on her marriage" Lu Xiaolian said smiling.
"Thanks Mei Mei" Lu Jianyi replied.
"Mei Mei is getting more beautiful, his Marjesty must be treating you well. I guess very soon we will be going for your child's half Moon ceremony"Lu Qiu jokenly.
"Fourth elder sister is pulling my legs everyone knows that second Master Wang treats you like a treasure" Lu Xiaolian said smiling. Qiu Jei jei had always been playful, it had surprised everyone when she married the very serious and strict Second Master Wang but they were a lot more surprised by how the second Master treated her like a treasure.
"That also what I said, I bet she doesn't miss home at all and had forgotten about us" Lu Yue said.
"With how naughty Yue'er is, I don't think I can ever forget her or anyone for that matter" Lu Xiaolian said promoting everyone to laugh.
They stayed with the Lu family for dinner before leaving for the Crown Prince Manor.
* * *
The Crown Prince Manor,Jang Suyin's private rooms.
"Your highness the account books and badge has been delivered to the princess Consort" Luo Yu reported to her mistress Madam Jang.
"Good" Jang Suyin replied after hearing Luo Yu report. She was trying really hard to maintain an indifferent expression. She could already tell that this was the crown Prince's punishment. So she had to take it silently so as not to annoy the crown Prince further.
"Your highness" the servants said drawing Jang Suyin from her thoughts. Xu Mingzhu was most definitely here to gloat.
Xu Mingzhu was in very high spirits since the day before she had finally gotten back her power from Jang Suyin and knocked her down a peg. This was just the beginning she wished to completely destroy Jang Suyin and leave her no more room to escape starting from now.
"Your highness" Jang Suyin said In greetings as Xu Mingzhu walked into the room and took a seat on the tea table.
"you look very pale Mei Mei. You should take better care of yourself and not let these little things worry you are. His highness just wants you to rest and let better people handle it" Xu Mingzhu said with fake concern smiling smugly.
"Suyin thanks her highness for her concern" Jang Suyin said.
."No need to worry yourself meimei it a my duty as his highness Princess consort. Mingzhu thanks you for keeping my possession well" Xu Mingzhu replied.
"We'll see how long you will have that. We both know that you can't hold it for long everything will soon be returned to me and there's nothing you can do about that" Jang Suyin said smiling smugly.
"Don't try to flatter yourself Suyin. you are going to watch me run you to the ground. I thought I should let you know that Your maid confessed that Doctor Ji helped her and you know what that means. You just lost your most reliable assets and now you are weak. No one else would help you" Xu Mingzhu replied smiling wide.
"Here you are gloating when the Xu family lost their only foot hold in the imperial palace. Mingzhu the Xu family has already lost faith in you , they are already seeking to join hands with the first Prince. Your own father wishes for your younger sister Xu Yanyu to marry the First Prince as his Princess consort"Jang Suyin said and laughing loudly.
"Even though am still the crown princess Consort while you are a concubine not even legally married in or registered on the family register" Xu Mingzhu said causing Jang Suyin's face to stiffen. Xu Mingzhu laughed loudly and walked out of the room.
An hour after Xu Mingzhu left Jang Suyin was about having her dinner the servants had already served the meals. When she angrily pushed all her food down startling the maids. She had been quiet since Xu Mingzhu left but had agreed for dinner to be served.
"where is the crown Prince" Jang Suyin asked fuming.
"Answering Madam Jang, his highness has just returned from Duke Wu Manor with Princess Xi'an but has retired to the crown princess Consort rooms for the night" A maid replied shakily.
"Impudence, drag her away" Jang Suyin shouted angrily
"Your highness I was wrong, please spare me" the maid said as she was dragged away.