The Marquis' Wife

Guests not invited

The next day, Lu Xiang and Adelia waited for the arrival of the mayor's yamen officers who would come to their house to give a special undergraduate jade to the title holder Xie Hsien.

People gathered in front of De Xiang's house and pastry shop to see the phenomenal event, never before has the city of Cheng won the title of Xie for the past 20 years.

Soon enough, the yamen attendant who had come on horseback reached Lu Xiang's house, they wear special yamen hats and red cloths that are placed on the necks of horses as a sign that they carry good news.

"Is this Xie Hsien Lu's house?"

"really. I am Xie Hsien Lu". Lu Xiang stepped forward and raised his two clasped hands to the chest a sign giving a special greeting to the student.

"We were ordered by the mayor to congratulate Xie Hsien Lu along with Xie's jade and affidavit for Xie Hsien Lu's gift". One of the yamen officers pinned a long satin cloth that read 'congratulations' on Lu Xiang's shoulder then handed him an oblong jade the size of an engraved index finger Xie Hsien said as well as a gift statement containing a 30-hectare land tax exemption and Xie Hsien's salary of 5 silver coins every month, it was very different from ordinary Hsien scholars.

"Thank you. Let's go in for tea". Lu Xiang led the yamen officer inside, adelia told Lu Tao to burn firecrackers and give Lu Fang two copper coins to throw in front of the house to get the happiness that Lu Xiang and he felt.

Flaming firecrackers and throwing money is a tradition in the Murong kingdom when getting great good news such as graduating first rank scholars or rising government posts.

The yamen attendant did not sit for long and said goodbye, Lu Xiang gave the chief yamen 2 silver coins before they left the house.

This made the two officers happy. "I hope you can become Xiao Xieyuan".

Lu Xiang was surprised and smiled happily. "Thank you sir".

His hands clenched tightly showing the enthusiasm he felt. The yamen officer's words indicated that mayor Li was very optimistic of him as the scholar who got three Xie titles in the exam was therefore called Xiao Xieyuan, on the other hand, it also shows the attitude of the mayor who expects him to study even harder to get the title.

That day was a special day for Lu Xiang's family, both the master and the servant both celebrated that special day with a big meal.

But the happiness of Lu Xiang's family was lost by an uninvited guest.

"Master, madam. Two married couples visited, they said that they were the uncle and aunt of the master" Lu Tao conveyed the news in a daze, from the first he worked here, there was no family member who visited other than the Adelia family. He did not allow the two couples to enter before confirming the report he had heard.

Lu Xiang and Adelia's smiles vanished. Lu Cheng was even surprised and bit his lips, he was very afraid of his aunt who always beat him while still in the Lu family mansion.

A moment of silence made Lu Tao think that he was wrong and immediately wanted to expel the two couples but Lu Xiang's words stopped his movement.

"Send them in".

Lu Xiang woke up and stroked Lu Cheng's head whose face started to pale. "Take Lu Shan back to the room, you don't have to worry. It's gonna be okay".

Adelia stared not understanding Lu Cheng's reaction when she heard the news that the Lu family was visiting. He knew that Lu Xiang was not close to his relatives and his mother preferred to live in Miao village rather than in Lu village where the Lu extended family was located.

The four people walked into the living room, they sat in pairs and looked at Lu Xiang with scornful looks that they could not hide.

"What are you coming here for, Lu Ho, Lu Haocun?".

Lu Xiang's cold voice made his four uncles and aunts startled and became furious.

"Did being a scholar make you forget about your uncle and aunt Lu Xiang? Looks like the book you read went into a dog's stomach". Lu Ho lectured his nephew as if he was Lu Xiang's own parent.

Lu Xiang chuckled funnyly. "Uncle and aunt? Like you forgot because of the influence of age that I'm no longer part of the Lu family".

"Bad. Where is your manners when talking to uncle?! Aren't you ashamed as scholar Xie Hsien?!" Lu Haocun stood up and pointed emotion at Lu Xiang.

Lu Xiang was not intimidated at all, he even clapped his hands. "It turns out you're not forgetting but amnesia. Do I have to throw the disconnection papers in your face for you to recall?".

The expressionless face and cold eyes made Lu Haocun step back but he realized that he was afraid of his own nephew made him feel embarrassed and more emotional.

Lu Haocun's hand was pulled by his wife. Seeing Lu Xiang's harsh demeanor and his indifference to them made Shi Meiyin make changing the strategy softer.

"Lu Xiang, why are you so vindictive. People say the stalk won't break even if it's bent, there's no hatred last night in the family, we came here to congratulate you on being Xie Hsien, we as the Lu family are very proud of your achievements".

"Yes Lu Xiang. Let what passes stay behind, you must look ahead if you want to move forward. After all, with your family you have the support to go further" Liu Peiyu continued, although Lu Xiang was tough but he was still only a junior nephew in his eyes. Until this moment, even Liu Peiyu still considered that Lu Xiang was in his grasp.

Lu Xiang's hands clenched firmly, his jaw hardened withstanding emotions making his body tremble. He remembered all the ill-treatment of the Lu family towards his family even when he needed them so badly and now they are telling him to forget everything?!.

The heavy chest made it feel like it was in the water, already very even to breathe. The memories of all the sadistic treatment of the Lu family one by one twisted back in Lu Xiang's mind made him even more emotional, saying, moreover looking at Liu Peiyu and the smiling Shi Meiyin won seeing Lu Xiang's reaction which they thought was a frightened reaction.

Lu Xiang's eyes reddened, all the anger and hatred pushing the soul to be released to vent out everything he felt while in the Lu family but his wife's tiny and warm hands resuscitated Lu Xiang.

He looked at Adelia who was staring worriedly at him, a clean look full of anxiety it was the cold spring water that dampened all the burning anger in Lu Xiang's heart.

Lu Xiang inhaled a deep breath before staring flatly at his uncle and aunt.

"Have you guys finished talking? If so, the exit is over there".

Liu Peiyu and Shi Meiyin were stunned. Lu Ho again angry at the attitude of the nephew he always underestimated.

"You!! Who taught you to be less like an older brother than you? do you want me to yell in front of your house and let everyone know that you're a niece who doesn't have manners even though you're Xie Hsien?"

Lu Xiang smiled faintly. "Please Lu Ho. If you don't want Lu Huanran fired from the mayor's office, please do that. Oho! I can report you to the yamen for wanting to damage Xie Hsien's reputation, I heard the sentence was 30 strokes of wood and years of imprisonment, you know Lu Ho, I have proof of a termination letter".

Lu Ho and Lu Haocun's faces turned pale.