The words were so reasonable that the wet nurse felt ashamed and embarrassed. Her old face flushed red, and she stammered, unable to come up with any more retorts.
"Wet nurse, I've already given you enough face. But if you insist on being so stubborn, don't blame me for turning my back on you," she finally managed to squeeze out a sentence with great difficulty from her throat after a long while.
"Master, you're being so harsh to the old acquaintances of the Lu family for a flirt of unknown origin. If this gets out, it will surely chill people's hearts! You've just taken over the Lu family. You still need to rely on us old servants. Master, harsh words may be good advice. Please think twice!"
Although the wet nurse's words seemed full of heartfelt pain, Li Ying could already detect a faint threat in them, and she couldn't help but frown even tighter.
Lu Xunguang just stared at her unmoved and coldly said, "Wet nurse, do the right thing."
Then he turned around and left, ignoring the wet nurse who chased after him, crying and scolding him for being a man who forgot righteousness for a woman.
Many people from the nearby shops on the street came out to watch. Maybe because they saw her crying so pitifully with snot and tears running down her face, quite a few people felt pity for her.
Lu Xunguang just pretended not to hear and directly escorted Li Ying back to the mansion. Naturally, Li Ying didn't take this little thing to heart.
After noon, Mrs. Wang from the oil mill sent a visiting card and asked to see her.
As soon as she entered the door, she greeted Li Ying very politely.
"Sister Li, this is the rapeseed oil my husband just pressed this morning. I rushed to bring it for you to try."
Li Ying lifted the lid of the oil jar, and the strong fragrance of peanuts wafted out. It was really good.
Seeing the relaxed look on her face, Mrs. Wang then carefully asked, "Sister Li, the other day we agreed that the restaurant would order rapeseed oil from my shop... Is it still valid?"
Li Ying was slightly taken aback, not knowing why she would ask such a question.
"Sister Li, don't you know? Today, the head of the Lu family took drastic measures and without hesitation terminated the cooperation with many shops. He even dismissed many servants. Everyone in the capital is now speculating that the Ping'an Bank must be up to something big!"
There were already some rumors in the streets saying that this incident was because the silk shop had slandered Li Ying, and the head of the Lu family was furious for his beauty.
Mrs. Wang remembered that although she had no ill intentions, she had indeed participated in this matter. She couldn't help but feel a little panicked, so she rushed here to test Li Ying's attitude.
Li Ying smiled and said, "Sister Wang, just rest assured. The bank is the Lu family's property. Brother Lu is not a narrow - minded and impulsive person. He must have his own reasons. As for the restaurant, it's my business. What we sisters agreed on will surely be valid."
After getting her assurance, the big stone in Mrs. Wang's heart finally fell to the ground. She then praised Lu Xunguang several times, saying that he was truly a rare and affectionate man in the world, and the two of them should get married soon.
Li Ying smiled. After finally seeing off Mrs. Wang, she sent Ruyi out to inquire about the situation at the bank.
"If A Ying wants to know anything, just ask me. Why go through so much trouble?"
Before her words faded, Lu Xunguang pushed open the door and stood in front of her with a rather calm look.
"It's not really a big deal. I'm just a little worried. You've made such a big move and dismissed many servants who have served the Lu family for a long time. The wet nurse was actually right about one thing. People's hearts may change."
Li Ying kindly reminded him, but Lu Xunguang just nodded indifferently.
"After checking the various shops for days, I found that Lian Ji had firmly controlled the household affairs for many years. She had secretly placed many of her people. The servants were all related to each other. Some were familiar with you, and some were in - laws with others. The relationships were extremely complicated."
"When I was cleaning up Lian Ji's direct confidants, I intended to uproot all these messy things. But unfortunately, the problem was too big to handle all at once. Now that the wet nurse is gone, it's like pulling out a radish and bringing up the mud. It just solves my problem that has troubled me for days."
Li Ying understood and nodded. She secretly thought that since Lian Ji had been domineering for so many years, it was no wonder that the old master was willing to sacrifice his good name. Even if he was regarded by the world as a muddle - headed man who betrayed his wife and wrongly killed his son, he still had to help Lu Xunguang clear the obstacles.
Seeing the thoughtful look on her face, Lu Xunguang said seriously, "A Ying, don't worry. I've planned this well. You don't need to pay attention to those rumors in the streets. I've long wanted to clean up these remaining evils. Even if you weren't humiliated by the wet nurse, I would still find a suitable opportunity to take action."
Li Ying was still sighing about the old master's good intentions, but she didn't expect Lu Xunguang to say such words. She was slightly taken aback.
She knew that he had been walking on thin ice since he inherited the bank and took the position of "head of the family".
So, it was reasonable for him to exaggerate the conflict between the wet nurse and her as a breakthrough to get rid of his opponents.
She might just be regarded by the dismissed servants as a malicious woman who blew the pillow - wind, was narrow - minded and ungrateful. But as long as it could solve Lu Xunguang's urgent problem, even if she was used as a shield, she was willing to bear this bad reputation.
"A Ying, I know what you're thinking."
"You're the best and the most unique girl in the world. I don't want the slightest bit of disgrace to fall on you."
Just as he said, most of the dismissed servants had various reasons, but none of them was kicked out because they "offended Li Ying".
He had gone to so much trouble and was so determined not to let her suffer the slightest bit of grievance. Li Ying felt a warm feeling in her heart and softly called out, "Brother Lu."
The two looked into each other's eyes, and their expressions were full of tenderness.
Just as they were talking, A Man's voice suddenly rang out from outside the door.
"Sister, sister!"
She was at the Lu family's music workshop every day, so she knew Lu Xunguang's every move best. She already knew that he had dealt with the wet nurse and those who looked down on Li Ying in a resolute way, and she finally felt a little happier.
A Man didn't expect to meet Lu Xunguang here. Remembering the scolding she gave him the other day, she knew that she had misunderstood his good intentions. She couldn't help but feel a little embarrassed.
Li Ying saw that she didn't know whether to go in or back out. This usually bold and straightforward girl was now standing at the door with a shy look on her face. She couldn't help but burst out laughing.
"A Man, why don't you come in quickly?"
A Man embarrassedly called out "Brother - in - law Lu". Seeing that Lu Xunguang didn't show any unusual expression, she finally felt relieved. She then tilted her head and moved closer to Li Ying.
"Sister, aren't you looking for a tea master? I've thought it over. Since the tea master found by Brother - in - law Lu is at a loss about the Jinhua black tea, why don't we just find the tea master I met on the road to take a look?
"After all, she made this tea. Maybe she can easily make it again?"