Wufu had no idea that clues about her origins had already emerged, and Ah Jiu held them in his hands. After re-sketching Lady Gu’s portrait, she returned home, arranged household affairs, informed Madam Zhou, and then wholly devoted herself to the design and carving process.
But as for the Wu Residence, that’s right, despite Wufu’s denial of her so-called birth father, because of Madam Zhou’s insistence, her official name was Wu Fu, but she had always been called Wufu, which was more euphonious and auspicious.
Upon learning that, Wufu reflected for a moment—were her two names overlapping, and that’s why she had traveled to this place?
And so, the plaque hanging on the residence in Huayang County bore the name Wu Residence.
Knowing that Wufu was going to participate in the contest, the servants of the Wu Residence dared not disturb her. They spoke and acted with the utmost gentleness, fearing they might disturb their master.
By October, Huayang County had grown colder, but the Wu Residence was a scene of calm seas and peaceful years.
Apart from focusing on her carving, Wufu had not stepped outdoors. Her earlier plans to train in martial arts at Ah Jiu’s residence were put on hold due to his sudden trip to Yunnan.
Hence, Wufu trained at home, casually coaching Liu Jin. This made Ji Tongzi envious, and he couldn’t help but plead with Wufu to let him join Liu Jin in practice; even if he couldn’t become a master, some Kung Fu was always better than none.
As days passed in tranquility and tension, Wen Congrui’s face turned utterly grim when he received news from home at the County Government Office.
Arriving at the Rear Government Office with a stern face, Lan Shu approached with a smile, offering to unwrap his cloak, but he avoided her touch.
Lan Shu stood in shock, her hand frozen in the air.
Wen Congrui sat down and looked at her coldly.
Lan Shu’s heart skipped a beat, and masking her panic, she asked with a forced smile, "Young Master, why are you looking at me like that?"
"Was it you who sent a message home, saying that I had hired an unknown female craftsman for the contest?" Wen Congrui asked coldly.
Lan Shu froze before forcing a smile under Wen Congrui’s gaze, "This servant simply mentioned it in a letter while sending regards to Old Madam."
"Who gave you the audacity? Who allowed you to take such liberties!" Wen Congrui grabbed a teacup and threw it at her feet.
The teacup shattered, and tea splattered everywhere, soaking Lan Shu’s skirt, but she was too scared to care, dropping to her knees with a thud, "Young Master, please calm your anger, this servant did not dare!"
"You didn’t dare? Then why did you send messages to my family? Or are you a spy for someone, sent specifically to monitor me?" Wen Congrui’s gaze was piercing.
Lan Shu’s face paled, "Young Master, I have been wronged. I am wholeheartedly devoted and loyal to you and have never had the intention to betray you. If I have, may I be struck by lightning."
Her explanation came with a face full of terror and tears streaming down, "Young Master, it was just a slip of the tongue, really."
Wen Congrui snorted coldly, "You know very well whether it was just a slip of the tongue!"
Impatient, Wen Congrui waved his arms, "I do not want disobedient people by my side. Pack your bags and go back to your family. I will have Nan Shan arrange for someone to send you back."
Lan Shu looked up in shock, her face ghostly white. She quickly crawled forward on her knees, clutching his legs and sobbing, "Young Master, I was wrong. Please don’t send me away. I realize my mistake, Young Master!"
If she were sent back this way, she would never have a chance to turn her fortunes around. What future could a discarded and unwanted person have?
No, she could not return; she’d rather die than do so.