Lu Hetian did not want her to get tired for his sake and wanted to refuse at first, but he also longed to be by his daughter’s side for a while more, so he nodded and agreed. “Alright.” He thought for a while and added, “I’ll carry you back up after that.”
Lu Liangwei, “…”
She looked at him in bewilderment. “And then I’ll walk you down again?”
The Dowager Duchess also scolded him laughingly, “Do you want to go to Huaizhou or not?”
Lu Hetian also realized that his suggestion was impractical, so he said to Lu Liangwei, “No need to walk me down. You stay here and keep Grandmother company.”
Lu Liangwei could not help rolling her eyes. “Daddy, you’re underestimating me. Do you think that I’ll collapse just from climbing a mountain? If I stay in the courtyard all the time, I’ll get sick from boredom. It’s getting late, let’s go.”
Lu Hetian stroked her head. “As long as you won’t feel tired.”
When they reached the foot of the mountain, Lu Hetian wanted to leave Wang He behind to protect her, but Lu Liangwei rejected that idea. “No need for that, let Brother He stay with you.” She then pointed behind her and said with a grin, “Having her is enough for me.”
After a glance, Lu Hetian withdrew his gaze.
He had to admit that Long Yang was very considerate.
He had long known that the emperor had a squad of covert guards who were as loyal as soldiers of death and were all highly skilled.
Although this particular covert guard was a woman, Long Yang did not have any incompetent soldiers in his ranks. Lu Hetian was relieved to have this female guard protect Weiwei.
Even so, his dissatisfaction toward Long Yang did not diminish in the least.
If Long Yang refused to do even the bare minimum for Weiwei, then he would seriously need to consider risking being convicted and canceling the marriage.
Lu Liangwei nodded with a sigh. “I know. If you don’t leave now, Dad, you won’t be able to reach Huaizhou before dark.”
Lu Hetian could only mount his horse and leave with his subordinates reluctantly.
Lu Liangwei stood by the roadside and watched the troops depart, then turned and walked up the mountain slowly.
Seeing this, Chu Jiu hurriedly followed.
Zhu Yu immediately stared at her a little defensively, her dislike for the other woman blatant.
Chu Jiu was not affected at all, as if all she could see was Lu Liangwei.
Zhu Yu’s eyes were already sore from staring, and seeing that Chu Jiu was ignoring her, she eventually gave up.
Anyway, she was Miss’s closest confidante and grew up with her. No matter how incredible this Chu Jiu was, she could never take over her place in Miss’s heart.
Lu Liangwei craned her neck and glanced at Chu Jiu, who was following her every step, and said with a sigh, “Jiu, you don’t need to follow so closely.”
Jiu looked at her, then lowered her gaze and replied stubbornly, “Butler Zhao said that you’re going to be Empress in the near future, and you’re the only person that Master wishes to marry. You’re very important to Master, so I was told not to leave your side or let anything happen to you.”
Lu Liangwei was surprised. “Butler Zhao told you that?”
Chu Jiu nodded. “Yes.”
“Then you’ve been deceived. Don’t you know that there are another four consorts in the palace? No, wait, now there are three. I’m not His Majesty’s only one.”
Chu Jiu was stunned for a while before remembering that there were four consorts in the imperial harem. She frowned and said, “But Master didn’t ask for those women himself…” she paused for a while, then continued, “Zhao Qian said that those women are just like palace maids but of a higher rank. They’re simply idlers that His Majesty provides for.”