Chapter 101 Admiration for Lu Ji
Early the next morning, Lu Ji was dragged by Gu Jianshen to go horse racing.

After all, she was a guest in someone else's home, so Qin Xiaoning didn't stay up too late. She got up early and had just finished washing and getting ready when Zhang came to find her.

When Zhang saw Qin Xiaoning, a hint of embarrassment unconsciously appeared on her face.

Knowing that she was embarrassed about what happened at the banquet yesterday, Qin Xiaoning greeted Zhang first: "Morning, Madam Gu."

His tone was gentle and his attitude was natural, as if he didn't care at all about the bad things that happened to their family at the banquet yesterday.

Zhang's expression also relaxed: "Miss Qin, you are tired from the journey, didn't you get some sleep?"

Qin Xiaoning smiled and replied, "I slept well last night and woke up naturally early in the morning."

Qin Xiaoning is so outstanding that when she stands in front of people, people can't help but look at her more.

While Zhang was talking to her, she looked at her calmly. The little woman was wearing a moon-white double-breasted brocade dress, a red skirt with peony patterns, and a Xiangfei-colored jacket. All of the clothes were made of the best fabrics. Although she only had a jade hairpin in her hair, Zhang, who knew the value of things, could tell at a glance that the jade was of excellent quality and was worth a fortune.

Just by looking at her outfit, you can tell how much the Lu family's young master dotes on her.

As she watched, Zhang couldn't help but think of her husband's love for Sun Mengli, and her heart was filled with mixed feelings.

Although she was unhappy, Zhang still had to save face and maintained the demeanor of a former mistress: "There are many flowers and plants planted in this yard, and there are many mosquitoes. Did the maids forget to burn incense last night?"

Qin Xiaoning politely said that the people below took good care of her, and thanked Zhang: "I am really sorry to cause trouble to you, Madam."

"Miss Qin, you're welcome." Zhang said, "Our Lord and General Lu have a close relationship. I treat you like a family member."

Then he said warmly, "Breakfast has been prepared in the front hall. I will accompany Miss Qin there."

Qin Xiaoning smiled and said yes, then followed Zhang out of the house.

Lu Ji and Gu Jianshen had not returned yet. In the front hall, only Gu Jianshen's sister Gu Dong'er was there. Seeing Zhang and Qin Xiaoning coming over, Gu Dong'er looked at Qin Xiaoning with jealousy in her eyes and muttered, "Miss Qin is such a beauty."

Zhang smiled and said, "The one who is favored by the Lu family's young master is naturally one in a million."

Qin Xiaoning smiled faintly: "Thank you Madam and Miss Gu for your praise."

Gu Dong'er glanced at the skirt Qin Xiaoning was wearing, frowned, and said to herself, "Is this the rule in the capital? How can a concubine wear red?"

This is quite rude and a blatant provocation.

Upon hearing this, Zhang immediately scolded, "Dong'er, how can you be so rude!"

Qin Xiaoning had long seen through Miss Gu's thoughts.

It’s just that I’m attracted to Lu Ji.

He targeted her because of jealousy.

There are too many girls who like Lu Ji. When she was in the mansion before, she just followed the principle of being low-key and ignored them. Now that she is outside and doesn't have to worry about the rules, she will not indulge these girls who are rushing to throw themselves at Lu Ji.

Qin Xiaoning was not annoyed after hearing what Gu Dong'er said. Her face was still gentle as she spoke softly, "The material of this dress was specially selected for me by General Lu. I can't refuse your kindness."

It's just that he has a crush on Lu Ji and is jealous of her, but she just uses Lu Ji's favor to annoy her.

Gu Dong'er was nowhere near as cunning as Qin Xiaoning. Seeing her deliberately provoking her with words, she was so angry that her nose was crooked. She snorted and said, "It's just a piece of clothing material. What's there to brag about?" Zhang knew what her sister-in-law was thinking. She was afraid that she would make a fool of herself, so she hurried forward and pulled her: "Dong'er, if you are rude again in front of the distinguished guests, I will tell your brother."

"My brother dotes on me the most. He will get me whatever I want." Zhang rolled her eyes and said, "Even if you tell my brother, can he still punish me?"

After saying that, she left everyone behind and walked out of the house angrily. Just as she walked to the corridor, she saw Lu Ji and Gu Jianshen coming back. A smile immediately appeared on Gu Dong'er's face, and she ran down the stairs to greet them, lifting her skirt.

"Brother Lu." She called Lu Ji affectionately.

Lu Ji was talking to Gu Jianshen. He looked up and saw a half-grown girl running towards him. His face froze and he looked at his friend beside him: "Is this your sister?"

Gu Jianshen smiled and said, "It's Dong'er."

As he spoke, he raised his hand and tugged at his sister's pigtails, his eyes full of love: "When you went to the northwest, you saw my sister. She was less than ten years old at that time. Look, she has grown into a big girl now."

Lu Ji greeted, "I really don't dare to recognize you."

Gu Dong'er looked at Lu Ji with a bright gaze: "Brother Lu doesn't recognize me, but I remember you. When you and brother were in the northwest, you often came to my house to drink."

Lu Ji nodded perfunctorily. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Qin Xiaoning walk out of the house and stand in the corridor. She said calmly, "Mrs. Gu has prepared breakfast. Come in and enjoy it."

When he saw Qin Xiaoning, Lu Ji's eyes were unconsciously filled with tenderness. He walked up the stairs in quick steps, subconsciously raised his hand to touch her sleeve and walked into the house.

Seeing this, Gu Dong'er became so angry that her face darkened.

Their father passed away when the younger sister was born. The saying that an elder brother is like a father is vividly reflected in Gu Jianshen and his sister. Gu Jianshen has always doted on his younger sister, but as a grown man, he did not know what his sister was thinking and just thought she was being willful again.

"Don't mess around so early in the morning. Come in and have dinner." As he said that, Gu Jianshen pulled his sister into the house.

Everyone sat down, and in front of Lu Ji and Qin Xiaoning, Zhang treated them warmly and attentively in order to make up for the face she lost at yesterday's banquet.

Seeing this, Gu Jianshen also smiled at his wife: "I will go to patrol the city with Brother Lu in a while, you and Dong'er take Miss Qin out for a walk."

Before Zhang could reply, Gu Dong'er interrupted and said, "I want to go with my brother and Brother Lu, too."

Lu Ji was ordered by the emperor to go on a southern tour this time, mainly to inspect the defense and military situation of the southern cities. Gu Jianshen saw his sister making a fuss and said with a stern face, "What are you going for? Your brother Lu and I are going on official business."

"It's just a city tour. It's not like I haven't been there with my brother before." Gu Dong'er said, looking aggrieved and about to cry: "Brother, just let me go with you."

Gu Jianshen had always been spoiled by his sister, and he was a little tempted when he heard this, but he was still concerned about Lu Ji, so he said sternly: "Don't be silly."

Gu Dong'er, the spoiled girl, actually started crying in public after being treated like that by her brother.

Zhang hurriedly tried to comfort them, and then looked at Gu Jianshen and Lu Ji in embarrassment: "Why don't you patrol the city in front and let Dong'er follow from a distance. She can also ride a horse."

Gu Jianshen frowned and looked at Lu Ji.

It was not a big deal. Seeing this, Lu Ji said calmly, "Then let her go."

Gu Dong'er stopped crying immediately after hearing this, and said to Lu Ji with a smile: "Thank you, Brother Lu."

Qin Xiaoning glanced at Gu Dong'er, then looked at Lu Ji, and said, "I want to go too."

(End of this chapter)