Chapter 48: Chapter 48: Hua An

It’s true what they say: push someone hard enough, and they’ll do things they never thought possible.

Lu Huan had actually managed to make scrambled eggs with tomatoes, far exceeding anyone’s expectations.

Although they were a bit burnt, she had made them nonetheless, which moved her to no end!

’So what if Lu Xiao won’t feed me? I still managed to make it myself, didn’t I?’

’Cooking doesn’t seem as hard as I thought!’

By the time Lu Huan came out carrying her burnt scrambled eggs and tomatoes, Lu Xiao had already eaten. Ares was clearing the table, and when they saw her emerge, neither of them seemed inclined to say anything.

She had thought Lu Xiao might praise her for actually cooking, but she got nothing.

A sour feeling welled up inside Lu Huan, but she didn’t know how to vent it. After sitting down, she could only ask, “When exactly are you going to help me deal with that matter?”

“I’ll handle it when the time is right. Stop asking,” Lu Xiao said, getting up. “Ares, are there any peaches in the fridge? Please wash one for me, thank you.”

“Easy for you to say. You’re still making Ares do things for you!” Lu Huan muttered under her breath, pouting.

Lu Xiao turned her head to look at her. “What did you say?”

Lu Huan quickly shook her head, an innocent look on her face. “Nothing!”

Lu Xiao gave a cool smile. “Remember to call him brother-in-law.”

Lu Huan: “…”

’You heard me, but you still had to ask. Is it fun to mess with me?’

Although she had just taken a nap, Lu Xiao still felt a sense of fatigue and didn’t feel like moving much. She curled up on the sofa and nibbled on a peach. Ares brought over a glass of water and placed it in front of her.

“Still not feeling well?”

Lu Xiao shook her head. “I’m actually much better, just still a little exhausted. But don’t you have to work today?”

“I’m off today.” With Lu Xiao in this state, there was no way he could go to work with peace of mind.

“Then let’s go see Earl Hua An later.” Dragging out Lu Huan’s issue any longer wouldn’t be good. It would be better to deal with it sooner and get some peace of mind.

After all, she didn’t have that much time to spend solely on handling Lu Huan’s problems.

Ares was slightly taken aback. “Today? Don’t you need to rest more?”

“I can’t sleep now anyway, so we might as well get this done.” As Lu Xiao spoke, she was already getting up. “Go get ready and bring the gift. I’m going to change. We’ll leave as soon as I come down.”

Seeing that Lu Xiao had made up her mind, Ares, despite feeling she should rest more, knew that once the little female decided something, she rarely changed her mind. He nodded. “Alright.”

Lu Huan had been keeping an eye on their movements. Seeing that they were about to go out, she immediately piped up, “Where are you going? Can you take me with you?”

She hadn’t been out of the house in days.

Lu Xiao shot her a glance. “No. If you want to go out, go out by yourself. No one is stopping you.”

Lu Huan was immediately deflated. She wanted to go out, but she knew very well that if she really walked out that door, it wouldn’t be easy to come back.

Besides, Lu Xiao hadn’t solved her problem yet. If she just left, what if Lu Xiao decided to wash her hands of her?

With that thought, Lu Huan turned around and said, “I’ll go clean up the kitchen.”

Lu Xiao paid her no more mind. As long as Lu Huan didn’t cause trouble, she couldn’t be bothered with her.

*

The main gate of Earl Hua An Mansion looked similar to that of Count Ge Wei’s Mansion. They were both residences bestowed by the Empire, though their architectural styles were different.

After they rang the doorbell and announced themselves, the old butler of Earl Hua An Mansion didn’t let them in immediately. Instead, he said he had to go inform Earl Hua An.

And so, they were left waiting for over ten minutes before being allowed inside.

Lu Xiao knew very well that this was Earl Hua An’s way of putting them in their place.

But Ares couldn’t bear to see the little female being treated this way. “Why don’t we just leave? We can come back another day.”

In fact, a selfish part of him even hoped Lu Xiao would stop meddling in Lu Huan’s affairs.

But he knew very well that he couldn’t interfere with what Lu Xiao was determined to do.

“It’s fine. Since we’re already here, we can wait.” Lu Xiao smiled, not looking the least bit concerned. ’In any case, I’ll make Lu Huan pay for whatever cold treatment I receive here today.’

Over ten minutes later, the large doors in front of them opened. The old butler smiled apologetically. “My sincerest apologies. Earl Hua An was resting just now, and it was inconvenient to disturb her. The Earl invites you both inside now.”

“It’s no trouble. Besides, the scenery here at Earl Hua An Mansion is quite nice. I haven’t had the free time to get out for some fresh air in a long time, so this was perfect.” Lu Xiao wore a smile that looked as natural as could be, showing no sign of anger at their rudeness.

The old butler walking beside her couldn’t help but steal a glance at her.

In truth, he hadn’t expected her to wait so patiently. It made him feel a certain admiration for the young female’s composure.

Upon entering the main hall, Lu Xiao immediately spotted the ornately dressed Earl Hua An. It was impossible not to recognize her at a glance. The Earl’s clothing was a riot of color, covered in large red and green peonies. That, combined with her portly figure, made for a conspicuous sight that was difficult to ignore.

“You’re Lu Ge Wei’s eldest daughter?” Earl Hua An spoke before Lu Xiao had even drawn near. Due to her extreme obesity, the Earl’s eyes were very small, making it seem as if she were peering at people through narrow slits.

“Yes. My name is Lu Xiao. I’ve come today to apologize on behalf of my foolish younger sister.” As she spoke, she placed the item she was holding on the table. “I hope you won’t take offense. Lu Huan has been spoiled rotten and isn’t very sensible. After what she’s done, we will discipline her more strictly in the future and ensure she doesn’t come to harass the males of your household again.”

“You certainly have a way with words. No wonder your mother sent you instead of coming herself. My son, Noah, is around the same age as your sister. Since your sister promised to marry him, why not just have her fulfill that promise?”

Lu Xiao hadn’t expected Earl Hua An to actually entertain this idea. She had assumed the Earl would be vehemently opposed to it.

The words took Lu Xiao completely by surprise.

“A happy union would naturally be a good thing, but it must depend on the wishes of both parties. If they are forced together, they will only be miserable if their life together doesn’t work out. Lu Huan is my sister, but I have to be fair and say she is not a good match. The males of the Earl Hua An Mansion deserve better.”

Hearing this, Earl Hua An sneered. “After all that, you’re just saying no. So, has Earl Lu Ge Wei said how she plans to compensate us? Don’t tell me she just sent you here to fool us with empty words.”

Lu Xiao thought to herself, ’Just as I expected.’ Earl Hua An was not one to take a loss.

“Whatever Earl Hua An desires, please speak freely. As long as it is within my family’s power, my mother will agree to it.” ’As for whether Lu Ge Wei can actually do it, what does that have to do with me? Did she really think she could just dump this on me and wash her hands of it?’

“Can you really make decisions on your mother’s behalf?” Lu Xiao’s words seemed to surprise Earl Hua An. But before the Earl could continue, the butler’s voice suddenly came from outside. “Noah, you can’t go in! Your mother is with a guest! You…”

Before the butler could finish, a young male ran into the room. His face was pale, as if he had just recovered from a serious illness.

After running in, he first glanced at Earl Hua An, then his gaze fell upon Lu Xiao. “Why isn’t Lu Huan here?”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep