Chapter 7: Important People

Lü Song was shocked and asked, "Ge Xi?"

Duan Ge Xi walked up to Lü Song and bowed gracefully, saying, "Yes, uncle, don't tell me you can't even recognize Ge Xi anymore?" There was a hint of stubbornness in Duan Ge Xi's voice, as if she was suppressing some emotions, making her appear more pitiful.

Lü Song's heart skipped a beat. Was this the same arrogant and unreasonable Duan Ge Xi from before?

Although he was puzzled, he didn't stop his actions. He exclaimed excitedly, "Ge Xi, my dear niece, you've suffered."

Constrained by the taboo of avoiding intimacy between men and women, he only lightly patted Duan Ge Xi's shoulder. Duan Ge Xi's eyes were filled with tears as she said, "Uncle, are you here to take me home?"

Lü Song was momentarily speechless. He had come to handle the matter of Indigo's death, and even though she was just a maid of the Duan family, there were still some matters to attend to. Moreover, his sister Lü Yu Shu did not want her to return home. She had instructed him to be discreet, so Lü Song had arrived early. He had even informed Venerable Jing Xian not to startle Duan Ge Xi, fearing that she might also want to return home.

Seeing Lü Song's complex expression, Duan Ge Xi didn't mind. Instead, she glanced at a man beside Lü Song, who was as handsome as a jade, and had an extraordinary demeanor. In the previous life, this man had become the prime minister of Qin Xiu Yi. Now, Xuan Lang was just a scribe and attendant beside Lü Song.

At the moment Duan Ge Xi was willing to bet on Xuan Lang because in the previous life, she knew that Xuan Lang liked to meddle in other people's affairs.

From the moment Duan Ge Xi appeared, Xuan Lang had been observing this legendary woman, who was said to be arrogant and unreasonable. However, Duan Ge Xi did not seem arrogant at all. Was it possible that the rumors were false?

Xuan Lang also noticed Duan Ge Xi's clear and delicate eyes, which made her look like a pitiful girl. This stirred something in his heart.

Suddenly, he remembered the events at the Duan family three years ago. It seemed that Lady Xia Yu's death was related to Duan You Xi. However, Lü Yu Shu had insisted on sending Duan Ge Xi to the temple to recite scriptures for Lady Xia Yu every day.

Duan Ge Xi was standing in for Duan You Xi.

Lü Yu Shu was ruthless to her own daughter. She would rather pamper a concubine's daughter than her own flesh and blood. Lü Yu Shu was truly heartless.

Lü Song remained silent for a long time, seemingly contemplating a reason to keep Duan Ge Xi. However, Xuan Lang, with a slight bow to Duan Ge Xi, said, "We are here to handle the matter of your personal maid, Indigo's death, and also to take Miss Duan back home."

Duan Ge Xi staggered for a moment and almost stumbled. Her eyes were filled with a thin mist as she lowered her voice and hoarsely asked, "Have you found out how my Indigo died?"

Lü Song had been troubled by Xuan Lang's promise to take Duan Ge Xi back home. However, the people of the Lü family had always been considered Duan Ge Xi's "maternal family," and they couldn't be too obvious in their actions. Now it seemed that taking Duan Ge Xi back home was already a foregone conclusion.

However, Lü Yu Shu was now Duan Ge Xi's "biological mother" and naturally had a way to completely ruin Duan Ge Xi.

After thinking it over, Lü Song felt a little relieved.

So, he spoke in a superior tone to Xuan Lang, "You are truly meddlesome. Just focus on recording the case. I will naturally take my niece back home. Do I need you to play the good guy?"

Then, Lü Song expressed concern for Duan Ge Xi, saying, "Your maid was attacked by a wild animal and bled to death."

Duan Ge Xi's originally pale face looked like she had been grieving for a long time.

At this moment, she wiped away her tears and, with a voice that sounded like she had been crying, said to Lü Song, "Uncle, my favorite maid has died. I am truly heartbroken, but I am currently weak. I will need a maid to take care of me on the way home. How about helping me choose a maid from this temple?"

This reason seemed reasonable, so Lü Song nodded.

Venerable Jing Xian hesitated. She had wanted to refuse Duan Ge Xi's request, but since the adults had agreed, and Lü Yu Shu's brother was present, she had no say in the matter.

Suppressing her emotions, she calmly said to Duan Ge Xi, "Miss Duan, Xiangzhuo is excellent and very attentive. If she accompanies you, she will surely take good care of you."

Following Venerable Jing Xian's gaze, Duan Ge Xi saw a very charming woman. Even though she was dressed plainly, without any adornments, Xiangzhuo still exuded an enchanting aura.

Duan Ge Xi was familiar with Xiangzhuo. She was the most alluring woman in the entire White Egret Temple. She had a well-developed figure, and her hips swayed as she walked, captivating any man. Moreover, Xiangzhuo was Venerable Jing Xian's niece.

It was evident that Venerable Jing Xian had ambitious plans.

Duan Ge Xi suddenly protested, "I don't want Xiangzhuo. She's even more beautiful than me. I, Duan Ge Xi, dare not have a maid who is more attractive than me."

Duan Ge Xi deliberately sounded jealous, which to everyone else seemed like the behavior of a playful young girl.

Reverend Jingxian couldn't help but wish to crush Duange Xi in her heart, but she maintained her composure and said, "Miss is joking about a servant girl. How could it overshadow Miss's presence."

Duange Xi persisted, saying, "I just feel that if I grow up as beautiful as in the temple, and then go to the capital where the environment is even more nurturing, I could develop a temperament like Miss. Wouldn't it be a loss for me if I don't go out?"

Duange Xi was clearly in a bad mood.

Reverend Jingxian, maintaining her dignified appearance, pretending to be compassionate like a Bodhisattva, was in a difficult situation at this moment. She dared not get angry, speak loudly, or do anything to Duange Xi.

In the end, Reverend Jingxian remained silent and sighed as if Duange Xi was so mischievous and bullying a nun.

Duange Xi didn't care about any of this. She pulled on Lü Song's sleeve and pleaded, "Uncle, I want that maid."

Duange Xi pointed at Alu.

Lü Song instinctively asked, "What do you want her for?"

Reverend Jingxian's gaze was cold and sharp as she looked at Alu. Could it be that Duange Xi and Alu had reached some kind of agreement behind her back? This was infuriating.

Duange Xi caught the subtle look from Reverend Jingxian and showed a hint of satisfaction to Lü Song, saying, "Alu's appearance is just average, neither ugly nor beautiful. She won't embarrass me, nor will she steal my limelight."