His words didn't quite register in Q'ling's mind, but he kept the warm smile on his face, anyway.
What?
Daughter in-law?
Huh??!
"Come, come here, child". He gestured her and her feet began to move hesitantly. "Have a seat, please".
"You must be exhausted after going through all of that mess". He continued, making her even more uncomfortable.
"N-not really".
Carefully, she pressed herself on the cushion opposite him, seating completely still, not daring to move as her thoughts ran wild.
I-I'm m-married?
To whom?
W-when?
The man who sat across from her could see panic in her eyes. Her thoughts were an open book. She was cluelessly unable to hide them well.
His eyes remained on her while he gently picked up the tea cup, placed it on his lips taking a sip, before gently placing it back on the cupholder.
"Q'ling," He called her name and she flinched slightly in surprise. Only her father called her like that. "Child, do you know why you're here?"
His question was very obvious, she was there because her father sold her off to his family. But somehow, Q'ling knew that the answer he wanted wasn't the one she was going to give so she remained silent and slowly shook her head.
"Don't lie, child, it's okay, don't be frightened". He spoke gently even though his voice was quite deep. "I know you must've taken a hint the moment I addressed you by that title.".
Q'ling froze.
She had only just met him but there was something about him and about this meeting that didn't quite sit well with her.
"Go on," He urged her. "Tell me". He persisted, causing her to part her lips... Her blood running cold as she muttered silently with a trembling voice.
"I'm here because I have been married off to a member of your family".
She aired out the deepest, most confusing thought she had harboured just a few minutes ago and surprisingly,
"That is correct". He confirmed her words with a smile on his face, sending series of chills down Q'ling's spine.
Who the hell was this man and why was he carrying such scary Aura even without doing anything?
"My name is Lu Jiangsu, your father in-law... Legally. And from now onwards, we are family. You are only permitted to call me father".
He stated simply, as though reading her thoughts, answering her questions and startling the already trembling Q'ling.
She had barely taken the first blow of her father selling her off and had already prepared her mind to serve in her new family, only to be smacked on the face with the actual surprise.
Hehe... Nice one, Gao Fanshao.
Not only did he deprive her of the right to freedom and education, he also deprived her of the right to choose a life partner of her choice. So basically, he had taken the ownership of her life, ridiculed and used her to his heart's content then sold her off to another man simply because she was unfortunate enough to be his seed.
Lu Jiangsu kept the smile on his face as he watched the young girl before him.
Effortlessly, he reached for the button by the side of his table and pressed on it. In no time, the housekeeper strolled through the large doors and bowed, not daring to move her head.
"This is the housekeeper, Feng Peng, she would be taking you to your quaters". Lu Jiangsu said simply, turning his eyes to Peng.
"Housekeeper Peng, do you mind taking the new member of the family to her quarters?"
He requested and the housekeeper responded politely. "Yes, general".
Q'ling sat speechless to his dismissal.
That was it?
He hadn't even said anything about the supposed "husband" she was married to. Shouldn't she be meeting him?
Maybe an introduction?
"Make sure to prepare her for dinner, she will be introduced to the entire family tonight". He added, dismissing them.
Q'ling stood up then, unable to protest.
And with a little gesture of her hand, the housekeeper directed Q'ling towards the doors until they were closed shut behind her.
"Come, it's a few hours before dinner already, let's get you ready". Peng said simply leading her away.
~~~~
It took a lot of hallways and an elevator trip before they got to the large doors of a secluded room very far from the other rooms in the mansion.
There was something odd about it and something off with the housekeeper's behavior as she pushed open the doors reluctantly, her eyes widening.
Q'ling's every thought was wiped away the moment she stepped into the flamboyantly large space.
Talk about elegance and sophistication, because this room was designed as though it was reserved for royalty.
From the chandelier hanging like mystical crystals, to the mirror-like floors glistening like the break of day to the beige color walls, the room was perfectly designed to suit a luxurious taste.
Not to talk of the large king-size bed covered with soft silky mattress and filled with several plush pillows, made to give nothing but comfort.
Q'ling stood mesmerized.
Was this room prepared just for her or had the housekeeper mistakingly taken her to the general's quarters?
Was this a prank?
Before she could say a word, the housekeeper's voice silenced her.
"This is your matrimonial bedroom...". Peng added, allowing her eyes to trail around the room as though she had never been in there before.
"And the bathroom should be around..." She trailed off, collectively confused on which room the bathroom was as she remained silent for a while.
And after a long silence, she croaked her throat, covering up her mistake?
"... Ahem, anyway, you should change your clothes while I run you a bath".
Peng added, opening several doors in the room before finally opening the bathroom door and strolling in with wide eyes and a gasp.
What was that expression? Q'ling thought.
Everyone she had met in the household seemed weird in some kind of way. Well, everyone except the butler who didn't have much to say except when he gave directions and was passing an order.
Q'ling let out a long sigh, allowing her eyes to follow the light on the glistening floor to her reflection.
It had been a long day for her indeed.
But that wasn't the least of her concerns. The only thought that came to her mind was the fact that she hadn't been formally introduced to her spouse.
Who is he and what is he like?
Still in her thoughts Peng called out from the bathroom. "Your bath is ready miss, Q'ling".