"Your Ladyship, you flatter me. This was my duty, and I wouldn't dare claim credit for it. Besides, I wasn't the only one who worked hard all these years. How could I take all the credit?" He put some strength into his arms, but the young man's knees seemed rooted to the ground and wouldn't budge.
What gave him the biggest headache was that Madam Miao was following suit and trying to kneel.
He had to push his reaction speed to the limit to stop her.
Luan Xin's voice rose despite himself, his earlier warmth gone. "Your Ladyship is trying to shorten my life!"
Luan Xin's first thought was that Madam Miao's family had run into a huge problem, one serious enough to get them all killed. That had to be why she'd come to him. He couldn't think of another possibility. His former lord's wife had been proud and haughty, had thought highly of her status, and had strictly observed the distinction between superior and inferior. She'd kept her distance from Qiu Cheng's subordinates, and her every word and deed had carried a hint of condescension. Even with the few confidants Qiu Cheng relied on, she'd only been a little more cordial; deep down, she'd regarded every official under her husband as a household retainer.
Luan Xin had no grudge against her, but he'd never wanted to get involved with her either.
With Miao Shu between them, their relationship was all the more delicate.
Someone like her, kneeling before him of her own accord after more than ten years?
Luan Xin decided to lay it all out. He softened his voice. "If Your Ladyship is in trouble, just tell me. There's no need to humble yourself like this."
Madam Miao took Luan Xin by the wrist and used his