Chapter 121: Cheng Yunshuo Takes a Female Apprentice
Wang Qiluo's wedding date was officially set for the seventh day after the appointment of officials.
Lu Lingyun had been busy for several days, making thorough arrangements inside and out, up and down.
On the seventh day, Liu Shuhui arrived right on time to marry Wang Qiluo.
Interestingly, this day also marked Luo Heng's wedding.
Lu Lingyun found out about this while preparing for Wang Qiluo's wedding, when Madam Jiang personally came to deliver the invitation.
The Luo family had been arranging marriages within the Imperial City, but with his tarnished reputation, the circle, neither too small nor too big, had no families willing to marry their daughters into the Luo family.
In the end, Luo Heng married a distant cousin.
When Madam Jiang received the Luo family's invitation, she politely declined with a smile, saying that her daughter was also marrying on the same day and they really couldn't attend.
Upon hearing this, Madam Jiang, who had delivered the invitation, quickly asked who Wang Qiluo was marrying.
When Madam Jiang replied that it was the newly crowned top scholar Liu Shuhui, Madam Jiang's expression visibly became difficult to describe.
The two exchanged a few more pleasantries before Madam Jiang, using busyness as an excuse, hurriedly left the Wang family.
Lu Lingyun had observed Madam Jiang's changing expression the whole time.
She couldn't help but feel amused inside.
Probably, Madam Jiang had been thinking that if Wang Qiluo didn't marry her son, she wouldn't be able to marry anyone good.
After all, the Wang family was a military family, and few from the civil official circles were willing to marry into such a family. While there were military families willing to form alliances, none could compare to their family.
Unexpectedly, Wang Qiluo directly married the highly sought-after and promising top scholar.
This made Madam Jiang feel like she had swallowed something unpleasant, unable to sit still or say much, and she quickly left.
The day before the wedding, Lu Lingyun told Wang Qiluo many things about managing the household and being a proper mistress, passing on a bunch of her own experiences.
Wang Qiluo listened, stunned.
Seeing this, Lu Lingyun knew that just talking was not enough.
"In the future, if you actually encounter any issues, come find me."
After hearing this, Wang Qiluo said, "Okay!"
After the serious talk, Wang Qiluo chattered with her about a bunch of unserious topics, and Lu Lingyun spent the night at her place.
She stayed up half the night talking with her, and before she could even close her eyes, the hairdressers came in.
Lu Lingyun took a short break to sleep, telling Wang Qiluo to handle things herself. By dawn, she joined Madam Jiang and others to see off the bride.
Wang Qiluo's younger brother carried her out, and at the door, Wang Qiluo tightly held onto Lu Lingyun's hand, unable to let go.
Looking at Wang Qiluo in her wedding dress, Lu Lingyun patted her hand and said, "Remember what I said yesterday. Life is lived by you. Don't be afraid of anything. If you encounter problems, solve them. If you can't, come to me."
The red-eyed Wang Qiluo in her wedding dress slowly let go of her hand.
Lu Lingyun then looked at Liu Shuhui beside her and said, "I have only this one sister. If you mistreat her, I will hold you accountable."
Liu Shuhui, riding a horse, rarely teased her, saying, "How dare I bully your sister."
Lu Lingyun: "..."
Lu Lingyun was busy all day, first having a banquet at the general's mansion, then following everyone to the villa to fuss around until late at night before returning to the marquis's mansion.
Being a proper mistress was not easy. The high-ranking ladies had to be busy with their inner quarters and also busy with the marriages, funerals, and other events of close relatives and friends.
Fortunately, the biggest event recently had been completed.
Lu Lingyun rested the whole day and regained her energy. The next day, she sat in a rocking chair, lazily playing with Bingan, when she suddenly remembered something.
"Has the Crown Prince been away from home for several days?"
"Yes, young mistress, the Crown Prince has not returned for five days."
"That long?"
Lu Lingyun had been busy with Wang Qiluo's wedding preparations and hadn't had time to attend to her own household. Cheng Yunshuo had not been home for so many days.
"Send someone to ask, will the Crown Prince return home today?"
"Yes."
In the afternoon, the servant returned from the Prefectural Commandant Manor and said that Cheng Yunshuo would be coming home today.
Upon hearing that Cheng Yunshuo was returning, Lu Lingyun felt relieved. She wasn't actually concerned about whether Cheng Yunshuo would come to her courtyard, but as the official wife and mistress of the household, she had to be concerned about the whereabouts of the men in the family.
She still needed to ensure he came home regularly.
"However, young mistress, the Crown Prince also asked me to inform you that he will be bringing an apprentice home to stay tonight and requests that you prepare a room."
"An apprentice?"
"It's a young lady, the daughter of a colleague of the Crown Prince. It is said that she loves dressing as a man and admires being an Imperial Guard the most, so she asked the Crown Prince to be her master, and he agreed."
Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun raised an eyebrow.
At this moment, in the Yuerong Pavilion.
"Miss Xing, I have good news for you."
Qiukui said, standing in front of Xing Dairong.
"What is it?"
"Crown Prince Yunshuo will be back tonight."
Upon hearing this, Xing Dairong's dull eyes lit up. She immediately walked to the door, guarding the direction from which Cheng Yunshuo would come back.
Seeing this, Qiukui didn't know what to say for a moment.
She just wanted to make Xing Dairong a little happier. Earlier, while she was walking outside, she had bumped into people close to the young mistress and learned from them that Cheng Yunshuo would be back tonight.
Ever since that day, Xing Dairong had been depressed and sometimes even cried and laughed, looking like she was about to go mad.
The doctor had come to take her pulse and simply said that Xing Dairong needed to be happier.
She thought that Cheng Yunshuo's return might cheer her up.
That night, Cheng Yunshuo did return.
At the same time, he brought along a young girl dressed in men's clothing.
"Master, your home is so big!"
"Your brother's place isn't small either."
"But it can't compare to the Marquis's mansion! This is the biggest house I've ever seen! It's like a palace!"
Hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo smiled, "Nonsense, our Marquis's mansion can't compare to a palace."
"I don't care, in my eyes, this is a palace! Master, you are amazing!" The little girl was incredibly lively and cute, saying it in a charming and adorable manner.
"Don't say such things outside! If outsiders hear, it could cost you your head." Cheng Yunshuo warned.
The little girl immediately realized she had spoken out of turn and quickly covered her mouth, "I won't dare again!"
With only her extremely lively eyes visible, she looked like a cute little cat the moment she covered her mouth. Cheng Yunshuo, seeing her like this, paused for a moment and stood still.
"Master, what are you looking at?" The little girl stretched out her hand and waved it in front of Cheng Yunshuo. Seeing that he didn't respond, she stretched out her tender hand and patted him on the forehead with a "smack."
Cheng Yunshuo came to his senses, "Men and women should not touch each other casually. Don't do that."
The little girl pouted, "Master, don't treat me like a girl! I'm not just any girl! I don't care about those tedious formalities!"
She spoke boldly and unrestrainedly, raising her pink fist, looking like a little tough guy. Seeing her like this, Cheng Yunshuo was momentarily startled and then a big smile spread across his face, "You're right."
At that moment, he noticed a cold gaze.
Chapter 122: Lost in the Midst of It All
When Lu Lingyun heard that Xing Dairong was quarreling with someone again in the back courtyard, Cheng Yunshuo had already left with his men.
She hurried to the back courtyard and found Xing Dairong crying uncontrollably, unable to catch her breath.
"What is it again!"
Lu Lingyun strode up to her, feeling a surge of anger at the sight.
"He... he has found another woman," Xing Dairong sobbed.
Lu Lingyun: "...Hasn't he found many before?"
"This time is different; Cheng Yunshuo feels differently about her."
Xing Dairong could sense that Cheng Yunshuo's feelings for this girl were unlike his feelings for Huang Yue and Ling Long.
Huang Yue and Ling Long were just there to annoy her, but this girl, she could tell, Cheng Yunshuo was smitten.
Lu Lingyun didn't know what to say, seeing her cry nonstop, she sighed, "Go back to your room. I'll handle this."
Hearing this, Xing Dairong seemed to grasp onto a lifeline, her hope suddenly revived, "Young Mistress, you must bring him back!"
Lu Lingyun: "..."
He was driven away by her, what's the point of bringing him back!
The next day, Lu Lingyun went to the Prefectural Commandant Manor herself. One, to find Cheng Yunshuo, and two, out of curiosity about the woman who made Xing Dairong feel so threatened.
She met Cheng Yunshuo.
Not having seen him for a few days, he looked more composed.
She had come with Bing'an in her arms, and when Cheng Yunshuo saw Lu Lingyun and little Bing'an, a smile appeared on his face.
Lu Lingyun didn't mention anything else, only asking how he had been these past few days.
"Not bad."
"Have you been staying at a colleague's house these past few days?"
"Yes."
"Then I should go visit them and thank them," Lu Lingyun said with a smile, holding the child.
Hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo shook his head, "It's not convenient."
"Why?"
"They don't have any women in the house," Cheng Yunshuo replied directly.
Lu Lingyun was slightly taken aback, and Cheng Yunshuo continued, "Du Song's mother passed away years ago, and his father passed away last year. Now it's just the two brothers, both unmarried."
Cheng Yunshuo didn't just stay at any colleague's house.
He chose their house knowing it was just the two brothers.
The Du brothers both served in the Imperial Guards, had a good relationship with him, and it was convenient for him to stay over.
"But I heard they have a sister?"
At the mention of their sister, Cheng Yunshuo's eyes lit up a little, he chuckled, "She's a tomboy."
Lu Lingyun gave a meaningful smile, "How can you speak that way about an unmarried girl?"
"If you met A'Ruo, you'd understand," Cheng Yunshuo said, "She had been living with her aunt, but when her aunt fell ill some time ago, she moved back to her brothers' house."
"Her brothers were worried that, without a mother or sister-in-law to keep an eye on her, it wouldn't be proper for her to live with them all the time. So yesterday, I planned to bring her to stay at the marquis's residence. I wanted you to arrange a courtyard for her, so she could stay with us temporarily, making things more convenient for her."
"So that's why," Lu Lingyun realized.
So he wanted to bring a female disciple back to stay; she had been wondering why Cheng Yunshuo had been so bold.
Bringing back a courtesan was one thing, but bringing back an unmarried official's daughter was too daring.
"I'll take care of it then, and send someone to bring Miss Du back."
"No need," Cheng Yunshuo coldly refused.
Lu Lingyun understood the situation just by looking at his expression.
It must have been because of the argument with Xing Dairong yesterday.
He had wanted to bring someone back to stay but was misunderstood by Xing Dairong as bringing another woman home, so it didn't work out.
Lu Lingyun handed the child to Cheng Yunshuo, letting him hold the child for a while before she slowly said, "Aunt Xing is about to give birth. The doctor said she has been in a bad mood."
Cheng Yunshuo snorted, "She's in a bad mood, but so am I."
Every day, she either suspects him of being with this one or that one.
In her eyes, he's a complete and utter playboy.
But until now, he had never loved any woman other than Xing Dairong.
Huang Yue, Ling Long, he didn't like them at all.
All of this was forced upon him by Xing Dairong, making him demean himself by bringing her back.
Xing Dairong's daily self-pity, doesn't he suffer even a bit!
He just wanted to live peacefully with her. Every promise he made to her came from the heart and was sincerely acted upon, but when it came out of her mouth, it became nothing.
She said he trampled on her sincerity, but isn't she the one who's trampling his heart into the mud!
Lu Lingyun observed Cheng Yunshuo's complex expression and had already guessed most of his inner conflicts. She had never been wrong about Cheng Yunshuo's character.
Cheng Yunshuo had always been a very dedicated and responsible man. He wasn't fickle or obsessed with beauty.
But, as the saying goes, the onlooker sees more clearly. Xing Dairong couldn't see it.
"Crown Prince, you should still come home often. It's not convenient to stay at someone else's house all the time, right?"
Lu Lingyun said.
After listening to her, Cheng Yunshuo pondered for a moment, "Hmm, I understand."
Lu Lingyun chatted with him about many other things, which lightened Cheng Yunshuo's mood considerably, and he shared many amusing stories from work.
Lu Lingyun listened carefully and, before leaving, suggested throwing a banquet at home for Cheng Yunshuo in a few days, inviting his colleagues to thank the two Du brothers who had let him stay temporarily. Cheng Yunshuo readily agreed.
"Alright, let's do that."
After their chat, Lu Lingyun left the Prefectural Commandant Manor, still holding her child.
Until the end of her visit, she didn't see the young Miss Du.
However, on that day, Cheng Yunshuo returned to the manor again.
This time, he came back alone.
When Lu Lingyun returned, she had given Xing Dairong a thorough talk, warning her not to cause any more trouble. Otherwise, if she angered him away again, she wouldn't bother to ask him back.
Xing Dairong didn't make a scene with Cheng Yunshuo that day. She just watched him that evening, and when Cheng Yunshuo ignored her, she didn't question him further.
For two days, there was peace, and Xing Dairong's relationship with Cheng Yunshuo began to ease a little.
Lu Lingyun's days finally settled down as well.
She resumed her leisurely life of reviewing account books and taking care of the baby. However, the Lu family became lively during these days.
While holding Bing'an and playing with him, Old Nurse Wan rushed in panicking.
"Young mistress, something terrible has happened!"
"What is it this time, another major issue?" Lu Lingyun slowly raised her eyes.
"It's the second miss! She's making a fuss about divorcing the second young master!"
Lu Lingyun: "..."
This kind of big spectacle, she definitely had to go see.
Chapter 123: Li Wenxun's Schemes
Lu Lingyun arrived at the Lu family.
Madam Liu's courtyard was in complete disarray at this moment.
All the aunts from the Lu family and Madam Liu's side had arrived.
"Hanyi, your life is perfectly fine. What's there to be unhappy about?"
"That's right, hasn't Li Gurye also passed the imperial examination?"
"He passed the imperial examination at such a young age. His brothers and father are all officials in the court. His future is bright. Why would you divorce him?"
"And you've just given birth to a son. How can you divorce him?"
All the relatives were trying to persuade her.
Even these two unmarried girls, Liu Qingping and Liu Qingshuang, chimed in.
"Second sister, although Second Brother-in-law isn't as good as Big Sister's husband, he's still a remarkable person."
"That's right. Although Second Brother-in-law is a bit poorer and has a smaller official position, he's still quite good."
Their words only made Lu Hanyi angrier, and she started throwing things around.
"Get out! Get out of here!"
What nonsense!
They were rubbing salt into her wounds.
And even comparing him to Cheng Yunshuo.
What was infuriating was that it seemed like Li Wenxun really couldn't compare to Cheng Yunshuo!
No matter if Cheng Yunshuo was infatuated with his little concubine or what the future held.
The current Li Wenxun had no money, no power, no influence, and he didn't even pass the examination to become a zhuangyuan.
How could he compare to Cheng Yunshuo?
Just then, Lu Lingyun arrived.
Seeing her, Lu Hanyi's anger surged, "Who asked you to come and watch my misery? Get out!"
Lu Lingyun: "..."
"Hanyi, how can you speak to your elder sister like that?" Madam Liu scolded her and quickly turned to apologize to Lu Lingyun, "Lingyun, don't take it to heart. My daughter has been acting foolishly lately."
Madam Liu was becoming increasingly ingratiating towards Lu Lingyun.
After all, the position of the young mistress of the marquis's residence was becoming more stable and prestigious for Lu Lingyun.
The whole family benefited from her status.
If she didn't flatter and get close to Lu Lingyun, what else could she do?
As for her own foolish daughter, she watched her jump into the deep pit she had insisted on, unable to pull her out. Who could save her?
"Exactly, Big Sister, don't be angry with Second Sister. She just went mad and scolded us!"
"We were just stating the facts and speaking some truth, but we don't know what upset her!"
Both Liu Qingping and Liu Qingshuang gathered around Lu Lingyun, speaking warmly and affectionately.
Naturally, they were closer to Lu Lingyun now.
Lu Lingyun was so good. She never lost her temper with them and carried the aura of a noble lady from a prestigious family. Even a casual gesture from her was something they couldn't obtain, making them envious and fond of her.
At home, their mother had told them to get closer to Lu Lingyun.
There was no need for many words. They might be young, but they weren't stupid. Why would they get close to Lu Hanyi instead of Lu Lingyun?
Seeing all of them fawning over Lu Lingyun, Lu Hanyi felt her eyes burn with jealousy.
Just like in the previous life!
Everyone revolved around Lu Lingyun!
"Fine! Go ahead, all of you, fawn over her! All of you should just die! Die! Die!"
Lu Hanyi screamed, her eyes red with anger.
At that moment, a stern shout came from outside the door.
Father Lu led someone in, his face cold.
Seeing his daughter throwing a tantrum on the bed, he immediately started scolding her, "Lu Hanyi, have I spoiled you since you were young? As a married woman, you have no manners, speaking of death. Who do you want to die?"
The old father's rebuke had its effect.
Lu Hanyi calmed down.
But when she saw Li Wenxun behind her father, her eyes turned red again, "What is he doing here?"
"What is Wenxun doing here? He's here to take you back!"
"I'm not going back! I want to divorce him!" Lu Hanyi felt deceived.
Li Wenxun wasn't very good to her either and even took a concubine. So why should she continue to live with him?
"I'm not staying with him!"
Upon hearing this, Lu Father flew into a rage. "Say that again!"
Lu Hanyi, her eyes red, met her father's gaze. Her lips trembled for a moment before she cried out, "Father! He didn't pass the imperial examination as the top scholar!"
"So what if he didn't become the top scholar? At his age, Wenxun passed the provincial exam and became a jinshi in his very first attempt. He is already a dragon among men! What more could you ask for?"
Lu Father was only a jinshi of the second rank himself and was nearly thirty when he passed the exam. He understood the value of being a jinshi.
"Father-in-law, I have received an appointment letter from the Ministry of Personnel to be a county magistrate, and my father has also secured a position for me. He plans to have me sit for the Hanlin examination. I have several options now," Li Wenxun said.
Hearing this, Lu Father said, "Did you hear that? Whether Wenxun serves as a local official or a central official, he has great potential! He's still so young. After gaining some experience in the local areas, he will definitely be promoted. He's bound to rise."
With his family already in official positions, Li Wenxun was secure whether he aimed for the Hanlin Academy or sought a vacant official position.
After some more experience and a couple of opportunities, he was sure to advance.
After all, he was so young.
Lu Hanyi was crazy to want a divorce from him.
As Lu Hanyi listened to her father, she stubbornly closed her mouth and said nothing. At that moment, the child on her bed started crying.
Madam Liu hurried over to soothe the child, and Li Wenxun also stepped forward to check on the child.
Seeing this, Lu Father said, "You are already married and have a son. Wenxun is young and accomplished, and he treats you well. How dare you mention divorce? If you divorce, what will you do? What will happen to the child? Do you want him to grow up without his mother's care?"
"Father!" Lu Hanyi lifted her head. "I just don't want to live with him anymore!"
"Slap!" A crisp slap landed directly on Lu Hanyi's face.
Lu Father's slap was sharp and harsh, given in front of everyone.
The women present silently pretended not to see it, but Madam Liu felt heartbroken watching, while Li Wenxun, standing to the side, secretly felt a sense of satisfaction in his eyes.
Lu Lingyun watched the entire scene like it was a play.
"Father! You hit me!" Lu Hanyi, stunned by the slap, shouted after coming to her senses.
"I hit this brainless fool!" Lu Father scolded angrily. "How did I end up with such a brainless daughter, bringing shame to the Lu family? If you dare to say such outrageous things again, get out of the Lu family! Do whatever you want, but don't call me your father. I'll pretend I don't have a daughter like you!"
Li Wenxun felt quite pleased inside, but he couldn't show it on his face. Seeing the situation, he timely said, "Father-in-law, please calm down. I know I've disappointed Hanyi, but I've really done my best. I don't want to lose Hanyi. Please don't be like this."
Lu Father waved his hand and said to him, "If she dares to mention divorce again or returns to her parents' home without reason, Wenxun, just divorce her. There's no need to ask me! I'll pretend I don't have a daughter like her!"
Lu Lingyun, listening to this, shifted her gaze to Li Wenxun's face, who was standing respectfully before her father.
This man was truly... as calculating as ever.
And "kind-hearted."
Chapter 124: Li Wenxun Takes an Official Post in Jiangnan
With Li Wenxun's cunning and deep scheming, Lu Hanyi found herself immediately isolated.
She hadn't been in the right to begin with, and now she was utterly disdained by Lu's father, who was unwilling to indulge her unreasonable behavior any further.
On the other hand, Li Wenxun's strategy of retreating to advance yielded him a hundredfold return.
He successfully severed Lu Hanyi's reliance on her natal family.
If he truly loved and cherished his wife, how could he have allowed her to come back and complain? He would have been coaxing and pleading with her at home.
How could he just say a few insincere words in front of his father-in-law, like not wanting to lose her and taking the blame?
He deliberately sent Lu Hanyi back to her natal family to humiliate his own face and dignity, so that when he spoke, Lu's father would completely disdain Lu Hanyi and would not stand up for her again.
The two sentences from Lu's father were exceedingly weighty.
First, Lu Hanyi was forbidden to mention divorce again, and second, she was not allowed to return to her natal family without reason.
Thus, Lu Hanyi would have no choice but to rely on Li Wenxun and fall into his hands.
With his strategy of retreating to advance, he ensured that Lu Hanyi would have no one to rely on, and if she made any more trouble, no one in the Lu family would pay her any attention.
Madam Liu, after hearing Lu's father's words, understood and her eyes filled with pity.
She hastily tried to smooth things over, "Hanyi is still young and doesn't understand..."
"Shut up! Lu Hanyi is spoiled by you!" Lu's father turned and scolded her, "Raising such a daughter has shamed our Lu family! You will lose half a year's allowance, and if you mess up again, you will no longer be in charge of this household!"
Lu's father scolded Madam Liu thoroughly, even bringing up her management of the household, causing her to immediately fall silent.
If she said another word, she wouldn't be able to stay in the family.
"Get up now! Take the child and go home with Wenxun!"
With red eyes, as if she had been chased out, Lu Hanyi rose from the bed, took her child from Madam Liu, stood obediently next to Li Wenxun, and followed him out.
Li Wenxun, with a scholarly and good-tempered demeanor, had a flash of triumph in his eyes.
Lu Lingyun saw it all.
They say women are scheming and cunning, but men can be just as scheming and cunning.
Lu Hanyi's little tricks and schemes were no match for her husband.
Seeing Li Wenxun like this, she would have a lot of hardships ahead.
Madam Liu, with worried eyes, watched her daughter leave. As Lu Hanyi passed by Lu Lingyun on her way to the door, she glanced at her and snorted heavily in disdain.
"Don't be too smug!"
Lu Lingyun: "..."
Muttering under her breath, Lu Hanyi quickly caught up with Li Wenxun.
Three days later, Lu Lingyun heard that Lu Hanyi would be following Li Wenxun to Jiangnan to be a county magistrate.
Li Wenxun had two career options.
The first was a vacant position issued by the Ministry of Personnel to the new jinshi.
With two officials in the family and the Lu family also serving in the court, the Ministry of Personnel did Li Wenxun a favor, leaving a vacant magistrate position for him and asking if he was willing to go.
The second option was to take the imperial examination for the Hanlin Academy.
Joining the Hanlin Academy is the choice of the majority of jinshi.
Although the Hanlin scholars have no real power and most of their positions are honorary, it is a place where scholars can pursue academic studies and build their reputation. If they achieve something notable, they can become renowned scholars.
This is no less valuable than holding real power and being a capable minister.
Moreover, serving in the Hanlin Academy means that even if you achieve little, you can still retire comfortably and are less likely to face serious consequences. This is better than holding real power and making mistakes that could implicate your entire family.
Therefore, most scholars would choose the Hanlin Academy if given the option.
However, Li Wenxun ultimately chose the Ministry of Personnel and went to Jiangnan to be the magistrate of Donghai County.
After some thought in the marquis's residence, Lu Lingyun understood Li Wenxun's choice.
Firstly, because of the family environment of the Li family.
Most of the resources of the Li family were given to Li Wenxun's older brother, Li Wenze. Even if Li Wenxun stayed in the capital to serve as an official, the Li family could not provide him with any more assistance.
If he wanted to climb higher, he could only rely on himself.
And in a place like the Hanlin Academy, how could he climb up by himself?
Without anyone to support him, without resources or a background, who would give him the opportunity to become a renowned scholar?
Other paths and opportunities in the capital required introductions.
The Li family's resources were all given to his brother.
He would never have a chance to succeed in the family.
And precisely, the second reason was that Li Wenxun was an extremely ambitious man.
He wanted to rise to prominence and make the Li family look at him with admiration.
There was an opportunity to gain experience as a local official, and for someone like Li Wenxun, who was eager to turn his life around, it was a tremendous chance.
Once he had the strength to succeed, he would rise rapidly in the ranks.
And then, perhaps there might be a third possibility...
"Wenxun, you must go to Jiangnan to be a county magistrate, and I support you!"
At the Li family, Lu Hanyi, having regained her hope, said to Li Wenxun.
Listening to his not-so-bright wife say this, Li Wenxun was deeply shaken inside, but he looked even more hesitant on his face, saying, "What do you mean by this? Being a local official is not the same as being an official in the capital. It's very difficult."
"No, no, no, I believe in your abilities!" Lu Hanyi looked at Li Wenxun with a renewed sense of admiration and obsession. "You will definitely make a great impact in Jiangnan, and when the time comes, you'll soar high and show everyone what you're made of!"
Lu Hanyi reluctantly followed Li Wenxun back to the Li family.
Just as she was regretting and feeling that she might waste her life away again, she heard Li Wenxun struggling with the decision about the official appointment.
As soon as Lu Hanyi heard about the opportunity to be an official in Jiangnan, her eyes lit up instantly.
An official in Jiangnan!
Just like in the previous life!
In his previous life, Li Wenxun had been an official in Jiangnan and then gradually rose to become a prime minister!
For some reason, he hadn't become the top scholar this time, but he was still being assigned to Jiangnan. This meant that... Li Wenxun would follow the same path as in the previous life, rising rapidly and eventually becoming a prime minister!
Thinking of this, Lu Hanyi, who had been filled with regret and confusion, suddenly felt enlightened and rekindled her hopes and expectations.
Her choice wasn't wrong. Li Wenxun would become a prime minister, and she would become the prime minister's wife!
At this thought, the anger Lu Hanyi had suffered at the Lu family and from Lu Lingyun vanished into thin air.
Ha! Her blind-eyed father, her short-sighted mother, and Lu Lingyun, who was always showing off with her limited perspective, would all be shocked and regretful when she became a first-rank official's wife!
"Wenxun, we must go to Jiangnan! Trust me, that's where we'll rise to greatness!"
Lu Hanyi desperately persuaded Li Wenxun.
Listening to her words, Li Wenxun, with gleaming eyes, narrowed them slightly, "My dear, being a local official is truly not easy..."
"Just trust me! We must go to Jiangnan for this official position!"
"Alright then." Li Wenxun smiled, "Since you're so insistent on me going, I'll follow your wishes."
Even though Li Wenxun himself wanted to go, he still shifted the responsibility onto Lu Hanyi. That way, if things didn't go well in Jiangnan later on, it would all be because of Lu Hanyi, and it would have nothing to do with him.
Chapter 125: Wang Qiluo and Lu Hanyi Both Head to Jiangnan
Lu Lingyun knew that Lu Hanyi and her husband were about to depart for their new posts in Jiangnan. She didn't go to see them off.
Because she didn't have the time.
Wang Qiluo and Liu Shuhui were also set to leave in the next few days.
Lu Lingyun sent someone to deliver some things to Lu Hanyi as a token of sisterly affection.
She went in person to see Wang Qiluo off.
At the moment of parting, Wang Qiluo looked reluctant, tears falling from her eyes.
Madam Jiang's eyes also turned red.
"My daughter! You must take good care of yourself when you're away."
"Mother, I am unfilial and can no longer serve you and father by your side," Wang Qiluo, with red eyes, suddenly knelt down and kowtowed three times to Madam Jiang and General Wang.
Standing next to her, Liu Shuhui also swept his clothes and knelt down, kowtowing to bid them farewell.
"Good children, please rise quickly!"
Madam Jiang and General Wang hurriedly helped them both up.
The couple had been married for a few days, and Liu Shuhui's behavior in the days after the wedding had increasingly pleased them.
Liu Shuhui was straightforward, but to everyone's surprise, he was very accommodating to Wang Qiluo. He was also very polite to the elders of the family, clearly out of great respect.
General Wang held Liu Shuhui's hand, "Xiao Liu, I have only this one daughter. You must treat her well!"
"Shuhui will not fail in his mission."
"Good!"
As everyone bid their farewells, when it came to Lu Lingyun, she handed Wang Qiluo a box of banknotes and a carrier pigeon, "If you encounter any issues, let me know."
Wang Qiluo tearfully accepted the gifts, "I don't know when we'll meet again."
"When you achieve something great in Jiangnan, I'll come visit you there," Lu Lingyun said with a smile.
Hearing this, Wang Qiluo chuckled through her tears, "We will. But, Lingyun, with me gone, there's no one to look after my parents."
Lu Lingyun gently smoothed a strand of her hair, "Don't worry, your parents are like my own parents. I'll take care of them."
Wang Qiluo opened her arms and tightly hugged Lu Lingyun, "Thank you, sister."
At the moment of parting, Lu Lingyun, with reluctance, patted her on the head, "Go on."
"Mm."
At the pavilion ten li away, under the setting sun, a convoy headed southeast.
As Lu Lingyun returned with the others, the sun was setting, and a warm late-spring breeze gently blew along the ancient road.
It was the end of March, and April was approaching.
Lu Lingyun had been busy with external matters these past few days and had no time to attend to the household affairs.
After Cheng Yunshuo personally came to visit that day, he had been returning home punctually every day since.
There had been no more talk about his female disciple.
Xing Dairong was about to give birth, and she had been much more settled these days. Cheng Yunshuo didn't argue with her, and occasionally, when Xing Dairong spoke to him, he would respond a little.
Xing Dairong, rubbing her round belly, had asked Cheng Yunshuo to come over for a meal today.
Unprecedentedly, Cheng Yunshuo agreed.
At the dinner table, they looked at each other in silence. Cheng Yunshuo picked up his chopsticks and ate. Xing Dairong watched him eat and, after a long while, said, "Yunshuo, the doctor said I'm about to give birth."
"Hmm."
"Do you prefer a son or a daughter?"
"It's the same."
"I feel like I'm carrying a son."
Cheng Yunshuo paused for a moment but soon replied with a single sound, "Hmm."
Their conversation came to an abrupt halt.
They hadn't spoken for who knows how long. Now, even when Xing Dairong brought up a common topic, Cheng Yunshuo only responded with "hmm, hmm, hmm," not wanting to continue the conversation.
Or perhaps, in that moment of thought, Cheng Yunshuo had other responses.
But they turned into a perfunctory "hmm" as they passed through his throat.
Nothing to talk about, nothing of interest.
Sensing Cheng Yunshuo's attitude, Xing Dairong's forced smile stiffened. She looked at Cheng Yunshuo, who was busily picking up food, and felt that sense of grievance, resentment, and heartache rise within her again.
She felt extremely wronged, a surge of anger welling up inside her, making her want to flip the table and ask him what he really wanted.
Ask him if he doesn't want to live with her anymore.
Ask him if he doesn't love her anymore.
However, she calmed down again.
She didn't lose her temper again, because she knew that if she lost her temper with Cheng Yunshuo again, he would never pay attention to her for the rest of his life.
If she wanted him to come over and wanted him to accompany her, she had to put on a facade and bear it.
She didn't know since when it had become like this. At the beginning, it wasn't like this between them.
She could lose her temper whenever she wanted, and throw little fits when she was unhappy. Cheng Yunshuo would always have to come and coax her.
If he didn't coax her, he would be in trouble!
But now...
She couldn't even express her dissatisfaction to him.
Xing Dairong stared at Cheng Yunshuo in front of her for a long time, and just as he was about to frown, she lowered her head, picked up her chopsticks, and started eating.
There were no more words exchanged during the meal.
After finishing, Cheng Yunshuo said he had official business to attend to and returned to his Yaoguang Pavilion.
Xing Dairong didn't try to keep him, and watched him leave with longing eyes.
After he left, she stood in the courtyard, her eyes dry and hollow.
"Miss Xing, the Crown Prince rarely comes here. Why didn't you talk more with him just now?" Qiukui approached and said.
She was really puzzled. Xing Dairong used to have endless things to say to Cheng Yunshuo.
Now that the two of them could finally sit down and talk peacefully, why did she say so little?
Xing Dairong suddenly let out a self-mocking cold laugh, "It's because he doesn't want to talk to me."
"How could that be? I saw that the Crown Prince responded to everything you said."
Hearing this, Xing Dairong fell silent.
Qiukui continued, "You need to talk more. The more you talk, the Crown Prince will definitely be as close to you as before, sharing everything."
Xing Dairong followed Qiukui back to the room, muttering to herself, "Sharing everything, sharing everything."
After handling the matter of Wang Qiluo and Lu Hanyi both going to Jiangnan, Lu Lingyun took a two-day break.
Once she had the time, she started preparing to host a banquet for Cheng Yunshuo to entertain his colleagues.
She had promised him last time.
Hosting colleagues at home wasn't her first time, and this time she was familiar with the process. She instructed the servants to make purchases and arrange everything. With the food and wine all prepared, they could set a date with Cheng Yunshuo.
"Tomorrow, you can invite your colleagues over. I've got everything ready."
Lu Lingyun said.
"Alright."
Cheng Yunshuo agreed immediately.
The next day, after returning from his duty, the marquis's residence became lively.
"The magnificent marquis's residence is indeed different!"
"It's truly grand!"
"I wish my home could be like the commander's home!"
Amidst the flattery, a clear and lively voice rang out, "You're dreaming! My master's home is a prestigious marquis's residence. What can your shabby home compare with?"
Chapter 126: Banquet for Colleagues
Lu Lingyun was a woman, so even though she had arranged the food and banquet, it was not appropriate for her to make an appearance.
It was enough to just send the servants to announce it.
However, when the servant returned, she had something to report to Lu Lingyun.
"Young Mistress, that female disciple of Crown Prince Ye has come again!"
"Oh?"
Lu Lingyun was in the room with young Bing'an at the time.
These days, young Bing'an had become increasingly attached to her. He stayed awake longer during the day and would make babbling sounds, which was very cute.
"That girl is quite strange. A woman dressed as a man, spending her days among those men, she bears some resemblance to Aunt Xing from before," the reporting servant said.
Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun didn't know how to respond. She gave a light, faint smile.
"Alright, let's eat."
"Yes."
A table of dishes was set in Lu Lingyun's small courtyard. She paid no mind to anything, nor did she care what Cheng Yunshuo thought, or what others thought.
Anyway, what happened outside had nothing to do with her.
As long as she lived her own life well, with three meals a day, eating and drinking well, that was enough.
While Lu Lingyun's side was calm and peaceful, a storm was brewing elsewhere in the inner compound.
"What! Yunshuo brought someone again today?"
"Yes, the young mistress arranged it. There was a banquet, and many of the Crown Prince's colleagues were invited to dine outside."
Upon hearing that it was many colleagues, Xing Dairong's expression slightly relaxed.
But soon, she realized something. "That woman! Is she here?"
"Miss Xing, I don't know." Qiukui hadn't gone to the outer compound.
There were so many outsiders at the marquis's residence today, and the women of the inner compound were not seeing any guests.
As the senior maid by the side of the concubine, she could not move around freely.
So, she hadn't inquired that much.
"No, I must go and see!"
Xing Dairong got up, ready to leave.
"My lady, why would you go to such a place!"
Meanwhile, outside, after a few rounds of drinks,
Cheng Yunshuo's colleagues were eating happily.
Hosting a banquet was quite a delicate matter.
Especially since Cheng Yunshuo now held a fairly high position, with an official role in the Imperial Guards. Inviting everyone for a meal was like hosting his subordinates. It was very effective in winning their hearts, and in daily official matters, everyone would gravitate towards Cheng Yunshuo, following his arrangements.
Moreover, for future promotions and the like, he would also have a foundation of support.
Cheng Yunshuo was very satisfied with the banquet that Lu Lingyun had arranged for him.
"Everyone, eat and drink well! Make sure to enjoy yourselves to the fullest!"
"We certainly will!"
"Our marquis residence may not have much, but we have plenty of good food and wine!" Just then, a female voice rang out from the banquet hall.
A pregnant woman walked out, followed by servants carrying wine jars.
It was Xing Dairong.
Xing Dairong wore an extremely appropriate smile and came out to greet the guests like the hostess.
Of course, she wouldn't rush out and make a scene like Qiukui had said, ending up crying and causing a fuss.
She had become smarter.
For this, she had even spent a large sum of money to reward the servants and used her own private funds to have the kitchen prepare more wine, which she brought along.
It should be known that in the marquis residence, everything was rationed. Without Lu Lingyun's arrangement, getting anything extra would cost money.
She had rarely spent her own money and walked out generously.
But when Cheng Yunshuo saw her appear, the smile on his face immediately turned cold.
Most of the Imperial Guards present had not seen Lu Lingyun before, and seeing the pregnant Xing Dairong, they thought she was Cheng Yunshuo's official wife. They all said,
"The Crown Prince's wife has arrived!"
"So it's the Crown Prince's wife!"
Upon hearing everyone address her this way, the smile on Xing Dairong's face couldn't be contained.
She looked at the others. "Everyone has worked hard, and you have all helped our Yunshuo a lot in the Prefectural Commandant Manor. Today, make sure to eat and drink well."
She put on the air of a mistress of the household and looked at everyone as she spoke one by one.
Above, Cheng Yunshuo was utterly unable to sit still upon seeing this.
He stood up and grabbed Xing Dairong, "What are you doing here?"
"I came to see your colleagues and friends."
"Exactly, Yunshuo, why are you being so petty?"
"Introduce your sister-in-law to us!"
"We've long admired sister-in-law!"
The crowd chimed in agreement.
Xing Dairong felt even more elated by everyone's words, a smile hanging on her face, ready to say a few more words to the crowd.
However, an inexplicable emotion rose in Cheng Yunshuo's heart, an embarrassment and awkwardness born from the fact that a woman he was no longer proud of, who was no longer presentable, was entertaining guests on his behalf in front of others.
That's right.
Xing Dairong was no longer someone he could be proud of or present to others.
A long, long time ago, he would have confidently introduced Xing Dairong to all his friends.
Back then, her every frown and smile, every thought, was enough to make him proud. Even though her status was very low, having Xing Dairong by his side would still fill him with pride.
But now.
He just wanted to hide her away.
Even though, at this moment, Xing Dairong behaved very appropriately, neither acting crazy nor causing a scene, and spoke politely to everyone, he still felt an inexplicable awkwardness.
What is she doing here!
Lu Lingyun knows to arrange the banquet properly and then retreat to the inner courtyard, not stealing any spotlight.
What is she doing here!
At that moment, a small, masculine-dressed figure entered from outside after using the restroom. As soon as she came in and saw Xing Dairong above, both Du Ruo and her expressions changed instantly.
"So, the bitch really came!" Xing Dairong blurted out.
Before she could finish her sentence, Cheng Yunshuo pulled her and led her straight into the inner room.
Everyone at the banquet looked at each other in bewilderment. They looked at Du Ruo questioningly, "A'Ruo, do you know Yunshuo's wife?"
"She's not my master's official wife! She's just my master's concubine!" Du Ruo said, glaring at the person who had gone into the inner room.
At this point, someone from the Imperial Guards also recognized Xing Dairong, "She's indeed not sister-in-law, that's the courtesan my lord spent ten thousand coins to marry from the brothel!"
"Oh oh oh! I remember now, the woman who caused a big stir with Yunshuo back in the day!"
"So it's her! Yunshuo did a lot of grand things for her."
"So that's the famous extraordinary woman!"
The group of Imperial Guards began to whisper among themselves.
After Cheng Yunshuo became an official, he completely distanced himself from his past, but the grand things he did for Xing Dairong back then were still remembered by many.
At that moment, everyone enthusiastically joined in the discussion.
Du Ruo, listening to the crowd's discussion, scornfully curled her lips in disdain, "What extraordinary woman, just a bitter and poisonous woman!"
Although her voice was low, others still heard her.
"A'Ruo, what's going on?"
"Yes, come on, tell us!"
Chapter 127: About to Divorce Xing Dairong
At this moment, in the inner room.
Cheng Yunshuo pulled Xing Dairong inside, closed the door, and then coldly gazed at her.
"What do you think you're doing again?"
Xing Dairong looked at him, "Yunshuo, I just came to see your friends and colleagues!"
"Hah!"
"You used to introduce your friends to me too!" Xing Dairong continued.
At this point, Cheng Yunshuo's expression turned extremely unpleasant, "Stop making a scene, go back to your room! This is not a place for you to come!"
Not a place for her to come...
Hearing this, Xing Dairong suddenly felt a deep sense of irony.
Especially when she thought about how she had repeatedly endured and suppressed all her temper and emotions, just to keep Cheng Yunshuo from getting angry, it all seemed laughable.
What was she even doing it for?
She had already changed and yielded so much for him. In the end, he wouldn't even introduce his friends to her!
He wouldn't even let her meet his friends!
"Cheng Yunshuo, do you think I shouldn't come, or is there something you don't want me to see?" Xing Dairong said with a sorrowful heart.
Cheng Yunshuo's face sank, full of impatience, "What nonsense are you spouting again!"
Xing Dairong suddenly screamed, "Stop pretending! Is it because of that woman outside!"
Her voice was so sharp that it could be heard outside the door.
Her sudden outburst caused Cheng Yunshuo to frown tightly as he desperately covered her mouth.
Xing Dairong's emotions immediately spiraled out of control again. She cried and hit him, viciously biting his hand.
Cheng Yunshuo, in pain, loosened his grip, and Xing Dairong took the opportunity to hit him even more, "Cheng Yunshuo, you're a philandering and unfaithful man, yet you refuse to admit it!"
"That woman is your new mistress, right! I saw long ago that your relationship with her was different! And you're still pretending, still acting!"
Cheng Yunshuo was exhausted by her unreasonable behavior, "Xing Dairong, if you're crazy, go back to your room. If you keep causing a scene with me, I'll divorce you!"
He finally shouted out the last sentence that had been buried in his heart.
From obedience to orders, then coldness, and finally, abandonment.
After treating Xing Dairong with complete compliance and obedience, then slowly turning cold and indifferent, he had finally reached the point of divorce and abandonment.
Upon hearing that he would divorce her, Xing Dairong instantly calmed down from her frenzied state, her eyes wide with disbelief as she looked at Cheng Yunshuo, whose face was cold and resolute after saying those words.
"You... you're going to divorce me?"
"Hah! Do you really think I wouldn't dare?" Cheng Yunshuo said with eyes full of annoyance, "Xing Dairong, look at yourself! Your face is full of jealousy and resentment. You've violated every one of the seven reasons for divorce! What reason do I have not to divorce you!"
He spoke each word slowly, not loudly, so much so that the conversation from the banquet outside could still be heard inside.
All those people were talking about Xing Dairong, word by word, every discussion piercing into his ears like a cursed sound.
Those whispered discussions only made him feel even more disgusted by the woman in front of him who had brought about this conversation.
At this moment, the two of them were not in conflict because of some massive, principled, or deeply-rooted issue.
It was because of the discussions from people outside, the kind of talk that left Cheng Yunshuo with no shred of pride, the kind that brought shame just by hearing it.
He regretted the fiery stories he had with Xing Dairong in the past.
Regretted loving her.
Even more, he regretted that he had once been infatuated with her.
He had branded all his experiences and past with Xing Dairong with the label of shame.
He had completely denied everything.
"Cheng Yunshuo!" Xing Dairong screamed loudly, her tears filling her eyes instantly. She looked at the now calm man in front of her with disbelief, panic, and overwhelming pain and despair.
"You're a bastard! You're a bastard!"
"Heh!" Cheng Yunshuo sneered at her, "Say whatever you want."
"You bastard! How can you do this to me!" Xing Dairong threw herself at him, hitting him forcefully, "It was you who told me before that you would love me forever, that you promised to love only me for this lifetime!"
"Are you done!" Cheng Yunshuo couldn't be bothered to engage with her anymore. Her changes, her current state, the things she did were all different from what he thought and loved.
Because, he really didn't love her anymore.
He even denied the traces of when he loved her, everything about her.
Any more words would be a waste.
"You can't do this to me!" Xing Dairong's cries softened, she desperately grabbed Cheng Yunshuo's sleeve, pleading, "Yunshuo, I know I was wrong before, but I've changed, I really have. You said my temper was bad, I've changed it. You said I asked for too much, but I don't anymore. I hurt Qiu Ling, but I haven't done anything like that since!"
"You can't treat me like this! You can't!"
Cheng Yunshuo looked at her tearful and snotty appearance with nothing but disgust on his face.
He slowly extricated his arms and legs and walked out.
The moment his resolute steps pushed the door open and he walked out, Xing Dairong erupted and rushed forward.
In front of everyone outside, she loudly cursed him.
"Cheng Yunshuo! If I'm no good, then are you any better?"
"In the end, you're a hundred, a thousand, ten thousand times worse than me! At the very least, I've never betrayed you while I was with you! I've never slept with another man, but what about you!"
"You've had one mistress after another! You've been a heartless, unfaithful philanderer from the start! All those promises you made to me, about a lifetime together, one man and one woman, they were all lies!"
"You're an extremely hypocritical, irresponsible, lying fraud!"
Xing Dairong viciously scolded Cheng Yunshuo in front of everyone.
After hearing her curses, Cheng Yunshuo coldly curled his lips into a smile, "Fine, fine, fine."
"I admit it, I'm a heartless man, I do love lingering in the flower garden, I've never been faithful!"
Hearing his admission, Xing Dairong laughed, cried, and shouted, "You've admitted it! You're a liar! I, Xing Dairong, was blind to have ever laid eyes on you! I want you dead!"
Xing Dairong pulled a hairpin from her head and charged at him. Cheng Yunshuo simply slapped her away.
Everyone in the room was stunned into silence. Without another glance, Cheng Yunshuo led the group out, saying, "We're going to the brothel for some wine! Drinks on me tonight!"
Seeing his back, Xing Dairong spat out a mouthful of blood and fainted.
Seeing this, a group of people, including Qiukui, rushed forward.
"Aunt Xing!"
"This is bad! Quick, go get the young mistress!"
"Aunt Xing is bleeding down there!"
Chapter 128: A Lifetime Is Too Long, Miss, Don't Take It Seriously
Lu Lingyun was halfway through her meal inside the house when she heard the urgent report from the servant.
"Young Mistress, Aunt Xing is about to pass away!"
Lu Lingyun dropped her chopsticks, handed Little Bing'an to Wen Niang to take care of, and was about to rush to Autumn Fragrance Courtyard. Just as she started, the servant reminded her that Xing Dairong was in the outer courtyard.
"How could she be in the outer courtyard!"
On the way, the servants told Lu Lingyun everything about how Xing Dairong had just gone to the outer courtyard to deliver wine and had another argument with Cheng Yunshuo.
The more Lu Lingyun listened, the more furrowed her brows became.
"Idiot! Idiot! Idiot!"
She cursed Xing Dairong all the way, but her tone was filled with exasperation at her inability to improve.
What she hated was that Xing Dairong still couldn't see through or understand her situation, her mind filled only with her love, with no room for anything else.
She didn't care about her own life, nor the life of the child in her womb, falling into the deep pit of obsession, thinking about that damned man all day long.
"How is she!"
She rushed to the outer courtyard and shouted.
"Young Mistress!" As soon as Qiu Kui saw Lu Lingyun, her panicked heart immediately calmed down, but tears streamed down her face, flowing uncontrollably. "Aunt Xing is about to pass away!"
"Nonsense!" Lu Lingyun rebuked her and hurried to Xing Dairong's side.
At this moment, Xing Dairong's face was as pale as paper, and there was blood all beneath her, her condition worse than Qiu Ling's had been.
"Where are the doctors! The midwives!" she shouted.
"They've been sent for."
"Where is the Crown Prince?"
"The Crown Prince took his colleagues to a brothel for wine."
Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun said, "Go to the brothel immediately and bring him back! Quick, quick, quick!"
"Yes!"
At this moment, a pale and cold hand grabbed Lu Lingyun's wrist.
Lu Lingyun looked down and met Xing Dairong's slightly opened eyes, devoid of any light.
Xing Dairong said weakly, "Am I going to die?"
"Nonsense!"
Xing Dairong chuckled self-mockingly, "It's good to die. When I die, I can go back. I'll never come back here again."
Her voice was cold, filled with an inherent sadness.
Hearing this, Qiu Kui couldn't control her tears, which fell like raindrops, her crying uncontrollable.
But Lu Lingyun, on the contrary, grabbed Xing Dairong's hand with strength and said with conviction, "You can live! You will definitely live!"
At this moment, both Qiu Ling and Ling Long arrived.
Seeing Xing Dairong in such a state, Qiu Ling, who had once been filled with jealousy and sarcasm, couldn't help but say, "Young Mistress said you can live, so you definitely can. Don't give up on yourself!"
"We should live well, especially people like us. We should live a splendid life!" added Ling Long.
Hearing these words from people who had been her enemies, Xing Dairong felt a deep sense of irony, "I didn't expect that it would be you who told me these things at the end."
"Shut up and live!"
"You still have a long life ahead of you, and your child is about to be born. Don't you want to see him, protect him, and watch him grow up?"
Xing Dairong shook her head lifelessly, tears rolling down one by one.
Lu Lingyun continued to scold, "I know your mind is filled with that man! If you're thinking about him, then go and fight for him! Show the determination you had before! Tie him to you so he can't leave you in this lifetime!"
"If not, then get up and slap him a few times, return your grievances to him! What's the point of crying here? Cry, cry, cry! Useless!"
Finally, Xing Dairong moved.
Her previously lifeless and withered eyes regained vitality, bursting with the hope to live.
At that moment, the doctors and midwives all arrived.
"Quick, quick, quick, save her!"
"Yes."
A group of people rushed forward, but soon they all shook their heads.
"Young Mistress, it's no good anymore!"
"This concubine has lost too much blood, she really is about to pass away."
"We may not be able to save either the mother or the child!"
"Save her, save her, I command you to bring her back!"
At this moment, Xing Dairong also had a will to live, fighting desperately for survival.
The entire marquis estate was bustling with activity, as everyone was busy with tasks both big and small.
All those who could help were focused on assisting Xing Dairong. Qiu Ling and Ling Long also lent a hand, passing things around and helping with feeding medicine and soup.
After an hour of everyone's frantic efforts, a child, small like a kitten, was born with great difficulty.
"She's given birth! She's given birth!"
"What is it?" Xing Dairong perked up a little.
"It's a boy."
Hearing it was a son, a glimmer of light appeared on Xing Dairong's face.
Before Lu Lingyun and the others could feel relieved, the midwife added, "Oh no! There's still another child in her belly!"
It's twins!
Lu Lingyun and everyone else were stunned.
The little glimmer on Xing Dairong's face visibly faded at that moment.
She was fading.
"Young mistress, she's not going to make it!"
"Oh no, no, Aunt Xing, hold on!"
"Aunt Xing, this won't do! You need to push again!"
Xing Dairong really couldn't go on. She was too weak. She had spent her entire pregnancy angry and sad, which had damaged her organs and led to internal illness. Now, after being stimulated to give birth, having lost a lot of blood, and still giving birth to one child, it was already her limit. Anything more would be beyond even the power of an immortal.
She couldn't give birth again.
Xing Dairong grabbed Lu Lingyun's hand. "I'm too tired, let it go."
"Don't say nonsense! You have to live! There's still another child in your belly!"
"No, I'm tired." Xing Dairong could no longer muster any strength. She tightly gripped Lu Lingyun's hand. "Yunshuo, Yunshuo, Yunshuo…"
"Cheng Yunshuo will be back soon. Hold on."
Two clean tears rolled down Xing Dairong's cheeks. She shook her head. "No, he promised me, one life, one pair of people."
"One life, one pair."
"He promised, one life, one pair."
At that moment, she summoned her last bit of strength, like a final flicker of life, and with all her might, as everyone gasped, she clutched Lu Lingyun's hand tightly and opened her eyes wide.
"Young mistress, it's born..."
"It's born! It's born!"
"Aunt Xing has given birth..."
"Aunt Xing is dead..."
"Where is Cheng Yunshuo?"
A deep sadness welled up in Lu Lingyun's heart.
"The Crown Prince is still at the brothel."
Lu Lingyun looked at Xing Dairong in front of her. She reached out and closed her eyes.
"Prepare a coffin and give Aunt Xing a grand burial."
Lu Lingyun stood up, and as she walked out of the birthing room, the night wind outside blew away the bloody smell surrounding her.
Everyone's mood was heavy.
The phrase Xing Dairong had been repeating until her death echoed in each of their ears.
"One life, one pair..."
She had been repeating this phrase until her death.
Lu Lingyun remained silent for a long time before looking up at the bright moon.
"One life, one pair is too long, young lady, don't take it too seriously."
Chapter 129: Xing Dairong is Dead
At that moment, Cheng Yunshuo was drowning his sorrows in a pleasure house. The courtesans fluttered around him, but he kept them all at a distance, drinking alone in silence.
"Master, what's wrong? You promised to bring me to the brothel to see the world, but all you're doing is drinking away your sorrows!"
A clear voice spoke up.
"Or are you still thinking about that extraordinary woman at home?"
Cheng Yunshuo glanced at her, "You ought to go back! This isn't a place for someone like you!"
The people around chimed in, "A'Ruo, you've seen enough, go back now!"
"Once you're gone, the main event can begin!"
"You didn't understand what your master said!"
Amid the banter, A'Ruo blushed and glared at the crowd, "Hmph! There's nothing interesting here."
As she was being escorted out, she saw the mansion's servants arriving at the door.
"Please inform the young lord that an urgent matter has arisen at the mansion, and the young mistress requests his immediate return!"
Upon hearing this, A'Ruo immediately commanded, "Send these people away, please! My master is drinking through the night, and no one is to disturb him!"
The mansion's servants were dismissed and not allowed to enter.
Not long after they left, Cheng Yunshuo, who was drinking alone, suddenly felt a constriction in his chest. It was as if he sensed something, and his mind was instantly flooded with thoughts of Xing Dairong.
"Yunshuo, what's wrong again?"
"If you're really worried, why don't you go back and check?"
Hearing the people around him, Cheng Yunshuo paused, only asking the servants if anyone from the mansion had come.
Upon hearing that no one had come, he sat down, feeling both relieved and flustered.
If no one came looking for him, then nothing urgent had occurred, so it was fine to stay.
Besides, what would he go back for?
Was he supposed to apologize to Xing Dairong?
It was impossible now.
At most, he wouldn't divorce her.
He had no emotions left for her. Her presence annoyed him; being near her frustrated him. He couldn't talk to her like before, and they had nothing to discuss anymore.
Her work was something she didn't understand, and she didn't care about his ideas or interests. All she ever asked was if there were other women around him and who they were.
Thinking about it made Cheng Yunshuo annoyed again.
From start to finish, he and she were essentially people from entirely different worlds.
The gap between them was too great.
Only at the very first meeting did they have a point of intersection. From that day on, they grew farther apart every day.
Cheng Yunshuo didn't understand Xing Dairong, and Xing Dairong didn't understand him either.
They only loved each other madly at that moment of impact, with fierce and deep passion. But in the end, thousands of razor-sharp mountains stood between them.
That was the barrier between them.
With every step forward, the razors would cut their feet to the bone.
Falling in love was easy, but staying together was difficult indeed.
Cheng Yunshuo couldn't understand it. He drank heavily, focusing on all of Xing Dairong's flaws to quell the panic in his heart.
After all, Xing Dairong had called him a heartless man, a liar.
So he supposed he was.
The following day.
Cheng Yunshuo woke up from a hangover.
He went to the Prefectural Commandant Manor and absentmindedly performed his duties for the day, returning only in the evening to the marquis's estate.
As soon as he entered the estate, he sensed something amiss.
The servants all looked at him with complex expressions.
He didn't return to his own courtyard but hesitated on the way to Yaoguang Pavilion because he feared passing by Yuerong Pavilion and seeing Xing Dairong again.
He was afraid that if he saw her, she would become hysterical, and they would end up quarreling again.
She was truly exasperating.
He went directly to Lu Lingyun's courtyard instead.
But upon entering Lu Lingyun's courtyard, he noticed even more changes.
Several nuns were in Lu Lingyun's courtyard.
"Hold the Buddhist ritual for three days."
"Yes, young mistress."
"What ritual?"
Cheng Yunshuo's voice rang out as he stepped into the room.
Lu Lingyun, seeing the exhausted look on Cheng Yunshuo's face, felt a little more disappointed in him. "The Crown Prince has returned."
At that moment, shrill cries of children echoed from inside the room.
Little Wei and Xiaoqin hurriedly carried two children out.
These are the twins Xing Dairong gave birth to yesterday, a pair of twins, a boy and a girl.
Unfortunately, despite having given birth at full term, these two babies were even smaller than young Master Bing'an. Especially the little daughter, who was stillborn yesterday.
The slightly older son was also extremely weak, like a little kitten. Lu Lingyun watched over the two children all night and managed to keep them alive with great difficulty.
"Gently, gently," Lu Lingyun gently cooed, taking the children into her arms and beginning to soothe them, one on her left and one on her right.
When Cheng Yunshuo saw the newborns, he was startled, and his eyes filled with surprise. "She gave birth to these twins," he said.
"Yes, Concubine Xing gave birth to a pair of dragon-phoenix twins," Lu Lingyun said coldly.
His eyes showed joy even more intense than when Xiaobing'an was born. He couldn't help but step forward, intending to hold the babies.
Lu Lingyun dodged out of the way. "Don't hold them, Your Highness. These children are very weak and need good care."
Cheng Yunshuo stopped himself from trying to hold the babies. Indeed, his eyes confirmed their fragility; they were as fragile as kittens, even more so than Bing'an.
"What about Concubine Xing?" he finally asked.
Lu Lingyun looked up and met his gaze. "Concubine Xing is dead."
At that moment, the servants also came in to report.
"Young Lady, the coffin has been made overnight."
"Should Concubine Xing's remains be placed in the coffin or left in the Buddha Hall?"
Cheng Yunshuo was so startled he stood frozen on the spot.
Lu Lingyun looked at him. "Your Highness, you must decide."
She called out to Cheng Yunshuo several times in a row, but he didn't respond. When she called out to him one last time, Cheng Yunshuo blurted out a single sentence.
"Good that she's dead!"
And with that, he immediately ran off.
"Your Highness, where are you going?"
Cheng Yunshuo went to a pleasure house.
And he stayed there for three days.
At first, Lu Lingyun sent people to look for him several times, but there was no response. Eventually, she had no choice but to take care of things herself.
The nuns performed the rituals for three days, and when it was time to place Xing Dairong into the coffin, Cheng Yunshuo didn't come. When it was time for the burial, he still didn't come.
Cheng Yunshuo spent his days in the pleasure house, not even attending to his duties, completely abandoning himself to debauchery, becoming the heartless scoundrel he was accused of being.
Lu Lingyun became tired of looking for him. Together with the other concubines in the mansion, she supervised Xing Dairong's burial and placed her spirit tablet in the Buddha Hall.
To everyone's surprise, Qiu Ling, who had once fiercely competed with Xing Dairong, was the one crying the hardest.
She even gave her a golden hairpin as a burial offering.
After returning to the manor, she voluntarily went to the Buddhist hall to chant scriptures for Xing Dairong for a month.
Lu Lingyun agreed to all of this.
She didn't have much energy to deal with other matters, as she had received letters from Lady Qin and the old Lord Marquis.
They had just completed their mourning at the Marquis of Qin's residence and would soon be returning to the capital.
On this trip, they were also bringing a young lady.
Chapter 130: Miss Qin of the Qin Family Estate
The Qin family estate has now fallen into an utterly desolate state.
Qin Shi hurried back to mourn her brother. The deceased was the current head of the Qin family estate.
Ironically, it was only after his death that the emperor posthumously awarded him the title of Duke of Qin.
He had been the heir apparent all his life, and after his death, the title of Duke of Qin still remained uninherited.
The emperor's attitude clearly showed his disdain for the Qin family estate.
The Qin family estate had truly fallen into utter neglect.
This time, Qin Shi brought her niece, Qin Shaojing, the young miss of the Qin family estate.
"Lingyun, my daughter, prepare the courtyard in advance, have the maids and servants ready, and use the finest furnishings in the rooms. Shaojing is the young mistress of the Qin family estate and must not be slighted."
After reading the letter, Lu Lingyun arched her eyebrows slightly.
Qin Shaojing.
So, Qin Shi's niece was arriving.
As the young mistress of the Qin family estate, the furnishings had to be top-notch. She certainly had quite the grandeur.
Lu Lingyun smiled faintly. "Prepare the Caitang Pavilion beside the Ningxin Courtyard. Open the main storage room, select the newest utensils and ornaments, and take out a batch of items from my private storeroom."
"Yes."
Lu Lingyun personally supervised the room preparations, choosing the best items from the marquis's estate and adding some from her private collection.
Many of these items had been gifts from Qin Shi. She chose the large red coral decorations, the jadeite cabbage, an ivory carving of a hundred blessings and auspicious clouds, flowing cloud gauze curtains, gourd bead crystal curtains, and carved flower mica horn lamps, among other items.
Lu Lingyun was extremely generous, choosing the most beautiful and grand items.
After all, these furnishings would ultimately remain hers.
The guest would come and go without being able to take anything with her. These decorations wouldn't wear out.
Of course, consumables such as bedding, quilts, personal cups, and utensils were taken from the estate's storage.
Lu Lingyun used the best of everything, newly purchased at the estate's expense.
She went to great lengths to prepare the room for Qin Shaojing.
Then, she selected a group of maids from the estate: two senior maids and four junior maids for rough work, all prepared according to the standards of Cheng Yunshuo's quarters.
She treated Qin Shaojing as if she were the young mistress of the marquis's residence.
After the courtyard and servants were prepared, she asked, "Has the heir returned?"
"The heir is still staying at the House of Fragrance. He said he isn't going anywhere."
Lu Lingyun sighed softly, "Forget it, let him be."
Lu Lingyun dispatched someone for a visit to the Prefectural Commandant Manor and requested a leave of absence for Cheng Yunshuo for a period of time.
Fortunately, Cheng Yunshuo's role at the Prefectural Commandant Manor was an idle position. If he wanted to work, there was plenty to do; if not, no one would urge him.
The court rarely assigned tasks to the Prefectural Commandant Manor, and the higher-ups never took the place seriously, seeing it as somewhere noble scions could while away their time. Since Cheng Yunshuo didn't go, no one cared.
Not bothering with Cheng Yunshuo, Lu Lingyun focused on waiting for Lady Qin and the old Marquis to return.
In less than two days, their carriages returned to the capital and to the manor.
Lu Lingyun, along with everyone in the manor, including the three children, went to the gate to welcome them.
"Lingyun!"
Lady Qin got off the carriage and looked at Lu Lingyun with joy.
In her letters, Lu Lingyun had informed her about the major events in the manor during this time.
Including the fact that Xing Dairong had died from difficult childbirth, leaving a pair of male-female twins for the family.
To Lady Qin, this was truly a double stroke of good fortune.
She had never liked Xing Dairong, considering the woman a disaster for her precious son, nearly ruining the entire Ningyang Marquisate. Her death was a great joy to her.
If not for the two children she bore for the Marquisate, Lady Qin wouldn't have allowed her spirit tablet to be placed in the Marquisate.
Lu Lingyun managed this household remarkably well.
"Let me see the children quickly."
After getting off the carriage, Lady Qin first went to see the children held by the wet nurses.
Lu Lingyun had arranged for wet nurses for Xing Dairong's twins and had carefully nurtured them. Now they were thriving, though they were still frail.
"Mother."
"This is our little Bing'an!" Lady Qin first looked at the eldest, Bing'an.
Bing'an, now a month old, was plump and fair, incredibly adorable.
"Yes."
"He looks just like our Shuo'er!"
"It's truly wonderful!"
Lady Qin held Bing'an tightly, only giving a brief glance to Xing Dairong's children. After all, to her, there was a difference in affection and closeness. Since she disliked the birth mother, she naturally treated the children differently.
Lu Lingyun noticed Lady Qin's favoritism but didn't say much. "These two children are frail and shouldn't be exposed to the wind. Shall we take them back inside?"
Lady Qin glanced at the two children again. "Take them back and care for them well."
"Yes." Lu Lingyun gave the nannies a look, signaling them to take the children back first.
The atmosphere of this family's harmonious reunion grew even stronger.
At that moment, a brisk voice rang out from the carriage.
"Aunt, won't you let me see the children?"
Lu Lingyun looked in the direction of the voice and saw the last woman to descend from the carriage.
The woman was dressed in a white spring dress. She was still in mourning, so she wore white. However, the fabric was not ordinary; it was high-quality cloud brocade, finely embroidered with silver threads that sparkled subtly under the sun. The white dress further highlighted her flawless complexion, making her look strikingly beautiful.
She wore a head ornament adorned with black gemstones and silver filigree, and a large Hetian jade and gold necklace, with a central jade stone that looked invaluable and extremely precious. Two jade pendants hung from her waist, each an exquisite piece of fine jade.
At a glance, Lu Lingyun was immediately impressed by the woman's noble presence.
Despite her simple attire, she wore all the appropriate accessories, leaving nothing out. The simplicity of her white mourning attire only accentuated her unmistakable wealth.
However, Lu Lingyun soon realized that this wealth was only superficial.
Having been to Duke Xu's Mansion and met Lady Da Cui, Lady Xiao Cui, and her close friend Li Niyue, she noticed that while the woman's attire and accessories were extravagantly valuable and she was dressed appropriately, upon closer inspection, she seemed to be trying too hard.
Leaving aside the fact that she was in mourning and didn't need to be so elaborate, none of her accessories were of the latest styles. They were all antiquated pieces, giving the impression of trying too hard to maintain appearances.
In that moment, Lu Lingyun realized that the Duke of Qin's estate had truly fallen on hard times.
"This must be Miss Shaojing, right?"
Lu Lingyun raised an impeccable smile and generously extended a welcome to the woman descending from the carriage.
Lady Qin, who was holding Bingan, immediately looked up with a smile on her face. "That's right. This is Shaojing. Come here quickly, Xiao Jing. Let me make a proper introduction."