https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-3-Entangled-with-a-Great-Villain/12582311/
Chapter 4: Her Generosity
Chapter 4: Her Generosity
That night, after Meng Qianqian coaxed the Grand Madam to sleep, she set out to return to her own courtyard.
As soon as she stepped out, she bumped into Lu Lingxiao.
Lu Lingxiao had come to look for Meng Qianqian.
He felt somewhat guilty for wrongfully blaming her during the day.
Later, he asked Steward Liu and learned that she had been taking meticulous care of her senile great-grandmother these past few years.
Feeling ashamed, he bought a hairpin on his way back, intending to apologize to her.
But before he could say anything, she spoke first, "The Grand Madam is asleep. You can come visit her tomorrow, but come later in the day as she sleeps in."
"I came to find you," said Lu Lingxiao.
"Me?" Meng Qianqian thought for a moment. "The osmanthus cake is finished."
Lu Lingxiao froze, feeling a mix of exasperation and amusement.
How could this girl's mind be so filled with thoughts of food?
Was he the type to fight her over pastries?
No, that morning... he had taken her osmanthus cake to give to someone else.
Lu Lingxiao felt a bit embarrassed. He clenched his fist and coughed lightly, "If you like osmanthus cakes, I'll buy you some from Zhou's shop next time."
"You're looking for me just to tell me this?" asked Meng Qianqian.
"I..."
Lu Lingxiao fiddled with the brocade box in his hand, about to take it out and give it to her, when Lu Luo hurried over.
"General!"
She respectfully bowed to Lu Lingxiao and then turned to Meng Qianqian, also bowing, her voice much more cautious, "Young Madam."
Meng Qianqian ignored her.
"What is it?" Lu Lingxiao asked Lu Luo.
Lu Luo glanced at Meng Qianqian's expression and asked in a low voice, "Miss Lin asked if you will be going to Feng Courtyard for dinner tonight?"
"She hasn't eaten yet?"
"She's been waiting for the General."
"Nonsense!" Lu Lingxiao frowned and strode towards the Feng Courtyard.
Lu Luo hurried after him with small quick steps.
Banxia was so angry that she stomped her feet. "Despicable! She's stealing him away right in front of the Grand Madam's courtyard! The young master has come looking for the young lady three times, and she's taken him away twice! Is the young master hers alone? Does she think she can monopolize him? Just thinking about how that dead girl was trembling in front of the young lady earlier makes me angry. It's as if we can't accommodate her, Miss Lin!"
Meng Qianqian walked back calmly.
Li Mama glared at Banxia. "Haven't you seen that the young lady is already troubled enough? Keep your mouth shut!"
Banxia huffed, "Am I wrong? She's the wife, and the other is the concubine. Our young lady hasn't even had her bridal tea, and all because of that piece of flesh in her belly. What right does she have to be so arrogant? Young lady, when you return, please give birth to a child for the young master too! Yours will be the legitimate son! Then we'll see if she can still put herself above you!"
Although Li Mama didn't like Banxia's bluntness, this last idea resonated with her.
In the husband's family, a son was a mistress's lifelong support.
"Young lady, the young master is just temporarily bewitched by that fox outside. Once the novelty wears off, he will naturally return to your side. When the time comes, you and the young master can consummate your marriage and have a child or two. Then, the rest of your life will be secure."
At dawn, Meng Qianqian woke up.
Li Mama brought in hot water and hung up the curtains.
Seeing the sweat on Meng Qianqian's forehead and her damp night clothes, she asked, "Young lady, did you have a nightmare again last night?"
Half a year ago, their young lady had been pushed into the water by the Second Wife's daughter, Lu Mengyao, and had fallen seriously ill. Ever since then, the young lady had been plagued by headaches and nightmares.
"We should call a doctor," Li Mama advised.
"There's no need," Meng Qianqian said calmly.
When the Old Madam was still around, Meng Qianqian would pay morning and evening respects to her together with Lu Mengyao.
If Meng Qianqian didn't go, the Old Madam wouldn't directly scold her, but she would reprimand Lu Mengyao for her lack of discipline.
When Meng Qianqian arrived at Fushou Courtyard, Lu Mu was already attending to Madam Lu's hair.
Most likely due to Lu Lingxiao's resurrection, the elderly Madam was in high spirits. She had changed into a bright and colorful outfit and asked Lu Mu to style her hair in a more lively manner.
"Ouch! You're hurting me!" The old madam frowned.
Lu Mu quickly responded, "I'll be gentler, mother-in-law."
After finishing the old madam's hair, Lu Mu personally attended to her mother-in-law's washing up.
Just as they were about to finish the routine with the application of snow cream, the Second Madam arrived, all smiles.
"Big sister-in-law! Let me do it!"
She rushed into the room, paying no heed to whether Lu Mu approved or not. She snatched the snow cream from Lu Mu's hand, pushing her aside.
As she applied the cream to the old madam's face, she gazed at the bronze mirror and exclaimed, "Oh my, is this really my mother? You look ten years younger! I almost didn't recognize you! It's all thanks to Xiao Ge; he truly is your favorite. Ever since he returned, your white hair has lessened, and your wrinkles have disappeared!"
The old madam chuckled, "You and your silver tongue."
Lu Mu, accustomed to this behavior, remained silent and turned to lay out the dishes.
Meng Qianqian followed her to help.
In the Lu family, it was always the First Madam who toiled tirelessly, while the Second Madam reaped the benefits.
Ironically, even though Lu Er Ye was born to a concubine, the First Madam was the old madam's legitimate daughter-in-law.
"Where's Ling Long?" The old madam inquired.
The Second Madam continued applying the snow cream as she replied, "She went to find Xiao Ge. You know how much she respects her older brother. Xiao Ge has accomplished great things at the border and is said to be a third-rank official now, which is even more impressive than his father. Xiao Ge was raised by you, Mother. In hindsight, I should have sent my second and third sons to be brought up by you as well! I regret it deeply!"
Lu Mu's hands tightened around the chopsticks she was holding.
The old madam waved her off. "All right, all right, stop trying to butter me up. What do you want this time?"
The Second Madam hugged the old madam's arm and cooed, "Mother, I've taken a fancy to a set of hairpins and combs from Baolinji. I don't quite have enough silver taels for it."
The old madam nonchalantly replied, "For such a small matter, just ask your big sister-in-law, and she'll have the treasury provide you with the difference."
Lu Mu interjected, "Baolinji is very expensive."
The old madam frowned. "What? Is the Lu family unable to afford a simple set of hair accessories now?"
"Mother, the family has always used..."
"Qianqian, come here." The old madam interrupted her daughter-in-law and beckoned to Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian put down the bowls and plates and approached.
The Second Madam wisely gave up her seat to Meng Qianqian.
The old madam held Meng Qianqian's hand and spoke kindly, "Xiao Ge is back, and the happiest person must be you, Qianqian. From now on, you're a general's wife. Wherever you go, people will have to address you respectfully as Mrs. Lu."
She sighed, "Your grandfather passed away too soon, and I didn't have this blessing. But, being a general's wife isn't easy. I heard that yesterday, because of a plate of osmanthus cake, you caused Miss Lin of Feng Courtyard some trouble."
"Qianqian, that was wrong of you. As a small merchant's daughter from Youzhou, marrying into our Lu family is the blessing of eight lifetimes. Your status no longer fits that of a commoner, so don't bring embarrassment to your husband. Do you understand?"
Meng Qianqian of the past: Mrs. Lu? I'm not interested!
Meng Qianqian now: Mrs. Lu? o(￣︶￣)o
(End of Chapter)
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