Chapter 83: Debt Collection
Chapter 83: Debt Collection
Meanwhile, Meng Qianqian was also ready to retire for the night.
Despite the rumors of the mansion being haunted, she felt surprisingly at ease lying there.
When Li Mama came to call her for a late-night snack, she was already fast asleep.
Li Mama tenderly tucked her in, adjusted her covers, and quietly left the room.
Holding a large bowl of mutton dumplings, Tan'er asked in a soft voice, "Is Sister Qian not eating? Then I'll eat it all!"
Li Mama replied, "Go ahead and eat."
The next day, Meng Qianqian woke up early.
Li Mama asked, "Why don't you sleep a little longer? You're at your own home now, no one will say anything."
Meng Qianqian said, "I've slept enough."
She was used to waking up early from her time in the military camp.
After breakfast, Meng Qianqian, accompanied by Banxia and Tan'er, went to the Lu family residence.
The Second Madam and Lu Linglong were just about to leave when they ran into her, and they immediately froze in their tracks.
Lu Linglong asked with annoyance, "What are you doing here at the Lu family?"
Meng Qianqian smiled faintly and replied, "I've come to collect a debt. What else could it be?"
Lu Linglong was left speechless.
The Second Madam forced a smile and said, "Qianqian, we of the second branch aren't very clear about the family's debts. You should go find the head wife and the elderly madam instead!"
After speaking, she quickly pulled her daughter into the carriage and left.
The servants went to report to the managers, but none of them wanted to get involved. Finally, Manager Liu invited Meng Qianqian to the flower hall.
Manager Liu had once served under Madam Lu, and he was one of the few with clean hands and honest dealings. He had always been polite to Meng Qianqian.
"First Madam, please have a seat for a moment while I inform the elderly madam of your arrival."
Banxia corrected him, "Manager Liu, my mistress is no longer a member of the Lu family, so addressing her as First Madam might not be very appropriate."
Manager Liu sighed, "In my heart, the only First Madam of the Lu family is Miss Meng."
"Please inform the elderly madam of my arrival," said Meng Qianqian.
"Yes." Manager Liu left to do so.
Upon hearing that someone had come to collect a debt, the elderly madam immediately feigned illness to avoid the meeting.
Manager Liu came to urge her three times.
Later, it was said that the matter had reached the Grand Madam, and she summoned Meng Qianqian to her courtyard, causing the elderly madam to finally heave a sigh of relief.
The Grand Madam was overjoyed to see Meng Qianqian and also felt a bit aggrieved, "Why did you take so long to come back? Next time, take me with you!"
Before moving out of the Lu family residence, Li Mama had secretly told the Grand Madam that her mistress was visiting relatives and would bring back many beautiful storybooks for her upon her return, fearing that the Grand Madam might fall ill if she couldn't find Meng Qianqian.
Little did the Grand Madam know that this wait would last for two months.
Meng Qianqian smiled and said, "Okay."
The Grand Madam asked the maid, Joyful Magpie, to go and fetch Madam Lu.
In the past, when Lu Lingxiao was raised by the elderly madam, the Grand Madam would invite Madam Lu and Lu Lingxiao to her courtyard so that Madam Lu could see her son more often.
"Qianqian?" Madam Lu was startled.
She didn't know that Meng Qianqian had left the capital, and she had been missing her a lot during this time, but she had no idea where Meng Qianqian had moved to.
"Madam," Meng Qianqian said.
Although she could no longer call her mother, both Madam Lu and the Grand Madam were people she considered family for this lifetime.
Madam Lu's heart twinged with sadness.
Qianqian had come to the Lu family when she was only twelve years old, and she would feel lonely and homesick at night, secretly crying to herself. When she cried, Madam Lu would let her sleep in her room. Later, when her son was presumed "dead," it was her turn to cry through the nights.
Qianqian would bring her a pillow and stay by her side all night, afraid that she might do something drastic.
If it weren't for this child, she didn't know if she would have been able to endure those years.
"I thought... I thought you..."
Madam Lu choked up.
Meng Qianqian held her hand and looked at her sincerely.
Some things didn't need to be said aloud; their hearts understood.
The Grand Madam spoke sternly, "I didn't even cry, so you're not allowed to cry either!"
Madam Lu wiped away her tears and smiled.
Madam Lu had a frail body, so Meng Qianqian brought her many precious medicinal herbs, along with instructions on how to prepare them.
Meng Qianqian had also brought some nourishing medicinal ingredients and storybooks from various places for Grandma Lu.
Lu Lingxiao had just come from the Bamboo and Pine Court to visit his great-grandmother, and from a distance, he could hear the sound of laughter and chatter.
He was quite surprised, as such liveliness was rare in his great-grandmother's courtyard.
As he drew closer, his expression froze.
Was she here too?
The weather was pleasant that day, and the courtyard doors and windows were open to let in the breeze.
Meng Qianqian sat with Grandma Lu and Lu Lingxiao's mother in the spacious and well-lit main hall, their voices filled with laughter. Even his mother, who usually seemed perpetually melancholy, couldn't help but smile.
Lu Lingxiao felt a sense of surrealness wash over him.
A maid inside the room spotted him and asked, "Young Master, would you like to come in?"
Lu Lingxiao hesitated for a moment before replying, "Never mind, I'll come back later."
He returned to the Bamboo and Pine Court.
Lin Wan'er was sitting in his room.
He was taken aback. In the past, seeing Lin Wan'er would have brought him joy, but now, her presence felt somewhat abrupt.
Lin Wan'er gestured: "I was wrong yesterday. I shouldn't have argued with you. I came to apologize. Please don't be angry with me anymore, alright?"
Lu Lingxiao's expression softened, and he sat down beside her. "I'm not angry with you. I'm angry with myself."
Lin Wan'er gently signed: "Whether you achieve merit or not, you will always be the hero in Wan'er's heart. As for Meng Qianqian, you don't need to worry about her for now. Lu Yuan wants to deal with you, so Meng Qianqian should be safe."
Lu Lingxiao frowned, his brows knitting together, but he didn't respond.
Xiaodie walked in and said, "Lu gege, didn't you go to see Grandma Lu? Why are you back so soon? I heard that Miss Meng is also there. Did you see her? Is she doing well?"
Upon hearing this, Lin Wan'er's expression changed slightly. "You went to see Meng Qianqian?"
Lu Lingxiao frowned. "No, I didn't!"
Lin Wan'er: "Then why didn't you come to see me? You said last night that you would come and see me today!"
Lu Lingxiao explained, "I was just about to come when you arrived."
Lin Wan'er gestured: "From Grandma Lu's courtyard to the Bamboo and Pine Court, you would have passed by my courtyard. Why didn't you stop by?"
Lu Lingxiao held up the brocade box in his hand. "I was carrying this, and I wanted to put it down before coming to see you."
Lin Wan'er angrily signed: "I don't believe you! Are you regretting your decision? Do you regret bringing me back and losing her?"
Lu Lingxiao had never had such thoughts. "Don't be ridiculous! When have I ever regretted anything?"
Lin Wan'er: "Then why did you go to see her?"
Lu Lingxiao said with a headache, "I told you, I didn't go to see her! I had no idea she was there before I went!"
Xiaodie anxiously tried to mediate: "Lu gege, Lin jiejie, please stop arguing! It's bad for your health, Lin jiejie. You should consider not only yourself but also your unborn child. And even if Lu gege went to see Miss Meng, what of it? They weren't alone together in a room. There were so many people around. Lu gege and Miss Meng are innocent, so there's nothing to make a fuss about."
Lin Wan'er slammed the table and coldly gestured: "This is none of your business!"
Xiaodie, frightened, hid behind Lu Lingxiao.
Lu Lingxiao said coldly, "Enough!"
"I'm going to do the laundry."
Xiaodie picked up Lu Lingxiao's dirty clothes and left timidly.
Lin Wan'er looked at Lu Lingxiao with hurt in her eyes.
"I have something to attend to at the military camp, so I won't be back tonight."
There was actually nothing urgent at the camp, but he didn't want to stay and argue with her. The Lin Wan'er he remembered was gentle, generous, and understanding, but after he returned from the border, she seemed like a completely different person, constantly suspicious and jealous.
As Lu Lingxiao reached the door, he ran into Meng Qianqian, who was coming from Grandma Lu's courtyard.
(End of Chapter)
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