https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-87-Qianqian-Astonishes-the-Lu-Family/12582513/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-89-The-Officers-Adore-Meng-Qianqian/12582515/
Chapter 88: She is Meng Xiaojiu
Chapter 88: She is Meng Xiaojiu
This was a move to elevate Lin Wan'er's status.
To say elevate was not entirely accurate. As the daughter of Shen Hou, her status was already comparable to that of a duke's daughter. However, Lin Wan'er had no one to rely on in the capital, unlike those who had powerful backers.
To support her now would be like sending charcoal in snow—a timely and much-needed help.
If Shen Hou's old subordinates were to find her and pledge their allegiance later on, then their support would merely be icing on the cake.
Concubine Li was adept at seizing the right moment.
Joy lit up Lin Wan'er's face, but she didn't immediately agree. Instead, she turned to look at the elderly Madam Lu behind her.
This seemingly casual gesture touched the elderly madam deeply.
Madam Lu spoke kindly, "Wan'er, this is your good fortune. Go on, call your godmother now."
Lin Wan'er shyly signed with her hands, addressing the older woman as her godmother.
Lu Luo said, "Our young miss is calling you godmother."
Wen Shi, who already knew about her inability to speak, warmly took Lin Wan'er's hand and smiled in acknowledgment. "Aye!"
"Wan'er, now that you've acknowledged my sister-in-law as your godmother, you're one of us," Concubine Li said as she glanced at Madam Lu and Lu Mu. "Since the elders of the family are all here, why don't we also settle the marriage between the two children?"
Madam Lu was overjoyed. "Of course, of course!"
Oh my, to be able to marry the daughter of the Black Armored Guard was already a tremendous blessing. And now, to have the Duke of Yao as in-laws—the Lu family had truly hit the jackpot this time!
Wen Shi sat down next to Lu Mu.
Given her status as the Duke of Yao's wife, she didn't need to be so courteous to Lu Mu. But what could she do when Concubine Li was trying to win over the Lu family?
She said gently, "Mrs. Lu, regarding the marriage between Wan'er and your son, the sooner the better, don't you think?"
Lu Mu replied, "Ling Xiao's marriage has always been handled by my mother-in-law. You can discuss it with her, Madam."
A fleeting expression crossed Wen Shi's face. Was this a sign of dissatisfaction with the marriage? Did they dislike Lin Wan'er, or was it the Duke of Yao's family they didn't favor?
The second madam smoothed things over. "My eldest sister-in-law's health hasn't been good. Ling Xiao was raised by the elderly madam."
"Ah," Wen Shi smiled and went along with it, turning to discuss the marriage between the two families with Madam Lu.
Usually, when the parents of both sides met to discuss a marriage, they wouldn't do so in front of the younger generation, especially not the girl's side. However, with Lin Wan'er present, they still talked about everything in great detail.
Apparently, deep down, they didn't really value Lin Wan'er as a person. What they valued was her status and the Black Armored Guard troops she might inherit in the future.
Concubine Li smiled and said, "I will ask His Majesty to bestow a marriage decree upon them, so that Wan'er can marry into your family in grand style!"
It was Meng's family who had severed ties with Lu Lingxiao first. Now that the emperor would bestow a marriage decree for Lu Lingxiao to marry Lin Wan'er, no one could criticize them.
Today, Lin Wan'er had truly earned herself a lot of face. So much so that when she and Lu Linglong encountered Meng Qianqian, who was playing hide-and-seek with Baoshui in the Linde Hall, she couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority and satisfaction.
Lu Linglong frowned. "Why is it her again? Bad luck! Hey, you're not really here to look for my brother, are you?"
Meng Qianqian: "Are you stupid?"
"You—"
Lu Linglong was about to explode, but her personal maid pulled her back.
"Miss, please don't cause any more trouble!"
Lu Linglong thought of her grandmother and mother's warnings and managed to hold back, stomping away with a sour look on her face.
Lin Wan'er walked up to Meng Qianqian and signed with her hands: "I'm going to marry the general soon. Concubine Li played matchmaker, and His Majesty has agreed to bestow a marriage decree. By then, I will marry into the duke's mansion with the dual identity of the daughter of the Duke of Yao and Shen Hou."
Meng Qianqian said, "In that case, you'd better keep an eye on your man. After you become Mrs. Lu, make sure he doesn't show up in front of me again unless he's prepared to pay back what he owes."
Lin Wan'er's face darkened.
Meng Qianqian smiled. "Ah, a wife pays her husband's debts. When I married him, I paid off a large sum of silver for their family. Now that you're the adopted daughter of the Duke of Yao, you'll probably have a generous dowry. Remember to help your dear husband pay back the silver he owes me."
Lin Wan'er was left speechless.
Meng Qianqian went to find Baoshui.
Lin Wan'er tried to pull her by the wrist, but Meng Qianqian, without even turning back, deftly avoided her hand.
With a sideways glance, Meng Qianqian said, "I detest being touched by someone as vile as you."
Lin Wan'er gestured: What do you have to be proud of? I am the daughter of Shen Hou, the one who stayed by his side, and the future Lady of the Lu family! As for you, you're merely Lu Yuan's maid! You think you can gain favor by selling your body? How long do you think that will last?
Unfortunately, Meng Qianqian didn't even turn back, leaving Lin Wan'er's insult hanging in the air.
Not far away, a young lady pulled Lu Linglong and asked, "Linglong, who is that person? Is she your elder sister-in-law? I saw her at the Liu family's place last year."
Lu Linglong curled her lips. "She's not my sister-in-law! She's not worthy of being my sister-in-law! My sister-in-law is the daughter of the Black Armored Guard!"
Another young lady teased, "You're calling her your sister-in-law even before the marriage?"
"It's going to happen soon!" Lu Linglong thought of something and asked, "By the way, who was it that said the new Yin Hu Wei is called Meng Xiaojiu?"
One of the young ladies replied, "Meng Xiaojiu."
Lu Linglong scoffed, "Hmph, why is it another person with the surname Meng?"
At that moment, a man exuding the aura of a seasoned warrior walked by and shouted at Meng Qianqian, "Hey, what are you doing there? That's not where you should be. Hurry up and get out here!"
Meng Qianqian responded with an 'oh' and slowly started walking out.
The elderly Madam Lu, Second Madam Lu, and Wen Shi also arrived at the Linde Hall at that moment and happened to witness this scene.
Second Madam Lu laughed mockingly, "So, she wasn't even qualified to be here in the first place! As expected, all the guests here are esteemed, and a mere maid like her has no right to sit with us."
Wen Shi was taken aback. "A maid?"
Second Madam Lu smiled and said, "Concubine Yao, that person is Meng Qianqian, my former niece-in-law."
However, Wen Shi's gaze fell on the man who was reprimanding Meng Qianqian.
"After only returning for a few days, she has already forgotten her place?"
The man was quite fierce.
Meng Qianqian lowered her head and endured the scolding.
The elderly Madam Lu felt a surge of satisfaction. Back at the Liu family, that girl had publicly severed ties with Lu Lingxiao, causing the Lu family to lose face. Now, it was her turn to be embarrassed!
But something about this situation didn't sit right with Wen Shi. That man... she had seen him at her home yesterday.
His name was Zhang Feihu, and he was the general who had made the most significant contribution in the recent border battle!
"I was wondering why I couldn't find you. You were hiding in the women's section? Everyone's waiting for you! Come on!"
Zhang Feihu led Meng Qianqian away.
Second Madam Lu asked, "What's going on? Did she go to the men's section?"
The elderly Madam Lu said, "She's a maid. Instead of serving her master, she wants to sit and eat with us?"
Second Madam Lu smiled brightly, "Mother is right!"
However, Wen Shi sensed something amiss. Although Zhang Feihu appeared to be scolding Meng Qianqian, as he passed by the flower bushes, he walked on the other side, carefully moving aside the branches that were blocking the way.
Wen Shi asked, "What's her surname?"
Second Madam Lu replied, "Meng."
Wen Shi: "Meng..."
Second Madam Lu asked, "What's wrong?"
"Xiaojiu is here!"
"Xiaojiu, come, come, come and sit!"
"Move aside! Xiaojiu, sit here with me!"
At the frontmost table sat the generals who had made the most outstanding contributions in the border battle. Upon seeing Meng Qianqian, they all stood up and eagerly made space for her.
The usually gruff and unsmiling group of men suddenly became considerate, peeling peanuts and pouring tea, leaving the Lu family members stunned.
Even Lin Wan'er and Lu Linglong were dumbfounded.
Wasn't Meng Qianqian chased away? How did she end up sitting with the generals in the blink of an eye?
Second Madam Lu stammered, "Lu Yuan's maid... is her status that high?"
Wen Shi frowned, "Meng... Xiaojiu... She's Meng Xiaojiu! She's the Yin Hu!"
The Lu family was struck as if by lightning!
(End of Chapter)
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