Chapter 409: Begging the Duke’s Wife to Save My Third Young Lady’s Life

Chapter 409: Begging the Duke's Wife to Save My Third Young Lady's Life

Lan Shuyu's gaze constantly wandered over Jianing, who could naturally feel it. At first, Jianing responded with a polite smile, causing Lan Shuyu to avert her eyes. But soon, she looked again, her gaze falling on Jianing’s abdomen, and Jianing’s smile faded completely.

After conversing with Elder Lady Lan for a while, the elder stood to take her leave, having come primarily to express her gratitude. After giving thanks, she was ready to depart. Tang Shuyi did not insist on her staying and had Cui Zhu escort them to the gate.

"The status of this Miss from the Lan family must not be that of an ordinary concubine-born daughter, or else why would Elder Lady Lan make a special trip for her sake?" Jianing remarked to Tang Shuyi after the grandmother and granddaughter had left.

Tang Shuyi reflected on the affairs of the Lan family and then said, “It is said that Lord Lan has a concubine who is his childhood sweetheart and cousin. This cousin is the daughter of Lord Lan's aunt, the sister of the old Lady Lan.”

It is only because both Lord Lan and the old Lady Lan hold this cousin concubine in such high regard that this tale is known. In the capital, many nobles have concubines, but few truly dote on them as it goes against decorum.

“So this Miss Lan is the daughter of Lord Lan’s cousin and childhood sweetheart?” Jianing asked.

“That seems to be the case,” Tang Shuyi replied. “Lady Lan is not a frail character. It is said that when the cousin concubine gave birth to Lan Shuyu, there was a severe hemorrhage that nearly resulted in death for both mother and child. Though they were saved, she could bear no more children, whereas Lady Lan herself has given birth to three sons and a daughter.”

Jianing was surprised, “Lady Lan must also hold a special place in Lord Lan’s heart.” Otherwise, how could she have given birth to so many children.

Tang Shuyi smiled, “When you meet her at the next banquet, I'll point her out to you. She is a... very astute woman.”

Jianing sensed a subtle expression when Tang Shuyi spoke of Lady Lan, feeling that her “astuteness” was different from others. She wondered why Lan Shuyu had been looking at her all day – she had her suspicions but doubted their likelihood.

After all, even though she was already married to Xiao Yuchen, even if they weren't, Lan Shuyu would not be eligible to marry him. And as for Lan Shuyu wishing to become Xiao Yuchen's concubine, neither Lord Lan nor the old Lady Lan would consent. A daughter of a high official, even a natural daughter, could not be someone’s concubine without becoming the laughingstock of the entire capital.

Jianing guessed rightly; the old Lady Lan indeed disagreed and was furious upon learning of Lan Shuyu's wishes.

At this moment, Lan Shuyu was kneeling before the old Lady Lan, tears streaming down her face, “Grandmother, I am but a natural daughter, what kind of family can someone with my status marry into? Recently I heard mother wants to marry me off to a poor scholar, and father agreed. How am I to live with that?”

The old Lady Lan was livid, trembling she pointed at Lan Shuyu, “That scholar was carefully chosen by your father and me. He may come from a humble farming family, but his character and learning are outstanding. With your father’s support, his future is assuredly bright. What hardships could you possibly suffer? And where did you hear it was your mother who chose this match?”

“I heard it myself, the day I went to pay respects to the Lady, she discussed it with father,” Lan Shuyu cried, “Grandmother, the Lady despises me and my mother, how could she choose a good family for me?”

The old Lady Lan felt a numbing headache, her good daughter-in-law so brightly scheming, yet not a single fault could be found.

Lan Shuyu continued, “My second sister married into the An Yuan Marquis House, yet I am to marry a man of humble farmer origins. I know I’m a natural daughter and not of sufficient status, but wouldn’t I qualify to be the Duke of Dingguo’s son’s concubine?”

The old Lady Lan was so angered she was almost breathless, gasping she said, “Your aunt became a concubine, do you not see how difficult that life is?”

“My aunt is your own niece, why then did you let her become father’s concubine?”

The old Lady Lan was taken aback by such words, gripping the armrest of her chair tightly, she asked, “Did your aunt tell you to say this?”

Realizing her mistake, Lan Shuyu bowed her head in silence. The old Lady Lan weakly gestured, “Take her to her courtyard. Without my permission, she is not to leave.”

Several maids hurried forward to escort Lan Shuyu out, while the old Lady Lan collapsed into her chair, muttering incessantly, “It was my fault, indeed, it was my fault.”

The Lan family, due to Lan Shuyu's desire to become Xiao Yuchen's concubine, orchestrated an array of dramatic scenes. However, the Duke of Dingguo's residence remained calm, merely dealing with the increasingly intense calls for the emperor to select new consorts in the imperial court, all of which Li Jingyi brushed off.

As the days gradually cooled, Xiao Yuming's campaign against the bandits in the northwest progressed smoothly, earning him considerable merit. In his letters, he even promised a sure return before the year's end.

In the blink of an eye, the twelfth lunar month arrived, bringing even colder weather. Tang Shuyi, Xiao Yuzhu, and Jia Ning almost never left the house. That day, with Xiao Huai and Xiao Yuchen off to work, the women played cards in Shi An Garden.

They had barely started playing when Zhao, the butler, came to report that Mrs. Rong, a concubine of Master Lan, requested an audience. Tang Shuyi paused in surprise, then instructed, "Tell her that if she has any matters, she should discuss them with Lady Lan and have her come speak with me."

After the butler left with her response, Tang Shuyi laid a Three of Bamboo on the table and remarked, "I didn't expect the Lan family to lack such decorum."

Jia Ning's grip on her cards tightened. From the previous visit of Elder Lady Lan and Lan Shuyu, she had speculated that Lan Shuyu might have taken a liking to Xiao Yuchen and wished to be his concubine, yet she also felt it unlikely; after all, as a dignitary of the second rank, Master Lan would not allow his daughter to become someone's concubine.

But now, with a concubine from the Lan household seeking an audience, she felt the possibility greatly increased. Approaching her first anniversary of marriage without yet conceiving, despite the affectionate relationship with Xiao Yuchen, her heart was still filled with unease.

Zhao, the butler, relayed Tang Shuyi's message to Mrs. Rong at the gate: "My mistress has said, if you have any issues, inform Lady Lan and let her come to discuss them with my mistress."

Supported by two maids, Mrs. Rong, frail in appearance, swayed upon hearing Zhao's words and suddenly knelt down, weeping miserably, "Please, Duchess, save me, wu wu wu wu..."

Zhao did not expect her to kneel and frowned, "You should know your place. My mistress will not see you. Please leave at once."

Mrs. Rong shook her head, then cried out, "I beg the Duchess to save the life of our third young miss."

Losing patience, Zhao turned to instruct an overseer, "Make a trip to the Lan residence."

The overseer hurried off towards the Lan estate upon hearing the order.

……………

……………