Chapter 3: Proposal and Separation

Chapter 3: Proposal and Separation

Lu Zhengliu was adamant, determined to bring Qing Ge’er's mother, Ge Baor, into the mansion.

But the Marquis of Wuding already had a legitimate wife, making Ge Baor merely a concubine at best.

Old Lady Lu frowned, "Seven years ago, you insisted on marrying that woman. I said after Yunwan entered our family, we could take her in, but you couldn't bear to see her as a concubine. How does it matter if she bore a child alone, secretly from the Lu family? After all this, she still ends up entering as a concubine?"

"To have your own son registered under someone else's name is a loss indeed. I’m old and can't fathom what she's really after."

With a sigh, she decided to acquiesce to her grandson's wishes: "Let her enter then. Yunwan is a sensible main wife; she surely won't object to you taking a concubine."

But Lu Zhengliu remained silent.

Old Lady Lu, sensing something amiss, asked with a cold gaze, "What? Does Ge Baor still harbor delusions of becoming the main mistress of the marquis's mansion?"

Lu Zhengliu, with his head bowed, said, "Grandmother, Baor bore Qing Ge’er for me, enduring hardships alone for seven years to raise our child. I have wronged her. Having finally found her and our son, I cannot bear to make her a concubine."

Old Lady Lu remained silent for a long moment, scrutinizing her grandson coldly, unable to fathom how a mere country girl like Ge Baor had so bewitched him!

"You already have a lawfully wedded primary wife. The Lu family cannot possibly divorce her. Speak plainly, what exactly does Ge Baor want?"

"Grandmother, I wish to bring Baor into the mansion under the guise of your grandniece, to serve at your knees and offer filial piety. If..."

Lu Zhengliu hesitated before daring to continue, "If Baor is fortunate enough to outlive Lin Yunwan, then I will give her the status of the primary wife. This will not affect Yunwan."

Old Lady Lu's eyes widened in shock, exclaiming, "How can you even say such a thing!"

"Open your eyes and see how much Yunwan has contributed to the Lu family during your absence!"

"Grandmother, you insist on holding me accountable for marrying Lin Yunwan — I have already given her the position of primary wife. I do not want to fail Baor again."

"This is the only solution that satisfies all parties."

Old Lady Lu nearly choked in disbelief, coldly retorting, "And what if I do not agree?"

Lu Zhengliu replied calmly, "Then Qing Ge’er will be your only direct great-grandson."

A chill ran through Old Lady Lu's heart.

She believed her grandson would do as he said; if she refused to let Ge Baor enter the Lu family, they would indeed only have this single line of descent. In the future, not only would her grandson resent her, but her great-grandson might also grow to hate her.

"So be it..."

Old Lady Lu conceded reluctantly, "Wait until things settle down at home, then you can bring her into the mansion."

"I thank Grandmother."

"Don't be too pleased just yet. Remember your own words. As long as Yunwan is here, she can only be my 'grandniece'. If she dares harbor any ill intentions in the Lu family, do not blame me if the marquis's mansion cannot accommodate her!"

Lu Zhengliu assured earnestly, "Rest assured, Grandmother, Baor is not that kind of person."

After pondering for a moment, he added, "Also, please keep your promise, Grandmother. Do not entertain the idea of removing the mother to keep the child. Let us all live in peace."

Old Lady Lu felt a pang of guilt at his words.

If she had known earlier that Ge Baor was pregnant, she would never have let her live until today.

"Grandmother, I heard that on the day of selecting the child, you also picked another one, older than Qing Ge’er."

"Qing Ge’er is my legitimate grandson."

"Grandmother, I will never allow the position of the legitimate eldest son to be taken by an outsider."

Old Lady Lu shuddered at the memory, "Do you think I wanted an outsider to be the Lu family's legitimate eldest son?"

"I still don't know how Yunwan realized that Qing Ge’er had been educated. It was a close call! I had no choice but to agree to bring him into the mansion."

"Don't worry, on the day of the adoption, we'll temporarily record him as Changgong's foster son, with Qing Ge’er as the legitimate son. Once everything is settled, whatever Yunwan, a mere woman, says will be of no consequence."

Lu Zhengliu left feeling very satisfied.

As soon as he left, Old Lady Lu's expression visibly darkened. She said to her confidante, Yan Mama, "After seven years, that woman still gets her way. Her skills are indeed remarkable!"

"Alas, it’s often said that even heroes can't surpass the trials of love. You can't blame the young master; it’s those women outside who are too alluring!"

Old Lady Lu was silent for a while.

With a somewhat defeated air, she reflected, "Zhengliu has truly grown up..."

No longer the naive youth of seven years ago, who could be pressured into marrying the Lin family’s daughter just by saying, "This is your duty as the legitimate eldest son of the family."

Yan Mama consoled her, "This shows the young master can stand on his own now. To this old servant, it’s not necessarily a bad thing."

Old Lady Lu smiled faintly, hoping that would be the case.

On the auspicious day of the adoption, Lin Yunwan’s illness had also recovered.

Ping Ye brought out a set of solemn clothes, combed her hair into an equally dignified hairstyle, adorned with gold hairpins and jade rings, significantly enhancing her stature.

Tao Ye said with some anticipation, "Madam, when the young master sees you, he will surely be pleased."

Lin Yunwan gave a cold smile and turned to instruct Ping Ye, "Bring those gossipy old women from a few days ago to me."

Ping Ye hesitated, "Madam, I've already scolded them. Calling them over now... might disrupt the auspicious time of Changgong’s adoption."

"It won't cause any disruption at all."

Lin Yunwan knew in her heart that Qing Ge’er was the true bloodline of the Lu family; they would never allow Changgong to become the legitimate eldest son of the Lu family.

However, she would never let Qing Ge’er be her legitimate eldest son again.

She urged, "Hurry, any more persuasion from you will indeed delay the time."

Always loyal, Ping Ye didn't ask any questions and quickly rounded up three old women based on her memory from that day.

Lin Yunwan, carrying a letter, instructed her maids to bring several pieces of porcelain and led the old women to Shou Hall, making them all kneel in the courtyard.

"Yunwan, what are you doing?"

Old Lady Lu, having just finished dressing, came out to see the commotion and looked displeased.

What a good day it was, and what was Lin Yunwan, the mistress of the household, causing trouble for?

Lin Yunwan stood beside the old women, her voice cold, "Repeat what you said a few days ago in front of Old Lady Lu."

"What did they say?"

Old Lady Lu stepped forward, and all the maids and old women in the courtyard followed to see what was happening.

The old women knelt on the ground, heads bowed, too scared to answer.

Lin Yunwan sneered, "Now you don’t dare speak? Ping Ye, smash the porcelain bowls and place the shards under their knees, a thick layer."

"Yes!"

As soon as Ping Ye broke the porcelain, the old women were terrified and trembled, confessing everything.

"Is the madam about to be demoted?"

"Is the young master planning to divorce and remarry upon his return?"

"I always said the madam is ineffectual. A lady from such a refined family as hers can't possibly hold the young master's heart."

Old Lady Lu, furious, exclaimed, "You are too bold! How dare you speak such words about the mistress of the house! Someone, drag them away and beat them with paddles!"

The old women screamed loudly as Yan Mama ordered their mouths to be gagged and the doors shut, then turned to Lin Yunwan, "Madam, please come inside to talk."

Old Lady Lu sternly looked at Lin Yunwan, saying, "You, come with me!"

Lin Yunwan entered calmly, without a word, and placed a paper on the table.

Old Lady Lu's eyes widened at the sight of the words "Divorce Agreement" on the paper, almost fainting.

Yan Mama advised, "Madam, what... what are you doing?!"

Lin Yunwan said, "Although the old women were insolent, they spoke the truth. When I married into the marquis's mansion to repay my grandfather's debt of gratitude, the young master humiliated me in every way, and the Lu family turned a blind eye. My family's honor is gone!"

"My late grandfather, if he knew, would not wish for our families to become enemies. Please, Old Lady Lu, grant me a divorce and let me return home."

Old Lady Lu was stunned.

Her daughter-in-law had always been gentle and quiet; how could she say such things! She was becoming increasingly improper!

Yan Mama was also shocked.

Was the young master's wife driven to madness? What woman dares to propose a divorce from her husband's family? Unheard of!

"Yunwan, listen to what you're saying!"

Old Lady Lu quickly regained her composure, realizing the Lu family could not afford to lose Lin Yunwan at this moment.

She spoke kindly, "I know you've been wronged. What woman hasn't suffered? It's the same for all of us."

Still holding Lin Yunwan's hand, Old Lady Lu tapped gently, her voice even: "Yunwan, think carefully. Have you ever heard of a woman from a prominent official's family getting a divorce?"

Old Lady Lu said with a faint smile, "In respectable families, you only hear about wives dying of illness or taking their own lives, never about divorces."

"Your Lin family is likely even stricter than ours. Even if the elders from your clan were to come, they probably wouldn't allow such reckless behavior, would they?"

Lin Yunwan's lips twitched, unable to refute.

She knew well that the old lady spoke the truth.

"Yunwan, tell me your grievances, and I, as your grandmother, will surely help you."

"You can't speak of divorce again! How will you, a Lin family daughter, face others if such words spread?"

Lin Yunwan closed her eyes, then said, "Old Lady Lu, I do have a request."

Indeed, women often make a fuss only to seek their husband's affection.

Old Lady Lu sighed in relief, smiling, "Speak. I'll persuade my grandson to have a legitimate child with you soon."

"I've heard rumors from the front courtyard saying Changgong is only my foster son. I want Changgong to be my legitimate eldest son!"

"If the Lu family disagrees, then let’s have the elders from both our families discuss this matter."

Even if not discussing a divorce, it's high time to talk about the adoption!

Old Lady Lu was taken aback, wondering where Lin Yunwan heard about Changgong being a foster son!

Who on earth spread such irresponsible rumors!

"Grandmother."

Lu Zhengliu arrived, just in time to witness this drama about the divorce.

Everyone in the room turned at the sound, Lin Yunwan being the last to look over, her complexion fairer than snow, her eyes bright and lips red. She had a striking beauty that could easily be misconstrued as frivolous, yet her dignified and noble demeanor elevated her allure.

Not a trace of dullness in her.

He felt a jolt in his heart.

Grandmother was right; she really was completely different from a few years ago.