Chapter 63: Contemptible

Chapter 63: Contemptible

"Could it really be him..."

Returning to the Tui Si Hall, Lin Yunwan was somewhat distracted.

Ping Ye fetched her a shawl and closed the door, asking, "Madam, whom were you referring to?"

Lin Yunwan smiled, "Fetch the writing materials, I need to write a letter to my brother." Asking her family would clarify everything.

As she began to write, her pen flowed swiftly and gracefully, the letter completed almost without her realizing.

Ping Ye dried and sealed the letter, which was sent to the Lin residence that very night.

The next day, a reply came from the Lin family.

In his response, Lin Yunyi, knowing his elder sister had guessed, didn’t conceal anything and detailed Lady Lin's eye condition.

However, Lady Lin’s eye condition couldn’t be fully explained in a few words.

She told Ping Ye, "My brother wants me to visit personally when I have time. Is the silver ready for Elder Madam Xia’s departure from the mansion? And bring the gift list for their housewarming again for my review."

Tao Ye was handling these matters. She took out the tea from the brazier and poured a cup for Lin Yunwan, methodically saying, "The silver is prepared, and will be sent with Aunt Yuan when it's time. There’s still a screen undecided on the gift list; Elder Madam suggested the chicken wing wood screen from the storehouse, but Elder Cousin-in-law Lu seems unimpressed..."

That was not for Lu Jia to decide, as everything followed established protocols.

Lin Yunwan said, “Send the gifts as per the usual practice.”

She would later personally thank Elder Madam Xia for her mother’s matter, which would be a gesture from the Lin family, unrelated to the Marquis’s mansion.

After lunch, Lin Yunwan instructed the front courtyard to prepare the carriage; once the Xia family left, she planned to visit her maternal home.

The Xia family members bid farewell to Elder Madam Lu, eager to leave without even staying for dinner.

Elder Madam Lu couldn’t insist on their staying, only reminding Elder Madam Xia, “We are relatives after all. Feel free to visit our mansion as you’re still unfamiliar with the city.”

Elder Madam Xia politely agreed, but her expression was less warm than when she first arrived at the Lu mansion.

While serving tea, Yan Mama casually mentioned, “Elder Madam, someone from the front courtyard just reported that the cousin’s marriage has been called off.”

Elder Madam Lu responded, “Good that it’s called off. It was an ill-fated match, not meant to be.”

Her words were intended for Elder Madam Xia, indicating the marriage issue had been resolved, and she needn’t worry about any hidden troubles, as the Wu Ding Marquis's mansion always acted judiciously.

But Elder Madam Xia’s concerns extended beyond just this matter.

Before leaving, she advised Elder Madam Lu, “It’s not the children’s mistakes we fear, but their continuous errors. If only you would heed my advice and reform the family discipline early, setting the young masters straight.”

Elder Madam Lu verbally agreed, thinking to herself, if her grandsons were so easily managed, would they need outsiders to intervene?

She also said to Elder Madam Xia, “In the future, we will rely on the Old Master and Elder Master for matters concerning Zhengliu.”

Lu Jia quickly joined in, “Grandmother, rest assured, mother-in-law will definitely keep an eye on brother’s matters.”

Elder Madam Xia merely smiled, not commenting further.

She dared not hastily agree, not knowing if the Lu family would have any more scandals in the future.

"It's getting late; Elder Madam, please don't bother to see us out. We need to return and set up our new home."

Elder Madam Lu personally escorted them to the Chuihua Gate.

The Xia family members left decisively, except Lu Jia who was reluctant to return to her husband's home.

Once on the carriage, she complained to Roujuan, "Houses in the capital are so expensive. I heard the new house only has five sections. With so many people in our family, I'll probably only get a small courtyard at most, sharing it with his aunts, illegitimate sons and daughters!"

"It’s so crowded it might crush us."

Roujuan sighed, "Madam, look on the bright side. The Wu Ding Marquis's mansion is a legacy earned by generations of the Lu family. No matter where you marry, it won’t compare to the comfort of living in the Lu mansion."

Lu Jia, feeling unjust, said, "That Lin Yunwan is really lucky! I bet she never had it so good in the Lin family!"

But Roujuan observed, "From what I see, the life of the world's son's wife might not be so comfortable..."

Lu Jia frowned, "Why are you speaking in her favor?"

Roujuan lowered her head, quickly changing the subject, "Little Zhuo is fine, but Red Sister is ill. The elder master adores her. Once we arrive, madam should quickly have a doctor see her."

Lu Jia was impatient, yet she couldn’t ignore this matter.

Finally, she vented her frustration on Lin Yunwan, "She doesn’t appreciate her good life. Just because my brother took a concubine, she dares to show displeasure. If she were in my mother-in-law's hands, would she have it so easy?"

Roujuan didn’t defend Lin Yunwan anymore and quickly placated her.

After seeing off the Xia family, Lin Yunwan mentioned she too needed to return home.

Without the approval of her elders, she couldn’t leave the house at will.

Wei Shi, aware of her mother's eye condition, generously said, "Go ahead without worry, I’ll take care of everything at home."

"Old Lady Lu didn’t say much, as it involved Lin Yunwan’s mother. If the Lu family were so heartless, Lin Yunwan would indeed be disheartened. Her grandson would then struggle to regain her affections."

"Yan Mama helped her return to the Shoutang Hall."

"She then asked, 'Has the person I sent out returned yet?'"

"Yan Mama replied, 'Not so soon.' The words she had spoken earlier in front of Old Madam Xia were meant for her to hear."

"Old Lady Lu instructed, 'Let me know immediately once they return.'"

"Yan Mama nodded."

"Back in the room, they resumed discussing the matter of the medicine."

"'You were right, Old Lady. The previous one died, but a disciple survived. She’s also an expert in these matters. At first, she tried to fool me, but after I tricked her a few times, she slipped up.'"

"'I bargained with her for a while and settled the deal: five hundred taels of silver for a three-month supply of the medicine...'"

"Yan Mama gestured with her hand, indicating the number three."

"Old Lady Lu said, 'The money is not a problem. Take it from my treasury, but do it discreetly, without anyone noticing.'"

"'Of course.'"

"Old Lady Lu furrowed her brows and asked, 'How is she doing now?'"

"Yan Mama responded, 'This time the confinement is strict; even Young Master Qing isn’t allowed to see her. Don’t worry, she can only be released once the person we sent out returns.'"

"Having fallen ill recently, Old Lady Lu easily grew tired and fell asleep after speaking a few words."

"In the imperial palace."

"After meeting with the emperor, Qi Lingheng stepped out of the hall and saw Ah Fu waiting outside. Sensing the unease, he asked, 'What’s happened?'"

Afu hastened his steps and approached, saying, "It's about the Lin family."

Qi Linghen strode forward, asking, "Did the Lin family go to the palace to get medicine?"

He instructed Afu, "If we have it in the palace, give them the best."

Afu sighed and said, "It's not about that." He bowed and followed his master, whispering, "You wouldn't guess what the Lu family's young master did about Madam Lin's issue."

"What is it?" Qi Linghen glanced at Afu, warning him, "Stop beating around the bush."

Afu said angrily, "Mr. Li was already at the Lu residence, waiting to go with him, but he just left him there!"

"You've seen Mr. Li's temperament. He doesn't even wait for people from the palace. This young master of the Lu family, acting so high and mighty, expecting others to wait on him!"

"I can't understand his thinking. A distant 'cousin' is in a life or death situation, what does it have to do with him? Not only did he botch the job, but he probably offended the young master's wife."

Qi Linghen frowned, "Is he really doing all this for a woman?"

Afu nodded, "The maids living in the back street of the Marquis of Wuding's mansion said so themselves. There's no mistake."

"That's despicable."

Qi Linghen said with disdain.

Afu agreed, "Exactly, nothing but despicable..."

Suddenly, he felt something was amiss. Since when did the Prince ever curse someone?