Chapter 94: Write It

Chapter 94: Write It

"How is she doing today?"

Old Madam Lu inquired about Ge Baor again.

Nanny Yan, after checking, reported, "Much better. She’s not coughing as severely as last night."

Conveniently, Zhang Feng'an had also taken a day off.

Old Madam Lu instructed, "Bring Qing Ge'er over to see his mother. Have someone help Aunt Ge freshen up."

Nanny Yan turned to leave, selected a maid to help Ge Baor groom, and then went to the secondary gate to send a message, calling Qing Ge'er over.

"I can really see my mother?!"

Qing Ge'er almost leapt out of his chair; he had lost weight these past days, and his eyes lacked the brightness they had when he first arrived at the mansion.

A servant said, "Young Master, hurry up. Nanny Yan is waiting in the hallway inside the secondary gate. Don't keep her waiting too long."

"I'm on my way!"

Qing Ge'er dropped what he was holding and ran as fast as he could.

It was during these days that he learned what it felt like to be less valued than a dog. Although sometimes resentful of his mother for causing so much trouble, he still deeply missed her.

Running to the secondary gate, he nearly tripped.

"Nanny Yan!"

Before even entering the hallway, Qing Ge'er called out loudly.

Nanny Yan stood up and beckoned, "Come with me, young master. Your aunt is waiting for you."

Qing Ge'er took her hand and followed.

Upon reaching the Shou Hall, Nanny Yan advised, "First go greet the Old Madam and pay respects to your grandmother."

Qing Ge'er nodded in agreement.

Old Madam Lu, upon seeing him, embraced him lovingly, "My dear child, why have you become so thin?"

Qing Ge'er, feeling aggrieved but also subdued, replied, "Big brother has lost weight too. Studying makes you thin."

That sounded like a sensible response.

Old Madam Lu felt that Ge Baor's absence from the mansion was ultimately a good thing for Qing Ge'er.

But...

If Ge Baor really is the legitimate daughter of the Duke's household, her return would be even better.

Zhuqing is also pregnant, and more descendants of the Lu family will be born in the future. It doesn't matter who gives birth to them; what's important is that Ge Baor's maternal family could support the children of the Lu family.

She patted Qing Ge'er on the head, "Go see your aunt. She must have missed you after such a long time."

Qing Ge'er, in tears, wiped his eyes and ran to the side room.

Old Madam Lu quietly followed behind.

From the corridor, she saw the mother and son embracing and crying together, their sobs almost shattering the heavens.

Nanny Yan commented, "Aunt still can’t bear to part with Young Master Qing."

Old Madam Lu was very pleased, "It's good that she can’t bear to part with him."

Watching Ge Baor crying so hard, she smiled, "Even if she were a fairy from the ninth heaven, once she becomes a mother, she will still end up in the hands of our Marquis of Wuding's household!"

"Let’s go."

Old Madam Lu and Nanny Yan returned to the main room to talk.

The Old Madam said, "The Duke's daughter was lost for twenty years, and the Duchess of Xingguo is still sick with grief. It shows that the Chen family also deeply cherishes their daughter."

Nanny Yan said, "Even if they didn't cherish her, after losing her for so many years, they must compensate their legitimate daughter."

Old Madam Lu laughed, "Exactly."

"Moreover, our Lu family is not inferior. For the Chen family's daughter, who has fallen to the status of a maid, being able to marry into our family would be her good fortune."

"In the future, they should well support Zhengliu as their son-in-law!"

Nanny Yan expressed her concern, "But about our situation with the Lin family..."

The divorce between the two households had caused a stir. If the Duke of Xingguo's household knew about it, they might hesitate, possibly unwilling to proceed with the marriage.

Old Madam Lu snorted, "That’s all for their daughter's sake! If they have someone sensible, they’ll know what to do to avoid disgracing their daughter and keeping face for our Lu family."

Nanny Yan chose not to dampen the Old Madam's spirits.

The matter was still unsettled, and first, they needed to confirm Aunt Ge's identity.

Old Madam Lu took a short rest in her room, then asked Nanny Yan, "Have the mother and son finished talking?"

Nanny Yan glanced outside and replied, "Almost."

Old Madam Lu nodded, "Call Aunt Ge to come and report, and summon Zhengliu here too."

Ge Baor came first, leading Qing Ge'er.

After such an ordeal and returning to the Marquis of Wuding's household, she was no longer as brazen as before, kneeling obediently on the ground, greeting, "I pay my respects to the Old Madam."

She kept her head lowered, not daring to look up.

Old Madam Lu, however, was quite amiable, "You're ill, get up and sit down to talk."

Ge Baor was astonished by this favor, looking at Old Madam Lu hesitantly, "I... I should still..."

"If I tell you to sit, then sit!"

Trembling, Ge Baor sat down, still holding Qing Ge'er's hand tightly.

Her chances to see Qing Ge'er were so rare, she clung to him, unwilling to let go.

Qing Ge'er, also afraid of losing sight of his mother again, nestled in her embrace, grasping her sleeve.

Nanny Yan interjected, "The young master is grown up now; it's not proper to embrace your aunt like this."

Old Madam Lu, however, spoke gently, "Let it be for now. They haven't seen each other for too long."

"Yes." Nanny Yan stepped aside.

Old Madam Lu directly asked Ge Baor, "The servants said you pawned a jade pendant before going to the estate. Is that true?"

What about the jade pendant?

Ge Baor's eyes widened, "Yes, yes. That's the jade pendant I've worn since I was young! Old Madam, has the Marquis... has he found out about it..."

Old Madam Lu raised her hand to silence her, "Don't ask too many questions for now. Just tell me, is the jade pendant yours?"

"Yes, it is!"

Ge Baor nodded vigorously, afraid of missing this chance.

She thought once taken to the estate, she would never return, but to her surprise, the Old Madam had sent for her, all because of the jade pendant! Something significant must have happened.

Old Madam Lu scrutinized Ge Baor, "Are you lying?"

Tears streamed down Ge Baor's face, "It's something I've worn for over twenty years, ever since I was old enough to eat. How could I lie about it!"

She certainly didn’t seem to be lying.

This reassured Old Madam Lu considerably.

"Grandmother."

Lu Zhengliu arrived, his face still bearing injuries.

Old Madam Lu frowned, a mix of concern and annoyance, but set aside her reprimands for now, "Come here, I need to ask you something."

Lu Zhengliu glanced at Ge Baor, his expression complex.

Finally, he asked Old Madam Lu, "Grandmother, why is she here?"

Old Madam Lu instead asked him, "She has a jade pendant, have you seen it?"

Lu Zhengliu nodded, "I have seen it. It's a fine piece of Hetian jade."

Notably high quality, its white color also known as mutton-fat jade.

"Is there a problem with that pendant?"

Old Madam Lu almost couldn't help but laugh, her face lightening with a smile, "Nanny Yan, take the aunt and Qing Ge'er down first."

Nanny Yan approached Ge Baor, saying, "Aunt, Young Master Qing, please come with me."

The mother and son left first, with Nanny Yan closing the door behind them.

Finally, Old Madam Lu asked Lu Zhengliu, "You met her in the Liyang countryside. When did you first see this jade pendant?"

Lu Zhengliu recalled his childhood, saying, "I've seen it ever since I knew her."

She treasured that jade pendant greatly, only letting him see it a few times before they were engaged.

It was only later, after they became intimate, that she told him she had worn the jade since childhood, even managing to keep it safe while serving as a maid for several years.

Old Madam Lu burst into laughter.

"Grandmother, what's wrong?"

Lu Zhengliu frowned in confusion.

Without further explanation, Old Madam Lu brought pen and ink to Lu Zhengliu, issuing an order, "Write the divorce letter. You and Yunwan must divorce immediately."

"What?"

Lu Zhengliu stood up, towering over the Old Madam. He turned away, angrily saying, "I disagree. I won’t divorce Yunwan!"

Old Madam Lu snorted coldly, sitting calmly, "You must divorce her."

She was confident her grandson wouldn't hold out for long.

After all, he had said he didn't want to marry the Lin family’s legitimate daughter, but he still did.