Chapter 95: Disbelief

Chapter 95: Disbelief

The reputation of the Lu family could no longer withstand any more turmoil.

Old Madam Lu would prefer a softer approach with Lu Zhengliu if possible, rather than being forceful.

She lifted her tea cup, leisurely sipping it, and said with lowered gaze, "Do you know what Ge Baor's jade pendant symbolizes?"

She wasn't at all worried about Lu Zhengliu lacking curiosity.

He indeed frowned, saying, "Grandmother, don't beat around the bush. Just say it."

Old Madam Lu placed her tea cup down with a thud, "That jade pendant is unique to the heirs of the Duke of Xingguo's household!"

Lu Zhengliu was stunned, disbelief filling his cold eyes.

"The Duke of Xingguo’s household?"

He scoffed in disbelief.

Old Madam Lu, not yet addressing the truth, lifted her eyelids to ask him, "If she truly is the lost legitimate daughter of the Duke of Xingguo’s household, will you write the divorce letter or not?"

Lu Zhengliu moved his lips, then clenched his fist, saying, "I won't write it!"

He spoke resentfully, "Just because she's the legitimate daughter of the Duke's household, I should divorce my wife and remarry? What will people say about the Lu family? Would the Duke's household even respect me?"

"Grandmother, I don’t want to live at the mercy of others."

One Lin family had already made the Lu family bow their heads; adding the Duke of Xingguo’s household would mean he'd never have a chance to rise.

"Grandmother, the Duke of Xingguo’s household has a notorious reputation for arrogance; they're not easy to get along with."

Thinking about being constrained by his in-laws, even interfering in his private affairs, made him frown deeply.

No matter what, he felt that the current situation was the best option.

Old Madam Lu, however, pondered deeply over her grandson's words.

After a moment of silence, she said, "Your points are valid, but—"

“But that’s the Duke of Xingguo’s household!”

Even being overshadowed by the Chen family, the Marquis of Wuding’s household was still better off than now.

She asked, “Do you really have a better plan now?”

She advised patiently, “One should aim high. Reach that high ground first, then deal with challenges as they come. How much can the Duke of Xingguo’s long arm really control you as a son-in-law? This is the Lu family! Your father and I are still here.”

Nanny Yan also came in and said, “Master, you don’t need to worry so far ahead, just get through the current difficulties first.”

The Lu family being stripped of their title wasn’t just about losing their stipend; their business dealings would suffer as outsiders would no longer respect them.

The elder Lady Lu said despondently, “You can’t see it now, but wait till the year turns, you’ll see our family’s days getting worse by the day.”

“The reputation of our household diminishes a little today, a bit more tomorrow. In two or three years, the Marquis of Wuding’s estate will collapse!”

This made Lu Zhengliu extremely uncomfortable.

He hung his head, his face a picture of frustrated ambition and despondency.

The elder Lady Lu, not bearing to see her grandson like this and noticing the bruise on his face, asked with concern, “Did you get into a fight outside?”

Lu Zhengliu pursed his lips and said, “Who told you that?”

“No one told me, but do you think I don’t know?”

The elder Lady Lu sighed, “Don’t let these troubles lead you astray. The Lu family survived difficult times seven or eight years ago, can't we do the same now?”

Lu Zhengliu said, “Grandmother, I haven’t degenerated.”

“Then why are you going out to drink and argue with others?”

Lu Zhengliu explained helplessly, “I’ve considered the crisis you mentioned. That’s why I want to recruit some talented advisors to plan for future businesses. The household can’t just consume without producing. Changgong and Qingge still need money for their future.”

“It was just an encounter with a few worthless fools that led to...”

“Don’t worry, I have my limits. I didn’t cause any trouble.”

The elder Lady Lu was actually quite surprised.

Her grandson had more ambition than she thought.

Understanding how her grandson must have felt aggrieved, she spoke softly, “Your intentions are good, but things are never that simple. If you truly care about the household, consider what I’ve said.”

“Release the Lin family girl from marriage soon.”

Thinking of the humiliation he faced outside, Lu Zhengliu’s resolve weakened, but he still didn’t agree to a divorce.

After he left, the elder Lady Lu’s expression turned very cold, speaking to Nanny Yan, “Zhengliu’s words make sense. Divorcing Yunwan for the Duke of Xingguo’s legitimate daughter would damage our reputation. His stubbornness... circumstances may pressure him, but I can’t push him further.”

Nanny Yan was startled, “Elder Lady Lu, are you thinking of...”

“Is there any of that medicine left?”

Referring to the poison obtained from the nunnery.

Nanny Yan said, “There’s plenty left. Didn’t the aunt stop taking it? We’ve been wondering what to do with it.”

The elder Lady Lu said slowly, “Keep it for now. No need to rush. Everything has to be stable first... We can’t afford to lose more than we gain.”

At least they needed to confirm if Ge Baor really is the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Xingguo.

Nanny Yan wanted to advise against it but swallowed her words at the last moment.

"This is the very epitome of favoring a concubine over a wife!"

"It's not as simple as poisoning a concubine; one wrong move, and the Lu family could face a major disaster."

\\

In the Hanging Silk Hall.

Pingye told Lin Yunwan, “The master has already visited the elder Lady Lu.”

Lin Yunwan acknowledged softly.

She had already guessed that the elder Lady Lu was pressuring Lu Zhengliu to divorce her.

Closing her eyes, she whispered softly, “If the divorce happens peacefully, it won’t harm the reputation of the Lin family or mine.”

She hadn’t expected things to turn out this way.

Taoye, full of worry, said, “A woman cannot serve two husbands. Grandmother, the Lin family won’t allow you to remarry.”

Lin Yunwan replied calmly, “I have no intention of remarrying.”

She said serenely, “Living quietly in a convent would also be very nice. Changgong studying in the Lin family won’t be any worse than in the Lu household.”

Her future life would certainly be simple, but simplicity isn't necessarily bad.

Yet, she felt a persistent unease in her heart.

The shamelessness of the Lu family always exceeded expectations.

Her unease was confirmed when the elder Lady Lu sent over bird’s nest and some jewelry.

The maid said, “Grandmother, these were sent by the elder Lady Lu. She also mentioned she has some fine ginseng. If Lady Lin needs it, you are welcome to take it.”

Pingye was utterly baffled, asking the maid directly, “Why would the elder Lady Lu send bird’s nest and these items to Grandmother all of a sudden?”

The maid replied, bewildered, “It was the elder Lady Lu who instructed me to bring them.”

“Pingye, you may leave now.”

Lin Yunwan clenched her handkerchief, had the items put away, but dared not use them. After changing her clothes, she went to see the elder Lady Lu.

The elder lady had anticipated her visit and knew why she had come, saying with a faint smile, “Yunwan, if you think the Lu family would abandon you for a legitimate daughter of the Duke of Xingguo, then you underestimate our family.”

Lin Yunwan’s expression was very cold.

It wasn’t that she underestimated them; it seemed she had overestimated the Lu family!

The elder Lady Lu, knowing she wouldn’t believe it, said earnestly, “As long as Zhengliu refuses to let you go, I, as his grandmother, will not force him to do anything.”

“Yunwan, even if she were a princess marrying into the family, the Lu household wouldn’t want her.”

“All I hope for now is that you and Zhengliu manage the household well.”

“If Ge Baor really is a legitimate daughter of the duke’s family, and you kindly let her return, it would be a good deed for Changgong, for your mother, to accumulate virtue. But if you don’t want to... then let it be.”

Lin Yunwan gave a cold smile.

She didn’t believe a word!