Chapter 256: Chaos

Chapter 256: Chaos

"What did Changgong come to you for?"

Lin Yunwan was very curious.

Qi Lingheng's smile was enigmatic, "What do you think Changgong is like?"

Lin Yunwan's impression of Changgong, still based on a few years ago, she laughed, "He's hardworking, shy, kind, and filial."

"I've never seen such a good child. All the best adjectives apply to him without exaggeration."

She had a very high opinion of Lu Changgong.

Qi Lingheng chuckled softly, "Then it's better you don't know."

"What's wrong?"

Lin Yunwan slightly furrowed her brow.

Qi Lingheng paused, then said, "…he probably doesn't want you to know either. Just wait and see what he does for you, for himself."

Lin Yunwan raised an eyebrow, curious about what Changgong could possibly do.

\\

The Marquis of Wuding's residence was already in chaos.

"Ah, if it weren't for the eldest young master holding things together, the household would have completely fallen apart!"

The servants at the gate spoke in a dejected tone.

"Exactly! Thankfully our first lady chose such a capable eldest young master for the Lu family. Otherwise, what would we do now?"

They were born and raised servants, so they could still guard the door.

Those recently purchased or sent by Lady Chen were leaving or being sold; the Marquis of Wuding's household was rapidly losing people.

Qiao, carrying an axe, passed by the gate, looking at the decline of the household. He spat disdainfully and walked away with his head held high.

The young gatekeeper envied him, "He really knows how to pick his master. Following the eldest young master, he's set for a bright future."

"He’s set for a bright future? When has Qiao ever been treated badly these years? I don’t know why the eldest young master takes such good care of him."

……

Inside the inner courtyard, Lu Zhengliu went from anxious and angry to utterly despondent, refusing to meet anyone. It seemed as if he was entrusting his last wishes to Lu Changgong.

"Changgong, if something happens to me… the family will rely on you."

"Even if our business fails, there are two things that must not be sold: the ancestral home and the ancestral lands. As long as the house stands and the temple remains, the Lu family will always have a chance to rise again."

"It's my fault, you should be preparing for the imperial examination after the New Year, and here I am burdening you. Don't concern yourself with other matters, focus solely on your studies. As long as you have a title, the Lu family won't fall."

After a lengthy speech, Lu Zhengliu sighed deeply, patted Lu Changgong's shoulder earnestly, "Fortunately, the Lu family has you. Even if I die, I can face our ancestors with some dignity."

He knew his fate was sealed.

Watching the Lu family decline day by day, he was thankful to have an outstanding eldest son.

Lu Changgong's expression was calm and collected, "What morbid things are you saying? It's just the Duke of Xingguo reclaiming their belongings, our home is still fine."

Lu Zhengliu shook his head, feeling desolate, "You're still young, you don't understand."

Lu Changgong looked lost, "What don't I understand, father?"

Lu Zhengliu, overwhelmed with sorrow, struggled to speak, "You'll understand when you're older. You're still a child... only fifteen years old..."

That's why Lu Changgong didn't recognize Lin Yunwan; he didn't blame his eldest son.

How could a child dare to publicly identify the Princess Consort of Prince Huan? How could he understand the implications of recognizing Lin Yunwan?

"Master, master, there's terrible news!"

A servant boy was shouting outside.

Lu Zhengliu felt irritated upon hearing this, but these days he had grown accustomed to such alarming news.

With an air of impatience and seriousness, Lu Zhengliu furrowed his brows and solemnly said, "Changgong, study hard." His final instruction, akin to a dying wish, he walked away with a deathly pale face.

"I will definitely study hard."

Lu Changgong nodded in assurance.

As soon as Lu Zhengliu left, the servant hurriedly said, "Master, the clan is causing a commotion, wanting to divide the ancestral lands..."

"Divide our ancestors' land?"

Lu Zhengliu's heart sank.

In recent years, the family had barely managed with the support of the Duke of Xingguo’s household, and the Lu family still held a title. Although he had no future prospects, his legitimate eldest son did.

The Lu family hadn't completely fallen out with their clan members yet.

Were they now looking to sever all ties with him?

The Lu clan would truly be scattered then!

"They are foolish!"

Lu Zhengliu hurried off to meet with the clan members.

With the family falling apart, he had no time to think about the Princess Consort of Prince Huan.

Watching his departing figure, Lu Changgong held a jade pendant in his hand. Picking it up, he saw it was carved with a soaring swan.

When Qianru came to serve tea, she remarked, "Young master, this jade pendant has been polished to a fine sheen by your frequent handling."

Lu Changgong put away the pendant and smiled faintly.

This was a gift from his mother, worn for many years. He cherished and often fondled it affectionately.

"How are things over there?"

Lu Changgong sat down for tea and inquired about the happenings in Lu Changzong's courtyard.

Qianru laughed, "These days, the second young master has been constantly with Xiao Xuan, hardly ever wanting to leave the house. But Xiao Xuan... she loves to go out! She sneaks out whenever she can."

The household's control had long been lax, and the maids, if determined, could come and go from the marquis' residence as they pleased.

With Zhuiqing having connections at the side gate, Lu Changgong had instructed her to turn a blind eye, allowing Xiao Xuan's outings.

This only encouraged Xiao Xuan to venture out more frequently.

Lu Changgong said indifferently, "She is a person with great prospects."

Qianru smiled, "You're right, my lord. Every time she returns, I notice something new about her, or something missing. The high branches of the marquis' residence aren't high enough for her, and who knows whom else she has latched onto outside."

Lu Changgong was very silent.

Knowing her master disliked discussing such matters, Qianru still felt some things needed to be subtly mentioned, "…after all, she is several years older than the second young master. He's so young, childlike, not at all like you. Xiao Xuan probably doesn't think much of him."

Lu Changgong was well aware of this.

Xiao Xuan was daring, nearly bold enough to entice Lu Zhengliu; she had tried her luck with every respectable person in the house.

But she had never succeeded with him.

"Whatever Xiao Xuan is up to, have Auntie Zhuiqing find a way to inform Auntie Ge."

Qianru nodded, "Yes."

After delivering the message, Zhuiqing instantly perked up, slamming a handkerchief on the table and laughing, "I've waited too long for this day!"

Mu'er blinked and asked, "…Mom, everyone outside says our family is going to be raided. Is it true?"

Looking at her mother's demeanor, it didn't seem like any misfortune was about to befall their household.

Zhuiqing, holding her daughter's cheeks, smiled and said, "You're so lucky, my girl. You haven't even called me 'mother' yet and you're already reaping the benefits of your original birth mother's grace. Even if there's a raid, it won't touch us."

Mu'er, still not fully understanding, listened as Zhuiqing instructed to make sure Ge Baor inadvertently discovered something about Xiao Xuan.

Ge Baor, indeed, heard from “her own people” that Xiao Xuan had been frequently coming and going from the marquis’ residence, with questionable conduct.

"I knew it… I just knew it! Qing'er is still so protective of her, totally unaware that she's nothing but lowly scum!"

Ge Baor was initially anxious about her own fate.

Now, she was consumed with anger.

"I'm finished, the Princess Consort of Prince Huan won't spare me. But my Qing'er…"

Ge Baor closed her eyes, tears streaming down, unwilling to accept her downfall! All her glory and riches gone, and her son detesting her.

What had she truly gained in her life?

The maid asked anxiously, "Auntie, should I go tell the second young master right now?"

Ge Baor became unusually calm, "Do you think Qing'er would still believe what I say?"

The maid hesitated, then shook her head, "Xiao Xuan is the apple of the second young master’s eye now."

"The second young master's relationship with the auntie is also very strained. Unless caught in the act, how would he believe what the auntie says?"

Ge Baor felt a deep ache in her heart.

She suddenly remembered Qing'er sitting at the entrance of the Tui Si Tang, holding a piece of bamboo and thinking of Lin Yunwan, feeling even more heartbroken.

"No… Qing'er is my son!"