Chapter 161: Going Too Far

Chapter 161: Going Too Far

The servant replied, "I've heard that Miss Wang San's reputation isn't the best. Lady Wang has been trying to match her with several suitable families over the past few months, but all the arrangements fell through. They probably settled for the Mei family as a second choice."

With this explanation, Lady Lu understood.

In this world, there were no secrets that could be kept forever. It must have been the news of Wang Fuzhen sharing a bed with her son that had leaked out, either intentionally or unintentionally.

And noble families generally preferred to err on the side of caution rather than miss an opportunity. The vague rumors were the most intriguing, which was why Wang Fuzhen couldn't find a suitable match and had to settle for less.

Looking at it this way, it would indeed be more advantageous for her to become a concubine in a high-ranking family like the Lus, rather than marrying into a smaller one. This proposal was worth considering.

Lady Lu happily told her son, "We can negotiate for Wang Fuzhen to be your concubine."

Lu Shen was delighted. "I knew we could negotiate. Mother, you need to act quickly. The Wangs are currently discussing a marriage with the Meis. If they reach an agreement, it will be difficult for us to intervene."

Lady Lu took out the paper signed by Lady Wang previously. "No problem, I'll use this. Even if they disagree, they'll have no choice but to consent."

Lady Lu was quite proactive in safeguarding her beloved son's interests. The very next day, she indeed presented her calling card and the document that Lady Wang had signed previously.

Despite her genuine dislike for Lady Lu, considering that the latter held leverage over her, Lady Wang had no choice but to receive her, instructing her servants to invite her in.

Taking a deep breath, she pasted on a professional smile before greeting her guest.

"What brings Lady Lu to these humble abodes?"

Lady Lu's eyes curved with amusement as she leisurely produced the paper.

Upon seeing the document, Lady Wang's expression shifted, though she still tried desperately to maintain her composure.

"Ah, Lady Wang, you did promise to assist me with a matter. Your esteemed Wang family is so influential, and you, as the lady of such a prominent household, surely wouldn't renege on your word, would you?"

The corner of Lady Wang's mouth twitched, and her composed facade was on the verge of crumbling.

"Please, Lady Lu, do proceed," she said, her voice strained.

Lady Lu chuckled. "There's no need to be uneasy; this is a delightful matter. It's like this: My son Shen-er has taken a fancy to your Zhen Zhen. I hope, Lady Wang, that you will facilitate their union. If you consent, I shall return this document to you."

Lady Wang spoke coldly, "Didn't your Lu Shen propose to the Zheng family? If my memory serves me right, the wedding date was even set, wasn't it?"

"Yes."

"Well then? Does the Lu family plan to renege on the marriage?"

"No, the engagement with the Zhengs remains intact. What I mean is, your Zhen Zhen could marry into our Lu family as a concubine."

Lady Wang's expression drastically changed, and in a fit of anger, she smashed a teacup on the table, causing Lady Lu to shriek in fright.

But in an instant, she regained her composure.

"Lady Wang, what do you mean by that?"

"Hmph, how dare you ask me what I mean? I have a question for you. How could you even consider asking my son to take your daughter as a concubine? It seems you're dreaming in broad daylight."

"Ha! You think your daughter is still a highly sought-after noble lady? Your family isn't even picky about marrying into the Mei family, a small and insignificant household. With a match like that, what future would she have? It's better for her to become a concubine in my family. At least any children she bears will carry the Lu surname, and even if they're born from a secondary wife, they'll still be born into a prestigious family."

Lady Wang clenched her teeth in fury and exclaimed, "Get out, get out of here."

"Well, it seems Lady Wang is reneging on the agreement. Very well, then I'll take this signed note and visit every family, including the Mes. Let's see if Madam Mei and Master Mei dare to accept your family's proposal in front of me."

As she finished her sentence, a teapot was hurled at Madam Lu.

Startled, she swallowed hard, witnessing Lady Wang's menacing expression. Deciding not to provoke her further, she got up and left the room.

However, just as she stepped out, she turned back and stood at the door, addressing Lady Wang, "Lady Wang, your daughter's actions have consequences. You must bear them. Just you watch – not only the Mei family, but no one will agree to an alliance with your Wang family as long as I am around."

With that, she departed.

Lady Wang, overcome with emotion, wept bitterly.

Upon learning of this, Wang Fuzhen repeatedly apologized to her mother.

"Mother, I know I was wrong. Please don't be upset."

Lady Wang placed a hand over her chest, gasping for air.

"That Lu family is too oppressive, too oppressive."

Isn't this all due to the Lu family's excessive arrogance? She had initially thought that her daughter might not marry into an equally prominent family, but settling for a less affluent one would be acceptable as long as he had good character.

She could always help boost her daughter's husband's status later on.

Yet, they were pushing their luck too far by attempting to sabotage even a modest family like the Meis and forcing her daughter into concubinage.

Why should her noble daughter, a lady of the Wang family, become a concubine to a wayward young man like Lu Shen? That was wishful thinking.

"Mother, we can't let this happen. We should tell Father and the rest of the family. We should visit Lord Lu, the Grand Tutor. He surely won't allow them to bully us so brazenly."

Lady Wang sighed deeply. "Your father might not intervene. Ever since the incident last time, you haven't found a suitable match in these past few months. He has been quite displeased with you."

Wang Fuzhen gritted her teeth, seething. "It's all because of that wretched Zheng Jinxiu. Of course, I also blame myself for trusting her blindly, which led to this mess. That Lu Shen insists on making me his concubine, undoubtedly because of what happened the other day. He wants to stand up for Zheng Jinxiu."

Lady Wang was confused.

"What do you mean by standing up for Zheng Jinxiu?"

Initially, she had refrained from mentioning the flower viewing incident a few days ago, fearing it would worry her mother.

At this point, she couldn't be bothered with tact. Lady Wang immediately recounted the unpleasant encounter she had with Zheng Jinxiu and Lu Shen during her recent flower-viewing trip.

"Luo Shen threatened me, demanding that I apologize to Zheng Jinxiu. It was Zheng Jinxiu who wronged me—why should I apologize? That damned Luo Shen wants to make me his concubine just so Zheng Jinxiu can have the upper hand and bully me for the rest of my life."

Upon hearing this, Lady Wang erupted in anger.

"Fine then, fine indeed, Zheng Jinxiu. After all the harm she's caused our Zhen Zhen, she still wants to dominate her forever? Damn Cui Qingqing, she's raised such an excellent daughter. She owes us an explanation for what happened to our Zhen Zhen in their Zheng residence."

"Wife," cried Wang Fuzhen, tears streaming down her face, "Young Master Mei has also offended Lu Shen. The Mei family isn't as influential as ours; if Madam Lu and her son decide to make things difficult for them, they'll have a hard time and won't dare to provoke the Lu family. What should we do now?"

Lady Wang looked at Wang Fuzhen and said, "Zhen Zhen, have you taken a liking to Young Master Mei?"

Wang Fuzhen fell silent. After a moment, she shook her head. "We're not very close, so I can't say I particularly like him or dislike him. Compared to Luo Shen, though he comes from a humble background, he's much better. I wouldn't want to be Luo Shen's concubine, let alone his wife."

Lady Wang nodded. "Alright, if you haven't taken a liking to him, then forget it."

Wang Fuzhen wore a look of astonishment, but Lady Wang seemed not to notice. She continued, "Mother remembers that you were interested in the Zheng family's third son, right?"