Chapter 58 Aunt Qiu Sees Through Men

Chapter 58 Aunt Qiu Sees Through Men

Qiu Ling's confinement was lifted, and Xing Dairong could stop taking her pregnancy-stabilizing medicine.

After Lu Lingyun's reprimand, both of them behaved themselves much better.

After leaving the Autumn Fragrance Courtyard, Qiu Ling went to Lu Lingyun's place to pay her respects right away.

"Madam," Qiu Ling stood before Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun said nothing, silently drinking a cup of tea.

Qiu Ling stood there properly, not daring to speak, the look of grievance in her eyes growing stronger.

Seeing her like that, Lu Lingyun put down her teacup, "Are you still resentful towards me?"

Qiu Ling lowered her head, "This servant doesn't dare."

To be honest, as the head of the household, Lu Lingyun was already one of the most tolerant in wealthy families. In which family did the mistress treat the concubines with such leniency?

Leaving aside those who were overly jealous and harsh, most mistresses required their concubines to stand in attendance every day, serve meals, and even wash their feet at night. They would have the concubines do tasks normally reserved for maids and servants, constantly finding ways to torment and oppress them.

Those who dared to cause trouble would face severe punishment.

Lu Lingyun was truly kind and lenient towards her concubines.

She rarely set strict rules for them, never skimped on their allowances, and often gave them gifts.

There was no need to compare her with other mistresses; just comparing her to her mother-in-law, Lady Qin, Lu Lingyun's benevolence was evident.

The concubines of the old Lord Marquis never had it as good as Qiu Ling and Xing Dairong.

How could Qiu Ling not know she had a good mistress? Cheng Yunshuo punished her, and when Lu Lingyun returned, she took up for her. How could she resent Lu Lingyun?

But, but...

"Enough, the Prince Consort was indeed biased this time," Lu Lingyun spoke, revealing Qiu Ling's grievance.

She spent half of her two-week confinement feeling wronged by Cheng Yunshuo's bias. She had given her whole heart to Cheng Yunshuo, with over a decade of affection, only to be treated so poorly. She was a servant, true, but did Cheng Yunshuo really have no feelings for her!

"Madam," Qiu Ling sobbed, "I've served the Prince Consort for over a decade, yet I'm not even as valued as a woman who betrayed him. I might as well be dead!"

"Alright, alright," Lu Lingyun saw her crying uncontrollably and quickly asked her to sit down, "We all know you've been wronged. I've already dealt with Xing Dairong. In the future, don't argue with her. If anything happens, come to me."

Qiu Ling continued crying, "I won't argue with her anymore. It's pointless. She has a child and the Prince Consort's favor. She is stronger than me. Let her do what she wants; I won't say a word, no matter how angry I am."

She looked utterly defeated.

Lu Lingyun sighed, "I'll ask the Prince Consort to visit you. You don't have to feel so wronged."

Qiu Ling shook her head while sobbing, looking at her with tearful eyes, "No, Madam. I've seen through everything. Relying on the Prince Consort is useless. I don't want to rely on him anymore. From now on, I will follow you, serve you for life, and grow old with you!"

Lu Lingyun: "..."

Qiu Ling had seen through Cheng Yunshuo. What use were men or love compared to the Madam!

Rather than fighting with Xing Dairong for a little bit of favor, it was better to stay with Lu Lingyun.

Following Lu Lingyun meant no more suffering or sadness, having food and clothes, living a peaceful life—better than any man!

Seeing Qiu Ling's newfound clarity, Lu Lingyun felt this wasn't the outcome she wanted.

Just then, the storeroom brought up new jewelry for the year. Lu Lingyun asked Qiu Ling to pick first, giving her an extra piece beyond what she promised, and another from her own allowance.

"This fringed jade and gold hairpin is quite nice. Take this one too, don't be upset."

Seeing the expensive hairpin, usually reserved for the mistress, being given to her, Qiu Ling felt her decision was right.

What good were men? Had Cheng Yunshuo ever given her such a fine hairpin?

No!

She wouldn't rely on Cheng Yunshuo anymore, wouldn't fight for his favor. She would follow Lu Lingyun.

"Thank you, Madam. From now on, I'll follow you. Whatever you say goes! I won't listen to the Prince Consort!"

Lu Lingyun: "..."

She didn't want to compete with Cheng Yunshuo for a concubine.

She just wanted Qiu Ling to be obedient, not so loyal.

After leaving Lu Lingyun's place, Qiu Ling ran into Xing Dairong again on her way back.

This time, she remembered Lu Lingyun's advice and didn't argue with her at all.

Xing Dairong hadn't had an easy time either, having been disciplined by Lu Lingyun. However, her relationship with Cheng Yunshuo had improved. She had planned to mock Qiu Ling, but didn't even get a glance from her.

Qiu Ling walked away directly.

Xing Dairong watched her coldly retreating back, "Hmph, being submissive is right!"

Let's see how she fights with me now.

Xing Dairong also came to see Lu Lingyun.

In the past half-month, she had learned some basic etiquette. Xing Dairong knew that in the Marquis's residence, it was best to be humble before Lu Lingyun.

"How is your pregnancy, Aunt Xing?"

"Tremendous." Xing Dairong shivered slightly. "No more medicine then."

"Alright, since your pregnancy is stable, let's hold off on the medicine for now."

"Thank you, Young Mistress."

Lu Lingyun glanced at her belly. "Sit down."

"Alright." Xing Dairong sat beside her, feeling that the baby in her belly was indeed a precious burden. At least with the child, Lu Lingyun wouldn't do anything to her.

Thinking this, she felt a bit more confident.

"These are the new pieces of jewelry from the storeroom this year. Choose one."

Lu Lingyun wasn't being partial; she gave what was due to Xing Dairong.

Of course, she and Qiu Ling had already picked through them, leaving behind only the simpler and less desirable pieces.

Even so, Xing Dairong's eyes still lit up at the sight of these items.

Having been in this era for so long, she gradually realized that money was eternal—she should grab as much as she could!

Thinking about it, she should have agreed to become a concubine earlier—the monthly stipend and allowances were all rightfully hers!

"Young Mistress, can I take an extra piece?" Xing Dairong picked through the items, finding several she couldn't bear to part with.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun raised an eyebrow.

Looking at Xing Dairong now, she was vastly different from when they first met.

Back then, she was sitting with Qiu Kui, eating pastries and talking about equality and true love. Now, she understood the allure of worldly wealth.

"Why?" Lu Lingyun didn't directly agree or refuse, but asked instead.

Xing Dairong's eyes flickered as she touched her belly. "I'm pregnant."

Lu Lingyun smiled faintly. "When you first became pregnant, I gave you a box of jewels. You've done nothing else noteworthy, so there's no precedent for this."