Chapter 83 Lu Kuan

Chapter 83 Lu Kuan

When the Qin matriarch and the old Lord Marquis heard Cheng Yunshuo's question, they both froze, especially the Qin matriarch. "What’s wrong?"

"Something big has happened in the Imperial City recently. The Prefectural Commandant Manor has received over a dozen murder cases, all related to usury. This matter has alarmed the higher-ups, who have ordered a thorough investigation into usurers."

Cheng Yunshuo looked gravely at everyone at the dinner table. "This time, whoever is found to be involved in usury will face great misfortune, personally punished by His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, the Qin matriarch felt an intense surge of fear and relief.

She had experienced the emperor's wrath once before, and their House of Duke Qin had yet to recover. When the emperor decided to investigate something, it was done with utmost rigor, leaving no one unscathed.

And she... had, just before the New Year, stopped lending money on interest upon Lu Lingyun's suggestion!

The Qin matriarch immediately turned to look at Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun remained calm and composed. "Mother, our family is known for doing good deeds. I've always said that usury goes against heaven and reason. We should not engage in such activities, don't you agree?"

"Yes, yes, absolutely right!" the Qin matriarch exclaimed, unable to contain her excitement.

She couldn’t help but feel grateful; she had indeed married a good daughter-in-law who had saved the family from a major disaster.

The next day, the long-ailing old Lord Marquis attended court, and as Cheng Yunshuo had said, the emperor was furious about the usury issue. He publicly reprimanded several wealthy families involved in usury, including those who had aggressively taken over the market after the Cheng family withdrew.

The most severe case saw a noble stripped of his title and official position, his court robes torn off, and he was beaten with twenty strokes of the cane before being reduced to a commoner and his assets seized.

Those who were less involved were still named and fined, forbidden from collecting any more usury, including the Li family.

Being fined and forbidden from collecting usury was bad enough, but being named would affect their future careers.

After returning home, the Li family father and son scolded Lady Wei, who had been secretly lending money, and took away her household management rights, giving them back to Li’s mother.

Lady Wei dared not say anything, feeling extremely aggrieved and submissive.

Originally, Lu Hanyi, who had been mistreated, felt a sense of vindication seeing Lady Wei’s downfall. The entire Li family was in turmoil, but she was the happiest.

She rolled her eyes and went to mock Lady Wei.

"Oh, isn’t this our fair and decisive eldest sister-in-law of the Li family?" Lu Hanyi mocked Lady Wei, her pregnant belly prominent.

Seeing her, Lady Wei felt a surge of anger.

In the past two days, she had been scolded by her husband and father-in-law, lost her household management rights, and even had to use her dowry to cover losses. Life was already difficult enough, and now Lu Hanyi was taunting her.

"Hmph, what does my sister-in-law want?"

"The taste of being scolded must be unpleasant, right? Sister, why don’t you tell me about it?" Lu Hanyi smiled at her.

Lady Wei gritted her teeth in anger. "Mind your own business!"

"My affairs are well-managed; no need for you to worry," Lu Hanyi replied happily.

Lady Wei sneered. "Is that so? Then do you know what your second brother did while you were away?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Hanyi’s smile froze. She looked at Lady Wei in confusion. "What did you say?"

"Go ask your second brother yourself." Lady Wei looked at her with schadenfreude. "That maid in his room has been with him for a long time."

Lu Hanyi quickly recalled the face of a maid named Xiangxue.

Without further argument, she returned to her own room.

After the usury incident, Lu Lingyun gained further trust from the Qin matriarch, who gave her more authority.

Previously, she was only allowed to review the accounts, but now Lu Lingyun could make decisions about the businesses and properties herself.

Lu Lingyun held even greater power.

While arranging her tasks, a servant hurriedly reported to her.

"Young Mistress, your family requests your presence."

"What’s the matter again?"

"I hear that your younger sister, Second Miss, has had a problem with her pregnancy."

Lu Lingyun rushed to the Lu family upon hearing this.

Upon arriving, she learned that Lu Hanyi had discovered Li Wenxun’s affair with his maid Xiangxue during her absence.

Enraged, she caused a commotion, and in the ensuing chaos, she fell and bled, nearly causing a miscarriage.

She was currently crying and making a scene at the Lu family.

Lu Lingyun raised an eyebrow upon hearing this. Li Er was indeed not a faithful man.

She had noticed his affair with the maid long ago.

But it seemed to have happened much earlier this time.

When Lu Lingyun arrived at Lady Liu’s courtyard, she saw Lu Hanyi, who had weakened significantly, lying in bed to rest. Upon seeing her, Lu Hanyi shouted, "Why didn’t you tell me he had been secretly seeing that maid!"

Lu Lingyun: "..."

"How was I supposed to know he was secretly seeing his maid?"

Lu Lingyun replied slowly.

Her words fell, and Lu Hanyi, who was in a fit of rage, suddenly stopped. Yes, she had no idea that Lu Lingyun had also been reborn.

Mrs. Liu added, "What nonsense are you spouting? Your sister came to see you and stand up for you; how would she know any of this!"

Lu Hanyi felt a surge of frustration, and all her grievances and resentment finally turned into a single huff.

"Sister probably regrets marrying Master Li, doesn't she?" Lu Lingyun spoke calmly.

"I don't regret it at all!"

"Good, I thought you said that because you regretted it."

Lu Hanyi gritted her teeth, knowing she had chosen her path and her suffering, and she must endure it.

She fell silent, and Li Er arrived at this moment. This time, before Lu Lingyun could even speak, everyone in the Lu family berated him harshly.

This was not like the last time when Lu Hanyi had thrown a tantrum and returned home. This time, Li Er was clearly at fault, and he could only endure the scolding.

Watching this scene, Lu Lingyun felt a sense of melancholy, as no one had ever stood up for her, no matter what Li Er did in her past life.

Ironically, after everyone berated Li Er, they urged Lu Hanyi to forgive him.

They tried to reconcile the two.

As Lu Hanyi continued to sulk, people began to criticize her, saying she was too jealous and had her own faults.

This made Lu Hanyi feel even more aggrieved.

Seeing this, Lu Lingyun realized that one should never trust or rely on anyone else; the only person one can truly depend on is oneself.

Relying on family members for support ultimately turns one into a plaything in their hands, swayed by their interests, with no absolute care.

Yet, despite being reborn, Lu Hanyi still failed to understand this truth.

Lu Lingyun joined in criticizing Li Wenxun a few times and gave him some warnings but did not say much more. After leaving, she had only one thought in mind.

To become more powerful and have a solid foundation.

"Shuang Hong, call my brother Lu Kuan here."