Chapter 149: Officially Disciplining Du Ruo

Chapter 149: Officially Disciplining Du Ruo

Lu Lingyun explained the general situation to Lady Wang.

It was more or less as it was, without any need for exaggeration. Upon hearing this, Lady Wang's face immediately showed a look of solidarity. "The Prince scolded her right!"

Lu Lingyun: "......"

"That girl Du Ruo really needs a good lesson. She has no manners all day long, doesn't listen to anyone, and is utterly disrespectful and unruly. You disciplined her well!"

Lady Wang had naturally come at the request of Du Ruo's aunt.

Du Ruo had returned home crying, and it was necessary to find out what had happened. What if she had been bullied?

After learning the details, Lady Wang felt relieved. "Sister Lu, rest assured, I will explain this clearly to Du Ruo's aunt. You've suffered too."

"Sister Wang, you're too kind. I was thinking we didn't handle this properly."

"Sister Lu, don't say anymore. You've done more than enough."

After Lady Wang left the Marquis's mansion, the next day, Lu Lingyun was enjoying the rare tranquility of the backyard.

With Qin Shaojing having gone to Duke Xu's mansion and Du Ruo not around, the inner residence was peaceful until someone reported.

Du Ruo had been brought back once more.

Du Ruo's older brothers, Du Yang and Du Tai, had personally escorted Du Ruo to apologize and make amends.

Cheng Yunshuo had also come along.

"This must be Sister-in-law!"

"Sister-in-law, we were in the wrong this time."

Two men who resembled Du Ruo about six or seven parts led the dejected Du Ruo into the reception hall.

As soon as they entered, they apologized to Lu Lingyun.

At the same time, they said to Du Ruo, "Kneel and apologize to your Shiniang!"

Du Ruo was extremely reluctant and turned her head away.

Lu Lingyun, seeing this scene, said, "No need. Miss A'Ruo is a guest here. I haven't been a good host, so there's no need for an apology."

Hearing this, both Du Yang and Du Tai said, "Sister-in-law, we have only this one sister. Our mother passed away young, and our aunt is gravely ill, so we can't manage her anymore."

"Sister-in-law, we know you've put in a lot of effort for her, but this ungrateful girl doesn't appreciate it, wasting your efforts. We sincerely apologize, so please don't blame her."

The situation was quite serious, and Lu Lingyun looked at Cheng Yunshuo, who said, "Lingyun, I've talked a lot with Ah Yang and Ah Tai. Du Ruo really has nowhere to go now, so it's better to keep her in our mansion."

Lu Lingyun: "......"

"Don't worry, this time, I've made everything clear to them. If Du Ruo comes back to our place again, you can discipline her as you see fit, scold or punish her if necessary."

"Exactly, Sister-in-law, discipline her firmly. Whatever you do, we accept it!"

"Even if you beat her to death, it's our responsibility!"

"Don't worry, once we find her a husband, we'll take her away!"

Du Yang and Du Tai both chimed in.

Lu Lingyun remained silent.

"Accept it, this time, I'll help you manage her together," Cheng Yunshuo also said beside them.

Well, there's no escaping this.

Lu Lingyun looked at the dejected Du Ruo, "Miss Du Ruo, would you like to stay with me?"

Du Ruo, no longer the spirited and bold girl she used to be, reluctantly nodded, "Yes."

"You need to think carefully about this. If you decide to stay, you must listen to me. If you don't comply..."

"Sister-in-law, just beat her!"

"If this girl doesn't listen and doesn't learn the rules, we'll disown her! Do you hear me, Du Ruo!"

Du Ruo, listening to her brothers, clenched her fists, holding back her emotions.

"I understand, I will listen to the Lady of the Crown Prince's household!"

She no longer called her "Shiniang," but changed to addressing her as the Lady of the Crown Prince's household.

Upon hearing this, Lu Lingyun didn't say anything more, "Alright, she can stay."

After Lu Lingyun agreed, everyone thanked her profusely.

Lu Lingyun smiled and, seeing Cheng Yunshuo there, took Du Ruo down to settle her in.

After leaving the gathering, Lu Lingyun, seeing Du Ruo still hanging her head with much less spirit, knew that she probably wouldn't have good days ahead.

She had no true home; neither her brother's nor her aunt's place could keep her forever.

Even if she cried and returned, neither side was willing to keep her permanently.

This was likely why she was brought back reluctantly.

"Miss Du Ruo, since I have formally accepted your family's request this time, I will have to properly guide you. If you continue to misbehave, I will discipline you. If you repeatedly disobey, I won't tolerate you either."

Du Ruo clenched her fists after hearing this, "I understand."

After making things clear, Lu Lingyun didn't say more. This time, she arranged for Du Ruo to stay in a courtyard in the inner quarters. She chose a small courtyard near hers, Lotus Pond Courtyard.

Previously, Du Ruo was a guest, but this time she was considered a temporary resident among the women of the inner quarters.

This time was different from before. After Du Ruo moved into the inner quarters, Lu Lingyun assigned her a maid and an instructor. The maid was Xiaoqin from her own courtyard, and the instructor was Lady Qin's person. She also gave her a set of rules to memorize.

Du Ruo had to recite them the next day in front of Lu Lingyun.

Seeing the thick pile of family rules, Du Ruo frowned.

The next day, when she recited them in front of Lu Lingyun, she stumbled and could only recite one or two.

Lu Lingyun immediately realized she hadn't studied them properly and took the ruler to slap her palm.

"Whack! Whack! Whack!"

Duo Ruo was actually hit, and she stared at Lu Lingyun in disbelief.

Lu Lingyun met her gaze coldly, "Go back and copy it ten times. If you can't recite it tomorrow, I’ll continue hitting you until you memorize it!"

This time, the discipline was strict and proper, and it could no longer be like before.

Duo Ruo was kept in Lu Lingyun's courtyard, where the etiquette instructor drilled her in the rules for half a day before she was allowed to go back.

If Duo Ruo showed the slightest sign of dissatisfaction, the etiquette instructor would immediately strike her with the ruler, with Lu Lingyun supervising personally.

Within just three days, Duo Ruo had noticeably changed.

For several consecutive evenings, Duo Ruo did not join them for dinner.

That day, after finishing his duties, Cheng Yunshuo noticed Duo Ruo’s absence, "Where is A'Ruo?"

"She’s in her room copying the family rules," Lu Lingyun said, eating her meal indifferently.

Cheng Yunshuo simply replied, "Good."

He had seen how Lu Lingyun disciplined Duo Ruo before, and he no longer thought Lu Lingyun was being too harsh. Since Lu Lingyun was willing to take charge, it was for the best.

"By the way, A'Ruo’s brother mentioned that Lady Wang will visit tomorrow."

"What brings Sister Wang here?"

"A'Ruo’s aunt has found three potential suitors for her. Tomorrow, she’s asking Lady Wang to come and help you evaluate them."

Lu Lingyun nodded and said, "Good."

The next day, when Lady Wang arrived, Duo Ruo was reciting the family rules diligently before Lu Lingyun.