Chapter 263: You’ll Regret It

Chapter 263: You'll Regret It

"If your sister-in-law doesn't want to, then forget it."

"We've already told her about the opportunity, and she herself doesn't want to go. When we all become more beautiful, she'll miss her chance due to her age, and it won't be our fault."

Liu Yuling even glanced at Li Niyue and Lu Lingyun, "Who cares to drag these old women along? They think they're the hot commodity, expecting us to beg them. Didn't you say before that Nun Miaoyin has agreed to bring men too? I'll take my brother later, we won't bother with them!"

Hearing this, Cui Tonghua's anger subsided a lot, and she glared provocatively at Li Niyue, "Li Niyue, just you wait, I'll make you regret this!"

Li Niyue: "......"

Lu Lingyun: "......"

The noisy trio left Li Niyue's courtyard.

After they left, Li Niyue was both angry and frustrated, clutching her chest, "I've never come across people like this—coming to beg me, and when I refuse, they want me to regret it. I'll wait and see how I end up regretting it!"

Lu Lingyun finally couldn't help but laugh.

"Lingyun, you're still laughing, have you seen these people before!"

Lu Lingyun shook her head with a smile, "Just let them do their thing, and see who regrets it later."

Hearing this, Li Niyue looked puzzled at Lu Lingyun, "What, do you know what that so-called divine elixir is?"

"How would I know what that divine elixir really is," Lu Lingyun shook her head, meaningfully saying, "But I know there's no such thing as a miracle cure in this world. Forcing changes against the natural order of things will inevitably lead to backlash."

Li Niyue nodded in agreement, "Exactly, that's what I think too. If there really were some divine elixir for preserving youth and beauty, it would be defying nature, something no ordinary person could endure! And to ingest it into our own bodies, who knows what would happen. I say, birth, aging, sickness, and death are just part of being human. We're not gods or immortals, peace is the best, less trouble."

Lu Lingyun nodded in approval.

Li Niyue was very clear-headed, not greedy for such unrealistic things, and thus not fooled.

"But this Cui Tonghua is really infuriating, I must see what good she gets out of this!" Li Niyue still couldn't swallow her anger, she was waiting to see what Cui Tonghua would do next.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun smiled without saying a word, not adding a single word more.

Because she couldn't say, speaking out wouldn't save these people but would offend them.

They were all diving in headfirst, and if she stood up and told them that this thing was poisonous and would ruin their faces, they wouldn't listen, and secondly, they would resent her!

Not just Qin Shaojing and that so-called Nun Miaoyin.

But also these people who were rushing to jump in.

Because they were already caught up, and nothing could stop them, but the one who tried to stop them would become their scapegoat when things went wrong.

They would all rush to blame her, why didn't she stop them!

By then, their irreversible harm would be transferred to the one who tried to stop them, and they would bitterly resent Lu Lingyun, only hating her for knowing but not stopping them.

Lu Lingyun would gain nothing, only offend all of them.

So, in this matter, Lu Lingyun knew nothing.

Moreover, she had reminded them twice, her conscience was clear.

If something happened later, they could only blame Qin Shaojing and that so-called Nun Miaoyin, it had nothing to do with her.

After leaving Li Niyue's courtyard, Lu Lingyun bid farewell to Madam Cui with a greeting before departing from Duke Xu's Mansion.

She had some free time today and decided to take a leisurely stroll through the streets.

The carriage made its way until it reached Dongzhimen.

At a glance, Lu Lingyun spotted Cheng Qi, who had just finished his duty.

"Second Uncle?" Lu Lingyun called out to Cheng Qi.

Cheng Qi, dressed in casual clothes, was leading his horse and lingering near the city gate, seemingly about to leave the city.

At the sound of her voice, he turned and saw the Cheng family's carriage.

"Sister-in-law Lu."

Cheng Qi led his horse over to the carriage.

Lu Lingyun lifted the carriage curtain and asked, "Second Uncle, are you going to Shaojing's place again?"

Cheng Qi's face flushed with slight embarrassment as he replied, "Shaojing hasn't asked for me lately."

Seeing his expression, Lu Lingyun guessed that Qin Shaojing had moved her venue. According to Zhang Er and others, one could stay overnight on the mountain, so naturally, Cheng Qi was no longer needed.

With a mischievous glint in her eye, Lu Lingyun wanted Cheng Qi to see what Qin Shaojing was up to. "I was just planning to visit the East Courtyard. If you're free, why not come with me?"

Hearing this, Cheng Qi's eyes lit up instantly, "Great! I'll escort you there."

His eagerness was evident; it wasn't just about accompanying Lu Lingyun to the courtyard, but more about seeing Qin Shaojing.

Seeing his excitement, Lu Lingyun smiled and lowered the carriage curtain, instructing the coachman to head to the East Courtyard.

As the sun was still setting, Lu Lingyun arrived at the East Courtyard.

However, upon arrival, they found the usually bustling East Courtyard eerily quiet.

Only a gatekeeper from the Marquis's Mansion was guarding the gate.

"Second Master, young mistress, you've arrived."

"Where is everyone?" Cheng Qi asked immediately after dismounting.

"Young Miss Shaojing has moved to the mountain temple with Nun Miaoyin."

"Moved away?" Cheng Qi was quite surprised to learn that Qin Shaojing had moved.

"Yes, it happened just a few days ago."

At this moment, Lu Lingyun's voice came through, "Why didn't Shaojing tell us about this?"

"Perhaps the move was too hasty, and there wasn't enough time," the gatekeeper respectfully replied.

Hearing this explanation, Cheng Qi's face still showed disappointment.

Qin Shaojing had moved away without even informing him.

On the way back, Cheng Qi stayed quiet, clearly troubled and confused.

She had always called him "Brother Cheng Qi" affectionately and was always cheerful with him, so why hadn’t she even told him she was leaving?

Lu Lingyun observed his demeanor closely but chose not to comment.

Her goal was simply for Cheng Qi to get a better glimpse of Qin Shaojing's true nature. Whether he could understand and see through it was his own business.

She headed back to her own courtyard.

The night was quiet and uneventful.

The next day, Lu Lingyun continued to leisurely handle her daily chores in her courtyard.

As winter approached once again, the estate began its seasonal preparations, buying and stocking up on winter necessities.

From Lady Qin's quarters, a variety of items were sent over, including five fine fox furs for Lu Lingyun to make her winter coat. Lady Qin explained that these were offerings from the servants to the old Marquis, but since they wouldn't be using them this year, they decided to pass them on to Lu Lingyun for a fine winter coat.

With the leftover fabric, she could also craft small hats for each of the three children.

When Lu Lingyun received the gifts from Lady Qin, she couldn't help but smile. Her mother-in-law was truly something special.

Whether it was during festivals or when something good came her way, Lady Qin always made sure Lu Lingyun was included.

She was genuinely generous, always offering real benefits and never just empty gestures.

Alongside the fox furs, there were also some less expensive woolen fabrics. After taking inventory, Lu Lingyun summoned the servants and said, "Call all the concubines."