Chapter 279: She Only Deserves to Be a Concubine

Chapter 279: She Only Deserves to Be a Concubine

Cheng Yunshuo told Lu Lingyun to stay out of it, and he meant every word.

That evening, after dinner, he went to see Lady Qin and the old Marquis.

Qin Shaojing was still crying in her room, with Lady Qin by her side, comforting her. Cheng Qi was also present, speaking with the old Marquis in the main room separated by a beaded curtain.

Cheng Yunshuo barged in, glanced at Qin Shaojing weeping behind the curtain, and said, "Quit crying. I'll figure out who this Liu Ye guy is and make him come over to propose."

Qin Shaojing: "......"

Qin Shaojing cried even louder.

Cheng Qi, standing close by, was even more worked up than Qin Shaojing. He wanted to speak, but the old Marquis raised his eyes and said leisurely, "After all these years, you finally said something that makes sense."

Cheng Yunshuo: "......"

"Given the circumstances, this is the only way," Lady Qin sighed, comforting her from the bedside.

Hearing this, Cheng Qi suppressed all the words in his heart. He turned and gave a deep look at Qin Shaojing, who was crying on Lady Qin's shoulder behind the curtain. "I'll go with Yunshuo to get some answers for you."

The next day, Cheng Yunshuo and Cheng Qi headed over to the Duke of Liu's place.

Usually, the groom's family visits the bride's family, and the elders handle the negotiations. But given the unusual circumstances with Qin Shaojing, they weren't at that point yet. It would look bad if Lady Qin and Lu Lingyun showed up uninvited, like they were desperate to marry her off.

But they needed answers, to figure out what was going on. So, it made the most sense for the two of them to go and check things out first.

The Duke of Liu's household welcomed them.

Liu Ye's older brother was the one who came out to meet them.

The Liu family just said they needed to talk it over with their parents, since they had no idea what was going on.

Liu Ye didn't bother to show up the whole time.

Cheng Yunshuo wasn't too happy with how things were going.

But Liu Ye's brother was smooth, smiling and promising they'd get to the bottom of it.

Cheng Yunshuo and Cheng Qi took off from the Duke of Liu's place.

When they got back, Cheng Yunshuo filled Lady Qin and the old Marquis in on what went down at the Duke of Liu's.

Lady Qin and the old Marquis exchanged looks after hearing the story. What could they do? They just had to wait it out.

While they waited, someone actually showed up at the Marquis's Mansion with a proposal.

But it wasn't from the Duke of Liu's place—it was from Duke Zhao's household.

What's more, they came to see Lu Lingyun and old lady Lin.

The go-between was Lu Lingyun's second aunt, Wang Peirong.

"Old lady, I've got great news!" Wang Peirong, who had been tied up with setting up the new household since she last saw Lu Lingyun, finally found the time to come over.

Today, she showed up all smiles, bringing folks from Duke Zhao's household to see Lu Lingyun.

Because the people from Duke Zhao's household had first approached her family to propose, Zhao Yanshu wanted to marry Tong Nanxia as a concubine.

"What's the good news?"

"Huge news!" Wang Peirong clapped her hands. "The eldest son of Duke Zhao's household has taken a liking to our Nan Xia! He wants to take her as a concubine!"

After she said this, she expected everyone to be pleasantly surprised.

But the room went dead silent.

This isn't right.

Duke Zhao's household tops the four great ducal families, with unmatched prestige and status. The eldest son is set to inherit the dukedom. Although he is marrying Tong Nanxia as a concubine, Tong Nanxia is merely a daughter from a lesser branch of the family.

The Tong family holds some standing in Jiangnan, and her husband has been promoted to a third-rank official, but they're nowhere near the stature of a ducal household. For Tong Nanxia to marry into a ducal household as the future Duke's concubine is both an honor and a fantastic match!

Overjoyed by Duke Zhao's proposal, she rushed to the Marquis's Mansion to tell old lady Lin. But what's happening here?

After hearing Wang Peirong out, old lady Lin paused, "A concubine? That's just a fancy term for a mistress!"

"True, it's a concubine position, but Duke Zhao's household promised Nan Xia would be well-treated," Wang Peirong said.

After all, she's from a lesser branch, and becoming a concubine in a higher-status family isn't a disgrace for Tong Nanxia.

The old lady Lin put down her teacup and directly refused, "Our Tong family's daughters will not be reduced to mistresses."

"Old lady..."

"Return and inform the Zhao family of our decision," old lady Lin decisively rejected Wang Peirong's proposal.

Wang Peirong was taken aback by the old lady's firm stance. For a moment, she was at a loss, unable to grasp old lady Lin's resistance.

But seeing the old lady's stern face, Wang Peirong held her tongue. She rose respectfully and took her leave.

She was clueless, but Lu Lingyun understood.

Ultimately, it boiled down to Qin Shaojing's situation.

Meanwhile, Qin Shaojing's marriage remains unresolved, but Tong Nanxia's marriage into Duke Zhao's household is sure to ruffle feathers.

When that happens, Lu Lingyun might bear the brunt of the backlash.

Moreover, the old lady Lin really thought so.

The Tong family's daughters will not be reduced to mistresses.

As a distinguished family in Jinling, they need not hastily offer their daughters as mistresses.

Daughters from lesser branches are still daughters.

When they return to Jiangnan, there will be plenty of marriage options for Tong Nanxia. Why not marry someone of equal status as a principal wife? To have their granddaughter travel thousands of miles to become a concubine, the Tong family is not so destitute!

After Wang Peirong left with her people, the news of the proposal still reached Caitang Pavilion.

When Qin Shaojing learned that Zhao Yanshu wanted to marry Tong Nanxia, even as a concubine, she wailed loudly.

It infuriated her, truly infuriated her.

She had worked so hard, planned such a grand scheme, and finally caught a golden son-in-law, only to have him snatched away by Lu Lingyun's cousin.

And she's just a minor daughter from a lesser branch!

Furious, she started smashing things and crying uncontrollably.

Nanny Qin, understanding Qin Shaojing's feelings, consoled her, "Miss, they haven't agreed yet! They said their daughter won't become a concubine."

"How dare they even consider it! Stepping over me, that Lu Lingyun and her sister are cut from the same cloth! A bunch of shameless social climbers!"

"My dear Miss, this is the Marquis's Mansion, keep your voice down," Nanny Qin quickly covered her mouth.

"I don't care, I'm furious! I'm absolutely furious!"

"Don't be angry, she's just a minor daughter. The standards of Duke Zhao's household are so high, being a concubine would already be an honor, but she won't make it in," Nanny Qin hugged Qin Shaojing, comforting her with genuine concern.

Meanwhile,

In the guest quarters near Lu Lingyun's courtyard.

"What! The eldest son of Duke Zhao's household wants to take Nan Xia as his concubine!" Concubine Zhao was thrilled to learn that Wang Peirong had come to propose a marriage alliance with Duke Zhao's household.

This was an incredible opportunity!

But Old Lady Lin actually refused, stating that the Tong family's daughter would not become a concubine.

How could this be! Her daughter Tong Nanxia was only suited to be a concubine!

Besides, wasn't it said to be a side chamber? A noble concubine, no less!

She hurried to Old Lady Lin, "Old Lady, Nan Xia is only suited to be a concubine! Marrying into Duke Zhao's household as a concubine is a blessing she has earned over several lifetimes. You must grant her this wish!"

Old Lady Lin was furious upon hearing this and shouted, "Get out!"