Chapter 286: Lu Lingyun’s Status Rises in Duke Zhao’s Household

Chapter 286: Lu Lingyun's Status Rises in Duke Zhao's Household

As Lu Lingyun stepped out of the room, she heard a wail from outside.

"Nan Xia! Nan Xia!"

"Nan Xia, I am your birth mother!"

"You can't treat me like this!"

"I was wrong! I was wrong! I will never dare again!"

"My dear daughter, you can't abandon me! Mother is counting on you!"

Four or five maids stepped forward.

"Concubine Zhao, you better shut up! The old madam has already said that Young Miss Nan Xia is to be recorded under the lady's name and recognized as the legitimate daughter. From now on, you must not tell anyone that you are Young Miss Nan Xia's mother. You are not worthy!"

Upon hearing the words "not worthy," Concubine Zhao let out a heart-wrenching scream.

"How am I not worthy! I am the mother of the future Duchess!"

"My daughter Nan Xia is the most filial to me! She will definitely give me a life of luxury! I will make you all pay then!"

"Concubine Zhao must be out of her mind! Lock her up in her quarters!" The head maid, seeing the deranged Concubine Zhao, quickly ordered her to be gagged and dragged away.

Lu Lingyun looked at Concubine Zhao, who was full of regret and whose eyes burned like torches as she sought help from Tong Nanxia, and couldn't help but feel a pang of irony.

In her past life, Tong Nanxia originally had a good marriage as a legitimate wife, but Concubine Zhao forcibly destroyed the marriage and drove her to death.

Therefore, it wasn't that she couldn't accept Tong Nanxia living a good life as a legitimate wife and matriarch; she just couldn't accept Tong Nanxia living a good life that benefited herself but didn't allow Concubine Zhao to share in the glory.

If Tong Nanxia married very well, in her eyes, she could also be transformed into a son who brought her hope.

Tong Nanxia becoming the future mistress of the Duke's household would be far more useful than having a son!

Unfortunately, no matter how much she regretted now, there was no cure for regret.

She watched as Tong Nanxia walked away without a shred of affection, indifferent and not caring for her at all, leaving her to a life of servitude.

This was the happy life Concubine Zhao had sought for herself.

Lu Lingyun returned to the mansion.

The next day, without her having to say anything, the news that the eldest son of Duke Zhao's household, Zhao Yanshu, was to marry the niece of the newly arrived Assistant Censor-in-Chief from the Tong family spread throughout the Imperial City.

When Lady Qin heard the news, she was momentarily stunned. After Lu Lingyun spoke to her, Lady Qin, unsure of what to think, finally said, "Lingyun, when you send your cousin's dowry, bring along a fine golden-threaded nanmu screen. We will be in-laws in the future, and we can visit each other more often."

"Thank you, mother."

Lu Lingyun responded.

Lady Qin would not make things difficult for Lu Lingyun because Tong Nanxia was marrying into Duke Zhao's household; on the contrary, she would only value Lu Lingyun more and pay more attention to her family.

After all, she couldn't break up the marriage and prevent Duke Zhao's household from marrying Tong Nanxia off. This time, Tong Nanxia was marrying Zhao Yanshu as his principal wife, and in the future, when Zhao Yanshu inherited the title, she would become the Duchess.

A position much higher than that of their own Marquis's Mansion.

Lu Lingyun has a cousin who is the wife of a Duke; how could she possibly look down upon her.

It's even more impossible for her to hold any grudges.

As for her niece Qin Shaojing... alas, Lady Qin sighed inwardly.

She can only consider it bad luck; she just doesn't have that destiny!

When Qin Shaojing heard at Caitang Pavilion that Tong Nanxia was to marry Zhao Yanshu as his main wife, she was stunned for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Not only her, but Nanny Qin was also incredulous.

"It can't be! It can't be!"

"She's just a minor concubine's daughter from a second-tier family; how could Duke Zhao's household fancy her!"

Nanny Qin couldn't believe it.

Just a few days ago, she was mocking Tong Nanxia for being pretentious, refusing to be a concubine, and saying she would never enter Duke Zhao's household in this lifetime. Yet, in just a few days, it was Duke Zhao's household that yielded!

Actively seeking her hand in marriage!

This is simply a slap in the face!

Qin Shaojing slowly recovered from the shock, "How can she be deserving! How can she be deserving! That wretch harmed me, and now she's marrying into a wealthy family; she deserves to die!"

"Young miss, don't say any more!" Nanny Qin immediately reacted, stepping forward to silence her.

This is the backyard of the Marquis's Mansion, and many in the courtyard are from the Marquis's family.

"If these words reach the mistress's ears, it would be bad!"

"What if Lu Lingyun hears it! They are all lowly wretches climbing the social ladder! They stole my marriage, they stole my fortune! They all deserve to die!"

"My dear young miss!" Nanny Qin quickly covered Qin Shaojing's mouth, urging her to stop speaking.

Originally, Lu Lingyun's position in the Marquis's Mansion was rock-solid, and now she has a powerful marital alliance; what if she hears this!

If she were to take offense and turn hostile, wanting to drive Qin Shaojing out, Lady Qin might even have to consider the options.

In this household, her influence is gradually surpassing Lady Qin's!

At this moment, a servant's voice came from outside the door, "Young Miss Shaojing, Tong Er Ye has arrived."

"Tell him to go away! Go away! Get far away!"

Upon hearing Cheng Qi's arrival, Qin Shaojing pushed Nanny Qin away and shouted towards the outside.

After shouting, she felt even more aggrieved and sad.

Why can Tong Nanxia, a concubine's daughter from a second-tier family, marry into Duke Zhao's household as the main wife, while she has to be involved with someone as useless and without merit as Cheng Qi.

Even her aunt and uncle are seriously considering marrying her to him!

No, she absolutely will not marry Cheng Qi!

Previously, she was only nine-tenths resistant to marrying Cheng Qi, now it's ten-tenths!

She must also marry into a high-ranking family; she must marry into a Duke's household!

Cheng Qi, waiting outside, faintly heard Qin Shaojing's voice from inside. The maid who delivered the message said, "Second Master, Miss Shaojing says she doesn't want to see you and asks you to leave for now."

"Is Shaojing still feeling down?"

The maid gave him a knowing look, "Yes, Miss Shaojing is very unhappy."

Hearing this, Cheng Qi also felt a pang of sadness, "Please tell her to rest well, and I'll visit when she's feeling better."

"Yes."

Cheng Qi had just left Caitang Pavilion and hadn't gone far when he encountered Lu Lingyun, who was returning from Ningxin Courtyard.

"Second Uncle?" Lu Lingyun greeted him.

Seeing Lu Lingyun, Cheng Qi's gaze slightly shifted away from hers, "Sister-in-law."

"Were you just with Shaojing?" Lu Lingyun glanced in the direction he came from and asked.

"Yes."

"How is Shaojing now?"

"She's likely still upset and didn't want to see me, perhaps to spare me worry."

Lu Lingyun: "..."

It's true she's upset, but why would she avoid worrying him?

"Second Uncle, give Shaojing some time to recover. After all, such an unexpected event would upset anyone," Lu Lingyun chose to understand without pressing further, going along with what was said.

After Lu Lingyun's words, Cheng Qi nodded earnestly, appreciating Lu Lingyun's thoughtfulness.

As Lu Lingyun finished speaking and nodded to leave, Cheng Qi stopped her.

"Sister-in-law."

"Was there something else?"

"That day, I didn't intend to blame you. I hope you can forgive me."

He was referring to the argument he had with Cheng Yunshuo, during which he mentioned Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun offered a faint, understanding smile, "I understand, Second Uncle, you were just concerned and acted hastily."