Chapter 309: Using Someone Else’s Knife to Kill

Chapter 309: Using Someone Else's Knife to Kill

Seeing that Lady Qin was truly going to take action against Concubine Li, Cheng Yunshuo hurriedly said, "Mother! I won't bother you with anything, alright! You rest well, I won't bother you, and you won't have to bother with me either."

After saying that, Cheng Yunshuo left directly.

Lady Qin was seething with anger when she saw this.

What did he mean by not bothering her and she shouldn't bother him?

"This unfilial son... this unfilial son!"

"Grandmother, calm down, don't be angry with my father," Cheng Suying couldn't help but adopt Lu Lingyun's manner of speaking.

Lady Qin grabbed Cheng Suying's hand, shaking with rage, "Your father is becoming more and more outrageous! He doesn't have half your sense! At his age, he's still being led around by women, daring to bring up the matter of that son from a concubine in front of me. I think he's completely lost his mind!"

Lady Qin didn't immediately take action against Concubine Li because Cheng Yunshuo had run off after saying his piece, but she couldn't just let it go!

She had Wen Mama contact the strictest boarding school in the capital, where students had to board for half a month before they could return home once, and the next day she arranged for Cheng Bingzhi to be sent there.

Wasn't she trying to arrange schooling for her son, after all? Then let him go and study properly! Don't come back!

Did her son really think he could go to Tianfu Academy? And for this, he went through all this trouble to bother her?

She wasn't even worthy!

She truly despised the concubines in the inner courtyard, these scheming women were no good!

With such low status and still harboring delusions, if not severely disciplined, they would try to turn the men of the house upside down!

After Lady Qin's arrangements were made, who in the Marquis's Mansion dared to speak up?

Concubine Li was anxiously waiting for Cheng Yunshuo to return in her courtyard. She was uneasy, even thinking that she had already prepared for the possibility of not being able to attend Tianfu Academy.

She thought, if it really didn't work out, then she would go to the boarding school Cheng Yunshuo had arranged for Cheng Bingzhi. In that case, Cheng Yunshuo would surely feel indebted to Cheng Bingzhi in the future.

And he would compensate him more.

Moreover, she had thought about it, the Marquis's Mansion was founded on military honors, not the path of civil officials. Even if Cheng Bingzhi didn't study at Tianfu Academy, it wouldn't have much impact.

He wasn't aiming for the imperial civil service examinations in the future.

So, taking a step back, she could accept it.

Concubine Li's calculations were very clear, she could handle both advancing and retreating.

But as she waited, she received Lady Qin's orders.

Wen Mama from Lady Qin's side came to Bishui Pavilion and without a word took Cheng Bingzhi away.

Concubine Li panicked when she saw this and rushed to beg tearfully, "Wen Mama, what are you doing? What has Cheng Bingzhi done wrong?"

Wen Mama coldly glanced at her, "Third Young Master hasn't done anything wrong, but Concubine Li, weren't you the one who wanted Third Young Master to attend school? The old lady, moved by your maternal heart, specially contacted the strictest school in the capital, Huixin Academy, known for its strict discipline and long-term boarding, to send Third Young Master there."

"What! Huixin Academy! Isn't that the one where you have to board and can only come back once every half a month?"

Concubine Li was stunned. She had heard of that academy, besides the long boarding period, it was also very strict! Her son was only four years old, how could he endure such harsh conditions!

Nanny Wen sneered at her, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Don't worry, Concubine Li. When Third Young Master completes his studies, you will surely thank the mistress!"

With that, she forcefully pulled Cheng Bingzhi away from Li Bihan.

"Mom! Mom! Help me!"

Cheng Bingzhi had just started wailing when Nanny Wen sternly interrupted him.

"Third Young Master really needs to go to school to be properly raised. She's not your mother! She's just your concubine! Your mother is the young mistress!"

Li Bihan clenched her teeth, her face a mask of frustration, and reluctantly let go. "Bingzhi, go to school and do your best. Your mother and grandmother are doing this for your own good."

Nanny Wen snorted in disdain at her insincere words, too lazy to engage further, and left with the child.

That evening, when Cheng Yunshuo returned, Li Bihan, a six-year member of the household, blew up at him for the first time.

Unfortunately, her outburst was of no use.

When he found out his mother had sent Cheng Bingzhi to school, Cheng Yunshuo felt a hidden wave of relief and joy.

At least he was off the hook for this mess.

Seeing Li Bihan's anger, he offered a few half-hearted words of comfort, but to no avail. He shrugged it off, blaming his mother's decisions, and dismissed the matter.

Li Bihan glared at the man, his earnest facade masking his indifference, feeling a surge of resentment and hatred welling up inside her.

Cheng Yunshuo, catching the familiar glint of disappointment in her eyes, frowned deeply. "Bishuo, I've been busting my back for you and the kid, but some things are just out of my hands. You're so understanding, you get it, right?"

His voice was thick with emotion, tinged with helplessness.

Like a man in love, yet bound to disappoint by fate.

Li Bihan met his gaze, her eyes, so similar to Xing Dairong's, reflecting a light entirely different from hers.

She bowed her head, her voice meek and obedient. "Master, this servant was wrong."

Her words lifted a weight off Cheng Yunshuo's shoulders, and he relaxed completely.

"Bishuo, I knew you were reasonable. Don't worry, I'll get someone to watch over Bingzhi and send a couple of attendants to ensure he's well taken care of at school."

Li Bihan nodded, "Thank you, Master."

Seeing the matter resolved, Cheng Yunshuo's face relaxed. "It's getting late, I'll head back to rest now."

"Not staying here tonight?"

"I have duties at the palace tomorrow, so I'll rest at Yaoguang Pavilion." Cheng Yunshuo made up an excuse to leave.

Li Bihan didn't insist on him staying. She smiled gently and called Cheng Lanying over, "Lanying, come and see your father off."

"Father, why aren't you staying with Concubine tonight?" Cheng Lanying hugged Cheng Yunshuo's leg, her voice soft and sweet. "Lanying wanted to hear a story from you!"

Seeing her, Cheng Yunshuo's frown softened. He said dotingly, "Tomorrow, I'll come and tell you a story."

"Not enough! Father has to come for a whole month before Lanying can forgive you!"

"Alright, for the next month, I'll come to your concubine's courtyard every day." Cheng Yunshuo affectionately patted her head, then put her down and left.

After Cheng Yunshuo left, Li Bihan held Cheng Lanying close. "Lanying, you're all I have left now."

"Mother, don't worry, as long as I'm here, Father will only come to our courtyard and only favor the people in our courtyard!" Cheng Lanying's eyes sparkled with confidence as she declared, "No one else can take him away!"

After several days, the issue regarding Cheng Bingzhi was finally resolved.

Lu Lingyun's strategy of using a proxy to eliminate a rival had effectively dealt with Li Bihan.

She also seized the moment to reprimand Cheng Yunshuo.

Yet, she maintained her usual serene demeanor.

As the imperial exams approached, the Imperial City was once again abuzz with activity. Lu Lingyun, along with her maids, had embroidered knee pads and a winter coat for Lu Kuan. Today, remembering Madam Liu's plots against Lu Kuan, she decided to bring these items and visit the Lu Family.

In Madam Liu's courtyard.

Madam Liu was engaged in conversation with her sister-in-law, and coincidentally, Liu Qingping and Liu Qingshuang were also present in her room today.

"Big sister is here!"