Chapter 318: The Seven Reasons for Divorce

Chapter 318: The Seven Reasons for Divorce

The next day, Cheng Bingzhi was picked up from Huixin Academy.

In the main courtyard, Lu Lingyun was surprised when she heard the news.

Wow, Li Bihan has really made a name for herself.

She managed to sway Lady Qin's decisions, something that relying solely on Cheng Yunshuo would never have achieved.

She then dispatched someone to Ningxin Courtyard, and upon learning that Cheng Bingzhi had been recommended by Qin Shaojing to study at Boya Academy, she immediately understood.

Li Bihan had teamed up with Qin Shaojing.

She had hitched a ride on Qin Shaojing's fast ship.

No wonder she could persuade Lady Qin to agree and let Cheng Bingzhi go.

"Young mistress, that Concubine Li is quite the schemer. She has teamed up with the young miss of the Qin family and quietly pulled off such a big move. I think her ambitions are too grand!" Nanny Wan said beside her.

Lu Lingyun gave a faint smile.

Li Bihan's ambitions have always been lofty.

It began even before she entered the Marquis's Mansion. First, she seduced Cheng Yunshuo and secured the status of a mistress, then gradually made her way into the mansion, elevating her status from a retired palace maid to a concubine in the Marquis's Mansion. She had a clear plan for herself from the start.

Later, she gave birth to two children one after the other, playing the humble role in front of Lu Lingyun and securing Cheng Yunshuo's favor to reap benefits. Every step she took was calculated.

It's just unfortunate that she found Cheng Yunshuo unreliable, making it hard for her to climb further through him, which thwarted several of her plans.

But now it seems she has found a new patron, a new backer to climb up.

"What's there to fear? After all, she is just striving for a better future for herself and her children," Lu Lingyun said leisurely.

She didn't hold much dislike for Li Bihan. It's human nature to want to rise up, and she couldn't forbid others from having such ambitions.

At most, Li Bihan has some ambitions, striving hard to secure a better future for herself and her children, aiming to turn their lives around.

But Qin Shaojing...

Compared to Li Bihan, what really concerned her was Qin Shaojing.

Everything Li Bihan did had a reason and was relatively reasonable, but Qin Shaojing's actions were more complex.

Qin Shaojing was never someone with a good heart. Why would she help Li Bihan?

Lu Lingyun pondered.

Li Bihan is just a concubine; what could she possibly have to impress Qin Shaojing? Moreover, Qin Shaojing has a twisted mind; she is not someone with principles.

Back then, in order to choose a husband for herself and expand her social circle, even though she knew the pills from the witch doctor were problematic, she still gave them to all the young misses in the Imperial City, without worrying about the consequences that could affect their lives. Afterwards, she washed her hands clean of any responsibility.

Compared to Li Bihan, Lu Lingyun was more wary of Qin Shaojing.

She was definitely not a good person.

As she was thinking this, a report came from outside.

"Young mistress, the madam is asking for you to come over!"

Lady Qin invited her over.

"Alright, I'll be there shortly," Lu Lingyun closed the account book, called for Cheng Suying, and together they went to Lady Qin's courtyard.

She quickly arrived at Lady Qin's place.

Before entering, she heard laughter inside.

"Aunt, I told you, Concubine Li is quite something!"

"I had no idea Concubine Li was so talented! She deserves a reward!"

Lu Lingyun lifted the curtain and entered, seeing Lady Qin and Qin Shaojing laughing heartily, instructing the servants to give rewards.

Li Bihan was singing a folk song for Lady Qin in the center of the room.

"Greetings, Young Mistress!" Li Bihan was the first to notice Lu Lingyun and quickly bowed to her.

"Yun'er, you've arrived."

"Sister-in-law, come sit down. Just in time for Concubine Li to sing another piece."

Both Lady Qin and Qin Shaojing addressed Lu Lingyun.

Lu Lingyun looked at the group and asked, "Oh, what's happening here?"

"Today I discovered that Concubine Li from your backyard can also sing, and quite well too," Lady Qin beckoned her forward.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun looked at Li Bihan and said, "I didn't know Concubine Li had this talent either."

"Before entering the palace, I used to sing casually with folks back home, just some simple folk tunes, nothing special," Li Bihan said modestly.

"Concubine Li is being modest; I think she sings better than the singers in our mansion," Qin Shaojing chimed in, "Aunt, don't you think so?"

"It's quite novel and amusing," Lady Qin commented.

Hearing Lady Qin's words, Lu Lingyun smiled and said, "Mother, if you say so, Concubine Li must be singing well. It seems I've overlooked a gem by not bringing her over earlier to cheer you up."

Lu Lingyun's words were very complimentary, maintaining her usual low-profile demeanor.

But as soon as she finished speaking, Qin Shaojing said, "Sister-in-law, what are you talking about? Everyone knows how busy you are, managing everything inside and outside the mansion. How could you have time to attend to the concubines?"

At first glance, Qin Shaojing's words seemed to acknowledge Lu Lingyun's busyness, but upon closer listening, they actually implied that she was negligent and not thorough in her duties.

Lu Lingyun frowned slightly, but before she could respond, Lady Qin spoke up for her, "Yun'er is indeed very busy, managing both the household and external affairs, and she also has several children to educate. How could she possibly have so much time?"

Lady Qin looked at Lu Lingyun with gentle eyes.

She was extremely pleased with her daughter-in-law.

Ever since Lu Lingyun entered the household, the backyard affairs had not troubled her, and most importantly, her troublesome son had also been disciplined by Lu Lingyun, causing no major issues.

Achieving this was already excellent; how could she expect her to also know everything about the concubines' talents and bring them over.

"Exactly, that's what I meant," Qin Shaojing quickly followed Lady Qin's words, "Aunt, my sister-in-law's capabilities are evident to all, but I feel she's usually too busy, which might cause her to overlook significant matters around her, which isn't worth it."

"Shao Jing, what do you mean by that?" Lu Lingyun took a sip of tea and asked leisurely.

Qin Shaojing looked at her, a glint of darkness in her eyes, "Sister-in-law, you reminded me yesterday that women should have their own children. Seeing how hard you work for this family, even neglecting your own children, I'm really worried for you!"

A flicker of deep-seated resentment flashed in her bright eyes. After forming an alliance with Li Bihan yesterday, she proactively offered advice and strategies.

She had immediately zeroed in on a key issue.

Lu Lingyun herself still had no children of her own!

Among the seven reasons for divorce, childlessness was a very serious one!

If they wanted to topple Lu Lingyun, this was a point they could heavily exploit.

Moreover, hadn't Lu Lingyun mentioned yesterday that she had no children? Today, they would give her a taste of her own medicine!

Sure enough, as soon as these words were spoken, Lady Qin's eyes lit up briefly before darkening again. She looked at Lu Lingyun with concern and asked, "Lingyun, are you really too busy?"