Chapter 353: Testing the Limits

Chapter 353: Testing the Limits

The matter of the old Marquis was suppressed, known only to Lu Lingyun and Cheng Yunshuo.

After learning about his father's incident, Cheng Yunshuo was no longer in the mood to go to the temple.

He stayed in the mansion and, for the first time, visited Lady Qin to dine with her.

Lady Qin was unaware of the significant developments at the border. Seeing her son demonstrating filial piety, she enjoyed the meal immensely.

With her son, daughter-in-law, and granddaughter all by her side, the family was basking in warmth and happiness.

Meanwhile, at Bishui Garden, Li Bihan became suspicious when she noticed that Cheng Yunshuo had not left after returning.

What could Lu Lingyun have discussed with him that made him stay?

Could it be that she also knew about Cheng Yunshuo's extended leave and had reprimanded him?

Li Bihan was unaware of the reason, but she was relieved that Cheng Yunshuo had stayed in the mansion. As long as he was here, she had hope!

As a concubine in the inner quarters, without power or influence, what else could she rely on but the favor of her master?

However, that day, Cheng Yunshuo spent the night in the main courtyard for the first time in many years.

It had been a long time since Cheng Yunshuo had stayed in Lu Lingyun's courtyard, except for specific days of the lunar month.

Moreover, in the following days, Cheng Yunshuo stayed close to Lu Lingyun. They had meals together in Lady Qin's courtyard, and during the day, Cheng Yunshuo rarely went out, remaining by the side of Lu Lingyun.

Seeing this, Li Bihan became anxious again.

If it were any other concubine, she would have tried to intervene or take him away, but with him in Lu Lingyun's courtyard, she dared not act openly!

After some thought, she turned her attention to Cheng Lanying.

The next day, while Cheng Yunshuo was in Lu Lingyun's courtyard inquiring about the latest news from the border and whether any letters had arrived, Xiaoju, a maid from Bishui Garden, came to seek an audience.

"Crown Prince, the Second Miss is ill. Concubine Li asks for your presence," Xiaoju said, kneeling down as soon as she entered.

Hearing this, Cheng Yunshuo, already troubled by his father's situation, was in no mood for other concerns. "If Lan Ying is sick, summon a physician. Why should I go?"

"The Second Miss has been calling out for you in her illness. Please, go and see her once!" Xiaoju pleaded, trembling.

Cheng Yunshuo, annoyed, was on the verge of dismissing her when Lu Lingyun glanced at him.

"Crown Prince, you should go. There is no news at the moment. If any letters arrive, I'll inform you immediately," she said to Cheng Yunshuo.

Upon hearing her words, Cheng Yunshuo frowned and stood up. "Let's go."

"Yes."

After Cheng Yunshuo was summoned once more, the maids in the courtyard began to speak up.

"Young mistress, you've shown her favor again. Concubine Li is now bold enough to snatch people from our courtyard!"

"Exactly! She's really overstepping her bounds. The first few times she came to ask for your grace, she got used to it. Now she dares to snatch people right under your nose!"

"Young mistress, you can't let this continue. Concubine Li believes you are easily intimidated!"

"Alright, go about your tasks," Lu Lingyun smiled faintly.

Testing the limits was indeed Li Bihan's way.

Li Bihan's favorite tactic was to repeatedly test others' boundaries and then push the boundaries she found.

If she got scolded, she would retreat a bit, but if there was no scolding, she would push even further.

But it wasn’t Lu Lingyun’s boundaries she was testing.

Lu Lingyun was actually giving up Cheng Yunshuo’s boundaries!

Cheng Yunshuo had one defining characteristic: patience. Whether it was Xing Dairong or Du Ruo, he’d put up with them to a point. Before reaching that limit, he would indulge them, but once the limit was crossed, he would not tolerate them any further.

Li Bihan, panicking now, had started frantically testing Cheng Yunshuo's boundaries. How could Lu Lingyun not give her a hand?

Meanwhile.

Cheng Yunshuo followed the maid Xiaoju to Bi Shui Garden. As soon as he entered the room, he saw Li Bihan, looking frail and helpless, standing by the sickbed.

"Lan Ying, don’t worry, your dad will be back."

"Lan Ying, hang in there."

Seeing her like this, Cheng Yunshuo was suddenly annoyed.

What’s the big deal!

Cheng Lanying getting sick was being treated as if it were a matter of life and death.

His father was in a life-and-death situation at the border, and he hadn’t been called back! Something this minor was calling him here!

"What’s wrong with Lan Ying?" Cheng Yunshuo asked in a deep voice.

"Master, you’re finally here," Li Bihan looked at him, tears were already falling before she spoke. "Lan Ying is sick."

Cheng Yunshuo was completely irritated by her tears because they felt insincere. He could no longer see any trace of genuine emotion.

"Get a doctor! Why call me?"

His annoyed tone startled Li Bihan and made Cheng Lanying frown on the bed.

She called out weakly from the bed, "Father."

Hearing her voice, Cheng Yunshuo's expression softened a little. "If you're sick, rest well. I'll have someone call a doctor for you later."

"Father!" Cheng Lanying glanced at her mother and said the words she had been taught, "I messed up before, but I really get it now. Father, can you stay with me a little longer? Don’t leave me."

In the past, Cheng Yunshuo would have softened at such words, but now, her tone, just like her mom’s, made him even more disgusted. "Who put you up to this!"

Cheng Lanying was even more upset by his harsh questioning. "Father, what do you mean?"

"I'm asking you, who taught you to say that!" Cheng Yunshuo coldly scanned both mother and daughter.

Li Bihan turned her head away, quickly avoiding his gaze.

Cheng Lanying was now completely in tears. "Father, what's wrong with you? Why are you being so mean? Do you really not want me anymore?"

"Lan Ying, don’t cry. Your dad would never leave you."

"But Mom, Dad is really so harsh, he's completely different from before."

"Enough!" Cheng Yunshuo interrupted her crying. He looked with disgust at the weeping Cheng Lanying and the seemingly helpless Li Bihan, who was constantly wiping her tears.

For the first time, he was so annoyed by fragility.

Sure, fragility and helplessness can evoke pity, but too much of it truly becomes useless and burdensome.

At that moment, he thought of Lu Lingyun, whose constant composure and calmness were so strong.

He suddenly realized how foolish he had been in the past years. How could he have let a woman like Li Bihan raise the children?

What does she teach the kids besides crying!

"It's clear you have no idea how to raise children! Not only did you let the child get sick, but all you do is cry all day. Come here! Concubine Li is incapable of raising children. Take Lan Ying to the young mistress for upbringing! From now on, Lan Ying and Bing Zhi will both be taught by the young mistress!"

Hearing this, both of them, in tears, were stunned.

The matron in the courtyard got the order and stepped forward to take them away. Cheng Lanying immediately started crying and screaming, "I won't go! I won't go! Mom, save me!"

"Lan Ying!" Li Bihan also didn't know why this was happening. She hurriedly rushed forward.