Chapter 360: Does She Not Deserve It?

Chapter 360: Does She Not Deserve It?

Lu Lingyun was surrounded by a group of people, drinking their toasts one by one. After finally getting a moment of peace, Zhang, the concubine overseeing the day's events, approached her.

"Miss, you must be tired," Zhang said with a smile.

Zhang was one of the more favored concubines in the mansion. Since Madam Liu, the primary wife, claimed to be ill and refused to attend the banquet, Zhang was tasked with hosting the female guests.

However, most of the attendees were there for Lu Lingyun.

They either toasted her or engaged in small talk, taking over much of Zhang's responsibilities.

Zhang looked at her with gratitude, as she was just a secondary concubine from a humble background, having come from an ordinary family before her marriage. She had never experienced such a grand occasion or interacted with so many dignitaries and their families.

If she were to show any timidity or handle things improperly, it would bring shame to the entire Lu Family!

"Auntie, what do you mean? Today is my brother's happy occasion, and drinking a few toasts on his behalf is a way for me to share in the happiness," Lu Lingyun replied with a smile.

Hearing this, Zhang was both pleased and relieved. She raised a glass to toast Lu Lingyun.

Not only did Miss Lu marry well, but she also spoke so gracefully.

She never put on airs with concubines like her and always knew how to say the right things.

It was impossible not to like her!

At that moment, a voice sounded behind them, "Auntie Zhang, you only toast my elder sister? I am also Lu Kuan's legitimate sister. Why don't I see you toasting me?"

Turning around, they saw a woman in her mid-twenties holding the hand of a six or seven-year-old boy standing before them.

Her modest attire stood out among the richly dressed women. Only the lapels of her dress were made of silk, while the rest was of twill fabric.

Though not wealthy, the clothes were at least new, making her appearance in the sea of silk and satin-clad women barely acceptable, not too shabby.

This was none other than Lu Hanyi, whom they hadn't seen in a long time.

Lu Lingyun glanced at Lu Hanyi's outfit, her eyes flickering slightly. She maintained her smile, but deep down, she knew that Lu Hanyi had not been living well these years.

The Li residence was never a wealthy family, and it had many mouths to feed.

The elderly matriarch, who held significant power in the household, was old and greedy, always demanding the best for herself. To maintain their filial reputation, the Li family had to send everything to her first. Below her were several uncles and aunts who had returned home after being divorced, and only then came Li Wenxun's generation.

To make matters worse, the household was managed by the eldest branch's Madam Wei, who was shrewd and calculating. What good things could possibly be left for Lu Hanyi?

Moreover, Lu Hanyi had been staying at home with her son all these years, while Li Wenxun was away serving as an official. It was already good that he didn't ask for money from home, but he certainly didn't send any of his salary back.

Thus, Lu Hanyi had been relying on her meager dowry and occasional secret support from her mother to get by.

Today, attending Lu Kuan's wedding, the outfit she wore was the best she could muster.

"Ah, it's the Second Miss," Zhang forced a smile and greeted her. "How could I not toast you? I simply didn't notice you earlier."

"Auntie Zhang, how could you notice me now? I'm dressed so plainly, nowhere near as radiant and prosperous as my elder sister!" Lu Hanyi's words dripped with envy.

Zhang wanted to remind Lu Hanyi of her own choices. Outsiders might not know, but their own family was well aware. The Marquis's Mansion hadn't specified which daughter they wanted, but the Li residence had explicitly asked for Miss Lu.

Wasn't it Lu Hanyi who eagerly pursued the Li family's prized match?

Now that you see how prosperous and glorious she is, where were you earlier?

But Madam Liu dared not say anything, as Lu Hanyi's mother was still in control.

If Lu Hanyi went back and tattled, she’d be in hot water.

"Second Miss, you’re just as radiant!" Madam Liu flattered, "Every daughter from the Lu Family is outstanding, each one praised by everyone!"

Madam Liu’s smooth talk, which didn’t offend anyone, still didn’t sit well with Lu Hanyi.

"How can I compare to my elder sister? She’s renowned for her virtue and everyone sings her praises."

What Lu Hanyi hated most was that, in both her past and present lives, no matter who she married, Lu Lingyun always had a stellar reputation.

Everyone fawned over her!

It made her feel like a shadow, only able to watch from the sidelines.

Today was Lu Kuan’s wedding, and she was also a legitimate sister, a proper one at that, but everyone only noticed Lu Lingyun, and no one sought her out.

She thought about how she and Lu Lingyun were both Lu Kuan’s sisters, so why was the treatment so different?

Realizing there was no difference between her and Lu Lingyun in this situation, she couldn’t hold back and stepped forward to mock her.

Lu Lingyun, unfazed, raised her glass with a smile and offered a toast, "Alright, elder sister offers you a toast. Today is Kuan’s big day, Hanyi, don’t be upset."

Lu Hanyi pushed her hand away, "You know today is Lu Kuan’s wedding, so what are you, a married sister, showing off for?"

Lu Lingyun remained silent.

"My mother is the rightful mistress of the Lu Family. She’s just sick, not dead!" Lu Hanyi vented years of jealousy and resentment, "She handed Lu Kuan’s wedding to Madam Liu to handle, but it seems to put you in the spotlight!"

"Second Miss, how can you say that?" Madam Liu panicked and quickly intervened, "I was the one who begged Miss to help me. You know my status is low; how could I drink with those ladies?"

"I didn’t see you come to me either!" Lu Hanyi sneered, "We’re both married daughters, so why is she the one toasting for Lu Kuan here?"

"Second Miss..." Madam Liu was too overwhelmed by her sharpness to respond.

At this moment, a strong male voice came from the corridor.

"Because this house was a gift from my elder sister."

As the voice echoed, the groom strode into the inner courtyard.

The women in the courtyard turned their heads at his entrance.

Lu Kuan walked straight to Lu Lingyun’s side, his face flushed from drinking with the male guests earlier. His eyes shone as he looked at her and declared, "This house was a gift from my elder sister. Not just the house—all my achievements today are thanks to her."

"Kuan." Lu Lingyun frowned, signaling him to stop.

Lu Kuan, full of gratitude, said, "My elder sister has been incredibly kind to me. Why shouldn’t I let everyone know?"

After his words, the women couldn’t help but admire him.

These women, though from wealthy families, spend their lives toiling for their husbands’ or fathers’ families.

Having such a grateful younger brother made them envious.

After this, Lu Kuan turned to Lu Hanyi, "Second sister, you just asked why elder sister is qualified to handle my wedding. She gave me my future and my house. Isn’t she qualified?"