Chapter 380: Du Ruo’s Resignation

Chapter 380: Du Ruo's Resignation

After Lu Kuan left, Lu Lingyun asked once more about Lady Qin's condition.

Upon learning that she still hadn't woken up, Lu Lingyun sighed deeply.

Apart from the matter of the Marquis's Mansion's enfeoffment needing Lady Qin to wake up, she was also genuinely concerned for Lady Qin.

People have feelings too. Since she married into the family, Lady Qin, her mother-in-law, had taken great care of her. Despite some self-interest and occasional biases, she did nothing wrong.

"Ensure the old lady is well taken care of, and report everything to me," Lu Lingyun instructed.

"Yes, young mistress!"

As Lu Lingyun handled Lady Qin's affairs, a servant came to report, "Young mistress, Concubine Du has come to see you."

Du Ruo? Lu Lingyun was surprised.

Earlier, during Cheng Yunshuo's ordination, it was said that Li Bihan had invited Du Ruo, but in reality, she had hired someone who looked and sounded like Du Ruo.

Hearing Du Ruo had come, she was momentarily taken aback, "Let her in."

"Yes, young mistress."

The servant acknowledged and went to bring her in. Shortly after, someone dressed in men's attire and wearing a bamboo hat followed the servant into the courtyard.

Upon entering Lu Lingyun's courtyard, the person removed the hat, revealing a youthful, handsome face.

She had thickened her eyebrows with charcoal, covered her face with freckles, and darkened and roughened her skin, yet her features were still recognizable.

It was Du Ruo, whom she hadn't seen for seven years.

"Young mistress," Du Ruo smiled as she looked at Lu Lingyun.

"Concubine Du... Du Ruo, you're free?"

"Yes," Du Ruo nodded, "I'm free."

Her brows showed a spirited vigor. Seeing her like this, dressed as she was, Lu Lingyun asked, "So, are you planning to go somewhere?"

"Exactly, I plan to travel the world," Du Ruo looked up at the square sky, "The world is vast, and I want to see everything."

As she spoke, her brows were sharp. After listening, Lu Lingyun said, "But as a woman traveling alone, what about your safety?"

"Don't worry," Du Ruo patted the sword at her side, "I've trained in martial arts; petty thieves are no match for me."

Lu Lingyun still looked unconvinced.

"With my appearance, as long as I don't reveal I'm a woman, no one will know," Du Ruo held her head high.

Lu Lingyun then smiled, "Have you thought it through? Out there, the mountains are high, the waters treacherous, human hearts unpredictable, and dangers abound. In the forests, there are tigers and leopards; in the cities and towns, there are bullies and rogues; on the roads, there may be bandits and mountain thieves. Even dressed as a man and unnoticed, you can't avoid encountering various dangers."

"So what," Du Ruo said without hesitation, "Even if the outside is full of dangers, I don't want to be trapped in this square sky for a lifetime."

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun no longer tried to persuade her.

Each person has their own aspirations; some prefer stability, while others seek excitement. There's no need to live a life strictly according to others' wills.

If there were senior relatives from the Marquis's Mansion in charge, Du Ruo wouldn't have been allowed to leave.

But now that she runs the Marquis's Mansion, as a woman herself, Lu Lingyun wouldn't give her a hard time if there were no conflicting interests, nor would she set impossible rules for her.

If she wants to go and has thought it through, then let her.

Even if something happens on the road, who cares? It's better to die on your own path than on someone else's. People who block others' paths, claiming it's for their own good, are just wrong.

All they can say is "I'm doing this for your own good" or "There's no such rule," without any real justification.

They just habitually block others, using rules to control those they can't handle.

Without conflicting interests, they ignore others' wishes and don't treat them as people.

Lu Lingyun wouldn't dream of doing such things.

She doesn't meddle in others' choices and respects their decisions.

Even as a concubine, if there's no conflict, she still has the right to choose.

"If you've made up your mind, then go for it. Take this with you. The journey will be tough. If you run into trouble, you can get help from the Marquis's Mansion's outposts," Lu Lingyun said, taking off a token from the Ningyang Marquis's Mansion and handing it to her.

Du Ruo took the token without hesitation. She looked at Lu Lingyun and said, "Young mistress, you're the first person I truly admire."

"Oh? Flattery won't get you anything more."

"No, young mistress, I really respect you," Du Ruo said, looking at Lu Lingyun with eyes full of sincere admiration.

She had once feared, envied, resented, and even hated Lu Lingyun.

But after all these years and experiences, she realized Lu Lingyun was the real deal in the mansion.

When she was in favor, Lu Lingyun treated her the same.

When she fell out of favor, Lu Lingyun still treated her the same.

She disciplined her not out of jealousy, but because she crossed the line.

And when she fell out of favor, Lu Lingyun didn't look down on her or kick her when she was down. She sent gifts to her family, saved her face, and even scolded her harshly when she was lost.

She wasn't a traditional good person, but Du Ruo truly respected her.

"Young mistress, you manage the entire Marquis's Mansion, and no matter what happens, you always provide shelter for everyone. I admire you."

Lu Lingyun listened to Du Ruo's words and chuckled lightly, "Alright, I've said it before, I won't give you anything more. If you ever get tired on your journey, you can come back and rest, and tell me about your adventures."

Du Ruo's eyes sparkled, "Alright!"

Du Ruo left the Marquis's Mansion.

After Du Ruo left, the servants urged Lu Lingyun to have dinner.

She had been busy for several days and hadn't even had time to eat.

Tonight, the children were all in the house, waiting for Lu Lingyun to come and eat before they would start.

"Mother, stop working, it's time to eat," Cheng Suying came over and pulled Lu Lingyun into the house.

Lu Lingyun put down what she was doing and followed Cheng Suying into the house.

The table was already laden with a spread of dishes, and all the children had taken their seats according to their age.

Lu Lingyun glanced around and suddenly remembered, "By the way, where is Hui Hui?"

"Aunt Hui Hui went with Second Uncle to his general's mansion," Cheng Suying replied.

Hearing Cheng Hui had gone to Cheng Qi's, Lu Lingyun nodded.

Yes, she had almost forgotten that Cheng Qi now had his own residence, as the Emperor had recently bestowed a general's mansion upon him.