Chapter 395: You’ll Live to Regret This

Chapter 395: You’ll Live to Regret This

In the serene Ningxin Courtyard.

The moment Lu Lingyun stepped in, she heard merry laughter and lively chatter.

"Shaojing, help yourself to more. I remember you love lamb."

"Thanks, Auntie. Shaojing knows you’d never forget about me."

At that moment, Lu Lingyun stepped inside and saw a group gathered around the table, enjoying their meal, with the children present as well.

They saw Lu Lingyun and called out, "Mother."

"Mom, you’re here."

Lady Qin perked up at the sound of the children, her hazy eyes staring at Lu Lingyun as if she didn’t recognize her.

"Mother," Lu Lingyun approached her.

Seeing her approach, Lady Qin smiled and said, "Allow me to introduce. This is my niece from my side of the family, Shaojing!"

"Auntie, how could I forget my dear sister-in-law!" Qin Shaojing chimed in sweetly, "Right, my dear sister-in-law?"

Lu Lingyun brushed her off and continued to look at Lady Qin, who was even more delighted now.

"It’s good that you know each other. Shaojing is my darling! Shaojing, eat more. Later, stay with me and share stories about your parents and grandparents."

"Of course, I’ll spend the night with you, Auntie."

"Absolutely," Lady Qin nodded eagerly, her eyes completely focused on Qin Shaojing as she served her more food.

Even the three children she once doted on were now completely overlooked.

Seeing this, Lu Lingyun frowned, biting her tongue as she retreated. As she left, she met Qin Shaojing’s eyes, who was being doted on by Lady Qin. Qin Shaojing shot her a defiant glare.

As if to say, even the heavens were in her favor.

Yes, even the heavens were in her favor.

What did it matter that Cheng Qi was infatuated with her?

Lady Qin was the key!

Cheng Qi, smitten with her, aimed to claim the Marquis’s title. What did he have besides the Cheng surname and a bit of lineage?

But Lady Qin, she controlled the wealth of the Ningyang Marquis’s Mansion!

And with Cheng Qi plus Lady Qin, this was a stroke of divine luck!

Once Lady Qin was bewitched by her, she could petition the Emperor to adopt Cheng Qi into the family, and Cheng Qi could rightfully inherit the Marquis’s title!

"Young mistress, our old mistress is truly bewitched by Qin Shaojing. Now she only recognizes her. If she persuades the old mistress to let Second Master Cheng take over, I think the old mistress would agree!"

"What can we do? If Second Master Cheng inherits the Marquis’s title, will he really return it when our young master grows up?"

"Return it? Did you not see Miss Qin’s smug look just now! She might as well remarry Second Master Cheng, and if she bears him a few more children later, how could they possibly return the title to our young master! In our countryside, this is called ‘eating the family’s last,’ I’ve seen it many times!"

"That can’t be allowed! They are too shameless!"

"What are we supposed to do now!" The maids and nannies surrounding Lu Lingyun cried out.

"That's enough!" Cheng Hui spoke up at this moment.

She gazed at Lu Lingyun, whose face was clouded with worry, and said, "Sister-in-law, I’ll go talk to my brother again. This is my brother’s and my fault, and I’ll make sure he doesn’t take over the Marquis's Mansion!"

With that, Cheng Hui turned on her heel and left.

Back at the General's Mansion.

When Cheng Hui arrived at her brother’s place, he was in the middle of dinner.

Seeing her, Cheng Qi guiltily looked away.

"Brother!" Cheng Hui stormed up to him. "Are you really going to keep this up?"

"Hui Hui."

"If you’re still taking Qin Shaojing’s side, don’t call me Hui Hui!" Cheng Hui angrily retorted.

Cheng Qi stayed quiet.

His silence made Cheng Hui’s temples pulse with rage. "Brother, are you really planning to take over the Marquis's Mansion? Answer me!"

"Hui Hui," Cheng Qi finally spoke. "I don’t actually want the title of Marquis."

"Then why are you siding with Qin Shaojing! And claiming you’re helping Sister-in-law run the Marquis's Mansion!"

Cheng Qi sighed. "Shao Jing has a point. Your sister-in-law is just a woman, and without a man in the house, how can she manage the Marquis's Mansion?"

Cheng Hui had no words. "Can’t you see how capable Sister-in-law is at running the household?"

"Sister-in-law is good at managing the household, but running the entire Marquis's Mansion is too much for her. The outside world is ruthless, and the court is full of schemers. A man is needed to hold up such a large estate."

Cheng Hui: "..."

"Fine, let’s say you’re right, but the Ningyang Marquis's Mansion still has Bingan! He’s a man and can inherit the title! With him, Sister-in-law may struggle, but at least there’s a man in the house! Why are you meddling?"

Cheng Qi shook his head. "Bingan’s too young; he can only inherit the heir’s position. Shao Jing is worried that if something happens in the future and the Emperor doesn’t continue the title of the Ningyang Marquis's Mansion, her family's Duke of Qin's Mansion is an example. Her brother is still the heir and may not inherit the title in his lifetime."

"That's because her family offended the Emperor! They deserved it!"

"Hui Hui!" Cheng Qi was angry. "Why are you always so malicious towards Shao Jing?"

"Brother, is it me who's malicious, or are you being blinded by her! Can you honestly say that what you’re saying isn’t influenced by her!"

"How is she influencing me? She's doing it for everyone's good!" Cheng Qi said righteously. "Why do you people always misunderstand Shao Jing and twist her words! She just wants to make things easier for Sister-in-law and ensure the stability and prosperity of the Ningyang Marquis's Mansion, so outsiders won’t covet it!"

"Outsiders won’t covet it, but she will!"

"Cheng Hui! Shao Jing is sincere; what will it take for you to understand!"

Cheng Hui laughed in extreme anger. "Then tell me, was what you just said for my Sister-in-law or for her!"

At this, Cheng Qi suddenly fell silent.

Yes, indeed.

Qin Shaojing had told him that as long as he took over the title of Marquis, she would marry him.

Moreover, Qin Shaojing had explained to him that taking over the Ningyang Marquis's title would benefit everyone.

He could help Lu Lingyun manage the household, sparing her the burden of managing the entire Marquis's household as a woman.

He could also look after the children in the Marquis's household, ensuring they grew up safely.

Most importantly, Qin Shaojing said that as long as he could inherit the title, she would marry him.

He had no intention of taking the Ningyang Marquisate; at most, he would return it to Bingan...

By inheriting the title, it would be all upside, no downside.

He found Qin Shaojing's argument convincing.

He believed her and used this reasoning to convince everyone.

But why couldn’t he speak up now?

"Well, brother, you can't say it, can you!" Cheng Hui sneered, looking at him. "You're nothing but a traitor!"

Cheng Qi remained silent, his eyes brimming with shame and silence, as if he had been exposed.

Seeing him like this, Cheng Hui was utterly disappointed by his silence.

"You'll regret this! You will definitely regret it! That woman is not worth your actions!"

With that, Cheng Hui stormed out of the General's Mansion.