Chapter 421: Harsh Criticism Disguised as Humility

Chapter 421: Harsh Criticism Disguised as Humility

"Nanyuan, I’m not trying to criticize you, but how can you be such a wife? It’s been ten years since you married into this family, and you still don’t have a single child! Are you trying to end Kuan'er’s family line?" Madam Liu said in Tong Nanyuan's parlor.

Tong Nanyuan, reprimanded by Madam Liu, couldn’t lift her head.

She was naturally straightforward, but she was still a woman in this society.

In those days, women without children were inevitably looked down upon by their in-laws.

Although Madam Liu was not Lu Kuan's birth mother, she was still his stepmother. In her presence, Tong Nanyuan didn’t dare to look up.

"If all else fails, just adopt one of Kuan'er’s nephews. They’re all part of the Lu family, our own children, and it won’t go to outsiders!"

"Mother."

At this moment, Lu Lingyun's voice sounded.

Madam Liu, who had been scolding her daughter-in-law with vigor, immediately lost her steam upon hearing her voice.

"Oh, Lingyun’s here." Madam Liu immediately got up flatteringly, smiling at Lu Lingyun.

She really couldn’t risk offending Lu Lingyun.

She was now the undisputed head of the Ningyang Marquis’s household!

The entire Marquis’s household was under her control, and Madam Liu couldn’t help but feel small in her presence.

"Mother, what were you talking about just now?" Lu Lingyun looked at Madam Liu.

"Oh, nothing, just having a casual chat with Nanyuan." Madam Liu dared not say it in front of Lu Lingyun.

She was so sharp that she’d see through her intentions in an instant.

Then she’d definitely step in and ruin her plans!

Never mind, Tong Nanyuan was easy to manipulate; she’d deal with her later.

"You must be busy; you two talk first. I’ll come back tomorrow." Madam Liu looked at Tong Nanyuan, "I’ll bring them tomorrow; you should spend more time with them."

"Yes, Mother," Tong Nanyuan said meekly.

After Madam Liu left, Tong Nanyuan’s face immediately fell.

"Nanyuan, is she pushing you to adopt one of Kuan'er’s nephews again?"

Tong Nanyuan nodded reluctantly, "Sigh, if only my husband had a few concubines and fathered a child or two, it’d be better than adopting."

Coming from a large family, Tong Nanyuan wasn’t opposed to concubines.

Her father had several concubines, and her sister Tong Nanxia was born from the concubine Madam Zhao.

Illegitimate children registered under her name were still her children.

In her view, the illegitimate ones at least had Lu Kuan’s bloodline, while the adopted ones would simply be taking advantage of them.

Unfortunately, Lu Kuan firmly refused to take concubines.

He said his eldest sister’s marriage was unhappy because her husband had too many concubines, which made her miserable.

That's why he refused to take a concubine.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun comforted her, "Don't worry. As long as Kuan doesn't agree, no one can make him do anything."

Hearing this, Tong Nanyuan's eyes brightened even more. She quickly called the servants to bring the medicine. In front of Lu Lingyun, she gulped down the bitter medicine in one go.

Seeing this, Lu Lingyun couldn't help but sigh. The expectations and duties placed on women in this era were truly burdensome.

She hadn't been with Tong Nanyuan long when Lu Kuan returned early.

But Lu Kuan had brought someone with him.

"Is Shou Ye here yet?" Lu Kuan asked as he entered the small flower hall.

"No, it's not time yet, at least half an hour to go," Tong Nanyuan replied.

Hearing this, Lu Kuan turned to his friend and said, "My nephew is always on time; we came back early."

He didn't dare mention that Li Shouye had a strict schedule; he wasn't allowed to leave too early.

Hearing this, the long-bearded man said heartily, "In that case, let's visit his home."

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun looked curiously at Tong Nanyuan.

Tong Nanyuan explained to her, "This is the teacher my husband found for Shou Ye—he was last year's chief examiner."

Kuan has gone to great lengths. Is he from the Wang family of scholars?" Lu Lingyun asked, her eyes lighting up.

"Exactly," Tong Nanyuan nodded. "So Mr. Wang wants to personally assess Shou Ye before agreeing."

"This is great; Shou Ye will surely succeed," Lu Lingyun nodded.

"Shall we go together?" Tong Nanyuan asked, intrigued.

It's always better to see for yourself."

Coincidentally, as Lu Lingyun and Tong Nanyuan arrived at the Li residence, Madam Liu also showed up.

Madam Liu had come to see her daughter. Seeing Lu Lingyun and her group, she was momentarily stunned, then quickly asked why they were there.

Tong Nanyuan eagerly told Madam Liu that Lu Kuan had found a teacher for Li Shouye.

He was last year's chief examiner! A renowned scholar from the Wang family!

Hearing this, Madam Liu was thrilled. She eagerly joined them and went inside.

The whole way, she kept praising her wonderful grandson.

"Our Shou Ye is incredibly smart! Mr. Wang, you won't regret taking him as your student!"

As they spoke, the group arrived at Lu Hanyi's courtyard.

Madam Liu, upon entering the courtyard, eagerly went to find her daughter to share the good news.

Lu Hanyi sat at the door of Li Shouye's study, sewing and embroidering.

She guarded the door, not allowing Li Shouye to leave before the appointed time.

"Hanyi!"

"Mother?"

Lu Hanyi was surprised by the sudden appearance of the large group and looked puzzled. "What's going on?"

"Great news!" Madam Liu quickly explained the purpose of their visit to Lu Hanyi.

"Mr. Wang is last year's chief examiner. He's here to evaluate Shou Ye, and if he's satisfied, he will take Shou Ye as his student!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Hanyi's eyes lit up.

"Hurry, call Shou Ye out!"

"Mother, it's not time yet. Shou Ye is studying."

"What’s a little time! Go and call him out!" Madam Liu urged.

Lu Hanyi's eyes flickered, and she stepped forward directly. "Mr. Wang, right?"

"And you are...?"

"I am Shou Ye's mother."

"Ahh, so you are Madam Li." Mr. Wang was very polite. "Where is Shou Ye? I would like to meet the child."

"No hurry," Lu Hanyi invited Mr. Wang to sit. "Shou Ye is still studying. He won’t come out until the appointed time."

Everyone who came with Lu Kuan frowned.

Does studying really matter so much in such a short time! How can she not see the importance of this!

Lu Hanyi, however, handled the situation with great tact. "Since Shou Ye hasn't come out, I can tell you about him first."

Noticing Lu Hanyi's approach, Mr. Wang glanced at his friend Lu Kuan and smiled. "Alright, it’s fine to hear Madam Li’s thoughts as the mother."

With such gracious words from Mr. Wang, Lu Hanyi was even more eager to express herself.

She spoke with great pride. "My son? He’s no good! He’s quite foolish!"

Everyone from Lu Kuan's group: "!!!"

"Since he was a child, I’ve had to constantly push him to study. If I don’t watch him, he goes off track. In the future, when he's with you, Teacher, you'll also have to keep an eye on him for me! If he slacks off, with his thick skull, he will definitely not pass the imperial examination!"

Everyone: "!!!"

In front of everyone, Lu Hanyi harshly criticized her son with false modesty.