Chapter 429: Hoping She Would Adopt Me as Her Son

Chapter 429: Hoping She Would Adopt Me as Her Child

"Nanxia," Tong Nanyuan's dim eyes lit up slightly upon seeing Tong Nanxia arrive.

"Why are you making yourself so miserable? In the end, your husband will also be upset," said Tong Nanxia, who had been invited by Lu Lingyun to comfort her. She sat down beside her.

Upon hearing this, Tong Nanyuan remained silent.

"Men take care of the outside matters. Your husband hasn't said anything, so just act like you don't know and live your life happily!" Tong Nanxia earnestly advised.

"No, I must have a child for my husband," Tong Nanyuan said with unusual determination.

Hearing this, Tong Nanxia immediately became anxious, "Aren't you worried about the dangers of childbirth?! Since ancient times, childbirth has been a dangerous ordeal for women. Our eldest and second sisters both died in childbirth, and many of our cousins from the Lin family also died in childbirth."

She hinted at Tong Nanyuan.

In their family, both direct and collateral sisters, over the past decade, nearly ninety percent died in childbirth, leaving only a few who survived but lost their children and could no longer have any more.

Their family's women seemed cursed when it came to childbirth!

After listening, Tong Nanyuan was not moved at all and instead said, "What does death matter? If I can leave a child for my husband, it's worth it!"

"But if something happens to you, the child will have no mother, and your husband will lose you. How will they survive then!"

After hearing this, Tong Nanyuan was silent for a while, then said, "Then I'll listen to my mother-in-law and adopt a nephew from the Lu family."

Tong Nanxia: "......"

After leaving Lu Lingyun's place and returning home, Tong Nanyuan became much more open to Madam Liu's suggestions.

Sensing that Tong Nanyuan was somewhat open to the idea of adopting one of her grandsons, Madam Liu's eyes lit up.

She hurried back to make arrangements, planning to bring her grandsons to visit Lu Kuan's home more frequently. No matter which one was adopted, it would be fine!

The Lu family's lineage now rested with Lu Kuan, and he had the best resources. If her grandson were adopted, wouldn't that be a ready-made benefit!

It was a sure thing, a sure thing, it was still hers!

Madam Liu became very active.

Several days later, the spring examinations ended.

Li Shouye also finished his exams. On the day he finished, both Lu Hanyi and Madam Liu went to pick him up.

Since Lu Hanyi was there, Tong Nanyuan did not go.

She had already told Lu Kuan that she wouldn't go anywhere Lu Hanyi was.

"Shouye, how did you do in the exams?"

"Having to take exams for several days in a row must have been exhausting. Mother has prepared a meal at home. Come home with me, have a good meal, and take a bath!"

Lu Hanyi eagerly stepped forward to carry his things.

As soon as her hand touched Li Shouye, he dodged her.

Li Shouye completely ignored her, looking around, "Where is my aunt? Didn't she come?"

"Nanyuan didn't come," Madam Liu said with a smile, "But I will be going to your uncle's house later."

Hearing this, Li Shouye immediately said, "Grandma, I'll go with you."

Hearing this, Madam Liu glanced at her daughter. Lu Hanyi was clearly upset. Anticipating Lu Hanyi's inevitable complaining, Madam Liu preemptively said, "Alright, Shouye has been through several days of exams and must be exhausted. It's good for him to rest at his uncle's house for a few days. You should let the child rest!"

Despite her mother's words, Lu Hanyi still looked displeased. However, when she met Li Shouye's gaze, she finally bit back her anger and said, "Fine, mother, take Shouye to stay at his uncle's house for a few days. But don't let these days go to waste. He still has the palace exam ahead. He must keep up with his studies at his uncle's house. I'll send his books over later..."

Before she could finish, Li Shouye had already picked up his things and got into Madam Liu's carriage.

"This kid!" Lu Hanyi snapped angrily as she watched him.

"Enough, stop complaining," Madam Liu quickly interrupted her. "You almost messed up his chance to take the exam earlier. Can't you see he's upset?"

"I'm his mother! How dare he be mad at me! This is unfilial! He's an unfilial son!"

Madam Liu was speechless.

"Enough already. I have things to do these next few days. You should head back now," Madam Liu said, not wanting to continue the conversation with her daughter.

She quickly left.

As Lu Hanyi watched her go, she called after her, "Mother, keep an eye on things for me. Don't let them lead Shouye astray!"

"Got it!"

Li Shouye got to Lu Kuan's house.

A few of his younger cousins were there too.

Madam Liu had two sons and four grandsons in total.

The oldest grandson had already turned thirteen, and the youngest was eight.

All four children were presented to Tong Nanyuan.

Seeing this, Li Shouye asked curiously, "Grandma, why are they here with Auntie?"

Madam Liu's eyes lit up as she looked at her four grandsons. "Your aunt is planning to adopt one of them!"

"Nanyuan, these are Jianye, Jianshun, Jianlin, and Jianda. They're all very bright. Go on, let your auntie get a good look at you!"

Tong Nanyuan looked at the four children in front of her and invited them to sit down, calling for someone to bring them something to eat.

Seeing this, Li Shouye suddenly felt a twinge of envy.

How wonderful it would be if he could be adopted by Tong Nanyuan.

To have a mother like her would be so good.

When evening came, Lu Kuan returned home. Seeing so many people in the house, he was quite puzzled. "Why is everyone here today?"

Tong Nanyuan, seeing him, said, "I invited the children over for dinner."

Hearing this, Lu Kuan said nothing more. He sat down and, noticing Li Shouye sitting in the corner, quickly asked him about the exam.

"Shouye, how did you do?"

After a moment of silence, Li Shouye replied, "Not well."

After all, who could keep a clear head after dealing with a mother like that?

Li Shouye managed to perform at half his usual level, and it was already commendable that he submitted his exam paper.

Hearing this, Lu Kuan said, "Now that the exam's over, let's drop it for now. Let's eat first. We can talk about everything once the results are out."

"Alright."

Perhaps because Tong Nanyuan was planning to adopt a child, coupled with the conflict with Lu Hanyi, Li Shouye felt that his aunt was not as warm to him as before. He only stayed at the Lu family for one day before returning to his own home.

At home, Lu Hanyi was pleasantly surprised to see Li Shouye return early, "Shou Ye, why are you back so soon?"

Li Shouye replied with a very bad mood, "Aunt's been really busy."

"Shou Ye, did you realize that home is better, and that your mother is better? No matter how nice outsiders might seem, they're still outsiders. They could never care for you as genuinely as your own mother does!" Lu Hanyi pressed on.

"That aunt of yours, she's all show and no substance!"

Li Shouye finally couldn't take it anymore. He stopped and said to his mother, "No matter how hypocritical my aunt is, I still wish to stand in front of her like Jianye and the others, hoping she'd adopt me as her son!"