Chapter 457: A Love-Hate Relationship

Chapter 457: The Bickering Lovers

Cheng Bingzhi scored a big win today.

He not only got to see Lady Qin, but he also got her word to drop by the Marquis's Mansion to see her whenever he wanted.

Li Bihan was thrilled when she heard the news. "Son! You nailed it! You're amazing!"

She had it figured out—old folks love having lots of kids and grandkids around.

As long as Cheng Bingzhi kept showing up and could see her, it would definitely win her over.

Sure enough, he finally pulled it off!

With Lady Qin in their corner, they were set for a good life!

Cheng Bingzhi, hearing his mother's words, said, "I've always been the man!"

He was filled with pride.

"Son, do your best to win over your grandma. When the time is right, ask her to arrange a marriage for you! Her picks are always top-notch!"

"I know!" Cheng Bingzhi pictured Liu Xianxian in his mind.

Hmm, she was a step up from Xu Yinyin.

He had already found out that Liu Xianxian was the daughter of Wang Qiluo, the daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi, and Liu Shuhui, the current Governor of Water Transport in Jiangnan.

Her family background was first-rate!

No comparison to Xu Yinyin, who was just a lowly seventh-rank county magistrate!

A woman like that would be perfect for him!

Lu Lingyun found out that Cheng Bingzhi had met with Lady Qin and received her permission to visit the Marquis's Mansion anytime quite late.

When she heard the news, she frowned and raised her hand to summon someone, planning to give the gatekeepers a talking-to. No matter who let him in or if he came to request a meeting himself, they were to keep Cheng Bingzhi out.

Even if Lady Qin said it was okay, the Marquis's Mansion was her domain.

Lu Lingyun issued an order to prevent Cheng Bingzhi from seeing Lady Qin again. Even if Cheng Bingzhi shouted himself hoarse outside, Lady Qin would not know.

She also did not care much about Cheng Bingzhi; over time, he would naturally be forgotten.

But after a moment of contemplation, Lu Lingyun lowered her hand.

Forget it.

Lady Qin's health was uncertain; she might last another six months, or perhaps just one or two months. If seeing Cheng Bingzhi made her happy, then why not let him come.

He and his mother were just trying to gain some benefits from the Marquis's Mansion.

These benefits were insignificant to her, but if they brought Lady Qin joy, it was worth it.

She summoned Shuang Hong and instructed her to keep an eye on Cheng Bingzhi during his next visit, allowing him only to move around Lady Qin's area and nowhere else, to prevent him from causing any trouble.

Shuang Hong quickly agreed.

Lu Lingyun then inquired about some other matters.

Upon hearing that Cheng Binghao and Liu Xianxian had a spat today, and that Liu Xianxian was sulking and refusing to eat, she called Liu Xianxian over.

"Auntie," Liu Xianxian came to Lu Lingyun.

"The servants told me you skipped dinner tonight?"

"I'm not hungry," Liu Xianxian sat down in front of Lu Lingyun.

"Is it because of the heat? Or does the food here not suit your taste?" Lu Lingyun looked at her gently.

"Neither," Liu Xianxian blinked her eyes, "Don't worry about me, Auntie, I'm okay."

"I get it, someone's upset you," Lu Lingyun's face turned serious, "I'll call that person over and give them a piece of my mind to make you feel better!"

"It's nothing, Binghao is really good to me!" Afraid Cheng Binghao would get scolded, Liu Xianxian quickly stood up to defend him.

Seeing her like this, Lu Lingyun burst into laughter, "I had no idea who upset you, but now I see it's your Binghao!"

Hearing Lu Lingyun's words, Liu Xianxian was slightly stunned, then immediately blushed, "Auntie, you're sneaky! You got me to spill the beans!"

"So tell me, what do you think of Binghao?" Lu Lingyun pulled her closer.

"I won't tell," Liu Xianxian pouted, "If he finds out I'm talking about him behind his back, he'll get mad at me—he's so petty!"

"You two, one calls the other stingy, the other calls the first petty—you're a real pair of little rivals!"

Liu Xianxian laughed at this, "Auntie, my mom says the same thing—she says Binghao and I are like oil and water, always clashing."

Lu Lingyun's eyes twinkled, "So, would you like to be a happy couple with Binghao?"

At this, Liu Xianxian's face turned bright red, "Auntie, what are you saying!"

"Just tell me how you feel—if you're not into it, I won't push you," Lu Lingyun looked at her seriously, "I treat you just like Sù Yīng—both of you are like daughters to me, and I want you to find men who truly make you happy."

Lu Lingyun felt a bit emotional.

When she was young, her marriage wasn't her choice. Now that she is a mother, she wants to give them as much choice as possible.

Marrying solely based on family status and background isn't right—their feelings matter too. If they're truly in love, it's fine to be a little flexible about family status.

Of course, ignoring family status and background entirely and going purely by feelings isn't realistic either.

In her earlier years, Lu Lingyun had dismissed many of Cheng Yunshuo's concubines. Most of them clung to love, hoping it would fix everything.

But love isn't a cure-all—it can't solve every problem. On the contrary, love is a delicate thing that thrives when it's shielded from hardship, nurtured by both people with care.

Lu Lingyun doesn't believe at all that sacrificing everything for love, while despising marrying into a high family for a good life, is right. Wealthy families have strict rules, and being a daughter-in-law in such a family can be exhausting. But abandoning everything to marry low, starting from scratch, being a poor family's daughter-in-law has even more rules! Even harder and more tiring!

So, Lu Lingyun wants to make sure her children have a solid foundation in life. If they have a beloved, and the person's character is good, the requirements can be lower. But if there are no requirements, then she wants them all to marry well!

The higher you go, the better the quality! The lower you go, the lower the chance of winning the bet!

Of course, what she is asking now is Liu Xianxian's feelings. If she is unwilling, she will not force her.

Liu Xianxian listened to Lu Lingyun's heartfelt words, her eyes slightly lowered, and she shyly said, "Auntie, don't ask me, you should go ask Binghao."

"Oh?"

Liu Xianxian felt a surge of pride, "I don't know how he feels. If he doesn't like me, then I won't like him either!"

At this, Lu Lingyun chuckled softly, "Then I understand, I still need to ask that boy of mine what he thinks!"

"Auntie, you must not tell him it was me!"

"I know."

Lu Lingyun gave her head a firm rub, "Does our Xianxian have an appetite now?"

"Yes!" Liu Xianxian replied cheerfully.

The next day.

Lu Lingyun wanted to talk to Cheng Binghao, but early in the morning she heard that he had gone out with Cheng Bingan.

Lu Lingyun didn't catch him, but she wasn't worried. She first invited Liu Xianxian's maternal grandmother, her godmother Madam Jiang, over for a casual chat.