Chapter 483: Using Li Wenxun to Deal with Lu Hanyi

Chapter 483: Using Li Wenxun Against Lu Hanyi

Marquis Ningyang's Mansion.

Lu Lingyun had recently been busy with the building of a new mansion.

Cheng Binghao was ennobled as the EverVictorious Marquis, and the Emperor commissioned the Ministry of Works to construct the EverVictorious Marquis's Mansion.

Now that all approvals were finalized, construction was about to begin.

It would be built right next to Marquis Ningyang's Mansion. Lu Lingyun planned to have a connecting gate added between the two mansions so that the brothers could live separately in their own residences in the future.

Before Liu Xianxian married into the EverVictorious Marquis's Mansion, Lu Lingyun could help oversee both households. Once Liu Xianxian married in, she would delegate the household management of the EverVictorious Marquis's Mansion to her, leaving only the small gate for occasional visits between the two families.

After reviewing the Ministry of Works' blueprints and finalizing the location of the connecting gate, a maid came to announce,

"My Lady, the lady from the House of Li is here."

"Yin Yin is here? Escort her in at once," Lu Lingyun said with a smile, instructing the servants to clear away the other items.

Soon, Xu Yinyin entered.

"Dearest Aunt!"

"To what do I owe this visit?" Lu Lingyun motioned for her to sit. "I recall Shou Ye's official transfer notice was due. Has he encountered any trouble?"

Hearing this, Xu Yinyin felt warmth in her heart.

No wonder her mother had advised her to regard Lu Lingyun as a second mother. Lu Lingyun treated her nephews and younger relatives with nothing but kindness.

Having already achieved high status, she sought nothing from them—only pure affection and care as an elder would give to the younger generation.

"Dearest Aunt," Xu Yinyin smiled at her, "Shou Ye has been assigned to the Court of Tributary Affairs."

"The Court of Tributary Affairs," Lu Lingyun repeated the name. "That’s quite an advantageous post."

The Court of Tributary Affairs handled diplomatic relations and affairs with external regions.

In Lu Lingyun’s memories from her past life, the dynasty would grow increasingly prosperous in the coming years, establishing relations with many nations. By the time of her death, envoys from myriad nations would offer tribute, an unprecedented spectacle. The Court of Tributary Affairs would become a pivotal and prestigious institution during that time.

"Shou Ye is lucky to have landed such a promising position. He has a bright future ahead," Lu Lingyun praised.

"Really?" Xu Yinyin asked with a hint of confusion.

At present, the Court of Tributary Affairs was seen as a sinecure with scant rewards or prospects. The importance of various departments was judged by the Emperor’s favor. The Six Ministries held undisputed sway, and provincial officials wielded real power. But a diplomatic department like the Court of Tributary Affairs seemed more like a place for retirement.

"Of course. Tell Shou Ye to apply himself earnestly without complacency. There will surely be a stage for his talents later," Lu Lingyun advised Xu Yinyin.

Xu Yinyin felt her confidence bolstered by these words. She had been worried about Li Shouye’s modest appointment and uncertain future, even considering asking her father to help find a way to transfer him to a provincial post.

Now, after hearing Lu Lingyun’s words, she felt reassured and decided to wait patiently.

"Yes, I’ll listen to you, Dearest Aunt," Xu Yinyin assented meekly. After discussing Li Shouye’s matter, her gaze faltered slightly as she looked at Lu Lingyun.

"Was there another matter?"

"Yes," Xu Yinyin sighed. "It concerns my mother-in-law."

She filled Lu Lingyun in on everything Lu Hanyi had been up to lately, especially how she had been causing endless trouble at home, wearing Li Shouye down completely.

After hearing Xu Yinyin’s words, Lu Lingyun frowned slightly. She knew her sister like the back of her hand—these were indeed things Lu Hanyi was capable of doing.

But.

“Hanyi’s always been a handful, but why are you telling me all this?” Lu Lingyun asked.

“Aunt Lingyun! Shou Ye and I want to ask for your help!” Xu Yinyin pleaded, her eyes filled with desperation. “She’s driven us up the wall. My father once taught me a trick—using Shou Ye’s clout to strong-arm her into apologizing. But it didn’t work. Afterward, she doubled down on her antics and even resented us more.”

“We’re fresh out of ideas now. If she keeps causing trouble like this, I’m afraid Shou Ye won’t be able to take it much longer! Please, Aunt Lingyun, help us!”

So, they had reached their limit with Lu Hanyi and were now seeking her help.

Lu Lingyun pondered Xu Yinyin’s words for a long moment before finally lifting her gaze. “There’s a way to rein your mother-in-law in.”

“What is it, Aunt Lingyun?”

Lu Lingyun looked into her eyes and said coolly, “Have your father-in-law transferred back to the Imperial City.”

The only person in this world who could redirect Lu Hanyi’s… energies was Li Wenxun.

Once he returned to the capital, Lu Hanyi would have no energy left to focus on her son and daughter-in-law.

A few days later, at the Li residence.

Lu Hanyi was called over for a family dinner.

She dressed to impress, surrounded by maids and elderly women, dead set on rubbing her good fortune in her sister-in-law’s face.

Her son was successful, and she had moved out to live independently with him—living her best life!

She wanted everyone to know.

Lu Hanyi’s days of hardship were finally over!

But just as she had triumphantly flaunted her newfound status to everyone at the Li residence, she was hit with a bombshell.

Li Wenxun was being transferred back to the Imperial City!

“What?! He’s being transferred back to the capital for an official post?!” Lu Hanyi shot up from her seat.

The Li matriarch, seated at the head of the table, shot her a displeased look. “Yes, Second Daughter-in-Law, your husband is finally coming home. You must be thrilled.”

Thrilled? Yeah, right!

The mere thought of Li Wenxun—that good-for-nothing who’d swindled her out of a lifetime—made Lu Hanyi want to scratch his eyes out. She had fled from him, struggled to raise their son alone, and now, just as she was finally tasting freedom and power, he was returning!

This was nothing but a slap in the face!

“Was he promoted? Why is he coming back now?” Lu Hanyi snapped after her initial shock.

"Not exactly a promotion—it’s more of a sideways move. He’ll be a clerk in the Ministry of Works."

Capital posts carried more prestige. Li Wenxun had been a seventh-rank county magistrate outside the capital, so this was technically a step down.

Li Wenxun returned to the capital as an eighth-rank official, which was essentially no promotion at all.

Upon hearing this, Lu Hanyi was even more furious. This useless Li Wenxun had spent over a decade outside the capital, only to come back still a lowly eighth-rank official!

She must have been out of her mind back then, competing to wed such a man!

No top scholar, no prime minister—just a good-for-nothing schemer who excelled at nothing but manipulation!

What kind of divine favor had he stumbled upon in his past life to end up like that? He deceived her for an entire lifetime!

Lu Hanyi was so angry she couldn’t even eat and turned and marched back to her marital home.

"This second daughter-in-law is becoming more and more disrespectful!"

"Mother, don’t be upset," Wei Shi said, watching Lu Hanyi’s retreating figure. "Once Second Brother returns, he can put her in her place!"

"Hmph! He must whip her into shape! Our family is truly cursed to have married such a daughter-in-law!"