Chapter 499 Grand Finale 4

Chapter 499 Finale, Part 4

After her relaxing trip to Jiangnan, Lu Lingyun prepared to return to the Imperial City.

On the eve of her departure, Wang Qiluo held onto her and couldn’t sleep for a long time. They talked all night until sunrise.

Everyone knew that this farewell might mean they would never see each other again in this lifetime. The road from Jiangnan to the Imperial City was long and tough, and with families of their own, reunions would be rare.

The next day, when Lu Lingyun rose to catch her carriage, Wang Qiluo was still asleep. Not wanting to wake her, Lu Lingyun quietly got ready and stepped outside, where she encountered Liu Shuhui.

Liu Shuhui had come to bid her farewell on Wang Qiluo’s behalf.

"Lady Fengguo."

"Your Excellency."

Hearing each other’s formal titles, they both smiled.

Liu Shuhui then took a step forward. "I still remember when we first met—I was just a broke scholar."

"Don’t sell yourself short, brother-in-law. With your talent and ability, you were destined for greatness."

At this, Liu Shuhui turned to her. "How’d you know I’d rise high and not flop?"

"That you pushed so hard to set me up with Qiluo still blows my mind."

Lu Lingyun chuckled. "But I was right, wasn’t I?"

Her words left Liu Shuhui silent for a moment. Seeing how cool and collected she was, as if everything was under her control, his admiration for her only deepened.

"By chance, I once saw a letter you sent to Bing Hao. The writing matched Qiluo’s ‘brilliant plans’ she’d given me before."

Liu Shuhui spoke as he watched her back.

Hearing this, Lu Lingyun turned to meet his awestruck gaze.

"Lu Lingyun, you’re a once-in-a-lifetime mind. If you were a man, you would have carved out a legendary place in this world!"

At first thrown by his flattery, Lu Lingyun then laughed. "You’ve got me all wrong. If I were a man, I’d likely be some scheming old bureaucrat in the imperial court, eyes lowered, mouth shut—preferring silence over a thousand words of advice."

Lu Lingyun was no great statesman. Rather than seeking glory, she enjoyed the game of power. If she were a man, she would have become the slickest, sneakiest fox in court.

Squinting, she’d keep every scheme locked tight. Whether someone plotted against her or stood in her way, she’d take them out dirty, no traces left.

The battlefield of power was the most fascinating journey. Only hotheaded idiots charge into fights, driven by blind passion.

Hearing her words, Liu Shuhui was utterly speechless.

After a long pause, he managed, "Good thing you’re a woman."

Lu Lingyun shook her head with a smile. "And I’ve never once wished I weren’t a woman. I’ve never believed women are inferior to men."

"But you men should be careful. Perhaps one day, our battlefield will no longer be confined to the inner chambers. We might face you head-on—and then, who knows? We’ll wipe the floor with you!"

Her words cut like knives, revealing the iron under her sweet smile.

Liu Shuhui stared at her, stunned for a long moment before breaking into an admiring smile. "I’m not even half the man you are."

"High mountains, long rivers—farewell!"

"Until we meet again!"

Lu Lingyun returned to the Imperial City.

It was midwinter, and just before the New Year, she returned to the Marquis's Mansion.

This was also the last time Lu Lingyun received news of Cheng Yunshuo.

It was a letter delivered by Du Ruo.

Cheng Yunshuo had died.

He perished on the snowy plains of the Western Regions.

Torn apart by wolves.

His body was mangled beyond recognition—even his bones couldn't be reassembled.

He sacrificed himself to a pack of wolves to save a mother and her orphaned child in the snowy plains.

His act was revered by the locals, and the Tibetan people there gathered his remains, building a simple stupa to enshrine his bones.

He became a true spiritual master.

After reading the letter, Lu Lingyun felt a wave of sorrow.

It was bitterly ironic—he had never saved his own wife and children, yet he died rescuing a strangers' family.

Ironically, in the eyes of many, Cheng Yunshuo, once considered unfilial, ended up becoming a revered and worshipped monk.

The ways of the world are truly unpredictable.

Among the merchant caravans returning that year, she informed Team Leader Qian to travel to the northwestern frontier the following year and add colorful prayer flags and a stele to Cheng Yunshuo's stupa in the snowy plains.

As for his remains—well, forget it. His parents likely had no desire to see him.

Let him stay in the place he sought to dedicate himself to.

As spring thaw came, year after year.

Another lively Spring Banquet arrived at the Marquis's Mansion.

Lu Lingyun hosted a Spring Banquet, inviting most of the ladies in the Imperial City with eligible daughters to attend.

Everyone knew the purpose of this banquet.

The Spring Banquet was alive with energy as young ladies showcased their talents in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.

All the matrons praised one girl as graceful, another as radiant.

At the gathering, Lu Lingyun was drawn to a quiet girl.

While others vied for attention, this girl calmly observed everyone, her gaze measured and observant. Even when faced with the most accomplished girls, she showed no sign of anxiety.

She learned the girl was the second-born daughter of the Minister of Works, Shen Anran.

Lu Lingyun called her over and asked her a few questions, asking her name, her interests, and the meaning behind it.

The girl answered everything with calm precision.

After the banquet ended, she called Cheng Bingan over and told him that she planned to find him a wife, asking for his thoughts.

Cheng Bingan had no particular requests, only saying that whoever his mother chose would surely be the best.

Lu Lingyun then hosted several poetry parties, inviting a few young ladies to attend, and had Qiu Ling meet them on multiple occasions. Qiu Ling, however, wasn't too impressed with the chosen girl.

Yet, upon returning, she said to Lu Lingyun, "Madam, you have good taste. Whoever you select will surely be to Bingan's liking."

"Why?"

"Because among all those young ladies, she was the only one I immediately didn't like."

Lu Lingyun: "..."

"But I believe that since ancient times, mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law never really get along. If I dislike her, my son will surely adore her. Besides, I’ve asked Bingan about his preferences, and that girl is exactly his type."

Lu Lingyun: "..."

After much deliberation, Lu Lingyun set up the marriage for Cheng Bingan.

Once Cheng Bingan officially became an adult and successfully inherited the title of Ningyang Marquis, she organized his wedding.

The Ningyang Marquis’s residence was decked out with lanterns and decorations, welcoming its new lady of the house.

The day after Shen Anran joined the household, Lu Lingyun, having accepted her daughter-in-law’s respects-paying tea, followed the example of Lady Qin and handed over the household keys of the Ningyang Marquis’s residence to Shen Anran.

Life passed from one generation to the next.

Lu Lingyun stepped back from household affairs, meeting with old friends for tea, card games, and outings. A few years later, she was surrounded by grandchildren, enjoying time with them.

Lu Lingyun's time as matriarch gradually came to an end, but a new daily routine for the household’s mistress had just begun.

————————

"The End"

Customary author’s postscript:

First of all, thank you so much!

Secondly, thank you again!

Lastly, a million thanks!

I’m truly grateful to all of you!

It’s finished, it’s finished!

Another eight months, and Da Bai has completed another 100,000-word novel. As for extras—probably none, haha. But who knows? Maybe if the mood strikes me, I’ll write some.

I’m really, really thankful to all of you!

This book's success was unexpected for Da Bai, as I initially thought this kind of story might be pretty niche. Among all the books I’ve written, this is the only one with no male lead and absolutely no romance at all for the female protagonist—no romantic interests, no emotional entanglements.

This book has no true male lead; it’s just the story of the heroine, Lu Lingyun.

A story without any romance should, in my opinion, be quite niche... So its success really surprised me.

As for everyone’s feedback, I've seen all your comments, but won’t make changes. Different people have different perspectives, and everyone is entitled to their own interpretations and opinions. I just hope you're all happy.

I will improve in my next book!

Finally, let me recommend one of Da Bai's completed works. If you enjoy post-apocalyptic themes, you can check it out: "Rebirth in the Apocalypse: The Big Shot Starts with a Million Supplies" (also known as "Rebirth and Stockpiling—It’s the Apocalypse, Who’s Spoiling You?").

This one's more fully developed, and Da Bai thinks it's pretty good.

I wouldn't recommend the others.

Until we meet again, see you in the next book!

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