Chapter 162: She’s Gone Mad with Power

Chapter 162: She’s Gone Mad with Power

Shu Yuan disapprovingly glanced at Lu Mingchao, "Is this what you consider a noblewoman from a high-ranking family?"

"Truly refined families would never indiscriminately harm their servants. Such hubris will inevitably lead to downfall. Cats have their ways, dogs have theirs, and even the lowliest servants have their own paths."

"Yongning Marquis Madam thinks she can keep it all hidden, but it's just self-deception."

"If the Duke’s family takes in Lu Minghui as the future matriarch, the decline of their once-great lineage is unavoidable."

"A virtuous wife spares her husband troubles, and a wise mother nurtures virtuous children."

"A good marriage can ensure prosperity for three generations—it’s no mere platitude."

"Lu Minghui is no virtuous wife but a troublemaker who invites disaster."

"Her methods are crude, yet she’s ruthless, greedy, and insatiable."

"Mark my words, she could bring ruin to both the Duke’s family and the Yongning Marquis’s household."

Lu Mingchao chuckled, turned her back to the wind, and burned the note.

"Shu Yuan, you’re unaware, but Lu Minghui can foresee the future."

From Lu Minghui’s abrupt decision to break her engagement and seek her relatives, Lu Mingchao surmised she had likely regained memories of her past life.

Memories, if used wisely, can grant one foresight—an unbeatable edge.

Shu Yuan was momentarily stunned, his casual scorn giving way to disbelief. He pulled the weed from his mouth and said incredulously, "Foresee the future?"

"Didn’t she grow up in Changxi Village, without any extraordinary experiences or encounters with remarkable figures?"

Lu Mingchao replied gravely, "Perhaps a divine being guided her in a dream."

"Once she gains fame in the capital, you’ll see just how extraordinary she is."

Shu Yuan suddenly fell silent, his head lowered, his face obscured, and an air of gloom surrounding him. After a long while, he said, "In that case, it adds an intriguing twist."

A cold breeze swept past the eaves, rustling the withered branches in the courtyard with a low, powerful sound.

Lu Mingchao remained composed, "Yongning Marquis Madam, having managed the household for years, would never ignore Lu Minghui’s actions and let her tarnish their reputation."

"But it’s uncertain whether Lu Minghui will open up to Yongning Marquis Madam."

Shu Yuan exhaled a long breath, dispersing it into the wind.

"Our insiders won’t rise to trusted positions quickly, so we can’t obtain precise information yet."

"Xie Yan proposed bribing some of the Marquis’s old servants."

"After careful thought, I believe Nanny Wang, who serves Yongning Marquis Madam, is an ideal candidate."

Lu Mingchao frowned, recalling the old nanny who, with tearful eyes, had urged her before she left to return to the capital if rural life became unbearable, as she would care for her.

"May you find peace and prosperity, and may all your wishes be fulfilled."

These were the old nanny’s heartfelt wishes.

Those rambling words and tearful eyes were deeply etched in her memory.

It seems that Nanny Wang genuinely cared for the original mistress.

Since she has taken on the role of the original mistress, she will also inherit this sentiment.

She pursed her lips and gently shook her head, "That wouldn't be right."

"She is a long-time servant by the Marquis Madam's side, unmarried and devotedly serving her for decades, loyal and steadfast."

"Moreover, the Marquis Madam has always treated her with kindness, never sparing in giving her respect, making her hard to bribe."

Shu Yuan thought for a moment, "Lu Minghui wants to eliminate her."

Lu Mingchao widened her eyes in shock, "Has Lu Minghui lost her mind?"

"Even out of respect for the Marquis Madam, Nanny Wang would be loyal to Lu Minghui, aiding her faithfully. With Nanny Wang's help and guidance, it would be all gain and no loss for Lu Minghui. Why would Lu Minghui want to get rid of her?"

"Has she developed a taste for killing?"

Loyal servants are hard to find, and those who are both loyal and capable are even rarer.

Over the years, Nanny Wang has firmly stood by the Marquis Madam's side, mainly because she is skilled at reading people and knows when to hide her intelligence and when to show her strengths.

Anyone with half a brain would know to win over someone like her.

Shu Yuan smirked, a cold edge to his laughter, half-joking and half-serious, "Maybe her so-called foresight told her Nanny Wang would be in her way."

Lu Mingchao: I can't help but feel Shu Yuan hit the nail on the head.

If Lu Minghui hadn't gone to the capital to claim her lineage and expose the scandal of the true and false heiresses, the original mistress would have married Gu Huai, the heir to the Duke's family, as per the marriage contract.

With Nanny Wang's loyalty and skills, it wasn't out of the question for her to join the Duke's family as the original mistress's nanny.

"Is it hard to save her?"

Lu Mingchao turned her head, asking earnestly.

Shu Yuan looked puzzled, "Not hard."

"Even if Lu Minghui is itching to cause trouble, she's powerless and can only take it out on the servants of Lanxi Courtyard. She can't lay a finger on the Marquis Madam of Yongning's people anytime soon."

Shu Yuan paused, then after a moment, added, "Is it really impossible to win her over?"

Lu Mingchao's eyes gleamed, "There wasn't a chance before, but now there is."

"We can't do much, but that idiot Lu Minghui will keep messing up, giving us opportunities."

Shu Yuan's smile grew a little brighter.

Lu Mingchao chuckled, "Your hatred for Lu Minghui came out of nowhere and runs deep, like a seed carried by the wind that took root and spread in an instant."

"I consider Lu Yao a friend," Shu Yuan said firmly.

A faint blush spread across his face, his eyes flickering, "I like the vibe of the Lu family."

Yes, I like it, so I must protect it.

"The things Lu Minghui has done over the years are unforgivable, even in death."

"Also, Xie Yan has uncovered some old matters, and perhaps there will be results in a day or two."

Lu Mingchao was speechless. "I feel like I’m intruding. Should I leave you two alone?"

Shu Yuan rolled his eyes at Lu Mingchao. "Sister-in-law, there’s a difference between caring and controlling!"

"When he finds out, he’ll tell you when he’s ready."

"Hearing vague and confusing things will only frustrate you more."

Lu Mingchao gave an awkward smile.

Xie Huaiqian appeared out of nowhere. "You rolled your eyes at my mom? I’m keeping track of that!"

Shu Yuan looked baffled. "What?"

"Are you rolling your eyes again?"

"I did not!"

"He did! He rolled his eyes at me."

Lu Mingchao, always ready to stir things up, chimed in.

Around Shu Yuan, Xie Huaiqian always seemed more lively and energetic.

As the light faded, Feng Jinyu leaned out the window and exclaimed, "I’m finished with this!"

Lu Mingchao left Shu Yuan and Xie Huaiqian and went back to check Feng Jinyu’s work.

"You’ve got a real knack for math!"

Lu Mingchao patted Feng Jinyu’s shoulder and gave her an honest encouragement.

Feng Jinyu stared in disbelief. "Potential?"

She’d been so stressed doing the problems, she’d nearly torn her hair out.

Feng Jinyu opened her hand, showing strands of hair that were barely visible.

"Teacher, can you still talk about 'potential’ when you see this hair?"

Lu Mingchao’s mouth twitched. "You’ve got potential, but it’s tough on your hair."

"Why tear your hair out over math problems?"

"Let’s head down the mountain now."