Chapter 245: Yongning Marquis Madam’s Regret

Chapter 245: The Yongning Marquis Madam Has Regrets

This time, even Ming Zhou couldn't hold back his doubts.

He whispered into Lu Mingchao's ear, "A Chao, she doesn’t seem too bright."

"Should we choose someone else? There are plenty of people offering themselves for sale on Xiangqi Street."

"We need people around us who can be useful."

Liu Yue: She can hear!

Liu Yue blinked, pleadingly looking at Lu Mingchao.

Lu Mingchao smiled, "Her knife skills are quick."

Ming Zhou looked thoughtful.

"And what about you?"

"What’s your name, and what are your skills?"

Lu Mingchao looked at the cute, petite girl before her and instinctively softened her tone.

"Dan Zhu," good at sewing and embroidery.

Dan Zhu, taking a cue from Liu Yue’s hesitant manner, spoke clearly.

Princess Lerong County remarked, "She could work as a seamstress."

Dan Zhu tried to remain composed, but her flickering eyes gave away her nerves.

"And you, what’s your name and what are your skills?" Lu Mingchao pretended not to notice and randomly pointed to someone she liked to continue asking.

"Hu Po, skilled in makeup and hairstyling."

"Qing Tang, skilled in gardening."

After a moment’s thought, Lu Mingchao made her decision.

Princess Lerong County muttered, "Something doesn’t feel right."

Ming Zhou firmly and righteously stood up for Lu Mingchao, "Everything’s fine. A Chao is kind-hearted and couldn’t stand to see these women suffer, so she bought them."

"Look, the women A Chao chose are all unique and beautiful. If we left them here, they might run into trouble with ruffians."

"The lucky ones might end up as concubines in some mansion."

"The unlucky ones could face humiliation or worse."

"By buying them, A Chao is saving their lives."

Princess Lerong County suddenly realized, "Lu Mingchao is such a kind person."

Lu Mingchao: I don’t deserve this.

Meeting Princess Lerong County’s sparkling, starry gaze, Lu Mingchao suddenly felt a little shy.

Princess Lerong County continued, "Then I'll also pick some young and beautiful ones to buy..."

"Stop!" Ming Zhou interrupted without hesitation.

If Princess Lerong County unexpectedly brought back a group of young and beautiful maids, what would Princess Pingning think?

Not to mention, she vaguely felt that the outstanding ones among those selling themselves to bury their fathers were people Lu Mingchao had arranged in advance.

Princess Lerong County should not meddle blindly.

Princess Lerong County pouted and glared at Ming Zhou in dissatisfaction.

"A Chao," Ming Zhou's gaze fell on Lu Mingchao, "You've come from afar, did you prepare gifts for the Yongning Marquis and his wife in advance?"

Lu Mingchao was momentarily stunned, then smiled slyly, "As everyone knows, Changxi Village is remote and desolate, even if I had the intention, I wouldn't have the means."

"But, after all, the bond between mother and daughter is deep. The Marquise misses me deeply, and I also think of her, so I definitely wouldn't dare to show up empty-handed."

"No matter how precious the gift, it can't compare to the vegetables I grew with my own hands."

"The gift may be light, but the sentiment is heavy."

Princess Lerong County widened her eyes and slowly looked up in disbelief, "You can grow vegetables too."

"Oh no, oh no, the pearl of the capital has truly fallen."

"Lu Mingchao, I heard from the maids and servants in the mansion that growing vegetables requires fertilizing, you..."

Ming Zhou directly covered Princess Lerong County's mouth.

"Princess, be good, some things you should just keep to yourself."

"It's getting late, we should take A Chao back to the mansion."

"A Chao still needs the banner of your Yongming Grand Princess's mansion to uphold her face."

"Be cautious with your words, be cautious with your actions."

Forcibly silenced, Princess Lerong County obediently got into the carriage under Ming Zhou's threatening gaze.

"Ming Zhou, did you bewitch my grandmother and mother?"

"Otherwise, how could they repeatedly instruct me to follow your lead when I'm out and about."

"After all, are you the princess, or am I the princess!"

Ming Zhou glanced at the childish Princess Lerong County, picked up a candy from a small wooden box, unwrapped it, and directly stuffed it into Princess Lerong County's mouth.

Princess Lerong County: ...

Being bribed with a candy, does it make her seem too easy to coax?

The carriage wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement, and for a moment, the carriage was silent.

Yongning Marquis's mansion.

"Mother, Lu Mingchao has arrived in the capital."

Lu Minghui, dressed in luxurious clothes, walked with the tinkling of jade pendants.

The Madam of Yongning Marquis took a slow sip of her spring tea and said, "Minghui, composure, composure."

"His Majesty has already arranged the marriage. Even if Gu Huai harbors improper intentions, he wouldn't dare to overstep the bounds of decency before the wedding and engage in any improper conduct with a married woman. You must not lose your decorum."

"The Duke and his wife will not permit Gu Huai to act recklessly either."

Lu Minghui's face turned ashen with fear. "Mother, Lu Mingchao and Gu Huai came to the capital together, spending every moment together. Who knows..."

"Who knows if they might commit shameful acts behind closed doors, secretly plotting together."

The Madam of Yongning Marquis frowned with displeasure.

Six months had passed, and she could no longer deny it—Minghui was like a piece of rotten wood, impossible to shape. Her understanding of etiquette and manners was utterly lacking, barely able to mimic others, far from the graceful and refined demeanor expected of a noblewoman.

She didn't expect Minghui to be cultured and refined, but she at least hoped Minghui could pretend to be somewhat respectable.

But what had Minghui done!

She had freely abused, tortured, and even murdered maids.

She had secretly recruited merchants who had betrayed their families and committed numerous crimes.

She had conspired with Qin Wanrou to plot against Ming Hua, ruining his reputation.

Even His Majesty had heard of Minghui's lack of decorum and her crude, shallow behavior.

After one scandal after another, whatever guilt and compensation she had felt had nearly vanished.

The Madam of Yongning Marquis deeply regretted her decisions.

If she had known it would come to this, she would have definitely kept Mingchao.

At the very least, Mingchao would have brought her honor and safeguarded Ming Hua.

"Minghui!" The Madam of Yongning Marquis slammed her hand on the armrest of the rosewood carved chair. "You are an unmarried young lady. Are such words appropriate to speak aloud?"

"If your father hears this again and punishes you, I will no longer plead on your behalf!"

Because of Minghui, the Marquis had also lost his patience with her.

Without a word, he had taken in two seductive and beautiful concubines.

How could she not be angry!

If only Minghui were as capable as Mingchao, the Marquis would have shown her, the Marquise, respect and dignity for the sake of their children.

But alas, Minghui was like mud that couldn't be molded.

Ming Hua had no choice but to marry Qin Wanrou, a daughter of a concubine.

Qin Wanrou's birth mother was a lowly Yangzhou courtesan!

In respectable families, which legitimate son would marry a woman like Qin Wanrou as his principal wife?

Ming Hua's life was ruined!

"Mother, are you thinking of taking back that wretch Lu Mingchao?"

"No way!"

Lu Minghui was filled with anger and jealousy.

Why did Lu Mingchao get all the good things?

With a resounding slap, the Yongning Marquis's wife, her eyes brimming with disappointment, struck Lu Minghui.

When Minghui was first acknowledged and brought back into the family, she had put on such a convincing act.

Gentle, thoughtful, generous, and kind.

If she was going to put on an act, she should have kept it up for good.

Why did her true colors show in just a few months?

Her own daughter, who carried her and the Marquis's blood—how could she turn out so despicable?

She must have been ruined by her time in the countryside, and now there was no fixing her.

Not only was she bad, but she was also stupid, always giving others something to hold against her!

Mother and daughter were only putting on a show of harmony.