Chapter 256: Saving Chun Hua

Chapter 256: Rescuing Chun Hua

Qiu Shi’s refusal delighted Lu Minghui.

Rarely did Lu Minghui’s gaze show such warmth and approval toward Qiu Shi.

"Miss Lu has a real talent for handling her staff," Lu Mingchao sighed.

Qiu Shi bowed her head deeply again. "If Madam Xie wishes to have someone familiar by her side, perhaps she could choose Sister Chun Hua instead."

Lu Mingchao lifted her eyes, her glance brushing past lightly, like a dragonfly skimming water. Their gazes met briefly before parting, like a leaf falling silently onto a lake, sending delicate ripples across the calm surface.

In Qiu Shi's eyes, Lu Mingchao spotted numbness, determination, and a desperate plea.

Was she pleading for her to save Chun Hua?

Qiu Shi was sacrificing her own chance to escape misery, leaving it for Chun Hua.

"Since Qiu Shi is the most capable maid in Lanxi Courtyard and utterly loyal to Miss Lu, I’d never dream of taking her." At this point, her tone shifted. "But might Miss Lu be willing to part with the less essential Chun Hua?"

"You’re not going to refuse again, claiming you can’t do without her?"

Lu Minghui shot a pleading glance at Yongning Marquis Madam.

To be honest, Lu Minghui disliked Chun Hua.

Chun Hua was fluent in literature and poetry, her speech refined and her movements graceful.

Complex, tangled verses came as second nature to her.

Account books that baffled others were effortless for her.

Most importantly, Chun Hua lived up to her name, blooming like spring itself.

With Chun Hua by her side, Lu Minghui felt more like a crude, lowborn servant.

The marquis’s wife noted Lu Minghui’s hesitation and silent agreement, silently cursing her stupidity.

"Chaochao..."

"Mother." The usually reticent Lu Minghua suddenly spoke. "She’s just a maid. If Chaochao likes her, let her have her."

"Chaochao endured so much suffering—she gave up her long-standing betrothal for Minghui, left the capital with a bloody forehead, and even fixed Minghui’s mess by marrying a mountain hunter. Now, hearing how deeply you and Minghui missed her, she traveled all the way back despite her pregnancy just to visit. Such kindness and filial piety—and all she asks for is a familiar maid for company, not a fortune. Why must you and Minghui refuse her again and again?"

"Has Yongning Marquis Manor fallen so low that we can’t even spare a maid?"

Lu Mingchao instantly slid into the role of a pitiful victim, sighing self-deprecatingly. "Perhaps I’ve overestimated my worth."

The marquis’s wife found herself at a loss for words. "Chaochao, it’s not that I’m stingy, but Chun Hua injured her leg earlier this year and can barely walk."

"Marquis Madam, I don’t mind."

"I only want Chun Hua—someone familiar—to keep me company."

"Thank you, Marquis Madam, for your generosity."

Lu Mingchao pushed her advantage.

The marquis’s wife: "..."

"Then let Chun Hua serve by your side for now," Lady Yongning equivocated.

Lu Mingchao cut straight to the point: "Even brothers settle accounts clearly."

"I recall Chun Hua’s original indenture was fifteen taels of silver when she entered the household. Ten times that would be one hundred fifty taels."

Lu Mingchao gave Qing Tang a meaningful glance, and Qing Tang obediently retrieved banknotes from her purse, offering them respectfully with both hands.

"May I ask Miss Lu to hand over Chun Hua’s indenture papers?"

In the candlelight, Lu Minghui’s gaze lingered on the two banknotes in Qing Tang’s palm.

One hundred fifty taels.

For a mere servant, Lu Mingchao flippantly produced one hundred fifty taels.

Back then, when she had shamelessly pursued Xie Yan, he had reluctantly offered only one hundred taels as bridal gifts.

Even now, as the legitimate daughter of the marquis household, she no longer lacked wealth—yet in this moment, Lu Mingchao’s actions made her feel an unprecedented humiliation.

Had Lu Mingchao always regarded her as no better than a servant?

Lu Minghui clenched the banknotes in her hand, her slender fingers cracking audibly, her voice laced with mockery. "Mingchao, you certainly throw money around."

"I wonder how long your precious husband must trap in the wilderness to earn such a hefty sum of one hundred fifty taels."

Sun Zhiye’s letters to Lu Minghui had been vague and evasive, so she remained unaware that while she was busy securing her engagement and punishing servants, Lu Mingchao’s Chaofu Trading had systematically replaced Sun Bantian.

"Mingchao, when money's tight, one must economize," Lu Minghui sneered, her voice dripping with smug arrogance and unrestrained ridicule.

Both Yongning Marquis and his wife stiffened—what madness had seized Lu Minghui now?

The marquis shot his wife a glare, as if silently accusing her of raising such a daughter.

Lady Yongning felt a pang of frustration.

Lu Mingchao said with amusement, replying lazily, "Miss Lu, why such concern? Could it be you still carry a torch for my husband?"

"In Changxi Village, I often heard of your dogged pursuit of A Yan. Is it nostalgia for old affections?"

"What a pity, though—A Yan swore he'd never remarry or take concubines. Otherwise, I might have had the pleasure of being served tea by you, Miss Lu."

"Now that you’ve taken the silver, hand over Chun Hua’s indenture without delay."

Lu Minghui turned beet red. "Have you no shame?"

Lu Mingchao twirled her handkerchief, her smile unchanging as she touched her cheek. "Is my face lacking in beauty?"

"Any more would be downright shameless, wouldn’t it?"

"Enough!" Yongning Marquis slammed the table. "Must we squabble over petty matters?"

"Minghui, send someone to fetch Chun Hua’s indenture."

"And Mingchao—you were raised in this household for fifteen years as a noble lady. Sharp tongues and clever retorts are not virtues of a woman."

Splitting the difference to settle the dispute was Yongning Marquis’s usual approach.

He cared not for right or wrong—only that his authority and dignity remained unchallenged.

As soon as the Yongning Marquis spoke, Lu Minghui dared not act out further. Using the table and chairs as cover, she kicked Qiu Shi and snapped, "Hurry up and go!"

Lu Mingchao tilted her chin at Qing Tang. "Qing Tang, you go too and help Chun Hua tidy up."

"Let me escort Sister Mingchao back to Longcui Courtyard," Lu Minghui offered with feigned kindness.

"Alright," Lu Mingchao replied with a beaming smile.

Lu Minghua frowned, filled with unease.

Minghui might be a bit foolish, but she was ruthless enough. What if she took advantage of the night to harm Mingchao in a vicious act...

As if sensing Lu Minghua's worry, Lu Mingchao blinked reassuringly and calmly placed her hand on Lu Minghui's wrist.

Lu Minghui gritted her teeth. "Are you treating me like a maid?"

"Didn’t you just offer to escort Sister Mingchao back to Longcui Courtyard?" Lu Mingchao feigned innocence.

Once they left the main hall, the dim lanterns in the night only just lit the path beneath their feet.

"Miss Lu, let me give you some friendly advice—it’s best you keep those stupid ideas in check," Lu Mingchao said coolly. "Do you know who wants to get rid of my baby the most?"

"It’s not you."

"Care to guess?"

Lu Minghui’s heart skipped a beat, and she blurted out, "Gu Huai?"

Lu Mingchao chuckled. "People say you’re completely brainless, but you’re not completely clueless, are you?"

"Yes, Gu Huai is the one who most wants to be rid of this pregnancy."

"That hit hard."