Chapter 81: I, Lu Xusheng, am determined to surpass my father-in-law…

Chapter 81: I, Lu Xusheng, am determined to surpass my father-in-law...

The main mistress did not come from a prestigious background. The Tang family had military roots. Back then, Lu Chang's father, Old Master Lu, was not particularly shrewd. When he met Old Master Tang, who shared a similar temperament, he agreed to this marriage. At that time, the Lu family was just an ordinary official family in the capital, and the Tang family relied on the Lu family to dominate the local area, wielding influence for years.

During the years when the main mistress managed the household, she often funneled resources back to her own family. Now that she has lost her standing, her family, seeing that they could no longer rely on the Lu family as a source of wealth, became anxious in secret and hatched this scheme.

This Miss Tang, whose given name is Ling, is a girl who lacked initiative. She usually dares not go against her mother's wishes. Sent to the Lu family at her mother's behest, she naturally followed her aunt's every command. "So, what does Aunt plan to do?"

The main mistress appraised her. There were many girls in the Tang family, but why was Tang Ling chosen? It was because Tang Ling had striking looks and a graceful figure. With Cheng Yian as a precedent, if she were not sufficiently impressive, she might not catch Lu Xusheng's eye.

The main mistress beckoned her closer, "Come here, and pay attention to what I say."

If they were to discuss this formally, given Cheng Yian and the second mistress's prejudice against her, it would surely not go well. The main mistress decided to use a clever method.

Tang Ling listened to her words and nodded timidly.

Lu Xusheng returned from his official duties at varying times each day. When he had nothing to do, he would go to the second mistress's room to pay his respects. The main mistress had observed these past few days that since Cheng Yian became pregnant, Lu Xusheng always returned home before dawn and would often visit the second mistress's room.

This was his sole chance to access the inner courtyard.

Entering through the Chuihua Gate and passing through a garden to the east, one would reach the second mistress's Mingxi Hall.

Tang Ling, following her aunt's instructions, waited in the garden.

Among the second mistress's children, only the youngest daughter, Lu Shuzhi, had yet to have her marriage settled. The youngest son, Lu Jisheng, had just finished his studies at the Imperial Academy this year and entered the Ministry of Rites through hereditary privilege. Although he was not as capable as his elder brother, he still managed to secure a livelihood. Recently, as Lu Shuzhi reached marriageable age, many families came to propose. The second mistress wanted to consult Lu Xusheng's opinion and instructed a maid to find out when he would return.

The maid went and soon returned with a puzzled expression, "Mistress, I saw that Miss Tang from the Tang family wandering in the courtyard."

The second mistress was taken aback, "Why is she wandering around here?"

The matron replied, "I ventured to ask, and she said she was playing with our young ladies during the day and lost an important handkerchief here, so she came to look for it."

The second mistress sensed something fishy. She couldn't stand young ladies using a handkerchief as an excuse. Her two sons were both hot commodities, and who knows if there were any unscrupulous people eyeing them. Remembering Mrs. Tang's character, the second mistress felt more and more that this Miss Tang was up to no good. She let out a cold laugh and stood up from her seat,

"Let's go and see!"

The second mistress led her entourage briskly to the small garden, where they saw Tang Ling pretending to search for a handkerchief on the ground while sneakily peeking towards the corridor. This behavior was clearly suspicious. The second mistress coldly shouted,

"What are you looking for!"

Startled by the shout, Tang Ling immediately turned around. Seeing it was the second mistress, she hurriedly curtsied,

"Greetings, Second Mistress."

"I asked what you are looking for?"

Tang Ling stammered, pointing at the flower beds, "I was playing with Shuzhi today and passed by here. I lost a handkerchief, so I came to look for it."

"If you lost a handkerchief, you could have sent a maid to look for it. Why did you come yourself?"

Tang Ling was unnerved by the second mistress's sharp gaze, "The handkerchief was a gift from my mother. I was worried the maid wouldn't be able to tell it apart..." She couldn't continue her fabricated story.

The second mistress gave her a cold look and sneered, then gave a signal with her eyes, instructing the matrons to seize her. Two matrons pounced, grabbing Tang Ling's wrists from both sides. Alarmed, Tang Ling exclaimed, "Second Mistress, what have I done wrong? Why are you treating me like this? Second Mistress, you come from a noble family. Is this how you treat guests?"

The second mistress didn't bother to argue with her. She had Tang Ling dragged straight to the main mistress's courtyard. The main mistress's steward saw this and hurriedly went in to report.

The main mistress quickly came out and saw the second mistress had already barged into the hall with her people. At the second mistress's signal, the matrons threw Tang Ling to the ground.

The second mistress lashed out at the main mistress,

"Tang Meiying, what do you take my son for? Sending every Tom, Dick, and Harry to him? Look at the behavior of your Tang family, I’m embarrassed for you. If people knew we were sisters-in-law, I would feel completely humiliated."

The main mistress hadn’t expected her niece to be so useless, so quickly caught in the second mistress’s trap. She was so angry that her sides ached, but she couldn’t admit to it no matter what,

"What are you talking about, sister-in-law? I don’t understand. My niece was just looking for a handkerchief, how could you spin such a tale? She’s not married yet, don’t ruin her reputation for no reason!"

The second mistress paced back and forth in the hall, scrutinizing the aunt and niece, "Reputation? I doubt your Tang family even knows the meaning of the word."

The main mistress and the second mistress had been at odds for years, usually at each other’s throats. Today, being berated like this by the second mistress, the main mistress couldn’t hold back her pent-up frustrations and angrily retorted,

"And what’s so special about your Wang family? Your grandson is already married, yet you’re still scheming!"

The second mistress’s face turned pale, "What schemes? What are you even talking about!"

"That Wang Yunyi of yours is still unmarried, what does that mean? If you’ve got the nerve, keep her away from Lu Xusheng."

The second mistress was furious, "I’m calling you out, and you’re turning it around on me. Whether my Wang family’s daughter marries or not is her own business, at least it’s better than you foisting people on my son without any standing!"

The main mistress snapped, "What are you talking about, sending people to your son? Did she even see Lu Xusheng?"

"Oh, I didn’t even bring up Xusheng, and you’re already slipping up?"

The main mistress was speechless.

The second mistress pointed at the sobbing Tang Ling on the ground, "Since you won’t admit it, I’ll have her questioned!"

The main mistress knew her niece’s character too well; she would spill the truth in no time. She quickly intervened,

"Enough, quit putting on airs. Your daughter-in-law is pregnant, and your son has no one to serve him. I was just trying to be helpful. If you don’t want it, forget it. But let me tell you, don’t go behind my back after I’ve said no."

This was a classic case of sour grapes. The second mistress had never seen someone so unreasonable,

"You’re something else. Whether my son has help or not is none of your concern. Mind your own affairs."

The second mistress finally couldn’t take it anymore, "Fine, if you want to blow this out of proportion, let’s do it. Let’s go to the front hall and wait for Xusheng to come back, let him handle it."

Seeing this, the main mistress panicked, "Hey, what do you mean? If your daughter-in-law finds out, won’t she be furious?"

The second mistress angrily said, "You know she’ll be upset? She’s just pregnant, the fetus isn’t stable yet, and you’re already causing trouble. Clearly, you’re up to no good. Since you’re up to no good, we can’t let it go."

"Someone, take Tang Ling to the front courtyard."

If she were taken there, the Tang family’s face would be completely lost. The main mistress couldn’t bear it, and the two of them went at it. Just as the argument was heating up, someone from the front courtyard came to deliver a message, saying that Lu Xusheng had asked them to come over.

They had no choice but to go to the front hall in twos and threes.

Lu Xusheng was drinking tea in the front hall, holding a stack of documents, looking very busy. When they entered, he stood up, gave a slight bow, and sat back down,

"What’s going on here?"

The second mistress pointed at Tang Ling, who was clinging to the main mistress, and said mockingly, "Well, your aunt has a heart of gold. Thinking your wife is pregnant, she wants her niece to serve you."

Tang Ling was so ashamed she wished she could disappear, clutching the main mistress’s knees and sobbing, not daring to show her face.

In front of Lu Xusheng, the main mistress didn’t dare to admit it and said stiffly, "No, it’s all a misunderstanding..."

Lu Xusheng looked at the main mistress expressionlessly.

"Auntie, are you so unhappy that you can't stand to see others happy?"

The courtyard of the elder master was filled with his concubines.

The main mistress looked embarrassed, "That's not the case..." Seeing that it was already out in the open, she decided to speak plainly in front of Lu Xusheng,

"In our high society in the capital, it's common for a gentleman to have multiple wives and concubines. Before marriage, it's common to have maids who are knowledgeable in worldly matters, and after marriage, it's still customary to take in concubines. Auntie thought it better to bring in someone we know rather than a stranger, hence this plan."

After speaking, she lifted her niece's face from her lap, intending to show her to Lu Xusheng. Seeing her persistence, the second mistress, enraged, hurled a teacup at the main mistress's feet,

"Have you no shame? My son is a first-rank minister, a cabinet elder—do you think your Tang family is worthy?"

The main mistress was also angry, "If he doesn't want our Tang family, does he want your Wang family?"

"Why must you always involve our Wang family?"

"You involved the Tang family, so why not the Wang family?"

The second mistress couldn't argue with her anymore, clutching her chest and saying to Lu Xusheng,

"Xusheng, you take care of this."

"Your mother-in-law visits occasionally; handle it appropriately."

Implying not to let the main mistress off.

Wang Shi, ever proud and arrogant, refused to be criticized by Xia Fu; she had never bowed to anyone.

At that moment, young master Lu Yunsheng and his wife Liu Shi, along with third young master Lu Jisheng and his wife Bai Shi, arrived. Liu Shi knelt before her mother-in-law, accusing her of improper actions that harmed the entire family.

The third mistress hurried over as soon as she heard the news.

Soon, the main hall was crowded with people.

Lu Xusheng surveyed the chaotic room, remaining detached for a long while.

Without rules, there's chaos; this is how family traditions crumble.

Comparing the dignified main branch of the Cheng family to the current state of the Lu family, Lu Xusheng shook his head.

He waited for the hall to fall silent, then spoke abruptly,

"Hang, the steward."

"Here." Hang, the steward, came in from the corridor.

Lu Xusheng said,

"Effective immediately, add a rule to the family regulations: the men of our Lu Duke's mansion are henceforth forbidden to take concubines."

The moment he spoke, all three mistresses were stunned.

The second mistress glanced at Bai Shi, still childless, and protested, "Xusheng, isn't this too harsh? If a woman can't bear children, we can't let the family line die out."

Lu Xusheng, his long fingers idly tracing the rim of his teacup, didn't look up. "No discussion."

The second mistress, anxious, glanced at the third mistress, whose son Lu Xisheng was newly engaged. Needing a compromise, she whispered, "Xusheng, the idea is sound, but perhaps soften it—allow a man to take a concubine only if he has no son by forty. What do you think?"

Lu Xusheng slowly met her gaze. "Third aunt, in the military, my orders are absolute. No one dares to negotiate."

The third mistress glanced at the main mistress with a look of disdain, thinking it was all her fault.

The main mistress was also somewhat flustered. Her life had been this way, but she still had to consider her grandchildren. "Xusheng, your aunt was wrong. If my actions today led you to set such a harsh rule, then I would be a disgrace to the Lu family."

Lu Xusheng was truly amused by them. "You three ladies are women too, why are you so keen on men taking concubines?"

"It's not about being keen on concubines, it's about being concerned about the family lineage," the second mistress said, thinking of the Cheng family, and forced a laugh. "Xusheng, even your father-in-law, Chief Councilor Cheng, didn't set such a rule. It seems this rule isn't very feasible."

Lu Xusheng replied, "Doesn't that just prove that the Lu family's values are better than the Cheng family's? I, Lu Xusheng, am determined to outdo my father-in-law."

The second mistress felt he was simply ridiculing them, and she was both amused and exasperated.

"Xusheng, mother isn't teasing you."

Lu Xusheng said, "I'm not teasing you either," and here, his eyes narrowed even further, revealing a deep smile.

"Why is it that when it’s about my father, you think it’s fine, but when it comes to your daughter-in-law, you're not happy about it?"

"Should I hand over the family to you from now on, and my wife and I will go join the Cheng family?"

The second mistress was left utterly speechless.

The third mistress was still full of concerns, spreading her hands and saying, "Xusheng, with such determination, wouldn’t your aunt admire and respect you? It's just that I'm worried they can't do it."

"If they can’t comply, then they can leave!"

With these words, no one dared to utter a word.

Seeing that Lu Xusheng had made up his mind, there was nothing more to say.

The third mistress attempted to smooth things over, "Alright, alright, from now on when our Lu family discusses marriages, with this rule, the noble families in the capital will hold us in higher regard."

Good family values are cultivated gradually like this.

The Lu family has changed significantly, and it's time to distinguish marriage alliances, not to mix with all sorts as in the past.

With this rule, the families that marry into the Lu family will also be of noble and pure lineage.

Ladies like Liu Shi and Bai Shi are actually pleased with this outcome.

Seeing that the matter was settled, the main mistress decided to let it go. On second thought, these women were all beneficiaries, and her mood lightened.

"Then Xusheng, should your uncle's concubines be sent away?"

Lu Xusheng found this aunt quite a character, always looking for an advantage.

"Bringing them in and then discarding them when they’re no longer needed, do you think that's appropriate?"

The main mistress didn't hold out much hope, "I was just asking."

"You don't need to ask," Lu Xusheng stood up, looking at Hang the butler, "From now on, whenever someone from the Tang family comes, turn them away. Announce to the outside that the Lu family has no further dealings with the Tang family, and there's no need for outsiders to give the Tang family face because of the Lu family."

"Notify the stewards to pack up the belongings of the main mistress and the elder master, and send them back to their hometown. Without my order, they are not allowed to return to the capital."

Upon hearing this, the main mistress immediately slipped from her chair, terrified.

"Xusheng, Xusheng, you can't do this, auntie was wrong, auntie will never dare again..."

With that, Lu Xusheng left, leaving them in silence.

Second Mistress and Third Mistress exchanged glances, both secretly alarmed.

While Second Mistress felt a sense of relief, she also detected a veiled warning in his words.

Third Mistress wondered, if their household ever displeased Cheng Yian, would they too be sent away?

Leaving the courtyard’s grumbling behind, Lu Xusheng returned to Ningji Hall and spotted Ru Lan picking flowers under the corridor. He asked her,

"Has your mistress heard about what happened outside?"

Ru Lan gave a vague nod.

Lu Xusheng massaged his temples and stepped inside. Cheng Yian was dozing on the arhat bed, her gaze fixed on the window, appearing drained.

"Don’t be upset. I’ve taken care of it. This won’t happen again."

As soon as he entered, Lu Xusheng reassured her.

Lu Xusheng had wanted to shield her, worried it might harm her health, but with Cheng Yian now managing the household, hiding it was impossible.

Cheng Yian collected herself, "It’s unusual for the mistress to step up like this."

Lu Xusheng simply held her, "They’re not worth your anger."

Cheng Yian, exhausted from another bout of morning sickness, murmured, "I’m not angry. There’s nothing to be upset about."

In her past life, Fan Yulin had even fathered a child with another woman, so Lu Xusheng’s current actions paled in comparison.

More importantly, she trusted Lu Xusheng not to disappoint her—otherwise, their second chance would be wasted.

Lu Xusheng hesitated, studying her, "You’re really not upset?"

"I’m not upset. I’m pregnant—I can’t afford to get worked up." Cheng Yian met his gaze, both confused and earnest.

Lu Xusheng gave a noncommittal grunt.

Cheng Yian sensed something was off with Lu Xusheng, "What’s the matter? Shouldn’t you be glad I’m not upset?"

Anger isn’t good, but not feeling any anger at all isn’t exactly cause for celebration.

Seeing her so drained, Lu Xusheng asked, "You’re feeling so unwell—should I call your mother to check on you?"

Feeling queasy, Cheng Yian turned and clung to him like a koala, "I just want to sleep."

The next morning, after Lu Xusheng left for work, Ming Saozi came to pay her respects to Cheng Yian, whispering,

"Second Mistress, someone from the Cheng family is here."

Cheng Yian asked, surprised, "Who is it?"

Ming Saozi smiled, "Two matrons arrived, saying they’re here to remind you to pick a shop for the princess."

Cheng Yian was taken aback, slowly realizing her morning sickness had caused her to overlook other responsibilities.

Her mother had said it wasn’t urgent, and with Cheng Yian unable to leave, the pharmacy selection had been postponed.

Now that the Cheng family had come with this reminder, it was obvious they intended to use her influence to bring her mother out of the palace.

No doubt, it was her father’s handiwork. It was hard to picture the stern family head racking his brains like this.

"Then take someone to the palace yourself and see if my mother is willing to come out."