"So, I need your permission to consummate my marriage? Such audacity!"
ng Qianqian laughed mockingly.
These two people truly were a match made in heaven, treating the consummation of her own marriage as a supre favor to her.
Including her father-in-law, who also thought his son was so kind of treasure. As long as his son returned to her, she should endure all she had suffered like it was her fate, and even be grateful for it.
Did they ever bother to ask her if she wanted it?
"You shaless witch! My lady and the young master consummating their marriage needs your permission? Who do you think you are? You pretend to act like the matriarch when you don’t even have the status! Have so self-awareness and look at yourself in the mirror!"
Ban Xia lifted the curtain and stord in, cursing Lin Wan’er viciously.
Her lady had done nothing to deserve this – being trampled upon by an entire household, to the point even a re concubine wanted to rise above her. Absolutely intolerable!
Nanny Li entered with a stern face and stood beside her lady, addressing Lin Wan’er:
"I call you Miss Lin out of courtesy, but don’t take it seriously. What kind of ’good woman’ rushes to beco soone’s concubine, then brazenly shows off in front of the legitimate wife? My lady is broad-minded and spares you, but you cannot live without an ounce of self-awareness. Harshly put, the child you carry isn’t recognized – it’s nothing but a bastard, not even fit to be called a lowborn son! If it were taken care of with a bowl of safflower tea, no one would find fault with my lady! If I were you, I’d keep a low profile and stop bringing bad luck to others!"
Nanny Li typically wasn’t so cutting, but when she was, her words were sharper than blades.
Lin Wan’er’s face flushed bright red.
She clenched her fingers tightly and signed to ng Qianqian: I was born into a family of generals and trained to fight on the battlefield. Your inner courtyard sches an nothing to , nor do I care to learn them!
ng Qianqian sneered, "Stealing another woman’s husband and carrying on without proper betrothal rituals – is that a skill you learned as a general? Don’t disgrace the term; you’re unworthy!"
Lin Wan’er: Do you even know who I am?
ng Qianqian: "I don’t care who you are. Get out!"
Ban Xia pointed out the door imdiately: "My lady told you to leave!"
Lin Wan’er’s chest heaved violently as she glared at ng Qianqian multiple tis, harboring deep resentnt as she left Haitang Courtyard.
On her way through the small garden, she encountered Lu Xingzhou, who was returning from visiting the elderly matriarch.
Composing herself, she bowed respectfully.
Lu Xingzhou held no fondness for this orphaned woman who had brought nothing but trouble to his son. Were it not for the fact that her late father and brother had saved his son’s life and that she was carrying his son’s child, he wouldn’t have agreed to keep her at the manor.
He ignored Lin Wan’er and walked forward.
Lin Wan’er stopped him, broke off a tree branch, and wrote on the ground: Has Master Lu thought of a way to save Lu Lang?
Lu Xingzhou replied solemnly, "That’s not sothing you should concern yourself with."
Lin Wan’er wrote again: I have a way to save Lu Lang.
Lu Xingzhou halted his steps and finally looked at her directly. "You?"
Lin Wan’er: Indeed. I visited the Eldest Young Madam just now for the sake of saving Lu Lang, but she drove away.
A concubine visiting the legitimate wife and getting chased away was hardly surprising.
Lu Xingzhou eyed her suspiciously and said, "Tell your plan."
Lin Wan’er displayed the scar on the web of her left hand: The best way is for the Eldest Young Madam to create a matching injury on her own hand and claim that it was her who attended the banquet that night.
Lu Xingzhou pondered: "A fresh wound differs from an old one, doesn’t it?"
Lin Wan’er: Of course they differ, but what if it’s further burned or scraped? Who would know what the original injury was?
Lu Xingzhou nodded, signaling her to continue.
Lin Wan’er: The Grand Commander and Mada Wang were both witnesses at the banquet. Since the Grand Commander won’t change his testimony, have Mada Wang change hers. The Eldest Young Madam saved her life before. If she makes the request, asking Mada Wang to alter her statent—or even have Imperial Censor Wang withdraw his impeachnt—is far from impossible.
Lu Xingzhou frowned: "That is indeed a good plan that satisfies everyone."
Lin Wan’er wrote: Good as the plan may be, the Eldest Young Madam rejected and drove out of Haitang Courtyard.
Lu Xingzhou’s expression darkened: "That’s why she drove you out? Does she care so little about saving her husband?"
Lin Wan’er: I told her that if she was willing to save Lu Lang, I’d willingly step aside and give him back to her, but she still refused. If she, ng Qianqian, won’t save him, I, Lin Wan’er, will!
Lu Xingzhou: "You have another plan?"
Lin Wan’er pulled out a black Mystic Iron Token from her pouch and handed it to him.
Lu Xingzhou weighed the token in his hand, feeling its considerable heft and the unmistakable aura of a military commander. "What is this?"
Lin Wan’er wrote: A Black Armor Guard token. My father served as one of the Twelve Guards under Chu Grand Marshal, and my brother was also part of the Black Armor Guards. I am willing to trade my father and brother’s rits for Lu Lang’s life!
"Why didn’t you say so earlier?"
Lu Xingzhou had always assud her father and brother had been minor border generals appointed temporarily during warti. If they were high-ranking, they would have already been recognized for their accomplishnts.
Lin Wan’er: After Chu Grand Marshal’s death, ten thousand Black Armor Guards vanished without a trace. If Beiliang learns about my identity, they will surely co after , pressuring to reveal the guards’ whereabouts. What I did was to ensure my safety and that of my unborn child, not deliberate concealnt, Master Lu.
Lu Xingzhou asked with a complicated expression: "Does Ling Xiao know?"
Lin Wan’er nodded: It was his idea.
"I see," Lu Xingzhou murmured deeply. "Rest assured, the Lu Family will protect you!"
Lin Wan’er solemnly wrote: If Lu Lang can be saved, I am willing to sacrifice my life.
Lu Xingzhou thought of ng Qianqian. He had never considered her a bad child before. However, comparing her now, he increasingly felt she was immature—her stubbornness even endangering her own husband.
In contrast, Lin Wan’er’s deep affection for his son and her ability to consider the bigger picture deserved recognition.
Lu Xingzhou nodded to Lin Wan’er, took the token, and headed to the palace to see the emperor.
Lu Luo approached, smiling cheerfully: "Miss, once the general is rescued, the senior master and the elderly matriarch will surely support you. By then, let’s see what the woman in Haitang Courtyard can use to defy you!"
That morning, light snow fell in the Capital City. Tiny snowflakes blanketed the ground but were quickly swept away by the servants.
ng Qianqian brought freshly brewed dicinal broth to Lady Lu’s courtyard.
The elderly matriarch was present as well.
Lady Lu was in terrible condition, having coughed blood earlier that morning after a sleepless night and barely managing to rest now.
The matriarch gazed at Lady Lu’s pale face and sighed heavily.
ng Qianqian stared at Lady Lu with determination.
In this household, the only ones who treated her kindly were the matriarch and Lady Lu.
As they left the main courtyard, Ban Xia whispered, "The Madam has truly suffered."
Ban Xia did not feel any sympathy for the young master, but she did pity the Madam—a kind-hearted woman whose sorrow had reached unbearable depths. It made Ban Xia feel pangs of guilt.
"Miss, should we... go to the Governor Mansion to plead for rcy?"
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