Chapter 205: Mother and Son’s Plot

If it had been in the past, Leng Qing Yu would have been soft-hearted when seeing such a look from him.

But now, she only felt that the Marquis’s expression was not sincere but rather a habit deeply ingrained in him, one he could use at any time.

After all, there was still someone living in Yong Ning Alley.

She wondered whether he would use that same expression when facing that person.

Seeing that Leng Qing Yu didn’t respond, Lu Ting En continued, “Why are you so angry as soon as you return? Go back to your room and rest. I’ll handle things with my mother here.”

With that, he began to push Leng Qing Yu towards the door.

The old madam saw her son’s actions and started scolding again, “As the head of the household, instead of focusing on the family business, you’re just flattering your husband to make decisions for you. Isn’t that just a courtesan’s trick?”

Lu Ting En turned around, helplessly saying, “Mother, please stop talking.”

Ye Xin Ran also turned back and said, “Grandmother, are you praising my mother? She’s not only beautiful but also knows how to make money, unlike some people who are old and poor. No wonder they get jealous.”

“You…” “cough, cough, cough”

The old madam was so furious she couldn’t speak.

Lu Ting En turned his head, his face darkening, and harshly scolded Ye Xin Ran, “You should keep quiet too!”

It must be said that Lu Ting En was indeed handsome.

As he aged, he had developed the calm and demeanor typical of older men.

It was just a pity that he was a scoundrel.

Ye Xin Ran glared at him but obediently kept silent.

It wasn’t the time to tear off the masks yet, so she decided to let them enjoy their little game for now.

Ye Xin Ran helped Leng Qing Yu back to the courtyard, and though Lu Ting En intended to follow, he was refused on the grounds that Leng Qing Yu was tired.

“I’ve been traveling all day, I’m also exhausted. You go comfort your mother, please.”

Lu Ting En paused. Seeing Leng Qing Yu’s tired expression, he didn’t think it was an act.

Wanting to say some sweet words, but noticing Ye Xin Ran glaring at him from the side, the Marquis could only say, “Alright, you rest well. I’ll come to have dinner with you later.”

After Lu Ting En left, the three quickly returned to their own courtyard.

Once the door was closed, Leng Qing Yu immediately pulled Ye Xin Ran over and asked with concern, “Were you scared just now?”

Ye Xin Ran bowed slightly, “I’m not that timid. As long as Mother doesn’t mind that I took matters into my own hands and offended that old woman, I’m fine.”

Ding Qiao quickly knelt and apologized, “I acted without orders earlier, please punish me, Madam.”

Leng Qing Yu helped them both up, a smile openly on her face.

“How could I bear to punish you? I’m actually happy! It’s the first time I’ve seen the old madam lose face after all these years of being married into the Marquis’s household. Her face turned purple!”

Seeing Leng Qing Yu’s attitude, Ye Xin Ran and Ding Qiao exchanged a smile.

One came from the modern world, the other from a military background, neither of them cared for the rules of the inner courtyard. Since Leng Qing Yu now shared the same attitude, it seemed they could be a little more carefree going forward.

“You really have a good maid.

She knows martial arts and is loyal to her master. With her by your side, I can rest easy.”

Leng Qing Yu said to Ye Xin Ran, looking at Ding Qiao.

Ding Qiao immediately bowed, “My master is my heaven.

Now that my master has asked me to protect Madam, I will serve Madam just as I would serve my master.”

“You can’t protect everything alone, just make sure to protect Xin Ran.” Leng Qing Yu reminded her.

Ye Xin Ran smiled and suggested, “Then we’ll stick together, you take one step, I take one step. That way, Ding Qiao can keep up.”

Upon hearing this, Leng Qing Yu smiled and tapped Ye Xin Ran’s forehead, “You’re always the one with the best ideas.”

…

Meanwhile, in the back courtyard of the Marquis’s residence, the atmosphere was tense.

Lu Ting En sat across from the old madam, trying to appease her, “Mother, your health is the most important. Don’t let anger over unrelated matters affect you.”

The old madam still hadn’t calmed down. With a stern expression, she said, “If I don’t manage this, they’ll forget who is in charge of this household. A wild girl who just arrived dares to be disrespectful to me, and it’s all because Leng Qing Yu is encouraging it behind the scenes!”

“Mother, this daughter-in-law has always been respectful and filial to you. She’s not that kind of person,” Lu Ting En said.

The old madam slammed the table in fury, “At a time like this, you’re still speaking up for her! Have you truly lost your mind over her? Don’t forget, Little Yu…”

Lu Ting En’s eyes widened in shock upon hearing the name and quickly stopped his mother, “Mother, please be careful with your words!”

“Hmph!”

The old madam snorted.

Seeing this, Sun Mammy hurriedly sent the maids and servants out of the room and closed the door, standing guard outside.

The old madam then continued, “If it weren’t for your greed for the Leng family’s wealth, Little Yu wouldn’t have had to suffer all these years. After all these years, have you fulfilled your promise? I’m old now, must I live my life by relying on the favor of others?”

Hearing this, Lu Ting En’s face changed.

“Mother, was I the only one greedy for the Leng family’s wealth? Wasn’t it you who said that for the sake of the Lu family, we could endure and make some sacrifices for Little Yu? Why is it now all my fault?”

The old madam, already angry at Leng Qing Yu and the others, was now reminded by her son of past grievances. Her old face, unable to hold up any longer, drooped, and tears fell.

“I knew it, I knew it! No matter how much I care for you, how much effort I put in, in the end, all the benefits go to you, and all the blame falls on me.”

Her voice was choked with emotion, making Lu Ting En feel irritated.

However, he was still filial, so he didn’t dare show his frustration. Instead, he lowered his voice to console her, “The matters we agreed on are being done. Zhi Yi has already started taking over the family business. If it weren’t for Ye Xin Ran’s sudden appearance, everything would have been fine by now!”

Mentioning Ye Xin Ran made the old madam stop crying immediately.

She glared as she spoke disdainfully, “The child Leng Qing Yu gave birth to, none of them are pleasing to the eye! Wasn’t the Ye family’s side fool proof? I heard she was disfigured by the Ye family when she was young, so how is it that she looks perfectly fine now?”

This matter had long been a mystery to Lu Ting En.

Afterwards, he had someone investigate and found out that Ye Xin Ran had used a facial cream from Yong Le Hall, known as “Snow Beauty Cream,” to restore her appearance. What’s even stranger was that Ye Xin Ran had made the cream herself.

How she learned to make it was something no one could figure out, no matter how much they searched.

He responded, “There are many questions regarding this matter, and my men are still in Yun Tong County investigating. But Mother, since Qing Yu has returned to the capital, let’s proceed with our original plan.

Don’t let a moment of impulse cause Qing Yu to doubt us. That Ye Xin Ran is no simple person, so don’t mention Little Yu again, or all our efforts will be for nothing.”