Chapter 206: The Biased Biological One

The old madam finally heeded her son’s words, “Then I’ll bear with her for a little longer. Anyway, it won’t be for much longer. But before she dies, I must get control of the Leng family’s business!”

Lu Ting En nodded, “Isn’t that exactly what we planned? We can’t let a little set back throw us off course. For now, be a bit more lenient towards her and Zhi Yi. Remember, if we can’t be patient in small matters, the big plan will be disrupted.”

…

For dinner, Leng Qing Yu usually ate in her own courtyard, as was her habit.

Lu Ting En had specially instructed the kitchen to prepare Leng Qing Yu’s favorite boiled shrimp and sweet and sour carp.

However, Leng Qing Yu was still feeling a bit down and hadn’t touched her food much.

Lu Ting En took a small dish, carefully peeled seven or eight shrimp, and placed them in the dish, sliding it over to Leng Qing Yu.

“These are your favorite shrimp, just have a couple. I haven’t been here to look after your meals, and you’ve lost weight.”

Ye Xin Ran, hearing this, almost spat the shrimp she was eating out.

This man was truly just talking nonsense! Did he think saying someone had lost weight meant he cared?

Her mother, back in Yun Bian Village, had actually gained some weight.

Where did he see that she had lost weight?

Leng Qing Yu, however, remained much more composed.

She picked up the shrimp that Lu Ting En had peeled for her, thanked him, and slowly chewed on it.

After swallowing, she wiped her mouth with a silk handkerchief and then spoke, “Marquis, Xin Ran is new here and still not familiar with everything. For now, let her sleep with me.”

Lu Ting En stopped his actions upon hearing this and said in disbelief, “Madam, Xin Ran is already a married woman. How can she still sleep with you?”

Leng Qing Yu smiled, “When we were in Yun Bian Village, she used to sleep with me every night. I’ve gotten used to it. Now, suddenly being apart… I’m afraid I won’t be able to sleep.”

Lu Ting En’s face darkened.

He remembered the cup of deer blood he had drunk earlier in the kitchen and suddenly felt extremely irritated.

Originally, he had planned to use their closeness in bed to smooth over the tension between them.

It seemed she had anticipated this, so she was purposely avoiding him!

Lu Ting En didn’t intend to force things and decided to hold off for now.

He replied, “That’s fine. Xin Ran has just returned and doesn’t know much about the house. You should take her around and help her familiarize herself with the household matters.”

Leng Qing Yu then asked, “Since Xin Ran has returned, when shall we hold a banquet to officially announce her status?”

Lu Ting En’s expression changed again.

“This matter cannot be rushed. I’ve discussed this with you before, Zhi Yi is still here. If we acknowledge Xin Ran, it may hurt Zhi Yi’s feelings.”

“You’re only worried about whether Zhi Yi will be hurt, but aren’t you concerned about whether your words will hurt Xin Ran?” Leng Qing Yu retorted.

Hearing this, Ye Xin Ran immediately lowered her head and wiped her eyes with her hand.

Lu Ting En knew this was something he couldn’t avoid and sighed. “I’ve discussed this with my mother, and there really is no perfect solution. How about we say that we had three children, and one daughter was secretly taken away by the midwife at birth, and we’ve only now found her? Do you think that would work?”

Leng Qing Yu sneered.

Lu Ting En was clearly determined to protect Zhi Yi’s status.

She raised her head, looked directly into his eyes, and replied, “Fine, as long as you don’t think it’s too absurd. I have no objection. You’re right, Zhi Yi is also our daughter. This seems to be the best solution!”

Seeing that Leng Qing Yu agreed, Lu Ting En finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This was the solution he had been working on for days and nights. Zhi Yi still had many things to do in the future, and her position as the legitimate daughter of the Lu family had to be preserved.

“It’s just that Xin Ran will be wronged.”

Lu Ting En then pretended to be sincere and said to Ye Xin Ran, “I will make it up to you in the future.”

“When will the family tree be amended?” Leng Qing Yu asked before Ye Xin Ran could respond.

Lu Ting En wasn’t surprised by this question, almost as if he had already anticipated it. He replied, “Tomorrow, I’ll have Ting Cong and Ting Yi come over, and we’ll ask Master Hui Ming from Ling An Temple to personally add Xin Ran’s name to the family tree.”

“Good!” Leng Qing yu nodded in agreement.

The Lu family didn’t have many elders, except for the old madam. So, Lu Ting En could handle the revision of the family tree himself.

This arrangement was a compromise between the two. Leng Qing Yu had agreed to Zhi Yi’s position as the legitimate daughter, and in return, Lu Ting En allowed Ye Xin Ran to officially step into the Lu family.

Leng Qing Yu was the first to sense the calculations and compromises between the two.

But she thought, the compromise was only temporary.

Since Lu Ting En coveted the Ye family’s wealth, then she would aim for the Lu family’s name.

Although Lu Ting En was cunning and crafty, she too had her own plans. In the end, who would emerge victorious was still unknown.

---

As usual, Lu Zhi Yi had dinner with the old madam in the backyard. After the meal, she came to the front yard to pay her respects to Leng Qing Yu.

“Mother, why did you just come back? I’ve missed you so much!” she said, leaning against Leng Qing Yu in a spoiled manner.

Leng Qing Yu subtly moved away and said, “You’re not a little girl anymore. Why are you still acting so spoiled? Now that your sister is back, you can learn from her calmness.”

Lu Zhi Yi was a little unhappy, but she quickly regained her composure and said to Ye Xin Ran:

“Since you didn’t have the love of parents in the countryside, you might not be used to being close with Mother. How about you learn from me and be a little more spoiled towards Mother? She will be happy then!”

Ye Xin Ran smiled. “If Mother likes me, just looking at me will make her happy. There’s no need for me to try so hard to please her. Similarly, if Mother doesn’t like you, even if you break your neck, she won’t spare you a glance. Why go to such lengths?”

“Mother, look at my sister!”

Lu Zhi Yi’s face turned red and pale at Ye Xin Ran’s words.

She didn’t know how to rebut, so she looked at Leng Qing Yu, hoping she would speak on her behalf.

However, Leng Qing Yu didn’t help her. Instead, she casually said, “Your sister and I are both tired today. We need to rest early, so you should also go to bed early. Tomorrow, we’ll have to modify the family tree, and everyone needs to get up early!”

Lu Zhi Yi froze.

She didn’t expect Leng Qing Yu to be so dismissive of her.

“Alright, Mother, you and Sister rest early, then I’ll go back to my room,” she said, standing up and leaving the room quickly.

Once outside, Chun Tao immediately handed her a shawl and draped it over her.

“Miss, walk carefully, the road is slippery,” Chun Tao reminded her. “Miss, your face doesn’t look good. Did you have a hard time in the room just now?”

Lu Zhi Yi had been holding in her anger, and upon hearing Chun Tao’s question, she stopped, turned around, and said:

“Mother always said she would love me for life, but now that Ye Xin Ran is here, her attitude has changed instantly.

So she really favors her own child, doesn’t she?”