Font Size:
Once the entourage had left the courtyard, the gates closed, and Lu Chang approached Bao Qin and Lu Feng, helping them up.
Lu Feng pushed away his brother’s hand, shouting, “Brother, that person allowed someone to hit mother! Why would you show her respect?”
With tears in his eyes, Lu Chang replied, “Because she spared mother’s life.”
Hearing of her past misdeeds and witnessing her being beaten while feeling powerless, Bao Qin was overwhelmed with shame. She struggled to contain her anger, asking Lu Chang, “Why have you returned?”
Lu Chang explained, “There was an issue at the academy, so I came back.”
Back inside the house, old lady Chen brought water for Bao Qin to wash her face. Seeing her distorted reflection in the mirror, tears welled up in her eyes as she clenched her teeth, cursing, “That vile servant… and Madam He, a deserted woman, how dare she act so arrogantly…”
Lu Feng vowed, “When I grow up and become the top scholar in martial arts like my father, I will avenge mother.”
Lu Chang scoffed, “Staying here with mother won’t magically make you the top scholar. Do you think you can achieve that merely by attending a local school?”
Lu Feng retorted, “Father was even poorer in his youth, yet he succeeded.”
Acknowledging this, Lu Chang added, “Yes, back then, the Lu family had less than a hundred acres of land, but it was under our grandmother’s control. She was willing to sell land for father and uncle to receive proper education. However, what do we have? Although the Lu family is wealthy now, the financial power lies with our grandmother. This estate manages two hundred acres of land, but we have no say in it.”
Turning to Bao Qin, Lu Chang murmured, “Mother, why did you use such methods to marry father back then? If you had married a commoner, you could have lived a respectable life.”
Bao Qin, taken aback by her beloved eldest son’s words, cried and explained, “Chang, even you blame mother? Everything I did was to secure a better future for my children, so they could live as young masters and mistresses, lead good lives in the future.”
As the conversation unfolded, tears welled up in Lu Chang’s eyes as he expressed, “Mother, our days won’t be easy. Consider this—my second sister is the legitimate daughter, and Madam He left behind a substantial inheritance. Is she living a good life? Grandmother is solely focused on transferring the wealth and watches as Aunt Xiao Chen manipulates second sister. Initially, as illegitimate sons, Grandmother favored us, believing we would have a promising future. But now, with Madam He’s return to the capital and her exceptional legitimate son with second sister, Grandmother is fixated on reinstating the legitimate line, building a stronger connection with second sister. She’s grown to resent you more… Grandmother incessantly berates you and my brother, who had no choice but to seek refuge here… She’s withholding my monthly allowance, claiming I’m an illegitimate son, reducing my expenses. I reside at the academy and must purchase my own supplies. When funds run low, I resort to transcribing texts for money…”
Tears streamed down his face as he spoke.
Bao Qin cursed through gritted teeth, “That greedy old woman, all she cares about is profit. Chang, mother still has some silver and jewelry, take some to use.”
Lu Chang shook his head, “Mother, keep it safe for future use to avoid it being taken advantage of. If Father doesn’t return, mother will suffer even more. Grandmother and uncle think Madam He and Second Sister hate the Lu family because of Aunt Xiao Chen and you… Brother shouldn’t return to the Lu family, it’s better to study at a reputable school in town, away from the constant scolding, where I can support your studies when I return. The Lu family won’t provide mother with a monthly allowance anymore, so be prudent with your finances.”
Bao Qin shook her head, “Your father won’t die, he will return. He loves you both and wouldn’t forsake us.”
Though she spoke confidently, even she harbored doubts. Would Lu Fangrong truly choose her and their son over Madam He and her children upon his return?
Wiping away his tears, Lu Chang continued, “I’ve heard from the household staff about how Father courted Madam He and witnessed her talents. Despite risking your displeasure, mother, it’s evident that in terms of appearance, demeanor, and family status, you fall short compared to Madam He. She’s the lawful wife, who brought substantial wealth to the Lu family… What happened in the end? When the He family faced adversity, didn’t Father, at Grandmother’s behest, divorce Madam He, remarry Aunt Xiao Chen, and take you as a concubine, while sending Second Sister far away… Now that Madam He has returned, looking as dignified as ever, with a more exceptional legitimate son, and Second Sister married into the Princess Changting’s household, where Father serves as the superior. Consider this—will Father seek forgiveness from Madam He or protect you and us siblings?”
Upon hearing Lu Chang’s words, Bao Qin sat there in a daze, tears silently streaming down her face.
Her son was right. Madam He remained beautiful, but she, even if not crippled, fell far short—far too late to catch up… Regardless of whether Lu Fangrong returned, her future looked bleak.
Lu Chang continued, “Mother, if you had married a commoner, my brother and I wouldn’t be considered illegitimate sons, and we would call you ‘mother’ legally. We would have strived to achieve the prosperity and honor you desired, but now, with you in this situation, facing criticism from everyone, and us struggling in the Lu family…”
Looking at Lu Chang with swollen eyes, Bao Qin asked, “Are you blaming me?”
Lu Chang shook his head, “I’m just stating a fact, it seems you took the wrong path.”
Wiping her tears determinedly, Bao Qin asserted, “No, your father won’t abandon us. I’ve been with him for over a decade, while Madam He was with him for just three years, and Madam Xiao Chen even less. We’ve shared the best times and supported each other, our bond is irreplaceable. He won’t abandon us! If you don’t believe it, just wait and see.”
……
After hearing Mama Wang’s account of Mrs. Fu hitting Bao Qin, Lu Man felt relieved and even praised the act.
Mrs. Fu, still agitated, remarked, “Madam He’s too kind, I should have beaten that wretched woman senseless.”
He Mingzhu added, “I felt sorry for that crying child.”
Mrs. Fu spat, “That shameless wretch, dressed like she’s imitating Madam He. A failed imitation, utterly unattractive. Only Second Master Lu has poor taste to fancy her.”
He Mingzhu sighed, “No need for me to intervene, Bao Qin is facing the consequences. Her bad character and limp—Lu Fangrong can deal with her. She’s reaping what she sowed. Her lack of decency and disability will be left for him to handle. As for me, she’s no longer my concern.”