Chapter 55

“Adoption?” Lu Minghua didn’t react immediately and asked aloud.

“Exactly.” Lu Chengwen looked at Lu Minghua and smiled, “Your aunt is bored all day and feels depressed. The doctor said she needed someone to accompany her. But your two sisters are already married far away. After thinking it over, you are smart and sensible, and your aunt has praised you many times. If we could have you as our daughter, it would be a blessing. She agreed as soon as I mentioned it. Minghua, what do you think?”

“I…” Lu Minghua opened her mouth in confusion.

With such parents, she felt resentment but also helplessness. The grace of birth and upbringing was above all, and she had no way to repay it. She never expected Lu Chengwen to point out a new path for her, even preparing the reasons.

“Before you came back, I had already thought about it for a long time and discussed it with several elders. Now, we only need your approval.”

Feeling dazed, Lu Minghua nodded. It was a light action, but at that moment, her heart roared as if a huge stone had fallen, causing waves of emotion that shook her to her core.

“Minghua thanking Uncle.” Lu Minghua stood up, her eyes stinging with tears, and slowly knelt.

“Get up, get up, child. Why is that such a big gesture?” Lu Chengwen hurriedly said, getting up to help her.

“Uncle, I…” Lu Minghua wanted to cry and laugh at the same time, not knowing what to say.

“Get up, get up. We don’t do such big gestures here. Since you agreed, I’ll open the ancestral hall tomorrow and put your name under mine.” Lu Chengwen was also full of smiles and chanting.

Lu Minghua just thought about it and smiled.

“Come, come, let’s go see your aunt. She needs to arrange some things.”

This aunt had always been indifferent to her. Following Lu Chengwen into the room, Lu Minghua greeted and sat down, feeling uneasy. But when her aunt, Madam Yuan, heard what her uncle said, she smiled.

“Good, good, good. I’ve been ready for a long time, just waiting for your approval. Tomorrow, everything will go smoothly.”

Unexpectedly, things went so smoothly. Lu Minghua looked at Madam Yuan in a daze, feeling like she was in a dream, almost unable to wake up.

“Minghua, thank your aunt.” After the two finished speaking, she stood up and knelt again to thank them.

That home was like a quagmire to her. Her uncle and aunt were kind-hearted, pulling her out, which was like a rebirth.

Unexpectedly, Madam Yuan was stunned by her big gesture and hurriedly helped her up. Seeing her red eyes, Madam Yuan’s heart also felt a bit sour, and any previous reluctance disappeared.

Forget it; the old man was right. She was a poor child. Raised under their name and not needing much care, how much trouble could it be?

“Tomorrow, you will call me Mother. There’s no need for such big gestures between mother and daughter in the future,” Madam Yuan said gently. She didn’t care how Madam Qin had treated her before. Since she was now her daughter, she couldn’t be so distant.

“Yes.” Lu Minghua had never received such sincere affection from an elder, her voice trembling.

“You are a good child. I’ve always known that,” Madam Yuan sighed.

If she hadn’t been so unfortunate, she wouldn’t have encountered such terrible things.

“Aunt,” Lu Minghua called out unconsciously.

“Alright, you must be tired from the journey. I’ve prepared your courtyard. Let Biao Biao take you there to rest. We’ll have dinner together tonight and meet your second brother,” Madam Yuan arranged.

“I should go back,” Lu Minghua hesitated. After all, she hadn’t been adopted yet, and staying might seem too eager.

“Stay here. I’ve prepared everything. Don’t worry, your parents will agree,” Madam Yuan said.

Lu Minghua thought for a moment and finally refused, “My mother is ill. I must go see her.”

A short sentence, she hesitated twice, almost unable to say the word “mother.” She hadn’t been adopted yet, so Madam Qin was still her mother. Since she was ill, she naturally had to see her.

Good beginnings and good endings. Since she would be adopted tomorrow, there was no need to make a fuss now. It was better to go back. She just disliked those people, not feared them. She had no guilt and didn’t mind seeing them.

Seeing this, Lu Chengwen and Madam Yuan exchanged glances, feeling some admiration.

“Since that’s the case, you should go. But you must come back tonight. Lu Mingxi occupies your courtyard. You can’t stay there,” Madam Yuan said gently.

“Yes.” Lu Minghua already knew this and wasn’t surprised. That small courtyard was just a place to stay for her. She didn’t care anymore.

“See, I told you she’s a good child,” Lu Chengwen said with a light smile after she left.

If she had learned that her uncle and aunt could adopt her and then completely abandoned her biological parents without any consideration, she wouldn’t be Lu Minghua. Of course, this doesn’t mean she should still have feelings for those parents, but acting so rashly would be too imprudent and reckless.

In critical moments, one must be cautious. Remember, a thousand-mile dyke can be destroyed by an ant hole.

“Your judgment has always been good,” Madam Yuan was also satisfied. Such a temperament is good and won’t cause trouble.

“By the way, tomorrow…”

The two began discussing the adoption for the next day.

“Mother, why hasn’t sister returned yet? It’s really worrying,” Lu Mingxi said softly, feeding Madam Qin spoonfuls of medicine. Watching the brown liquid slowly being swallowed, her expression was gentle and innocent, just like before. It was as if she had no idea that she had personally added a secret ingredient to the medicine to weaken her.

“Cough, your uncle must have kept her to talk. Just wait a little longer,” Madam Qin’s eyes were slightly dim.

As the mother and daughter spoke, the maid’s greeting outside indicated Lu Minghua’s arrival.

“Mother, sister,” Lu Minghua entered and looked at them, smiling lightly. “It’s been a long time.”

It had been three months since the last Mid-Autumn Festival.

“Minghua, you’re back,” Madam Qin smiled and tried to sit up.

In the past, Lu Minghua would have stepped forward to arrange the pillows for her. But now, she acted as if she didn’t see it, sitting on a brocade stool, not too close or too far, just smiling at her.

Madam Qin was momentarily stunned.

“Sister, you came back so late. Mother’s illness has been worrying,” Lu Mingxi said.

“With you taking care of her, everything will be fine,” Lu Minghua glanced at the medicine bowl. She wondered if Madam Qin’s illness was real or…

That seemingly casual glance made Lu Mingxi’s fingertips tremble.

“It’s been a long time, sister. You look even better,” she said, putting down the medicine bowl and looking at Lu Minghua’s picturesque features. Remembering her own haggard and pale face in the mirror that morning, a flash of jealousy appeared in her eyes.

“The hot springs in Yunshan are good for health. You should try them sometime, sister. You might even run into Wei Yuntai and catch up with him,” Lu Minghua said with a meaningful smile, tired of talking to Lu Mingxi.

As expected, Lu Mingxi’s expression changed.

“Wei Yuntai insists on seeing me, saying he wants to apologize. It’s really annoying. I can’t stand even looking at him. Since you always had a good relationship with him, if you see him, please tell him not to appear in front of me,” Lu Minghua said lightly, glancing at her.

Lu Mingxi could no longer maintain her innocent and gentle facade, glaring at Lu Minghua with a dark expression.

“Oh, I forgot. Wei Yuntai has already dismissed you, so you can’t say you had a good relationship. It’s a pity,” Lu Minghua said with a smile, her tone full of hidden meaning.

“Lu Minghua!” Lu Mingxi couldn’t help but shout.

Lu Minghua raised her eyebrows slightly, looking at Lu Mingxi, a bit surprised. In the past, she would have pretended to cry and sought Madam Qin’s help against her. But now? She couldn’t hold her temper. This wasn’t like her. Or maybe…

Madam Sun’s image flashed in her mind, and she pondered.

“Mother, look at sister. She must still hate me to make me so angry,” Lu Mingxi finally regained her composure and turned to Madam Qin, crying.

Madam Qin patted her and looked at Lu Minghua disapprovingly.

“The messenger only said that mother was ill and not getting better. What illness is it? Is she better now?” Lu Minghua spoke first, not waiting for her to respond.

“It’s just a cold. A few more doses of medicine will do,” Madam Qin said, not thinking much, but she was already short of breath after just a few words.

Seeing this, Lu Minghua glanced at the medicine bowl and looked at Madam Qin, saying, “Since it’s not getting better, the medicine must be wrong. How about I get a new doctor for you?” As she spoke, she watched Lu Mingxi’s expression from the corner of her eye.

Lu Mingxi’s eyebrows twitched, and she stared intently at Madam Qin.

“No need. As they say, the illness goes away like pulling silk. It will be better in a few days,” Madam Qin said indifferently, directly refusing.

Lu Mingxi subtly breathed a sigh of relief. When she looked up, she saw Lu Minghua watching her, and her heart tightened.

“In that case, so be it. As long as Mother is well, I can be at ease. I’m tired from the journey, so I’ll go rest now,” Lu Minghua said kindly. Since Madam Qin refused, she had nothing more to say.

“Oh, Mother, sister’s courtyard is occupied by me, so…”

The second branch didn’t have much space, just a few courtyards. There was no room for Lu Minghua. She thought about suggesting that Lu Minghua stay with Madam Qin for now.

Madam Qin was stunned, not having thought of this.

“No worries. Aunt has already arranged everything for me. No need for mother and sister to worry,” Lu Minghua said, standing up, bowing slightly, and stepping back before turning to leave.

Seeing this, Madam Qin swallowed her words, thinking it was fortunate that her sister-in-law was kind. But when she looked up, she saw Lu Mingxi staring at Lu Minghua’s back, gripping her arm so tightly that it hurt.

Unable to hold back a gasp, she quickly pinched Lu Mingxi’s arm and said, “Mingxi, let go.”

Lu Mingxi snapped back to reality and hurriedly let go.

Madam Qin clutched the sore spot, the pain lingering. She had lived a pampered life for years and had never suffered like this.

“Mingxi, what were you thinking just now?” she couldn’t help but ask, her anger barely concealed.

“Mother, it’s my fault,” Lu Mingxi lowered her eyes, her eyes turning red. “I was just thinking about how kind Aunt is to sister, but when I came back, she didn’t even want to see me, and I just…”

Hearing this, Madam Qin’s heart softened. She sighed but didn’t dare to resent Madam Yuan, only saying, “You, don’t worry. It will get better in a few days.”

She was so useless that she couldn’t even stand up for her own daughter.

Lu Mingxi felt dissatisfied but forced a smile.

On the other side, seeing Lu Minghua return, Lu Chengwen sent someone to the second branch to inform Lu Chengsong.

“What?” After the severe beating he received, Lu Chengsong had been bedridden for half a month. But upon hearing the servant’s words, he immediately sat up. Pain radiated from his back throughout his body, but he didn’t care. He stared at the steward and said, “What did you say? My brother wants to adopt Minghua?”

“That’s impossible!” he declared.

The steward remained calm and respectfully said, “This is the Earl’s decision. I am merely conveying it. If you disagree, please speak to the Earl directly.”

He repeatedly referred to the Earl, reminding Lu Chengsong that Lu Chengwen was the master of the Earl’s Mansion.

Anger surged within Lu Chengsong, and despite the pain, he got up and went to the main house.

That wretched girl, Lu Minghua, was still useful to him. He couldn’t let her be adopted out.

“Brother, I disagree. Qin and I are still alive, and her biological parents are here. How can Minghua be adopted?” Lu Chengsong said as soon as he entered the study.

Lu Chengwen had anticipated this reaction and wasn’t surprised. He simply asked, “Do you remember what you’ve done?”

“She’s my daughter. Can’t I make decisions for her?” Lu Chengsong said without a trace of guilt.

Although he had long known that his brother had no intention of repenting, Lu Chengwen still felt disappointed.

“Either you let me adopt Minghua, or I’ll separate your family from the mansion. You choose,” he said coldly after looking at Lu Chengsong for a while.

Lu Chengsong was stunned to see that his brother wasn’t bluffing, and his demeanor immediately deflated. In the Earl’s Mansion, others still had to respect him as the second master. But if he left, he would only be part of a branch family, an ordinary household.

“But Minghua is stubborn and disobedient. Why do you want to raise her?” He had never liked his daughter, finding her too opinionated and stubborn, and never respected him as her father. He couldn’t understand why Lu Chengwen valued her so much to adopt her.

“Just say whether you agree or not,” Lu Chengwen didn’t answer, directly asking.

“…I agree,” Lu Chengsong finally relented and returned home dejectedly.

Once inside, he finally understood. It didn’t matter who adopted Lu Minghua. He didn’t care for her calling him father. In the future, he might even gain more benefits by leveraging her status as the Earl’s daughter.

It’s a pity that the leg of the chosen Prince Changping was broken, and a suitable candidate couldn’t be found in a short time. They had to settle for a son from the Duke of Anguo’s family.

Lu Chengsong initially didn’t want these noble sons. In his view, they were too unpredictable and couldn’t offer as many benefits as someone already in power. If it turned out like Wei Yuntai, it would be a waste of effort. However, after comparing, among those who were indulgent but had decent family backgrounds, this son was the most suitable. He wanted to use Lu Minghua to gain benefits but didn’t want to find her a real backer. Given her personality, if she had a backer, she might turn against him. So, this kind of person was the most suitable.

Lu Chengsong quickly put this matter out of his mind.

The rest of the second branch knew nothing until the next day, when they saw the ancestral hall bustling with activity. Many clan elders arrived, still wondering what was happening.

Lu Minghua didn’t sleep well that night, though it had nothing to do with the bed. Madam Yuan had arranged everything meticulously. The courtyard was neither big nor small, and the furnishings were new, not particularly beautiful, but orderly. The nanny who took her there said that the lady didn’t know her preferences, so she didn’t make any changes, waiting for her to add her own touches.

Lu Minghua sat in the room, lost in thought for a long time.

Mama Li served her with a smile, but Lu Minghua tossed and turned all night, unable to sleep well.

In a daze, she looked around several times until dawn.

After getting up and washing, she put on the new clothes Madam Yuan sent and paid her respects, following the two to the ancestral hall.

This time, Lu Yaozhong was also there, walking beside Lu Minghua.

“Brother, why are you still at home? Aren’t you supposed to be on duty?” Lu Minghua was surprised. He should have been on duty at this time.

“I’m getting a new sister. This is a big deal, so I took a day off,” Lu Yaozhong said with a simple smile.

Lu Minghua felt warmth in her heart and smiled at him.

Lu Yaozhong’s eyes lit up. His two older sisters were straightforward and efficient, like Madam Yuan, often disdaining his honest nature. But Lu Minghua was gentle and well-behaved. Others didn’t matter, but she would be his sister from now on.

“Is it hard for you to be on duty every day?” She vaguely remembered that Lu Yaozhong’s job was patrolling the imperial city.

“What’s hard about it? It’s just a bit boring.”

“Boring? What do you do?”

“Just walking around every day.”

“I see.”

The siblings spoke softly until they reached the ancestral hall.

With a creak, the door of the ancestral hall opened.

Lu Chengwen entered first, followed by several clan elders. The two siblings followed, and the elders’ eyes swept over Lu Minghua, quietly assessing her.

They had only heard of Lu Minghua’s reputation before—she was sought after by the Marquis’s heir and then divorced him. They had once thought she was too headstrong, divorcing without informing her family. When Wei Yuntai married Lu Mingxi, their feelings became more complicated. They never expected Lu Chengwen to personally visit and say he wanted to adopt her. Their curiosity grew, and they vaguely guessed she might have been innocent in those previous events.

Someone asked a few questions, and only then did Lu Chengsong arrive late. There wasn’t much to say about the adoption. It was just a matter of Lu Chengwen crossing out Lu Minghua’s name and recording it under his own, witnessed by the clan elders. Her name had been crossed out once before when she got married. After her divorce and return home, Lu Chengwen wrote it back in. This time, it was his second time doing so. His hand was steady, and with a light touch on the paper, it seemed like he finished writing in an instant.

But to Lu Minghua, this moment felt incredibly long. She unconsciously held her breath, her heart racing with each stroke. She was instinctively wary of her surroundings, fearing someone might interrupt this beautiful dream.

“It’s done.” Lu Chengwen gently put down the brush and smiled at Lu Minghua.

Beside him, Lu Minghua’s shoulders relaxed, and she let out a deep breath.

It’s done, she thought.

“Minghua, quickly call them father and mother,” Lu Yaozhong urged, having waited for this moment. His voice was loud and clear, drawing everyone’s attention in the ancestral hall.

Lu Chengsong frowned, staring at Lu Minghua. Her biological father was still here, and he wanted to see if she could call them.

“Father, mother.” Lu Minghua didn’t even glance at Lu Chengsong. She hesitated for a moment, then saw Lu Chengwen smiling warmly at her, with Madam Yuan also smiling gently. She stepped forward, bowed slightly, and called out.

“Good, good, good. Good child, this is for you. Keep it well,” Lu Chengwen said, handing her a fine Ruyi pendant.

Beside him, Madam Yuan also smiled and took out a prepared gift, a pair of jade bracelets.

Lu Minghua accepted them respectfully, then heard Lu Chengsong snort coldly and leave.

Lu Chengwen glared at his back, thanked the clan elders, and personally saw them off.

Meanwhile, Lu Minghua followed Madam Yuan back to the main courtyard, Siqi Courtyard. After the ancestral hall ceremony ended, her daze seemed to settle. She barely regained her composure but felt a bit nervous again.

These… these are her parents now.

“Mother.” As she entered the room and sat down, Lu Minghua didn’t sit, feeling out of place. Seeing a maid bring in tea, she reached out, took it, and handed it to Madam Yuan.

Madam Yuan was momentarily stunned before accepting it. Though considerate, her two daughters were always at ease in front of her and never paid attention to minor matters like serving tea.

“Minghua, these small tasks like serving tea and pouring water are for the maids to do. You just wait for them to serve you. You are my daughter, the third young lady of the mansion. Do whatever makes you happy, understand?” Madam Yuan didn’t seem pleased, so she put down the tea and gently pulled Lu Minghua’s hand, softly instructing her.

Lu Minghua was stunned. Don’t mothers want their children to be considerate?

“Silly child,” Seeing her dazed, Madam Yuan sighed and inwardly cursed Madam Qin for her negligence. Who raises children like this?

“Mother, how can you say that about sister?” Lu Yaozhong said as he entered the room, hearing his mother’s words. He knew his mother well. Though she appeared gentle, she had the fiercest temper. She only maintained her composure in front of outsiders. She had often scolded the siblings. They were used to it, but this new sister might be scared away by their mother.

“Don’t interrupt. Keep quiet,” Madam Yuan said, unable to hold back a glare at her youngest son. After speaking, she remembered Lu Minghua and worried she might have scared her. She quickly glanced at her, only to see Lu Minghua’s eyes sparkling and a smile on her lips.

“Brother, Mother is teaching me. You misunderstood,” Lu Minghua said gently.

Whether it was Lu Yaozhong’s protection or his interaction with Madam Yuan, it was all new to her. So this is how other families interact?

A sense of anticipation suddenly rose in her heart.

“Oh,” Lu Yaozhong responded sullenly, smiling sheepishly at his mother.

Madam Yuan couldn’t help but roll her eyes again. What a misfortune. How did she give birth to such a silly boy?

“Did you settle in well last night? Your room is too empty. Later, go to the storeroom with the nanny and pick out what you like to decorate it. If you don’t find anything you like, go to the accounting office and get some money to buy what you need,” Madam Yuan said, trying to maintain a serious tone, though feeling a bit awkward.

Lu Minghua obediently agreed without a word of protest.

On the other hand, Lu Yaozhong kept interrupting, but none of his comments were useful, often earning Madam Yuan’s glares.

Before long, Lu Chengwen returned, and Lu Yaozhong finally settled down. While this family was gradually becoming familiar with each other, the second branch was in chaos.

Madam Qin fainted and woke up again, lying on the bed in a daze. “Minghua,” she murmured, unable to accept that her good daughter would no longer be hers.

Scenes from the past flashed through her mind, but after a moment, Madam Qin realized she couldn’t recall much about her time with Lu Minghua. She couldn’t help but clutch her chest, feeling like a heavy stone was pressing down, making breathing hard.

Beside her, Lu Mingxi’s face was also ashen. How could Lu Minghua have such good luck, being adopted by her uncle and becoming a legitimate young lady of the Earl’s Mansion? Thinking about how her uncle and aunt didn’t even look at her, Lu Mingxi clenched her hand, tearing the handkerchief.

The sound of tearing fabric brought Lu Mingxi back to her senses. She thought about her original plan and smiled coldly. Just wait, if she couldn’t be well, why should Lu Minghua be?

In the main house, Madam Yuan spoke for a while and then suddenly remembered, “In a few days, it’s the birthday of the old lady of the Marquis of Shangyang’s Mansion. You should come with me. I want to show off my new, well-behaved daughter.”

Lu Minghua knew about the Marquis of Shangyang’s Mansion. The old lady there was her late grandmother’s cousin. Given this relationship, she should indeed attend the birthday celebration. Hearing this, she smiled and nodded in agreement, but a shadow of doubt quietly crossed her mind. She always felt that Madam Qin’s illness was suspicious, coincidentally occurring at this critical moment, calling her back to the mansion. And now, this birthday banquet…