Chapter 154: Will You Come Back With Me?

“Mother?”

To Leng Qing Yu’s surprise, Ye Xin Ran actually called her that.

“My good child, it’s all my fault. All these years, you’ve suffered so much!”

Tears streamed down Leng Qing Yu’s face, but hearing that one word, “mother, brought her a comfort she had never felt before.”

Looking closely at Leng Qing Yu’s face, Ye Xin Ran finally understood why Lady Lu had always said she resembled her sister.

Because they truly looked so much alike.

“I’m not used to calling you ‘Mother.’ Let me call you Lady Lu instead.”

The next moment, Ye Xin Ran spoke unexpectedly.

Leng Qing Yu was caught off guard.

“You… Are you blaming me?”

Her voice was cautious, almost pleading.

To say she wasn’t blamed well, that would be a lie.

No matter the reasons behind it, the outcome was that the original Ye Xin Ran had suffered endless hardships in the Ye family, ultimately dying with bitterness in her heart.

While Ye Xin Ran, in her current life, couldn’t fully represent the original, it was impossible to completely erase the lingering resentment she felt toward this family.

Still, Ye Xin Ran didn’t want to hold Leng Qing Yu solely responsible.

“It’s not your fault,” she explained.

“It’s me. Since I never had the love of parents growing up, I find it hard to get close to my parents now.”

She could appreciate Lady Lu and accept Lu Chang Qing, but when it came to Leng Qing Yu, she couldn’t fulfill her expectations.

Ye Xin Ran thought it was likely because, deep down, she had certain hopes for this mother.

And where there were hopes, there were higher standards.

“I just feel that calling you Lady Lu is more comfortable for me.”

“Alright!”

Leng Qing Yu quickly agreed.

“You can call me whatever you like, as long as it makes you happy.

I know you’ve been wronged, and I want to make it up to you. I want to bring you home. Will you come back with me?”

“Go back?”

Ye Xin Ran turned her head.

Behind her stood the large house she had just built. In the courtyard stood Xiao Huai’an, who had always supported her.

Noticing her look back, Xiao Huai’an smiled and waved at her.

“Lady Lu, I won’t deny that I am your daughter.

“However, I am quite satisfied with my current life. The capital is too far, and I don’t know the people there. I would prefer to stay here.”

Upon hearing this, Lu Chang Qing and Leng Qing Yu exchanged glances.

Although they both hoped Ye Xin Ran would return with them, this outcome seemed to be something they had anticipated.

Ye Xin Ran was not a helpless orphan anymore, she had her own family and the ability to earn a living. She could decide the path of her own life.

“Mother, since Sister won’t go back, it’s good that I can stay here and keep her company.”

Lu Chang Qing said.

“You’re not going back either?”

Leng Qing Yu looked at her son.

“I’m staying here to study anyway. You used to worry about me, but now that Sister is here, you can rest a bit easier.”

Lu Chang Qing smiled.

“Besides, Sister is so skilled in medicine. Since I started taking her medicine, my heart condition hasn’t acted up recently.”

“Good!”

Leng Qing Yu nodded.

“I feel more at ease knowing you two are together.”

“Mother, what about you?” Lu Chang Qing asked again.

“Now that both Sister and I are here, don’t you want to stay with us?”

Leng Qing Yu shook her head. “Your father will be returning to the capital soon, and there are so many matters to manage in the Hou residence. I can’t leave those behind.”

While the mother and son discussed, Ye Xin Ran quietly listened.

At that moment, Xiao Huai’an walked out from the courtyard.

“I’ve had the main room arranged. Let’s go inside and talk,” he said, gently touching Ye Xin Ran’s shoulder.

Lady Lu assessed Xiao Huai’an. He was tall and dignified, clearly not like a typical country man.

Seeing him care for Ye Xin Ran, Leng Qing Yu silently nodded.

If her daughter had married such a man, he seemed like a good match.

Looking at the unfinished house, Leng Qing Yu said, “Even though you won’t return with us, since you are still the young lady of the Lu family, you must follow the rules of the young ladies. Tomorrow, I will send someone to find two maids for you, and a steward. I’ll arrange for 500 taels of silver to be sent to you every month.”

“500 taels? Mother, you only gave me 300 taels!”

Lu Chang Qing complained on purpose.

Ye Xin Yan also said, “Lady Lu, there’s no need to go so far. Our life here is actually manage able.”

“I know.”

Leng Qing Yu did not argue, but instead said, “I just want you to have an easier life.”

“Lady Lu,”

Xiao Huai’an, who had been silent, spoke up. “I know you care about Xin Ran, but since she cannot be under your care, we can’t accept your kindness without reason. We appreciate your good intentions, but other than that, there’s no need.”

Xiao Huai’an spoke, and Leng Qing Yu found herself in a bit of a dilemma.

Ye Xin Ran also said, “Let’s go with what my husband said.”

Leng Qing Yu had no choice but to agree.

She understood that it would be difficult for Ye Xin Ran to accept her all at once.

But she wasn’t in a rush.

There was still a long life ahead, and she had plenty of time to slowly improve her relationship with her daughter.

“Then we’ll do it your way. But Xin Ran, if you need anything, you must tell me, okay?”

“Okay.” Ye Xin Ran nodded.

“Since that’s the case, I see you’re arranging the rooms. Although I’m not very skilled, I know a bit about it. I’ll go take a look and help you out.”

“Mm!”

Ye Xin Ran led the way, bringing Leng Qing Yu to the main room that was being arranged.

There were two rooms in the main building. One had a heated bed, and the other had a regular bed.

Several people were moving a wardrobe, unsure of where to place it.

“I think the wardrobe should go here. It’s just opposite the bed, so it will be convenient to get things.”

“The space over there is bigger, and you could fit a table. I say the wardrobe should go next to the bed.”

They couldn’t reach a consensus when they saw Ye Xin Ran enter, and quickly asked, “Ah, the mistress is here, that’s great! We didn’t want to bother you earlier. Sister-in-law, where do you think the wardrobe should go?”

Lady Lu looked at the room layout and pointed to the west wall. “Place it in that corner. It will be convenient to use and won’t be too conspicuous.”

“Is that okay?”

The people didn’t know who this lady was and hesitated, only looking at Ye Xin Ran for confirmation.

“Yes, let’s put it where the lady suggested.”

When Ye Xin Ran bought these wardrobes, she only cared about how they looked and didn’t think about how they would match.

Now, it was indeed a bit difficult to find the right arrangement.

But fortunately, just as Leng Qing Yu had said, she was a bit skilled in this area.

Under her guidance, the tables and wardrobes in the courtyard were soon arranged in place.

Leng Qing Yu inspected the room and said, “It still needs a dressing table, and a sandal wood chest.”

“The chest may seem unremarkable, but it’s quite useful for keeping account books or some small valuables.”

“Okay, I’ll go buy it tomorrow.”

Ye Xin Ran replied.

“No need, I’ll go to the street tomorrow and pick one out. I’ll have someone deliver it to you. I don’t have much to give you, but this small thing, don’t refuse it, okay?”

Leng Qing Yu looked at Ye Xin Ran with a hopeful expression.