Chapter 203: Making an Impression

After hearing Ye Xin Ran’s question, Leng Qing Yu frowned, thought for a moment, and then replied:

“The Lu family may have been spending the Leng family’s money all along, but coming from a marquis household, they look down on these businesses that involve serving others.

So, over the years, they haven’t meddled in the business.

Only Zhi Yi…”

Mentioning Lu Zhi Yi, Leng Qing Yu’s mood turned complicated.

After all, she had raised the child herself.

Though they weren’t especially close, over ten years of emotional connection was still there.

Deep down, she hoped that Lu Zhi Yi was nothing more than an innocent child.

But after all these years, could she really not know her origins?

How could she possibly be unaware?

Thinking about this, Leng Qing Yu added, “Zhi Yi did dabble in the fabric business before. However, she’s been slow to learn, and even now hasn’t fully mastered it. So, I haven’t let her take over completely.”

“That’s good!” Ye Xin Ran said.

“If the Lu family had too many people involved in the business, it would be troublesome to deal with them later.”

Leng Qing Yu reassured her, “Manager Wan has been with the business for decades. Wherever I can’t keep an eye on things, he’s always been able to help out. There shouldn’t be any major issues.”

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Two days later, they finally arrived in the capital.

The guards at the city gate, recognizing the marquis household’s carriage emblem, allowed them through without much scrutiny.

Ye Xin Ran leaned out of the carriage window, taking in the imposing city gates and the bustling crowds. She could feel the vibrancy and liveliness of the capital.

“There are so many people here! There must be so much more delicious food and fun things to do than in Yun Tong County!” she exclaimed.

“Ling Yun Pavilion and Qing Yun Studio are two of the most lively spots in the capital. Once we’ve settled in, I’ll arrange for someone to accompany you to explore them,” Leng Qing Yu said, pleased to see the curiosity and excitement on Ye Xin Ran’s face.

This was how a girl her age should be, full of life and wonder.

She felt that Ye Xin Ran had taken on too much responsibility at such a young age, managing an entire household. Leng Qing Yu thought her daughter’s life had been too burdensome.

But Ye Xin Ran’s mind was preoccupied with business.

“Mother, once we’ve settled in, we should check out the shops first. I brought facial cleansing soaps with me and want to see if the people in the capital take to them.”

“Alright!” Leng Qing Yu chuckled.

This daughter truly took after her.

The first thought on Ye Xin Ran’s mind was how to make money.

The two of them first went to the silk shop, where all the goods Ye Xin Ran had brought were stored in the warehouse.

Afterward, Leng Qing Yu took Ye Xin Ran back to the Marquis’s residence.

This was something they had discussed on the road. Leng Qing Yu’s original plan was to arrange for Ye Xin Ran to stay at one of the Leng family’s estates.

The Leng family owned many properties in the capital, any of which would have been more than adequate.

However, Ye Xin Ran insisted on returning to the Marquis’s residence with Leng Qing Yu.

The main reason for her visit was to stay close and protect Leng Qing Yu.

If she lived outside, she wouldn’t be able to respond in time if anything happened.

As for Leng Qing Yu’s concern that Ye Xin Ran might be mistreated at the Marquis’s residence, Ye Xin Ran wasn’t worried.

She never regarded the Marquis’s residence as significant, nor did she expect its residents to treat her as the rightful eldest daughter.

Her philosophy was simple: as long as she didn’t care, no one could hurt her.

Thus, Leng Qing Yu’s concerns were unfounded.

A servant had gone ahead to announce their arrival. By the time the carriage reached the gates of the Marquis’s residence, the household staff had already lined up neatly to welcome them.

Leng Qing Yu stepped out of the carriage, and the maids and servants immediately knelt, chanting, “Greetings to Madam. May Madam be blessed with health and longevity.”

“Rise,” Leng Qing Yu said indifferently.

Ye Xin Ran stepped down from the carriage just in time to witness her mother’s poised and commanding demeanor as the matriarch of the house.

After addressing the staff, Leng Qing Yu turned and took Ye Xin Ran’s hand, leading her toward the courtyard.

The servants, curious about this young woman who bore a striking resemblance to Leng Qing Yu, stole glances at Ye Xin Ran. They began to piece together the rumors they had heard with the image of the girl before them.

So this was the Marquis’s eldest daughter, lost and now found!

Ye Xin Ran ignored their stares, imitating Leng Qing Yu’s upright posture and steady gaze as she walked straight into the courtyard.

It wasn’t until they entered a room and shut the door that Ye Xin Ran finally relaxed.

“Phew, that was exhausting!”

Leng Qing Yu found her demeanor amusing and asked, “What’s making you so tired?”

Ye Xin Ran shook her head slightly before replying, “There are so many rules in this big house. Even the way you walk has to be carefully considered. Thank goodness I won’t be staying here for long.”

“You’ve always been free-spirited, with a wild nature. It’s normal that you don’t like it here,” Leng Qing Yu said, smiling at her daughter.

Pausing for a moment, Leng Qing Yu continued, “To be honest, I wasn’t used to it at first either. But over time, all those rules and etiquette became second nature, etched into my bones, and now I can’t change them.”

As the mother and daughter chatted in the room, a maid suddenly came to deliver a message.

“Madam, the old madam has heard of your return and has asked you to visit her.”

Leng Qing Yu replied, “I’ve just returned from a long journey. Let me change into fresh clothes, and then I’ll go pay my respects to the old madam.”

The maid outside added, “The old madam also heard that you’ve brought back a young lady and has instructed that you bring her along as well.”

“Understood!”

Leng Qing Yu glanced at Ye Xin Ran.

Seeing that she showed no signs of objection, Leng Qing Yu felt reassured.

After all, Ye Xin Ran was the legitimate eldest daughter of the Lu family, and meeting the old madam was unavoidable.

However, Leng Qing Yu was concerned. The old madam was known for her eccentric temperament and her excessive favoritism toward Lu Zhi Yi. She worried that Xin Ran might be treated unfairly.

“When the old madam speaks to you, just agree with her. If there are questions you can’t answer, let me handle them. Don’t worry.”

“I’m not worried,” Ye Xin Ran replied with a smile.

This wasn’t a job evaluation or an interview with a major investor. She wasn’t going to feel anxious over a greedy and selfish old woman.

After freshening up and changing into new clothes, Leng Qing Yu led Ye Xin Ran to the rear courtyard.

The rear courtyard was where the old madam resided.

In addition to the main hall, there was a small Buddhist prayer room on the side of the courtyard, where the old madam often spent her time in meditation.

Following Leng Qing Yu into the inner room, Ye Xin Ran saw an elegantly dressed, white-haired old woman seated at the head table, sipping tea.

Leng Qing Yu greeted her as she entered, “Mother, I hope you’re in good health. I’ve been away from home for many days and have troubled you with concern.”

The old madam didn’t respond, keeping her gaze fixed on the tea leaves floating in her cup.

It wasn’t until she had swirled the lid of the tea bowl three times, taken a sip, and swallowed, that she finally spoke.

“You say I’ve been concerned, yet you’ve been out wandering for so long?

I thought you weren’t planning to come back.”

Her words were laced with sarcasm, leaving no room for diplomacy or respect for Leng Qing Yu.

Leng Qing Yu was familiar with this tone of voice.

Whenever the old madam was displeased, she would speak in this passive-aggressive manner.

Under normal circumstances, Leng Qing Yu would have stepped forward to apologize immediately.

But today was different.