Chapter 44: Hoisting a Rock Only to Let it Fall on My Sister-in-Law’s Foot
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Do you think I would lie to you?” the grand princess asked, her lips curling into a playful smile.
“This distinguished woman is Madam Xu, from the noble Marquis Household, here with her lovely daughter, Lu Chao Chao. My pregnancy is thanks to Chao Chao’s miraculous help,” she explained excitedly, gesturing gracefully as she added, “We sought her assistance twice.”
Upon hearing the mention of the Marquis Household, Madam Qin couldn’t hide her shock, indicated by a sudden twitch of her eyelid.
Seeing Madam Xu’s dignified and noble demeanor, Madam Qin felt even more disdain for the Marquis, thinking to herself with a hint of pity, “How could he ignore his wife for a cunning seductress?”
Madam Xu stood and bowed deeply to Madam Qin, expressing her gratitude for past assistance.
“It was nothing, just lending a hand,” Madam Qin responded dismissively. She then advised, “Madam Xu, don’t be afraid to make tough decisions when necessary.” Witnessing Mr. Lu’s care for his mistress’s family filled Madam Qin with a sense of foreboding.
Madam Xu nodded in agreement.
The grand princess, curious, asked, “Do you two know each other?”
“Our lives intertwined by chance, a rather interesting tale,” Madam Qin replied, withholding the details, which prevented the grand princess from inquiring further.
“I’ve prayed at the temple endlessly, yet I’m still childless,” she shared sadly, touching her stomach and lamenting women’s struggles in this world. She was determined to secure her daughter’s future.
Holding Lu Chao Chao tightly, she pleaded, “Chao Chao, could you bless me with a child? In return, I’ll become a vegetarian for life, light eternal lamps for you, and worship you,” Madam Qin earnestly offered.
She knew the grand princess took things seriously and was willing to try anything, no matter how unconventional.
Chao Chao touched her forehead, sending a wave of spiritual energy through her.
“Do you want a boy or a girl?” the little one asked earnestly, though her speech wasn’t fully clear yet.
Holding her closely, Madam Qin wished for a “healthy son.” The frailty of her own daughter and the thought of her facing hardships or being married off was too much for her.
The absence of a son had brought criticism and risked dividing the family estate among distant relatives, also endangering her daughter’s future security.
Chao Chao nodded, her face lighting up with a playful, silly smile as she agreed, “Okay, okay…”
“Did it really work?” Madam Qin, surprised, placed her hand on her stomach in disbelief.
The grand princess, amused by the situation, rolled her eyes and humorously suggested, “Maybe it’s time to go find your husband.”
Madam Qin laughed at the comment but made sure to keep the conversation appropriate in front of young Chao Chao.
“Chao Chao, if you bless your auntie with a child, remember, you’ll always be welcomed by both the Qin and the Chen families,” Madam Qin, a descendant of a renowned general, promised.
Not to be outdone, the grand princess announced, “And you’ll always be welcome at the grand princess’ home as well.”
She even offered her jade pendant as a physical token of her promise, as if she were there in spirit.
“This… this is too precious, I can’t accept it,” Madam Xu protested, standing up to politely refuse the generous offer.
But the grand princess brushed off her concerns, saying, “This isn’t for you. It’s for our dear Chao Chao. Go ahead, take it, Chao Chao.”
The little girl, a bit unsteady, took the pendant and clipped it to her waistband.
“So pretty…” she said in her sweet, innocent voice, clearly overjoyed.
“If your auntie gets pregnant, she’ll give you gifts from both the Qin and Chen families. And should anyone ever dare to mistreat you…” Madam Qin’s eyes twinkled with amusement, her voice trailing off into a chuckle.
Confidently patting her belly, Lu Chao Chao proclaimed, “Grow… grow!”
Madam Xu stayed until evening before deciding it was time to return home.
Upon arriving, she was greeted by the distressing cries of Lu Wan Yi.
“I won’t go back, I can’t go back. Please, Mother, don’t make me go back home,” Lu Wan Yi pleaded, her fear evident as she was held back by a strong maid.
By that time, the elderly matriarch had already taken her medicine and was fast asleep.
Gu Ling, dressed in scholarly clothes, appeared with a dignified air.
“My dear sister-in-law, I’ve come to take Wan Yi back to our home. She’s been a bit spoiled and caused some trouble, for which I am sorry,” he calmly stated, his presence sending an involuntary shiver through Lu Wan Yi.
“Sister-in-law, I admit I was wrong. Please, I’m begging you to save me,” Lu Wan Yi pleaded with Madam Xu, her voice full of desperation.
“If you save me, I’ll tell you a secret. What do you think, Sister-in-law?” she offered, hoping to negotiate her way out.
Madam Xu felt a cold shiver; she had always known the truth but had kept silent. Now, with something at stake, Lu Wan Yi was ready to talk. However, Madam Xu no longer found any value in such secrets.
“Wan Yi, I don’t need secrets. It’s normal for couples to have disagreements; they often make up after arguing,” she advised.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
Turning to the brother-in-law, she said, “We’ve indeed spoiled Wan Yi too much. I’m entrusting you to teach her some discipline. The Lu family won’t object to your methods. If you’re unsure, feel free to ask the Marquis himself. A daughter from the Lu family who lacks manners is a disgrace to us,” she declared, leaving Lu Wan Yi feeling utterly abandoned.
Gu Ling smiled at Lu Wan Yi, saying, “Thank you for your understanding, Sister-in-law.”
After they left, Madam Xu ordered, “From now on, any messages from the Gu family should come straight to me.” She added with concern, “The elder lady has been ill several times this year; any more stress could be very harmful.” She then warned, “Anyone who disturbs her peace will have to deal with me!”
Everyone present knelt down, visibly trembling as they agreed, “Understood.”
By the time the elder lady woke up, Madam Xu had already finished her dinner. She panicked at first after hearing her daughter being taken away. But upon hearing that they had returned affectionately, hand in hand, she was relieved, though still worried. She sent someone to check on Lu Wan Yi’s maids at the Gu residence.
However, it turns out that both of Lu Wan Yi’s maids have become concubines of Gu Ling, and their stories match his. Thus, the matter was quietly ignored.
That evening, Lu Yuan Ze visited Deshan Hall, where he voiced his opinion to the old mother, “Wan Yi should handle her own matters properly. A scholar-official, a man of stature, should not be seen kneeling. She needs to control her actions. Does she think she’s still living at her parents’ house?”
The elder matriarch shared her worries, “But is Gu Ling really a good match?”
Lu Yuan Ze replied with concern, “Mother, Gu Ling is the top scholar, highly respected by the King himself. How can he not be suitable?”
Hearing this, the elder matriarch looked upset. She complained, “This is because your wife doesn’t like Wan Yi. She insisted on sending her back to the Gu family.”
She expected Lu Yuan Ze to agree, but he responded with frustration.
“Mother, you and Wan Yi were the ones excited about this marriage from the beginning! Plus, Wan Yi embarrassed us by coming back home on her own, causing people to talk,” Lu Yuan Ze then expressed his annoyance about Pei Jiao Jiao’s actions of causing shameful rumors and then left Deshan Hall.
Outside, heading towards the door, he heard laughter from inside the house, which stirred a mix of feelings in him.
Since marrying Madam Xu, he felt his life was a continuous act of pretense. Now, seeing Lu Yan Shu in a wheelchair, the naive Lu Yuan Xiao, and the eight-month-old Lu Chao Chao, charming in her innocence, he sighed softly and walked away, blaming the shortcomings of Madam Xu’s children.
After Lu Yuan Ze left, the eldest son, Lu Yan Shu, continued to look towards the door.
Inside, next to the warm glow of the silver charcoal, Lu Chao Chao had dozed off, her small, pale belly peeking out, which Madam Xu quickly covered.
“Munch and slurping…” she mumbled in her sleep, dreaming about meat, a satisfied drool on her lips.
Seeing Chao Chao like this, Lu Yan Shu’s cold gaze softened, turning into one of warmth and peace.