Remembrance

"She was of lowly status and murdered the mistress. Strangle her."

This is Lu Zhengliu's idea.

For some reason, his tone was still cold, but it was a different kind of coldness than before. It was as if he didn't care about anything anymore.

Even Old Madam Lu didn't dare to confront her grandson directly anymore.

She spoke to him in a conciliatory tone, "She should have died. However... we still can't offend the Duke Xingguo's Residence."

Lu Zhengliu found it laughable. "Grandmother, do you still expect the Duke Xingguo's Residence to acknowledge her?"

Old Madam Lu sighed, "That's not what I meant..."

"What if she really is the Di Daughter of the Duke Xingguo's Residence? If the Duke's Residence doesn't acknowledge her, that's Duke's Residence business. If we deal with her without even asking, what if the Duke's Residence finds out and questions us later, and we've offended them?"

"The Lu family is not what it used to be; there's really no need to offend anyone."

Lu Zhengliu frowned. "Then what do you want to do?"

Old Madam Lu said, "It's not that I intend to let her off the hook. She killed Yun Wan, and I know you're upset. Just dump her at the entrance of the Duke Xingguo's Residence."

Her eyes were shrewd and cold. "If the Duke's Residence accepts her, she won't be able to leave the Lu family for Qing's sake."

"What if they don't admit it..."

"The Lu family has lost a lowly concubine who plotted against the mistress; now that they've dealt with her, things are much easier."

In the process of chasing after the runaway concubine, he accidentally killed her, thus ending the matter once and for all!

Now even Qing hates Ge Bao'er, so there's no point in her living.

"I'll listen to you."

Lu Zhengliu left; he went to the Rain Apricot Pavilion to see Zhu Qing and his child.

However, his thoughts were not on the unborn child. Looking at Zhu Qing's face, he inexplicably thought of Lin Yunwan.

He said in a low voice, "Yun Wan used to... she used to treat you very well?"

Zhu Qing's eyes reddened. "Young Madam has been the kindest to me! If it weren't for Young Madam, I'd still be on the estate, and I don't know if I'd be alive or dead."

Lu Zhengliu said, "Tell me about Yun Wan's past."

Zhu Qing nodded. "I've lived on the estate for several years, thinking this would be my whole life, but my Young Madam..."

Lu Zhengliu interrupted her, "Let's start from when she first entered the manor."

Zhu Qing was slightly taken aback, but her gaze quickly softened, and she said nostalgically, "... I was your concubine. You still remember my personality back then, right? When I was young, I was always a bit arrogant. I even contradicted Young Madam in public, but Young Madam was so good-natured that she didn't say anything."

"I used to think that Young Madam was weak and timid. But that's not true at all. Young Madam is truly kind and generous."

"Young Madam's kindness is something only a heartless person can truly appreciate."

Lu Zhengliu curled his lips into a smile that looked more like he was crying!

Zhu Qing is right. He has no heart. She was very kind from the first day she entered the household. Everyone in the manor liked her.

Only him...

"You should get some rest."

Lu Zhengliu couldn't sit still any longer and left with red eyes.

Zhu Qing stared at his back for a long time, her face extremely cold.

She scoffed, shook her head, and sighed, "Young Madam, you don't deserve it!"

She married such a man, and only after he dies does he begin to reminisce about how good his wife was!

\

The Lin Family arranged the funeral for "Lin Yunwan".

The Lin Family was never extravagant, and since it was a divorced daughter returning home, the mourning hall was set up in a side hall. Most of those who came were women from the Inner Residence who were on good terms with the Lin Family. The officials did not come to pay their respects.

Lin Yunyi accompanied Madam Lin as she welcomed and saw off guests, while Tao Ye and Ping Ye helped with the funeral arrangements.

The funeral was simple, but still quite dignified.

Lady Guo also came to offer her condolences and advised Madam Lin: "... It's too painful for an elderly person to bury their child! But you still have a son, Yun Wan's own brother. You mustn't let yourself be consumed by self-destruction!"

She knew that Madam Lin's personality wasn't as strong as Lin Yunwan's, and if she couldn't withstand the unexpected changes, she might very well follow her, which would be too pitiful for the Lin Family!

Madam Lin nodded with tears in her eyes.

Lin Yunyi came over and said, "Lady Guo, my mother is really tired. I'll take her home to rest first."

Lady Guo agreed.

Lin Yunyi said to Tao Ye, "We'll have to trouble you with this, Sister Tao Ye."

Tao Ye nodded. "Young Master, please go with peace of mind. There are servants watching over the mourning hall."

Dressed in mourning clothes, she knelt down to add paper money to "Lin Yunwan's " memorial.

The coffin was newly replaced, made of fine planks sent by the Prince Huan's Residence. Ping Ye knelt beside it, weeping bitterly.

Lin Yunyi escorted Madam Lin back home and said to her, "Mother, you mustn't cry anymore. Pretend to be ill for the next few days. You can make your appearance on the day of 'Sister's' burial."

Madam Lin agreed.

She grasped Lin Yunyi's hand, somewhat dazed, and asked, "Your sister... she really isn't dead?"

Lin Yunyi said in a low voice, "Don't worry, I'm not lying. My sister is fine. She's gone to a good place now. Please wait patiently, she will reunite with us in the future."

"But now that things are at a critical juncture, my sister definitely can't appear again."

Madam Lin felt as if it were a dream. She murmured, "It's good that you're alive, Yun Wan, my Yun Wan..."

She felt sad again.

Although her daughter didn't die, the grievances her daughter suffered were real! As her mother, she was still heartbroken that her daughter had to go through such a perilous ordeal to escape from that den of wolves.

Lin Yunyi continued to go out to greet the guests.

People from the Xia family also came, along with many other women from the Inner Residence who had previously interacted with the Lu family.

As a guest, Old Madam Xia looked at the people who had come to offer their condolences and said, "These families will no longer have any dealings with the Lu family."

Their stance is quite clear.

Lu Jia listened from the side, feeling uneasy.

But she didn't dare contradict her mother-in-law; she hadn't expected Lin Yunwan to die! However, she also didn't want the Lu family to fall into such a state of decline.

"You are no longer allowed to return to the Lu family."

Old Madam Xia said cruelly, "If you come back one more time, never come back again. Don't think I'm just saying this casually; if I dare say this today, I dare make your husband divorce you!"

Lu Jia lowered her head, wringing her handkerchief, and said, "... Daughter-in-law understands."

Even if her mother-in-law asked her to go back, she wouldn't dare!

She didn't even need to look to know what the Lu family's situation was like. She was already grateful that the Xia family hadn't divorced her.

February arrived quickly, and the Lin Family's funeral was over.

All the people sent by the Lu family were driven back, except for Lu Chang'gong.

The younger generation of the Lu family were not required to observe mourning, but he still changed all his clothes into plain clothes, always had a white rope around his arm, and did not eat meat or participate in banquets or outings.

Everyone knows that he is observing mourning for his mother.

When the Members of the Lin clan heard about it, they also praised him, saying, "This child is Filial Piety!"

Lu Chang'gong has an excellent reputation outside, and few people outside remember Lu Changzong, the real young master of the Lu family.

Old Madam Lu was a little anxious.

"It's good that Chang Gong is being praised; Qing can't fall behind."

However, she didn't suggest that Lu Changzong should also Lin Yunwan; passing the Imperial Examination and entering officialdom was still the most important thing.

Zhang Feng'an had already resigned, and she instructed Lu Zhengliu, "Quickly send Qing to the Clan School."

Lu Zhengliu hesitated. Lin Yunwan was also Qing's stepmother. If Qing had the heart, he should observe mourning like Chang Gong.

Old Madam Lu knew her grandson's thoughts, but she disapproved, saying, "She is no longer a member of the Lu family. What kind of behavior is it for Qing to observe mourning for her!"

"Let him study hard as soon as possible, so he can make something of himself."

Lu Zhengliu agreed.

If Qing doesn't have that filial piety, there's no point in forcing him.

Chang Gong was more Filial Piety, and like him, he missed Yun Wan more.

He felt a slight aversion to Qing.

"I'll send him to the Clan School right away."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a man rushed in and said in a panic, "Sir, Master Zhen has resigned!"

Master Zhen is the great Confucian scholar in the Lu Clan School. Even if the Wuding Marquis Residence has fallen into decline, with this great Confucian scholar around, the younger generation will have plenty of opportunities to rise above their station!

"How could he resign at this time!"

Old Madam Lu was furious!

The Lu family is in dire need of manpower right now!

Lu Zhengliu also became anxious. "Where is Master Zhen?"

The messenger said, "... he has already left a resignation letter."

Old Madam Lu exclaimed angrily, "This man! He... he... he's truly untrustworthy!"

Lu Zhengliu clenched his fist and reminded Old Madam Lu, "Grandmother, don't forget, Master Zhen was invited by Yun Wan."

Now that the Lin clan's daughter is no longer with the Lu family, which scholar still respects the Lu family?

Things like this will only become more and more common in the future.

Thinking of this, Old Madam Lu slumped down, feeling indescribably depressed.

Someone else came in from outside, and Wei Shi rushed in in a panic, her hair all disheveled!

"Old Madam, Old Madam... It's terrible! It's terrible!"

Old Madam Lu rushed out again and asked, "What's wrong?!"

She scolded Wei Shi: "Look at yourself! Are you even the mistress of the house?!"

Lu Zhengliu over to help Wei Shi up, frowning as he asked, "Mother, what happened?"

Wei Shi, completely bewildered, exclaimed, "Your father has had a relapse! He's going around killing people with a sword! Nobody can stop him!"

Marquis of Wuding was Marquis, and the servants were afraid that if they hurt their master, they would also be guilty of a capital offense. He was also very strong, and the Matron in the inner courtyard could not restrain him. People in the Front Courtyard could not come in at will. They could only let the Marquis kill indiscriminately.

Old Madam Lu sank. This was too much trouble! Who would be able to control her crazy son in the future!

She questioned Wei Shi: "How did you suddenly fall ill! How have you been taking care of your husband?"

Wei Shi cried, feeling wronged. "I... I... Marquis, I heard that Yun Wan is dead..."

How could she have known her husband would be so enraged!

Wei Shi said defiantly, "Old Madam, you know how to manage things, you should go and do something about it!"

I'm afraid the Marquis will be ruthless and even kill the Old Madam along with his own family!

"You!"

Old Madam Lu was furious! That idiot!

But none of that is the scariest thing. The Lu family... is doomed!

And she would have to watch helplessly as the Lu family gradually declined.

"Yun Wan..."

Old Madam Lu's vision blurred, and she almost fainted.

Nanny Yan pinched her philtrum.

Old Madam Lu aged instantly, and she asked Nanny Yan, "My Lu family has only lost one matriarch, how... how could this happen!"

She's just a young wife!

Nanny Yan hesitated, as if she wanted to say something but then stopped herself.

Now you realize how important Young Madam is?

Although she didn't like the maidservants around her Young Madam, to be fair, her Young Madam was the one who supported the whole family the most!

Now that Young Madam is gone, the Lu family is bound to fall into ruin.