Bringing a Lawsuit
"You can't even handle this simple thing!"
Ge Bao'er was furious when she heard that Xiao Xuan had escaped unscathed.
But since she needed manpower, she couldn't afford to offend her maid, so she said in a gentle tone, "Go see if the master has returned. We can only have him handle it and forcefully send her away..."
Qing'er is Lu Zhengliu's child after all; he wouldn't just sit idly by and do nothing about this.
After the maid left, Ge Bao'er pressed her head, "It hurts so much..."
Managing the household these past few years has been truly exhausting.
Now it's even more tiring.
"Lin Yunwan... how did she agree to take over this mess that is the Lu family? They fooled me into thinking the Lu family was all rich and powerful! They're nothing!"
Ge Bao'er absolutely hated it!
In Lu Changzong's Courtyard, Xiao Xuan woke up and all she could do was cry, refusing to let it go. "I live in constant fear every day, I might as well be dead! Concubine Ge looks at me like I'm meat on a chopping board, ready to kill me at any moment, Second Young Master, are you going to do anything about it?!"
What does Lu Changzong know?
He was just anxious, pacing around the room, and asked Xiao Xuan, "I told you I would protect you! What more do you want me to do?"
Xiao Xuan cried and asked, "Second Young Master, don't you know what kind of person Concubine Ge? As long as she stays in the Lu family, my child and I are in danger!"
Lu Changzong suddenly remembered what Nanny Yan had said.
He stood there, rooted to the spot.
Xiao Xuan went over and gave him a push. "Second Young Master, what are you daydreaming about? I'm talking to you about a matter of life and death!"
Lu Changzong snapped out of his daze and tried to coax her, "Okay, okay, you sit down first. I have a plan... I have a plan..."
What method?
Lu Changzong was still tormented. He pursed his lips and said, "Don't worry about it! I... I will definitely protect you and my child."
He hardened his heart, "I won't let my children grow up in fear like I did."
Xiao Xuan's eyes darted around, and she smiled as she leaned closer, saying, "Second Young Master, this servant is counting on you."
Lu Changzong went to the study to look through books.
"Once we arrive at the Shuntian Prefecture government office, how do we file a complaint...?"
"Beat the drum, hand over the petition..."
He closed the door and did exactly what was written in the book.
Three days later, Lu Zhengliu returned.
He got into a fight with the clansmen, tearing his clothes, and seeing the lazy and listless manner of the people in the mansion only fueled his anger.
Where is the Eldest Young Master?
Let's go see the eldest son first; from now on, the family's affairs will depend on Chang Gong.
A maidservant came to deliver a message: "Master, Concubine Ge requests your presence."
"She?"
Lu Zhengliu's gaze was icy.
If it weren't for Ge Bao'er... the Lu family wouldn't be where it is today!
He'd wanted to deal with her for a while, but he'd been too busy to do so.
"I'll be right there."
Lu Zhengliu went to Ge Bao'er's Courtyard instead.
Ge Bao'er's Courtyard was also empty and showed signs of dilapidation.
Lu Zhengliu kicked the door open, startling Ge Bao'er. But she had known this day would come. Sitting on the bed, she calmly said, "Grandpa, I know you hate me. Since things have come to this, let's work together to do something good for the children."
"Child?"
Lu Zhengliu sneered, "What have you done to Qing'er! Is she still my child? Only Chang Gong is my child!"
Ge Bao'er never expected him to be so heartless.
She bit her lip and said, "He's just an adopted child; Qing'er is your biological son!"
Lu Zhengliu sneered, "The Lu family will only be able to rely on Chang Gong from now on. Therefore, Chang Gong is my child."
Ge Bao'er felt a pang in her heart.
She knew her son was incompetent, but Lu Chang'gong was promising. This wasn't the time to argue with Lu Zhengliu, so she quickly suppressed her temper and said softly, "Sir, at this critical juncture for the Lu family's survival, it's always good to raise another child."
Lu Zhengliu glanced at her.
Ge Bao'er was heartbroken and couldn't help but cry, "Qing'er has been completely bewitched by that brat Xiao Xuan. That Xiao Xuan is no good either! Qing'er won't listen to a word I say now. Please, make the decision to send Xiao Xuan away."
"Without Xiao Xuan's influence, Qing'er can now focus on her studies just like Chang Gong."
Lu Zhengliu laughed; he laughed loudly.
Ge Bao'er, bewildered, said anxiously, "Grandpa, please... please have pity on Qing'er, he is still your own son!"
Lu Zhengliu grabbed her by the neck, his eyes red, and said, "You still want to use me? How hard is it for you to send a maid away? You just want Qing'er to hate me."
"You used to want Qing'er to hate Yun Wan, now you're making Qing'er hate me..."
"Ge Bao'er, how come I didn't see through you sooner?"
Lu Zhengliu gritted his teeth and said, "I will not send her away. If you're afraid the maid will ruin your son, then send her away yourself."
"This is your last chance. After you've seen off the maids..."
He won't keep her around anymore.
Ge Bao'er was almost out of breath when Lu Zhengliu finally released her.
Ge Bao'er lay on the ground coughing, struggling internally.
"Qing'er will definitely hate me to death if I send Xiao Xuan away..."
"If I don't send Xiao Xuan away, she'll definitely ruin Qing'er!"
How should I choose?
Ge Bao'er cried for a long time. After making her choice, she wiped away her tears and told herself, "This is what your mother will do. Even in death, she's still planning for her child..."
Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them.
"Qing'er, I only ask that after I die, you will still remember some of my kindness. Burn some paper money for me on the fifteenth of July."
Ge Bao'er straightened her clothes and, accompanied by her maids and Matron, went to Lu Changzong's Courtyard to arrest someone.
There are more maids being sold recently, so selling one more Xiao Xuan wouldn't be difficult.
"Lock the door and tie Xiao Xuan up!"
Hearing the commotion, Xiao Xuan immediately locked the door and screamed in the Courtyard, "Help! Second Young Master, help! My Concubine is going to sell me off!"
The Matron was kicking the door, Xiao Xuan burst into tears.
The Matron said menacingly, "Girl, you'd better submit to the law! You can't escape today!"
Seeing that the Second Young Master wouldn't return to save her, Xiao Xuan said to Ge Bao'er, "Concubine, Concubine, you can't sell me! I... I'm pregnant with the Second Young Master's child, please, for the sake of the child..."
Break down the door! Gag her!
Ge Bao'er broke out in a cold sweat, "You wicked child! You're carrying a wicked child!"
Her Qing'er is only fourteen years old. How could he have a son born out of wedlock before marrying his Principal Wife?
She has already suffered a lot; she will not let her son and grandson suffer the same way!
Ge Bao'er, now harboring murderous intent and unable to wait to sell the woman, frantically ordered the Matron, "Arrest her! Strangle her right here in the house!"
Xiao Xuan wailed, "Concubine Ge, how cruel you are! I'm carrying the Second Young Master's son, your own grandson! Help me..."
It was too noisy; both Zhu Qing and Lu Chang'gong heard the commotion.
She took Mu'er to find Lu Chang'gong: "Eldest Young Master, should we do something about this?"
Lu Chang'gong said, "No need. Just open the door when Lu Changzong brings the officials in."
When Zhu Qing heard that the government officials were coming, she hugged Mu'er tightly.
Mu'er was also scared and clung tightly to Zhu Qing.
Looking at the Courtyard over there, Zhu Qing sighed, "They brought this on themselves. If they had truly wanted Young Madam to raise this child back then, things wouldn't have turned out this way."
"Eldest Young Master, the government officials have arrived!"
As expected, the maidservant came in to deliver the message.
Lu Chang'gong nodded. "Send someone to open the Second Gate."
The Wuding Marquis Residence has run its course.
Zhu Qing sighed, "I never expected the Second Young Master to be so ruthless, even suing his own birth mother."