Sowing Discord

"My mother-in-law visited my mother's Courtyard, and my mother invited my younger brother and sister-in-law to come along. My sister-in-law only brought Chang Gong with her, but not Qing."

"Qing is my younger brother's biological son, yet she favors an outsider."

It was not good for the child to hear this. By the time Lu Jia finished speaking, the Old Madam had already had Qing taken away.

Old Madam Lu's expression was not good.

Despite all that has happened, Qing has indeed failed to Lin Yunwan's heart, but as her legal mother, she should not treat the two children differently.

The Old Madam doted on her grandson, and there was no reasoning with her. She said, "When we have time, we should give Yun Wan a little talking-to."

Lu Jia was pleased to hear this, and then chimed in, "In my opinion, what's the harm in telling her the truth?"

"She's the legal mother. No matter how the children came to be, if they're children of the Zhengliu, doesn't she have to raise them?"

"What's there to be afraid of if we just tell her the truth? Does she dare to hold a grudge against her husband?"

Lu Zhengliu frowned. "Eldest Sister, things aren't as simple as you think."

Lu Jia, unaware of how complicated things could be, said dismissively, "Qing's identity is dishonorable, but to put it bluntly, he's just an illegitimate child born before marriage, and he's still the Lu family's only bloodline! Yun Wan has no choice but to accept it."

If only it were that simple!

Behind Qing is Ge Bao'er, who is no simple woman. She brought her son to the Marquis's Household and even dared to dream of becoming the mistress of the house. She has great ambitions.

Old Madam Lu glanced at Lu Zhengliu.

Unfortunately, her stubborn and obstinate grandson has followed Ge Bao'er's mistakes step by step to where he is today, and now it's not as simple as just being an illegitimate child to explain away the past.

She said irritably, "Alright, stop talking. You don't need to worry about things at home."

Lu Jia's expression changed.

Does this mean she's a married-out daughter who's meddling in other people's business?

Ha, when it comes to getting her son and Qing close, she doesn't say anything formal at all!

She quickly regained her composure and asked in a normal tone, "I heard a younger female cousin has come to visit. How come I didn't know we had such a relative? Why won't Grandmother let her come out so everyone can meet her?"

"I've never had any sisters growing up, so now that I have a younger sister, I'm genuinely happy from the bottom of my heart."

Old Madam Lu did not respond to her question, but brushed it off. "He's just a distant relative from the countryside. We couldn't get rid of him, so we kept him at home. Don't ask any more questions."

"Now that you have time, tell us more about the Xia family."

Lu Jia smiled meaningfully.

It's really interesting. She wanted to ask about her family, but the Old Madam wouldn't tell her anything, treating her like an outsider and being wary of her. Instead, she desperately tried to get her to talk about her husband's family.

However, she did mention some things about the Xia family, but she didn't dare reveal everything about Xia family.

Old Madam Lu was still taken aback, and she valued this marriage alliance even more.

Holding Lu Jia's hand, she said excitedly, "It wasn't for nothing that your mother and I arranged this marriage for you back then. You're a lucky person."

Lu Jia remained noncommittal.

Given her status as an illegitimate daughter, it was quite an honor for her to marry into the prestigious Xia family of Yu Region.

Lu Zhengliu listened for a long time, but only once did he express his concern for Old Madam Xia's younger brother.

"His medical skills in treating eye diseases are truly superb?"

Lu Jia nodded and said, "My uncle's medical skills are famous in Yu Region. He has the ability to 'bring the dead back to life' when treating eyes, and he can restore sight to the blind."

Lu Zhengliu a surge of emotion.

Old Madam Lu, of course, knew what he was thinking; he probably wanted to use this incident to reconcile with Lin Yunwan. She also said very seriously, "If your Uncle Xia family can cure Yun Wan's mother's eyes, that would be wonderful."

Lu Zhengliu was preoccupied, his brows furrowed.

He pursed his lips, but decided to ask directly, "Grandmother, is it related to me that Yun Wan's mother has completely lost her sight?"

Lu Jia immediately perked up, her eyes fixed intently on the two of them.

After a long silence, Old Madam Lu finally said, "Which mother doesn't hope her daughter will have a good life after marrying into her husband's family? You've been gone for several years, leaving her alone in an empty house. Although it's true that you can't come back from guarding the border, there's nothing to blame. Madam Lin still loves her daughter and will still be sad and shed tears."

Speaking of that year, the Old Madam, "After Yun Wan visited her mother and returned, she also cried bitterly. However, her mother already had an eye disease and could no longer see clearly; going blind was only a matter of time, so she accepted it."

Lu Zhengliu lowered his head, filled with unspeakable self-reproach.

He thought that as long as he didn't touch or interfere with her after marrying her, he wouldn't hurt her, which would be fair to both of them. He also believed he was following the way of a gentleman.

It wasn't like that after all.

Old Madam Lu then advised him, "Yun Wan has already let it go, so don't take it too seriously. There's plenty of time in the future; just make it up to her properly."

"Grandson understands."

Lu Zhengliu wasn't in a good mood.

The siblings left Hall of Longevity, and he barely spoke. When Lu Jia asked him questions, he responded absentmindedly.

Lu Jia simply stopped talking to him.

A messenger rushed up from the Second Gate, and Lu Jia stopped him, asking, "What are you doing here?"

A servant boy of five or six years old said in a childish voice, "There's a message from the Old Madam of the Xia family."

Has news arrived from Xia family's uncle?

Lu Zhengliu immediately perked up. "Where is he?"

The servant pointed to the outer courtyard and said, " In the Front Courtyard hall."

"Eldest Sister, I'll go take a look first."

"Okay, go ahead."

Lu Jia did not return to the Courtyard.

She now lives in the same Courtyard as her mother-in-law, and when she goes back, she has to watch her mother-in-law's mood. So she took her trusted maid Roujuan and went for a stroll in the Garden.

"It's been so long since I've been back, the Garden looks completely different now."

Roujuan smiled and said, "Physician, you must be homesick. Well, at least you're back now. From now on, you and the Eldest Master and Old Madam can stay in the capital and come visit whenever you want."

Lu Jia smiled without saying a word. It wasn't that easy to come over; her mother-in-law didn't like her going out often.

But it's still better than when I was in Yu Region, where I couldn't go back to my parents' home all year round.

She was actually somewhat unhappy about going back to her parents' home.

Lu Jia sighed deeply, "After all, a married daughter is like water spilled from a cup. I'm an outsider now."

Roujuan helped her up to the pavilion and said, "Physician, why did you tell the Old Madam so much about the Xia family?"

"Silly girl, the Wuding Marquis Residence is, after all, my maternal family. We can't be two people with the same surname, Lu. That's a valid point."

"The Xia family is said to be Pure Stream family, but has Xia Ji taken few women in his household? The number of women he uses outside is countless! There are also a bunch of Concubine-born Son children in the family. As his daughter-in-law and legal mother, my life is only slightly more comfortable than that of a maid."

"If I don't side with my own family, who will support me in the future? I'll be even more completely controlled by my Old Madam!"

Thinking of her mother-in-law's face, Lu Jia's anger surfaced on her face.

Roujuan offered a few words of comfort.

Lu Jia was already used to this kind of life, and after being angry for a while, she didn't take it to heart.

I'd like to meet my 'younger female cousin' sometime.

Her words were quite meaningful.

During the years she was away, she was unaware of the family's secrets, so her younger female cousin's identity must be quite extraordinary.

"Physician, it's getting a bit chilly, let's go back," Roujuan reminded her.

Lu Jia didn't dare to linger any longer; she should go back and check if her mother-in-law had woken up so she could help her get up and wash again.

Fortunately, her mother-in-law was still sleeping.

Back in her room, she suddenly felt that it was dull and gloomy, unlike the bright and cheerful atmosphere she had in her boudoir.

After looking at it from all angles, I realized that Lin Yunwan had decorated the room terribly!

"You're going to give me this kind of stuff?"

Lu Jia, holding a blue-and-white porcelain teacup with the auspicious message of many children, lashed out at the Lu family's maid.

The maidservant said hurriedly, "Great-Aunt calm down, madam, I'll change it for you right away."

After collecting the tea set, go to the Drooping Silk Hall to find Ping Ye. This is already top-quality porcelain; if we want anything better, the madam will have to decide and take the right token to the storeroom to get it.