The Powerful and Influential

"Grandmother, back when I was raised by you, I was adorned with gold and silver, and you could sweep gold out of the cracks in the floor of my Side Room. Look at the house I live in now!"

"It's not like our Lu family can't afford good things. I just don't understand why my sister-in-law is treating me so poorly!"

Of course, it's because the Lu family simply can't afford it.

Since the Marquis suffered a stroke and the Old Marquis passed away, the Lu family has been reduced to a mere shell, no longer the Wuding Marquis Residence's former residence.

I don't know how much of the stuff in the warehouse was sold, openly or secretly.

When Lu Jia was in the Lu family, it was the heyday of the Marquis's Residence. The Old Master was incredibly powerful, and the Marquis was a renowned figure on the battlefield. Although Lu Zhengliu was young, he was also one of the most outstanding among the Marquis's sons.

When she got married, her dowry was no less than that of Di Daughter.

It's nothing like it is now.

However, the Old Madam would never admit to her married-out granddaughter that the Lu family was no longer viable.

She said expressionlessly, "After you got married, the household changed some old customs, and Yun Wan treated you according to the household's rules. She wasn't targeting you."

Lu Jia pouted and said, "Why change the rules when everything is fine? You should let my mother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and me see some high-quality utensils."

"My sister-in-law only gave me the Qilin Cup, not my mother-in-law. How could I dare to use it!"

"Her maid deliberately let my mother-in-law see us, causing me to get scolded."

Nanny Yan shook her head secretly, thinking, "My Great-Aunt really doesn't know how to be considerate."

There were only a few Qilin Cups left; where would we find extras to use for her whole family?

"Old Madam, Madam has arrived."

When the maid came in to announce the news, Old Madam Lu was startled.

"Let her in."

Lin Yunwan walked in. Lu Jia had just finished speaking ill of her and looked guilty, but she was only guilty for a moment before she quickly regained her arrogant demeanor.

After suppressing her true nature for so many years at her husband's family home, she finally gets to go back to her parents' home, so wouldn't she desperately seek someone to vent it on?

"Old Madam, Great-Aunt."

Lin Yunwan greeted him.

Old Madam Lu, perhaps worried that she might have overheard what they had just said, asked gently, "Coming over so late?"

Lin Yunwan asked with concern, "I heard that my uncle sent someone to deliver a message today? I wonder what he said?"

Old Madam Lu smiled and said, "Your uncle said he can spare half a day tomorrow to come over and take Chang Gong's pulse first, and then go to your mother's house to have your mother's eyes checked."

"Your uncle also said that after he finishes observing the affairs of the nobleman and the Lu family, he will leave the capital for the mountains of Shu to collect herbs that only grow in winter. He told us not to entertain him and to just leave as soon as possible."

Lin Yunwan naturally felt that this was a poor way to entertain her.

But capable people all have their own personalities, so let's just go along with my uncle's wishes.

"I'll have Chang Gong get up early tomorrow and wait for me, so as not to delay my uncle's business."

Old Madam Lu nodded and told her when Seventh Master Li would Zhengliu tomorrow. She added forcefully, "Once your uncle has examined Chang Gong's eyes, have Zheng Liu personally escort him to the Lin Family. You won't need to worry about it."

This means they want to curry favor with Lin Yunwan, and they don't allow her to refuse.

Lin Yunwan could only give a curt reply, first thanking Seventh Master Li.

Old Madam Lu smiled and said, "No need for thanks among family members, you're too kind." She added, "Zhengliu still cares deeply about your family; it's true that love extends to everything related to your family."

Before Lin Yunwan could even feel the sourness, Lu Jia couldn't sit still any longer.

So, after all that talk about what Lin Yunwan did wrong, the Old Madam didn't listen to a single word! She was still trying her best to please Lin Yunwan.

"It's getting late, Grandmother. I'll go back and help Grandma to bed."

Lu Jia's tone was extremely cold.

Old Madam Lu seemed oblivious to what she meant. "You should have gone back long ago. You can leave now."

Lu Jia scoffed inwardly. Shouldn't she have gone back already? Was it because she spoke ill of Lin Yunwan?

They really treated her like a complete outsider.

Before leaving, she gave Lin Yunwan a disrespectful look.

Lin Yunwan didn't take it to heart.

Old Madam Lu replied, "That's just how your sister-in-law is. She was spoiled by us at home. She won't be staying long; don't take it to heart."

Lin Yunwan said yes.

Lu Zhengliu arrived.

"Grandmother."

He came in, not expecting to see Lin Yunwan. He greeted her and turned to look at her.

Lin Yunwan stood up and said, "Heir Apparent," then said to Old Madam Lu, "This granddaughter-in-law takes her leave."

Old Madam Lu already had something to say to Lu Zhengliu in private, and it wasn't convenient for her to hear it, so she didn't keep her.

Lin Yunwan left, Nanny Yan went to close the door.

Old Madam Lu happily took Lu Zhengliu's hand and said with a look of relief, "I managed to get a few important things out of your sister—do you know which official Old Master Xia family is a confidant of?"

Who is it?

Lu Zhengliu raised an eyebrow.

Old Madam Lu smiled and said, "Assistant Grand Secretary Grand Secretary Zhang!"

Lu Zhengliu's eyes lit up. This was a man who Passing the Provincial Examinations in the court, and moreover—

"I've heard that Grand Secretary Zhang and Prince Huan have quite a bit of contact."

Old Madam Lu seemed to already see the day when the Lu family would finally rise to prominence, and said with joy in her eyes, "Although Crown Prince been established in the court, he is infertile and sickly."

Lu Zhengliu continued, "Since marrying Empress Zhao, the Emperor has not chosen any new consorts, and there have been no new women in the harem. Prince Huan is the Empress's only legitimate son, so if the Crown Prince were to pass away one day... without a doubt, Prince Huan would be the one to ascend the throne."

"Hmm, Old Master Xia family is truly remarkable. He managed to get on Grand Secretary Zhang's good side without making a sound."

There's also Prince Huan behind them. If the Lu family can also climb up to the Zhang family, and then up to Prince Huan...

Old Madam Lu earnestly instructed, "While the Xia family is staying at the Lu family, you must find a way to ask Xia family to introduce you to someone."

"The grandson knows."

Lu Zhengliu himself was also excited, Lu family had not entered the true circles of power and wealth in the Capital for a long time.

Upon returning to Beijing this time, he experienced a significant sense of loss.

"Remember this: you need the support of influential people, but you also need to be able to rise on your own. Don't give others cause for criticism. Not only the Xia family, but also Grand Secretary Zhang values an official's reputation highly."

"No matter what you want to do, the Xia family must not know about Ge Bao'er's matter."

Lu Zhengliu nodded.

As night deepened, Lu Zhengliu returned to the Rain Apricot Pavilion, which was nearby, but Lu Jia was still awake.

She wandered around outside for a while, gave some money to Roujuan, and asked her to inquire about some things before returning to the Courtyard.

"Roujuan, what's the real story behind my 'younger female cousin'?"

Roujuan said, "What kind of background could she have? Didn't the servants of the Lu family say that the Heir Apparent has already visited her twice? The Old Madam doesn't let her live in the Hall of Longevity, perhaps to avoid them."

Lu Jia didn't take it seriously. "So what if they've hooked up? My brother just wants to take a concubine, it's not a big deal, why are you hiding it like this?"

Roujuan naturally assumed, "Perhaps it's the Heir's Wife who's unhappy."

Lu Jia sneered, "Jealousy is one of the Seven Grounds of Divorce grounds for divorce. She has no choice but to accept it!"

"Madam, what do you wish to do?"

Lu Jia, thinking herself considerate, said, "True love conquers all. My brother is so attached to my younger female cousin, of course I should help them."

Roujuan's heart skipped a beat; she knew she couldn't persuade him otherwise, and hesitated to speak.