Stripped of Power

"Fortunately..."

After hearing the imperial edict, Lin Yunwan breathed a sigh of relief when she returned to the Drooping Silk Hall.

She said to her two maids, "Fortunately, it was only a stripping of her title."

Neither of the two girls had ever experienced anything like this before, and they were speechless. They clutched their chests and calmed themselves for a while before going to pour her tea.

It was brewed with Longjing.

Lin Yunwan took a sip and said with lingering fear, "It must have been so hard on my brother and mother."

Favoring a concubine over one's wife is no small matter, but the Lu family in this generation truly lacked irrefutable evidence of such an act, so the punishment was too lenient—just a demotion, nothing serious.

The punishment is too severe, and it might bring up the mistakes the Marquis made on the battlefield in the past, which could even lead to the confiscation of his property. That would implicate other innocent people and cost him his own life.

The result was exactly right, neither more nor less.

Tao Ye sighed, "The Wuding Marquis Residence is finished. Once the Marquis passes away..."

Needless to say, the emperor will not bestow titles upon families whose titles have been stripped; the glory of a noble title ends there.

After the death of Marquis of Wuding, the name "Wuding Marquis Residence" ceased to exist in the Capital.

Ping Ye said contentedly, "If it weren't for the Old Marquis, he might have lost Marquis title long ago. It's already very good that the Marquis is still alive."

He added, "This is a good opportunity to curb the Heir Apparent's arrogance and see if he dares to do anything outrageous again!"

After all, they were all from the Marquis of Wuding Marquis Residence, and even if they died, they would be in the same boat. The two maids then discussed their future plans with Lin Yunwan.

"There is no other way to go; the person who has been deprived of their title cannot inherit it again unless they study and enter officialdom. The Imperial Examination is fair to everyone."

Lin Yunwan spoke calmly, showing no fear whatsoever.

Because she didn't think that Lu Zhengliu, at his age, could still study hard to take the imperial Imperial Examinations.

Tao Ye was very practical. She said, "In the future... in the future, it would be best if Uncle could manage the family business well and settle down to live a quiet life."

Ping Ye pouted and muttered, "What kind of life can Grandpa live! From now on, it's all up to Young Madam."

"Madam" was a respectable title reserved for those with imperial titles. Now that the Heir Apparent had been stripped of his title, everyone in the household could only call Lin Yunwan "Young Madam."

It's not just the way we address people that needs to be changed; there are many other things to change within the household as well.

Ping Ye said with a relaxed expression, "I'll be busy from now on."

Everyone was humiliated, and the Lu family could no longer suppress the Lin Family. From then on, she felt comfortable doing whatever she wanted.

Lin Yunwan replied, "You just need to take good care of Chang Gong; everything else is none of our business."

She said, "Since we've already torn off all pretense of civility, I no longer need to help the Wuding Marquis Residence management. From now on, all we need to do is hold the Lu family's lifeline."

Ping Ye truly didn't understand and asked, "What is the lifeline of the Lu family?"

Tao Ye said, "The Marquis has suffered a stroke and is now mentally impaired, and the Heir Apparent has been stripped of his Marquis's Residence. The Marquis's mansion will be nothing but a facade from now on. What do you think is the only hope for the mansion?"

Ping Ye thought for a moment before saying, "Is it Young Master Chang Gong?"

Tao Ye smiled and nodded, "That's right. As long as Madam trains an outstanding successor, in three to five years, the Old Madam will be old, the Madam is a person without scheming or means, and the Marquis is like that. Young Master Chang Gong will soon be able to take charge of the household, and in the future, there will be no need for the eldest master in this mansion."

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly.

Tao Ye is a clever girl; she understands everything.

She intends to sideline Lu Zhengliu!

Since the Lu family wouldn't let her go and were determined to drag her down with them, she handed over all of the Lu family's assets to Chang Gong.

I wonder if Old Madam Lu and Lu Zhengliu are satisfied with her support of the Lu family?

"Concubine is here."

The young maid knew that her mistress and the head maid were talking inside, so she spoke very softly when she came in to announce their arrival.

Lin Yunwan was always kind to her servants, and she said softly, "Let her in."

Zhu Qing came in wearing a light-colored dress, which made her look a little better than the girl who was observing mourning.

She hesitated to sit down, and timidly called out, "Madam."

He seemed somewhat afraid of Lin Yunwan.

Lin Yunwan smiled and said, "Please sit down. What kind of tea would you like?"

Zhu Qing said, "Anything is fine with me."

Lin Yunwan still had Ping Ye brew some good tea.

Zhu Qing sat on the Embroidery Stool, more obedient than before, no longer daring to be presumptuous, looking very reserved.

Lin Yunwan asked her, "What's wrong?"

Zhu Qing said hesitantly, "... It's nothing."

Seeing Lin Yunwan and her Lin Family wreaking havoc in the hall, bringing the Lu family to such a state, she realized she had underestimated the Madam before.

She said, "I originally thought that you, Madam, were just like me, a woman Inner Residence."

It's unbelievable Lin Yunwan is, capable of manipulating events at will.

Looking at Lin Yunwan with great admiration, Zhu Qing said, "I didn't mean anything by it, it's just... I admire you more and more!"

She was truly glad that she had followed the Heir Apparent instead of the prince.

She finally understood that the problem wasn't that the Madam and Concubine Ge were divided into two factions, nor that the Madam and the Old Madam were at odds; rather, the Madam was at odds with the entire Marquis's Residence.

Lin Yunwan said gently, "Don't call me 'Madam' anymore."

Zhu Qing quickly corrected herself. "Eldest Young Madam."

After sitting for a while, she started talking to Lin Yunwan as usual. No matter how powerful the mistress was, she was always kind to her own people. Zhu Qing felt that she didn't need to be afraid; she should be happy, after all, she was the mistress's person.

"You didn't come here just to drink my tea, did you?"

Lin Yunwan asked with a smile.

Zhu Qing quickly said, "Oh, right, I came to tell you that Concubine Ge knew something had happened in the manor and was obsessed with finding out more, so I didn't tell her. She's really cunning; she tried to climb out the back window and almost escaped, but luckily I had someone catch her."

"He's tied up now, Young Madam, please decide what to do with him."

Lin Yunwan said casually, "Tell the Matron to tie her up and take her to the estate."

Qing has already been registered under Ge Bao'er's name; keeping him in the mansion would only be an eyesore.

She could tolerate it before because she didn't have the power, but now that she does, she'll definitely throw her far away and let her fend for herself.

Zhu Qing laughed and said, "Young Madam, you're still too soft-hearted. If it were any other mistress of the house, she might have killed her."

Lin Yunwan shook her head. "It's not that I'm soft-hearted."

She said calmly, "I just don't want to get my hands dirty and give others leverage against me."

Besides, killing doesn't necessarily require a knife. Didn't Zhu Qing almost die on the estate? How long can a sick Concubine live?

Zhu Qing didn't think so. She believed it must be because the Lin Family had good upbringing, otherwise her Young Madam wouldn't be so kind-hearted.

Lin Yunwan didn't want to explain any further. She said, "You know best about the trip to the estate, so you can make the arrangements."

"Yes."

Zhu Qing went immediately. The manor was in turmoil, and she was eager to do something to show her loyalty.

Back at the Rain Apricot Pavilion, before she could even deal with Ge Bao'er, she vomited.

Tong Liu rubbed her back and asked worriedly, "Did you eat something bad?"

Zhu Qing shook her head, touched her stomach, and said, "Am I... pregnant?"

In the village, I saw a tenant farmer's wife pregnant, vomiting on the edge of a field.

Tong Liu: "Concubine, quickly go and tell Young Madam!"

Zhu Qing refused, saying with a smile, "Let's take care of Young Madam's matter first."

Taking the opportunity, Tong Liu said, "There's something I'd like to ask of Concubine."

Zhu Qing was in a good mood and said, "Tell me quickly, I'll agree to anything you ask today."

"Concubine, do you still remember Xiliu? After what happened to Concubine, she went back to Stewardess. Now that Concubine 're pregnant, you'll definitely need more people to serve you. I'd like to serve you together with Xiliu, is that alright?"

Zhu Qing laughed loudly, "It's no big deal, Young Madam will definitely agree."

After saying that, he went to deal with Ge Bao'er. First, he had the people in the Front Courtyard prepare a carriage and arranged for several fierce Matron to take Ge Bao'er to the estate.

Ge Bao'er continued to shout and scream, "I want to see the Heir Apparent! I want to see my son, Qing'er!"

The Matron were all short-tempered. One of them slapped her hard across the face, rolled her eyes, and said, "You call him 'Heir Apparent'?! Heir Apparent's already been stripped of his title because of you, Concubine! From now on, you'll have to call him 'Master'!"

Ge Bao'er stared wide-eyed, clutching the Jade Pendant tightly in her hand, her heart sinking to the bottom.

It's over.

The Lu family will never let her see Qing'er again!