Chapter 10 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM
FlamingoBees
Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)
Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion
Chapter 10:
Bring Disgrace on Oneself
“Madam, this servant really doesn't understand. Old Madam and the young master clearly harbor suspicions about you, yet you sincerely tried to help them find a good teacher.”
On the way back to the Chui Si Tang, Ping Ye pursed her lips and said, "In my opinion, you should just wash your hands of it!"
However, Lin Yunwan just smiled. "Even if I recommend someone, it depends on whether the Lu Residence can attract those teachers. Those names on the list, as soon as they see the title of a Marquis family, they'll avoid it like the plague."
Ping Ye was surprised. "Then, if the heir personally goes there, wouldn't it be..."
Wouldn't it be inviting disgrace upon himself?
Lin Yunwan sneered, "Exactly."
Ping Ye didn't understand what was going on. Hearing that the young master would face humiliation, she unexpectedly felt a bit excited. She covered her mouth and chuckled.
Tao Ye gave her a glance, signaling her to restrain herself.
Ping Ye whispered, "I couldn't help it."
Lin Yunwan didn't reprimand the maidservant.
Since marrying into the Wu Ding Marquis's residence, the members of the Lu family have been accustomed to holding themselves with an air of superiority. Whatever she does, they consider it as a matter of course, and they even cast doubt on her intentions.
The Lu family has almost forgotten how they managed to secure their title back when they were dependent on the Marquis's estate.
If she doesn't show them some color, they really think she married into the Lu family to climb the social ladder.
Lin Yunwan's guess was correct.
Lu Zhengliu personally went to meet with the five teachers, but the situation was not optimistic.
Returning home as the sun set, the once strong and resolute young man appeared somewhat disheveled.
Old Madam Lu wore a worried expression, "Zhengliu, what happened to you?"
Lu Zhengliu's lips turned pale, and his voice was hoarse when he spoke, "Grandmother, please serve dinner first."
After running around all day, he was famished.
After Lu Zhengliu had eaten his fill, Old Madam asked, "When you went out today to find teachers for Qing'er, did you manage to secure the services of all five teachers?"
Lu Zhengliu felt embarrassed, "Today, I only met three of them."
Old Madam hastily inquired, "And the other two?"
A bitter smile appeared on Lu Zhengliu's stern face, "The gatekeeper said that the Marquis did not send any invitations, and the master happened to be out. However, I clearly saw their carriage at home. They simply refused to see me."
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
Old Madam fell silent, finding it hard to believe that they were openly denying the Marquis's heir face!
She slammed the table in anger, "This is too much!"
Lu Zhengliu has been away from the capital for seven years, and although he may not have gained much prestige in the military camp, as someone who legitimately requested to be recognized as the heir, he had never experienced such contempt before. It was an unprecedented taste of bitterness.
"Grandmother, in the seven years I've been away from the capital, dealing with them in the military, have you, father, and mother experienced such humiliation?" Lu Zhengliu asked.
Old Madam wanted to convey that she had grown accustomed to it, as the civilian families always looked down upon their military lineage. Moreover, the Lu family had declined, and those with some wealth wouldn't hesitate to look down upon them. She sighed, "Ah... thankfully, for the smaller matters, we have Yunwan in the front to shield us."
These years had indeed been made easier by Lin Yunwan. Lu Zhengliu felt a twinge of guilt.
Old Madam asked again, "Of the three teachers you met, are any willing to come to our residence to educate the two boys?"
Lu Zhengliu shook his head, "Although I met three teachers, two of them refused on the spot."
"And what about the remaining one?" Old Madam inquired.
Lu Zhengliu recalled the disdainful expression of that scholar and replied, "Not worth mentioning."
Old Madam understood, somewhat disappointed, "So, out of the five teachers, none are willing to come to the Wu Ding Marquis's residence?"
Silence was Lu Zhengliu's response.
Both the grandmother and grandson felt a twinge of regret. If they had known earlier, they wouldn't have insisted on competing. When Lin Yunwan suggested seeking help from the Lin family to invite teachers, they should have readily agreed.
Old Madam proposed, "Why not... for the matter of educating my grandson, let's not be too stubborn. Let Yunwan ask for assistance from her family just this once."
"Or..." Old Madam wasn't one to be overly stubborn about her grandson's education. Since the Lu family couldn't secure good teachers, she suggested that Lin Yunwan seek help from her family just this once.
Lu Zhengliu felt uneasy about this proposal and said, "Grandmother, I've already declined her. Let's forget about it."
Despite Lu Zhengliu's objection, Old Madam insisted on giving it another try. She instructed the servant, "You personally go and invite the wife of the heir."
When the servant went, Lin Yunwan was already preparing to rest.
Ping Ye and Tao Ye came out and whispered, "Mama, if it's not urgent, let's discuss it tomorrow!"
Knowing the importance of the matter, the servant showed some courtesy, "If it weren't urgent, the Old Madam wouldn't have sent me on this errand. Please, go inside and announce my arrival."
Ping Ye had no choice but to go. However, Yan Mama felt somewhat uncomfortable. As an old servant in front of Old Madam, even Lin Yunwan treated her with respect. How could this maid be so tactless, daring to resist and question her words?
"Yan Mama."
"Madam."
After changing her clothes, Lin Yunwan came out. Yan Mama briefly explained the situation on the way.
Lin Yunwan frowned upon hearing this. The outcome was worse than she had anticipated.
Upon entering the hall, Old Madam also wore a troubled expression. Lin Yunwan directly asked Lu Zhengliu, "Did Professor Zhang Feng'an agree? He's the one I recommended, and he's more concerned with the students' aptitude than their family background."
"Professor Zhang said he is planning to travel to another province. When I went to see him, his family was packing up," replied Lu Zhengliu. Speaking of Zhang Feng'an, Lu Zhengliu's expression improved slightly. Among the five teachers, Zhang Feng'an wasn't the most famous, but he was relatively easy to deal with. Though one could still sense his scholarly temperament, he respected people.
Lu Zhengliu considered Zhang Feng'an as the person he most wanted to make friends with at the moment. It was a pity that he was about to leave the capital.
Old Madam had a gloomy expression, silently lamenting. The most likely candidates for teachers in the Lu family were coincidentally leaving the capital. Blame could only be placed on the fact that the Lu family had made things difficult for themselves.
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
Upon hearing Old Madam ask, "Yunwan, what do you think? Should we ask the Lin family to help us persuade them?"
Lin Yunwan immediately refused, "No."
Lao Furen's expression turned ugly at once. Lin Yunwan was indifferent, speaking frankly, "Today, when the young master personally went to invite those five teachers, the news will spread by tomorrow at the latest. Since they have already refused the Lu family, if the Lin family goes again and they agree, it will be like telling the world openly: 'I look down on the Wu Ding Marquis's residence and despise the Marquis's noble lineage.' Just because they don't want to deal with the Marquis's mansion doesn't mean they want to intentionally offend the Lu family."
Having a negative opinion and openly slapping someone in the face were two different things. The literati, despite their self-proclaimed status, were not foolish. They wouldn't deliberately offend a group of military officers. They were also afraid that if they went out one day and were beaten by someone, they wouldn't know which uncivilized brute did it.
Old Madam Lu was truly frustrated. Nothing seemed to be working.
The matter of the children entering school was truly beyond anyone's control.
"Yunwan."
In the end, Old Madam still sought advice from Lin Yunwan.
Lin Yunwan sincerely advised, "Inviting distinguished teachers naturally requires some effort. Young Master, be patient and try again."
Try again?
It sounded so easy.
Thinking of those people and the attitudes of their servants, Lu Zhengliu's face turned grim.
Old Madam didn't want her grandson to suffer again, so she asked, "Are there no other solutions?"
Lin Yunwan calmly stated, "There are plenty of solutions. For example, hire some ordinary teachers to instruct them. The Lu family is a military family, and taking the civil servant path is inherently more difficult than for others. To be more straightforward, with the Lu family's background, the two boys can still thrive without focusing too much on studying."
"That won't do, they must study!"
"In this peaceful era, everything in the court is controlled by civil officials. To put it crudely, even military matters need the approval of civil officials. If the descendants of the Lu family don't study, what future do they have? Look at my son; he spent half his life devoted to the military, but just because he made a small mistake, the Lu family almost lost its title. I even regret not having Lu Zhengliu start studying for the imperial examinations from a young age. Qing'er must not walk the same old path as his father and grandfather."
Thinking about the situation at home, Lu Zhengliu was also stirred with determination.
Qing Ge'er not only had to study well but also needed to follow a distinguished teacher and aim for greater heights!
"Grandmother, I'll continue visiting them tomorrow. Everyone has weaknesses."
Having weaknesses meant there were breakthrough points.
After Lu Zhengliu left, Lin Yunwan also departed.
Back in Chui Si Tang, thinking about Lu Zhengliu's determination and Old Madam's hope on her face, Lin Yunwan found it laughable.
They simply didn't understand the indomitable spirit of scholars, willing to endure any hardship for their principles.
Although she didn't think looking down on the Marquis Estate was equivalent to having principles, Lu Zhengliu wanted to impress them with the prestige of the Marquis Estate, yet the door was shut right in his face.
© translations belonging to flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com. If you read this somewhere else instead of flamingobeestranslations.blogspot.com then the translations has been posted WITHOUT permission of translator.
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