Chapter 3 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 3:
Pick Up and Leave
Lu Zhengliu remained resolute, insisting on bringing his son Qing Ge'er's birth mother, Ge Bao'er, into the mansion.
However, the Marquis already had a legal wife, and if Ge Bao'er were to enter, she would only be a concubine.
Old Madam Lu frowned and said, "Seven years ago, you insisted on marrying that woman. I suggested waiting until Yunwan entered the family before taking her in, but you were unwilling to make her a concubine. Even if she secretly gave birth to a child for the Lu family, wouldn't she still end up as a concubine? Having a biological son recorded under someone else's name is truly not worth it. I am old and truly cannot understand what she wants to achieve."
With a sigh, she decided to go along with her grandson's wishes and said, "If she wants to enter, let her enter. Yunwan is a woman who understands the overall situation; she should agree to let her become a concubine for you."
However, Lu Zhengliu remained silent.
Old Madam Lu sensed that something was amiss and asked coldly, "What's wrong? Is Ge Bao'er still harboring delusions of becoming the main mistress of the Marquis's residence?"
Lu Zhengliu lowered his head and said, "Grandmother, the person I want to marry is indeed Bao'er. She gave birth to Qing'er for me, endured hardships for seven years to raise the child alone. I feel guilty towards her. After finally finding them and bringing mother and son back, if I make her a concubine, I would find it hard to bear."
Madam Lu remained silent for a while, coldly scrutinizing her grandson. She couldn't fathom what spell Ge Bao'er had cast on him, turning a simple rural woman into someone he was devoted to.
"You already have a legally wedded wife. The Lu family will never divorce their wives. Speak up, what does Ge Bao'er really want?"
"Grandmother, I want Bao'er to enter the mansion in the name of your grand-niece, to fulfill filial duties under your guidance. If...” Lu Zhengliu paused and finally mustered the courage to say, “If Bao'er is fortunate enough to live a long life, outliving Lin Yunwan, then I will grant her the status of a legal wife at that time. It won't affect Lin Yunwan."
Madam Lu widened her eyes and scolded, "I can't believe you can say such things! Look around, in the years you've been away, how much has Yunwan sacrificed for the Lu family!"
"Grandmother, marrying Lin Yunwan was something you pressured me into. You insist on holding this against me, but I have already given her the position of the legal wife. I can't and don't want to let Bao'er down again. This is the only compromise I can think of."
Old Madam Lu almost couldn't catch her breath and coldly snorted, "What if I disagree?"
Lu Zhengliu calmly said, "Then, you will have Qing Ge'er as your only legitimate great-grandson."
A chill ran through Old Madam Lu's heart; she believed her grandson could do as he said. If she didn't agree to let Ge Bao'er into the Lu family, the Lu family would truly have only this tiny bit of bloodline. Not only would her grandson resent her in the future, but even the little great-grandson would likely grow up to resent her.
Well...
"Wait until things settle down at home, then you can bring her into the mansion."
"Grandson thanks Grandmother!"
"Don't be too happy too soon. Remember your own words. Bao'er, from now on, can only be my 'niece-granddaughter.' If she dares to have any crooked thoughts in the Lu family, don't blame the Marquis's residence for not tolerating her!"
Lu Zhengliu was resolute, "Rest assured, Bao'er is not that kind of person."
After contemplating for a moment, he added, "Grandmother, please also keep the promise. Don't entertain thoughts of separating mother and son; let everyone live in peace."
Old Madam Lu felt a void in her heart. If she had known earlier that Ge Bao'er was pregnant back then, she would never have let Ge Bao'er live until today.
"Grandson takes his leave."
As Lu Zhengliu left, Old Madam Lu's face noticeably darkened.
Seven years had passed, yet that woman still got her way. Her scheming skills were indeed remarkable!
Feeling somewhat disheartened, she thought that her grandson had indeed grown up. Perhaps he could independently manage the household in the future. However, he was no longer the naive young man of seven years ago. Just by saying, "This is the familial responsibility you, as the legitimate eldest son, should bear," she could easily control him – the young lad who had married the daughter of the Lin family.
She wondered whether the marriage alliance with the Lin family, made years ago to revive the declining status of the Wu Ding Marquis's residence, was right or wrong.
~
After Lu Zhengliu returned to the mansion, the two children successfully became part of the Wu Ding Marquis's residence.
Lu Chang Gong, the elder by a year, was recognized as the legitimate eldest son. Qing Ge'er, now named Lu Chang Zong, was recognized as the second son.
Having his own son become the second legitimate son, Lu Zhengliu naturally felt dissatisfied.
Old Madam Lu was also displeased, but recalling the day when Lin Yunwan picked the child, she still felt lingering fear. She said, "I don't know how Yunwan noticed that Qing Ge'er had some education. It almost became a clumsy move, but Qing Ge'er's successful entry into the mansion was truly thrilling!"
"As for Chang Gong, you don't need to worry too much. If he proves himself useful and supports Qing Ge'er, at most, he'll receive a separate share of the family fortune. If he develops inappropriate intentions—after all, he is just an orphan—disposing of him cleanly is not a difficult task."
Families like theirs had numerous ways to handle such matters, and there was absolutely no leverage against them.
Lu Zhengliu nodded.
"Grandmother, since family matters are settled, I would like to go tomorrow to bring Bao'er back to the mansion."
Old Madam Lu frowned, "It won't make a difference whether you bring her in a day or two. You've been away for seven years, and even Yunwan hasn't returned to her family for the New Year. It's only right for you to accompany Yunwan back to her family first."
Lin Yunwan felt wronged.
But for Bao'er and Qing Ge'er, the separation of mother and son was also painful. He wondered how Bao'er was enduring the loneliness while waiting outside. Compared to the woman forced upon him by his grandmother, Lu Zhengliu clearly favored the latter.
Old Madam Lu never expected him to be unwilling to compromise even on this matter. Irritated, she asked, "Are you resentful of Lu Family's interference in your love life, thus are determined to resist, or has Ge Bao'er truly bewitched you, causing you to forget your identity?"
This question triggered Lu Zhengliu's rebellious spirit once again.
A maid outside loudly announced, "Madam, the Second Young Master is here to pay his respects."
Qing Ge'er had arrived.
Both of their expressions changed when Old Madam Lu said gently, "Bring him in."
As Qing Ge'er appeared, he had red eyes and none of the liveliness he had when he first entered the mansion.
Old Madam Lu quickly stood up, pulled the child in front of her, wiped his eyes, and anxiously asked, "Qing Ge'er, what happened? Who bullied you?"
Thinking about it, she felt it was unlikely. The two children had not been assigned any studies since entering the mansion. They were simply living in the front yard, familiarizing themselves with the environment. The servants attending to them were carefully chosen. How could he have suffered mistreatment?
The initial excitement of entering the mansion had faded for Qing Ge'er. Missing his mother and recalling her advice about being cautious regarding his background, he dared only to hold back his tears and said in a stifled voice, "I miss my mother; I want my mother."
He actually missed his mother. Such a small child in the vast Wu Ding Marquis's residence, how could he not be afraid?
Old Madam Lu's heart softened.
Qing Ge'er tugged at her sleeve, tears streaming down, and asked, "When can I see my mother? Great-grandmother."
Hearing the term "great-grandmother," Old Madam Lu's heart completely melted.
Lu Zhengliu came over, patting Qing Ge'er's head, and said, "Dad will go and bring your mother back tomorrow."
Qing Ge'er immediately stopped crying and kept asking, "Really? Is it true?"
Old Madam Lu couldn't bear to say anything more.
Well, seven years had passed like this; she could only reluctantly let Yunwan return a few days later.
When Qing Ge'er got tired of crying, Old Madam Lu instructed someone to prepare the green gauze canopy bed for him.
When the child fell asleep, she quietly reproached Lu Zhengliu, "I heard that you've been staying in the front yard these days. Regardless, Yunwan is the legitimate wife of our Lu family, married through proper procedures. As long as you bear the surname Lu, she is your wife. Your actions are giving her no face."
Lu Zhengliu remained silent. He knew that Lin Yunwan was also innocent.
Madam Lu continued, "In the future, Qing Ge'er will be raised by Yunwan. Consider it a favor for her hard work in raising Qing Ge'er. Tonight, go and personally explain to Yunwan about her return to her family late. Don't let her harbor any grievances."
"Alright."
Lu Zhengliu was willing to make some superficial efforts to appease Lin Yunwan and maintain her status as the legitimate wife.
But that was all.
If she expected anything more, he couldn't give it.
Marrying Lin Yunwan was not his choice after all.
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