Chapter 24 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 24:
Insult
"Are you the young master of the Lu family?" Zhang Feng'an asked Lu Chang Gong.
Lu Chang Gong wore a dark green straight robe embroidered with bamboo patterns. His entire person was as handsome as the aura emanating from his clothes, and there was a faint hint of an upright demeanor.
"In response to Sir, yes, I am Lu Chang Gong," Lu Chang Gong replied.
Zhang Feng'an looked at him and smiled. Over the years, he had taught not a thousand students, but several hundred. As a result, he had developed some skills in physiognomy. Just by looking at a student, he could roughly understand their personality.
Zhang Feng'an exchanged a few more words with Lu Chang Gong, not discussing academics but casually chatting about various topics. They talked about writing tools, ink, paper, and inkstones, as well as daily routines.
Lu Chang Gong, recognizing the person in front of him as a renowned teacher and thinking about his stepmother, extended his respect, showing genuine politeness.
He replied gracefully, "I'm accustomed to waking up early... I eat whatever is prepared in the kitchen, no particular preferences..."
Zhang Feng'an nodded in satisfaction.
"Diligent and not picky about food, you're a well-behaved child," he remarked.
Lu Chang Gong said, "Sir, I need to go and pay my respects to my mother."
Zhang Feng'an smiled and let him go.
This child was indeed a promising seedling. Zhang Feng'an had initially thought he might be dealing with a pampered youth, so this turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
Returning to his own guest room, Zhang Feng'an was quite pleased, feeling like he had stumbled upon a treasure.
~
"Mother, when I arrived, I met a gentleman. He should be Teacher Zhang," Lu Chang Gong shared upon reaching the Chuisi Hall.
Lin Yunwan, with a faint smile, asked, "What do you think of Teacher Zhang?"
He recalled Zhang Feng'an's physiognomy for a moment.
"Cheeks overly thin, quite a few white hairs. At Teacher Zhang's age, he shouldn't have this many white hairs," Lu Chang Gong observed, offering his conclusion, "Though stern, he seems to be a good teacher who cares about his students."
Lin Yunwan burst into laughter upon hearing this.
"Mother, why are you laughing?" Lu Chang Gong hesitated to even eat his breakfast.
Lin Yunwan replied, "I find your observations very meticulous, that's all. Go ahead and eat. You've gained some healthy weight lately; eat more, you're still growing."
After Lu Chang Gong finished eating, his mother asked, "Teacher Zhang has indeed passed the imperial examination and knows more about the civil service than I do. Would you like him to teach you as well?"
Lu Chang Gong shook his head.
"Mother, didn't you say that learning takes time? Your son is just learning from you for a while; he will still go to the study hall in the future. There's no rush," Lu Chang Gong explained. "Teacher Zhang understands, and the teachers at the study hall will too."
Lin Yunwan looked at him in surprise. This child...
Although he absorbed whatever she taught him without difficulty, she didn't expect him to start having his own ideas!
Lu Chang Gong stood up, saying, "I'll go to the study to practice writing."
Lin Yunwan nodded.
As Lu Chang Gong stepped across the threshold, he suddenly turned back halfway, blushing, but without saying anything, he walked away.
Although Lin Yunwan didn't know exactly what he wanted to say, she had a rough idea that it might be something to please her. However, this child was reserved and just felt awkward expressing it.
"Tao Ye, keep an eye on the courtyard. Ping Ye, come with me to the Maquis and Madam Wei's residence," Lin Yunwan instructed.
The treatment of Ge Bao'er in the mansion had not been settled, and the old lady wanted to allocate funds for her from the public accounts. She also wanted to see if Madam Wei would agree.
At Madam Wei's residence, Lin Yunwan inquired with concern, "It's been a while since I paid my respects to Mother-in-law. How has Father been recently?"
Madam Wei sighed, "Still the same, sometimes clear-headed, sometimes confused. But he doesn't cause much harm now."
Lin Yunwan nodded.
That's good.
Otherwise, it would be distressing for the maids and servants if he caused harm.
"Mother-in-law, there's a matter here that I can't make a decision on. I'd like to ask for your help in considering it."
"What is it?"
"Ping Ye, hand me that booklet," Lin Yunwan said. "The Old Madam wants me to set a monthly allowance for cousin. I'm not sure if following the treatment of the legitimate eldest sister from the main branch would be unfair to her. After all, it's an old rule from many years ago."
Madam Wei immediately became furious, "She's an outsider; how can she be compared to the legitimate eldest aunt?"
"That unlucky little thing, as soon as she entered our house, she stirred up chaos in the mansion," Madam Wei exclaimed. She snatched the booklet, declaring, "You don't need to handle this; I'll take care of it."
Lin Yunwan naturally tried to decline, "Mother-in-law, this is the Old Madam's decision after all..."
"Then I'd like to handle it even more. You oversee everything in the mansion, and for once, I want to share the worries with the Old Madam. Alright, you can go back," declared Madam Wei.
Lin Yunwan left gracefully.
Madam Wei's Mama, who was by her side since she married into the Mansion, came over and said, "Madam, why get involved in the Old Madam's affairs? It's not appropriate."
"What's not appropriate!?" Madam Wei insisted, "There's nothing wrong with it!"
Immediately, she sent someone to arrange a room for Ge Bao'er and assign maids. While not as skilled in managing the household as Lin Yunwan, she was still a lady from an official family and could handle such matters.
~
In Yu Shou Tang, a few rough servant women were moving furniture into Ge Bao'er's room—old, peeling boxes, tables, and chairs. Two young maids with downy hair who couldn't articulate well were not only unfit to serve the mistress but also likely to cause trouble. However, they came with the monthly allowance.
Ge Bao'er was dumbfounded and stopped one of the servant women, asking, "W-what is all this?"
The servant woman replied, "What else could it be? Furniture for the young lady."
Wu'er and another maid, also looked bewildered. Where did they dig up these items?
Ge Bao'er pointed at the yellowing spots and said, "This is already peeling."
"Oh, it's just a bit of peeling. We can fix it. Young lady, speak softly; the Old Madam is resting. If you make a fuss and wake her up, who will be held responsible?" the servant woman advised.
Ge Bao'er bit her lip. Once the servants left, her eyes turned red.
She wouldn't be punished for having filth thrown on her, but after all the effort to bring her and her son back, this was how she was treated?
"Sniff, sniff."
Ge Bao'er lay on the bed crying, and Wu'er came over to console her, saying, "Young lady, please don't cry. Young lady..."
"Young lady, Yan Mama has arrived."
Yan Mama had heard the commotion and, fearing it might disturb the old lady, had come over herself.
"Xiliu, you step outside," she ordered.
"Yes."
Yan Mam, with a stern expression, asked, "Who are you crying for?"
Ge Bao'er sat up on the bed, expressing her grievances, "Yan Mama, I'm not afraid of hardship. I've been used to hardship since I was a child. But the Lu family shouldn't insult people like this! Treating me as if I'm nobody!"
Yan Mama chuckled. "Who you are, do you need me to say? You're not some delicate young miss."
Ge Bao'er, infuriated, started to tremble. She said with a pale face, "I want to find the heir and the Old Madam!"
Yan Mama advised, "Young lady, these things were sent by Madam Wei. It's Madam Wei's intention. Madam is the mother of the heir. Do you really want to offend Madam at this moment?"
Ge Bao'er pressed her lips together.
Of course, she didn't want to. While the Old Madam's lifespan was uncertain, Madam Wei still had a long time ahead. If she became the legitimate madam, and she had to contend with her...
Yan Mama continued, "Young lady, it's good that you've figured it out."
She reminded her, "Don't forget your identity. Don't attract attention unnecessarily. The young master's affairs are naturally taken care of by others. Don't try to intervene in everything. You've seen it; following your ideas never leads to a good result."
"If the young lady is truly concerned for Master Qing Ge'er, as well as for yourself, be modest. Everyone will be better off!"
Her words left Ge Bao'er stunned.
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