Chapter 245 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

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 Favoring Concubines and Destroying Wives? I Refuse to be the Mistress of this Marquis' Mansion

 Chapter 245: 

 Passing the Provincial Examination

"Congratulations, Young Master Lin! You ranked thirty-second."

The bearer of good news went to the Lin family to seek rewards, and all the members of the Lin family gathered.

"Young Master Lin is only eighteen! And he's already passed the provincial examination?"

"That's right! I heard he's not even married yet."

Neighbors and friends chattered, and the elders of the Lin family came over, setting off firecrackers and giving rewards proactively.

It had been many years since someone so young had passed the provincial examination in the Lin family.

Relatives from the clan brought Lin Yunyi into the house, urging him, "Yu, quickly go and offer incense and kowtow to your father and elder sister!"

Madam Lin shed tears at the words, nudging her son forward. "Go on."

Their family had been waiting for this day for too many years!

Lin Yunyi paid respects to his family and greeted the elders of the clan.

"This year, there were quite a few young successful candidates in the capital. The youngest one is from the Lu family."

He heard someone mention about Lu Chang Gong, then said, "Lu Chang Gong has been diligent in the academy, with exceptional talent, especially with... my elder sister guiding him."

Members of the Lin family nodded in agreement, "Indeed, he's a child nurtured by Yunwan."

"Sigh, what a pity... Your sister can't see this."

Lin Yunyi lowered his head, seeming quite saddened.

The clan leader brought up Lin Yunyi's marriage proposal, and Madam Lin had a radiant smile, "It's not finalized yet."

The clan leader said, "No rush. Next February is the provincial examination. With Yunyi's current ranking, passing the imperial examination will be like taking something out of a bag."

This statement was somewhat exaggerated, but Lin Yunyi was confident in his success.

Outside the Marquis Wu Ding's Mansion, the Lu family's gate also set off a string of firecrackers. Lu Zhengliu was happier than anyone else, as if he himself had passed the provincial examination.

"Reward, give out rewards to everyone. Even the children who come should be rewarded. Don't be stingy."

He generously instructed the steward in the front yard.

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The steward also felt pleased and carried a bag of silver and copper coins, going out to reward and congratulate the guests who came.

Lu Zhengliu welcomed guests at the door, "Chang Gong--"

He turned around but couldn't see where the person was.

"Where did this child run off to?"

Forget it, today was a day of great joy, entertaining guests was important. There was also the Old Madam; he needed to go and tell her the good news.

"Grandmother, Chang Gong passed the provincial examination, he's a fifteen-year-old provincial graduate!"

Old Madam Lu had taken too much medicine, her mind wasn't clear. When she heard Lu Chang Gong's name, she became very resentful and waved her arms, "Go away! Let him go! He's not one of us, Lu family!"

"Grandmother, Chang Gong has passed the examination. How could you be so confused?"

Lu Zhengliu pursed his lips, feeling very uncomfortable. "Grandmother, now someone in the Lu family is supporting him. Longbow has long been recorded in our Lu family genealogy. How can he not be one of us, Lu family?"

Old Madam Lu continued to grumble.

Lu Zhengliu shook his head, "Why am I even telling you this?"

The Old Madam had lost her mind.

As he turned to leave, he heard the old person on the bed, with a hoarse voice asking, "She... has she returned? Has she come back?"

Lu Zhengliu paused in his steps, turned back and asked, "Grandmother, who told you?"

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Of course, it was from listening to Yan Mama and the gossip.

Old Madam Lu cried as she asked, "Zhengliu, is it true? Has Yunwan really returned?"

Lu Zhengliu hesitated and said, "I don't know."

He went out to find Lu Chang Gong. On such a good day, father and son should share the joy. He also wanted to take him to see all the relatives and friends of Marquis Wu Ding Mansion, to tell them, "This outstanding child is mine and... my son's."

He and Yunwan's son.

But he ran into Ge Bao'er, whose face looked very unpleasant.

Ge Bao'er saw Lu Zhengliu and also paused for a moment.

Lu Zhengliu asked, "What are you doing here?"

On such a joyous occasion, she, as the mistress of the household, had plenty of things to attend to, yet here she was wandering around.

Ge Bao'er couldn't help but feel happy. She had to show the magnanimity of the mistress of the household.

Lu Chang Gong was becoming more and more respected in the Lu family. She was really afraid that her son couldn't compare to Lu Chang Gong. Even if it was pretending, she had to pretend that everything was peaceful.

She forced a smile and said, "Chang Gong has succeeded in the examination. I'm going to the storeroom to fetch something. After all, I am his aunt, I should congratulate him."

Lu Zhengliu nodded and said, "In a few days, we'll have guests in the mansion. Hurry up and prepare the guest list and the tableware."

"Okay."

Ge Bao'er had just bowed to take her leave when her maid rushed over, saying, "Madam said she's looking for—" but upon seeing Lu Zhengliu, she fell silent and quickly lowered her head, addressing him as "Master."

Lu Zhengliu frowned. "Why are you rushing around?"

Ge Bao'er suddenly tightened her grip on her handkerchief, feeling extremely nervous. She scolded her maid, "Step aside."

"Yes..."

"Stop!" Lu Zhengliu called out to the maid, looking at her coldly. "You just said 'Madam said she's looking for.' Madam Chen? What did she want?"

The maid looked at Ge Bao'er.

Lu Zhengliu said expressionlessly, "If you don't tell me, I'll have you killed immediately."

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"Master!" The maid was frightened and knelt down, pleading, "Please spare my life, Master."

She blurted out that Madam Chen was investigating the past associates who served by Lin Yunwan's side.

"I'm just a messenger!" the maid pleaded.

Lu Zhengliu waved his hand, dismissing the maid, then questioned Ge Bao'er, "What exactly are you trying to do?"

Ge Bao'er couldn't hold back anymore.

She had truly had enough!

"Master, I refuse to believe that I'm the only one who wants to know if she really is Lin Yunwan!" 

Ge Bao'er's skin was still fair, and though her almond-shaped eyes had wrinkles and dark circles, there was still the ambition she had when she first entered the mansion.

Defiantly, she countered, "Since you know she didn't die, do you really have no thoughts at all?"

Lu Zhengliu was caught off guard.

Since learning about the relocation of Lin's grave, he had recalled the events from back then, from Yunwan being burned to Yunyi forcing him to write the divorce letter. Seeing how the Lin family sought only to settle things peacefully, he understood.

"I know... she didn't die."

Lu Zhengliu closed his eyes, his voice barely audible, "She is now the Princess Consort Huan."

She wasn't someone he could easily reach.

He sneered at Ge Bao'er, "Do you really think, with your shady connections to the Marquis Wu Ding Mansion, you can do anything to the Princess Consort Huan?"

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"Don't delude yourself."

Ge Bao'er tilted her head back, questioning, "What if I find evidence to expose her? Does Master want to expose her? Or will you let her continue to live freely by Prince Huan's side?"

She smirked, "Master, you've kept her in the position of a legitimate wife. For her, there's only Chang Gong, the sole legitimate son, recognized as your own blood! But what about her? What kind of life is she living now? Free and happy."

A flicker crossed Lu Zhengliu's lips.

His voice was barely audible, almost to himself, as he asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Ge Bao'er smiled before speaking, "My mother investigated. The two maids, Pingye and Taoye, have been living with their husbands' families after marriage. They haven't seen Yunwan since she returned to the capital. Although there's been interaction between the Lin family and the palace, it's not substantial evidence."

"What about Madam Guo? Did she go to see her?" Lu Zhengliu suddenly remembered this person.

Ge Bao'er replied, "That widowed lady moved away long ago. You can't find her now."

Lu Zhengliu sneered, "You searched everywhere and found nothing?"

"Who said that?" Ge Bao'er said triumphantly, "Jiangqian's family has a daughter who married outside and came to the capital with her husband, who is also taking the imperial examination. Do you know the connection between her and the Princess Consort Huan?"

Lu Zhengliu was clueless.

Since being driven out of the Lin family, he deliberately avoided learning about Lin Yunwan's affairs. 

He feared that thinking about her in the embrace of Prince Huan would drive him insane.

"They are sisters! But the people from the Wen family actually live in a shabby courtyard, and it's rented."

"Master, do you think this is normal?"

It wasn't normal, but Lu Zhengliu no longer wanted to know. 

He said coldly, "That's enough. Don't let me catch you digging a grave for the Lu family. Chang Gong is going to pass the imperial examination soon, and our Lu family will have a chance to rise again."

With that, he walked away.

Ge Bao'er grit her teeth, her delicate face contorted in anger. "I refuse to believe that even with all the evidence, you can still endure..."

She ordered her maid, "Prepare the carriage, I want to go see the Wen family."

She refused to believe that, even under heavy bribery, Wenhai and Lin Yunjiao would keep silent.

~

"Big brother, you passed the exam, don't you need to meet the guests?" 

Muer held a pen, distracted by the sounds of drums outside.

Lu Chang Gong said calmly, "Focus."

Muer pouted and asked, "Big brother, do I really have to learn how to write?"

"A girl who learns to write can understand things clearly and become intelligent. When faced with injustice, she'll know how to protect herself."

Muer was puzzled, "Big brother, can't you protect me?"

Lu Chang Gong smiled and patted her head, saying, "I can. But you're a girl, and big brother can't always protect you."

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“Why?" 

"Because Muer will grow up and marry."

Muer put down the pen, smiling, "Then Muer won't marry anyone, and will stay with mother and big brother forever."

Lu Chang Gong handed her the pen again, holding her small hand, "Finish writing this one first."

Muer stuck out her tongue. 

Her little tricks were all seen through by her big brother.

Lu Chang Gong tapped her head and said, "After you finish learning the three hundred poems, big brother will teach you martial arts. When you grow up, you can learn swordsmanship. We'll also go horseback riding."

"Really?"

Muer's eyes suddenly lit up.

“Hmm.”

Muer was enthusiastic about practicing calligraphy again.

Zhuqing came in with pastries, smiling as she asked, "Young Master, why are you still teaching Muer calligraphy today? It's your big day, aren't you going out to greet guests?"

Lu Chang Gong didn't even turn his head, speaking gently, "Mother is not here."

Zhuqing instantly felt disappointed, sighing, "Big Madam in heaven must know. I believe she blessed you to pass the exam."

Lu Chang Gong pursed his lips and smiled faintly.

His mother... would probably know that he passed the exam.

© 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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