Chapter 260 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

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

 Chapter 261: 

Raiding the Residence

 

"Chang Gong, Chang Zong is already incapable, but he is still your brother. Deal with that maid by his side somehow."

"When you pass the imperial examination and enter officialdom, you must devote yourself to nurturing your other younger brothers, guiding them to study diligently like you. You must mentor them well."

"Don't exhaust all of the family's remaining assets on your own education and career. Leave some for your younger brothers. It's hard to stand alone, and the Lu family cannot rely solely on you."

"I've reclaimed half of the ancestral land for the Lu family. In the future, you should set aside some for your younger brothers."

"As for your grandfather and grandmother, although they've moved out, they are still your elders. I won't be able to fulfill my filial duties to them, so... you must fulfill them on my behalf."

Lu Zhengliu became increasingly saddened as he spoke, lowering his head to wipe away his hot tears.

Lu Chang Gong listened expressionlessly, then coldly asked, "Have you finished your instructions?"

Still immersed in his own sorrow, Lu Zhengliu didn't sense his stepson's indifference. After a moment, he nodded and continued to consider if there was anything he had missed.

Suddenly, Lu Chang Gong interjected, "I won't do any of these."

Lu Zhengliu furrowed his brow at first, then looked up and asked, "Chang Gong, what did you just say?"

"I said," Lu Chang Gong spoke lightly, "I won't listen to a single word of your instructions."

"Chang Gong? What... What are you talking about?" Lu Zhengliu, with tears in his eyes, couldn't comprehend it. He touched Lu Chang Gong's shoulder, feeling somewhat anxious, "Chang Gong, father knows it's difficult to entrust all these matters to you alone, but father can only rely on you. You are the legitimate eldest son of the Lu family! You cannot disappoint me—"

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Lu Chang Gong simply gently pushed Lu Zhengliu's hand away.

He looked at the other person calmly, his gaze as cool and collected as usual, but it made Lu Zhengliu feel a sense of unfamiliarity.

"Chang Gong, what's wrong with you? You are my legitimate eldest son, you cannot be afraid!" Lu Zhengliu felt genuine panic.

"Chang Gong, if you feel that the money and assets left for you are not enough, then naturally, you should use them first. You just need to nurture your younger brothers until they grow up, and then..." Lu Chang Gong sighed softly and looked into Lu Zhengliu's eyes, saying, "You should give up hope."

Lu Zhengliu was bewildered.

Lu Chang Gong waited for years, but it felt like he had waited for a lifetime. His tone was neither urgent nor slow.

"Xiaoxuan is the most beloved maid of Lu Chang Zong. I won't drive her away from him," he said calmly.

"But I will drive Lu Chang Zong away from the Lu family."

"Your own sons, I will send them away for adoption. If someone kindly nurtures them, it will be their good fortune."

"The mansion of the Marquis of Wu Ding cannot be kept. I will sell off all the ancestral lands."

"As for your parents, if you cannot fulfill your filial duties, that's your failure, not mine."

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"As for your concubines..." Lu Chang Gong gently pursed his lips, his meaning already clear enough.

He doesn't even care about the Lu family anymore, so why would he care about Lu Zhengliu's women?

"Chang Gong! Have you gone mad?" Lu Zhengliu gritted his teeth. "Take back what you just said. I still recognize you as my legitimate son!"

Lu Chang Gong smiled faintly. He simply shook his head.

It felt to Lu Zhengliu as if he had punched cotton, only injuring himself internally.

"Why? Chang Gong... why? Hasn't father treated you well all these years?"

"No." 

Lu Chang Gong's chilling calmness sent shivers down Lu Zhengliu's spine as he spoke softly, "You... you're the one who... killed my mother!" His eyelashes trembled, moistened with a hint of tears.

Lu Zhengliu felt a sudden pain in his heart.

His adopted son had never cried before, never lost control like this!

With a faint redness in his eyes, Lu Chang Gong remained impassive as he uttered, "The current state of the Lu family is all your retribution."

Lu Zhengliu finally realized.

"Chang Gong, so you... you've always resented me? You actually value her so much in your heart?"

Lu Chang Gong restrained himself, then countered, "Shouldn't I? It was mother who took me in, registered me under her name, nurtured me, educated me. I'm not a member of your Wu Ding Marquis Manor; I originally bore the surname Lu! I am mother's son! And you, you killed my mother!"

“I could have grown up by my mother's side, could have accompanied her in her old age!”

“I could have shown filial piety to her! Openly fought for her honor!”

"It's because of you—I've forever lost the chance to be her son!"

He approached closer to Lu Zhengliu step by step, veins showing on his wrist, but he didn't actually strike.

The Lu Family was about to be raided, Lu Zhengliu was on the verge of death; he wouldn't let himself go astray at a time like this.

Lu Zhengliu finally understood.

All these years, Lu Chang Gong's heart wasn't with the Lu Family at all!

© 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.

"When Yunwan faked her death, you were there..."

He had never asked his adopted son before, and now the answer was right in front of him. Lu Zhengliu couldn't quite articulate his feelings, so he sneered and asked, "You knew long ago that Yunwan didn't die?"

"I did," replied Lu Chang Gong calmly.

Lu Zhengliu remembered when Lu Chang Gong had casually mentioned "Mother is already dead," so nonchalantly.

It was terrifying!

How could he have raised such a son? And made him the legitimate heir of the Lu Family!

"Lu Chang Gong, you're just a treacherous wolf!"

"I can't let the Lu Family fall into your hands..."

Lu Zhengliu lunged forward, trying to kill Lu Chang Gong.

The fate of the Lu Family wasn't sealed yet; Lin Yunwan had a soft heart and would spare the innocent in the Lu Family. But Lu Chang Gong was ruthless. If the Lu Family fell into his hands, it would truly be over.

Lu Chang Gong had been practicing martial arts since childhood, effortlessly dodging the attack.

Lu Zhengliu fell to the ground in a sorry state, unable to get back up.

He clenched his fists and pounded the ground, angrily rebuking, "The Lu Family has treated you well, yet you act so ungratefully and unjustly!"

Lu Chang Gong looked down at him, smiling faintly as he said, "How am I being ungrateful and unjust? I will mourn for your family."

"I am righteous and filial to the utmost degree."

"In three years, there will be another imperial examination."

"With full confidence, I will participate in the provincial examination. By then... the Lu Family will be no more."

Thinking about three years later, Lu Chang Gong felt relieved throughout his body.

Lu Zhengliu felt numb all over. 

He never expected that he would be the one to bring about the downfall of the Lu Family by trusting his foster son the most.

"Where is Lu Zhengliu?"

The guards who came to confiscate the property were already here, each one cold and stern, wielding their swords as they seized Lu Zhengliu and immediately put heavy shackles on him.

Lu Zhengliu looked back, glaring fiercely at Lu Chang Gong.

© 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.

But Lu Chang Gong didn't care at all.

The guards, along with officials from the Shuntian Mansion, conducted the investigation together. Inside and outside the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion, it was surrounded by government officials.

Zhuqing was very afraid. She took Mu'er and Xiliu, and Tongliu, and together they found Lu Chang Gong, hiding with him in his courtyard.

Muer cried in fear.

Lu Chang Gong comforted her, holding her close. "Don't be afraid. They only arrest those who have committed crimes. We haven't done anything wrong. Just do what we need to do."

Muer hugged his neck, crying, "Elder brother, are we really going to be okay?"

"Yes."

Lu Chang Gong said, "Even if Aunt and I have to go to the court, it's just to answer some questions. We'll be fine."

Mu'er nodded, exhausted from crying, and fell asleep in his arms.

~

The case of the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion caused a stir in the capital for three full days.

The Lu family accused Princess Huan of various crimes, resulting in the deprivation of the marquisate title. Lu Zhengliu, the eldest son of the Lu family, and his concubine Ge Bao'er, were implicated in numerous illicit activities, including poisoning their own relatives... The list of crimes was too long to enumerate.

Qi Lingheng changed into his official attire and headed to the yamen early in the morning, while Lin Yunwan got up and instructed the servants to prepare breakfast.

"Your Highness, you mentioned last night that His Majesty assigned you to preside over the Lu family's case?" Lin Yunwan inquired. She hadn't had the chance to ask in detail when Qi Lingheng returned so late yesterday.

"Yes," Qi Lingheng smiled. "I know you're worried about Lu Chang Gong and other innocent people. Rest assured, I'll handle it with discretion."

Lin Yunwan nodded.

Qi Lingheng accompanied her for breakfast, then before leaving, he asked her, "You know about the Lu family's situation. Yunwan, what do you think of Lu Chang Gong?"

In the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion, with Lu Zhenliu's downfall today, Lu Chang Gong's contribution couldn't be ignored.

"A teenager in his teens has managed to turn the Lu family upside down. Those who know the truth can't help but be astonished," Lin Yunwan remarked bluntly. "The goodness or badness of a person isn't judged by what they do, but by the reasons behind their actions."

Qi Lingheng smiled at her response.

He then left for the Shuntian Prefectural Yamen.

Finally, Lu Zhengliu was in his hands.

© 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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