Chapter 261 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

 FlamingoBees 

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Home    :    Novels

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

 Chapter 261: 

 Mourning

Qi Lingheng, dressed in his royal attire, personally went to the dungeon to interrogate Lu Zhengliu.

Lu Zhengliu looked up at the distinguished Prince, his expression blank, not knowing what to say anymore.

Qi Lingheng remained stoic and ordered, "Apply torture."

"Yes!"

Screams echoed from the dungeon, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard them.

Qi Lingheng remained outside, sipping his tea.

~

As the snow fell heavily in the twelfth month, the dust settled on the affairs of the Marquis of Wu Ding, and the news spread through the streets and alleys.

"Have you heard? Lu Zhengliu committed suicide in the dungeon."

"Isn't it deserved? Such a vast family estate, ruined in his hands."

"Thankfully, the Prince is merciful and spared the eldest son of the Lu family from being implicated, not depriving him of his chance in the imperial examinations."

"And what about that concubine from the Lu family?"

© 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.

"Don't you know? She's been sentenced to death, to be executed next autumn. Colluding with the old madam in the mansion to murder the matriarch of the Lu family, the evidence against her is overwhelming. How could she escape?"

Two members of the Lu family perished in an instant.

"The Lu family must be hanging white lanterns all over now, right?"

"Of course."

The plaque of the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion was no longer there. The Lu family was currently in disarray, not even a new plaque had been put up. 

Either white lanterns or white banners were hung at the entrance, and only a few servants could be seen, dressed in mourning attire. 

Qiao Da looked at the lack of visitors coming to offer condolences, shook his head, closed the door, and walked to the mourning hall. He said to Lu Chang Gong, "Young Master, no one has come."

Lu Chang Gong burned paper offerings in front of the mourning hall.

© 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.

As Lu Zhengliu ended his life by his own hand, leaving behind no complete body, the coffin contained only the clothes he usually wore.

Lu Chang Gong said, "No rush. Let's wait a bit longer."

Qiao Da nodded. "Then I'll go out and wait a bit more."

He indeed waited and witnessed the return of Madam Wei with the distraught Marquis. Seeing the state of the house, the couple met their end at the stone lions in front of the gate.

Finally, the coffins of the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion were filled with actual bodies.

"Qiao Da, go announce the mourning," Lu Chang Gong said, holding paper offerings, his eyes red. As a thin and weary young man, he took on the responsibility of managing the affairs of the entire mansion. Who wouldn't feel pity for him?

Wiping his tears, Qiao Da replied, "Yes, I'll go right away."

With the passing of the Wu Ding Marquis and his wife, condolences from the Lu family gradually trickled in.

Old Madam Xia brought her children and grandchildren over. Supported by Xia Jin, she looked quite desolate after leaving the Lu household.

Old Madam Xia said, "Don't emulate that Lu Zhengliu, spoiling his concubine and ruining his wife. What has become of their once prestigious family!"

© 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.

Xia Jin glanced at his sister-in-law, Lu Jia, and whispered, "She's still here."

Old Lady Xia snorted coldly and added, "That foster son of the Lu family is indeed impressive. At such a young age, he already displays such maturity."

Xia Jin also greatly admired Lu Changgong.

Old Lady Xia sighed, "It's all thanks to Lin... She raised him well. There's never been a bad girl from the Lin family."

Xia Jin lowered his head, reminiscing about the days when he was in Jiangqian and pursued his studies.

Yes, there's never been a bad one.

Old Madam Xia then brought up Xia Jin's marriage, smiling as she said, "Once you've finished the provincial exams, it's time for you to meet the third Miss Lin from the Lin family."

© 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.

Xia Jin nodded. At his age, it was indeed time for marriages to be arranged.

~

The Lin Residence.

Madam Lin said to Lin Yunyi, "... We should go and burn some paper money for Master Lu and Madam Wei at the Lu Residence."

Lin Yunyi wasn't initially inclined to go, but after some thought, he said, "Alright, I'll go check on Chang Gong."

So, the mother and son went together.

When they saw Lu Chang Gong guarding the memorial hall with the few remaining servants, Lin Yunyi approached him to talk.

In the side hall, Lu Chang Gong greeted with a faint smile and a bow, "Uncle."

There was no sign of sorrow on his face.

This was exactly the outcome he had wanted for the Lu family.

© 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.

Lin Yunyi hesitated for a moment and then said, "But this way it will be harder for you to enter officialdom and get married in the future..."

The title of the Marquis of Wu Ding may have lost its luster, but keeping up appearances is still important. 

Lu Chang Gong didn't take these matters too seriously; he even joked, "Uncle, you also didn't take the imperial examination until you were eighteen, and you still haven't married, right?"

"You..." 

When it came to marriage, Lin Yunyi felt a headache coming on. He waved his hand dismissively, "I won't say anything more. It's up to you."

"Thank you, Uncle."

Lu Chang Gong smiled faintly.

Lin Yunyi didn't want to dwell on the topic too much. After all, the Lu family had fallen, and Lu Chang Gong had a long road ahead of him. He patted Chang Gong's shoulder and said, "If you ever encounter any difficulties in the future, just come to me... if not my eldest sister..."

Nor would he stand idly by.

Lu Changgong smiled, "Alright."

Lin Yunyi nodded and left with Madam Lin.

As a woman, Madam Lin was concerned about household matters. She worried, "With only one concubine left in the Lu family's inner residence, Chang Gong's situation will be difficult."

Lin Yunyi took the opportunity to say, "That's why one should marry a clever and capable woman who can manage the household."

Surprisingly, Madam Lin didn't refute him.

~

By the end of the year, as the emperor prepared for the New Year's celebrations, Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng went to the palace with Qi Zaijun to pay respects to the emperor and empress. However, during the palace banquet, the crown prince was absent, leaving only the crown princess.

The crown princess had put on makeup, but her complexion still looked very poor.

"Why hasn't the crown prince come?" 

© 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.

A princess consort inquired of the crown princess.

The crown princess smiled bitterly. "The crown prince... isn't feeling well. He can't come out."

The princess consort had a vague understanding and politely said, "On another day, my husband and I will visit the crown prince."

"No need," the crown princess refused directly, and the other party didn't press further, awkwardly retreating.

Lin Yunwan went over to pay respects and asked directly, "Has His Highness reached the point where he can't leave the house?"

The crown princess was surprised to hear her voice.

She returned the courtesy but said helplessly, "He can't eat anymore. The crown prince doesn't want me to tell anyone."

Lin Yunwan's heart sank.

No wonder the emperor's mood seemed so heavy; even when Qi Zaijun went to cheer him up, it was ineffective.

The crown princess suddenly shed tears, grabbing Lin Yunwan's hand and explained anxiously, "Seventh sister, the crown prince is confused and I'm sorry for you and our younger brother. I, I'm also helpless, I can't go against the crown prince."

Lin Yunwan pushed away the crown princess's hand and asked calmly, "What does the crown princess want me to do?"

Wiping her tears with a handkerchief, the crown princess knew it was embarrassing but couldn't help saying, "The crown prince really likes the little crown prince. Since I couldn't bear any children with the crown prince, could you let the crown prince spend time with the little crown prince?"

Lin Yunwan thought for a moment and replied, "That depends on Jun'er's own wishes. Crown princess, I cannot decide for the little crown prince."

To the crown princess, this sounded like a refusal.

© 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 it was... understandable.

After allowing the crown prince to do such foolish things, it would be strange if the Huan couple agreed to their requests.

"Crown princess, I take my leave."

Lin Yunwan, with a graceful demeanor, went to find Qi Lingheng.

Qi Lingheng had already seen them talking, and he tightly held Lin Yunwan's hand, asking in a low voice, "What did the crown princess say to you?"

Lin Yunwan smiled gently, "Your Highness, don't worry. We're in the palace; the crown princess wouldn't dare do anything to me." Pausing for a moment, she added, "And now, the crown princess wouldn't do anything to me anyway."

“Why?” Qi Lingheng inquired.

Lin Yunwan told Qi Lingheng, "The crown prince's days are numbered."

She looked towards the emperor seated on the throne and continued, "His Majesty should already know everything. Since the crown prince doesn't want to speak, His Majesty is pretending not to know. This year, His Majesty hasn't sent any imperial physicians, nor has he questioned why the crown prince isn't here."

Qi Lingheng fell silent for a moment before asking, "Did the crown princess say anything else to you?"

"She mentioned... the crown prince wants Jun'er to accompany him."

Qi Lingheng quietly took a sip of his wine.

© 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.

•••

https://ko-fi.com/flamingobeestranslations

Prev  :  TOC :  Next