Chapter 34 FCADW? IRTBTMOFTMM
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 34:
Through the Bedroom
"You used to be a proud and arrogant girl."
"Madam, you jest. What pride and arrogance could I claim? I was simply too naive, not knowing my place."
Lin Yunwan looked at her differently, "You're not being very kind to yourself."
Zhuqing bitterly smiled, "I've learned my lesson. If it weren't for my arrogance back then, thinking I was the concubine-born servant of the young master, not realizing my place and feeling resentful, when he neglected you I wouldn't have dared to offend you and ended up in this situation."
Lin Yunwan also recalled past events, "Being the concubine-born servant of the young master made it difficult for me to deal with you. But your luck was bad. After so many years in the Marquis's estate, and being an old servant of the household, you unexpectedly embarrassed me when I was in charge. Since the old lady couldn't punish the new bride to assert her authority, she could only heavily penalize you."
Zhuqing knocked her head on the ground, saying, "At that time, I was young and didn't understand, truly regretting my actions now."
Lin Yunwan nodded, "Let's not dwell on the past. This time, I've already discussed bringing you back with the old madam. Have you made up your mind? Are you truly willing?"
Zhuqing was overjoyed, crying, "I am willing! I am willing!"
"Go change your clothes first. You don't look presentable at the moment. After you freshen up, I will talk to you in detail."
With that, Tao Ye took Zhuqing to the next room.
"Ping Ye looked at Zhuqing's back and wondered, 'Can this estate truly change a person into someone completely different from before? "When Zhuqing left, even though I was young, I still remember her arrogant chin. She never looked at us directly. It's truly unexpected that she would end up like this."
Lin Yunwan said, "From being a first-rate maidservant to becoming a laborer on the estate, anyone would be the same."
Initially, when she first saw Zhuqing, she was also surprised. The contrast was too significant. She thought Zhuqing would continue to be aloof and maintain an air of superiority, portraying herself as an unsullied lotus. However, that didn't happen; Zhuqing had bowed down.
"Madam."
Zhuqing had changed into new clothes and came over. Tao Ye had also applied a bit of makeup on her, making her look like a different person. Although her figure had become a bit fuller, she still retained the delicate qualities of a woman. Her appearance wasn't as outstanding as before, but there was a unique charm.
Lin Yunwan observed her and said, "You were already outstanding in terms of looks and talent. After returning to the mansion and recuperating for a while, you'll still be outstanding."
Zhuqing shook her head anxiously, "No, I don't want to be outstanding anymore."
She knelt down and said, "This servant only wants to follow Madam, to be at Madam's service."
Lin Yunwan calmly replied, "That cannot be granted."
Zhuqing's heart tightened. This was her hard-earned opportunity for survival, and she couldn't let it slip away!
Lin Yunwan continued, "You might have heard about the situation in the mansion from others on the estate. There are two stepsons in the mansion, but the heir doesn't have his own biological child. I'm thinking of promoting you to be the concubine of the heir."
"With your previous status, you should have already become the concubine of the heir."
Zhuqing watched Lin Yunwan carefully, unsure if Madam was testing her.
She stammered, "I, I didn't have any thoughts about the heir. This servant just wants to be Madam's maidservant."
Lin Yunwan dispelled her doubts, "As you think, the heir prefers a stepson over a legitimate son. Instead of choosing other maidservants to bear the heir's illegitimate child, it's better to choose you. The advantage is clear to you, but the downside is that you'll need to strive for what you desire."
Zhuqing was overjoyed. "I, I..."
She had refused to marry a common farmer on the estate, having experienced the prosperity of the Marquis's mansion and associated with noble men. She couldn't bear the thought of settling for a rural life.
"I'm willing," Zhuqing said firmly.
After sending Zhuqing away, Lin Yunwan considered choosing another pretty maidservant. She instructed Yuan Mama, "Make it clear that they are entering the mansion to serve the heir, and it must be voluntary."
Yuan Mama chuckled, "Madam, you worry too much. Maidservants are always eager to enter the Marquis's mansion, especially to serve the heir. Who wouldn't be willing?"
Lin Yunwan remained silent.
However, after careful consideration, she couldn't find a suitable candidate and only selected seven or eight maidservants fit for general chores.
"Mother," Lu Chang Gong returned after playing in the fields, his body covered in sweat.
Lin Yunwan rewarded the estate manager, praising him for his good care, and then instructed Lu Chang Gong to freshen up.
Lu Chang Gong took out some fruits from his pocket, claiming he had picked them.
Lin Yunwan ordered Ping Ye to wash the fruits and said, "We'll have them for dinner tonight."
Zhuqing approached and said, "Madam, let me wash them."
Lin Yunwan nodded, and Ping Ye allowed Zhuqing to take care of it.
In front of his mother, there was suddenly a new face. Lu Chang Gong didn't even spare a glance, as if uninterested.
Lin Yunwan explained to him, "You used to serve the young master, and now, coming back with us, you'll continue to serve. Maybe in the future, you'll have a little brother."
Lu Chang Gong remained uninterested.
The next day, on their way back, instead of going straight to the Marquis's residence, Lin Yunwan took a detour and visited Lu Chang Gong's original home.
"Go and take a look," she encouraged, giving Lu Chang Gong a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
He stared at the small courtyard not far away, lips tightly pressed, torn between the desire to go and the fear of doing so.
"Go, I'll wait for you."
Lu Chang Gong's eyes reddened. "Thank you, Mother! I'll be back soon."
He hurried away, and Ping Ye, concerned for his safety, followed him discreetly. Not long after, Lu Chang Gong returned, visibly low-spirited and without saying a word.
"So soon?" Lin Yunwan asked in surprise, but Ping Ye signaled her not to press further.
Upon returning to the Marquis's residence, Ping Ye privately informed Lin Yunwan, "There are already women's clothes in the courtyard."
Lin Yunwan paused for a moment and then said, "When Lu Chang Gong was adopted into the family, the Lu family provided a substantial amount of money to his biological father. With his first wife gone and his son adopted into the Marquis's residence, it's only natural for him to remarry. Besides, his biological father's health is not good, and having a new wife may be a practical choice. Even with a new wife, he might still miss Lu Chang Gong."
She lowered her head, holding a teacup but not drinking.
Ping Ye added, "Even so, Young Master Lu Chang Gong is still heartbroken."
Lin Yunwan sighed. "Send him a cup of calming Five Wonders Soup tonight."
"Yes," Ping Ye acknowledged.
Despite Lu Chang Gong's ability to conceal his emotions well, the next day when he came to Chui Si Tang for lessons, he remained focused and undistracted. This worried Lin Yunwan even more, fearing he might be suppressing his feelings.
"If you're upset, take a break. There's no need to force yourself," she advised.
Lu Chang Gong shook his head and said, "I'm not upset. I'm happy. I used to feel guilty, but now I don't. I can wholeheartedly serve you filially from now on."
Lin Yunwan was taken aback. In her previous life, she had never heard such words from Qing Ge's mouth!
"Madam, Young Master, please enjoy your tea," said Zhuqing as she entered to serve tea.
Regarding the matter of elevating Zhuqing's status, it still required Lu Zhenliu's consent. It wouldn't be easily achieved, but Lin Yunwan had a plan in mind.
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Of course you have a plan in mind Yunwan. Thank you for your hard work!
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