Chapter 36 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

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

Chapter 36:

Concubine Sister

"What is unattainable is the best," Lin Yunwan advised Zhuqing.

Zhuqing furrowed her brow, deep in thought. Lin Yunwan continued, "Walk into the trap willingly, then escape from it. That would be even better."

Just like Ge Bao'er, leaving him with a child but making him constantly worry, forgetting his responsibilities as a member of the Marquis's family. 

Zhuqing suddenly brightened, saying, "Yes, I understand now."

Lin Yunwan nodded and instructed Zhuqing to go back to the Yue Xing Ting and prepare. During this time, she had Tao Ye send many beautiful clothes to Zhu Qing.

Tao Ye remarked, "Miss Zhuqing has an elegant appearance. These light blue and lake green dresses suit your temperament the best."

"Thank you..." Zhuqing has always liked these colors, much like the name chosen by Lu Zhengliu for her—graceful, elegant, and stylish.

"It's no trouble at all, Miss."

With that, Tao Ye left after placing the items down.

Zhuqing started to groom herself in the room. Although she applied makeup, she pursued a subtle and elegant appearance.

She told the little maid serving her, "Back then, among so many maids, only I could serve the Young Master intimately."

"Because I knew what the Young Master liked."

"I can never go back to those days of hardship in the village."

Once she finished dressing up, Zhuqing inquired about Lu Zhengliu's schedule for returning to the mansion and chose a good time. Just when the lamps were being lit, she intentionally bumped into him.

"Young... Young Master..."

She appeared panic-stricken.

Lu Zhengliu had just finished patrolling the streets and returned to the residence. Still wearing the armor he had on during the patrol, his features were stern.

"You..."

He stared at the woman in front of him, feeling a strong sense of familiarity but being momentarily unable to recall her name.

Zhuqing looked at him warily, her eyes darting around, contemplating escape.

Lu Zhengliu coldly curled his lips. "What are you doing here?"

Zhuqing remained silent, took a few steps back, and then turned to sprint down the pathway.

Lu Zhengliu contemplated chasing her, but she was surprisingly fast. By the time he caught up, she had already distanced herself.

He finally remembered her name.

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"Zhu... Qing."

He grit his teeth.

~

Another day, Lu Zhengliu finally encountered Zhuqing again. He cornered her on the secluded path.

As Zhuqing turned to escape once more, he seized her wrist and coldly smirked, "Where do you think you're going?"

Zhuqing reluctantly replied, "Master, this servant... this servant has no intention to escape. This servant was only heading back to Yue Xing Ting."

"Yue Xing Ting?"

It had always been designated as the residence for a concubine.

Lu Zhengliu suddenly remembered Lin Yunwan's words – to take a concubine, the woman would be Zhuqing before him.

Moonlight spilled like water.

That night, he stayed in the backyard.

~

The next day.

Tao Ye found Lin Yunwan and said, "Madam, it's done. The Lord slept at Yue Xing Ting last night."

Lin Yunwan nodded, completely unsurprised.

How could Lu Zhengliu have a woman he truly cared for?

"Zhuqing is coming to pay respects. Prepare a gift for her and fetch a hairpin," instructed Lin Yunwan.

Tao Ye went to the bottom of her dressing table and picked out a hairpin.

As expected, Zhuqing came early to pay her respects. Lin Yunwan rewarded her with the hairpin, personally adorning it for her, saying, "In the future, take good care of the Lord. You don't need to come to pay respects regularly anymore. Eldest Young Master is studying here with me, and now you are the legitimate concubine, so you should avoid suspicion."

"I understand, but I..." Everything happened too quickly and smoothly, and she felt a bit uneasy.

Zhuqing said, "I would like a bowl of anti-fertility soup."

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly and said, "I've said it before, there's no need. Unless you don't want to conceive."

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How could she not want her own child!

Zhuqing said, "Thank you, Madam, for your generosity!"

However, today she still had to serve the Young Madam. She stood by, attending to Lin Yunwan during breakfast.

"Madam..." Zhuqing hesitated.

Lin Yunwan looked at her and asked, "What's the matter?"

Zhuqing smiled and said, "I just feel that I was too foolish before, actually daring to contradict Young Madam."

"Only after returning to the mansion did I realize that, Young Madam, you manage the household with great skill."

She lowered her head and continued, "Young Madam, you are broad-minded, insightful, and exceptionally beautiful. It's not an exaggeration to say that you are unparalleled in the world."

"I can't understand why I arrogantly thought I could compare to you back then..." Zhuqing mused.

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "Even if one were truly unparalleled, what use would it be? Still confined to a small courtyard."

Zhuqing was puzzled, "Young Madam, the Duke of Wu Ding's mansion is not considered small."

Lin Yunwan didn't explain further.

Over the next half month, the weather became increasingly hot. Lin Yunwan instructed the kitchen to prepare green bean soup and sour plum soup to be sent to various places.

"Chang Gong, you've been studying hard. Take a break for five days. A real break – don't secretly study even when you return to the front yard. Remember my words..."

"Rest and work should go hand in hand. Your son remembers," chuckled Lu Chang Gong.

Pretending to glare at him, Lin Yunwan said, "Do you find me too nagging?"

Lu Chang Gong touched his nose, "This son wouldn't dare." Then, he extended his hand and said, "If Mother thinks her son is misbehaving, feel free to spank his palms."

Lin Yunwan "spanked" him – by plopping a pair of shoes in his open palms.

Lu Chang Gong was both surprised and delighted, "Mother, did you make these?"

Lin Yunwan nodded, "Summer shoes with thin soles. I didn't have time to make boots for you in autumn and winter."

Lu Chang Gong carefully put them away and accompanied her to pay respects to the Old Madam and Madam Wei.

On the way, they encountered Qing Ge'er.

"Mother, Elder Brother," greeted Qing Ge'er.

After receiving some teachings from Zhang Feng'an for a while, he had indeed become more obedient. His gaze was no longer wandering, and he appeared more mature. However, Lin Yunwan noticed that his palms were still red and seemed to bear lingering scars.

© 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.

Zhang Feng'an was known for being strict, showing no mercy when it came to discipline.

"Younger Brother," Lu Chang Gong also glanced at Qing Ge'er's palms.

Qing Ge'er quickly hid his hands, not letting them see.

Lin Yunwan said, "Let's go. The sun is strong. Don't stand here."

They all went to the Yu Shou Tang together.

Qing Ge'er behaved much more obediently in front of the old Madam. When it was time to return to the front courtyard for study, he took the initiative to bid farewell to everyone, including Lu Chang Gong.

Old Madam Lu praised, "Teacher Zhang is indeed good at teaching children. Qing Ge'er has changed a lot compared to before."

Lin Yunwan agreed with her.

But what she found even more amusing was that Qing Ge'er showed even more respect for her than in the previous life.

"The cicadas outside are so noisy," Old Madam Lu complained, her brows furrowed.

Yan Mama suggested sending someone to deal with it.

As Lin Yunwan prepared to leave with Zhuqing and Lu Chang Gong, Zhuqing suddenly felt nauseous.

"Urgh..."

"Urgh..."

Zhuqing rushed out, afraid of making a mess in Old Madam Lu's room.

Old Madam Lu widened her eyes, a bit incoherent, "This, this..."

Yan Mama also guessed, "Could it be that she's pregnant?"

It hadn't been that long since she had returned, was it possible so soon?

Zhuqing recovered and wiped her mouth, saying, "Old Lady, I'm fine. It's probably just that my stomach has been delicate lately."

Although it wasn't a joyous occasions, Old Madam Lu was still pleased.

Seeing the signs, who knows, Zhuqing might add a legitimate son to the household?

After Young Madam Lin and the others left, Ge Bao'er came over with a bowl of her homemade refreshing soup, intending to show her attentiveness. However, her face had turned unpleasant upon witnessing the earlier scene.

Old Madam Lu, however, was quite pleased. She nonchalantly informed Ge Bao'er, "Zhengliu only mentioned that there might be a chance for you to become the legitimate wife in the future. He never said anything about not taking concubines or not having illegitimate children. Why are you making such a miserable face?"

Ge Bao'er put down the soup, forcing a smile, "Old Madam Lu is correct. The weather is hot, and dampness can accumulate in your body. Try this soup, it's very refreshing and helps dispel dampness, making you feel comfortable."

She also handed a bowl to Yan Mama, "You've been taking care of Old Madam Lu; it's really hard work."

Yan Mama, with a poker face, said, "You can leave now."

Ge Bao'er lowered her head, withdrew, and closed the door behind her. She felt a cold sweat on her body.

The position of the legitimate wife? 

Now that Lu Zhengliu had found a new love, and both were on the verge of having their own legitimate child, did she and Qing Ge still have a place in the Wu Ding Marquis's mansion? 

She couldn't bear this injustice.

© 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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