Chapter 68 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM

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

 Chapter 68: 

Separation

"Did you find out something?" 

Zhuqing rushed in, looking like she had something to say.

Lin Yunwan put down the book she was preparing for Lu Chang Gong and spoke to her first.

Zhuqing shook her head and said, "The maids in Yu Shou Tang are vigilant, and by the time I managed to sneak in, everyone had already left, and I couldn't hear much."

"But in the end, I did hear Old Madam saying that they need to educate Qing Ge'er properly."

Lin Yunwan, holding the corner of the book, said, "Indeed, it's time to give Qing Ge'er a proper education."

Now, he is Ge Bao'er's only reliance. Ge Bao'er probably still hopes to rely on Qing Ge'er to turn her situation around in the future!

Who knows, she might still be harboring thoughts of becoming the main mistress in her heart!

© 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.

Zhuqing walked over and sat down, asking, "Young Madam, don't you find it strange? How long has Young Master Qing Ge'er known Ge - I mean, Miss Ge? Yet he listens to her so readily."

Lin Yunwan smiled faintly, "What do you think is the reason?"

Zhuqing shook her head, "Young Madam, not to flatter you, but even if Young Master Qing Ge'er is close to someone, he should be close to you."

"But, Young Madam, I really can't figure out why he would be so close to Miss Ge," Zhuqing continued.

Lin Yunwan didn't elaborate further.

"Young Madam, perhaps you've not seen a lot of dirty things between men and women..." 

All the sudden Zhuqing's face changed drastically, looking mysterious and terrified. "Madam, do you think Miss Ge might have some intentions towards Second Young Master... Second Young Master is only seven years old! Even if she wants to be a maid to serve him, she should at least wait until he's ten."

The more she talked, the more absurd it became.

Lin Yunwan said, "Stop making wild guesses. The weather is getting colder, and you've just returned to the mansion not long ago with few clothes. I've recently received some new pieces of fabric; you can go and choose for yourself."

"I also have an old cloak that used to fit well but now doesn't quite suit me. It's still in good condition, about 80% new. If you don't mind, you can take it. It might fit you better since you have a slimmer figure."

Zhuqing smiled and said, "Young Madam cares for me, how could I possibly be displeased? To be honest, I'm truly grateful to you."

Tao Ye brought out the cloak and said with a smile, "Madam instructed us to clean and iron it, then we added a touch of fragrance before presenting it to you."

Zhuqing took the cloak, the fabric was of excellent quality, and the delicate patterns on it showcased exquisite embroidery skills.

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"I appreciate it, Young Madam," she expressed her gratitude.

She immediately put on the cloak, and while Tao Ye assisted in fastening it, she went to the storeroom to select a few pieces of green and blue fabric before returning to Yue Xing Ting.

Upon her return, it seemed that the "neighbor" had indeed arrived. A maid informed her, "Mistress, Mistress Ge has moved in from the side courtyard."

Ignoring her, Zhu Qing couldn't bring herself to actively show goodwill to Gao Bao'er. She walked straight back into her room, displaying no courtesy whatsoever.

Inside Yue Xing Ting, the maids who used to serve only one mistress were now faced with a new addition. Everyone still had to gauge the mood of the old mistress.

"Let's go, let's go. Don't look into Mistress Ge's room."

"We might be asked to lend a hand later. Should we go or not?" The maids wondered amongst themselves.

"Who dares to go!" 

Only Wu'er helped with moving things in and out.

Zhuqing's maid looked at Wu'er and said with regret, "Xiliu used to be the second-ranked maid in front of the Old Madam, but unfortunately, she didn't have a good fate and followed Mistress Ge."

"Oh? You know Mistress Ge's maid?"

The maid smiled and said, "Think about the name of this servant."

Zhuqing recited, "Tongliu — you entered the Lu family together?"

Tongliu nodded.

Zhuqing smiled and said, "You must take the opportunity to take good care of your good friend."

Tongliu replied, "This servant will go now."

Zhuqing said, "Don't go empty-handed. Take these two plates of pastries with you; you can all share."

Tongliu packed the pastries in a tray and carried them to find Wu'er.

~

Old Madam Lu called for Qing Ge'er to scold him personally.

"Why did you come so late? Didn't I tell someone to inform you to come right after class?" Old Madam rarely spoke so sternly, frightening Qing Ge'er, who dared not smile.

And with so much happening at home, the attitudes of Great-Grandmother and Father are becoming increasingly distant. He also dared not be as clever as before.

"Replying to Great-Grandmother, I... I..."

Madam Lu didn't look pleased: "She wants you to see her again?" 

© 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.

Qing Ge'er didn't dare to answer. 

Old Madam Lu tapped the table; he trembled and said, 'Y-yes... I miss Mother.'"

"Teacher Zhang teaches you so much every day, and you can't grasp it all. Do you really miss her, or is it something she told you to say?"

The birds in the corridor stopped chirping, and the room suddenly became quiet when Nanny Yan closed the door. This made Young Master Qing Ge'er even more fearful.

It's better to give him a good beating on the palms of his hands!

"If your mind isn't focused on studying, then don't bother with the books. You won't learn anything anyway!" Old Madam Lu turned her face aside and spoke harshly.

Young Master Qing Ge'er burst into tears immediately, saying, "Great-grandmother, please don't be angry. I want to study, I want to read. I am worried about Mother, but... but I still want to study. Mother asked me to find a way to see her, and I also want to see Mother..."

With his schoolwork keeping him busy, he only occasionally thought about missing his mother. Moreover, there was still Lu Chang Gong in the front yard, and his greatest concern was that if he couldn't catch up with him, what if everyone, including his great-grandmother and father, preferred Lu Chang Gong? Would the servants still treat him well?

"Qing Ge'er, great-grandmother will set a rule for you. If you follow it, great-grandmother will still cherish you. If you don't, don't blame great-grandmother for being ruthless."

Qing Ge'er, being young, didn't understand the meaning of "ruthless," but seeing the stern expression on Old Madam Lu's face, he knew he couldn't be willful anymore.

He pulled on Old Madam Lu's sleeve and said, "You tell me, I will obediently listen."

Old Madam Lu spoke kindly, "In the future, get closer to your stepmother, learn about how to conduct yourself from her, and keep some distance from your mother. Remember that, okay?"

Qing Ge'er nodded blankly.

~

Next day.

Qing Ge'er and Lu Chang Gong went together to pay respects to Lin Yunwan.

Previously, his stepmother had been very strict, and he was still quite afraid of her. However, today was different. His mother actually took the initiative to care about him, "Why aren't you eating? Are you full?"

"Full, I'm full."

Lin Yunwan sighed, "You lied to me." She instructed Tao Ye, "Serve Second Young Master another bowl."

Tao Ye filled another bowl of porridge and placed it in front of Qing Ge'er, smiling, "Young Master, have another bowl."

Qing Ge'er took the porridge, looking somewhat bewildered.

"Th-thank you, Miss Tao Ye."

Mother and the maids around her seemed quite amiable.

Qing Ge'er and Lu Chang Gong finished their breakfast together and bowed to Lin Yunwan, "Mother, we'll take our leave."

"Go ahead, both of you." Lin Yunwan smiled gently. 

Qing Ge'er and Lu Chang Gong walked out together, and Lu Chang Gong took the initiative to talk to Qing Ge'er, "Little brother, have you finished reading 'Hundred Family Surnames'?"

"I've finished. Brother... Big brother, where have you reached in your studies?"

Luchang Gong smiled, "I learn a bit faster."

© 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.

Qing Ge'er, aware that he couldn't match Lu Chang Gong, dared not say more. Speaking more would be embarrassing!

Seeing Qing Ge'er's expression, Lu Chang Gong said considerately, "I heard that Teacher Zhang is much stricter than Mother. If you have any difficulties in your studies, you can ask me first. I'll teach you, so Teacher Zhang won't scold you."

"Really?"

Qing Ge'er's eyes lit up.

"Really."

Lu Chang Gong looked genuinely sincere.

"Then I'll come to ask you later. It's getting late, and I need to go see Teacher Zhang."

Lu Chang Gong nodded and didn't return to the front yard with Qing Ge'er.

Tao Ye chased after him and said, "Young Master, Young Madam is calling for you."

Lu Chang Gong turned back to the Chui Si Tang.

Lin Yunwan asked him, "Why are you suddenly so kind to Qing Ge'er? Don't you resent him anymore?"

Lu Chang Gong replied, "Mother, aren't you also being good to him?"

Lin Yunwan said, "But you don't know why I'm being good to him."

Lu Chang Gong shook his head, "Son doesn't need to know. Mother, you're busy, I'll go back first."

As he left, Lu Yunwan had the news sent to the Yue Xing Ting.

"Second Young Master Qing is very close to Madam now, just like Eldest Young Master Chang Gong treats Madam."

"That's great. Young Madam is such a good stepmother; Second Young Master Qing Ge'er should treat her this way."

Listening inside the room, Ge Bao'er anxiously asked Wu'er, "He still hasn't come to see me?"

Wu'er hesitated and said, "Young Master Qing said... he's busy. Teacher Zhang assigned a lot of homework."

Ge Bao'er bit her lip in anxiety.

Ge Bao'er couldn't help but wonder whether it was Qing Ge'er who was busy or if they were deliberately preventing him from coming to see his birth mother!

© 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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