Chapter 8 FCADW? IRTBTMOTMM
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 8:
Childhood Sweethearts
"Grandmother, these cloud-patterned boots were bought by your grandson at a clothing store outside, not made by Bao'er for me."
Lu Zhengliu was afraid that Ge Bao'er would be scolded, so he explained carefully.
Ge Bao'er's face turned even paler, her eyes became teary, and she spoke softly, "Madam, in my hurry to see my son, I randomly chose a pair of shoes, never thought they would be the same as the eldest young master..."
Old Madam Lu had a stern face, not bothering to deal with a rural woman. Yan Mama[1] scolded her, "Madam and the young master are talking, what right do you have to interrupt."
Ge Bao'er's face turned paler, her eyes teary, about to shed tears, looking pitiful.
Lu Zhengliu, thinking of the years of debt to her, felt a pain in his heart.
But after Old Madam Lu vented so much anger, he didn't dare to add fuel to the fire, so he could only comfort Ge Bao'er, "You go and freshen up first."
He pleaded with Yan Mama, "Thank you for your trouble."
Seeing Old Madam Lu nod slightly, Yan Mama cast a cold glance at Ge Bao'er, saying coldly, "Miss Bao'er, please come with this servant."
Ge Bao'er followed. When the person left, Old Madam Lu sighed.
"You said she was honest, and I believed you… you wanted me to help you spread such a huge lie, I helped. Look at what she has done."
Lu Zhengliu started to say something.
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Madam Lu interrupted him, "Don't use words like 'she didn't mean it' to deceive me. If she doesn't even have this bit of caution, if she moves in later, the family will be in chaos."
Lu Zhengliu lowered his head and said, "Grandmother, you also saw how happy Qing Ge'er was when he heard that his mother was back."
Young Master Qing Ge'er was so happy that he could hardly contain himself.
Old Madam Lu didn't dare to let him come and see Ge Bao'er, leaving him in the front yard.
"If it weren't for Young Master Qing Ge'er, she wouldn't have a chance to enter the Lu family's gate!"
Old Madam Lu continued, "Since she came to 'fulfill filial duty' by my side, let her stay in Yu Shou Tang. Every move of the mother and son will be under my watchful eye. You can also deal with the court's affairs with peace of mind."
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"A family cannot be sustained with just offspring. If you can't support the Lu family, raising Young Master Qing Ge'er is just leaving him a mess."
"Grandmother's guidance is wise."
Old Madam Lu also told Lu Zhengliu, "Come over tomorrow morning to discuss the child's education together. You are Young Master Qing's biological father, and you need to be more involved in his affairs. Consult with Yunwan on everything, as she comes from a respectable background and understands more than we do."
Lu Zhengliu could see that his grandmother was actually trying to match him with Lin Yunwan.
But what his grandmother said made sense.
"Grandson understands."
After Lu Zhengliu left, Yan Mama came in and reported to Old Madam Lu, "The Heir has gone to see her."
Madam Lu snorted and said, "It's acceptable on the first day. In the future, you should keep a close eye on him. She doesn't want to be a concubine but still dreams of being the madam. Let's see if she can endure this hardship."
"Daydreaming will have a hefty price to pay."
"The old servant understands."
~
Ge Bao'er had already freshened up, changed into a new dress, and removed her veil.
Yan Mama arranged her in a side room, which connected to Yu Shou Tang. Lu Zhengliu entered through the rear door of the hall to meet her.
"GeGe[2] A’Zheng, I really didn't mean it..."
Ge Bao'er burst into tears in Lu Zhengliu's arms, calling him by the childhood nickname she used to call him back when they were in the Lu family's old residence.
Lu Zhengliu didn't blame her.
But he wasn't good at comforting people, so he just held her silently.
After Ge Bao'er cried enough, she pulled away from his embrace and cautiously asked, "Gege A’Zheng, is Grandmother angry with me?"
Old Madam Lu is the most respected elder for Lu Zhengliu and currently the only person in the Lu family who can protect little Qing Ge’er. Ge Bao'er doesn't want to offend her at all.
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Lu Zhengliu said, "Old Madam asked you to stay in Yu Shou Tang from now on."
Sure enough, he had annoyed Old Madam.
Ge Bao'er was taken aback, blushing, "Gege A’Zheng, we had agreed on everything before entering the manor..."
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To have her live in a courtyard beside the southwest gate of the Wu Ding Marquis Mansion, which was connected to the side gate, was very convenient for Lu Zhengliu to come and go without raising suspicion. Now, living with Old Madam, next to the Buddhist hall, what would she wear? She was still young; how could she endure days without makeup and in such a conservative setting?
However, Lu Zhengliu remarked, "This way, you can take the opportunity to spend more time with Old Madam. Over time, she will understand your true nature."
Ge Bao'er pondered for a moment. If Old Madam grows fond of her, she might treat little Qing’er better, right? For the sake of her son, this seemed to be the only way.
With a silent determination, she decided to serve the Old Madam well in the future.
"GeGe A’ Zheng, when can I see Qing’er?" she asked after a moment of contemplation.
Lu Zhengliu replied, "Wait a few more days. Once the people in the mansion stop keeping a close eye on you, you can meet him properly."
Just as she nodded, Lu Zhengliu added, "I'll also need some time before I can come to see you again."
She suddenly bit her lip, and in her clear peach blossom[3] eyes, there was a hint of grievance.
"How long is 'a few more days'? Are you going to forget me here?" she said, her voice choked with emotion.
"GeGe A’ Zheng, maybe I shouldn't have come back with you. I can find my biological parents and take care of Qing’er on my own," she sobbed, visibly heartbroken.
Lu Zhengliu, without explanation, gently pinched her chin and said firmly, "I've been searching for you and our son for seven years. I won't let you leave me again."
He silenced her with a kiss, and gradually, she stopped resisting, unable to part from him.
"Rest early and don't overthink," he advised as he left.
After Lu Zhengliu departed, Ge Bao'er felt a sweet warmth in her heart. Deyang was her foster father's hometown and the old residence of the Lu family. Lu Zhengliu used to play at the Lu family estate in Deyang when he was a child. They had known each other for more than a decade, and calling them childhood sweethearts was not an exaggeration.
In comparison, regardless of the current Madam’s noble background, she couldn't compete with the bond they shared.
"What a soft fabric..."
Ge Bao'er touched the satin on her body, using her fingertips to feel the fabric. Though not in vibrant colors, even the wealthiest families in Deyang town couldn't afford such garments.
A smile gradually appeared in her eyes.
~
The next morning, both Old Madam and Lu Zhengliu arrived at Yu Shou Tang. Lu Chang Gong and little Qing Ge'er followed behind.
The servants entered first to report to Old Madam, "The young master and young madam, along with the two young masters, have arrived."
"Two young masters?" Ge Bao'er, holding a bowl of porridge, exclaimed in surprise. She had risen early to cook breakfast personally for Old Madam. Fortunately, the taste was acceptable, so Old Madam didn't refuse her help and let her assist in arranging the dishes.
Like Madam gave Ge Bao'er a cold glance and said, "You may leave."
Ge Bao'er lowered her head, put down the bowl, and just as she left, she bumped into Lu Chang Gong entering. She overheard the maid addressing him as "Eldest Young Master."
Ge Bao'er's heart tightened. Not only was her son not the only legitimate son, but also the rightful firstborn status was given to another child! What exactly was going on?
© 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.
•••
[1] Mama: nanny
[2] GeGe: meaning big brother, used in this context it is used with affection
[3] peach blossom eyes: 
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