Chapter 46

Zhao Mamam saw Cheng Lingyan's utterly shameless, mad appearance, hurriedly signaled the servants to close both the front and back gates of the Ten Fragrance Courtyard, sealing the place off like an iron barrel.

Old Lady Su was shaking with anger from her scolding, her face wooden, she coldly laughed repeatedly: "Good, this is the daughter I've raised for over ten years. Utterly heartless, I misjudged her!"

As soon as Old Lady Su gripped her phoenix‑head cane, the people in the courtyard fell to their knees in a large group, not daring to utter a word. Her original intention was merely to make the matter public, have it spread, and then have Lu Bao'er recognized back into the Fu mansion; as for the Cheng family, she would naturally send a letter informing them of Lu Bao'er's situation. No matter what Xie Junling says, he is still a fifth‑rank Hanlin Academy Invigilator Scholar; having such a talented young son‑in‑law, the Cheng family would be laughing too hard to even refuse.

Zhao Mamam, despite disliking Cheng Lingyan, couldn't help but say a couple of words: "Miss Lingyan, you probably forgot. When you were six and broke out in pox, the Old Lady feared scars on your face, personally went to the palace to see Phoenix Rack to beg for favor, obtaining the princess‑exclusive scar‑removing snow‑skin cream. When you were seven and wanted to go boating outside, the Old Lady didn't trust you to go out with attendants, so she had the best shipwright dig an artificial lake in the rear yard and built you a large boat. When you were nine and wanted to eat lychee, a treat only palace ladies had, the Old Lady spent heavily to buy ice, crushed it over the lychee, and sent it by express horse to the capital just so you could taste something fresh. All these things, and you still say the Old Lady doesn't love you, doesn't treat you well? Clearly you have no heart."

Old Lady Su recalled the past, tears welling in her eyes; she was fiercest yet also soft‑hearted. Having once mistaken Cheng Lingyan for Lu Bao'er, she believed she had never wronged her—how had things come to this? She had originally thought that, having raised Cheng Lingyan for a while, she ought to find her a good match, and after her marriage bring Lu Bao'er back to the Fu mansion; that way there would be no direct confrontation and both sides could keep their dignity.

Cheng Lingyan recalled the past, naturally remembering Old Lady Su's kindness toward her. But now that it has come to this, there is no retreat; once the bow is drawn there is no turning back, so she can only smash the pot and give up.

Thus she refused to admit fault, shouting loudly: "You say you treat me well, but that's just using me as a shadow of Lu Bao'er! It's not like I wanted to enter the Fu mansion! Now speaking of it, I'm the shameless one clinging to this place!"

Seeing her sophistry, Old Lady Su felt her heart turn cold, yet could not stir up much turmoil. She fixed her gaze on Cheng Lingyan's face, let out a soft sigh, her eyes gradually clearing, and spoke slowly: "If you truly had backbone, truly wanted to return to the Fu mansion, and were not greedy for its wealth and glory, you would not have killed Wu Cuizan."

Old Lady Su saw her sophistry, her heart turned cold, and she couldn't stir up any waves. She stared at Cheng Lingyan's face, let out a light sigh, her eyes gradually clearing, and spoke slowly and deliberately: "If you truly have backbone, truly wish to return to the Fu family, not coveting the wealth and honor here, then you wouldn't have killed Wu Cuizhen!"

This matter was done in secret—how could Old Lady Su know? Could there be a spy in this courtyard?! Who is it? Who is it? Get out here!

Cheng Lingyan trembled all over, looking around suspiciously.

Old Lady Su said coldly: "You dare kill your own birth mother, what face do you have to say these things?!"

"I… I didn't…" Cheng Lingyan whispered, her voice like a mosquito's buzz, barely audible.

She had no confidence to retort, for Old Lady Su naturally dared speak thus only because she had evidence. What will happen to her next—will Old Lady Su kill her? It's all Lu Bao'er's fault! Is she not dead? Did she and her maternal grandmother file a complaint?

Cheng Lingyan had gone mad; dragged by a few rough maids, she laughed wildly: "I am the eldest legitimate daughter of the Cheng clan's main branch, the most noble of all! You're all talking nonsense! Grandmother, you've been deceived by Lu Bao'er! I am your true granddaughter—look, look, isn't every piece of jewelry on my hands and head something you personally had made for me? You clearly dote on me most, so why recognize her as your granddaughter? Grandmother! I am your Lingyan!"

Cheng Lingyan has gone mad, she was being dragged by a few rough maidservants, laughing wildly and saying: "I am the eldest legitimate daughter of the Cheng Clan's main branch, I am the most noble person! You are all talking nonsense! Grandmother, you have been deceived by Lu Bao'er! I am truly your granddaughter, look, look, everything I wear on my hands and head, which is not the jewelry you carefully made for me? You clearly dote on me the most, why do you recognize her as your granddaughter? Grandmother! I am your Lingyan!"

This instead made Old Lady Su feel compassion, so she no longer wanted to kill her.

Old Lady Su felt guilty toward Lu Bao'er; her own blood granddaughter had nearly lost her life to the Yellow Springs, and she ought to have used Cheng Lingyan's blood to seek Lu Bao'er's forgiveness.

But this is also the child she raised for over ten years…

Old Lady Su sighed and said: "Find someone to send her to the manor in the suburbs, keep her under strict watch, imprison her there. Without my order, she is not to leave the manor even a single step."

"Yes." Zhao Mamam acted swiftly and decisively; as soon as Old Lady Su gave the order, she immediately set off to carry it out.

Since Old Lady Su wanted to spare her life, let her be so. Stripped of the halo of being the Fu mansion's miss, Cheng Lingyan, a weak woman, would surely endure hardship at the manor.

The news of Old Lady Su recognizing Lu Bao'er and bringing her back to the Fu mansion caused an uproar in the capital; Lu Bao'er was truly just going through the motions at the Fu mansion. She changed into a set of ruby‑inlaid peach‑banquet headgear gifted by Old Lady Su, wore a moon‑white satin‑patterned lotus‑styled outer garment, and paired it with a scarlet skirt embroidered with gold‑sprinkled flowers.

All three branches of the Fu family were present; Lu Bao'er successively acknowledged her great‑uncle, second uncle, and third uncle, and called Sun Que her third aunt, making Sun Que grin from ear to ear as she forcibly slipped a red envelope into her hand.

The Fu family's conduct was proper and upright; everyone was very harmonious, treating Lu Bao'er with utmost care, fearing any displeasure would make her feel unhappy in the Fu mansion.

Lu Bao'er also served tea to her maternal grandfather, Master Fu, kneeling respectfully on the cushion and kowtowing: "Unfilial granddaughter, I have never fulfilled a single day of filial duty to my maternal grandparents all these years; this kowtow is meant as compensation for the past."

Although Master Fu appeared stern, inwardly he was delighted to see his blood granddaughter. As the head of the household, he put on a serious face, hastily signaled Old Lady Su, and had someone coax Lu Bao'er to her feet.

Old Lady Su's eye sockets moistened, she hurriedly helped her up and complained: "What nonsense are you spouting! It's all the grandmother's fault for letting you wander outside and suffer so much. Now that you're home, it'll be fine—you have three uncles who will certainly not let you suffer any grievance."

Sun Que's husband is Lu Bao'er's third uncle, Fu Yan, who is only about ten years older than this little niece; rolling up his sleeves, he said: "Yes, if your husband treats you poorly, just tell your third uncle and I'll go demolish his house!"

Everyone burst into laughter, and Lu Bao'er joined in with a soft puff of laughter. At this moment, Lu Bao'er felt immensely relieved; she finally had family and a backing.

If Xie Junling mistreats her, she could have her three uncles come to her aid.

If Xie Junling treats her badly, she would indeed have her three uncles come to her door to back her up.

Next chapter will be sweet—there'll be some fluff, do you want to see a kiss or what~

Next chapter will be sweet, there'll be some sweet stuff—do you guys want to see some kissing or what~