Chapter 48: Chapter Forty-Eight

The Cheng clan is located in Tongzhou, with a Youzhou separating it from the capital. If one goes to the capital, they must pass through the waterway of Youzhou.

Lu Bao'er's birth parents died at the hands of river bandits on the waterway of Youzhou. Old Lady Su is very superstitious, always feeling that the Youzhou waterway is inauspicious, and she absolutely refuses to let Lu Bao'er go there.

Although the Cheng clan is a prominent family in Tongzhou with ample wealth, they have no officials serving in the capital. Generally, the higher the official rank, the closer the residence is to the imperial city; the Cheng clan established the Qingcheng Academy in Tongzhou, and countless scholars who passed the imperial examinations received aid from the Cheng clan in their youth, so they can be said to have students everywhere, enjoying high prestige locally. Yet such an aristocratic clan, having persisted to this day, has no one holding office in the capital. The people of the capital are snobbish; no matter how illustrious your ancestors, they only look at the present. Thus, when the Cheng clan goes to the capital, they still have no standing, unable to find a foothold.

They also have their own selfish motives in wanting Lu Bao'er to recognize her ancestors and return to the clan. Xie Junling attained the fifth rank in just two years and is still a close attendant of the emperor; if he were promoted another step, it would be a big deal. Such a promising young son-in-law naturally needs to be cultivated and won over.

It is rare for the Cheng family to gather together, but they held a clan meeting.

Old Lady Cheng gets a headache whenever she mentions Lu Bao'er, repeatedly snorting coldly: "No wonder she's a country bumpkin raised in the wilds—she's downright stupid! If she took the Cheng name and entered the Cheng genealogy, with her natal family backing her, wouldn't that make things inconvenient? Her adoptive father left her no inheritance; in the capital, without some silver to rely on, where would she find a way out? Moreover, she doesn't bear the surname Fu; the Princess Pingping was merely taken with novelty, and now that she's married, the relationship has naturally faded—how long can she still protect her?"

Old Lady Cheng's daughters-in-law dared not utter a word, but at this moment they muttered inwardly: "If the Princess Pingping were unfeeling, she wouldn't have kept Cheng Lingyan until now, even retrieved the new granddaughter, and not driven her away."

The Cheng clan's main branch has no one left; now the matriarch of the second branch is in charge. Lady Ye of the second branch, who is accustomed to flattery and ingratiation, followed Old Lady Cheng's tone and said: "The old lady naturally has foresight; these juniors' thoughts are too shallow. If they don't heed your words now, they will suffer later. Think about it—if Lord Xie gets promoted again in the future, would he value a wife's clan that offers no help to Bao'er? She doesn't think deeply either; raised in a modest household, her vision is truly narrow, only thinking of using affection to secure favor, isn't she just after youth?"

After all is said and done, they're merely afraid that Lu Bao'er won't be able to retain favor or win over Xie Junling. Such a son-in-law—humble background, easy to manipulate, with a smooth official career—is as rare as finding one with a lantern.

"Exactly this reasoning." Old Lady Cheng satisfiedly glanced at the second madam and said, "But this Bao'er simply refuses to come to Tongzhou, dead or alive; pressing the clan genealogy on her does nothing. My sons are all local officials, without an imperial summons, and they cannot go to the capital to report on their duties—this is truly worrisome!"

Third Madam Yan Shi pursed her lips and smiled, saying, "Mother, I actually have a plan."

"Oh? Do tell."

"Linghua and the Jingdu Yan family have already arranged their marriage; naturally they will go to the capital to wed at year's end. Second Uncle has official duties there, and the capital is far with high mountains and deep waters—delaying too long, I fear he won't be able to reach the capital. When the time comes, I will accompany him to the capital and stay longer at my natal home; isn't that just an opportunity to visit the Xie family and meet this niece I've never met?" Yan Shi's second daughter, Cheng Linghua, had become engaged to her Yan cousin several years earlier, with the wedding set for year's end. Because the journey is long and Old Lady Cheng's health is inconvenient, she thought to have the second madam represent the Cheng clan in the capital to handle the wedding arrangements. It would be impossible to let the Yan family spend a month or two coming to Tongzhou to fetch the bride.

Old Lady Cheng pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Remember to bring Linghe along to see the world when the time comes."

"Linghe?" Yan Shi stared for a moment, resentment rising in her heart. She wasn't unable to guess Old Lady Cheng's calculations, but letting her bring that little slut's offspring to the capital made her unable to swallow this anger! Linghe is the daughter of Old Lady Cheng's maternal niece; that niece was gorgeous as a flower, had an affair with the second master, and was quietly taken into the household. By rights, the matriarch wouldn't even glance at such a wanton woman, yet who knew she was especially adept at cheering Old Lady Cheng, calling her "aunt" over and over, actually managing to make Old Lady Cheng spin around in delight.

Yan Shi and this concubine had been locked in rivalry for years; only after great difficulty did the concubine contract consumption two years ago, and Yan Shi had her worn out to death. Who would have expected her daughter to be no better, actually weeping daily before Old Lady Cheng over the pain of losing her mother, causing Old Lady Cheng to look more favorably upon this concubine-born granddaughter.

Old Lady Cheng thought that Linghe's appearance was the finest among the Cheng family; if properly trained, she could still marry well. Now that Xie Junling has appeared, isn't that exactly what she wishes for? If she were to send a legitimate daughter to the Xie family, there would be nothing to embarrass them—who would have two legitimate daughters serving the same husband? That would seem overly fawning. But a concubine-born daughter is different; not being so precious, naturally taking her as a concubine would invite no criticism.

Moreover, Linghe possesses a beauty that hides the moon and shames the flowers; she will surely be able to ensnare a man firmly.

Yan Shi thought that if Linghe achieved something in the Xie household, wouldn't that mean she could again ride on her head? If Xie Junling were promoted another rank, such a family—even as a concubine—would have people flocking to attach themselves.

She gritted her teeth in hatred, and Cheng Linghe of the Four Fragrance Garden also got the news. She was just in the midst of fixing her own hairpin when she heard this, and she pondered a meaning in her heart. Old Lady Cheng naturally knows that Cheng Linghe is a concubine-born daughter; taking her to marry into an official family in the capital would be seen as forming a grudge, certainly not a top-tier match. After thinking it over, she simply wanted her to get close to that Xie Junling. Even if she were to become his concubine, given his talent and youthful brilliance, it would still be acceptable.

Cheng Linghe didn't think that a young lady painstakingly cultivated by the Cheng clan could still be inferior to a country bumpkin like Lu Bao'er, who has risen from a sparrow to a phoenix! And we'll see what happens later!

While some schemed against others, the year's end was fast approaching. Another year had passed, and Lu Bao'er now had many social engagements, unable to stay home and enjoy leisure as before. One household demanded gifts, another demanded gifts, and she couldn't relax the standards, keeping Lu Bao'er running around in circles.

At dinner that night, Lu Bao'er could not muster energy, repeatedly yawning, which made Xie Junling frown slightly. He rolled up his sleeves and personally placed a piece of thickly sauced Dongpo pork on her plate, asking, "Are you really that busy?"

Lu Bao'er nodded and said, "My lord doesn't understand; the inner courtyard's affairs—social obligations, exchanging pleasantries with every household—are already enough to be aggravating."

Seeing her speak weakly, Xie Junling also felt a twinge of pity. However, the household still needs a mistress in charge; now she must endure some hardship, take guidance from the Princess Pingping, and once familiar, she will be able to bear the responsibility. Their residence has only this one female master, and we cannot indulge Lu Bao'er, letting her slack off and refuse to manage the household.

Xie Junling said lightly, "After the holiday break, I'll take you out for a stroll beyond the capital."

Upon hearing they would go out to play, Lu Bao'er was overjoyed. She instinctively moved closer to Xie Junling, placing both hands on his knees, her almond eyes shining bright, and coquettishly said, "My lord, don't trick me—you said you'd take me out."

"Understood." Xie Junling lowered his thick black eyelids, gave Lu Bao'er's soft, boneless hand a light sweep, and added: "After being taught so many times you still haven't learned; you usually lack self-awareness. Repeatedly you deliberately reach out to touch me, scheming and probing—don't come begging for mercy later."

Upon hearing this, Lu Bao'er trembled all over and instantly withdrew her hand. She was merely accustomed to being close to Xie Junling, not intentionally trying to seduce him!

-----Side note-----

Deng Deng's crooked neck is: Dear Grass Lamp Master

But basically every day we show off our love...... post strange daily life