Chapter 37 Liquidation! She became the sole mistress of the Lu family!
The downfall of the Song family was like a silent thunderclap, sending shockwaves through the upper echelons of Beijing.
The once bustling Song family compound is now deserted, with autumn leaves swirling in the wind, creating an indescribable desolation.
The Lu family, amidst this storm, declared its existence to everyone with an almost tyrannical and forceful attitude.
Once awakened, the sleeping lion will unleash its thunderous fury to tear apart any invading enemy.
People eventually realized, belatedly, that it was not some powerful figure who had awakened the lion.
Instead, it was that seemingly gentle and harmless granddaughter-in-law—Su Wanqing.
Overnight, the name Su Wanqing became a taboo symbol in the capital that no one dared to touch.
After the turmoil subsided, the Lu family compound was freed from its former gloom and ushered in a new tranquility, a well-ordered atmosphere under the absolute authority.
The servants walked on tiptoe, and when they saw Su Wanqing and Lu Zhanting, their eyes showed not only awe but also a hint of barely concealed fear.
Their private discussions had long since shifted from disdain for the "country girl" to various chilling speculations about the new mistress's unpredictable and mysterious methods.
Lu Yao became Su Wanqing's number one fan, flitting around Su Wanqing like a butterfly every day.
She was no longer the spoiled and rebellious young lady, but instead enthusiastically helped to count the medicinal herbs and organize the orders for the Jade Complexion Cream, acting like the head maid.
The family of Lu Zhanyun, the second uncle, was completely isolated.
They locked themselves in the courtyard, rarely daring to go out. Lu Zhanyun tried several times to find an opportunity to curry favor with Su Wanqing, but she politely but distantly turned him away each time.
He knew he was finished.
He has been completely kicked out of the Lu family's power table.
The one who changed the most was Lu Zhenguo.
The physical recovery allowed the veteran coach to regain his peak mental state.
He was no longer the gloomy and irritable old man tormented by illness, but had returned to being the Lu family helmsman whose eyes could see right through people.
In the courtyard early in the morning, he didn't even need the guards' help to complete a whole set of Tai Chi on his own.
The force of the punch tore through the air, carrying a powerful and imposing aura that made the early-rising guards' hearts pound with fear.
After putting down his fist, he did not go back to the house, but instead gave a stern order to the head guard beside him.
"Pass down the notice: all members of the Lu family will have a meeting in the main hall at 10:00 AM today."
"No one may be absent."
The head guard tensed up and immediately straightened up: "Yes, sir!"
He had a premonition that a storm that would completely reshape the future of the Lu family was finally coming.
10:00 AM, Lu family main hall.
The atmosphere was solemn and dignified, even more so than during the last trial of Song Tingyu.
On both sides of the long mahogany conference table sat the main members of the Lu family, each sitting upright and not daring to make a sound.
Lu Zhenguo sat in the main seat, with the old lady sitting to his left.
All eyes were fixed on Lu Zhenguo's right side.
There, two empty chairs were prominently displayed.
This position, second only to the head of the household and the matriarch, is the undisputed position of heir apparent.
Amidst the complex and unspoken gazes of the crowd, Lu Zhenguo looked at Lu Zhanting and Su Wanqing, his tone calm yet carrying an undeniable authority.
"Zhan Ting, Wan Qing, please sit here."
These words caused Lu Zhanyun and his wife's hearts to clench painfully.
Lu Zhanting remained calm and pulled out a chair, first helping Su Wanqing to sit down before sitting down beside her himself.
Su Wanqing remained calm, as if she were simply sitting in an ordinary seat. Her composure and calmness made Lu Zhanyun and his wife across from her lower their heads even more guiltily.
Once everyone had arrived, Lu Zhenguo's weathered eyes slowly swept across the entire room.
His voice wasn't loud, but it weighed heavily on everyone's hearts like a mountain.
"I've called everyone here today to announce a few things."
"The first thing is about Liu Yuzhen."
As soon as he opened his mouth, he mentioned the woman who had been locked up in the ancestral hall.
Lu Zhanwen, Liu Yuzhen's biological son, trembled uncontrollably.
"Liu Yuzhen is wicked and poisoned her family members; her crimes are unforgivable."
“From this day forward, she will no longer be the second wife of the Lu family. She will be imprisoned in the ancestral hall for life, reciting scriptures and repenting for the ancestors of the Lu family every day until her death.”
His voice was icy, leaving no room for negotiation.
Lu Zhanwen's face turned deathly pale instantly. He stood up abruptly: "Dad! My mom..."
"Shut up!" Lu Zhenguo interrupted him sharply. "When she committed such a heinous act, did she ever think about the consequences? As her son, you are not without blame!"
He stared at his good-for-nothing second son and coldly offered two choices.
"First, he will be transferred to the Northwest Border Defense Military Region, starting from the grassroots level, and will not be allowed to return to Beijing for ten years."
"Second, take off this military uniform, and I'll give you some money. You can leave the Lu family with your wife and children and make a living on your own."
One was exiled, the other banished.
Lu Zhanwen's lips trembled, sweat dripped from his forehead, and finally, as if all his strength had been drained, he bowed deeply, his voice hoarse.
"Dad... I choose the first option."
As long as he still bears the surname Lu and remains within the system, he still has a glimmer of hope.
Lu Zhenguo nodded, then turned his gaze to Lu Zhanyun, who was fidgeting.
"The second thing is about you, Zhan Yun."
Lu Zhanyun jolted awake and immediately stood up, his head drooping so low it was almost buried in his chest.
"Dad, I...I was so confused! It was all that poisonous woman Liu Yuzhen who bewitched me..."
"No need to say anything more." Lu Zhenguo interrupted again. "I know what you and your wife have done all these years. Considering you are members of the Lu family, I can let bygones be bygones."
The couple, Lu Zhanyun and his wife, had just shown a hint of relief at surviving the ordeal when their next words plunged them into despair.
"However, the death penalty may be avoided, but punishment is inevitable."
"From today onwards, all shares of your family businesses will be transferred to Zhan Ting's name."
"I will personally submit a report to transfer you from your position in the General Staff to the Logistics Department to manage the warehouse."
"From now on, I'll plant flowers, grow grass, and cultivate my character."
This treatment is even harsher than simply beating him up.
Taking back the shares is cutting off his source of income.
Transferring him to logistics would ruin his future!
Lu Zhanyun has become a nominal but idle member of the clan!
His face flushed red then turned pale, finally turning ashen. He knew that any rebuttal would only bring him humiliation, so he could only answer in a trembling voice, "Yes... I accept Father's arrangement."
After dealing with these two side issues, the air in the main hall became increasingly stagnant.
Everyone knew that the real highlight was about to begin.
Lu Zhenguo's gaze finally fell on Su Wanqing.
That gaze no longer held scrutiny or doubt, but was filled with complexity, approval, and a complete acceptance.
"The third matter concerns Wanqing."
He spoke in a deep voice, so loud that you could hear a pin drop in the entire main hall.
“From when I fell ill, to the chaos that ensued in this family, and then to the Song family coming to bully us.”
"These events, one by one, were all accomplished by Wan Qing, who single-handedly turned the tide!"
This evaluation is incredibly high!
"She saved me and the old lady with her medical skills. She preserved the Lu family's reputation with her wisdom. She proved with her abilities that she is qualified and capable of becoming the future mistress of the Lu family!"
I hereby declare!
Lu Zhenguo emphasized his words, his gaze sharp.
"From today onwards, all internal affairs of the Lu family, including finance, personnel, and business management, will be handled by Su Wanqing!"
He looked at the old housekeeper beside the old lady: "Uncle Li, later, hand over all the account books, storeroom keys, land deeds and house deeds to the eldest young mistress!"
The old butler immediately responded respectfully, "Yes, sir!"
This appointment signifies that Su Wanqing has officially taken over the supreme authority over the inner quarters of the Lu family from Liu Yuzhen.
She became the true mistress of this huge family!
Lu Zhenguo paused for a moment, then dropped another bombshell.
"Furthermore, Wanqing's cosmetics business is a good thing that benefits the country and its people. I have decided to transfer the three-story shop on Wangfujing Street, which is owned by the Lu family, to Wanqing's personal name as its flagship store."
"All of the Lu family's connections and resources will be open to her career!"
This caused everyone in the room to gasp in surprise!
Even Lu Zhanting was surprised.
The shop in Wangfujing is extremely valuable and is one of the Lu family's most valuable assets. Yet, Grandpa gave it to Wanqing without hesitation!
This isn't support; this is a high-stakes gamble!
Su Wanqing stood up and, facing all the gazes that were filled with shock, jealousy, or awe, bowed deeply to Lu Zhenguo.
Her voice wasn't loud, but it reached everyone's ears clearly, carrying an undeniable power.
"Thank you, Grandpa."
"I will certainly live up to your expectations, and ensure that the Lu family prospers and brings glory to our family."
She didn't say "thank you for the gift," but rather "I will live up to your expectations."
A single word can make all the difference.
What she took on was a responsibility, not a gift.
A deep appreciation flashed in Lu Zhenguo's eyes, and he nodded in satisfaction. Finally, he looked at his most prized grandson.
"Zhan Ting".
"Here." Lu Zhanting stood up, his posture as upright as a pine tree.
"You dealt with the Song family decisively and ruthlessly, demonstrating both courage and resourcefulness. I am very pleased," Lu Zhenguo praised. "Now that the family is at peace, your responsibilities should be even greater. I have already submitted a request to the Central Military Commission to transfer you to the newly established 'Sharp Sword' Special Operations Brigade as its commander! Your rank will be promoted one level!"
A startling light flashed in Lu Zhanting's eyes.
"Sharp Sword"! The tip of the knife for military reform! The vanguard of future warfare!
This was his greatest dream as a soldier!
"Thank you, Grandpa! I promise I'll complete the mission!"
He gave a perfectly standard military salute, his voice booming like a bell!
With this, the power reshuffling within the Lu family has come to an end.
The side branches were cut off, and the core was restored to its original position.
Lu Zhanting was in charge of external affairs and commanded the military.
Su Wanqing was in charge of internal affairs and finances.
A brand new, more stable, and more powerful Lu family power core, controlled by the couple, was officially established.
After the meeting, the Lu Zhanyun and Lu Zhanwen families left dejectedly, their backs to the departing figures forlorn.
Their era has come to a complete end.
Inside Songhe Hall.
Butler Li held a heavy sandalwood box and waited respectfully.
Inside the box was a thick stack of account books, a bunch of keys symbolizing power, and a stack of land deeds and property deeds representing immense wealth.
This is the wealth accumulated by the Lu family over generations; it is the true lifeline of this family.
"Wanqing, from now on, this family is in your hands." The old lady held Su Wanqing's hand and personally handed the box to her, her eyes full of trust and love.
"Grandma, don't worry."
Su Wanqing solemnly accepted the wooden box, feeling its heavy weight.
From that moment on, she truly became the mistress of the house.
Evening, east wing.
Su Wanqing sat under the lamp, flipping through the account books. The Lu family's wealth far exceeded her imagination, encompassing real estate, transportation, pharmaceuticals... almost everything.
These have now become weapons she can wield.
A pair of strong arms wrapped around her from behind, and Lu Zhanting rested his chin on her shoulder, the fragrance of her hair filling his nostrils.
"Are you tired? My Lu family's head butler," he asked with a low laugh.
Su Wanqing smiled and shook her head, leaning against his firm chest: "I'm not tired. I just feel that our journey has only just begun."
She closed the ledger, turned around, cupped his face in her hands, and looked at him with an astonishingly serious expression.
“Lu Zhanting, your grandfather has placed you in the position of ‘sharp sword,’ the sharpest blade in the military. The road ahead will be fraught with danger.”
"I'm not afraid." Lu Zhanting's eyes were unwavering.
“I know you’re not afraid.” Su Wanqing’s fingertips gently traced his eyebrows and eyes, her voice gentle yet full of strength, “But from today onwards, you don’t need to worry about the family at all.”
"Just forge ahead and conquer your stars and the sea."
"I will safeguard our rear area."
"I will use all the resources of the Lu family to build an indestructible business empire for you, as your strongest backing."
"I will make our foundation as solid as a rock. I will ensure that you will never have any worries."
Her words were like a warm current, instantly permeating Lu Zhanting's entire body.
His heart was filled with excitement, and he could no longer restrain himself. He lowered his head and kissed her lips fiercely.
The kiss was lingering and passionate.
It is a promise, a vow, and the complete fusion of two powerful souls.
Outside the window, the moon was high in the sky, and the night was as still as water.
The Lu family's major reshuffle ended in a near-perfect manner.
Internal troubles have been eliminated, and external enemies have been quelled.
Su Wanqing stood at a brand new starting point, before her lay the vast universe.
An era belonging to her is slowly unfolding.
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