Chapter 200 Wan Wanning Becomes a Mistress
The news naturally reached Madam Xiao's ears as well.
Unlike others, Madam Xiao's expression showed no mockery upon hearing the news; instead, it was filled with heartache and resentment.
She immediately instructed Granny Zhang: "Prepare some calming tea and snacks, something mild and soothing."
After saying this, he got up and went to Chengrui Courtyard, where Lu Zhaoruo lived.
Upon entering the courtyard, one sees Lu Zhaoruo standing by the window, her expression serene and calm, while Dong Rou beside her has her brows furrowed in worry.
“Zhao Ruo”.
Madam Xiao called out, her voice gentle.
Upon hearing the voice, Lu Zhaoruo turned around, curtsied, and said, "Madam."
Madam Xiao stepped forward, took her slightly cool hand, patted it gently, and said crisply, "I know about all the rumors outside. They are just gossipy women who can't stand seeing others do well. Don't take them to heart, and there's no need to worry about such things."
Her gaze was kind, yet it carried the wisdom gained from experiencing the world: "Now that the Xiao family has taken you in, they will not let you suffer because of a few baseless rumors. In this world, the more outstanding a person is, the more likely they are to attract trouble. You must not let these unfounded rumors disturb your peace of mind."
Lu Zhaoruo felt a warmth in her heart and shook her head: "Thank you for your concern, Madam. I am fine."
She paused, met Madam Xiao's gaze, and said, "I only seek to act with a clear conscience. I have never harmed anyone for no reason. Everything I have done is simply to protect myself. As for those people... they all have their own faults."
Only then did Granny Zhang, who was standing to the side, speak, her tone stern: "Madam Lu, Madam truly cares for you, which is why she came in person. If it's convenient for you, please explain the whole story in detail. Only when Madam has a clear understanding can she take care of things for you."
Lu Zhaoruo knew that Madam Xiao was straightforward, but the nanny beside her was meticulous and thorough.
She nodded slightly and began to recount the old stories of the Shen family.
From being childhood sweethearts with Shen Rongzhi, to supporting her studies at the Lu family's private school, to Shen Qingshu taking the initiative to propose a marriage between them.
After marrying into the Shen family, Shen Rongzhi lied on her wedding night and left to go to sea to do business. Her aunts-in-law, Shen Qingshu and Zhang, treated her harshly every day, often scolding her with "family traditions" and "rules," making her live worse than a servant.
From learning that Shen Rongzhi had remarried overseas and sent his eldest daughter back to her to raise, to how she tricked him into returning home under the pretense of "rewarding loyal merchants of three dynasties," and how she pretended to have tuberculosis and be dying... to finally facing the court alone, including matters concerning her mistress Lin Yingyu.
She candidly recounted every single incident, the humiliation and the scheming, without any concealment.
Madam Xiao clenched her fists upon hearing this.
As soon as Lu Zhaoruo finished speaking, she said angrily, "Well said! That old scoundrel Shen Qingshu deserved to die by hitting his head against a pillar! That poisonous woman Zhang deserved to be imprisoned! The mistress Lin Yingyu is shameless and despicable, and her imprisonment is well-deserved! And that Shen Rongzhi..."
Her chest heaved as she said hatefully, "If it were up to me, would I allow him to be exiled thousands of miles away? I would have killed that heartless bastard on the spot, that would have been much more satisfying!"
Granny Zhang sighed helplessly, "Madam, if Madam Lu really did kill someone on the spot as you said, she should be in prison keeping Zhang company right now."
She turned to Lu Zhaoruo, her stern face revealing approval and pity: "So it turns out that Shen Qingshu wasn't forced to death by Madam Lu, but rather, seeing that his son's crimes were irrefutable, he tried to gain a reputation for 'atonement with death' in order to reduce his son's sentence. Such thoughts are truly despicable! Madam Lu, you have suffered so much these past years..."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao's eyes filled with heartache. She took Lu Zhaoruo's hand and sighed, "Good child, it's been so hard for you to get through this and to have developed such a strong and unyielding spirit!"
Lu Zhaoruo lowered her eyes slightly, her voice tinged with bitterness: "To be honest, Madam, the reason we were able to bring the entire Shen family to justice was because we had General Xiao's influence. And the evidence that Shen Rongzhi married and had children overseas was also collected by General Xiao's people in secret, which is why it was so easy to obtain."
She knew she had taken advantage of Xiao Yeming's power.
But Xiao Yeming protected her in every way, and Madam Xiao treated her like her own daughter. With such sincerity, she really didn't want to hide anything anymore.
She spoke softly, with an apologetic tone: "In the end, Zhao Ruo... ultimately took advantage of General Xiao."
Instead of being annoyed by this, Madam Xiao laughed heartily, her eyes sparkling with confidence: "Good! That's the kind of man my Xiao family should have! He did the right thing, he did well!"
She gently patted Lu Zhaoruo's hand, her gaze intense: "Remember this, the purpose of power is to be used by others. Since he is willing to lend you his power, it means he believes you are worthwhile! So how can you talk about 'using' him? My son's insight and courage are quite like his father's!"
Granny Zhang smiled and nodded, adding softly, "What you say is true, Madam. The General always acts with method and strategy. He must have weighed his options before taking action. Madam Lu need not worry."
Lu Zhaoruo stood there, stunned, a look of astonishment flashing in her eyes.
So... Xiao Yeming knew about her scheme from the very beginning?
Yet, she still willingly became a pawn in her hands.
The inner room of the villa in the south of the city.
Although it was daytime, the curtains were tightly drawn, filtering the sunlight into a dim light.
Qi Liang was exhausted and leaned against the couch.
Wan Wanning lay on his sweat-dampened chest, her breath slightly rapid and weary, yet she still managed to extend her fingertips and gently draw circles on his heart, cautiously probing, "Liang Lang... when will you take me into your household and give Wanning a proper status?"
Qi Liang played with a strand of her hair, his eyes flickering.
Then he whispered gently in her ear, "You should stay here well. Tomorrow I will add a few more clever maids to serve you. Just tell me if you need anything. However, there are many things going on in the manor right now, so I can't ask my mother immediately."
He changed the subject, making a somewhat intimate promise, "But don't worry, the title will be yours sooner or later... Then, we can stay together day and night."
Without waiting for her response, he turned over and covered her with his kiss, sealing her lips with his own.
Then, a new round of possession ensued.
Although Wan Wanning was very uncomfortable, she tried her best to accommodate her.
Qi Liang lowered his eyes to look at the person beneath him, a cold smile playing on his lips.
That's a sensible person... but unfortunately, it's ultimately something that can't be presented in a respectable way.
So easily surrendering oneself to someone, without even a shred of restraint, is not worthy of my sincere affection.
Besides, she was the sister of the murderer who killed her cousin Li Xiu...
Thinking of this, the coldness in his eyes deepened.
He had never liked Li Nian'er and her brother, and their lives were of no importance to him.
Even so, he would never allow such a woman of low birth and questionable character to step into the Qi family mansion.
She may admire it privately, but we must never allow her to tarnish our family's reputation.
Qi Liang must marry a legitimate daughter of an official family of equal social standing; even if he takes a concubine, she must be a respectable illegitimate daughter of an official family.
The person in front of me is nothing more than a novelty toy.
Wan Wanning accepted the weight on her body, secretly pleased with herself.
She felt she was one step closer to entering the Qi family mansion, and thought of the rumors about Lu Zhaoruo that Qi Liang had told her today, which filled her with pleasure.
She looked out the window.
Despite the excruciating pain in his lower body, he still managed a smug smile.
Lu Zhaoruo, your reputation is ruined. How can the Xiao family tolerate you? Madam Xiao's favor and the honor of meeting the Emperor are probably all in vain.
And I am about to become a concubine in the Qi family.
In the end... I prevailed.
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