There was a grand banquet at the Lu Mansion today. Before daybreak, Gu Yunran got up, dressed up, and tied her hair. She applied a lot of white powder on her face, which had originally looked rosy from the few days of rest. She looked listless.
The servants were already busy in the yard, and before Gu Yunran had time to eat breakfast, he was called by Mrs. Lu.
"Yunran, come here quickly." Madam Lu waved to her with a smile on her face, "Have breakfast with me."
As she spoke, her servants had already served breakfast, and Nanny Zhao added a pair of bowls and chopsticks for Gu Yunran.
"Ma'am, please."
Nanny Zhao handed the jade chopsticks to her personally. Gu Yunran was stunned for a moment when she took it.
Whether in the previous life or this life, after being in the Lu family for so long, this was the first time that Mrs. Lu had invited her to have breakfast with such a friendly face.
Madam Lu even personally picked up a piece of steamed shrimp dumpling for Gu Yunran and placed it in her bowl. "This is your favorite. Madam Zhao asked the kitchen to prepare it at 12:00 AM. It's still hot from the pot."
Gu Yunran took a bite and it tasted delicious, but she had no appetite.
The old lady was so attentive to her simply because her brother had helped Lu Qingzhou as soon as he returned to Shengjing. She felt disgusted by this kind of snobbish person who changed his attitude according to the situation.
After taking only two bites, Gu Yunran said, "Mother-in-law, I'm full."
Gu Yunran put down his bowl and chopsticks.
Madam Lu also felt Gu Yunran's alienation, but she didn't care at all. She still smiled and said, "Thank you for taking care of the celebration banquet for Qingzhou's promotion."
Gu Yunran replied calmly: "This is what a daughter-in-law should do."
Old Madam Lu was very satisfied. She had read the invitations sent by Gu Yunran. Many prominent figures in Shengjing were invited. Having so many prestigious people come to support her son not only made the Lu Mansion glorious, but also made Qingzhou's future easier.
After breakfast, Madam Lu asked Gu Yunran to get busy.
After leaving Baomo Hall, Zhuye couldn't help but mutter, "Madam, why did you invite so many dignitaries in the name of the Gu Mansion to celebrate the Fourth Master's promotion today to give him face?"
To bring honor to the Lu family?
Gu Yunran smiled faintly and said nothing.
Taohua reached out and flicked Zhuye's forehead, then said with a smile, "Madam has her own plans."
"Let's go to the banquet hall."
Gu Yunran took the two maids to the banquet hall, which was located in the back garden of the Lu Mansion. Everything was almost ready.
The second sister-in-law of the Lu family was in charge. When she saw Gu Yunran coming over, she smiled and asked, "Yunran, do you think this arrangement of mine is feasible?"
"OK."
Gu Yunran turned around and checked, but didn't find anything wrong. She glanced around casually and saw Yuling not far away fiddling with a flower pot with her head down.
Gu Yunran walked up to her, stood there for a while without saying a word, then turned and left.
Yuling was so scared that her forehead was covered with sweat and her heart was pounding. After she put the flower pots in place, she secretly ran out and turned to the pavilion on the rockery.
She finally saw Gu Yunran.
Gu Yunran looked at the peony flower, not knowing what she was thinking. It was not until Yuling ran up to her and knelt on the ground with a thud that she came to her senses.
She was startled: "Yuling, what are you doing?"
She asked Zhuye to help Yuling up, but Yuling refused to get up. After hesitating for a while, she mustered up the courage to speak: "Madam, I have an important matter to report."
Zhuye pulled Yuling's arm and asked her to stand up: "If you have something to say, stand up and tell me. Don't kneel down all the time. It's not like you did anything wrong."
Yuling shook her head, tears streaming down her face: "Slave, I made a mistake."
"What did you do?" Gu Yunran asked.
Yuling took out a handful of silver and jewelry from her pocket and placed them in front of Gu Yunran, crying, "These are all gifts from Aunt Fan."
"Just keep the gift she gave you." Zhuye said, "Madam is not such a stingy person."
Yuling cried and shook her head, telling everything Fan Meiniang asked her to do. She also gave Qianli's jade pendant to Gu Yunran.
"I will return this jade pendant to you," she sobbed, "but I really did not poison Madam."
"Madam, you have treated me well. I will not take your life."
"What else did she tell you?" Gu Yunran asked.
Yuling pursed her lips and finally told Gu Yunran about Fan Meiniang's plan. Even Gu Yunran was amazed and had to admire her for killing three birds with one stone. Not only could she get rid of the old lady and her, but Fan Meiniang could also live with Lu Qingzhou.
Gu Yunran reached out to help her up and wiped the tears from Yuling's eyes with a handkerchief: "No one is perfect. It's not too late for you to make amends now."
"Don't cry, go back later and pretend nothing happened. Just do what Aunt Fan taught you. Got it?"
"But..." Yuling tugged at her clothes and pursed her lips, "Won't that mean Madam will suffer?"
Gu Yunran smiled: "Silly girl."
"Of course I've made full preparations." She packed up the silver jewelry Yuling had handed over and put it back in her hands. "You can take these back."
Then she said to Zhuye, "Give Yuling some silver peanuts."
"Yes, ma'am." Zhuye took out three silver peanuts from the cloth bag he carried with him and stuffed them into Yuling's hand. Yuling shook her head and refused to take them.
"Just keep what Madam gave you." Zhuye said, "Our Madam is much more generous than Concubine Fan, and she is kind-hearted and will not harm innocent people."
She paused, smiled, and said, "Yuling, choosing Madam is the right choice."
Yuling wiped her tears and nodded, "I know."
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