Chapter 14: A New Challenge

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Madam Lu smiled warmly and waved her hand. “Your sister-in-law is a good person. From now on, you must not be so disrespectful. You have to call her ‘sister-in-law.’ Understand?”

“What?” Lu Jinrong widened her eyes in disbelief. “Mother, she’s just a merchant’s daughter. Does she deserve me to call her sister-in-law?”

Madam Lu gave her a reproachful glance. “You can’t say that. Your sister-in-law was formally married into the Lu family, having gone through the wedding ceremony with your brother. She is his legitimate wife. Not calling her sister-in-law is disrespecting your brother.”

Lu Jinrong was furious and didn’t want to speak further. She turned to find Nurse Zhang but saw no one. “Mother, where is Nurse Zhang?”

Madam Lu waved her hand. “She doesn’t respect me. Your sister-in-law had her punished with the wooden board.”

“What?!” Lu Jinrong jumped up. “Mother, Nurse Zhang is the most capable nurse around you! This is outrageous! Where does a merchant’s daughter get such audacity? Does she even respect you as her mother-in-law?”

Madam Lu was carefree. “Your sister-in-law said Nurse Zhang bullied our General’s Mansion because there are no men here and doesn’t respect me, the mistress. I think she’s right.”

Lu Jinrong’s anger pained her heart. “Mother! That merchant’s daughter is talking nonsense! She’s slapping your face! How can a new bride, on her very first day, punish the trusted nurse by the mother-in-law’s side? If this gets out, where will your dignity be? You won’t find such a brazen daughter-in-law anywhere in the world! Mother, if you don’t find a way to suppress her soon, in a few days the General’s Mansion will belong to that merchant’s daughter!”

Madam Lu hesitated. “No… it can’t be. Your sister-in-law doesn’t seem like that kind of person. I think what she said makes sense. Maybe you misunderstood her?”

Lu Jinrong stomped anxiously. “Mother, you’re utterly confused! Think about what you’re going to do tonight.”

“To ask her and your brother about consummating their marriage… Ah! How could I have forgotten such an important matter?”

Madam Lu suddenly remembered she had completely forgotten the real purpose and had been led around by Lin Wanqing all along.

Lu Jinrong was too angry to respond calmly. “Mother, that merchant’s daughter is cunning and skilled. On her first day, she already punished Nurse Zhang. Who knows what she’ll do next? We can’t just sit back and let her bully us.”

Madam Lu suddenly felt the truth in her words and grew restless. “What should I do? I… I’ve been so foolish to be fooled by her words.”

Seeing her finally come to her senses, Lu Jinrong felt somewhat relieved.

“Mother, you suffered a big loss at her hands last night. Tomorrow, when you pay respects with tea, you must not let your guard down. We have to suppress her then.”

Madam Lu lacked resolve. “But even together, we’re no match for her.”

Lu Jinrong snorted. “Though we don’t have as many tricks, filial piety will crush her.”

Madam Lu clapped her hands. “I know what to do now. Rong’er, you’re truly clever.”

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Lu Jinrong smiled proudly. “Of course.”

Early the next morning.

Lin Wanqing rose at dawn, tidied herself, and dressed festively before heading to Madam Lu’s courtyard.

At this time, Madam Lu was still asleep.

Nurse Chen hurried over to greet her. “Good morning, madam.”

Her tone was cautious, clearly shaken by the events of the previous night.

Lin Wanqing was pleased with her tact. “Has the mother-in-law risen? I’ve come to pay my respects and offer tea.”

Nurse Chen smiled politely. “The old madam won’t be up for another half hour. Madam, would you prefer to return and come back later, or…”

Lin Wanqing waved her off. “No need. I’ll wait here. Since I’ve come to pay respects, there’s no reason to come back later.”

Nurse Chen chuckled. “You’re very thoughtful, madam. I’ll have someone bring a stool for you.”

Lin Wanqing thanked her with a smile and sat quietly in the courtyard with her two maids.

In truth, Madam Lu had already awakened during their conversation, but since she and Lu Jinrong had agreed to suppress Lin Wanqing today, she deliberately stayed in bed.

Nurse Chen whispered as she entered, “Old madam, are you really going to let madam wait in the courtyard like this?”

Madam Lu nodded. “Let her wait. Have someone watch carefully. If she’s out of line in any way, note it down.”

These were all excuses to pick a fight.

Nurse Chen smiled. “The old madam is wise.”

She and Nurse Zhang had been longtime partners, sometimes at odds but genuinely close. Moreover, as elders of the Lu household, seeing their old sister so mistreated by this new madam stirred a protective fire within her.

Thus, she fully supported Madam Lu’s plan to deal with Lin Wanqing.

But Nurse Chen was shrewd. She wouldn’t foolishly confront Lin Wanqing herself but encouraged Madam Lu to engage in the conflict.

If they won, the elder servants would live more comfortably in the mansion.

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If they lost, it wouldn’t matter much—after all, the rift was between Madam Lu and Lin Wanqing. The servants were just her subordinates. As long as they didn’t openly offend Lin Wanqing, she wouldn’t dare harm them without cause.

So Nurse Zhang stood calmly under the eaves, watching Lin Wanqing and her two maids.

Spring was still in the air; the mornings were chilly, overcast, and windy, making the courtyard bitterly cold.

Banxia worried Lin Wanqing might catch a chill and whispered, “Miss, should I go back and bring a cloak?”

Lin Wanqing waved her off. “No need. I’m not cold.”

Zisu lowered her voice as well. “Good thing the miss told us to dress warmly before leaving, or we’d be freezing by now.”

Banxia’s eyes widened. “Miss, did you already anticipate this?”

Lin Wanqing smiled and nodded. “The old madam is soft-hearted. After returning last night, someone surely stirred trouble in her ears.”

Madam Lu’s confusion was well known from Lin Wanqing’s past life. Even Lin Qianyun, that fool, had used her as a pawn. It was clear how easily the old lady could be manipulated.

Yesterday, Lin Wanqing had punished Nurse Zhang with the wooden board. The entire household staff probably wished she would be driven out of the General’s Mansion. There was no way they would let the opportunity to pay respects and offer tea slip by.

Before leaving, the three dressed warmly. Though chilly, it was bearable.

Nurse Zhang, seeing their calm demeanor and flawless adherence to etiquette, muttered inwardly, “This Lin family merchant has taught her well. Compared to Lu Jinrong, she’s in a different league.”

Madam Lu waited inside for a long time, seeing no movement outside. She called Nurse Zhang in. “Have they left?”

Nurse Zhang shook her head. “No, they’re still waiting in the courtyard.”

Madam Lu was surprised. “It’s been nearly an hour; they haven’t moved?”

Nurse Zhang shook her head again. “Old madam, this method isn’t working. We should try another.”

Madam Lu threw back the covers and rose. “Help me get ready.”