Chapter 23: Never Learning from One's Mistakes

Before Mother Lu had even stepped into the courtyard, she began to wail at the top of her lungs: "Qinian, my poor grandson, you’ve been wronged! Grandmother is here, don't be afraid."

However, upon entering the courtyard, she found it empty. Where was there any sign of Lu Qinian? Mother Lu’s cry caught in her throat.

Lin Wanqing walked out from the house to greet her: "Daughter-in-law greets Mother. What brings you here, Mother?"

Lu Jinrong, who never learned from past mistakes, stood with her hands on her hips and demanded, "Lin Wanqing, where have you hidden Qinian? Hurry up and hand him over!" She thought to herself, *If I can’t deal with a merchant's daughter like you, surely my mother can!*

Mother Lu’s face darkened as well: "Lady Lin, where is my precious grandson Qinian? I heard you laid hands on him? You have quite the audacity!"

Although Mother Lu was easily swayed, she cherished her grandchildren more than her own eyes. Upon hearing that Lu Qinian had been beaten, she immediately set aside any pretense of civility toward Lin Wanqing and rushed over with the household guards.

Banxia and the other maids were indignant at Mother Lu’s sudden change in attitude, but Lin Wanqing remained unbothered. She smiled and said, "Mother, you’ve come at the perfect time. I was just about to come to you to discuss this. Qinian caused some trouble in my courtyard this morning, and I did indeed discipline him. He has already realized his mistakes and is currently kneeling before the ancestral tablets in the family shrine."

Mother Lu was stunned: "What? He’s kneeling in the shrine?"

Lin Wanqing nodded, her expression full of gratification: "Mother, Qinian is truly a good child. When he was acting up this morning, I was worried that he was too unruly and might grow up to be a spendthrift. I never expected that he would be so quick to understand; he truly is the legitimate eldest grandson of our Lu family. Both his temperament and his intellect are top-tier. It must be your excellent upbringing, Mother, that has made him so insightful."

With these words, she heaped praise upon both Mother Lu and Lu Qinian. Mother Lu, previously fuming with rage, was instantly mollified, her features relaxing into a pleased expression: "You have a good eye; that child Qinian is indeed intelligent and sharp."

It was only those other people who lacked vision, always claiming her Qinian was reckless and rude. *Pah!* They were just jealous that the Lu family had such an outstanding and brilliant eldest grandson!

Seeing Mother Lu’s smug expression, Lin Wanqing rolled her eyes internally. *Like a dung beetle who doesn't think its own child is black!* Lu Qinian was already eight years old and had been raised to be completely brainless. In her past life, it was only because the boy was eventually dragged into the military by Lu Jinxiao that he turned out alright; otherwise, Mother Lu would have surely turned him into a useless troublemaker.

Lu Jinrong, anxious, tugged at Mother Lu’s sleeve: "Mother! Don't forget why we came! She hit Qinian!"

Mother Lu snapped out of her daze and was about to speak, but Lin Wanqing cut her off.

"Mother, as for me laying hands on Qinian today, you should ask him yourself. If he feels I was wrong to punish him, I will accept whatever penalty you deem fit."

If Lu Qinian were to file a complaint against her to his grandmother, she would simply wash her hands of the three Lu children entirely and live quietly within the confines of her own courtyard.

Lu Jinrong was delighted and egged her mother on: "Let's go, Mother, to the shrine!"

She knew Lu Qinian too well; that boy had never suffered such a blow before. Now that he had Mother Lu to back him, he would surely make Lin Wanqing pay dearly. Thus, Lu Jinrong dragged Mother Lu toward the shrine, with Lin Wanqing and her attendants following behind.

Soon, the group arrived. Upon entering, they saw Lu Qinian kneeling straight and proper before the ancestral tablets.

Mother Lu’s heart ached immediately: "Qinian, my dear grandson, hurry and get up. Don't hurt your knees."

In the past, Lu Qinian would have jumped up immediately, but this time, he remained motionless, as if he had reached a firm resolve.

Lu Jinrong, wanting to stir up more trouble, deliberately said, "Mother, it must be that Lin Wanqing threatened him and forbade him from getting up. This woman’s heart is too vicious!"

Lin Wanqing said calmly from behind: "If my heart were vicious, you would already be facing the magistrate, sister-in-law. My maid has yet to return, after all."

Lu Jinrong was silenced, but she remained unwilling to let it go and kept nudging Mother Lu.

Mother Lu rushed into the shrine to pull Lu Qinian up, but when she saw the marks on his face, she began slapping her own thighs in distress. "My heavens, how could he be beaten like this! Lady Lin, this is the legitimate eldest grandson of our Lu family—how could you!"

Lu Jinrong seized the opportunity: "Mother, was I lying? Lin Wanqing is ruthless; she’s trying to beat your grandson to death! Mother, hurry and order her to kneel in the shrine!"

Mother Lu immediately declared: "Lady Lin, kneel down right now and beg for forgiveness from our ancestors! You wounded the legitimate grandson of the Lu family; your crime is unforgivable!"

Lin Wanqing stepped forward, knelt before the tablets, and bowed three times with great piety: "Ancestors of the Lu family, I, Lin Wanqing, kowtow to you. I pray that you protect my husband, Lu Jinxiao, that he may defeat Southern Yue, keep our Great Liang in peace, and return in triumph soon."

After finishing her kowtows, Lin Wanqing looked at Lu Qinian: "In the presence of our ancestors, tell your grandmother yourself: was there any injustice in the beating you received today?"

Lu Qinian shook his head honestly: "Grandmother, I was reckless today. I was not wrongly punished."

Lu Jinrong’s eyes widened: "Lu Qinian, did Lin Wanqing beat you stupid?"

Lu Qinian looked at her coldly: "Mother punished me today for my own good. Little Aunt, please do not meddle in matters that do not concern you."

Although he still resented Lin Wanqing, compared to this aunt who had stabbed him in the back, Lin Wanqing was at least not underhanded. He hated those who schemed behind others' backs, especially those who targeted their own kin.

The Lu family had been soldiers for generations, and they only ever entrusted their backs to those they trusted most. His aunt’s behavior today was no different from a soldier pushing a comrade into danger to save their own skin on the battlefield! This was something he could not accept. The Lus could accept defeat, but they could never tolerate betrayal or backstabbing.

Lu Qinian’s gaze made Lu Jinrong’s heart tighten. *What is wrong with this child? Didn't I just push him a little?* Though it might have been a bit underhanded, she was his elder. In that situation, he should have stepped up and taken the blame to help her get away. Besides, he was just kneeling; he hadn't lost a piece of flesh, so why was he so angry? That he didn't hold a grudge against Lin Wanqing, who had actually hit him, but instead blamed her for bringing reinforcements—he was truly an ungrateful brat!

Lin Wanqing watched their silent exchange, unable to suppress a smile.

Mother Lu was also bewildered by Lu Qinian’s words: "Qinian, are you alright?"

Lu Qinian replied: "Grandmother, I am fine. You should go back. I need to reflect properly in the shrine. When I have thought it through, I will come out on my own."

Mother Lu tried to persuade him for a long time but could not move him.

Lin Wanqing stood up and said: "Mother, Qinian is growing up and has his own thoughts; this is a good thing. Him reflecting in the shrine, with the guidance of the Lu ancestors, is a great boon for him. Let us not disturb him."

Thus, Mother Lu was half-coaxed, half-supported out of the shrine by Lin Wanqing.

Mother Lu felt a bit embarrassed: "Wanqing, about today... I am just a foolish old woman..."

Lin Wanqing smiled and interrupted her: "Mother was merely too concerned for Qinian, which is why you lost your composure. Daughter-in-law understands and will not take it to heart."

Mother Lu beamed: "As long as you understand, my child. You truly are a thoughtful and wonderful person."

Lin Wanqing did not commit to that statement and turned the conversation to another matter: "Mother, tomorrow is the day I return to my maiden home for the three-day post-wedding visit."