Chapter 36: A Childhood Bond?

"Lin Wanqing, stop putting on this act of being a saint!"

Lu Jinrong pointed at Lin Wanqing, her voice trembling with rage. "You are nothing but a home-wrecker! Ever since you stepped foot in this house, my mother has changed! What are your true intentions? Just you wait! I am going to write to my brother right now and have him divorce you!"

With that, Lu Jinrong turned on her heel and stormed off, followed closely by her maid.

Madam Lu shrieked in fury, "You unfilial wretch, stop right there! I told you to stop!"

But her words carried no weight; Lu Jinrong did not even pause.

Overcome with agitation, Madam Lu clutched her chest and began to sob. "Oh, Heavens! What sin have I committed to give birth to such a heartless brat?"

Lin Wanqing helped her sit down, patting her back to soothe her breathing, while instructing Zisu, "Go and fetch a physician immediately."

Turning to Madam Lu, she said gently, "Please, Mother, calm yourself. Jinrong is still young; we can teach her slowly. Your health is what matters most—you mustn't let this anger harm you."

Madam Lu wept, "She is nearly seventeen; how can she still be considered young? Wanqing, she has always been loose-tongued—do not take her words to heart. Rest assured, I will discipline her from now on and not let her cross you again."

Lin Wanqing offered a faint smile. "Of course, I won't."

Not only did she dismiss Lu Jinrong's insults, but she also took Madam Lu's promises with a grain of salt. Madam Lu might seem supportive now, but only because she had been stung by her daughter's disrespect. Had Lu Jinrong not provoked her, the odds were high that Madam Lu would currently be helping her daughter pry the management of the household away from Lin Wanqing.

No matter how fiercely a mother and daughter fought, their resentment would never last beyond the night. No matter how well she performed as a daughter-in-law, she would never surpass their bond. Anyone who took a mother-in-law's words at face value was a fool.

The physician arrived quickly. After checking Madam Lu’s pulse, he prescribed a few calming decoctions and cautioned, "The old madam is advanced in age; emotional distress is the greatest enemy. She is already showing signs of heart palpitations caused by anger. You must be extremely careful, or it could easily lead to a stroke."

Madam Lu turned pale with fear, acting as if she had been handed a terminal diagnosis.

Once the physician was seen out, Madam Lu clutched Lin Wanqing and began to cry again. "Why is my life so bitter? I endured endless hardship marrying into the General’s estate, and just as I finally saw a glimmer of hope, I lost my husband, then my son, and now I am plagued with illness. What is the point of living like this..."

Lin Wanqing comforted her, "Mother, do not worry. Physicians often exaggerate to ensure we take things seriously. You are not yet old, and your constitution is sound. With a little rest, you will be fine. Besides, you still have to hold the children of Qinian and Qian'an in your arms."

Soothed by these words, Madam Lu gradually calmed down. Once the calming medicine was brewed, Lin Wanqing personally served it to her. Only after the medicine took effect and Madam Lu fell asleep did she finally rise to leave.

By the time the commotion settled, the better part of the day had passed, and it was well past lunchtime.

Banxia said with a pained expression, "There is just too much going on in this General’s estate. My lady hasn't had a moment of peace since you arrived, and you haven't even had time for a proper meal."

Lin Wanqing smiled. "It's just a small matter."

Although the General's estate was indeed filled with endless trifles, it was only temporary; once she smoothed things over, it would be fine. Compared to her previous life, her current existence was a thousand times better.

After lunch, a servant from the front courtyard came to announce that her uncle, Jiang Huaiqian, had arrived.

Lin Wanqing quickly changed her clothes and went to the front courtyard with her maid.

"Greetings, Uncle."

As soon as she entered the room, Lin Wanqing performed a deep, formal bow, startling Jiang Huaiqian, who hurried forward to help her up.

"You child, we are family; there is no need for such formalities."

Lin Wanqing said earnestly, "It is necessary. Our last meeting was too rushed, and we didn't have a chance to speak properly. I should have invited you over sooner, but the household affairs have been overwhelming, and it has been delayed until now. Please, Uncle, do not take offense."

Jiang Huaiqian replied, "I have heard a bit about the situation at the General's estate. It must have been difficult for you."

Although Lin Wanqing had issued a gag order forbidding the disclosure of internal affairs, the sight of the steward and several managers being hauled off to the magistrate's office had been witnessed by many. For the past few days, the city of Yuzhou had been abuzz with speculation about what could have happened at the estate to warrant such drastic measures.

Lin Wanqing smiled. "It wasn't anything major, and it has all been resolved. Uncle, I invited you here for two reasons: to see you, and to ask a favor."

Jiang Huaiqian said, "Just tell me what it is. As long as it is within my power, I will do everything I can."

Lin Wanqing felt a warmth in her heart. Her uncle’s family had always been loyal to her; in her past life, they had supported her with everything they had. Without them, how could a lone woman have established a firm footing in the male-dominated business world?

"Uncle, I would like to ask my eldest cousin to serve as the steward of the General’s estate for a while. I have just taken over the household management and have no one I can trust. I need my cousin to assist me and help train a group of reliable servants. I am prepared to offer him a monthly salary of twenty taels of silver, with a fifty-tael bonus at the end of the year..."

Before she could finish, Jiang Huaiqian interrupted.

"Why pay so much? A regular steward for a prominent household only makes five taels a month. He is an inexperienced novice—giving him twenty taels will only overwhelm him."

Jiang Huaiqian knew his niece was finding a roundabout way to support their family. She feared that if she simply gave them money, they would feel burdened, so she offered such a high salary instead. The girl’s heart and character were exactly like her mother’s—kind and thoughtful.

Thinking of his sister who had passed away too soon, Jiang Huaiqian felt a pang of sorrow. He sighed, "If your mother were still alive and saw how capable you have become, she would be so happy. But look at me, why am I bringing this up? Just pay your cousin the standard rate. Wanqing, I understand your intentions, but you have just married into the General's estate—you must be cautious and thorough in your actions so as not to give others any reason to gossip."

Lin Wanqing did not insist. There were plenty of ways to help her uncle's family; she didn't necessarily have to do it through his salary.

"By the way, Uncle, do you know the General?"

This was a question she had been dying to clarify.

Jiang Huaiqian laughed. "You are indeed sharp. It is true, I know the young General Lu. I was the one who helped bridge the connections for his maritime business. My decision to go to the Lin family on the day he sent his betrothal gifts was something we had agreed upon beforehand."

"The young General Lu is a man of honor and sentiment. You shared a bond in your youth, and he holds you in his heart. Knowing you have married into his house gives me such peace of mind."

Lin Wanqing looked blankly at him. "I shared a bond with the General in my youth? Why don't I remember that?"

And as for him "holding her in his heart," that was even more absurd—she had no memory of such a person at all.