Chapter 35: Mother and Daughter Turn Against Each Other

Lin Wanqing saw Lu Jinrong’s movements clearly and gave a cold, internal sneer.

So, after seeing her reorganize the General’s estate, Lu Jinrong wanted to come and pick the low-hanging fruit. Fine, let her try; Lin Wanqing wasn't attached to the power anyway. However, she was curious to see how this mother-daughter duo intended to play out this farce. She pretended not to notice, stepped forward, and performed a standard, respectful bow to Mother Lu.

"Daughter-in-law greets Mother. May I ask what business you have with me?"

Mother Lu looked somewhat sheepish. "It is not I who sought you out, but Jinrong. She said she has something to discuss with you."

Lu Jinrong grew anxious and tugged at her mother’s sleeve. "Mother!"

In a rare display of firmness, Mother Lu pulled her sleeve away. "I have no face to bring this up. Since you are the one who wants it, you may speak to your sister-in-law yourself."

Lin Wanqing was stunned. Was this really the same spineless Mother Lu she knew? How could she have the heart to refuse Lu Jinrong? Could it be that during her time kneeling in the ancestral hall, some long-departed ancestor had possessed her?

Setting aside her surprise, Lin Wanqing turned to Lu Jinrong. "Jinrong, you wanted to see me? What is the matter?"

Lu Jinrong tugged at her mother again, but Mother Lu was determined to stay silent. Left with no choice, Lu Jinrong stood up. "I want to manage the household with you."

She said it with an air of unearned authority.

"You have just married into the General’s estate and don't know the lay of the land. You’ve seen the servants; they are all slippery characters. I’m only trying to help you so you don't get taken advantage of."

Lu Jinrong lifted her chin high, wearing an expression of someone bestowing a great favor.

Lin Wanqing smiled. "Then I suppose I should thank you."

Lu Jinrong huffed. "Thanks are unnecessary. Just hand over the keys to the accounts office. I will manage the books, and you can handle the daily affairs of the estate."

Banxia and Zisu were so angry they almost laughed. Lu Jinrong certainly had a thick skin. She wanted their mistress to act as a servant for the Lu family while she took the credit?

Even Mother Lu found this hard to watch. "Jinrong, stop this nonsense! Your sister-in-law must manage the accounts. If you truly wish to help, you can assist her as a subordinate."

She was genuinely afraid that whatever silver remained in the accounts would be squandered by Lu Jinrong again.

Lin Wanqing was becoming increasingly curious about what exactly the old General had said to Mother Lu in her dreams. However, as a daughter-in-law, it wasn't appropriate to ask, so she pushed the curiosity aside.

Lu Jinrong was unconvinced. "How is this nonsense? Mother, I am your daughter. I am a member of the Lu family. She is nothing but an outsider. Why are you siding with her?"

Lin Wanqing smiled faintly. "Jinrong, since you want to bring that up, let me say a few words. It is true that you are a member of the Lu family, but have you heard the saying, 'A married daughter is like splashed water'? You are nearly seventeen; in a year or two, you will be married off. As for me, I am the legal wife, wed to your brother by proper ceremony and carried through the gates in the bridal sedan."

"Your brother and I are one; our honor and fates are tied. In two years, you will be just like me—of one heart with your future husband. So, tell me, who is the true member of the General’s estate?"

Lu Jinrong’s face flushed with rage. She pointed a finger at Lin Wanqing. "You merchant’s daughter! Who are you calling an outsider? What right do you have to say such things? Even if I marry, I will always be the daughter of the General’s house! I will always be a mistress here, while you are just a woman married in from the outside. If you do something wrong, our family can simply cast you out!"

*Slap!*

A loud, sharp slap landed on Lu Jinrong’s face.

The person who struck her was Mother Lu.

Everyone was stunned, including Lin Wanqing. Lu Jinrong was in a daze for a long time. "Mother, you... you hit me? You hit me for the sake of an outsider?"

Mother Lu, having delivered the blow, was trembling violently. "An outsider?! Who are you calling an outsider?"

Lin Wanqing realized immediately that Lu Jinrong’s words had struck a nerve. Mother Lu was a pitiable woman; because of her low birth and lack of ability, she had spent years being looked down upon by her own mother-in-law and bullied by the servants. She had undoubtedly heard herself called an "outsider" many times, and the threat of being cast out was something she knew all too well. Lu Jinrong’s words hadn't hurt Lin Wanqing, but they had reopened Mother Lu’s own painful wounds.

Lu Jinrong, failing to realize her mistake, shrieked, "Of course the person who married in is the outsider!"

Mother Lu felt her vision darken. She raised her hand to strike again, but before she could, she collapsed in a faint.

"Mother!" Lin Wanqing was startled and rushed forward to catch her.

Mother Lu had simply been overcome with rage; she recovered quickly after a moment. She pointed at the terrified Lu Jinrong and said, "You wicked child, get back to your courtyard and reflect on your behavior behind closed doors!"

Lu Jinrong had felt a flicker of guilt, but at these words, she exploded again. "Why! Mother, have you lost your mind? You are grounding me for the sake of an outsider?"

Excellent. That word "outsider" stung Mother Lu again, and she began to tremble with renewed fury.

Lin Wanqing patted her back soothingly. "Mother, do not get angry. Your health is what matters."

Mother Lu shed tears of frustration. "How did I ever give birth to such a wicked child?"

Lu Jinrong, still defiant, tried to argue back, but Lin Wanqing spoke with cold authority. "That is enough, Lu Jinrong! Do you truly want to kill your mother? Open your eyes and look—this is your mother! The one who gave you life and raised you! If others call her an outsider, that is one thing, but you and your brothers are the last people who should ever say such a thing. Do you understand?"

Lu Jinrong blinked. "I wasn't calling her an outsider, I was talking about you."

After saying this, Lu Jinrong finally realized what she had implied. Her face went pale, and she stammered, "Mother, that’s not what I meant. I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about Lin Wanqing. How could you ever be an outsider?"

Mother Lu panted, "Shut your mouth! Is your sister-in-law’s name something you can bark out so casually? Do you have no manners at all? Let me be clear today: your sister-in-law is the lawfully wedded wife of the General. As long as she does nothing to betray this house, she will hold this status for the rest of her life, and nothing will change that!"

"If you dare to be disrespectful to her again, do not blame me for enforcing the family law!"

Lu Jinrong began to cry. "Mother, you would treat me this way for the sake of an out... for her?"

Mother Lu slammed her hand on the table. "Call her sister-in-law!"

Lu Jinrong’s stubborn streak took over, and she stiffened her neck. "I will not! You can beat me to death, and I still won't call her that!"

Mother Lu stood up in anger, but her vision blurred once more.

Lin Wanqing quickly steadied her. "Mother, please calm down. If she does not wish to call me that, then let it be. It is merely a title. Her refusal does not change the fact that I am the daughter-in-law of the Lu family. I do not mind."