When Lu Yue reached the door, she did not enter but hid behind a pillar. Lu Xiang glanced at her and rolled her eyes speechlessly. Did she think that her father wouldn't know that she was the one who called the Old Madam over?
The old lady stepped into the main hall and glanced at Concubine Fang, who was kneeling on the ground. She looked over her weak and aggrieved face before stopping at Lu Youping.
"What are you arguing about? Lu Mingzhu is the young lady of the family. Is she, Liu He, the matriarch? She caused chaos at home over a small matter. Is this the woman you dote on?"
Madam Liu was pretending to be aggrieved, but after being scolded by the Old Madam, she was aggrieved for real. Her face alternated between green and white, and she was so angry that she almost vomited blood.
What did she mean by causing chaos at home?
This damn old woman dared slandered her like this just because she didn't like her.
Lu Youping was wondering why the Old Madam suddenly came. When he heard her say that about Madam Liu, his heart immediately ached. He hugged Liu He and frowned, "Mother, what are you talking about?"
The old lady glared at Lu Youping. "What are you saying? Do you want me to be direct?"
Lu Youping choked. "…"
If she were to be more direct, she would say out loud that Liu He was a mistress.
Under his mother's threatening gaze, Lu Youping was so angry that his intestines knotted.
"Which b*stard went to complain to the Old Madam?" he thought.
"There's nothing serious here. Mother, go back and rest." Lu Youping quickly changed the topic.
The Old Madam glared at Lu Youping with disappointment before looking at Madam Liu. "Madam Liu, since you've entered the Lu Family, you have to abide by the Lu Family's rules. The only person who can be called Mother is the head of the family. Even if the child was born by the concubine, she can only be called Aunt."
As soon as the Old Madam finished speaking, Madam Liu, who was in Lu Youping's arms, turned even more pale. She was so angry that her lips could not help but tremble.
Concubine Fang spat out her anger in a rush of breath. "B*tch, who said you could be so arrogant!" she thought.
It was indeed wise to invite the Old Madam over. This shameless mother and daughter dared to bully her just because they have the Master's love. She would make them suffer.
She had heard that the master was in the front courtyard, so she came over. However, when she reached the door, she heard Lu Mingzhu called Madam Liu, "Mother."
How could this happen?
Mother was a title that only the legitimate wife would have. However, the master had tacitly agreed to it. Concubine Fang didn't dare to think too deeply about the meaning behind this. She was instantly driven crazy by jealousy and in a fit of anger, she immediately pounced on Madam Liu's mistake.
However, the Master actually blamed and scolded her for it. He even wanted to teach her a lesson because of that.
Lu Mingzhu carefully glanced at Old Madam and explained weakly, "Grandmother, please calm down. It's my fault. I'm used to calling her mother and I can't change that quickly."
"How dare you. How can a junior like you interrupt an elder when she's talking?" The Old Madam looked at Lu Mingzhu sharply.
She had been in the manor for so long. Was that a mere slip of mouth because she had been so used to calling her that? The truth was that she had no intention of changing.
The Old Madam was already dissatisfied with Madam Liu and her daughter. How could she tolerate Lu Mingzhu playing tricks in front of her?
Lu Mingzhu looked at Lu Youping apprehensively.
Lu Youping's heart tightened when he saw his beloved woman and beloved daughter's pitiful appearance. He looked at the Old Madam unhappily. "Mother, Mingzhu has always called her Mother. I was the one who told her not to change the way of greeting."
"You don't want to change?" The old lady sneered. "Are you determined to go against me?"
Lu Youping looked at the Old Madam with determination. "Mother, please fulfill my wish."
His desire to recognize Madam Liu as his legitimate wife.
Concubine Fang's expression froze as she looked at Lu Youping in disbelief.
Although the Master did not point it out, his meaning was very obvious.
Why?
Madam Liu came from a lowly background and was a mistress. She's not even an official concubine. That makes her inferior, even to her. Master actually wanted Madam Liu to be the matriarch and had already mentioned it to Old Madam.
For a moment, Concubine Fang was about to be swallowed up by the jealousy in her heart. She glared at Madam Liu with hatred, wishing she could sink her teeth into her.
Madam Liu and Lu Mingzhu were gleeful, but they did not dare to show it obviously because of the current atmosphere.
As long as the Master is agreeable to it, Old Madam would have to compromise in the end.
She was finally… finally going to become the Matriarch of the Lu family…
Lu Xiang had been paying attention to Madam Liu and her daughter. Seeing their suppressed joy, she couldn't help but sneer.
"Laugh all you want. The happier you are now, the more exciting it will be when you find out the truth in the end," she thought.
The old lady looked at the stubborn Lu Youping and calmed down. She said to Concubine Fang, "Concubine Fang, if there's nothing else, go back." With that, she turned around and left with Lu Xiang.
Lu Youping looked at the Old Madam who had left in a calm manner, with a stunned expression. He was prepared for the Old Madam to fly into a rage at his words. Why did she leave just like that?
Although Concubine Fang was indignant, she understood that a wise man submitted to circumstances. The Old Madam was helping her by asking her to leave. Why would she stay on to be punished by the Master? Hence, she quickly stood up and left.
"Fourth Sister, stop hiding. Help Aunt Fang back." Lu Xiang's gentle voice suddenly rang out. In her previous life, Lu Yue had added insult to injury several times. Since she did not treat her as a sister, she should not blame her for being heartless in this life.
Lu Yue was shocked.
"Damn this Lu Xiang. She could have left without saying a word. Why did she have to call her out in the end?" she thought.
If she had known, she wouldn't have stayed to watch the show.
Lu Yue braced herself and walked over to support Aunt Fang, whose legs were sore from kneeling. She did not dare to look at Lu Youping's expression. She felt that her back was about to be pierced by her father's sharp gaze.
"This wicked girl…" Lu Youping cursed through gritted teeth.
He was wondering why the Old Madam had come out of the blue. It turned out that this girl had complained.
Seems like he had spoiled her as she dared to cause trouble for her father.
Madam Liu looked up at Lu Youping and said tenderly, "Master, don't be angry."
Lu Youping's anger was extinguished by her gentle words. He smiled dotingly and said, "Don't worry. With me around, I won't let you and Mingzhu suffer."
"Okay." Madam Liu leaned against Lu Youping's chest and replied sweetly.
She and Lu Mingzhu looked at each other and saw the smugness of victory in each other's eyes.
The old lady left without saying anything. It seemed that her dream of being the matriarch of the family was not far away.
…
The wind blew the clouds away, and the light of the morning sun pierced through the clouds.
A simple but exquisite carriage left the Lu Manor in a low-key manner. The drooping tassels on the four corners of the carriage swayed gently in the wind. Two brown horses, their manes glossy under the sunlight, galloped on the quiet street.
Old Madam and Lu Xiang's departure did not raise any alarm in the residence. When Lu Youping found out, he was suspicious for only a moment and did not notice anything wrong.
Hua'an Temple was one of the five major temples in Great Wei. Many came to pray. Even the wealthy merchants and nobles in the towns around Yangning City liked to come here to offer incense even if it is a long journey away.
Long stone steps rose up one after another. Looking up, one would see a majestic and solemn temple standing tall between the sky and ground.