Chapter 1116: Chapter 1116: Not as Perceptive as a Concubine
Whether a person speaks sincerely or not can be seen from their eyes. The Lu family has its flaws, but after being an officialâs wife for several years, she can tell if Aunt Shenâs words are genuine or not.
Madam Lu said angrily, "Look at how severe you make it sound. Do you think that as the madam, I hope the familyâs affairs to go badly, as if you are a troublemaker wishing for us to suffer?"
Once Shen becomes Song Zhiqingâs concubine, unless Song Zhiqing writes a divorce paper, Shen will be tied to him for life.
Honor and disgrace are shared; who doesnât understand this?
Had Shen not been clever, she wouldnât have risen to the rank of a seventh-grade female official, so she naturally knows what her well-being is founded upon.
Aunt Shen smiled and said, "Arenât I just worried that the madam might get stuck in stubbornness and blind herself?"
"What do you mean by this?"
"Madam looks down on Aunt Bai and doesnât pay attention, but as I just said, if our household is scandalous, itâs not Madam losing face, surely outsiders would mock Madam for her poor governance. And Madam said that the Lord didnât argue with Aunt Bai, then why has she suddenly been neglected? Isnât this unusual?"
Madam Lu paused.
"Iâm not afraid of anything but feeling that the scandal makes our house lose face, outsiders would know, in the entire Prime Ministerâs Mansion, other than the Old Master, only the Lord has two concubines, the rest of the grown men lead simple lives, donât know how many people laugh at the Song Familyâs third house."
Madam Lu felt bitterness in her mouth; this knife was inserted with precision and skill, dripping with blood.
"So, you mean..."
"As the house mistress, you may not speak, but your eyes should see clearly, and your mind should be very clear too. If thatâs the case, you wouldnât be blind to problems, you could remedy issues promptly and even prevent them before they happen, right?" Aunt Shen said.
Madam Lu frowned.
Aunt Shen ended the conversation tactfully, smiled and said, "The madam is wise, certainly more aware than me. I might have been meddling again, you must say I canât control my mouth."
Madam Lu smiled, "Youâre also doing this for the good of the third house."
"I admit that." Aunt Shen sipped her tea, looked out the window, sighed, "Iâm also puzzled, everything is fine, why is Aunt Bai suddenly neglected? Cause and effect, there must be a reason, right?"
Madam Lu was lost in thought.
Aunt Shen changed the topic, chatted for a while, then excused herself as tired and returned to Moyun Inn.
After Aunt Shen left, Madam Lu called in Nanny Zhou and said, "Go and summon Cheng Yong quietly."
Nanny Zhou was a bit stunned, nodded, and walked out with small steps.
Madam Lu held her tea, pondering Aunt Shenâs words, and after a long while, chuckled self-deprecatingly, "I seem to be less perceptive than a concubine, alas."
Cheng Yong soon arrived with Nanny Zhou, knelt down as soon as he entered, and saluted.
"Rise." Madam Lu raised her hand and got straight to the point, asking, "Has the Lord seen anyone lately, any troubles?"
Cheng Yong thought for a moment, then asked, "What exactly does Madam mean?"
Madam Lu held her tea, skimmed the tea float with the lid, and asked, "Has the Lord taken a new lover, I see even Aunt Bai is displeased? If this is the case, tell me honestly, so I can bring her back, to prevent scandal outside."
"Madam, thereâs absolutely no such thing." Cheng Yong immediately shook his head, said, "As for Aunt Bai, the Lord did ask me what kind of person she is."
Madam Lu squinted her eyes, asking about Aunt Baiâs character, now that was interesting.