A few days before giving birth, Qin Feifei asked Nanny Wu to convey a message to her, asking if she could discuss with Qin Shuying about sharing the red sugar business with Madam Xu. That’s why ter, in the pace, Madam Xu shamelessly brought it up. When things went wrong afterward, Qin Yongtao scolded her for a long time, and Madam Xu naturally never mentioned it again.

  However, that day, while Madam Xu was speaking with Nanny Wu, she asked a few more questions. Nanny Wu had been assigned to Qin Feifei's side by Madam Xu only st year, so she naturally told Madam Xu everything about the Lu family.

  It was said that now the Lu family had lost their source of bck sugar, the family’s economy had plummeted, and their savings were nearly gone. Qin Feifei thought it over and decided to reduce the household staff and cut down on daily expenses. She only made a start, and Old Madam Lu immediately scolded her fiercely.

  She said, “I lost my husband at a young age. After much effort, I managed to support my son Changxuan to become an official in the capital. Now, instead of enjoying a comfortable life, I should live in poverty? What are you trying to do here?”

  “Since you're married, it's your duty to manage the household, serve your in-ws, support your husband, and raise your children. That's the proper way!”

  That was the polite version. There were harsher words, which Nanny Wu didn’t dare to repeat to Madam Xu.

  Madam Xu was left speechless. She didn’t expect Old Madam Lu to be like this—she didn’t even regard the Qin family highly. Even though Qin Feifei was pregnant, she didn’t seem to care at all.

  What Madam Xu didn’t know was that while she wasn’t born into a distinguished family, she was the daughter of a government official’s family. From a young age, she had been surrounded by the wives and daughters of officials, where everyone had to act refined, poised, and aristocratic, speaking and doing things according to established rules.

  But Old Madam Lu was different. She was the daughter of a small-town merchant, who had mingled with the common folk since childhood. Later, she married a schor who was focused on passing the imperial exams, and the family was entirely supported by Old Madam Lu.

  Her husband did pass the schor’s exam, but after only a few years of success, he died suddenly, leaving behind a widow and three children. At that time, Lu Changju was only one year old.

  Old Madam Lu had to raise her children and handle the family’s finances. She had experienced hardship, and in order to support her family, she became sharp and decisive. Having faced many challenges and been successful, she thought of herself as more capable than others and wasn’t particurly fond of the daughters of officials.

  She didn’t look highly upon Qin Yaoyao, and she didn’t take Qin Feifei seriously either. Just because Qin Feifei was pregnant, did she think she was the most precious person in the world? Were other women not pregnant before?

  Old Madam Lu, despite being pregnant with her own child, had to manage the household, going back and forth between the store and the backyard, selling goods, carrying goods, and even carrying seventy to eighty-pound bundles.

  Her son was capable, she was experienced in managing retionships, and with her son’s success, she didn’t see anyone around her—be it retives or others—who could compare.

  She even bossed around her own sister-in-w, and Qin Feifei, having been married before, wasn’t the ideal daughter-in-w in Old Madam Lu’s eyes. If not for her son’s fondness for Qin Feifei, Old Madam Lu would care even less for her.

  Qin Shuying understood immediately.

  Bad people get what they deserve. Qin Feifei insisted on marrying into the Lu family, and this was the consequence she deserved.

  Qin Yaoyao, on the other hand, served Old Madam Lu meticulously, doing everything herself—she greeted her early in the morning and reported back at night, attended to her meals and sleep, fanned her during the hot weather, and washed her feet during the cold days. Only then did Old Madam Lu show some satisfaction.

  Even so, when Qin Yaoyao caused a scandal, Old Madam Lu didn’t hesitate to abandon her, showing no sympathy for her grandson Feng’er either.

  Qin Feifei, on the other hand, couldn’t carry anything, couldn’t do anything, and clung to Lu Changxuan all day. Old Madam Lu prided herself on being a loyal and virtuous woman. How could she admire Qin Feifei? Old Madam Lu, who had experienced so much in life, could easily read between the lines of Madam Xu’s words. Her earlier joy had already faded, and she immediately said, “Madam, the child is from our Lu family, and naturally, we will treat him as our own. Rest assured, Madam. Come, bring the young master over for the dies to see, and let’s share some good fortune.”

  She didn’t even mention Qin Feifei.

  Madam Xu was increasingly displeased, but she didn’t dare to act on it. Moreover, Old Madam Lu’s words were reasonable.

  She regretted it deeply in her heart.

  When she first saw how impressive Lu Changxuan was, young and with a bright future, and how deeply he cared for Qin Feifei, who was already a widow, Madam Xu thought he was the perfect match.

  Who would have thought there would be such an unrestrained mother-in-w? Not only did she fail to value Qin Feifei, but she even lowered the status of Madam Xu, a third-rank titled dy, in her eyes.

  Old Madam Lu, of course, knew about the secret affair between Lu Changxuan and Qin Feifei before their marriage. Therefore, she considered Qin Feifei to have vioted the code of conduct expected of women and categorized her as someone cking virtue.

  This suspicion extended to Qin Feifei’s mother as well. Old Madam Lu didn’t hold her, an official’s wife, in any high regard either, which was infuriating!

  Madam Zhao remarked, “I wonder if the little young master resembles Lord Lu more or Lady Lu more. Lord Lu is striking and heroic, while Lady Lu is well-read and sensible. The young master is sure to grow up even more brilliant and extraordinary.”

  Now that was the kind of thing an official’s wife would say.

  Madam Xu’s dark mood lightened a little, and she replied, “Thank you for your kind words, Madam. I’ve heard that your eldest son is currently training in Quan’an County and has earned the favor of Lord Hu. He truly is young and promising!”

  “How could my son be deserving of the term ‘young and promising’ with the eldest young master of the Qin family as the shining example? Madam, please don’t tease me. The Qin family’s eldest son has served in his position for three years with remarkable achievements—he is the one who truly embodies that phrase!”

  Madam Xu had just been stung by Old Madam Lu’s remarks, and hearing this from Madam Zhao was soothing. She immediately warmed up to Madam Zhao and began chatting with her.

  Old Madam Lu listened quietly, her smile carrying a deep and meaningful undertone.

  Madam Xu felt a surge of irritation. She could guess what Old Madam Lu was thinking. Most likely, it was something along the lines of: whether it was the Qin family’s eldest son or Madam Zhao’s eldest son, both had benefited from their fathers’ connections. Their current achievements were not all that impressive. But her son, Lu Changxuan, had no family connections to rely on. At such a young age, he had relied entirely on his own abilities to reach where he was today—that was true talent.

  However, Old Madam Lu was not an entirely unreasonable person. She knew that her son’s current success had something to do with the Qin family, though she couldn’t quite determine how much. Even so, her stubbornness and pride wouldn’t allow her to show weakness in front of Madam Xu.

  As expected, when Madam Xu and Madam Zhao continued chatting, Old Madam Lu couldn’t hold back any longer. She interrupted their conversation and said, “Someone, go hurry them up. Why hasn’t the child been brought over yet? Back when my Changxuan was a baby, he wasn’t this delicate. If we wanted to go out, we’d wrap him in a bnket and be on our way.”

  Madam Xu was left choking on her words, unable to respond. Madam Zhao’s lips curved into a faint smile, the meaning behind it clear.

  Qin Shuying’s thick eyeshes lowered, concealing the mockery in her eyes.

  The Lu residence wasn’t rge. Though the nurseries were in separate courtyards, they weren’t far away. The baby was soon brought over by the wet nurse, and everyone gathered around to look at him, showering him with endless auspicious remarks.

  Old Madam Lu’s earlier remarks had been aimed at irritating Madam Xu, but she did not dislike her grandson. Seeing him, her face naturally lit up with a smile.

  Qin Shuying stood at the back of the group, casting a gnce at the child from a distance before lowering her gaze.

  Feng'er...