Fu Liang knew very well that without relying on Yang Fang, she would spend the rest of her life worrying about basic necessities like food and shelter, let alone ever living in such a large mansion.
Yang Fang, on the other hand, depended on Lu Youtiao.
Now, with no wife left to manage the household and the master of the house bedridden, Fu Liang carried a child in her womb who could eventually inherit everything.
She reached out and adjusted the blanket covering Yang Fang, thinking to herself that once he passed away, she could sell the mansion, take all the money, buy a small property, and with the child in tow, she would never have to worry about food or drink again.
This thought softened Fu Liang’s gaze as she lovingly caressed her belly, as if comforting the unborn child.
Yang Fang was insatiable, but Fu Liang was content.
She recalled the first time she met Lu Youtiao. Fu Liang still remembered the scene vividly.
Lu Youtiao was as radiant as a blooming flower. When someone in the shop mocked Fu Liang for being a mistress kept outside the household, Lu Youtiao stood up for her, not only scolding those who insulted her but also treating her with respect. Yet, Fu Liang had been hiding in the shadows, lurking like a small-minded person.
She had wronged Lu Youtiao, no doubt, but in this world, only the selfish thrive. Even if it wasn’t her, there would be another woman by Yang Fang’s side.
In the past, she desired to become Yang’s legitimate wife. Now, all she wanted was Yang Fang’s fortune.
The wealth that would secure her and her child’s future.
As for Lu Youtiao, Fu Liang figured they would never meet again.
The carriage arrived at the He residence, and the maid gently woke Lu Youtiao, helping her inside.
He Zhen ordered the servants to help move the heavy dowry chests that Lu Youtiao had brought. She couldn’t help but marvel at the wealth—this was indeed the Lu family.
Gu Xingzhao, having left a few instructions for He Zhen, went off to find Lu Qing.
At that moment, the Lu family had just finished eating and were sitting on the ground. Someone brought up matters in the capital, and the others began reminiscing about their relatives and old friends.
“I wonder how long it’ll take for our letters to reach the capital.”
Hearing this, Lu Xingyao turned around and said, “By now, they’ve probably already received them.”
Yesterday, his grandfather had told him to supervise everyone’s letter-writing. He had said the letters would be delivered by the ancestor personally, which would make the journey much faster.
Since the ancestor was a deity, delivering letters must be as easy as the blink of an eye. By now, the letters were likely already read, and some people might even be packing their bags.
The clan members were shocked, jumping to their feet. “The ancestor delivered our letters!?”
They had no idea. They thought a courier had been hired with silver, expecting the letters to take at least seven or eight days to reach their destination. They hadn’t imagined the ancestor himself would handle the delivery.
Excitement spread through the group.
“Well, my handwriting was a bit sloppy. I hope the ancestor won’t mind…” someone worried aloud.
“At least yours was legible. I got mud on mine. If I had known, I would’ve been more careful,” another lamented.
“When my wife arrives, I’ll have her keep the letter and treasure it—maybe even offer it as a family heirloom!”
They chattered away, one after another.
Lu Xingyao, watching them, joked, “You’re all exaggerating. Just because the letters passed through the ancestor’s hands, you’re making such a fuss?”
The clan members glanced at Lu Xingyao and rolled their eyes. “If you’re so relaxed about it, why don’t you throw away that red scarf the ancestor gave you? Stop carrying it everywhere while you talk.”
Gu Xingzhao arrived just in time to hear this, and she nearly burst out laughing. Lu Xingyao really never seemed to act seriously.
She went straight to find Lu Qing, who was busy explaining something from a book to the young princess. One was explaining in detail, while the other was listening attentively.
Gu Xingzhao stood quietly, listening for a moment. The old man explained things very well, and it was no wonder the princess was so eager to learn from him.
After the princess left, Gu Xingzhao finally spoke to Lu Qing. “Lu Qing, the letters have been delivered. By now, they’ve likely already been read.”
Lu Qing thanked her profusely. If not for the ancestor delivering the letters, the couriers would probably only just be starting their journey.
Seeing that Lu Qing hadn’t asked anything further, Gu Xingzhao took it upon herself to bring up the subject. “I took a trip to the capital and saw your granddaughter, the one married into the Yang family.”
A few feet away, Lu Xingyan overheard the mention of his niece, Lu Youtiao, who had married Yang Fang. He moved closer, not daring to get too near the ancestor but still trying to listen in.
Upon hearing that the ancestor had seen his granddaughter, Lu Qing couldn’t hold back his concern. “Ancestor, how is Youtiao now?”
When he left, his granddaughter was barely two months pregnant. By now, the child should be over four months along. He remembered how difficult those early months were for his wife, with constant nausea and discomfort. He could only imagine how much his granddaughter was suffering.
As he thought about it, Lu Qing grew increasingly anxious, desperate for news of his granddaughter’s well-being.
Gu Xingzhao sighed inwardly. “It’s not good news, so prepare yourself.”
She didn’t want to reveal everything at once, fearing it might shock him too much.
Lu Qing’s smile froze. Not good news?
His mind raced through all the possibilities: Had the baby not survived? Had Yang Fang divorced her? Or worse, had something happened to her?
His grip on his cane tightened, and his breathing became labored. “Please, ancestor, tell me.”
Seeing that Lu Qing was bracing himself, Gu Xingzhao continued, “Shortly after you left the city, she was confined to her courtyard.”
Lu Qing nodded. He had expected as much.
Gu Xingzhao continued, “Yang Fang gave her miscarriage-inducing medicine.”
Lu Qing’s eyes widened in horror, and he tightened his grip on his cane until his knuckles turned white.
Gu Xingzhao went on, “At first, he kept up appearances. But soon after, he stopped providing food for her, sold off her servants, and then brought his pregnant mistress into the house.”
She tried to phrase it as gently as possible, not wanting to upset the old man too much.
But even this information was enough to make Lu Qing’s face turn a deep shade of red as fury boiled within him. The veins on his hands bulged from the pressure of gripping his cane.
Gu Xingzhao continued, “By the time I arrived, she was gravely ill and starving…”
The distress caused a surge in Lu Qing’s blood pressure, and Gu Xingzhao’s system began sounding alarms, alerting her that his heart rate was dangerously high.
Quickly, Gu Xingzhao added, “But I gave her medicine, and her life is no longer in danger. With proper care, she will recover. You needn’t worry.”
Lu Qing’s heart rate gradually stabilized, and the alarms quieted down. Gu Xingzhao breathed a sigh of relief, deciding not to say more for now.
Despite calming down, Lu Qing’s hands still trembled with rage. He cursed Yang Fang internally, calling him a vile beast.
He regretted ever agreeing to the marriage. No matter how much his granddaughter might have blamed him, he should never have allowed it.
Now consumed with guilt, Lu Qing asked timidly, “Ancestor, is Youtiao still at the Yang residence?”
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