Chapter 18: I’m Willing to Do Anything

The matriarch’s tone grew sterner as she listened to the sharp words: “Do you mean to say that the main household should have no sons but Lu San?”

“My lady, that’s not what I meant,” the madam replied, flustered by the matriarch’s harshness.

“If your womb had cooperated, I wouldn’t complain. But you’ve weakened yourself bearing the third son and now cannot bear children. Then you must be magnanimous!” The matriarch slammed her cane heavily on the floor, the wooden knock echoing with weight. “Look at the second household! Now look at your main household!”

“The young master has always respected you; otherwise, he wouldn’t have let Lady Liu stay at the estate for seven years. The differences between legitimate and concubine-born children are merely the result of deliberate guidance,” the mistress, having lived long enough to see much, said calmly. “Many children born of concubines are outstanding. In the end, they are all your children. What’s wrong with that?”

The madam was silenced by these words.

“That’s enough. I’m tired now. Go back and think it over carefully.”

After returning to her quarters, the madam learned that Lu’s father had only informed the matriarch’s estate but had not told anyone on her side, which troubled her deeply.

“After being married for half a lifetime, I realize he simply doesn’t trust me!” she said, her voice trembling with tears.

A maid by her side comforted her gently, “How could that be? Otherwise, why would the inner household entrust you with managing things?”

“But he didn’t tell me about Lady Liu’s pregnancy. It’s clearly to guard against me.”

Lady Liu had recently gained favor, so her pregnancy was only a matter of time; the madam had already suspected this. Yet she never imagined Lu’s father would be so guarded against her.

“If anything happens to Lady Liu’s child, I fear I could never clear my name, even if I jumped into the Yellow River,” the madam said bitterly.

The maid was her confidante, a relative who had accompanied her into the Lu household.

“Madam, try to look at things more openly!”

“Third son is good-for-nothing, and yet the eldest daughter insists on marrying that worthless Xie Liwen! If all the children born of concubines end up like Lu Shuyao, then truly, this household will have no place for me.”

After a moment’s thought, the maid asked cautiously, “Madam, you’ve always hesitated over the marriage with the Xie family. Why not, while there’s still time, discuss it again with the master?”

“The master is proud and unwilling to break his promise to the Xie family. He absolutely refused to let Yue Rong and Shuyao switch betrothals before. But Yue Rong almost took her own life several times to avoid entering the palace. In the end, Shuyao was reluctantly sent in, and unexpectedly, that became her opportunity,” the madam shook her head.

“But if the eldest daughter truly marries into the Xie household, a lifetime of—” The maid stopped, unwilling to say more.

The madam’s expression was complex. After much hesitation, she made up her mind. “You’re right. Go and call Yue Rong here. I want to speak with her clearly.”

Lu Yue Rong never expected that, after such a long period of calm, her mother would suddenly go back on the marriage with the Xie family.

“Mother! Is my marriage some kind of joke? When Lu Shuyao was betrothed to Xie Lang, there was never any problem. Why has it changed now with me?”

“You are my own daughter. How could I possibly harm you?” The madam’s mood was already sour. Faced with Yue Rong’s accusations, she could not help but show irritation. “If you refuse, then simply remain unmarried for now. Put the marriage aside.”

“Mother!”

The madam remained unmoved.

“I know. You look down on Xie Lang, thinking him useless, don’t you? Trust me, mother, Xie Lang will revive the Xie family’s honor and give your daughter a good life!”

The madam heard this and found it almost unbelievable. “Him?”

“Silence!” A sudden voice cut through their argument.

Lu’s father strode in, his face dark as iron, followed by a sheepish-looking Xie Liwen.

The madam’s expression stiffened.

Xie Liwen did not enter the main hall but stood at the threshold, bowing to the madam and Lu’s father. “I came today without a formal invitation. I apologize for the impertinence.”

Lu’s father was unwilling to let him go. “Don’t listen to the woman’s nonsense! Come, to my study.”

On the way back from delivering the message, Lu’s father had unexpectedly met Xie Liwen, who greeted him. He invited him home for a simple meal, never anticipating such an awkward situation.

“Rest assured, your engagement to Yue Rong will not be broken!” Lu’s father said firmly in the study.

It was extremely embarrassing for Xie Liwen to have overheard what the madam had said—that she looked down on him.

Lu’s father had just been promoted to the Ministry of Revenue, but his superiors were not fond of him. A single mistake could end his career advancement permanently.

Though the Xie family had fallen from grace, their prestige remained, and they were well-known at court. If the Xies used this incident against him, his cushy position at the ministry would vanish.

“I am incompetent and have caused you and madam much worry,” Xie Liwen bowed deeply.

“Yue Rong has high hopes for you. You must not disappoint her,” Lu’s father said, helping him up.

“Rest assured.”

After sipping half a cup of tea, footsteps sounded outside the study.

Lu Yue Rong had arrived.

“Madam,” Xie Liwen stood and looked at her earnestly.

Tears still stained the corners of Lu Yue Rong’s eyes, and her face bore a deeper sorrow. “Xie Lang.”

Lu’s father, seeing the look in his daughter’s eyes, knew her feelings had not changed.

“I’m going to Xueyin for a while. You two talk here,” Lu’s father said, leaving the two alone.

Once he was gone, Lu Yue Rong burst into tears. “Xie Lang!”

Xie Liwen hurried forward to hold her. “Yue Rong!”

They had met in secret several times, and Lu Yue Rong felt no aversion to his presence or touch.

“How much did you hear just now?”

In truth, Xie Liwen had not heard much, but the madam’s disdainful question was clearly caught.

“Not much. Don’t worry.”

Lu Yue Rong wept softly. “My feelings for you have never changed.”

“I know,” Xie Liwen wiped her tears away.

“What did my father say?”

A flicker passed through Xie Liwen’s eyes.

“Xie Lang?” Lu Yue Rong lifted her head from his embrace. “Does my father also look down on you?”

Xie Liwen did not answer, his gaze evasive.

“No, it shouldn’t be like this.”

“Yue Rong, it’s me who’s unworthy of you,” Xie Liwen sighed, slightly loosening his hold on her.

Lu Yue Rong clung to him tightly. “No. How could you think that?”

Xie Liwen smiled bitterly and glanced at her out of the corner of his eye. “Everyone else thinks so.”

“I don’t care what others think. You said there was a way to ensure our marriage under any circumstances. What is it?” Lu Yue Rong pressed him.

Xie Liwen turned his head away. “Don’t ask. It’s not good for you. I won’t do it.”

“Tell me! As long as I can marry you, I’m willing to do anything.”