Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 228

Lu Jia was truly surprised that so many people from the Shen family came to discuss the marriage.

The Yan family came up with such a terrible idea, joining forces with the Lu family to annoy the Shen family. Logically speaking, it's understandable that Grand Commandant Shen would retaliate in kind. Of course, it's also true that Lu Jie transferred himself to the Ministry of Revenue, leaving Shen Bo with a belly full of resentment that he couldn't vent.

But no matter what, this marriage is mixed with too many messy things. It's fine if the Shen family can get by on the surface, but why did they specifically send an advisor over?
People like Lu Jie and Shen Bo usually keep many retainers around them. Yang Bonong is Lu Jie's closest confidant, and it is said that Mr. Yi's status in front of Shen Bo is similar to that of Yang Bonong. The fact that the Shen family was sent to handle this matter shows their sincerity.

But perhaps it was also done to impress the emperor.

After much deliberation, Lu Jia put the matter aside.

After someone arranged the hospitality, Zhi Mu ran over and said, "The Second Miss is already up and just went out!"

Lu Jia had been keeping a close eye on Lu Ying's illness. Every time the doctor came, she would personally inquire about the condition and review the prescriptions. After so many days of recuperation, it was expected that she would be able to get out of bed.

"Why did you leave so soon after you got ready? Where did you go?"

"She went to the Taoist temple. She went to see Madam Jiang!"

"Is it."

Lu Jia raised an eyebrow.

……

Jiang lived in the Sanzhen Temple, which was two alleys away. All the nuns in the temple had been greeted by Qinghe. The courtyard to the west of where Jiang lived was guarded day and night by a group of people personally selected by Qinghe and led by Yinliu, so that no one was allowed to approach.

On New Year's Eve, Jiang secretly smashed things and cursed Lu Jie and his daughter in the house, but no one paid any attention to her.

However, when Lu Ying arrived, no one was able to stop her without being impartial.

"Although my mother has made mistakes, I have no grudge against my sister. On the night she set up the plan, she even tried to get me to cooperate. I think even if she were here in person, she might not stop me from going in."

She glanced sideways at the silver willow.

Yinliu sighed. She finally stepped aside.

The door opened, and Jiang, who was sitting on the couch inside, squinted as the sudden influx of sunlight hit her.

"Ying'er!"

After seeing it clearly, she immediately stood up, rushed forward, and tightly grasped Lu Ying's hands.

"You finally came! So you still care about your mother and haven't forgotten how much I've loved and protected you all these years!"

Her voice trembled, and tears welled in her eyes; she was truly overwhelmed with emotion at the reunion of loved ones.

Lu Ying looked at her calmly: "I've been sick for more than half a month."

She forced a smile and said, "I've been sick for over half a month, and everyone says I've lost a lot of weight. Didn't you notice?"

Mr. Jiang paused.

"You really only care about yourself, and you even presumptuously think that because I haven't come to see you, I've disowned my mother." Lu Ying smiled bitterly. "You only know how miserable you are, have you ever thought about what situation I am in now because of you?"

Jiang pulled her hand back: "How did that bitch Lu Jia treat you?"

“She has never done anything to me. But why would she need to do anything to me?” A sharp glint appeared in Lu Ying’s eyes. “She is now the soon-to-be eldest daughter-in-law of the Grand Commandant’s mansion!”
"She already has a large following, why would she need to target me?"

"Should she have used those methods like you, only to find herself trapped?" "You still resent me." Madam Jiang took a half step back, glanced at her, and then sat back down on the couch. "If you resent me, why did you come to see me?"
“Back then, I racked my brains to try to avoid this marriage for you, but you said that marrying into the Yan family was a blessing that others would beg for. Ignoring my objections, you flattered Yan Qu’s mother and ran to the Yan family every few days. I couldn’t control you.”

"You're so resourceful, shouldn't you figure out a way to get out of this predicament yourself?"

“You’re right.” Lu Ying gritted her teeth. “I do want the glory of being the young mistress of the Yan family, and I want to compete in that camp because I feel that I am no less than anyone else, and I deserve it!”
"I have never done anything wrong, I have never hurt anyone! You are the one who caused this situation."

"I'm not here to criticize you, but I know you still have leverage! I just want to ask you, when are you planning to use it? I don't want to marry that good-for-nothing!"

Madam Jiang frowned: "Even if you don't marry into the Yan family, they won't let this go. They won't let you off the hook."

"So what exactly do you want by remaining inactive now?!"

"Of course, it's to wait until things calm down before going out!" Madam Jiang stood up with a sneer. "I want to be Mrs. Lu, who holds all the power, again."

Lu Jia, who was outside the door, moved her ear away from the window and gave a cold, sidelong glance into the room.

“I knew I hadn’t misjudged you.” Lu Ying took a deep breath. “I guessed it before I came. How could you possibly sacrifice yourself for me?”

"Why don't you think carefully about what I said, and use the power you have to save yourself?" Jiang gritted her teeth. "Once I regain power, can't I protect you?"

Lu Ying gritted her teeth, stared at her for a moment, then turned and walked out.

When she reached the door, she looked up.

“You are a young lady of the Lu family, a member of the Lu family, and that will never change.”

"elder sister?!"

Lu Ying stared in surprise at Lu Jia standing in front of her.

Lu Jia sighed, "You shouldn't have come here."

Lu Ying pursed her lips tightly.

“I heard everything you said. I know why you came here. But do you know why I came?”

Lu Ying bit her lower lip, her cheeks already turning purple.

Lu Jia said slowly, "I know you feel wronged. You feel that since I came back, Father has been making comparisons. But I've lived like this almost every single day for the past eleven years."

"I don't understand why my father has never looked for me after I've been missing for so long? Does he really treat me like his daughter?"
“I have always remembered my identity, but I have always refused to come back because I am disheartened.”

"We both have our grievances, so we should be even."

"I haven't spent much time with you, so naturally it can't compare to the time you spend with your mother. I don't know what choices you will make in the future, and I can't interfere."

"But I still want you to know that it's really not worth it if you get stuck on things because you think your father favors me and listen to advice you shouldn't have."

Lu Ying lowered her head and clenched her hands at her sides.

Lu Jia looked at her slender figure and adjusted her cloak: "I think you should know the truth by now."

"But my hatred for your mother will never affect any innocent people."

"So, as long as you are innocent, you will always be my sister."

Lu Ying raised her head, her eyes becoming misty again.