Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 254 You're a Smart Person
As two prominent officials in the court, the marriage between the Lu and Yan families had long been a hot topic of conversation both inside and outside the capital, as well as among the officials and the general public.

Although the Lu family's stewards were cunning and had become Jiang's lackeys, they ultimately remained loyal to Lu Jie, who was behind Jiang. So, when several earth-shattering events occurred in the mansion, the Lu family did not delay any of their preparations for the second young lady's marriage.

On the day Jiang returned to the mansion, several stewardesses assisted Zhou and Wu, who had been invited to handle the wedding arrangements, in receiving the relatives from various households who came to add to the dowry.

The day after Jiang was assassinated, the family began to take stock of the dowry in a flurry, because the wedding day was just one day away. Families like theirs naturally had a generous dowry, so much so that the Yan family had to send people to pick up the dowry a day early.

At midday, Yan Shu, finding it difficult to have peace and quiet due to the large number of people coming and going between the two mansions, invited Lu Jie to the Xia'er Tower to fulfill his "instructions".

Meanwhile, Yan Liang, along with a group of his clan members, came to the Lu family to welcome the bride.

Lu Ying sat in front of the dressing table, listening to the music coming closer and closer, but she seemed frozen in place, staring blankly at herself in the mirror.

Yingzi, the maid who had been chosen as part of Lu Ying's dowry, kept glancing at her as she packed Lu Ying's jewelry and valuables. Finally, she couldn't help but come over and put her hand on Lu Ying's shoulder: "Miss, don't be discouraged. Life is something you have to live. Let's get settled first, and after some time, we can ask Madam to adopt a child from our clan to raise. There's still hope for the future."

Lu Ying twitched the corner of her mouth: "Hope? So, all I, Lu Ying, am destined for in this life is to raise a child?"

Ying Zi remained silent.

Granny Li lifted the curtain and came in: "The eldest son of the Yan family has arrived. He has some details about tomorrow's wedding to discuss with you in person, young lady. Please come to the flower hall to meet him."

Ying Zi said, "Young Master Yan is my elder brother-in-law. How can we meet in private at this time?"

Granny Li gave them a meaningful look: "The eldest young master will be the head of the Yan family in the future. He grew up under the care of Grand Secretary Yan and used to treat our young lady like a younger sister. If we can get his favor, we will surely benefit from it in the future."

"What harm would it do to make an exception and go see him now?"

Yingzi looked at Lu Ying.

Lu Ying had already put down the comb and stood up.

The flower hall is not far from Chaoyang Pavilion.

At this moment, in the many courtyards they passed through, people from both families carrying dowries were coming and going in an endless stream, and the corridor leading to the flower hall was also filled with servants brought by the Yan family.

Yan Liang sat in the hall drinking tea, while Su Zhixiao stood by to keep the guests company. Lu Jie was too busy with his own official duties to handle everything personally, so he left all matters related to the wedding to his second and third sons.

At this time, the two brothers should be busy managing affairs in the front yard, which is why Su Zhixiao was sent here.

As soon as Lu Ying arrived, Su Zhixiao left. Yan Liang stood up and said, "Sister-in-law."

Lu Ying blushed inexplicably and sat down, saying, "Cousin, that was a bit too hasty. If people heard it, they would think I, Lu Ying, am desperate to get married."

Yan Liang smiled and said, "It's my fault."

He bowed and sat down, then pushed over several sheets of paper with the wedding ceremony inscribed on them: "These are some details about tomorrow's wedding procession. Because of a lot of things that have happened recently, I was afraid you would be too busy to deal with them, so I wrote them down."

"Thank you."

Lu Ying glanced at it twice, then tucked it into her sleeve.

Yan Liang glanced at her: "Cousin, you've lost a lot of weight. I remember how lively and healthy you used to be. You've really suffered a lot lately. Mother has been overwhelmed with worries about my aunt these days, so she's inevitably neglected you a bit. Don't take it too hard to heart."

Lu Ying lowered her head and picked up her teacup: "Isn't this a joyous occasion? Why are you saying all this?"

“I just want to tell you that even if your mother is neglecting you for a while, it’s definitely not directed at you. You’re a smart person, you know where the problem lies, and I don’t think you’ll belittle yourself or give up on yourself because of this.”

Lu Ying chuckled lightly: "So what do you want from me? You're telling me all this now, do you think I'm still of any use to you?"

Yan Liang's eyes flickered slightly: "I heard that my aunt has been staying in the Taoist temple for more than a month, and my cousin has only visited her once. In that case, she is a little unfilial." Lu Ying blushed and was about to speak when Yan Liang interrupted her, saying: "Although it seems unfilial, it is really hard to feel any love or respect for your aunt based on what she has done."

"Regardless of her motives, her cousin is her only daughter and her only support. She completely disregards her cousin's situation, which is truly unkind."

Lu Ying bit her lower lip, her bloodshot eyes flickered twice, and then she looked away.

She asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"

Yan Liang turned his head and glanced at the servants standing below the door.

Lu Ying pursed her lips, her chest heaving a few times, and then waved to Ying Zi and the others.

All the disciples withdrew.

"What do you want from me?" Lu Ying glared at him again.

Yan Liang raised his lips: "I've known you since I was a child. Especially after all this recent series of events, no matter what my aunt does, you haven't participated in anything. You are really much smarter than your mother."

"You already know your situation in the Lu family. You probably already know what you will face after going to the Yan family."

“It’s not that my mother doesn’t like you, it’s just that my aunt is caught in the middle, and we are all in a difficult position.”

"To be honest, an hour ago, even my grandfather agreed with how we treated my aunt."

"Ying'er, you have no one to rely on anymore."

"Have you really not thought about fighting for something for yourself?"

Lu Ying's eyes widened: "What do you mean by that?"

Yan Liang inhaled and put down the tea he had half-sipped: "This pre-rain Longjing tea is excellent; it was picked at the perfect time. If it had been picked any later, it wouldn't be worth the price."

After saying that, he stood up: "I think we've finished counting everything. Tomorrow is your big day, and I wish you and my brother a long and happy marriage in advance. Brother-sister."

He smiled, turned around, and left.

Lu Ying jumped up and rushed to the door. She stared wide-eyed at Yan Liang's back as he strode out of the hall, her teeth grinding together.

"Miss!"

Yingzi came over to help her.

She shook off the person and ran away quickly.

The servants along the way were scattered by her, and even Li Mama and Yingzi had to run while holding up their skirts to catch up with her.

"Miss!"

They ran in, panting.

Lu Ying grabbed a porcelain bottle and threw it at him: "Get lost!"

The porcelain bottle made a deafening crash.

She looked at the broken porcelain on the ground, bent down to pick up a piece, and held it in her trembling palm.