Chapter 166: Rejected
Two more days passed, and the Marquis Fengxian’s Madam personally came to Wu Qiu Nunnery to see Madam Wen.
Madam Wen couldn’t help but feel a bit suspicious. Sang Er also said, “Could this Madam Lu be here to demand an explanation? I was wondering why the Cui Family hadn’t made a sound after they left. It turns out they went to get reinforcements.”
“Let’s see what she says when she comes in,” Madam Wen said, not flustered at all. “Then we can figure out what she’s up to.”
Madam Lu was quite amiable when she entered. Madam Wen invited her for tea, saying, “I don’t have much to offer guests, only a cup of clear tea. Please don’t mind.”
“I’ve always known Madam Wen to be a refined person. Even I, a mere mortal, feel a bit less worldly here,” Madam Lu said with a smile. “This tea smells extraordinary; how could I possibly mind?”
Seeing her polite words, Madam Wen felt she wasn’t here to demand an explanation. However, she had nothing particular to discuss with her, so she directly asked, “May I ask what brings you to see me today, Madam?”
“Madam Wen is so straightforward; I won’t beat around the bush either.” Madam Lu put down her tea cup and said, “I’ve come today because I have something to ask of you.”
“Oh? What is it you need my help with, Madam?” Madam Wen’s eyebrows twitched, and she felt a sense of unease.
“You know our family, Madam. We only have two sons and no daughters. I truly wish I had a daughter,” Madam Lu said, reciting the words she had prepared. “Furthermore, lately, my health has been poor, and things at home have been repeatedly unlucky. I consulted a master, who said that I should adopt a daughter I like and keep her by my side.
Originally, I planned to adopt the second young lady of the Cui Family, but for some reason, this child became a nun out of the blue. It broke my heart!
I told the master, but he said the daughter I was meant to recognize was right here. I asked, ‘But this young lady has already renounced the world and cut off all worldly desires. How can I recognize her?’
The master then said your daughter is in this place, but it’s not the one who became a nun. If you don’t believe me, go and see for yourself; you’re bound to meet her.
I was half-believing, half-doubting, and didn’t know what else to say, so I sent our Granny Tang to take a look.
Who would have thought that after Granny Tang returned, she was overjoyed and told me she had indeed met a very beautiful young girl, who is the one by your side. Seeing her today, I also feel an immense connection, as if we were mother and daughter in a past life. I just want to recognize her quickly. Are you willing to part with her?” Madam Lu said, glancing at Sang Er.
Sang Er was startled and almost dropped the teapot in her hand.
Madam Lu’s words were quite clever. They not only covered up the matter of them forcing Cui Baozhu but also subtly implied that Madam Wen had instigated Cui Baozhu to become a nun, all while maintaining a humble demeanor.
“We will absolutely not mistreat her. If you allow me to recognize her as my adopted daughter, I will cherish her as if she were my own. And between us, our relationship will naturally become even better,” Madam Lu continued. “Of course, we won’t mistreat you either, Madam. I know you spent a considerable sum to buy this maid, and her daily expenses for food, clothing, and adornments have also been substantial. Just name your price, and we’ll pay any amount of silver. It will be considered a great favor you’ve done us. Is it a deal?”
With words spoken to this extent, if Madam Wen refused, it would seem rather heartless.
Sang Er looked at Madam Wen anxiously. She didn’t believe Madam Lu’s nonsense! How could someone who raised their son like that have any good intentions?
If they tricked her into going with them, who knew what wicked deeds they might commit!
Madam Wen gave her a look that said “calm down,” and slowly replied, “So that’s how it is. Although Madam and I are not deeply acquainted, I know you to be a good person.
It is her good fortune that you have taken a liking to this maid. If you had said this two or three months ago, I would have agreed without a second thought. Unfortunately, Madam, you’ve spoken a bit too late.”
Madam Lu’s expression couldn’t help but change upon hearing this. She asked, “What do you mean by that, Madam? What do you mean by ‘too early’ or ‘too late’?”
“It’s like this. As you can see, this maid is universally loved.” Compared to Madam Lu’s changing expression, Madam Wen remained calm and composed. “As early as two months ago, the Grand Princess saw her and was extremely fond of her, wanting to keep her by her side. However, she thought the girl was still a bit young and didn’t quite understand the rules. She decided to keep her with me for another six months to a year for further training, after which she would serve the Grand Princess permanently.
It is for this reason that I told you, Madam, that you have spoken a bit too late.”
In fact, Madam Wen wasn’t lying. She had also long noticed that the Grand Princess was very fond of Sang Er and had planned to arrange for Sang Er to be by the Grand Princess’s side in the future.
With such a powerful backing, she wouldn’t have to worry about anyone coveting her beauty and harming her.
Madam Lu never expected Madam Wen to bring up the Grand Princess. That was someone she couldn’t afford to offend.
Her carefully planned words were now rendered useless.
Madam Wen noticed her embarrassment and softened her tone. “I feel rather bad that you’ve made this trip in vain, Madam. In fact, with your status and position, wouldn’t it be easy for you to find an adopted daughter? How many daughters from various families are eagerly waiting! Madam, please put in a little more effort and find a suitable candidate!”
“If that’s the case, what else is there to say? All my good intentions have gone to waste,” Madam Lu said dejectedly. “We’ll talk about future matters later!”
With that, she stood up.
“I’ll see Madam out,” Madam Wen said, standing up as well. “Please take care.”
After seeing Madam Lu off, Hui Xin hurried over and asked, “Madam Wen, did she cause you any trouble?”
“No, didn’t I see her off safely?” Madam Wen smiled at her. “Your clothes are a bit thin. I have a plain, lightly padded jacket that hasn’t been worn. I’ll have Sang Er find it for you!”
“You don’t know, do you? She came for me,” Sang Er said, briefly explaining Madam Lu’s words to Hui Xin.
Upon hearing this, Hui Xin quickly shook her head. “Don’t believe her words at all. She definitely has ill intentions.”
“I also know her intentions are not good, but I can’t quite figure out what her ultimate plan is yet,” Madam Wen said. “I hope this is the end of it and there won’t be any further developments.”
Madam Lu returned home with a belly full of anger. As soon as she entered her room and before she could change her clothes, Leng Shi arrived.
“I heard Madam went to Wu Qiu Nunnery. Did you see Madam Wen?” Leng Shi asked with a smile.
“Your informant is quite quick,” Madam Lu snorted, not in the best mood with her. “I got nothing today; it’s truly disheartening.”
“What do you want to do, Madam?” Leng Shi feigned ignorance. “Perhaps I can help you brainstorm.”
“No one can help,” Madam Lu said. “I wanted to buy the maid by her side, but she brought up the Grand Princess, so I couldn’t say anything more.”
