Chapter 230: Chapter 230: This Is Too Absurd

"Is Elder Brother talking about Zhi Wan?"

Lu Zhenbei was just about to speak when a slightly sharp voice cut in.

Lu Zhenbei and Old Madam Lu both looked toward the door in unison.

There stood Lu Jinglan, holding a tray of pastries, her expression quite unpleasant.

Lu Zhenbei frowned but still nodded. "Yes, Zhi Wan."

Hearing this, Lu Jinglan’s mind started to buzz.

’Jinzhi is in love with Zhi Wan and wants to marry her?’

’No, this is absurd!’

’It’s absolutely impossible!’

"Elder Brother must be joking, right?" Lu Jinglan said, forcing herself to smile.

Old Madam Lu also thought her son was joking with her. She frowned and said, "Don’t make jokes about Jinzhi’s marriage. That orphan girl, Zhi Wan, is not worthy of him."

Lu Zhenbei was displeased. ’Wan’er is so well-behaved and sensible, how could she not be worthy of Lu Zhan?’

’Besides, Wan’er is much younger than Lu Zhan.’

’If Wan’er doesn’t mind that Lu Zhan is older, they should be secretly overjoyed.’ 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

’Otherwise, if Wan’er weren’t willing to marry Lu Zhan, he’d go off and become a monk.’

"Mother, I’m not joking. Everything I said is true. Jinzhi has his heart set on Wan’er and won’t marry anyone else. In fact, Wan’er... doesn’t really want to marry Jinzhi. After all, he’s ten years older than her. To her, he’s a bit... old."

"What?" Old Madam Lu flew into a rage.

’Her grandson being in love with that orphan girl, Zhi Wan, was already shocking and displeasing enough. But to think that same orphan girl would dare to complain that her grandson is old?’

’The absolute nerve!’

"My grandson, Jinzhi, is one in a million! The line of young women who want to marry him could stretch to the city gates. What right does that Zhi Wan have to look down on him? It’s not like Jinzhi can’t find a good wife. Write to him and tell him to give up this notion at once. He shouldn’t waste his affection on a girl who doesn’t know what’s good for her."

"I would like to persuade him, but Jinzhi said that if he cannot marry Wan’er in this life, he will renounce the world and become a monk." Lu Zhenbei was now using the same story Lady Wei had used to fool him to fool the old madam.

"What? Become a monk?" Old Madam Lu’s expression was ghastly. "How can he be so muddle-headed? There are plenty of good women in this world. It’s not as if Zhi Wan is the only one."

"Since Mother also admits that Wan’er is a good woman, then the marriage between the two children is settled," Lu Zhenbei quickly interjected, seizing on her words.

Old Madam Lu was left speechless, glaring at him in displeasure.

Lu Zhenbei remained perfectly composed. "Minghui has never arranged a wedding before, so there is much she doesn’t know. For Jinzhi and Wan’er’s marriage, we will still need you, esteemed elder, to guide Minghui."

Hearing this, Old Madam Lu was torn between anger and appeasement, her old face flushing beet red.

Just then, Lu Jinglan suddenly spoke up. "Could Elder Brother’s information be mistaken? How is it that Jinzhi wants to marry Wan’er right after she accompanied him on a trip to Yangzhou? Did something... happen between them on the road?"

At these words, Old Madam Lu calmed down.

’That’s right. Jinzhi has always refused to take a wife, sneering at the many noble ladies from distinguished families he could have chosen. Why, out of the blue, would he fall for Zhi Wan, an orphan girl who’s a complete nobody?’

’Could it be that something really did happen on the road?’

Thinking of Zhi Wan’s charming and seductive face, her expression shifted.

’Don’t tell me Zhi Wan seized the opportunity to seduce Jinzhi?’

’That’s the only way to explain why Jinzhi would suddenly want to marry her!’

Having thought of this, Old Madam Lu’s face darkened. "No. I do not approve of this marriage."

’How could her grandson marry such a shameless woman?’

"If Jinzhi truly likes her so much, then just take Zhi Wan as a concubine."

Lu Zhenbei’s expression instantly turned grim. "Mother, what are you saying? How could you suggest Wan’er become a concubine?"

"Letting her be Jinzhi’s concubine would be elevating her status. Do you think she would dare to disagree?" Old Madam Lu said arrogantly.

"Never mind Wan’er disagreeing—I, Minghui, and Jinzhi would never agree either," Lu Zhenbei said, displeased. "Furthermore, I came here today to tell you about Jinzhi and Wan’er’s marriage, not to consult with you. I am here to inform you."

"What?" Old Madam Lu trembled with rage. She snatched the teacup beside her and hurled it at her son. "You scoundrel! Do you have any respect for me at all?"

Lu Zhenbei easily caught the thrown teacup and placed it back on the table, unharmed. "We naturally respect you, which is why we came to share this joyous news with you at the first opportunity. I never expected that you, esteemed elder, would show so little concern for your own grandson.

"It seems to me that you simply want to see the main branch of our family’s line die out!"

"You—you—you... you’re talking nonsense! You unfilial son! Are you trying to anger me to death?" Old Madam Lu was so furious her vision went black.

"I have delivered the news. Please rest well. I will take my leave now." With that, Lu Zhenbei quickly departed.

He feared that if he delayed his departure by even a moment, his old mother would truly faint from rage, and he would be branded as an unfilial son.

As soon as he left, Old Madam Lu stomped her feet and beat her chest in fury. "That unfilial son!"

Lu Jinglan’s expression was also incredibly dark. She took a deep breath, set down the tray she was holding, and went to help the old madam compose herself, consoling her, "Mother, please don’t be angry."

"How can I not be angry? Jinzhi is about to marry a little vixen!" Old Madam Lu fumed.

Lu Jinglan sighed. "Last time, Wan’er made a scene by leaving without so much as a word. Who would have thought that upon her return, she’d be set to marry Jinzhi? I wonder what sort of tricks she used."

Hearing this, Old Madam Lu’s expression grew heavy. "I truly underestimated her. So young, yet so full of schemes. I always knew she wasn’t one to behave, but I never imagined she would be so audacious as to dare seduce Jinzhi."

As she finished speaking, she abruptly stood up, her voice grim. "I’m going to have a word with that little fox spirit!"

A flicker of light passed through Lu Jinglan’s eyes. She quickly and solicitously took the old madam’s arm. "Mother, let’s not be hasty."

"What do you mean?" Old Madam Lu asked, reining in her impatience.

"Sister-in-law dotes on Zhi Wan so much. I’m afraid that before you even reach Yaoguang Pavilion, she will hear the news and rush over to stop you," Lu Jinglan said with a helpless air.

Hearing this, Old Madam Lu nodded. "You’re right. I need to find a way to lure Wei Minghui away first."

An imperceptible smile touched the corners of Lu Jinglan’s lips.

「Yaoguang Pavilion.」

Zhi Wan was still unaware of what had happened at Fushou Hall.

She had been sick on the journey back and hadn’t been able to paint properly.

So, the moment she had some free time today, she immediately took out her brush and paper and began to paint with intense focus.

Just as she was engrossed in her work, Shuang’er suddenly hurried in.

"Miss, Old Madam Lu and Miss Jinglan are here! The Old Madam looks absolutely furious, like she’s here to cause trouble."

Upon hearing this, Zhi Wan quickly put away the painting on her desk and ordered, "Quick, go inform my aunt!"

"Yes, miss." Shuang’er snapped out of her daze and hurried away.

Zhi Wan straightened her dress, then went out to greet them.

But to her surprise, the moment she stepped out of the room, she saw Shuang’er being bound by two burly old maids, a ragged cloth stuffed in her mouth.

Seeing Zhi Wan emerge, Shuang’er struggled desperately, letting out muffled cries of "MMPH! MMPH!" as if trying to say something, only to be immediately slapped across the face by one of the maids.