After entering the book, the cold prince begs for favor

Chapter 396 Punishment of Old Madam Lu

Madam Lu's fingers gripped the Buddhist prayer beads tightly, her knuckles turning a frightening bluish-white.

She suddenly looked up, her cloudy eyes fixed on Lu Jiangnian: "Is what you're saying true? Was Liang Yusong really trying to harm me from the very beginning?"

"Absolutely true."

Lu Jiangnian's voice was calm: "Liang Shangjiong couldn't withstand the torture in prison and confessed everything. One page in his confession was about the Liang family's conspiracy against our Lu family."

"It is clearly written above that everything you encountered with Liang Yusong on your way back to Beijing from Xu County was planned in advance by them."

The old lady stared intently at Lu Jiangnian, then suddenly slammed the teacup beside her to the ground: "That bitch!"

"And I treated her like a precious jewel!"

"If she weren't dead, I would definitely ask her in person, 'Where is her face?'"

Yuan Wanru said softly, "Grandmother, please calm down and take care of your health."

"Shut up!"

The old lady suddenly turned to Yuan Wanru, her eyes blazing with anger: "Don't think I don't know what you're thinking! Are you secretly laughing at me for being blind?"

Yuan Wanru lowered her eyes: She was blind to talent to begin with, why would she need to laugh at her?

Lu Jiangnian frowned, looking displeased: "Grandmother, my wife meant well, please don't misunderstand."

"Since last year, you have been ill on and off, and several times it was due to the schemes of evil people. You are already advanced in years, and your grandson advises you to rest and recuperate in peace from now on. As for matters at home..."

"how?"

The old lady interrupted sharply, "Now you won't even let me manage things in the manor? How much authority do I have left to manage affairs?"

"Isn't it your mother who takes care of most things?"

"I'm only in charge of the main kitchen and the flowers and trees in the garden, and you want me to delegate authority?"

"Lu Jiangnian, are you hoping I'll die sooner so the Yuan family can make room for me?"

Lu Jiangnian's expression remained unchanged: "Grandson wouldn't dare, Grandmother, you are indeed overthinking things."

“Grandmother, you can look in the mirror. Your face looks terrible after you were poisoned. I'm just thinking about your health. The doctor said you need to rest.”

The old lady suddenly sneered: "What a filial grandson!"

She turned to Yuan Wanru, gritting her teeth, and said, "It's all because of you, you vixen, that Jiang Nian has changed completely since you entered the family!"

"I used to trust you a little, but now, do you still have even a shred of my old woman in your heart?"

Yuan Wanru pouted; she had no interest in managing affairs within the household.

However, she didn't want to see Old Madam Lu getting involved. Even if Zhou Fang was in charge, it would be better than Old Madam Lu.

"Grandmother, you misunderstand. My husband is just worried about your health."

Old Madam Lu stared intently at Lu Jiangnian: "What if I don't hand it over?"

Lu Jiangnian said slowly, "It doesn't matter if we don't hand them over. Granny Cao and the others are careless, which has led to Grandmother being harmed by villains time and time again. It is really not appropriate for them to stay by Grandmother's side."

"For your safety, grandson, what do you think about hiring a new group of capable people to serve you?"

Granny Cao nearly collapsed to her knees.

She... the young master is forcing the old lady to make a decision!

"Lu Jiangnian, you are truly my good grandson!"

Madam Lu never expected Lu Jiangnian to say such a thing. She gritted her teeth and looked at her once proud eldest grandson, her anger almost overwhelming her.

"Get out! All of you, get out!"

The old lady suddenly sprang to her feet, grabbed the teapot from the table, and smashed it hard on the ground with a loud bang, sending shards of porcelain flying everywhere.

"I'm not going to care about anything anymore!"

Lu Jiangnian shielded Yuan Wanru, taking two steps back, and said in a deep voice, "Grandmother, please calm down. Grandmother is in a bad mood today. I will take my leave now."

With a loud bang, the wooden door of Rongshou Hall slammed shut behind the two of them.

Even through the door, Old Madam Lu's hysterical shouts could be clearly heard: "Someone! Lock the door! No one is allowed in!"

A maidservant asked timidly, "Madam, when the Second Master comes to pay his respects later..."

"Get him out! All of you, get out!" The old lady's hoarse voice trembled with tears, "They're all heartless bastards!"

-

As she stepped out of Rongshou Hall, the night breeze brushed against Yuan Wanru's temples. She sighed softly, "Husband, were we too direct?"

Lu Jiangnian's broad, warm hand enveloped her slightly cool fingertips, his tone steady: "It's alright. Grandmother is advanced in years; only by putting aside household affairs can she focus on her recovery."

He gently stroked the back of her hand with his thumb. "She'll always understand that we're doing this for her."

Yuan Wanru turned her head to look at him, her almond-shaped eyes filled with a mischievous smile in the moonlight.

This person could lie without batting an eye; if she hadn't known the truth, she probably would have been fooled by his sincere appearance.

He had clearly only decided to strip the old lady of her power after hearing her recount the incident involving Aunt Shen, in which he learned that the old lady had not only spoken ill of him but had also hit his mother.

From now on, the old lady in Rongshou Hall will truly be the most leisurely old lady in the mansion.

"What's wrong?" Lu Jiangnian suddenly leaned closer, his warm breath brushing against her ear. "Is my wife worried about Grandmother?"

Yuan Wanru rolled her eyes without any politeness: "I feel really sorry for you."

"If you ask me, Grandma should go back to her hometown to live a peaceful life. It's a place of beautiful mountains and clear waters, with the fewest troubles, making it the perfect place to retire in peace."

A sly smile played on her lips. "What do you think, my husband?"

Lu Jiangnian was taken aback at first, then chuckled softly.

The laughter was particularly clear in the quiet courtyard, startling a pair of birds perched in the trees.

He loved her for her clear sense of right and wrong.

She never hesitates to hold a grudge when necessary; but she is also generous in repaying those who are kind to her.

He was very clear about his grudges and gratitude, just like her.

"You are absolutely right, my lady."

Lu Jiangnian suddenly pulled her into his arms, tracing her features by the moonlight, "I love you just the way you are..."

He lowered his head and lightly pecked her lips. "Little fox."

Yuan Wanru blushed at his sudden intimacy. She looked around and saw that the place was rather secluded. Liu Yan was already walking ahead with a lantern.

She was about to scold him when she caught sight of his eyes filled with indulgent laughter.

A warmth filled her heart, and she decided to stand on tiptoe and bite his chin: "This little fox is vengeful, aren't you afraid?"

Why would I be afraid?

Lu Jiangnian scooped her up in his arms, startling Yuan Wanru into a soft gasp. He strode towards Lingshui Residence, his voice filled with delight: "I'll wait and see how my wife will 'take revenge' on me."

The moonlight cast long shadows of the two people, which gradually merged into one.

-

That very night, Madam Lu claimed to be ill and closed her doors to visitors.

She refused to see anyone from the manor.

She had Granny Cao hand over all the tokens in her hand, and Wang Min was somewhat surprised when she received them.

Madam Lu didn't eat. She lay quietly on the bed, staring blankly at the bed curtains.

Once upon a time, she was the matriarch of the Marquis's mansion, wielding the power of life and death. How did she end up so destitute?

She muttered to herself, "Liang Yusong... what a Liang Yusong... I was so blind..."

"Yuan Wanru, you really are my nemesis!"