0p0 Chapter 855 The Man Behind Madam Lu!
Chapter 855 The Man Behind Madam Lu!
Although Madam Lu was unable to arrange for her daughter to meet the Crown Prince as she wished, Mu Xin Nuan was already very angry.
This anger was naturally vented on Duanmu Chuze.
"You're back early today. Did you know your childhood sweetheart was coming, so you made a special trip back home early?"
That's incredibly sarcastic.
Duanmu Chuze was taken aback. "Are you alright? I don't have any childhood sweethearts."
"Hmph! Even now, you still won't tell me the truth. Fine, then I'll ask you, what's the story with the two daughters of the Lu family?"
"What Lu family? Which Lu family?"
"Who else could it be? It's the Lu family of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion! Madam Lu brought her two daughters to your door today to force you into marriage. Judging from the tone, even the Empress Dowager agreed to it a long time ago, and said that you and Madam Lu were childhood sweethearts and had a very close relationship."
Duanmu Chuze was both amused and exasperated. "What nonsense! How come I didn't know? Besides, if Mother really agreed to this marriage, why didn't they come out when I swore not to take any concubines?"
This is true!
Mu Xinnuan blinked. "Regardless of when they come out, just tell me whether this actually happened or not?"
Duanmu Chuze sighed softly, helped her sit down, and then said slowly, "Anuan, listen to me. They may have entered the palace when I was little, but I don't have a deep impression of them. As for what they looked like, I don't remember at all. Also, that Madam Lu, I'm afraid she just made it up. Although she is now the Duchess of the State, she herself did not come from a prestigious family."
"How to say?"
"This Lady Lu was a lady-in-waiting to my mother in her early years. Her family was a scholarly family, but the highest official her ancestors held was only a prefect of the fourth rank. As for herself, she only gained my mother's favor after she rescued my mother from falling into the water when my mother was tricked by someone."
"A female officer?"
"Exactly. It's similar to Rongyue's status."
Mu Xin Nuan nodded, "But for a female official to marry a Duke, isn't that a bit too much?"
"You may not know this, but the man that Madam Lu married is the third son of the Duke of Dingguo's family. Originally, this title was passed down to the eldest son. Later, the eldest son had no sons, only a daughter, and soon passed away. This title should have been passed to the second son, but this second son was born out of wedlock. That's why it passed to the current Duke."
Mu Xinnuan blinked. "What a coincidence?"
Duanmu Chuze reached out and tapped her on the head. "What nonsense are you thinking! Back then, Madam Lu didn't have the guts to do that. Besides, the rules in the Duke's mansion are very strict. Even now, the old Duchess is still here."
"I knew it! This Lady Lu is different from some of the previous ladies. Does she think that because she was once a favorite of the Empress Dowager and even saved her life, she can treat us like juniors?"
"That's possible. She's just someone who can't be brought to the table. Don't let her current status as the Duchess fool you; she's not the one who truly runs the household in the Duke's mansion."
"Is that the Dowager Madam?"
Duanmu Chuze shook his head. "It is the wife of the deceased Duke, who is now the first wife of the Duke's mansion. Now that her daughter is married, she is a widow who originally wanted to spend her life in seclusion. However, the Grand Madam values her highly. Besides, she was originally a Duchess, so it is only natural that she would take charge of the household."
"But this heir of the Duke's mansion is no longer hers. Isn't that a bit inappropriate?"
"As long as the Dowager Lady supports her, everything will be fine. Moreover, the current Duke of Lu has an excellent relationship with his elder brother from before, and he also has great respect for this sister-in-law. So, if the two of them nod in approval, what can others say?"
Mu Xin Nuan understood. It turned out that this Duchess was just a figurehead!
Without real power, one certainly wouldn't have much say in the household.
No wonder she said that Madam Lu was putting on airs today, and every gesture she made was exceptionally refined. It turns out that she was afraid of being looked down upon, which is why she acted that way.
"No wonder I hadn't seen Madam Lu come to pay her respects before. The proper one is now a widow, so it's not appropriate. This one, on the other hand, thinks too highly of herself, but her background isn't really that good. Tsk tsk, how interesting."
"Alright, now you understand, are you calmed down?"
Mu Xin Nuan glared at him, "Who said I'm not angry anymore? I'm still furious!"
"Alright, alright! Come, sit down first. Let me massage your legs. I've noticed they've been a bit swollen lately."
"Yes, I'm already paying attention to my diet. I try to eat more braised beef and winter melon, but I haven't touched pork at all."
Mu Xin Nuan naturally understood these things, and in addition, Dean Zhao had repeatedly reminded her of them when he came over before.
"Let's walk less. As Dr. Zhao said, we should soak our feet in hot water at night. But not too hot."
"Yes, I remember it all."
Meanwhile, Madam Lu returned to the Duke of Dingguo's mansion in a huff with her two daughters. Before she could even have a sip of hot tea, a servant came and said that the Grand Madam had invited her.
Although Madam Lu was unwilling, she had no choice.
The Dowager Lady had always looked down on her background. Even though she considered herself the Empress's confidante, the Dowager Lady had always treated her with indifference.
He was particularly kind to his sister-in-law, Madam He.
Years ago, Madam Lu had been jealous of this, but now she only felt that the Grand Madam was pitying Madam He.
She lost her husband at a young age and now lives with only her daughter.
Now that her daughter is married, she is all alone, and life is naturally not easy for her.
If the Grand Madam wants to get closer to her, so be it. Anyway, the Grand Madam won't live for many more years, and by then, I'll be the proper manager of this Duke's mansion.
Without the protection of the Dowager Madam, she refused to believe that Madam He would still dare to hold onto the power of the Duke's Mansion!
However, Madam Lu thought about it again. Over the years, He had been the housekeeper, and she wondered how much silver he had embezzled in private.
Just think back to when her daughter got married, her dowry was all the best stuff.
Madam Lu curled her lip in disdain, adjusted her hair, and then swayed her hips as she headed towards the Grand Madam's courtyard.
"Did you go to the Prince of Chang Le's residence today?" The Grand Madam asked bluntly as soon as she saw her.