CHAPTER 84: CHAPTER 83: COLLECTING DEBTS DOOR TO DOOR

On the other side, Meng Qianqian was also preparing to rest.

It’s said that this place is haunted, yet lying here, she actually feels a sense of peace.

When Nanny Li came to call her for a late-night snack, she had already fallen into a deep sleep.

Nanny Li, feeling sorry for her, tucked in the corners of her blanket, lowered the bed curtains, and tiptoed out.

Tan’er, holding a big bowl of lamb-filled dumplings, whispered, "Sister isn’t eating? Then I’ll eat it all!"

Nanny Li said, "Eat, then."

The next morning, Meng Qianqian was up early.

Nanny Li asked, "Why not sleep a little longer? Now that you’re in your own home, no one will say anything."

Meng Qianqian replied, "I’ve slept enough."

She was used to waking early in the military camp.

After breakfast, Meng Qianqian took Ban Xia and Tan’er to the Lu Family estate.

The Second Madam and Lu Linglong were just about to leave; as soon as they saw her, they froze.

Lu Linglong asked irritably, "What are you doing at the Lu Family?"

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly, "To collect debts. What else do you think I’m here for?"

Lu Linglong was speechless.

The Second Madam forced a sheepish smile, "Qianqian, ah, as for the family’s debts, our branch doesn’t know much about them. You should go to the main branch or the Old Madam!"

With that, she quickly pulled her daughter into the carriage and fled.

When the servants went to inform the stewards, no one wanted to come forward. In the end, Steward Liu invited Meng Qianqian to the flower hall.

Steward Liu had worked under Lu Yuan and was one of the few stewards with clean hands. He had always treated Meng Qianqian courteously.

"Eldest Young Madam, please wait here a moment while I report to the Old Madam."

Ban Xia corrected him, "Steward Liu, my lady is no longer part of the Lu Family. That title is no longer appropriate."

Steward Liu sighed, "In my heart, Meng Miss is the only Eldest Young Madam of the Lu Family."

"Go ahead and inform the Old Madam," Meng Qianqian said.

"Understood."

Steward Liu went off.

Upon hearing a debt collector had come to call, the Old Madam immediately feigned illness and refused to meet.

Steward Liu came back to urge her three times.

Eventually, upon hearing that even the Dowager had intervened, the Dowager called Meng Qianqian to her courtyard, allowing the Old Madam to breathe a sigh of relief.

The Dowager was overjoyed to see Meng Qianqian, though a trace of grievance also flickered across her expression: "Why did it take so long for you to return? Next time, take me with you!"

Before leaving the Lu Family, Nanny Li had secretly informed the Dowager that Meng Qianqian was out visiting relatives and would bring back lots of interesting storybooks for her when she returned, lest the Dowager fall ill yearning for her.

How could the Dowager have known that this would drag on for two months?

Meng Qianqian smiled and said, "Alright."

The Dowager instructed Xi Que to summon Lu Yuan over.

In the past, Lu Lingxiao was raised under the Old Madam’s care. The Dowager would often call Lu Yuan and Lu Lingxiao to her courtyard so Lu Yuan could see her son more often.

"Qianqian?"

Lu Yuan was startled.

She hadn’t known Meng Qianqian had left the Capital City. In recent days, she had been missing Meng Qianqian but didn’t know where she had moved to.

"Madam."

Though she could no longer call her "mother," Meng Qianqian still regarded Lu Yuan and the Dowager as her lifetime kin.

Lu Yuan’s heart tightened with pain.

When Qianqian first arrived at the Lu Family at the age of twelve, she would feel lonely at night and miss her family, often crying secretly. When she cried, Lu Yuan would let her sleep in her own room. Later, when her son "died in battle," it was she who cried through the nights.

Qianqian would bring her own pillow over and watch over her all night, afraid she might succumb to despair.

If it weren’t for this child, Lu Yuan truly didn’t know how she survived those years.

"I thought... I thought you..."

Lu Yuan choked up.

Meng Qianqian held her hand and looked at her sincerely.

Some words don’t need to be spoken aloud; there’s already mutual understanding.

The Dowager sternly interrupted, "I haven’t cried, so you’re not allowed to cry either!"

Lu Yuan’s tears turned into laughter.

Lu Yuan’s health was frail; Meng Qianqian had brought her many precious medicinal herbs, along with written recipes for their preparation.

For the Dowager, Meng Qianqian had also brought some nutritional supplements and storybooks she had collected from various regions.

Lu Lingxiao had just arrived from Songzhu Courtyard; he was there to visit his great-grandmother. From afar, he could already hear bursts of laughter.

He couldn’t help but feel surprised—his great-grandmother’s courtyard rarely had such lively moments.

As he came closer, his expression froze.

She was here?

The weather was quite nice today, and the courtyard doors and windows were opened for ventilation.

Meng Qianqian sat with the Dowager and Lu Yuan in the spacious and bright main room. The three were chatting and laughing happily. Even his mother, who was always somber and melancholic in his memories, showed unrestrained joy.

Lu Lingxiao felt a moment of daze.

The maid at the door noticed him: "Eldest Young Master, would you like to come in?"

Lu Lingxiao pondered for a moment: "No, I’ll come later."

He returned to Songzhu Courtyard.

Lin Wan’er was sitting in his room.

He was startled for a moment. In the past, whenever he saw Lin Wan’er, he would feel a surge of joy. Now, her presence seemed a bit inappropriate.

Lin Wan’er gestured: Yesterday it was my fault; I shouldn’t have argued with you. I came to apologize. Please don’t be upset with me, alright?

Lu Lingxiao’s expression softened as he sat beside her: "I’m not angry at you. I’m mad at myself."

Lin Wan’er gently signed: Whether or not you achieve merit, you’re still a hero in Wan’er’s eyes. As for Meng Miss, you don’t need to worry for now. Lu Yuan’s target is you; Meng Miss won’t be in any trouble.

Lu Lingxiao furrowed his brows but didn’t respond.

Xiao Die walked in: "Brother Lu, didn’t you go to visit the Dowager? You came back so quickly? I heard Meng Sister was there too—did you see her? Is she well?"

Lin Wan’er’s face subtly changed upon hearing this: You went to see Meng Qianqian?

Lu Lingxiao frowned, "I didn’t!"

Lin Wan’er: Then why didn’t you come to see me? You clearly said last night that you would come to see me today!

Lu Lingxiao replied, "I was about to, and then you came here."

Lin Wan’er signed: From the Dowager’s courtyard to Songzhu Courtyard, you would have passed by my courtyard. Why didn’t you stop by?

Lu Lingxiao raised the brocade box in his hand: "I was carrying something and wanted to put it down before coming to see you!"

Lin Wan’er signed angrily: I don’t believe you! Do you regret it now? Regret bringing me here, regret losing her?

Lu Lingxiao retorted, "Don’t be unreasonable! When have I ever regretted anything?"

Lin Wan’er: Then why did you go to see her?

Lu Lingxiao, frustrated, said, "I told you, I didn’t go to see her! I had no idea she was there before I arrived!"

Xiao Die anxiously tried to mediate: "Brother Lu, Sister Lin, please stop arguing! Anger harms the body—Sister Lin, if not for yourself, think of the baby in your belly. And even if Brother Lu did meet Meng Sister, so what? They weren’t alone; there were so many people watching. Brother Lu and Meng Sister are upright and blameless—what’s there to talk about?"

Lin Wan’er slammed the table and coldly signed: This is none of your business!

Xiao Die fearfully hid behind Lu Lingxiao.

Lu Lingxiao snapped coldly, "That’s enough!"

"I’m going to wash the laundry."

Xiao Die picked up Lu Lingxiao’s change of clothes and timidly left.

Lin Wan’er looked woundedly at Lu Lingxiao.

"I’ve got some matters to attend to at the barracks. I won’t be back tonight!"

In truth, there was nothing at the barracks—he just didn’t want to stay and argue with her. The Lin Wan’er in his memories was gentle, magnanimous, and understanding. But ever since his trip to the border, she seemed to have changed, becoming suspicious and jealous.

As soon as Lu Lingxiao reached the gate, he bumped into Meng Qianqian, who was coming from the Dowager’s courtyard.