Lady Wei tensed. Right, she had almost forgotten.

Previously, to get into the Duke Dingguo Mansion, Wang Shuya had run to the Inspectorate and caused a huge scene. It became public knowledge, even alarming the Emperor.

’This Chuchu is quite the schemer. She managed to coax Lu Jinglan and Lu Lan into bringing her to the Capital City, so how could she possibly be willing to leave just like that?’

’If they let her walk out of the Duke Dingguo Mansion, there was no telling what kind of trouble she would stir up.’

’What if she followed Wang Shuya’s example and also ran to the Inspectorate to cause a scene? The Duke Dingguo Mansion would become a laughingstock for everyone. Not only would they be utterly humiliated, but Jinzhi’s future prospects would also be affected.’

’I can’t let Chuchu leave just like that. I have to have someone watch her.’

’The best way would be to send her to a remote country estate.’

Having made up her mind, Lady Wei deliberately sighed and said to Nanny Fang, "Forget it. Miss Chuchu has no family or friends in the Capital City and nowhere to go. It’s quite pitiful. For now, arrange a place for her to go. We can discuss the other matters later."

Nanny Fang had served her for many years and immediately understood. "I will take Miss Chuchu to get settled now." Then, she spoke politely to Chuchu, "Miss Chuchu, please come with me."

Chuchu was taken aback, thinking Lady Wei had come around. A look of delight crossed her face. "Thank you, Madam." She hadn’t noticed at all that Lady Wei had said "a place to go," not "a place to stay."

Lu Jinglan wanted to give her a warning, but the memory of Lady Wei’s ruthless expression when she had angrily struck someone moments before made her swallow the words on the tip of her tongue.

’I just hope this Chuchu is smart enough not to get outwitted by Lady Wei,’ she thought.

Soon, Nanny Fang led Chuchu away.

Old Madam Lu’s expression softened slightly. "That’s more like it. Although Chuchu is of humble birth, her devotion to Jinzhi is plain to see, which is why she traveled so far to the Capital City. Giving her a place to stay is a way to accumulate merit and do a good deed."

Lady Wei found this ironic. ’The Old Madam has always been harsh and disapproving toward Wan’er, yet she can be so tolerant of an outsider like Chuchu, whom she’s just met. I have no idea what goes on in her head.’

’Accumulating merit and doing a good deed?’

’The nerve of her to say that!’

Lady Wei sneered inwardly and said coolly, "Mother, please don’t speak such nonsense. This Miss Chuchu isn’t as simple as you think. She clawed her way to the Capital City not out of some deep devotion, but clearly for wealth and status—to marry into a better family."

"Only someone as stupid as a pig would be used by her!"

"And think about it—if Jinzhi was actually interested in her, would she need to be running around making such a fuss?"

"Honestly, how stupid!"

Hearing this, the expressions on Lu Jinglan’s and Lu Lan’s faces became a spectacular mix of pale and flushed.

Anyone not deaf could tell exactly who Lady Wei was referring to with "certain people"—it was them!

"Sister-in-law... that’s too harsh. Lan’er and I just had good intentions," Lu Jinglan said, suppressing her anger as she spoke with a sense of grievance.

Lady Wei looked at her with feigned surprise. "Did I name anyone? The fact that you’re so quick to jump out suggests you think you’re stupid, too. Since you know you’re stupid, you should reflect on your actions to avoid doing something so disgraceful again. It’s one thing if you embarrass yourself, but don’t you dare drag down the Lu Family."

Lu Jinglan was so angry her eyes turned red. She turned and threw herself into Old Madam Lu’s arms. "Mother..."

Old Madam Lu’s expression changed. She quickly hugged her daughter and glared sharply at Lady Wei. "Wei Minghui, don’t go too far."

Lady Wei was unfazed. "Mother, I am also doing this for Jinglan’s own good. She’s so thoughtless she doesn’t even know when she’s being used. Right now, she has you to protect her, but when she marries, she’ll have to rely on herself. If you truly care for her, you should discipline her properly. Wan’er, let’s go!"

With that, she ignored Old Madam Lu’s livid face, took Zhi Wan by the hand, and led her out of Fushou Hall.

Old Madam Lu was so furious she smashed a cup. "That shrew!"

Lu Jinglan was also filled with bitter resentment.

Seeing them completely helpless against Lady Wei, Lady Lou wore an awkward expression.

’Lady Wei is so lucky,’ she thought. ’Not only is her husband capable and always on her side, but her son is also promising. That’s why she can be so unyielding in this family, never having to defer to the Old Madam. When she’s unhappy, she even dares to talk back to the Old Madam, and the Old Madam can’t do a thing about it.’

Lady Lou was both envious and jealous.

Lady Wei brought Zhi Wan back to Lan Courtyard.

After dismissing the servants, she took Zhi Wan’s hand and asked, "Tell your aunt honestly. Did your cousin fool around while he was in Yangzhou recently? Is it true that nothing happened between him and that Chuchu?"

Zhi Wan nodded. "Cousin didn’t fool around. His relationship with Chuchu is completely innocent."

’Though there was a period when he kept going to the Brothel, she later learned he was doing it to lower the guard of Liang Qixian and the other corrupt officials.’

Hearing this, Lady Wei breathed a sigh of relief. "I also believe your cousin isn’t the type to fool around. It’s just that Chuchu spoke with such certainty that I almost believed her."

"Cousin probably doesn’t even know her name, so how could there be anything between them?" Zhi Wan said with a smile, shaking her head.

Now, Lady Wei was completely at ease.

’That’s right. How could she not know her own son’s character?’

’If he could fall for a girl like Chuchu that easily, would he still be unmarried?’

’Her son either has a physical problem or a problem with his preferences.’

The thought made her start to worry.

She opened her mouth as if to say something, but then remembered Zhi Wan was still an unmarried young lady. In the end, she didn’t voice her anxieties and instead changed the subject. "Right, how is the wound on your hand?" As she spoke, she pulled up the sleeve on Zhi Wan’s right arm.

"It’s already healed. It doesn’t hurt at all, and there’s no scar," Zhi Wan said quickly.

Lady Wei touched her arm with a finger, frowning. "There are still some faint marks."

"They’ll be gone in a few days," Zhi Wan said, unconcerned.

’It was all thanks to the scar-removing ointment that Cousin had someone find for her, though; otherwise, her hand wouldn’t have recovered so quickly. She had been diligently applying it these past few days.’

Seeing that she was fine, Lady Wei said, "Since your hand has healed, I’ll arrange a matchmaking meeting for you tomorrow."

Zhi Wan’s eyes lit up, and she nodded obediently. "Okay."

Lady Wei put an arm around her shoulders, delighted. "This time, we’ll definitely be able to pick a suitable match."

Zhi Wan also felt a little excited. Then, remembering something, she asked, "By the way, has Tong Da brought back any news? What’s the real story with Wang Shuya and her son?"

Lady Wei shook her head. "I asked Chen Jiu, and Tong Da hasn’t returned yet. I’m afraid things aren’t going so smoothly. However, your uncle has already found the person who gave Lady Wang the idea to cause a scene at the Inspectorate."

Zhi Wan was surprised. "Who was it?"

Lady Wei sneered. "It was Madam Fu, Lady Lin!"

Zhi Wan froze, only remembering who Lady Lin was after a long moment.

She was none other than Marchioness Xuanping, Lady Lin.

"Why her?" Zhi Wan frowned.

’This Lady Lin had previously come to ask her aunt for her hand as a concubine, and now she was giving advice to Wang Shuya.’

’What on earth is she trying to do?’