Unfortunately, after her stepmother married into the family, Wang Qiluo’s mother couldn’t visit often. She only asked Wang Qiluo to come to the Lu family frequently to help Lu Lingyun adjust to life there. In the previous life, after Lu Lingyun married into the Li family for a year, Wang Qiluo also got married. She married the son of the Assistant Minister of Justice. It was only after the marriage that she discovered that the son was not a good person. He beat Wang Qiluo day and night. At that time, Wang Jiangjun was wronged and faced a major case in the official circles. He couldn’t spare any time for his daughter. Within half a year, Wang Qiluo was beaten to death. Lu Lingyun was in Jiangnan at that time and couldn’t do anything. When she returned to the capital and had the power to protect people, the Wang family had already fallen into decline, and Lady Wang had passed away a few years ago. This was a lifelong regret for Lu Lingyun. Upon seeing her, Lu Lingyun’s eyes welled up, and she embraced her as if they had been separated for years, “Qiluo?”
“Don’t cry! Just tell me, my parents heard that you were going to marry Cheng Yunshuo, that profligate, and they were furious! They told me, if you have any reluctance, our General’s Mansion will step in and reject this marriage for you!”
Lu Lingyun listened to Wang Qiluo’s words and burst into laughter. She hugged Wang Qiluo tightly and said nothing, her watery eyes just gazing at her.
Wang Qiluo felt a pang in her heart as she was looked at so intently. “Don’t look at me like that, just speak! Did your vicious stepmother and your sister do this? I remember it was the Li family who wanted to marry you. My mother even said that the Li family was a good match!”
“If you don’t speak, I’ll go there right now! Don’t think you have no one to back you up!”
Lu Lingyun released Wang Qiluo and held her hand, finally speaking, “It’s my own choice.”
“Lingyun, you’ve always been soft-spoken,” Wang Qiluo said, not believing her.
“It’s true,” Lu Lingyun smiled even more happily.
It was such a warm feeling to have someone on her side.
She pulled Wang Qiluo’s hand and led her to sit down. “The Houfu is a grand and prestigious household. The Lady and the Lord are both kind and compassionate people. They will surely be loving towards their daughter-in-law. How could this not be a good match?”
“That guy, Cheng Yunshuo, is a profligate! The affair about him keeping women in a brothel spread throughout the capital. My father even said he was infatuated with women, hopelessly lost in lust.”
“In this world, how many men don’t have three wives and four concubines? Even your father, in harmony with your stepmother, still has two mistresses in his household.”
Wang Qiluo was speechless for a moment.
It was true, even her father had two concubines. Her mother had only given birth to her, one daughter, before her body was damaged and she couldn’t bear children anymore. To prevent the family line from dying out, her mother-in-law forcefully made her take two concubines to produce heirs.
“But… I remember that you were supposed to marry into the Li family. How come you changed your mind? Was it your sister who stole it from you?”
“How can the Li family compare to the Houfu?” Lu Lingyun laughed. “Li Wenxun is the second son in his family, and his elder brother is capable. He married the daughter of the Minister of Rites, and after entering the Li family, he took control of household affairs. Cheng Yunshuo is the only son in his family. After I marry him, I will be the only daughter-in-law. How can the Li family compare to the Houfu?”
Wang Qiluo nodded, seemingly understanding.
It made sense. In terms of family background, the Li family was a hundred times worse than the Houfu.
But…
“Are you really not bothered by the fact that Cheng Yunshuo already has a concubine?”
Her father had concubines because of the need for heirs. It was an order from his elders, so he couldn’t disobey. But normally, how could a man take a concubine before marriage?
And it was such a big scandal. Wasn’t it humiliating to the new wife?
Lu Lingyun held up her teacup. “In this world, it’s a great blessing for a couple to be able to treat each other with respect. I just hope for a respectful relationship with him.”
Wang Qiluo had no more objections after hearing this. She looked at Lu Lingyun, who was calm and composed, and thought to herself.
“I’m telling you, his concubine is not an ordinary person. My brother told me he had heard her sing in the brothel. Her tunes were all unique and her behavior was bold and daring. Even in the brothel, she talked about things like equality between men and women and freedom for all. The men who had seen her all said she was a remarkable woman.”
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