Chapter Seventeen: The Matriarch Comes to the Rescue

“If this is the path you’ve arranged for me, the predetermined ending you’ve set, but I refuse to meet an ill fate in the end, so I choose to sever ties with the Luo family. From now on, I am no longer connected to any of you!”

“You really think leaving the Luo family means you’ll live so freely, without worrying about money?” Luo Chao sneered coldly, utterly unconcerned.

“Then you, Marquis, need not trouble yourself. I was once just a commoner and lived just fine. There’s no reason I can’t make it after a brief stay at the Jing’an Marquis’s residence!”

Seeing that Luo Yunqiao consistently rebutted him, Luo Chao’s expression darkened.

“This defiant daughter, I must teach you a harsh lesson!” Luo Chao raised his hand high.

Luo Zeting immediately stepped in front of Luo Yunqiao. “Father, please don’t!”

“Father, Yunqiao must have realized her mistake by now. Please don’t be angry!” Luo Zeting turned to Luo Yunqiao. “Yunqiao, you should humble yourself before Father. He’s just upset right now!”

“If you have any grievances, you can talk to your eldest brother privately. He’ll help you resolve them!”

Luo Yunqiao looked at him coldly. This eldest brother was always like this.

Clearly, it wasn’t her fault, yet she was always the one expected to apologize, while this eldest brother played the peacemaker.

Seeing her remain silent, stubbornly refusing to admit fault, Luo Chao’s anger flared even more. His raised hand was about to fall.

“Stop!”

An aged voice came from outside.

“Mother?” Luo Chao turned to see the eldest matriarch, supported by a maid, entering.

“Mother, why do you speak for this unruly, shameful daughter?” Luo Chao’s anger burned inside him, his chest aching with frustration.

The matriarch looked at him coldly. “Find somewhere to cool off. Don’t make me an old woman who sees her loved ones buried before her time!”

“Grandmother, Yunqiao truly disregards the family’s interests. Zhen’er is the legitimate eldest lady of the Marquis’s residence. Yunqiao insists on taking that place. If she were outstanding in reputation, talent, and beauty, that would be one thing, but she just caused that scandal with the Third Prince by poisoning him. If she becomes the eldest lady, it will ruin the entire Marquis family’s reputation!”

“The Third Prince has admired Zhen’er for a long time. If she becomes the eldest lady, she would be the Prince’s consort, which would greatly benefit our family!” Luo Zefeng analyzed the merits of both candidates becoming the eldest lady.

The matriarch, already seated with the maid’s support, grew colder as she listened to her young grandson.

“Feng’er, you want Zhen’er to be the eldest lady of the Marquis family?” the matriarch asked gently.

“Of course. Zhen’er and I grew up together. I know her temperament best. Such a gentle, dignified, and magnanimous talented lady is perfect for the role!”

“Besides, just before you arrived, she even threatened me and Father with leaving the Marquis residence. She’s selfish and unfit to be the eldest lady!” Luo Zefeng nodded, listing Zhen Yun’s virtues.

Listening quietly beside them, Zhen Yun’s cheeks flushed slightly, pride shining in her eyes.

The matriarch smiled kindly. “That’s not impossible. This way, Zhen’er becomes the eldest lady, but all of your mother’s dowry and all of your father’s future stipends—except for the portion given to the palace—will be handed over to Yunqiao as compensation. Are you willing?”

At these words, everyone’s expression changed drastically.

“Mother, how can you say such a thing?” Luo Chao was the first to object.

Luo Zefeng’s smile stiffened.

“Grandmother, you must be joking!” Luo Zeting said.

The matriarch shook her head. “I’m serious. After all, your mother’s dowry is meant for her daughter. Giving it to Yunqiao is just right. Your father’s stipends, except for those given to the palace, should also go to Yunqiao as compensation for the emotional neglect over these years.”

“All the valuable things you’ve accumulated over the years should also be given to Yunqiao. You took away her identity and owe her this, don’t you think?” The matriarch smiled kindly at Luo Zefeng.

“Grandmother… you must be joking. How could I possibly give her my belongings?” Luo Zefeng said with difficulty.

The matriarch smiled. “You know you cannot give out your own things, so why must Yunqiao be the one to suffer? She has never enjoyed a single day of happiness in the Marquis residence. What right do you have to ask her to compromise for your sake?”

“Zhen’er also grew up under my care. I imagine she’s a gentle and sensible girl.”

The matriarch looked at Zhen Yun, who stood quietly in the background. Yet her words gave Zhen Yun an uneasy feeling.

Sure enough, before she could think of a solution, the matriarch said directly, “No matter how good Zhen’er is, she was adopted. She can never truly take the position of the legitimate eldest lady of the Marquis family. It was fine when Yunqiao wasn’t here, but now that she has returned, Zhen’er, you must return what belongs to her!”

Upon hearing this, Zhen Yun’s face paled. She had been the eldest lady for over a decade; how could she now give way to another?

But the matriarch first praised her, then put her in a difficult position. Agreeing was impossible, and refusing was equally untenable.

“Grandmother!”

Luo Zefeng felt uneasy but no one cared about his opinion.

“I will listen to Grandmother. This was originally my sister’s. I shouldn’t have fought with her...” He said, eyes reddening.

“Alright, since the decision is made, from now on Yunqiao is the legitimate eldest lady of the Marquis family, and Zhen’er is the second young lady!”

With the matter settled, the matriarch led everyone to dine in the flower hall.

Luo Yunqiao bowed her head and savored the midday meal, feeling extremely pleased.

After the meal, the matriarch stood up with the maid’s support.

“I have eaten. Yunqiao, come with me. I have some words to impart to you,” the matriarch said as she quickly left with her attendants.

Luo Yunqiao followed her to the courtyard.

“Grandmother, what would you like to advise me?” Luo Yunqiao asked directly.

The matriarch smiled softly and said, “You, child, never know how to hold back. Do you know the saying, ‘A brittle reed breaks easily’?”

“I helped you secure the status of the legitimate eldest lady of the Marquis family, but I cannot help you beyond that.”

“Grandmother, I understand,” Luo Yunqiao quickly interrupted, then added, “Thank you for your help.”

“As long as you understand,” the matriarch waved her hand, signaling that she was done.

Without hesitation, Luo Yunqiao bowed and left.

Elsewhere,

“How could Grandmother do this? Zhen’er is truly our family’s legitimate daughter. If someone easily takes her place, won’t all these years of effort be wasted?” Luo Zefeng said angrily.

“I think the same, but now that Grandmother has spoken, we can only follow her orders,” Luo Zeting sighed helplessly.