Chapter Eighteen: The Eldest Young Lady of the Hou Residence Is Luo Yunqiao

"How could Grandmother do this? Zhen'er has worked so hard and been so outstanding all these years. What is wrong with her being the eldest daughter of the Marquis's estate? No, I must go find Luo Yunqiao and tell her to relinquish the status of eldest daughter!" With these words, Luo Zefeng stormed out in a rage.

"Wait!"
"Stop right there!"

Luo Chao and Luo Zeting spoke in unison to stop him. Luo Zefeng turned back, looking at them with a mix of anger and confusion. "Father, Eldest Brother, you..."

"This matter was initiated by your grandmother. Furthermore, she is correct. In the end, Yunqiao is the true blood of the Luo family. If it were to get out that the Jing'an Marquis's estate allowed an adopted daughter to assume the position of the legitimate eldest daughter, it would be detrimental to both the estate and Zhen'er," Luo Chao said slowly.

"Indeed, Little Brother. I know you have Zhen'er's best interests at heart—who doesn't cherish her? But I believe Grandmother is right. The status of the legitimate eldest daughter of the Marquis's estate belongs to Yunqiao by right. If we gave it to Zhen'er, the outside world would likely criticize the estate and Zhen'er. They might even brand Zhen'er with a reputation for being calculating." Luo Zeting cast a comforting glance at Luo Yunzhen.

Luo Yunzhen, standing to the side, clenched her fists to suppress her jealousy. She forced a smile and said, "Little Brother, Father and Eldest Brother are right. I know you care for me, but... this status was something I took from Yunqiao in the first place. Returning it to her now is for the best."

Seeing her pale face and forced smile, Luo Zefeng felt a pang of heartache, but since his father and brother had spoken, he knew there was nothing he could do to change the outcome.

"It's alright, Zhen'er. Little Brother will always stand by your side!" Luo Zefeng promised earnestly, his heart aching for her.

"Enough, let it be arranged this way!" Luo Chao waved his hand dismissively and left the flower hall.

Luo Zeting looked in the direction his father had gone, then turned to the siblings. "Grandmother only feels for the hardships Yunqiao endured while living away all these years. Besides, Yunqiao is our sister too, and we should cherish her just the same. Yunzhen, you have been in the estate for many years and know it well; do help your sister."

"The four of us Luo siblings must stand united!" With that, he patted them both on the shoulder and walked away.

Luo Yunzhen lowered her head slightly, concealing the jealousy in her eyes. Was it true that no matter how hard she tried, she could never replace Luo Yunqiao as the only legitimate eldest daughter of the Luo family?

*I must drive Luo Yunqiao away. I must!*

Luo Yunzhen gripped her fists so tightly that her well-manicured nails dug deep into her palms.

***

Meanwhile, Luo Yunqiao left the old lady's residence with her two maids.

"The old lady still cares for you, Miss. After all, you are the true blood of the Luo family!" Jinxin said happily.

"Indeed. If the old lady hadn't protected you today, you would have been driven out of the estate, and you wouldn't have been able to reclaim what is yours." Yinxin looked at Luo Yunqiao. "Miss, since the old lady favored you today, I think she truly cares for you. We should grow closer to her; then the second young master and Miss Yunzhen won't dare to bully you anymore!"

Luo Yunqiao listened to Yinxin's chatter in silence, offering no response.

"Oh, Miss!" Seeing her remain silent as if she didn't care, Yinxin grew anxious.

Seeing Yinxin's distress, Luo Yunqiao shook her head helplessly and looked at Jinxin. "Jinxin, do you understand?"

Jinxin pondered for a moment before saying, "I have been in the estate for many years and have a shallow understanding of the masters here."

"The old lady is intelligent and cold-natured; she is not someone easily swayed by flattery. Our Miss's greatest advantage is her stubborn temper and aloof nature, which mirror the old lady's own. If we were to curry favor, I fear the old lady would stop helping you," Jinxin ventured. After all, Madam Luo and Luo Yunzhen had both tried to ingratiate themselves with the old lady in the past to no avail; she didn't believe her own mistress would succeed by doing the same.

"But the Madam is the one who manages the household, and she does not favor you. Life in the estate is incredibly difficult for you, Miss. My heart aches for you," Yinxin said, on the verge of tears. Though a servant, she had been raised with her own parents' love and could not comprehend a situation where parents did not love their own child.

"You!" Luo Yunqiao shook her head helplessly. "You still have much to learn. You should study more from Jinxin."

"Go to the kitchen and get some pastries. I didn't eat much earlier and I'm hungry. See if there is any soup as well, and bring some over." Luo Yunqiao fiddled with the pitifully few pieces of jewelry in her box, planning her future.

Yinxin curtsied and withdrew.

***

Elsewhere, Madam Luo packed a full box of jewelry. It was filled with precious gold, silver, and jade, including two of the most valuable East Sea pearls.

"Mother, why did you call me?" Luo Zefeng strode in, looking reluctant. He had been comforting Yun'er; she was distressed that Grandmother was giving the status of eldest daughter to Luo Yunqiao.

Madam Luo, knowing they were close, ignored his mood and handed him the box. "These are some gold, silver, and jade pieces I prepared for Zhen'er. Take them to her. Your grandmother is old, and she naturally yearns for blood ties. Besides, Yunqiao has indeed suffered greatly outside all these years; in the end, the Luo family has failed her."

"Tell Zhen'er that I raised her with my own hands; she is as dear to me as if she were my own. Tell her not to overthink things!"

Seeing the box filled with jewelry, Luo Zefeng's eyes lit up. He grinned, "Mother, you truly care for Zhen'er. She won't be sad anymore now."

Madam Luo nodded with a smile, and Luo Zefeng happily went off to find Luo Yunzhen.

Before long, word spread throughout the Marquis's estate that Madam Luo had given Luo Yunzhen a full box of jewelry.

Upon hearing the report from Nanny Qian, the old lady said expressionlessly, "That Madam Luo is a fool, and the two sons she raised are fools as well!"

"This is my fault—for raising a foolish son and letting him marry a foolish wife."

Nanny Qian immediately replied, "Old Madam, how can you say that about yourself? The Marquis may be a bit foolish, but he handles affairs outside well enough."

At this, the old lady let out a cold snort. "If he were truly clever, he wouldn't have participated in that affair back then. Where does that leave my Marquis's estate?"

"In my view, only that girl Qiao is truly clever. Even though she was raised outside, she is far better than this bunch of fools. I fear the future of this estate rests on her shoulders."

On her way back with the pastries, Yinxin overheard maids gossiping about Madam Luo sending jewelry to Luo Yunzhen. Seething with anger, she quickened her pace back to the small courtyard.

"Miss, my brother sent word back. He found where those servants who were sold off were taken." Jinxin walked in, handing her a note, her expression grim.