Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot
Chapter 52 Ways to Deal with Green Tea

Chapter 52: 52 Ways to Deal with Green Tea

The honor of receiving a gift from the Imperial Concubine—what a show of prestige!

And moreover, it seems the entire imperial harem will contribute to Lin Wan’er’s bridal dowry. Imagine the sheer magnitude of that sum!

The Old Madam might not understand the intricacies of the Black Armor Guards or the Twelve Guards, but she recognizes that Lin Wan’er’s background is far from ordinary; otherwise, her son wouldn’t personally take Lin Wan’er to meet a noble.

Her grandson is a General; he ought to marry someone like Lin Wan’er, the descendant of a military family!

The Old Madam patted the back of Lin Wan’er’s hand and sighed with deep regret, "Ah, if only Lingxiao had met you earlier, how wonderful it would have been!"

Lin Wan’er shook her head and gestured silently.

Lu Luo said, "My mistress says, the Eldest Young Madam possesses an immense fortune, while she herself is but a lonely orphan—how could she possibly dare to compete with the Eldest Young Madam?"

The Old Madam recalled the conversations overheard by the servants in the courtyard, then scoffed dismissively, "Her natal family has long been impoverished! These past years, she’s been keeping me in the dark!"

Lin Wan’er said nothing, merely casting Lu Luo a glance. Lu Luo hurriedly added, "Old Madam, the General had just gone to Feng Courtyard earlier and said... the Eldest Young Madam wants a divorce. My mistress feels deeply troubled and came to apologize to you in person. She’s willing to temporarily move out of the Lu Family, as long as the Eldest Young Madam and the General can reconcile as husband and wife."

The Old Madam immediately retorted, "You’re carrying my precious great-grandson in your belly—who’s moving out? You cannot move out!"

Lin Wan’er lowered her head.

The Old Madam snorted, "Divorce is out of the question. I won’t allow it!"

After leaving Fortune and Longevity Courtyard, Lu Luo supported Lin Wan’er as they walked back.

Turning her head to check that there was no one around, Lu Luo asked, "Mistress, what does the Old Madam ultimately want? She clearly dislikes the Eldest Young Madam but won’t allow her to divorce the General?"

Lin Wan’er gestured: The Old Madam wants the Eldest Young Madam to voluntarily leave the household.

A divorce is mutual; both parties agree to end the marriage bond and part ways amicably.

Dismissal happens when the wife commits one of the seven faults and is expelled by her husband’s family.

But voluntary departure means the wife admits her wrongs and leaves of her own accord, without being forced by the husband’s family, which is most advantageous to them.

Lu Lingxiao has just achieved great merit at the border, and word of him bringing back a woman has already spread across the Capital City. At this moment, whether it’s dismissal or divorce, either would make him seem heartlessly callous.

Only voluntary departure puts all the blame squarely on Meng Qianqian.

It would be her initiative to leave, her own jealousy as the main wife, her inability to tolerate another woman...

Lu Luo understood: "But will the Eldest Young Madam willingly agree?"

Lin Wan’er halted her steps.

Haitang Courtyard.

After breakfast, Meng Qianqian sat in her room, flipping through ledgers brought back by Tan’er from the broker’s shop.

Since her last visit, the matron had sought out several accountants to go through the figures; one of them crafted a particularly perfect ledger—not only were the accounts accurate, but her intentional errors were also corrected.

The handwriting was neat and clear, instantly comprehensible.

Meng Qianqian was very satisfied.

This one will do.

Placing the ledger aside, she unfurled a map of the Capital City.

Since proposing a divorce, arrangements for leaving the Lu Family must be planned promptly.

The priority is to secure a residence where she can settle down—even if modest in size, the streets must be clean and not too remote, as she intends to run a business.

However, in the Capital City, where land is as precious as gold, her savings of ten thousand taels may barely suffice to purchase a decent house in a bustling area.

The matron had experience running both a brothel and a broker shop; perhaps she knew of a suitable location for sale—next time, she must remember to ask her.

While deep in thought, Nanny Wan’s coarse, loud voice rang out from outside: "Who are you? What do you want here?"

"My mistress seeks an audience with the Eldest Young Madam. May I trouble you to announce us to her?"

It was Lu Luo’s voice.

"That fox spirit, eh?"

"You—"

"Fine, I’ll announce it. Wait here!"

Nanny Wan swaggered into the courtyard, but as soon as she reached the main room’s entrance, her attitude underwent a dramatic shift—she respectfully inquired, "Miss, someone from Feng Courtyard wishes to see you."

Meng Qianqian replied, "Let her in."

"Understood!"

Nanny Wan acknowledged and returned to the gates, addressing Lin Wan’er, "You may enter!"

Lu Luo supported Lin Wan’er as she stepped over the threshold.

Nanny Wan blocked Lu Luo: "Your mistress can enter. Are your ears not working?"

Lu Luo glared fiercely at Nanny Wan, puffing her cheeks in frustration.

Lin Wan’er gestured to Lu Luo to stay put, and though reluctant, Lu Luo remained outside.

Lin Wan’er lifted the curtain and stepped into the room.

Ban Xia was catching up on sleep, and Nanny Li was calling for Tan’er to eat.

Inside the room, only Meng Qianqian was present.

Lin Wan’er didn’t offer a greeting.

Meng Qianqian was long accustomed to her duplicitous behavior and was unsurprised. She didn’t initiate any conversation, instead choosing to ignore Lin Wan’er completely.

Granny Hu passed by, carrying a basin of freshly washed clothes, and spotted Nanny Wan pressing her ear to the curtain to eavesdrop. Puzzled, she asked, "What are you doing?"

Upon glancing down, she was startled—Nanny Wan had a firewood axe gripped tightly in her hand!

Nanny Wan whispered, "If that sly fox makes any move against Miss, I’ll chop her up!"

Granny Hu’s lip twitched: "..."

Inside, Lin Wan’er turned back, subtly eyeing the curtain, then stepped forward and reached for the teacup on the table.

Meng Qianqian blocked her hand with a ledger, her gaze sweeping over Lin Wan’er’s abdomen. "Don’t. If you get sick from drinking, I don’t want to be blamed."

Lin Wan’er relocated herself next to the brazier.

Meng Qianqian remarked, "That’s red coral charcoal from the Household Affairs Office. If you inhale too much of the fumes, remember to consult the Household Affairs Office."

Closing her eyes briefly, Lin Wan’er intended to take a seat.

"Hold it!"

Nanny Wan barged in, yanked the chair from behind Lin Wan’er, and slammed a large chunk of ice down in its place. "No needles, no poison—you can see it clearly! Don’t you dare accuse my Miss afterward!"

Lin Wan’er turned pale with fury.

Lin Wan’er coldly gestured: Spare the pretense. I know you’re playing hard-to-get; you never truly intended to leave the Lu Family.

Meng Qianqian chuckled, "Exactly, you’ve hit the nail on the head. I never planned to leave the Lu Family. After all, I’ve just become the General’s wife. With the speed of a military officer’s promotion, if I hang on for another year or two, he might even secure me a noble title."

Nanny Wan nodded in agreement, giving a thumbs-up. "Miss, brilliant as always!"

Lin Wan’er: You’ve offended the Imperial Concubine and still hope for a noble title?

Meng Qianqian replied confidently, "If I can’t earn it, then we’ll all go down together. Whatever trouble I cause, he’ll have to bear the consequences as my husband."

Lin Wan’er’s expression darkened as she gestured: So this is the kind of person you are? Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the General?

Meng Qianqian said, "Feel free to tell him, if you have the guts."

Lin Wan’er clenched her sleeve tightly and stormed out without looking back.

Nanny Wan shouted at her retreating back, "Take care! And don’t go slipping on the snow—I’ve swept it clean!"

"Miss!"

Outside, Lu Luo rushed to support Lin Wan’er, whose complexion was abysmal.

Lin Wan’er clutched her belly; this time, she had truly been angered to the point of stomach pain!

She felt both rage and unbearable frustration, yet couldn’t voice it aloud!

Inside, Nanny Wan carried the large chunk of ice away, then returned to ask, "Miss, are we... not leaving now?"

She had already packed up their belongings!

Meng Qianqian picked up a fried pastry, "We’re leaving."

Nanny Wan scratched her head, "But earlier..."

Meng Qianqian tilted her head slightly, "Oh, I was just provoking her."

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