Su Qiong was a person who would do what she said. The servants could really sense the ruthlessness in her words.

Inside the room, Lu Qingqing smashed the table angrily again.

After leaving the courtyard, Su Qiong did not go back. Instead, she went to another courtyard. Her youngest daughter, Lu Ranran, was born with a weak body. Most of the time, she stayed in her room, doing embroidery.

Su Qiong’s hands, which were hidden in her sleeves, were trembling. When she entered the courtyard, the servant girl bowed to her and said, “Madam, Second Miss was just thinking about you when you came.”

Su Qiong smiled faintly. “How has Ranran been doing recently? Is she angry with me for not coming to see her these past few days?”

The servant girl replied with a smile. “Of course not. Second Miss knows that you’re busy. How can she be angry with you? Second Miss has been doing very well recently. She didn’t forget to study and practice the four arts.”

Su Qiong nodded. “That’s good. Take good care of her.”

In the past, if she heard this from the servant girls, Su Qiong would feel gratified. However, for some reason, when she heard it now, she felt strange.

In comparison with Lu Qingqing who had a bad temper, Lu Ranran struck her as a better person to take on the family business.

Su Qiong walked into the courtyard. The courtyard Lu Ranran lived in was the best courtyard in the mansion. It was warm in winter and cool in summer. Due to her poor health, Su Qiong had given her almost all her patience.

No matter how busy she was, she would come over to check in on her daughter.

Su Qiong had mixed feelings. She was about to arrive there, but didn’t dare to step forward. Because she loved Lu Ranran too much, she was too afraid that the truth would be ugly. It was then that she realize she wasn’t ready for the revelation. She wasn’t sure if she could stay calm after seeing Lu Ranran.

Su Qiong covered her mouth and coughed lightly.

Yu Cui held her. “What’s wrong, Madam?”

Su Qiong lowered her voice. “Maybe it’s because of the wind, my throat feels uncomfortable.”

Su Qiong looked at the house not far away. “Go and tell Ranran to eat and sleep well. I will come to see her in a few days.”

After saying that, Su Qiong turned around. She covered her mouth and coughed twice.

After leaving the courtyard, Su Qiong let out a deep sigh. Even though the truth would be revealed sooner or later, she was still afraid.

As soon as Su Qiong left, Lu Ranran, who had not seen Su Qiong for a long time, asked the servant girl. “Why didn’t Mother come in?”

The servant girl replied. “Miss, Madam was coughing just now. She went back probably because she was worried that she’d make you sick too.”

Lu Ranran smiled softly. “Mother really cares about me.”

The servant girl echoed. “Second Miss is lucky. Everyone in the mansion cares about you. Eldest Miss is bad-tempered and insensible. I think only Second Miss can take over the family business.”

Lu Ranran smiled. “Don’t talk nonsense. No matter who takes over the business, it’s the same.”

The servant girl smiled. “Miss is so kind. If only Eldest Miss was as sensible as you.”

Lu Ranran lowered her eyes to hide the darkness in them. If Eldest Miss was sensible, then everything she had done till now would be in vain.

Lu Ranran smiled and said gently, “She just doesn’t understand how much Mother loves and cares about her. Once she does, she’ll cease kicking up a fuss.”

By the time she understood, it would be too late though.

In the afternoon, Lu Qingqing started to lose her mind. She wanted to go out, but she couldn’t. She was filled with anger, but there was nothing left to smash in the courtyard. She was so angry that she cried.

The servants were all outside guarding the courtyard.

Lu Qingqing’s eyes were red as she shouted. “Go and tell my mother that I don’t want anything anymore. I don’t want anything from the Su family or the Lu family.”

The servants pretended not to hear her ranting.

Being ignored by the servants, Lu Qingqing screamed in despair. Lu Zhen placed his hand on the door, and the servants were all stunned. “Guard Lu, it’s useless for you to go in now. Miss will only vent her anger on you. If you go in, you’ll get beaten up for nothing. Madam said that we can just stay outside.”

Lu Qingqing had a bad temper. All the servants were afraid of her.

Lu Zhen’s expression was cold as he opened the door and entered without saying a word.

Others could ignore her, but he couldn’t.

The servant girls looked at each other, not knowing what to say.

When Lu Qingqing saw Lu Zhen, she pounced on him without warning. She bit his arm, and Lu Zhen’s entire body tensed up. He endured the pain and opened his arms, wanting to hug Lu Qingqing, but in the end, he gave up on this thought and said calmly, “Miss, if doing this can make you less angry, then you can bite me to death.”

With blood in her mouth, Lu Qingqing let go. She was furious and screamed in frustration. “Get lost, get lost. If you can’t help me, get lost. You want me to bite you to death? You’re not worthy of it!”

Lu Zhen’s eyes darkened, but he remained motionless like a stump.

Lu Qingqing cried until her voice was hoarse, but she was still not allowed out.

Lu Zhen looked up at the sky. After it turned dark, she’d be fine.

At night, when Lu Shiming returned to the mansion, he called a servant over and asked if anything had happened. The servant told him everything. He went to the main courtyard in fury. Su Qiong was having dinner. Her movements were elegant and beautiful like a painting. She ate quietly while the servants served the dishes.

Lu Shiming pushed open the door and slammed his hands on the table. “Su Qiong, what are you doing? Are you so heartless as to watch Qingqing die?”

Su Qiong remained unmoved by the accusations. She concealed all her emotions in her heart and said calmly, “If she wants to die for this, I’ll pretend that I never had such a daughter.”

Su Qiong looked at Lu Shiming. She and Lu Shiming had never been on the same page. They had no feelings for each other. More importantly, she did not trust Lu Shiming, so when he took in concubines, she wasn’t bothered in the slightest.

The power was in her hands, so none of the concubines dared to find trouble with her.

Su Qiong retracted her gaze. She had never found this husband of hers so unfamiliar. She said calmly, “Didn’t we agree that you would be Old Master Lu and I would be Mrs. Lu? We have nothing to do with each other.”

She gave him money to have fun and raise his concubines and his illegitimate daughter in exchange for peace. However, Lu Shiming was not satisfied. The greed in his eyes made Su Qiong feel disgusted.

Lu Shiming was furious. After so many years of relying on Su Qiong, he had had enough of it.