She got pregnant after the swap marriage, and the scumbag's family regretted it so much they cr

Lu Ruyi wasn't stupid; as her initial impulsiveness subsided, she gradually calmed down.

She released Cuizhu's hand and pushed her outside: "Go quickly, tell them to hurry!"

"Yes!" Cuizhu held the silver coin in her palm and walked towards the front yard again.

This time, she dared not be so arrogant. She forced a smile and stuffed the silver into He Niang's hand: "He Niang, my young lady said that it's not easy for you to serve such a large family. This is the money for a month's hot water, which is quite a lot!"

He Niang weighed the silver in her hand, pointed to the two pots of water on the stove and said, "Alright, these two pots are yours. However, it's inconvenient for my husband and sons to enter the second young mistress's room, so just leave them at the door and you can carry them in yourselves."

Cuizhu silently estimated the distance in her mind, took a deep breath, and said, "Okay!"

To avoid any unforeseen complications, Cuizhu decided to stay in the kitchen; she didn't really want to go back to that smelly house.

Inside Yanjing City, Lu Chengde had just finalized a major deal and returned to the Lu family home with a beaming smile. As soon as he entered, he saw Lu Zheng greeting him, and the smile on his face slowly faded.

"Let's talk about it in the study."

On the day the news of the marriage exchange was exposed, Lu Chengde had Lu Zheng secretly investigate the stewards in the backyard.

Their clandestine relationships truly alarmed Lu Chengde. That was bad enough, but what surprised him even more was that the entire backyard had fallen into Li's hands.

Looking back, Li always used the excuse that the Lu family was making money and that she wanted the Li family to benefit from it, to persuade Lu Chengde to include the Li family in whatever business he did.

In just ten years, the Li family has become quite well-known among merchants in Yanjing City. Back then, they were just a small business with only one shop!

The expansion speed of the Li family and the Li clan was something Lu Chengde had not anticipated.

Lu Zheng was waiting for him at the door, which meant he must have found out something.

Lu Chengde's face was stern, and his good mood from making a small profit vanished. He walked deeper into the study, the dim light unable to keep up with his steps.

He sat down at the table, his sparse eyebrows already tinged with silver, and his mustache covered the corners of his slightly downturned mouth.

"Tell me, what happened?"

Lu Zheng had been following Lu Chengde for almost twenty years and was very familiar with his master's expressions. Knowing that his master was in a bad mood, he didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the point: "This afternoon, Madam went out again."

These past few days, Madam Li has been busy preparing Lu Ruyi's dowry and has been going out frequently, so this is definitely not the main point he wanted to make.

He continued, "But this time, the lady only had an old woman with her. I sensed something was wrong, so I sent a young waiter who looked unfamiliar to follow them. They went to a teahouse near the government office and met a minor official."

What clothes should I wear?

"It wasn't a clerk's uniform, nor was it an official's robe. It was just an ordinary gray robe, making him look like a servant."

Lu Chengde chuckled lightly, his tone utterly disdainful: "The Li family is really something, managing to befriend even a minor official in the government office. Have you found out what they were talking about?"

Speaking of this, Lu Zheng felt ashamed: "No, there were people in the private rooms on both sides at the time, so I couldn't find out."

"It's alright. All Li can do is for the Li family or for herself. Whatever her plans are, she won't be able to get around me. I'll just wait for her to speak."

"Find out who's in the backyard. Who are her confidants, who are opportunists? Follow the clues and find out everything. Don't let a single one escape!"

Lu Zheng bowed even deeper: "This old servant has failed my master!"

"Where do you start talking about this?"

"It was only after I started investigating the affairs of the inner quarters that I discovered that my most beloved grandson was engaged to the granddaughter of Li's personal nanny!"

The alarm bells in Lu Chengde's heart were deafening.

What is the Li family planning to do? Are they even trying to win over the head steward? Is their next step to get rid of this troublesome head of the family?

Or perhaps, it was for Lu Haoyu…

Speaking of which, Lu Haoyu is a few months older than Lu Huan, and has already turned eighteen. The shop that Lu Chengde entrusted to him for training has been operating for nearly two years, and the monthly income is quite considerable.

Lu Chengde had always been very proud, believing that like father, like son. But from another perspective, he realized how dangerous his situation was, almost to the point of being sidelined!

A wave of fear washed over him, and he suddenly remembered Lu Huan's words: Lu Ruyi had her eye on Gao Zhongbao's future.

Once Gao Zhongbao passes the imperial examination and becomes a Juren (a successful candidate in the provincial-level imperial examination), he can secure an official position in Yanjing (Beijing).

Lu Chengde knew that in Lu Ruyi's heart, he was far less important than Li Shi. And sending Lu Jinxiu to the Li family almost severed the bond between father and daughter.

Then, wouldn't he, as the father-in-law, have to be subservient to Li Shi? That's unacceptable!

Lu Chengde's fists clenched so tightly they cracked: "Lu Zheng, you hurry up and investigate the managers of the shops. As for those shops with poor performance, take people to check their accounts directly. If you find any problems, don't report back, send them to the authorities immediately!"

"Sir, aren't you afraid of airing your dirty laundry in public?"

"What's there to be afraid of! I'm not even afraid of dead ghosts, why would I be afraid of others laughing at me!"

Lu Chengde stood up, walked to the lamp stand, and lit the candles one by one. The tiny flames, about the size of broad beans, illuminated his face.

Little brat, your father endured humiliation for over twenty years, every step of which felt like walking on a knife's edge, before achieving everything he has today. I wonder if you can surpass him.

Thinking of this, a strange smile appeared on Lu Chengde's face.

Lu Zheng raised his head, his eyes flickered, and he silently retreated.

Lu Huan was unaware that her words were about to trigger a major reshuffle within the entire Lu family.

She was standing by the door, shouting, "Gao Yan, didn't you hide out? Why are you back?"

Gao Yan touched his nose guiltily and explained, "Huan'er, stop fooling around. I saw the weather was bad, so I went to find the clan leader."

"Stop making excuses! Doesn't the clan chief's family eat lunch? How dare you go to the clan chief's house to freeload?"

I'm telling you, if you don't want to come back, then stay outside! You'll sleep in your own bed tonight, don't even think about getting on my kang (heated brick bed)!

Upon hearing this, Gao Yan immediately panicked.

He looked at the shadow cast on the door from inside the house and pleaded, "Good wife, I was wrong! I shouldn't have run away, I really know I was wrong!"

Lu Huan had no intention of letting him off so easily; otherwise, when it came time to consummate the marriage, wouldn't he have to hide away for several days?

"Don't stand here! Go to the kitchen and reflect on your actions!"

Gao Yan chuckled foolishly, realizing that his wife still cared about him. She was worried he'd get cold outside, which was why she sent him to the kitchen.

As for Lu Huan's talk of self-reflection, he selectively ignored it. Anyway, his wife was angry because he had run away, and as long as he was a little thick-skinned in the future, he shouldn't anger his wife again.

Soon it was time for dinner, and just as she had said before, Lu Huan hadn't prepared any dishes for Lu Ruyi.

Lu Ruyi nearly fainted from anger when she discovered that there was nothing in her seat.

"Lu Huan, aren't you going too far!"