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

Lu Huan simply lowered her head and said calmly, "Mother-in-law, you've wronged me!"

She didn't say another word. In the main hall, only the sound of Gao Manting slurping her mutton soup could be heard.

Zhou frowned, watching her daughter sit improperly and smack her lips while drinking soup. A nameless anger rose in her heart: "Manting! Is this how I've always taught you?"

“Mother-in-law, Manting is still so young, why be so harsh on her! She'll learn on her own when she's older!”

These were the exact words Zhou had said to Lu Huan in her previous life.

At that time, the Gao family had not been settled in Jinling for long, and Gao Zhongbao had just entered the Jinling Prefectural School, where he made many friends among his classmates.

Zhou, considering herself of a higher generation, naturally wouldn't engage in social interactions, leaving Lu Huan to guide Gao Manting. Lu Huan noticed her problem at the time and wanted to work on correcting it, but what did Zhou say?

The implication was that Lu Huan, as the sister-in-law, was being too harsh on her sister-in-law.

Later, it was Lu Huan who covered for Gao Manting in every way, so that she didn't have any bad reputation spread, and in the end she successfully married Gao Zhongbao's junior.

In this life, Lu Huan will never be so open and honest.

While comforting Gao Manting, she sat down on Zhou's left, as if Zhou's questioning had never happened.

He Niang also brought up three small dishes.

Salt-baked pork liver and braised pork heart are sliced ​​and arranged in a flower shape. Vinegar, peanuts, and chili oil are sprinkled in the middle, and radish-carved peony flowers are garnished around the edge of the plate. It looks like it could be served directly on the table at Baiweiju.

Gao Manting reached out and picked up a piece of food with her chopsticks, stuffing it into her mouth. Her words were somewhat indistinct: "Delicious! Sister-in-law, can He Niang make this often?"

Lu Huan didn't answer, but looked at Zhou Shi. The meaning was clear: you should ask your mother.

Gao Manting, oblivious to everything, glanced at Zhou Shi.

Zhou put down the soup bowl with a "bang," but fortunately there wasn't much soup left, so it didn't splash out.

"Eat, eat, eat! I must have owed you something in my past life!" She coughed lightly to ease the awkwardness. "Eldest daughter-in-law, from now on, the kitchen is your responsibility."

Zhou kept reassuring herself that the two hundred taels were temporary, but her life of using Lu Huan was permanent. As long as she didn't die, she could use Lu Huan for the rest of her life.

There's no need to ruin a lifetime of good days for a pittance.

Actually, the eldest son's wife is quite lenient, unlike that Lu Ruyi, who not only made a mess of the backyard but also ran back to her parents' home.

People are just different. They were all raised by the Li family, yet they are worlds apart!

I was truly bewitched back then, thinking that since Madam Li was the matriarch of the Lu family, the benefits of marrying Lu Ruyi would surely outweigh those of Lu Huan, who had no mother. Who would have thought...

It has to be said that Zhou was extremely regretful.

Zhou compromised, and Lu Huan readily agreed: "Thank you for your trust, Mother-in-law. Ayan and I will definitely take good care of you in the future!"

"Yes, you must make sure everything is prepared perfectly for Zhongbao's birthday. There can't be the slightest mistake!"

"I understand, Mother-in-law. We need someone to clean today, and the backyard needs someone to look after it. How about we take some fabric to the Rainbow Pavilion tomorrow to have some clothes made?"

Gao Manting was about to serve soup when she heard Lu Huan say that, and the soup spoon almost poked Zhou's face.

"I want to go too! Sister-in-law, I haven't bought any new clothes for winter yet, you can't leave me out!"

Lu Huan's smile didn't reach her eyes: "Okay! I'll buy it!"

Gao Yan stood to the side, wanting to say something, but remembering Lu Huan's instructions, he could only drink his soup in silence, feeling extremely stifled.

After the two returned to their room, he finally couldn't hold back any longer: "Huan'er, you shouldn't have stopped me from speaking just now."

"You can say what you want to say now."

Gao Yan pursed his lips, his cheeks flushed slightly, and after a long while he stammered, "I forgot..."

puff--

Lu Huan spread her hands: "You can't blame me for this!"

"But I remember being very angry! I wanted to help, but I didn't know where to start. Honey, do you think I'm useless?"

Gao Yan sat dejectedly on the heated kang, looking like a big, unnoticed dog crouching in a corner.

Lu Huan stepped forward and cupped his face in her hands.

The man's clear eyes held a hint of bewilderment, and a wisp of hair fell from his well-defined forehead, resting on the bridge of his straight nose.

Lu Huan couldn't help but brush his hair away and pat his head a few times before saying, "Ayan is no worse than anyone else, he just hasn't encountered the right opportunity."

Gao Yan's eyes visibly began to light up, and the corners of his mouth slowly curled up: "Huan'er understands me best!"

I had planned before that once I saved enough money to buy a suit of armor, I would join the army. I'm literate and have participated in militia training, so I'm definitely better than the average greenhorn!

When talking about his plans, Gao Yan became radiant, and his entire demeanor changed dramatically—he no longer had any trace of his rural air.

If he were to change into the flying fish robe and go out, and say that he was a captain of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, Lu Huan would not doubt it.

Noticing that Lu Huan was staring at his face in a daze, Gao Yan's hand climbed up her waist and slowly slid upwards.

Just then, He Niang's voice came from outside: "Master, someone has come from outside. They say they were sent by the Lu family."

Gao Yan let out a deep breath, tightened his arms, and pulled Lu Huan into his embrace, resting his head below her collarbone, greedily inhaling her sweet fragrance.

"Honey, are they ever going to stop?!"

His voice carried a hint of sorrow, which almost made Lu Huan laugh. She stroked the back of his head with a touch of indulgence, as if she were comforting a spoiled dog.

At the same time, he shouted loudly to He Niang outside, "Yes, that's right. Let them in first, I'll be right out!"

Lu Huan patted Gao Yan on the shoulder and reminded him, "Alright, they're waiting outside!"

The two walked out of the west wing one after the other. Lu Huan had a smile on her face, while Gao Yan had a stern face, exuding an aura of "keep away, strangers."

A group of seven people, men and women, stood in the courtyard, led by a couple. At first, they were looking around the Gao family's courtyard, but as soon as they saw Lu Huan come out, they all lowered their heads and only dared to look in front of them.

The couple looked familiar, but Lu Huan couldn't recall their names at the moment.

The man stepped forward, cupped his hands in greeting, and said, "Grandma, something has come up at home, and the head steward is unavailable, so he had to send us instead."

Lu Huan hadn't expected Lu Zheng to make the trip himself, so she simply nodded and said to them, "I'll go to the backyard first and inform my mother-in-law."

The man winked at his wife, who immediately followed Lu Huan and whispered to her, "Miss, the head butler originally wanted to come in person."

However, a major case occurred in the city, and the master was afraid that something might happen to the business, so he sent my wife and me instead.

You probably don't remember us. My husband's brother is Lei Qian, the one who drives the carriage for the master. You can call me Lei Kun's wife.