Chapter 479: Chapter 479: Ruoruo, this child still bears a grudge against me_1

Wei Qingwan chuckled softly, “My sister has always been like this.”

Mrs. Bai went on, “It doesn’t bother me much, but I feel sorry for you, Wanwan. You consider her a sister, but she’s always on guard against you. If I were her, I would share everything generously with you, because I know your character. If someone treats you well, you always return the favor. If she treats you kindly, you would treat her more than twice or thrice as well.”

Wei Qingwan responded, “I can’t guess what my sister is thinking. If she doesn’t want to be close to me, there’s not much I can say.”

Mrs. Bai sighed pretentiously, “What a pity.”

After the minor interlude, Madam Lu, along with other women, took a stroll through the garden in the Lu Residence, admiring the scenery.

For Mrs. Bai and the others, it was their first glimpse of the grandeur of the Lu Family. The garden alone was larger than two or three houses of other families.

Mrs. Bai muttered to herself that although the Wei Family were descendants of a founding hero, they had declined significantly and were no match for the Lu Residence now.

Madam Yun seized an opportunity to approach Wei Ruo and asked her, “When did you form a connection with young master Lu?”

“Mother, you’re not suspecting that there’s anything inappropriate between the young master of the Lu Family and me, are you?” Wei Ruo replied with a smirk.

“Why would I ever imply such a thing? Since Madam Lu could openly discuss this matter in public, there’s certainly no foul play involved. Are you suggesting that I, as your mother, am completely ignorant?” Madam Yun asked heatedly.

“I can’t really say, considering Mother has always distrusted me.” Wei Ruo replied lightly.

“You…” Madam Yun was taken aback and speechless for the moment.

After a short silence, Madam Yun asked again, “When did you rescue the young master of the Lu Family?”

“It’s not appropriate for me to disclose this to Mother.” Wei Ruo answered.

“Why are you behaving like this?” Madam Yun inquired.

“Mother, I regard you as my mother out of respect and obligation, but not out of affection. Surely, you understand why I behave this way towards you?” Wei Ruo retorted.

Madam Yun’s heart skipped a beat. Seeing Wei Ruo’s cold expression and her eyes devoid of any hint of anger or resentment, she was taken aback.

Her gaze was as indifferent as a stranger’s.

Madam Yun rooted herself to the spot, but Wei Ruo continued to walk on.

Before Wei Ruo got married, she had some reservations. But now that she was Queen Rui, even these reservations were gone.

Madam Yun stood there as Wei Ruo slowly walked away. It felt as if Wei Ruo would never return.

Seeing this, Mrs. Mo approached her and asked concernedly, “What’s the matter, third sister?”

Madam Yun opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say.

She felt as if her chest was being crushed by a boulder; it was a heavy, suffocating sensation accompanied by a dull pain.

After a while, Madam Yun came back to her senses. Seeing the crowd around her, she concealed her unpleasant feelings and pretended to continue the garden tour with Mrs. Mo.

Madam Yun whispered to Mrs. Mo, “My daughter Ruoruo is still holding a grudge against me.”

“You two are mother and daughter. If there are some misunderstandings, you should sit down and talk. I believe Ruoruo is capable of appreciating favors. She treats those who treat her well in kind.” Mrs. Mo comforted softly.

Madam Yun remained silent, looking ahead only to see Wei Ruo lively engaged in conversation with other ladies.

Her radiant smile was endearing.

For some reason, the better she seemed, the more bitter Madam Yun felt.

Then, Madam Yun noticed Wei Qingwan, who was walking and chatting with Mrs. Bai.

In recent days, Wei Qingwan had grown increasingly close to Mrs. Bai. Despite Madam Yun’s repeated admonition, her words fell on deaf ears as far as Wei Qingwan was concerned.

Thinking about this, Madam Yun’s face darkened again.

Later, everyone went to the theater in the residence.

People were seated according to their status and their relationship with the Lu Family.

Wei Ruo naturally sat next to Madam Lu, while the women of the Wei Family were arranged in the second last row.

Seeing Wei Ruo, who was sitting in the front, engaged in a joyful conversation with Madam Lu, Wei Qingwan’s expression turned gloomy.

Mrs. Bai noticed Wei Qingwan’s displeasure and whispered into her ear, “Madam Lu is really something. She places someone like me in the back, which is understandable, but it’s different with you, Wanwan. You’re the side consort of Prince Yu, granted by the Emperor himself. How could Madam Lu disregard you like this? I’m outraged on your behalf.”

Wei Qingwan was already upset, and hearing this, her expression cooled even further.

“It doesn’t bother me. After all, I’m just a side consort. There’s nothing wrong with this arrangement.” Wei Qingwan murmured.

Despite saying it didn’t bother her, her expression was visibly upset.

Mrs. Bai continued, “As a side consort, you carry higher status than the main wife in an ordinary family. After all, you have the royal jade seal. What’s more, you’re the side consort of Prince Yu! The Lu Family’s conduct is inappropriate in this regard. Where one sits does not matter, but I feel for you, Wanwan. I cannot bear to see you slighted.”

Wei Qingwan clenched her fists, and then turned to her right and saw Madam Yun, who was calmly watching the stage.

Wei Qingwan gave a cold laugh in her heart, then said, “Let’s not discuss this anymore. Let’s just enjoy the play.”

“Alright, alright. I won’t say another word. As long as you’re not upset, Wanwan,” Mrs. Bai hurriedly replied.

Sitting in the front row, Wei Ruo was oblivious to the thoughts of Wei family members seated at the back.

Madam Lu passed the list of today’s program to Wei Ruo to select a play.

“This troupe was specially arranged by my grandson Hong’er for me, he is a very filial child. He had even found me eight jars of thyme liquor, which was a gift from Queen Rui. Queen mother, you were indeed very thoughtful.”

Since her grandson had told her not to mention this to anyone, Madam Lu had kept it to herself until now, when she revealed it to Wei Ruo.

“Please, don’t mention it, Madam Lu.” Wei Ruo replied.

At the time of giving the liquor, Wei Ruo had indeed had her own motives. It seemed now that it somewhat achieved the desired effect.

Wei Ruo took the program from Madam Lu and scanned the list of plays, finally saying, “I choose ‘General Mu Guiying Takes Charge.’”

Hearing this, Madam Lu couldn’t help but say, “I also like this play very much. Back in the day, I followed my husband to the battlefield for many years. Despite being a woman, I have killed countless enemies on the battlefield. This play reminds me of many such experiences.”

Immediately after, Madam Lu asked Wei Ruo, “Why do you like this play?”

Wei Ruo answered, “I admire how a woman can match, if not surpass, the heroics of men. I also envy her ability to fulfill her ambitions without being bound by societal norms. Women are always subjected to too many constraints in this world. It’s hard to express ourselves freely, let alone achieve something significant.”