Chapter 615: Chapter 614 Clarify
"Hehe, Mother, do you really think I’m capable of that?"
"Why wouldn’t you be? As long as you’re willing to work hard, there will come a day when I make Liu Zheng willingly take you as his wife." Mrs. Zhang assured, patting her chest, "And I believe in your abilities, you can definitely do it."
"Hehe... then I really must thank Father and Mother!"
"Lanfang, no matter what, they have raised you for eighteen years, you can’t be so heartless, right?" Mrs. Zhang sighed, "And you know better than anyone about the wealth of the Liu Family!"
"Of course, I understand, but my life was saved by him, how could I be ungrateful and unfilial!" Zhang Lanfang said with a cold laugh.
"Lanfang, how can you talk like this! I am your biological father after all!"
"You are not my biological father, nor am I the Liu Family’s young miss. From now on, you go your way, I’ll go mine, we won’t interfere with each other!" Zhang Lanfang said coldly before leaving with a flick of her sleeve.
Mrs. Zhang was left standing there, face ashen, eyes wide with fury, gritting her teeth.
...
"Miss, do you really intend to marry that wastrel, Liu Zheng?" Qiu Yue asked anxiously, she had never seen her mistress so distraught.
"If I don’t marry him, what else can I do? Do you think I can still find a good family?"
"But Miss, although Liu Zheng is handsome, he’s not a kind person. What if he bullies you in the future?" Qiu Yue said with concern.
"Hmph! And what of it, I’ve known his character since I was young, if he dares to bully me, I won’t tolerate it!"
Qiu Yue fell silent, she knew her mistress meant what she said, but she worried even more that her mistress would suffer for it.
"Miss, please don’t be like this! I’m still counting on you to help take care of my children in the future!"
At the mention of children, Zhang Lanfang’s expression softened slightly, and she said softly, "Don’t worry!"
"Hmm!"
"Alright, let’s go back. We mustn’t waste more time!"
"Hmm!"
Once back in her room, Zhang Lanfang lay down on the bed, her eyes fixedly staring at the canopy above her head.
"Lanfang, Lanfang! What are you daydreaming about?" Suddenly, Mrs. Zhang’s anxious voice came from outside.
"Come in!" Zhang Lanfang said.
With a "click," the door opened.
"Why are you so slow!" Mrs. Zhang complained.
Mrs. Zhang was the helmswoman of the Zhang Family, her position only second to Prime Minister Zhang.
Although the Zhang Family couldn’t compare to the nobles of the court, they still had their own enterprise, and thus, Mrs. Zhang’s actions were seldom obstructed by anyone.
"I wouldn’t want to delay your affairs," Mrs. Zhang walked closer, demurely lowering her eyes, "Lanfang, I’ve come today because I want to discuss a deal with you."
"A deal?"
"Yes, a deal. If you marry Liu Zheng, I will give you a generous dowry, and you will have a worry-free life in the Liu Residence." Mrs. Zhang said, "As for children... As long as you give birth to a son or a daughter, I will give you enough silver to raise them well!"
"Mother, I already have two maidservants." Zhang Lanfang said indifferently, "And I have a job, I can support myself."
"What job?" Mrs. Zhang frowned, "You are a lady, why would you engage in such menial work!"
"Exactly, Miss, I truly cannot comprehend it. After all, you are a lady of a prominent family, why would you do such grueling work?" Qiu Yue echoed, following up.
"If I want to do it, I will, it’s none of your concern!" Zhang Lanfang’s tone was slightly hostile.
Mrs. Zhang’s expression stiffened; she had never seen Zhang Lanfang be so disrespectful before, and it irked her.
"Lanfang, what kind of attitude is that!" Mrs. Zhang shouted sternly, "I’m telling you, once you marry Liu Zheng, you will be the mistress of the Liu Family, I will give you everything! Including your relatives!"
Zhang Lanfang smiled coldly and said, "As long as I have my child and your care, I am completely content!"
Madam Zhang grew even more displeased upon hearing Zhang Lanfang, but considering she still needed Zhang Lanfang’s support, she managed to restrain her anger.
"Lanfang, I know I have wronged you, but I did it for your own good! Look at yourself now, how will you bear a son for the Liu Family in the future?"
"Are you saying I can’t have children in the future?" Zhang Lanfang asked, her tone icy.
"No... I didn’t say that!" Madam Zhang hastily denied, "I..."
Zhang Lanfang didn’t wait for Madam Zhang to finish, cutting her off immediately, "If you know I can’t have children, why would you still arrange this marriage for me?"
"Lanfang, I truly didn’t want to put you through such hardship. After all, our Zhang Family is a well-regarded lineage in the Capital City, and Liu Zheng is the Crown Prince handpicked by the Emperor. This marriage is most suitable for you. I did this entirely for your sake!" Madam Zhang hurriedly explained.
"Ha! You make it sound better than it is!" Zhang Lanfang retorted with biting sarcasm, "If it weren’t for my father’s sake, would you have been so kind to arrange this marriage for me?"
"I..." Madam Zhang found herself at a loss for words and could only offer an embarrassed smile, "Lanfang, honestly, I don’t dislike you that much. It’s just... I hope that in the future, you could spend more time with me!"
"Hmph!"
"Lanfang, you don’t have to be so stubborn. Marrying into a wealthy family indeed wrongs you, but now you are the mistress of the Liu Family. In the future, you will be the mistress, and your status will surpass mine! So, you must enjoy your good fortune!"
"Fine," Zhang Lanfang replied indifferently.
At these words, Madam Zhang heaved a sigh of relief.
"Lanfang, I know you hate me, but I had no choice. What do you think of Liu Zheng? He’s a good child, and he has always liked you!" Madam Zhang continued to tempt.
"Mother, there will not be anyone better than him in this world! Don’t waste your breath; I understand your intentions!"
"I am doing this for your sake. Liu Zheng is so outstanding, and besides, he is the Crown Prince designated by the Emperor. In the future, he is destined to be the Emperor. If you become the Crown Princess Consort, your status in the Liu Family will be even higher!" Madam Zhang persuaded gently.
"Enough!" Zhang Lanfang suddenly stood up, her face cold, "My marriage is not for you to decide! And there is only one husband for me, and that is Li Mu! If you force me any further, I will die just to show you!"
Madam Zhang was startled, "You, have you gone mad?"
"You’re right, I have indeed gone mad. For such a scum, I would give up my very life!"
Zhang Lanfang’s words stabbed Madam Zhang’s heart like a knife. She found herself speechless, simply glaring at Zhang Lanfang in anger.
"I don’t care whether you think I’m mad or not; my marriage, my destiny, is not up to you!" A glint of murderous intent flashed through Zhang Lanfang’s eyes.
Madam Zhang, seeing the chilling light in Zhang Lanfang’s gaze, began to tremble with fear.
"I... I..."
"Mother, I’m tired. Please leave. And don’t come back again in the future!" Zhang Lanfang closed her eyes, unwilling to look at Madam Zhang any longer.
"Alas!" Madam Zhang sighed and left the room with her maidservants.
Only after Madam Zhang had left did Qiu Yue speak softly, "Miss, I don’t think the Master is that bad!"
"I think so too!" Zhang Lanfang opened her eyes and looked resolutely at Qiu Yue, "I will do my best to ensure no one bullies you!"
"Yes, Miss, I will always support you!" Qiu Yue said, moved.
Zhang Lanfang smiled slightly and then fell into deep thought.
"Qiu Yue, go do something for me!"
"Miss, what is it?"
"Send someone to investigate in secret whether Liu Zheng has taken any concubines or secondary wives. Also, I want detailed information about Liu Zheng, the more detailed the better," Zhang Lanfang instructed, "Additionally, find out how many concubines Liu Zheng has."
"Miss, why are you suddenly interested in him?" Qiu Yue asked, puzzled.
"I’m just asking casually," Zhang Lanfang said nonchalantly.
"Oh." Qiu Yue replied, "Alright, Miss, leave it to me. I promise to complete the task!"
