The Real Heiress Has an Appraisal System
Chapter 34: The Second Madam Should Have a Second Child

Chapter 34: Chapter 34: The Second Madam Should Have a Second Child

When Gu Shengsheng returned to the Lu family home, Second Madam Lu said sarcastically, "Well, well, look who it is. Always keeping us waiting for dinner."

"The family gets together for dinner once a week, but you, the good-luck bride, put on more airs than anyone. Sister-in-law, if it were me, I wouldn’t be able to stand it."

"Then again, your Shi Jing has already passed away, so it’s a wonder you managed to find a wife at all. As for our Chaoyang, who knows who he’ll marry. Every girl is fighting for the chance."

Madam Lu smiled and said, "Younger Sister, your words can be a bit harsh. Shengsheng was only late because she was doing a good deed, helping out at the police station. When you’re doing good, you don’t worry about such things."

Gu Shengsheng walked over and sat beside Madam Lu, saying nothing.

’It was the first time she’d ever had the feeling of someone standing up for her.’

’And this was coming from Madam Lu, who didn’t even like her. It was far more than her own parents would ever do.’

’Thinking about it, Gu Shengsheng felt a sense of resignation. Her own family wasn’t as sincere as a stranger. Character was what truly mattered.’

Second Madam Lu was a bit taken aback by Madam Lu’s words.

She had assumed Gu Shengsheng went to the police station because she’d caused trouble somewhere. She had even called to gloat, but she hadn’t expected the matter to be resolved so quickly.

What’s more, Gu Shengsheng had received a two-million-yuan reward. For the Lu Family, the money wasn’t important; it was the reputation that mattered.

Mrs. Lu Sr. was getting on in years, and what she cared about most was the family’s reputation for being helpful and charitable.

As it happened, aside from organized charity or other mandatory events, the Lu Family had never done anything quite like this.

As a result, Mrs. Lu Sr. had spent a long time praising Gu Shengsheng.

As it was a family dinner, Lu Chaoyang arrived fashionably late.

He first apologized to his elders, claiming he was held up by work.

Second Madam Lu said dotingly, "My dear son, you’ve lost weight. It’s all right, your grandmother wasn’t feeling well and went to the restroom. We’ll start eating in about ten minutes."

"Though with certain people here, this meal suddenly doesn’t seem as enjoyable."

Ever since her eldest son had become the head of the Lu Group, Second Madam Lu had become unbearably arrogant. She walked around with her nose in the air, looking down on everyone.

She didn’t give a damn about anyone or anything she considered beneath her.

This was especially true for the main branch of the Lu Family; just seeing them now felt like a jinx.

Lu Chaoyang paid no mind to his mother’s attitude. He simply smiled as he sized up Gu Shengsheng.

"..." Gu Shengsheng felt her skin crawl under his gaze. ’There’s something wrong with this Lu Chaoyang,’ she thought.

She stared back at him and asked, "Second Young Master Lu, is there something you need?"

"Sister-in-law, you’ve only just arrived in Beijing City, and you’ve already helped solve such a major case and made the news. All of us at the Lu Group are so happy for you."

He said the words, but a chill ran down Gu Shengsheng’s spine.

’This Lu Chaoyang is definitely up to something!’

Gu Shengsheng had a bad feeling, but not knowing what to say, she could only force a smile.

"It was just a coincidence."

"Sister-in-law, in a place like Pan Garden, were you really appraising treasures? Or perhaps..."

Second Madam Lu sneered, "Son, you give her too much credit. She comes from a poor, insignificant family. She probably knows a few little tricks and thought she’d go to Pan Garden to try her luck."

"A girl like that was probably just hoping to meet a rich man. She’s one of those good-luck brides. Without a husband to keep her in line, who knows when she’ll just run off."

"Sister-in-law, you’d better watch out. They say that if a good-luck bride runs away, it affects the whole family’s fortune, especially things like fertility in the future."

These words were deliberately meant to mock Madam Lu, using the "little good-luck bride" to get under her skin.

Madam Lu had been proud and aloof her entire life, always believing everything should go her way.

But after her son’s death, she had nothing left, and this good-luck bride had been forced on her. This was Madam Lu’s sore spot, and as a "good" sister-in-law, Second Madam Lu’s duty was to poke it repeatedly.

Just then, Mrs. Lu came down from upstairs, rubbing her temples. "My, my, all this noise is giving me a headache."

"Second Daughter-in-law, are you the one trying to get pregnant or something? You’re always talking about it. I used to urge you two all the time, but nothing ever happened!"

After she said this, it was as if Second Madam Lu had been muted.

The key wasn’t that she didn’t want to have another child. Ever since Mrs. Lu had promised that if she had another, she could help manage the Lu Group’s affairs.

And she would also get shares.

So she desperately wanted to have another child, but for some reason, in the twenty-odd years since having Chaoyang, nothing had happened. And as for her relationship with her husband, it was perfectly harmonious.

So Mrs. Lu Sr.’s words had hit her right where it hurt.

She didn’t even know how to respond.

Mrs. Lu Sr. was not one to get angry easily; she was usually kind to everyone.

But now, her face was cold as she said, "Since you don’t seem to be capable of having children yourself, what are you doing making things difficult for others?"

"Second Daughter-in-law, I usually hold my tongue to give you face, but that’s not an invitation for you to push your luck!"

The matriarch’s words were firm and resounding, scaring Second Madam Lu into silence.

At that, Lu Chaoyang stepped forward to apologize. "Grandmother, my mother has probably just been on edge lately. Please don’t blame her. I’ll buy her some health supplements, and Dad will help her take care of her health. I promise she won’t spout such nonsense again."

"Chaoyang, it’s good that you’re the more level-headed one." Mrs. Lu Sr. walked over and sat at the table, looking at how few family members there were.

The eldest’s branch was gloomy; they had just taken in a daughter-in-law, so a transition period was to be expected. The third’s branch wasn’t even at dinner, and they were childless by choice.

So she added, "There are too few people in this family."

"Mother," Second Madam Lu whined, "I’ve already tried every kind of treatment, and all the doctors say there’s nothing wrong. Don’t worry. We want children too, but what can we do if I just can’t get pregnant?"

"When Chaoyang gets married, we’ll have to be sure to pick a wife who’s fertile. Our family line is getting too thin."

With that, Mrs. Lu Sr. brought the topic back around.

She looked at her and said, "Second Daughter-in-law, you’ve seen countless doctors to no avail. Could it be that your body is the problem?"

Gu Shengsheng chimed in, "That’s certainly a possibility."

’Seeing Second Madam Lu trembling like a frightened quail brought her a little flicker of joy.’

’It’s what she deserved. Who told her to be so arrogant?’

Seeing Gu Shengsheng butt in and gang up with Mrs. Lu—who even looked quite pleased by it—made Second Madam Lu furious.

She pointed at Gu Shengsheng and yelled, "Shut up!"

"I’ve seen countless doctors and gotten no answers. For an outsider like Miss Gu to be constantly gossiping in our family’s home is highly inappropriate."

"Since when do you have the right to comment on the affairs of your elders?!"

Mrs. Lu Sr. took Shengsheng’s hand. "Second Daughter-in-law, weren’t you the one who just said you’d take anyone’s advice if it meant you could have a child? You made it sound so convincing."