The elder Madam Shangguan fainted upon hearing the news, her heart filled with regret for the hundred-year reputation of the Shangguan family, which she felt was ruined in her hands.
While many people were quick to kick a fallen house, few offered a helping hand. The Shangguan family had fallen into disrepute. Shangguan Ke revealed to the public how the Shangguan family had treated his mother, and the news quickly spread throughout the capital. Everyone agreed that Master Shangguan deserved his fate.
Master Shangguan, who had been arrogant his entire life, could not bear the gossip. Coupled with the fact that his grand ambitions could no longer be realized, he fell ill.
Shangguan Ke and Wu Caiwei felt no sympathy for their plight. The only people they felt indebted to were Lu Yuntai and her son.
The couple had secretly sought out the mother and son to ask about their plans. To their surprise, the mother and son intended to return to the border. They were accustomed to the freedom of the borderlands and found the capital's treacherous and scheming environment stifling and tiresome. During the Shangguan family's peak, she would never have dared to make such a request. But now, with both the master and madam gravely ill, and the family's assets being absorbed by other noble families, with so many servants to feed daily, the household was struggling to even afford basic necessities.
After years of interaction, Lu Yuntai had long recognized Master Shangguan's callousness and was certainly not foolish enough to offer her private funds.
When Master and Madam Shangguan learned of the family's dire situation, their illnesses worsened. They did not order the dismissal of their servants, and Lu Yuntai did not proactively take on such a task.
Shangguan Hui, accustomed to the life of a noble son, was initially saddened by the prospect of his mother's execution and behaved himself for a while. However, time passed, and he grew restless. He wanted to continue his life of debauchery and went to the accounting office to withdraw money, only to be told there was none. He then stormed to Lu Yuntai, making a scene. Lu Yuntai, looking at his arrogant demeanor, considered him a mere clown. Were not the master and madam always doting on him? Let him go ask them.
Even though Shangguan Hui was not entirely foolish, he knew it was not the time to approach his father or grandmother. However, he was in urgent need of money and knew that both his father and grandmother had considerable private savings. After much hesitation, his desires outweighed his apprehension.
Master Shangguan watched his son, who appeared guilty but still determined, stand before him, asking for money. He was utterly disappointed. For days, his son had not entered his room, nor inquired about his illness. This was the first time he had come, and he was asking for money. He thought of Shangguan Ke, who was capable, ambitious, and shrewd, now turned against him. The thought that the Shangguan family would be handed over to this incompetent son filled him with immense sorrow. He knew without a doubt that the Shangguan family was finished. In the best-case scenario, his son might eke out a living in the marketplace, but in the worst, he might even lose his life, and the Shangguan family's assets would likely be lost.
He had considered entrusting the Shangguan family fortune to Lu Yuntai's son. However, the young man clearly had no interest in such matters. He enjoyed reading and painting and, like his mother, advocated for freedom, relishing the feeling of galloping on horseback across the grasslands.
The thought of the Shangguan family's future fate caused him to cough up a mouthful of blood, which thoroughly frightened Shangguan Hui. He screamed and ordered someone to find the steward.
By the time the steward brought a doctor, who examined Master Shangguan, he shook his head and told them to prepare for his passing. The steward was stunned. Although the Shangguan family was no longer an official family, with a master and madam, he had thought he could continue to live and grow old here. He never expected the master to leave him so soon. He quickly grabbed the doctor's hand, pleading, "You must save him."
The doctor said helplessly, "I wish I could, but he was already critically ill. With this excessive emotional turmoil, he has lost the will to live. I am powerless."
Seeing the household in disarray and the master nearing his end, the steward rushed to find Shangguan Ke, hoping to persuade him to return. Although the master had been harsh with him in the past, he had spoken highly of him recently. It was clear that the master greatly admired him. Anyone the master admired must be very capable, and the steward believed that if he returned, the Shangguan family could be saved.
However, when he arrived at Shangguan Ke's current residence, he found it deserted. After inquiring with the neighbors, he learned that the entire family had already left the capital.
Meanwhile, at the back door of the Shangguan residence, several people were carrying several large chests, asking specifically for Lu Yuntai.
Ordinarily, Lu Yuntai would not meet outsiders casually. However, the person claimed to be a gift from an old friend. In the capital, the only old friend who could be referred to was Shangguan Ke. It was clear they wanted to compensate her. She initially intended to refuse, but the leader said their family had already left the capital and might not return. They had repeatedly instructed him to ensure the items were delivered to her, otherwise, they would not be at peace.
Lu Yuntai considered this and accepted their kind gesture. She knew that with Shangguan Hui there, they would not be able to claim much of the inheritance. Her son would have many expenses in the future. After expressing her gratitude, she had them carry the chests to her room.
After they left, she opened the chests to see what grand gifts they had brought. To her surprise, four of the five chests were filled with gold, silver, and jewelry. The remaining chest contained various medicines, each labeled with its purpose and usage instructions.
This astonished her. Where had they obtained so much? The entire fortune of the current Shangguan family probably did not amount to this much.
However, they had already left the capital, and there was no one to answer her questions. She did not dwell on this matter for long. Just two days later, Master Shangguan passed away. Upon hearing the news, Madam Shangguan also passed away that very night.
Shangguan Hui, who had been guarding his grandmother's bedside, clapped his hands as soon as she closed her eyes. Immediately, more than a dozen servants rushed in. Lu Yuntai was shocked. "What do you mean by this?"
"All the property in this house belongs to me. I am the master of the Shangguan family now. You and your precious son will have to do as I say. If you know what's good for you, get out. Of course, if you really have nowhere else to go, I can accommodate you. But I don't keep idle people in my household. You can work like the servants." Shangguan Hui had long been disgusted with them. If it weren't for his desire to avoid unnecessary trouble, he would have thrown them out long ago.
She had anticipated this day, but she never expected him to be so impatient. Lu Yuntai suppressed her emotions and said, "Can you grant us some time? We can leave after your father and grandmother are buried, so your brother can fulfill his filial duties."
"No need. My father and grandmother loved me the most when they were alive. Having me here to show filial piety is enough. If you don't leave, the people behind me are not to be trifled with." Shangguan Hui feared that the longer this dragged on, the more complications might arise, as this mother and son were particularly cunning. He wanted to catch them off guard and drive them out before they could prepare.
The dozen or so servants behind him moved forward menacingly, staring at them. The mother and son unconsciously retreated.