Chapter 365: Chapter 365

"Sister, why are you so late today? Did something happen at the mansion?"

In winter, several red plum blossoms outside the window were blooming vibrantly. Seeing that the other party didn't arrive until noon, An Ning couldn't help but ask curiously.

After all, previously during every palace banquet, to spend time with her younger sister, Wei Yun would always try to come as early as possible.

"Nothing much, just a bunch of jumping rodents!"

Sitting beside her younger sister on the heated brick bed, Eldest Sister Wei spoke with complete indifference.

More than ten years had passed, and the now forty-something Eldest Sister Wei had actually become more straightforward in temperament. Her figure had filled out slightly, and the slightly elaborate formal attire of a noblewoman made her brows and eyes appear even more sharp and imposing, carrying her own commanding presence.

When speaking about those people from the Lu Family, she didn't even bother to look at them properly.

Only when she saw her younger sister's genuine curiosity did Wei Yun finally explain:

"It's that unlucky brother-in-law of yours, a useless good-for-nothing who still foolishly thinks about continuing the family line all day. Ever since Baozhu married into the Wang mansion, he's become quite pleased with himself."

As she spoke, Eldest Sister Wei couldn't help but frown, a trace of ruthlessness flashing in her eyes: "If not for considering your niece's sake..."

"Continuing the family line? Didn't Brother-in-law become infertile long ago?"

Pretending not to see the ruthlessness in the other's expression, An Ning reached out to pick up a small piece of crispy pastry and put it in her mouth:

"Is he thinking about adopting an heir?"

"Exactly!" Wei Yun snorted coldly:

"He's even already chosen the candidate—it's the youngest son of the Lu Family's second branch. What's quite amusing is that just for this candidate, within his Lu Family alone, they've fought over it multiple times."

Of course! Getting a future princess consort sister, an Imperial Noble Consort aunt, and vast family wealth for free.

Who wouldn't covet that!

Naturally, they prettied it up as taking care of him in his old age and continuing the family line.

"What a pity, their thinking is quite beautiful!" Eldest Sister Wei raised her sword-like eyebrows, clearly looking down on it:

"After all my hard work over the years, all that silver, money, and treasures in my hands aren't for others to pluck the ripe fruit!"

Finally softening her tone, she took her younger sister's soft little hand and said gently:

"Little sister, don't worry. Not to mention I still have you and Baozhu, your sister isn't some soft persimmon to be easily manipulated."

Trying to take advantage of her? No way.

Despite these words, the worry didn't completely leave An Ning's brow. She looked up quietly at the woman before her:

"Elder Sister, as the saying goes, humans die for wealth, birds die for food. Under huge benefits, who knows what people might do?"

"Sometimes fools, especially profit-blinded fools, actually have fewer restraints and are more likely to be recklessly bold."

"Sister, you really shouldn't underestimate people."

After all, many times it's the smart people who are most likely to fall into the hands of fools.

Besides, if she remembered correctly, the time when Elder Sister Wei had died from illness in her previous life was approaching.

Although in this life, with her here, she hadn't hesitated to have imperial physicians prescribe various health-preserving formulas, and there were plenty of precious tonics too. Living in luxury and with a carefree heart, Eldest Sister Wei's health wasn't worse than it had been ten years ago.

In fact, her energy and spirit were even better by three parts.

Fools are often the most uncontrollable.

Seeing her younger sister being so serious, Wei Yun was momentarily stunned, then quickly nodded after processing it.

"You're right, little sister. Even a lion must use all its strength to catch a rabbit—I've been too careless!"

Seeing the seriousness on the other's face, An Ning didn't say more.

As long as her elder sister wasn't too careless, she believed the possibility of something happening was small.

But just in case, An Ning still instructed the system to keep a close watch.

Seeing that the palace banquet outside was about to begin, for the remaining time, the two sisters tacitly skipped over these annoying matters and enthusiastically discussed the recent gossip in the capital.

When An Ning received news again, it was already several months later. She heard that the Lu Family's second branch, meaning Baozhu's uncle, had been imprisoned for embezzlement. That unlucky brother-in-law had also caught a severe cold while running around everywhere, falling gravely ill and never recovering. Although he eventually woke up, a high fever had completely destroyed his mental faculties.

From then on, he could only live out his life in a dazed, foolish state.

Hearing this, An Ning just nodded faintly. Combined with the system's live reporting, it seemed that, unsurprisingly, these were probably the same two people from her previous life.

In her previous life, it was probably about wealth, but in this life, it was something even more valuable than wealth...

Of course, in the end, Eldest Sister Wei specifically entered the palace to solve her younger sister's confusion:

"Fortunately, fortunately I listened to you back then and took extra precautions against that dog of a man surnamed Lu. I truly never expected that just for some so-called family line continuation, this man could be so bold."

"Probably had his head turned by the Lu Family members."

Holding her younger sister's hand, Eldest Sister Wei's face was full of relief at that time. Who would have thought that right under her nose, that dog of a man actually managed to bribe people.

And he really dared to move against her. Although, out of fear of her sister, he didn't dare to actually take her life, he only wanted her to catch a fever, preferably becoming mentally unclear, or having her health weakened at best.

This way, adopting a son could proceed smoothly.

Continuing the family line! Hah! Unconsciously, a bit of mockery appeared in Wei Yun's eyes:

"That man surnamed Lu was never destined to have this in his lifetime."

In front of her younger sister, Eldest Sister Wei didn't avoid anything, directly revealing all the various schemes this family had previously attempted, including but not limited to bribing servants, secretly opening windows while she slept, pretending it was an accident.

As for whether there were follow-up plans if the first scheme failed, Wei Yun no longer gave them the chance to make another move.

"Little sister, do you know? All these years, that man surnamed Lu actually believed that it was because my family had declined that I didn't properly restrain him, which led to his momentary indulgence ruining his health."

Eldest Sister Wei's tone unconsciously carried some light mockery.

Although this matter was indeed related to her.

Plus, the younger generation of the Lu Family had no one entering official positions for a long time, which gave him the courage to take this risk with them.

Although they were equally foolish beyond measure.

They didn't even consider that a severe cold could be fatal.

And with her sister being an Imperial Noble Consort, would she need evidence? By then, with just a slight indication, countless people in the capital would be willing to serve her hand and foot.

They were truly blinded by power and money.

The more she thought about it, the more Wei Yun sneered contemptuously. In front of her younger sister, she couldn't help but curse:

"Such a foolish family deserves to have generations of mediocre descendants!"

Finally, she couldn't resist adding one more complaint:

"And our father's judgment is absolutely incredible."

No wonder he could trap both us sisters so thoroughly. If not for our younger sister's intelligence...

Holding her younger sister's hand, Eldest Sister Wei couldn't help feeling fortunate in her heart.

This complaint was quite accurate indeed.

Seeing how she was rolling her eyes, An Ning couldn't help but chuckle. After a while, she finally spoke:

"Regarding this matter, does Baozhu know about it?"

"With such major movements from the Lu Family, how could she not know?"

Even if she didn't realize it at first, over time, with Baozhu's intelligence, she would likely figure it out.

Regardless of because of whom, she could never let go of those who harmed her.

Understanding her younger sister's meaning, after a moment of silence, Wei Yun soon spoke with a smile:

"Little sister, don't worry, I understand. You know, all these years that man surnamed Lu has been practically useless. Baozhu was basically raised single-handedly by your sister. If even so, as a daughter, she still doesn't understand my choice..."

"Then Elder Sister, in this lifetime, I'll only have you, little sister..."