Chapter 112: Uncovering Secrets
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
“Get lost! I want to see how good your life will be without me!” Lu Yuan Ze stood before the crumbling Marquis residence, his heart aching as he harshly scolded Madam Xu. Amid the mocking laughter and pointing fingers of the townsfolk, his head spun with shame and anger.
“Without Madam Xu, the Marquis residence is empty. Just a few broken walls. Hahaha…” The cruel comments of the onlookers cut deep. Lu Jing Huai stepped forward, supporting his father.
“Father, Jing Huai is here for everything. Today’s humiliation is etched deeply in my heart. I will surely achieve top honors in the exams, bringing glory to you and making the Marquis residence renowned,” he declared with firm resolve.
The anger in Lu Yuan Ze’s heart eased a bit as he tightly grasped his son’s hand, saying, “Yes, Father still has you. Tomorrow, I will petition to establish you as the heir. You’ve been away for ten years; it has been hard on you. I should have brought you back earlier. Yan Shu’s paralysis has been a burden to the residence for years.” He sighed deeply.
“First, let’s tidy up the residence. I’ll get some money to buy essentials.” But his pockets were empty; everything had always been managed by Madam Xu. In their eighteen years of marriage, he had never worried about money. After a moment of thought, he decided to go to a money shop for high-interest loans.
At the shop, the keeper frowned, saying, “Lord, you are a court official. If you are caught borrowing high-interest loans, it could be troublesome. Moreover, the 30,000 taels you borrowed last time have now increased to 33,000. You haven’t repaid it yet.”
“33,000? It’s only been a month; how has it increased by 3,000 taels of silver?” Lu Yuan Ze exploded in anger.
The shopkeeper smiled, “Lord, you borrowed high-interest money; interest on interest is the norm. You’d better repay the last loan first. How could you be short of money? Your wife spends thousands on headpieces alone.” His laughter was mocking.
That morning, news of the divorce from the Marquise Zhongyong residence had spread throughout the capital. It was said Madam Xu stripped the residence bare, leaving it truly empty. Realizing the shopkeeper’s mockery, Lu Yuan Ze turned and left with a sullen face. The people behind high-interest loans in the capital were not to be underestimated.
After much thought, he decided to sort out the Marquis residence’s early properties. Madam Xu had been skilled at managing properties; once almost dead businesses were now thriving. The residence had three estates and three shops. The largest, the Hot Spring Villa, was originally intended for Lu Jing Yao but was given to Lu Chao Chao by Madam Xu.
“Sell two shops first, to renovate the residence and buy some furniture; let’s not let Jing Huai and his siblings suffer,” Lu Yuan Ze decided. Selling two shops only brought in 6,000 taels. Renovating the residence cost 3,000 taels. With 3,000 left, they barely managed to buy some furniture and moved in.
When Madam Pei entered, her face instantly darkened.
Crash, crash, crash… She smashed the newly placed teacups on the table into pieces. “Damn that Shi Yun!!” she gritted her teeth, suppressing her voice. Why, why?! She had defeated the Marquis residence and become the main mistress, but it was an empty shell!
“Why are there only 600 taels on the account? How could such a large residence have only 600 taels? Did Madam Xu embezzle the property?!” Her eyes were red, scaring the little maid beside her into trembling.
The maid, a born servant of the residence, left behind, explained, “The residence didn’t have many properties. The three shops were all revived by the madam. There’s also an estate, but it’s only used for a few days in the summer, with not much income. Lord gets about 200 taels a year; there’s barely any silver on the books. It’s all supplemented by the previous lady’s dowry.”
Madam Pei trembled with rage. “Six hundred taels? The whole residence only has 600 taels?”
The little maid added, almost crying now, “Tomorrow, the house will need to pay the monthly salaries. About 160 taels.”
Madam Pei’s vision darkened, and she fainted on the spot.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao’s family was full of joy. “Muvva, awe we living at Gwamma’s house?” Lu Chao Chao asked, hugging a big dog.
Madam Xu gently stroked her daughter’s head, shaking her head softly. She, who always had a frown, now looked relaxed. She had three sons and one daughter; her children were grown and had their dignity. Even though it was her mother’s house, she didn’t want her children to live under someone else’s roof.
“Mother bought a large house in Yulin Alley, with five courtyards, all prepared early on, just waiting for us to move in.” She had long planned the divorce and was well-prepared.
Yulin Alley was closer to the palace and in a better location than the Marquis residence.
“Wow, a new house, a new home… I wike it!” Lu Chao Chao got off the carriage and ran straight to the new house.
“Lu Residence.” Lu Yan Shu smiled slightly as he read the front sign; from now on, this was their new home.
The Marquis residence looked down on them and belittled them, so they must live better lives! The children each chose their courtyards, and Madam Xu arranged a reunion dinner.
Meanwhile, at the Marquise Zhongyong residence, to celebrate Lu Jing Huai’s return to the family, Lu Yuan Ze hosted a banquet for his colleagues. “For those who sent gifts for Lu Chao Chao’s birthday, send them invitations as well,” he said lightly. The old madam gritted her teeth, taking 2,000 taels from her savings, feeling heartache. This was what Madam Xu had once given her as filial piety.
At the night banquet, a servant returned with bad news: “Lord, Minister Shangshu declined. Lord, Lord Song kicked me out. Lord, the Vice Minister of Rites claimed to be ill and won’t come.”
Most of the invitations sent out were declined; only a few colleagues who knew him well attended. Lu Yuan Ze was left in an awkward position. Strangely, they had sent gifts for Lu Chao Chao’s full month celebration. He didn’t think much of it, assuming his promotion of a mistress to the main wife had offended people.
Fortunately, many of Lu Jing Huai’s classmates came to congratulate him on his return to the family. Lu Jing Huai had a few more drinks. In a daze, he seemed to see Su Zhi Qing. Not seen for months, she had become more beautiful and radiant, losing her former greenness.
He shook his head and, emboldened by the alcohol, stepped forward to grab her wrist: “So, since you entered the Marquis residence, you no longer pay attention to me. What? Have you really fallen for Lu Zheng Yue?” Feeling suppressed today, he was already a bit annoyed. Su Zhi Qing’s heart fluttered, and she tried to pull her hand back.
“Not replying to letters, avoiding me when you see me, Su Zhi Qing, don’t forget, you are my woman! What? Is Lu Zheng Yue so good that he made you develop feelings for him? Hmm?” Lu Jing Huai lifted her chin. Her face turned pale, and her expression changed drastically.
“You scoundrel, do you know who I am to you…” Before she could finish, Lu Jing Huai kissed her, sealing her lips.
Bang… The maid outside the door pushed it open, the teacup in her hand shattering on the ground as she stared at Lu Jing Huai in a daze.
“You scoundrel, what are you doing to your stepmother?!” The old clan leader, drunk and coming out to sober up, turned his head to see the woman in Lu Jing Huai’s arms. Isn’t she the one he personally put in the family register? Lu Yuan Ze’s equal wife?!!
Hahaha cuckold being cuckolded