Chapter 272: The Half-Brother
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation.
Lu Yuan Ze’s hand trembled as he held the family genealogy book. “What do you mean by ‘Lu family bloodline’?” he asked, his voice shaky with fear. “My father only had one son—me! What other Lu family bloodline could there be? Clan Chief, you can’t protect an outsider! This imposter has tainted the Lu family name; he and his mother deserve to be drowned!” His eyes burned with anger, his mind filled with thoughts of rage and betrayal.
[How can this be? I cast my own children out of the family for the Pei family and their illegitimate brats. And now this? How can I ever find peace like this?]
The clan leader stroked his long beard thoughtfully. Behind him, an elder carefully opened the family genealogy book. “This is the genealogy kept here at Clear Creek Village,” the clan leader began. “The last time it was brought out was when you divorced your wife and expelled your children from the family.” He sighed deeply.
[Madam Xu was such a rare and virtuous woman, and Yan Shu, a prodigy with remarkable talent. How could he have been so blind?]
“You personally crossed out your children from the family record. But did you ever think to turn back a page and look closer?” The clan leader’s eyes were filled with a mix of disappointment and pity.
“Before the Old Marquis passed away, he told me that your abilities were mediocre at best and that the old residence should guide you carefully. But you never listened. Look at the state of the family now—you’ve torn it apart.” He turned a page in the genealogy book. “Look carefully at your branch of the family record.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s face went pale. His hands shook as he stared at the genealogy, reading each line carefully:
Father: Lu Bao Feng
Eldest Son: Lu Yuan Ze
Eldest Daughter: Lu Wan Yi
Illegitimate Son: …
Lu Yuan Ze’s eyes widened.
Illegitimate Son: Lu Yuan Xi!
“An illegitimate son, Lu Yuan Xi? How could my father have an illegitimate son? Impossible! My father’s household was clean, without a single concubine. How could there be an illegitimate child? Clan Chief, don’t be fooled by these lies!” Lu Yuan Ze’s face turned red with fury as he glared at Lu Yuan Xi.
The clan leader shook his head solemnly. “Your mother was the Old Marquis’s first wife who stood by him through thick and thin. When he went to war and sent his earnings home, she used some of that money to buy herself a few maids. Among them was one particularly beautiful girl, Lady Qiao,” the clan leader explained. “Before moving to the capital, your mother was already jealous of Lady Qiao’s beauty and often made things difficult for her.”
“After they arrived in the capital, the Old Marquis achieved great military success and was granted a noble title. Many colleagues offered him beautiful women as gifts. Even though he refused, your mother would still make a scene whenever she heard about it.”
“Worried he might be tempted by the women outside, she made a cruel decision—to give Lady Qiao to him as a concubine.”
“But the Old Marquis was a man of principle and refused countless times. Then, your mother tricked him, made him drink, drugged his wine, and forced him to sleep with Lady Qiao.”
“If that was all, it might have ended there.”
“But your mother regretted it later. When she found out Lady Qiao was pregnant, she flew into a rage and had Lady Qiao drowned in the moat.”
“Luckily, a passing merchant saved Lady Qiao. She gave birth to Lu Yuan Xi right before she died.”
“Lady Qiao held on just long enough to hand the child over to the Old Marquis. With no other choice, he raised the child in Clear Creek Village. Yuan Xi was personally brought to the old residence by the Old Marquis and entrusted to our care,” the clan leader said firmly, his eyes locking onto Lu Yuan Ze.
Lu Yuan Ze felt an icy chill run through his body. His expression was dazed and disoriented.
“Every year, the Marquis Estate sends money. First, it goes to comfort those wounded in battle who followed the Old Marquis. Second…” The clan leader glanced at Lu Yuan Xi.
“Second, it is to support your half-brother.”
“Even though your mother had a low status, the Old Marquis never thought of marrying another. The title—he only ever intended for it to be passed on to you. Later, when you married Madam Xu, the Old Marquis praised you, saying the best achievement of your life was marrying such a good wife. Yet, you didn’t know how to cherish her,” the clan leader sighed.
“The Old Marquis felt guilty toward Lady Qiao and her son, so he would stay in Clear Creek Village for a while each year.”
“You cannot kill him. He is your half-brother, your brother from another mother!” the clan leader insisted.
Lu Yuan Ze’s mind was spinning with anger and confusion. [A half-brother? How could this be?]
He pointed a trembling finger at the clan leader, then at Lu Yuan Xi.
“Half-brother? Ridiculous! He slept with his legitimate brother’s wife! What kind of half-brother is that? A son born of a lowly maid is fit to be my half-brother?!” Lu Yuan Ze shouted angrily, his eyes burning with rage.
[Lu Yuan Xi, this shameless man, turned out to be my half-brother?]
“So what if he’s my half-brother? He must be drowned! I won’t spare them!” he shouted. “It’s not just him; even those bastards of his must be drowned! Children of a shameless couple aren’t fit to live!” Lu Yuan Ze’s face was full of murderous intent.
The deeper the love he once felt, the more profound the hatred now.
Lu Yuan Xi remained calm, a slight smile playing on his lips as he taunted: “Big Brother, maybe you should leave some bloodline for the Lu family. Our father planned everything for you. You can’t just let the Lu family bloodline end, can you? Lu Yan Shu, Lu Zheng Yue, Lu Yuan Xiao, Lu Chao Chao—three sons and a daughter—you’ve already driven them out of the house. If you drown Jing Huai and Jing Yao too, the Lu family’s bloodline will be completely cut off!”
Lu Yuan Ze was so furious he laughed instead. “I am still young; I can have more children. Why would our bloodline end? Don’t think I’ll ever let your filthy, low-born blood into the Lu family estate!”
Madam Pei trembled suddenly, not daring to meet Lu Yuan Ze’s eyes.
“Oh, really? Can Big Brother still have children? Perhaps we should call the royal physician to have a look and see if Big Brother is truly still capable,” Lu Yuan Xi suggested, a sly smile on his face.
Lu Yuan Ze suddenly recalled something Madam Xu had said. Cold sweat formed in fine beads on his forehead, and he began to feel uneasy.
“You think you can just call for a royal physician, and they’ll come? Do you really think it’s that easy to summon them?” Lu Yuan Ze scoffed, trying to hold onto his bravado.
No sooner had he finished speaking than several voices called out from the edge of the moat.
“I—I—I… ahem, happened to be passing by. If needed, I can examine Lord Yuan Ze,” an elderly man offered.
“And me. I just came into town today. What a coincidence…”
The head physician of the royal medicine hall raised his hand: “I am the head of the royal medicine hall. Um… I was just passing by. If Marquis Yuan Ze needs it, I can examine him for free.”
The elderly head physician, with white hair and beard, silently put on his shoes.
It was said that because of true love, Marquis Yuan Ze had divorced his wife and erased his children from the family record, only to be cuckolded by his concubine. He had even lost his shoes in his rush to get there.
Lu Yuan Ze??!!
He suddenly looked up and turned toward the moat.
Both sides of the moat were packed with people, a sea of onlookers, countless citizens watching. Among them were quite a few of his colleagues.
Lu Yuan Ze’s legs weakened, and he nearly collapsed to the ground.
Lu Yuan Xi cupped his hands toward the physicians. “I trouble you all, my lords. Thank you. My elder brother has been on medication for two years now. I wonder how his body is holding up.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s heart thundered in his chest.
His eyes were as sharp as knives as he glared at Madam Pei, who shrank back, not daring to meet his gaze.
“Lord Yuan Ze, please show your wrist,” three royal physicians stepped forward, the head physician frowning as he looked at Lu Yuan Ze.
After feeling his pulse, the physicians fell silent for a moment.
“Marquis Yuan Ze, have you been on medication for a long time?” one of the physicians asked.
Lu Yuan Ze’s face stiffened, and he struggled to control his temper as he nodded. “Yes, I took some supplements recently, but I’m fine now.”
“Does it often feel cold, especially three inches below your navel? Do you frequently…”