Chapter 10: The Scoundrel Struck by Lightning
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Madam, I regret to inform you that there has been an incident involving a lightning strike.”
“The incident occurred at a residence located in Ping’an Lane, towards the north side of our city. The homeowner was struck by lightning.”
“Just last month, the property was acquired by a new owner for a significant sum. The lady of the house had recently given birth. She is the mother of a newborn daughter who is just forty days old, sharing a birthday with our own little miss by sheer coincidence. Additionally, they have a son, a young man of seventeen, who is well-known throughout the capital for his scholarly excellence and upstanding reputation.”
At that moment, Madam Xu, in her surprise, accidentally let her teacup slip from her grasp, and it shattered on the floor.
“Madam…” Jue Xia exclaimed, her voice filled with concern as she noticed Madam Xu’s burnt hand. Without hesitation, she fetched some cold water for Madam Xu to soothe her injury.
However, Madam Xu seemed to be in a state of shock, barely acknowledging the burn.
“A son? How old is he?” She asked, her voice hoarse and tense, gripping Jue Xia’s hand tightly.
Understanding the significance of her question, Jue Xia responded promptly, “He is seventeen years old, Madam, the same age as our Young Master Yan Shu. He is seventeen this year… and, moreover, their family name is Lu.”
Upon hearing this, Madam Xu felt as though she herself had been struck by lightning.
Seventeen years old?
She trembled, her throat tightening, rendering her momentarily speechless.
Deng Zhi, witnessing the unfolding drama, shot a stern look at Jue Xia before attempting to console Madam Xu, “Madam, it might not be him, it might not be your husband…” Her voice faltered, betraying her uncertainty.
Jue Xia and Ying Xue exchanged worried looks, both visibly pale.
The conversation about Lu Jing Huai, the young man in question, had clearly shaken Jue Xia.
Madam Xu drew a sharp breath, her lip quivering and slightly bleeding from where she had bitten it in distress.
“Why? Why would he do this to me? I left my family for him, managed our household, respected my mother-in-law, and cared for his sister. How could he betray me like this?”
The revelation of his long-standing deception was profoundly painful for her.
“His illegitimate child is already seventeen years old, seventeen!” The realization sent a chill through Madam Xu.
She had devoted herself entirely to this man, only to discover he had another family in secret!
“Madam, his betrayal is not your fault. The blame lies solely with him. You must not let this defeat you,” Deng Zhi and the maids reassured her, their eyes brimming with tears as they tried to offer comfort.
Little Chao Chao sighed softly; her mother had been deceived for over a decade—a true tragedy.
“Madam, perhaps even the heavens could no longer bear it. It might have been your husband who was struck by lightning yesterday,” Jue Xia suggested, her tone shifting from mere gossip to one of justification.
“The heavens have witnessed the injustice you’ve suffered, Madam. This was their way of exacting revenge on your behalf.”
“The timing of the lightning strike was incredibly precise. It struck just as the woman had finished her confinement period and hit both occupants in their bed. Their bodies were completely charred when others entered the room after hearing screams.”
Madam Xu was taken aback by the strange coincidence of the event.
Jue Xia nodded affirmatively, “This incident has indeed brought great disgrace upon them this time.”
Brushing away her tears, Madam Xu’s voice carried a note of disdain as she said, “He got what he deserved!” However, her eyes betrayed a deep bitterness and a sense of injustice that she could not fully hide.
How could she not harbor resentment?
She had loved him profoundly from her youth. For him, she had made the drastic decision to sever ties with her family, a choice that was agonizing even in retrospect.
“Madam, the lord has returned to the estate and is waiting for you in Deshan Hall,” a young maid reported quietly from the doorway.
Madam Xu’s expression hardened, and Deng Zhi watched with interest.
Both were curious about his condition, especially after supposedly being struck by lightning.
“Let’s take Chao Chao and go see him,” Madam Xu decided, rising to head towards Deshan Hall.
Deshan Hall, located in the eastern part of Marquis Zhongyong’s estate, was a place of retreat and spiritual practice for the elder lady of the house, away from worldly disturbances.
As they walked across the estate, passing the inner lake and down the corridor, they approached Deshan Hall.
“Ah, something smells burnt,” Chao Chao commented, wrinkling her nose at the faint burnt odor in the air.
The smell intensified as they drew nearer to Deshan Hall.
Suddenly, Ying Xue tightened her grip on Chao Chao, who gasped, “What a huge egg!” She was so surprised that she gulped audibly.
Madam Xu, startled, looked up sharply.
Before her sat a figure with a head as bald and black as a charred egg, completely hairless and burnt.
The image of the man she once cherished, the man she had struggled to release from her heart, had crumbled before her eyes.
Madam Xu stood frozen, speechless for a moment.
“Why aren’t you coming in? What are you doing at the door?” The elderly lady, noticing her hesitation, scolded her for the first time.
Madam Xu’s mind replayed her daughter’s earlier exclamation, “Egg, egg, egg…”
Despite her deep-seated resentment towards Lu Yuan Ze, years of emotional manipulation had left her feeling torn; part of her detested him, while another part still held affection.
But now, any remaining sympathy had vanished, replaced solely by the unforgettable sight of an egg.
Her eyelids twitched, and as she entered, she couldn’t help but ask, “What happened to the lord? Where’s his hair? Did he run into a ghost barber?”
[My mother certainly knows how to strike where it hurts, doesn’t she?]
[It’s better to lose one’s senses and lash out at the whole family than to become a joke.]
Lu Yuan Ze scowled, “There was a fire in Ping’an Lane. I went in to help rescue people and ended up burning my hair. It’s nothing serious.”
“I’ve informed the king about the incident and will be taking some time off at home to recover.”
Madam Xu’s look turned frosty. Saving people? He was good at portraying himself as a hero.
“Husband, were you also at Ping’an Lane? What a coincidence. I’ve heard rumors about a couple caught in an affair there, struck by lightning in broad daylight, completely exposed for everyone to see. Were they the ones you were trying to save?” Bolstered by her daughter’s earlier comments, Madam Xu couldn’t help but take another jab at him.
As expected, Lu Yuan Ze’s face turned ashen at Madam Xu’s remark, and he clenched his fists, struggling to contain his anger.
“Why would you, a woman, delve into such matters?” he shot back, his voice laced with irritation and disbelief.
Madam Xu’s lips curled into a faint smile, her handkerchief held delicately in her hand.
“It’s the talk of the city. I just caught wind of it through a joke,” she responded, clearly amused, her nonchalance causing evident discomfort to the mother and son before her.
Little Chao Chao, seizing the opportunity, giggled mischievously, thoroughly enjoying the drama. [Liar, liar, big fat liar]
Madam Xu paid closer attention, eager to absorb every bit of her daughter’s rare candidness.
[He and his mistress were found in a compromising position, naked and unable to hide their shame. Now, the whole city is trying to guess who he is. Sadly, he covered his head as he ran away, so no one saw his face.] Chao Chao added, stirring the scandal further.
However, Madam Xu found her daughter’s remarks a bit too provocative for open conversation.
“The best thing for you is to stay home and look after Yuan Ze. He’s been working hard for the estate all year; he deserves some rest. Isn’t it a woman’s role to support her man?” the elderly lady chimed in sharply, clearly disapproving of Madam Xu’s previous mockery.
“You must cut off any further contact with your family. Such behavior could have serious repercussions,” she warned sternly, her gaze intensifying the caution.
Madam Xu straightened up, her attitude reflecting the seriousness of the discussion.
Turning to her husband, she asked earnestly, “What do you think about this?”
Lu Yuan Ze locked eyes with her, his face showing a mix of worry and caution. “I am concerned about my father-in-law’s situation. But with how things stand with the king, urging caution can be risky. My main priority is protecting the estate. As my wife, you should be wise and not bring misfortune upon our family,” he counseled, stressing the importance of their predicament.
Then he paused briefly before adding, “As for Yan Shu, best not to linger on that topic. His plight is unfortunate, and Miss Jiang’s reputation in the capital is well-known. It would be unwise to delay dealing with this.” His glance shifted away for a moment, revealing a hidden agenda that Madam Xu didn’t miss. She wondered, what benefit could there be for him in ending the engagement?
After all, as Yan Shu’s father, wouldn’t he be the one left disgraced?
his other son will get the b**ch