Chapter 19: Into the Firepit of Marriage
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“For your single word of inferiority, I have stayed away from my family for seventeen years. My father has aged, and my mother’s hair has turned white. Husband, have I not done enough for you?” Madam Xu held Lu Chao Chao close and pinched her daughter’s cheeks affectionately.
“Moreover, Husband, your promotion has not been easy. Why not ask for help from my elder brother and father? They will certainly assist you.”
These words struck Lu Yuan Ze like a hammer, and his face turned an ashen gray. He valued Madam Xu’s familial connections but detested humbling himself to seek aid. Madam Xu had always had to coax him into accepting help from the Xu Family, enduring his pride and stubbornness.
Truly, he wanted to eat soft rice with a hard face.
“A man must have a spine of steel! How could I stoop to begging? Besides, am I not doing this to bring honor to you?” Suppressing his temper, Lu Yuan Ze grabbed Shi Yun’s hand with a face full of forced tenderness.
Madam Xu felt uncomfortable all over and instinctively withdrew her hand.
“My father is the Grand Tutor to the Emperor, my elder brother is of second rank, and I myself bear a third-rank imperial title. Husband, I do not lack honor.”
“I simply do not wish for you to endure too much hardship.”
These words of Madam Xu thoroughly trampled upon Lu Yuan Ze’s pride. His entire body began to tremble. He felt that she had changed. And yet, her statement of concern for him—not wanting him to suffer—seemed to suggest nothing had changed. She still cared for him, still loved him deeply.
Forcing his anger back down, Lu Yuan Ze spoke again. “Shi Yun, I have matters at court that will require some silver to smooth things over. If there are any rare treasures, those would be even better.” Madam Xu’s dowry was immense, and over the years, she had spent much of her private savings to support the Lu Family.
The Lu Family’s own assets were pitifully meager. Even the grand mansion they lived in was only renovated after her arrival.
Madam Xu nodded and handed him a key through Deng Zhi.
“This is the key to the Lu Family’s storeroom,” she said, covering her mouth to stifle a chuckle. “As for my personal treasury, I shall not give you its key. That is part of my dowry from my natal family. If I let you use it, Husband’s heart would only feel burdened.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s lips moved slightly, but in the end, he said nothing.
He wanted Madam Xu’s personal treasury, but he wanted her to beg him to take it, rather than asking for it outright.
Finding an excuse, Lu Yuan Ze left. It seemed he was becoming increasingly unable to keep his composure.
On her way back to the residence, Madam Xu noticed people carrying congratulatory gifts heading towards the Jiang Family.
“The legitimate daughter of the Jiang Family is getting engaged; they’re distributing celebratory sweets,” someone announced loudly at the Jiang Family’s front gate as candy was scattered generously.
The crowd surged forward eagerly.
“Ah, is it the Jiang girl once betrothed to that cripple from the Lu Family?” someone called out.
A maid emerged carrying a large basket, smiling brightly. “Today, our young lady has found a good match and secured an excellent marriage. Congratulations to our young miss! Red packets are available for all!” She grabbed a handful of copper coins, prompting cheers and congratulations from the crowd.
“The Lu Family cripple wasn’t worthy of Miss Jiang. Breaking off the engagement was for the best,” the crowd murmured, breaking into applause.
Madam Xu’s eyes reddened with anger, her chest heaving.
“Jiang Yun Jin, who is she engaged to?” Madam Xu asked through gritted teeth.
Even Lu Chao Chao opened her eyes in curiosity.
Deng Zhi returned with the answer, her expression troubled and full of resentment.
“It’s… it’s Lu Jing Huai, who just passed the provincial exams last month as a scholar!”
“And… and it was the Marquis himself who arranged the match!”
“He’s said to be a distant relative,” Deng Zhi added.
Madam Xu felt utterly drained of strength.
“He did it on purpose. He’s deliberately taking away support meant for my son!” Madam Xu’s nails dug deeply into her palms.
“He’s tearing at my flesh, digging out Yan Shu’s heart! He’s giving Yan Shu’s rightful wife to an illegitimate child!” This time, Madam Xu’s hatred for him reached its peak.
And he even personally arranged the match.
No wonder he’d been short on money recently, needing to grease palms. Engagements required vast sums of silver, as well as rare treasures!
He was truly shameless, using the legitimate wife’s dowry to support an illegitimate child!
“What about Lu Wan Yi? Did you find out if she’s returned to Qingxi?” Madam Xu’s voice had turned icy with fury.
Deng Zhi hesitated for a moment.
“Speak!”
“Your servant discovered that she hasn’t returned to Qingxi at all. She… she’s been in the capital the entire time, never leaving,” Deng Zhi admitted, worry clouding her face.
“And she’s been purchasing many items needed for a baby. She even went to a goldsmith to commission a set of gold bracelets, necklaces, and a safety lock for an infant.”
Madam Xu felt as though she couldn’t even cry anymore; her heart was numb from pain. The entire Lu Family was deceiving her, leaving her almost utterly isolated.
The child who once clung to her legs had ultimately… betrayed her.
[Don’t cry, Mother… Mother, Chao Chao loves you! Chao Chao will make you a winner!]
[Chao Chao is amazing, you know! Chao Chao is the best!] Lu Chao Chao pouted her tender lips and babbled at Madam Xu, full of serious intent.
Madam Xu pressed her cheek against Lu Chao Chao’s tiny face. Thankfully, there was still Chao Chao.
[Mother, the newly ranked top scholar beats his wives. In the countryside, he even killed his first wife by beating her to death. In your past life, you tried to stop Lu Wan Yi, but she thought you were jealous of her and hated you deeply for it.]
[Later… later, she even slashed your face. Sob sob…] Little Chao Chao’s heart ached for her.
Madam Xu wished to hear more but could only recall these few words.
Upon returning home, Lu Wan Yi shyly approached her.
“Sister-in-law, have you… have you inquired about him?” Lu Wan Yi’s face was flushed with embarrassment. She had been smitten with the top scholar ever since that day.
Dismissing the servants, Madam Xu asked, “Wan Yi, have you fallen for him?”
Lu Wan Yi glanced at her sister-in-law bashfully. “Sister-in-law!” she protested, stomping her foot.
Where Wan Yi couldn’t see, Madam Xu gazed at her coldly.
[In my past life, I pulled you out of the firepit, and you slashed my face in return? Fine, in this life, go ahead and jump in.]
“I heard that the newly ranked top scholar had a crude, illiterate child bride betrothed to him during his childhood,” Madam Xu began.
Lu Wan Yi frowned slightly.
“But that child bride lacked good fortune and passed away last year. There are rumors from the countryside that the scholar has a bad temper and often scolded his wife. I’m afraid you’ll suffer hardships. Perhaps it’s better to reconsider? I can’t bear to see you unhappy,” Madam Xu said, appearing dissatisfied.
“There are plenty of young gentlemen in the capital who would suit you better.”
Lu Wan Yi’s eyes sparkled as she grasped Madam Xu’s hand, shaking it gently. “Sister-in-law, you’re the best! A man’s temper is just a sign of masculinity.”
“Besides, his child bride had no beauty, no background, and was even illiterate. She couldn’t win his favor because she lacked the ability. If a man beats his wife, it’s because she must have done something wrong!”
“I have the talent and the confidence!” Lu Wan Yi declared, raising her chin slightly. Her looks were exceptional, far beyond what any child bride could compare to.
“If a woman can’t control her man, it’s never the man’s fault,” she added with a sly smile.
Madam Xu gritted her teeth.
“You should still consider more carefully. A man’s character is more important than his talent or position,” Madam Xu countered, deliberately opposing her.
“I’m determined to marry him. If you don’t agree, I’ll ask Mother. She’ll definitely support me!” Lu Wan Yi said, brimming with confidence as she hurried out the door, heading for the Virtue and Kindness Hall.
[Oh ho, straight into the firepit! Straight into the firepit!] Lu Chao Chao cheered gleefully, gurgling with joy.