Chapter 191: The Troublemaker
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Jiang Yun Jin’s face was extremely stiff, her smile barely holding. Her fingers clutched the silk handkerchief tightly, twisting it into a knotted mess, as though a thousand arrows pierced her heart, bringing unbearable pain.
Lu Yan Shu had been a prodigy since birth. From a young age, he had shown his brilliance, a towering mountain that his peers could neither gaze upon nor hope to reach. As his betrothed, she had once taken pride in his excellence.
But ever since Lu Yan Shu became crippled, all the admiration she had received turned into sharp blades, stabbing her without mercy.
“Princess Sunshine, you must be joking…” Her expression darkened, struggling to maintain a composed smile, unsure how to explain to Lu Chao Chao.
“How is this a joke? My brother even risked his life to save yours,” Lu Chao Chao tilted her head, puzzled.
“Did Lu Jing Huai also stake his life to save you?”
“Did he love you as my brother did, with his very life?” Lu Chao Chao stepped forward.
Jiang Yun Jin’s complexion turned deathly pale as she abruptly retreated.
Her lips trembled, but for a long moment, no words came out.
“Lu Jing Huai must love you more, right? Otherwise, why would you choose him…” Lu Chao Chao sighed softly, as if unable to understand the confusion in Jiang Yun Jin’s eyes.
Jiang Yun Jin bit her lip so hard it nearly bled.
Did Lu Jing Huai love her more? Would he be willing to trade his life for hers?
She dared not think too deeply about it.
She recalled when she was young, Lu Yan Shu, at only eight years old, had passed the provincial examination. The ever-proper young boy had run all the way to her, his forehead beaded with sweat, his cheeks flushed as he declared, “Don’t worry, I will never let you suffer.”
“Once I achieve top scores in all three imperial examinations, I will ensure you a life of honor and worry-free days.”
Back then, his eyes had shone, brighter than the stars in the night sky.
Before others, he was always strictly proper, never daring to steal even an extra glance at her. Even speaking to her would make his face turn red.
He had once said, “The world is unkind to women. I cannot let you become entangled in scandal. By upholding propriety and respecting you, I am truly protecting you.”
And what of Lu Jing Huai?
Before marriage, he had coaxed her into breaking the rules.
On their wedding night, he had abandoned her, leaving her to become the laughingstock of the entire capital. In everyone’s eyes, a bride who had not consummated her marriage even after three days was nothing but a joke.
[Hehe, does it hurt? Do you regret it?]
[Regret? Oh, there has been plenty of that…]
Jiang Yun Jin’s face had turned ghastly. Just then, Lu Jing Huai happened to return to the residence.
He walked up and placed a hand on her shoulder. “How is Grandmother?”
“You must be exhausted from managing the household affairs, Jin Er,” he said, only to lower his gaze and notice her pale complexion and reddened eyes.
“Is Grandmother unwell?” Lu Jing Huai’s voice carried a hint of urgency.
If the Old Madam passed away, his father would have to observe mourning rites and withdraw from official duties for twenty-seven months.
“I’m sorry, it’s my fault. I made her cry…” Lu Chao Chao hung her head in guilt, quickly stepping forward to admit her mistake.
Lu Jing Huai’s eyes flickered with disdain the moment he saw Lu Chao Chao. Everything had changed ever since she was born!
“Princess Sunshine, even at such a young age, you rely too much on His Majesty’s favor and have grown arrogant. This is not good!” His voice was cold and his tone harsh.
Lu Chao Chao’s lips quivered, and in an instant, tears welled up and began to fall.
[Mother, mother… Mother, look at me…]
Lu Chao Chao turned to look at Madam Xu.
Madam Xu, as if sensing her daughter’s call, quickly raised her voice, “What happened to Chao Chao?”
[Oh yay! My mother and I truly have… a little bit of telepathic connection!]
Lu Chao Chao whimpered as she threw herself into her mother’s embrace, appearing sorrowful as she secretly wiped her tears. “It’s all my fault, all my fault… I accidentally made her cry.” She pointed at Jiang Yun Jin.
Jiang Yun Jin’s heart trembled with panic.
Jiang Yun Jin hurriedly grabbed Lu Jing Huai’s sleeve. “Husband, this has nothing to do with Princess Zhao Yang. There was sand in my eyes. It has nothing to do with the princess.”
Her expression was flustered, which only fueled Lu Jing Huai’s fury.
“You’re still defending her! A mere child, yet already so vicious—does the law mean nothing?”
Jiang Yun Jin’s heart pounded wildly. Her gaze turned pleading. “It truly has nothing to do with the princess. My eyes just got sand in them.” She tugged at Lu Jing Huai’s sleeve, desperate. But Lu Jing Huai had always harbored resentment toward Lu Chao Chao. Now, he was eager for the situation to escalate, to finally vent his long-held anger.
“So that’s why! I was wondering why you’d suddenly visit Grandmother with such goodwill today. Turns out, you came to flaunt your power and torment our family!” Madam Pei sneered, instantly turning the mother and son’s ire toward Madam Xu.
Yet Madam Xu did not scold Chao Chao. Instead, she knelt to be at eye level with her daughter.
“Chao Chao, tell Mother what happened.”
Lu Chao Chao sniffled. “I dunno what happened… Just talked to her.”
“Chao Chao only mentioned Brother Yan Shu, and she suddenly started crying.”
“Mommy, Chao Chao dun understand…”
“It’s all Chao Chao’s fault. Wuwuwu…” The little girl buried her face in her mother’s embrace, her muffled sobs echoing in the room.
A sudden silence filled the air.
All eyes fell on Jiang Yun Jin, whose face had gone deathly pale, sweat beading on her forehead.
Jiang Yun Jin’s head snapped up, her gaze darting to Lu Jing Huai. As expected, fury burned in his eyes, barely restrained.
With a violent jerk, he flung her hand away, nearly sending her tumbling to the ground.
“Jiang Yun Jin, you’ve truly outdone yourself!” His fists clenched tightly, suppressing his rage.
Madam Xu, still holding Chao Chao, shook her head in feigned helplessness. “Forget it. I shouldn’t have come today. A kind gesture, only to be misunderstood.”
She then turned to Lu Yuan Ze. “Take good care of Grandmother. Have the monks recite more prayers for her; she always liked that.”
“I’ll see you off,” Lu Yuan Ze quickly offered.
Madam Pei flew into a rage. “You have ulterior motives! Ever since you arrived, the house has been in chaos! Troublemaker! You’re nothing but a home-wrecker! Husband, she’s doing this on purpose!”
“Don’t go!” Madam Pei clung to Lu Yuan Ze’s sleeve.
“She’s deliberately causing discord in our home—she’s doing it on purpose!”
Madam Xu remained indifferent, not even sparing her a glance.
Lu Yuan Ze snapped, “Nonsense! Do you think I don’t know what kind of person Shi Yun is? I shared a bed with her for eighteen years—who she is doesn’t need your judgment!”
With a forceful shove, he shook off the hysterical Madam Pei and personally escorted Madam Xu out.
Madam Xu glanced at the little girl in her arms. The child had long since stopped crying.
Such a tiny thing, yet so full of cunning.
Lu Yuan Ze walked beside her. It had been a long time since he had known peace. Ever since their separation, the household had been nothing but quarrels and endless disputes.
Once devoted solely to his official duties, he now found himself entangled in trivial domestic affairs.
“Shi Yun, you were always the best. You kept the house in perfect order. She is nothing compared to you.” He stole a glance at Madam Xu, hoping for a reaction.
She chuckled lightly. “Is that so?”
“Lu Yuan Ze, you were the one who struck our names from the family registry. You sought this outcome yourself.”
Lu Yuan Ze’s gaze darkened. Madam Xu had loved him for eighteen years—could she really sever all feelings?
Did she still have a place for him in her heart?
Of course, she had given birth to three sons and a daughter. No other man would accept her now.
Their children still had their father—wasn’t that ultimately for the best?
A surge of smug satisfaction rose in Lu Yuan Ze’s heart.
But just as they reached the doorstep, that fleeting joy was shattered.