Chapter 225: Falling Apart
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Jing Yao, you’re still young, but one day you’ll have to get married,” Madam Pei said gently, adjusting her daughter’s dress. Her touch was tender, but her voice carried an undercurrent of worry.
“Your only true support will be your brother. It’s important for you to support Jing Huai. No matter how strong a woman becomes, she ultimately needs a man’s backing,” she continued, her eyes reflecting both fear and concern. She knew her daughter was exceptionally intelligent and strong, even at just two years old. Sometimes, she noticed Jing Yao’s barely hidden contempt for her brother.
“Mother, if I don’t support my brother, then who will I support? If he thrives, our whole family thrives,” Jing Yao replied sweetly, though a flash of disgust crossed her eyes before she took her mother’s hand.
Madam Pei massaged her temples as a headache began to form. “Your father’s feelings toward me won’t change your legitimacy. You are a rightful daughter of the Lu family. Go rest now; I’ll stay with your brother.”
Jing Yao obediently walked away, her innocent expression darkening once she was out of sight.
Once alone, Madam Pei sent the maids away and closed the door. Her eyes reddened as she began to apply medicine to Lu Jing Huai’s injuries.
“Huai, what happened? You promised you’d stay away from those men! How did you get caught by Jin Niang?” she asked, her hands trembling with disappointment and worry. She had invested so much into Jing Huai’s future.
Lu Jing Huai’s face was somber, unable to explain how he had been outwitted by the Saintess of Jing Li and how his scheme to frame Lu Yan Shu had disastrously backfired. He gripped the bed sheets, his face etched with humiliation.
“I’ve arranged for someone to bring Jin Niang here. Don’t worry,” Madam Pei sighed deeply, holding back her frustration. “Why didn’t you destroy Lu Yan Shu’s manuscripts?” she pressed, her voice tinged with irritation.
She knew her son’s capabilities well. Lu Yuan Ze had once tried to use Madam Xu’s dowry to his advantage but gave up when Lu Yan Shu’s talents became undeniable. Since then, Madam Pei had driven her son to study relentlessly.
Lu Jing Huai wept through his late-night studies but could never surpass Lu Yan Shu, growing more timid and reclusive, constantly overshadowed by his brother.
“If you’re going to plagiarize, at least do it thoroughly. Don’t you realize how high your father’s expectations are?” Madam Pei’s voice was sharp. She had always been aware of Jing Huai’s copying. After an accident involving Lu Yan Shu, she discovered numerous articles in Jing Huai’s room that weren’t his own.
Yet, when he passed the royal exams, Lu Yuan Ze’s hopes soared again, and she had even helped cover up the deception.
“Why should I burn the manuscripts?” Jing Huai replied coldly. “Mother, you pushed me to outdo Lu Yan Shu from childhood. When I couldn’t, you forced me to kneel in the snow to memorize texts.”
“When Father praised Lu Yan Shu, you pinched me until I bruised.”
“You blamed me for Father’s absence.”
“I became merely a shadow to Lu Yan Shu’s brilliance. Father would shake his head in disappointment at me, and you would scold and hit me, calling me foolish!”
“I ended Lu Yan Shu’s future and claimed his work, and suddenly, I was seen as a genius.”
“I live in constant fear of being exposed. I pretend arrogance and avoid discussing academics. I can’t let the truth be known! And you, Mother, you bask in the fantasy that your son is a genius.”
“I can’t disappoint Father. I can’t fail you. How could I dare destroy the manuscripts?” Jing Huai’s face was blank, devoid of emotion. “Father never believed in me; he always saw Lu Yan Shu’s talent!”
“I was always less than Lu Yan Shu. He was the legitimate son, and I was nothing but a parasite, thriving off his success.”
“Why doesn’t Lu Yan Shu just disappear? Why does he always recover?”
“Mother, it seems like fate always favors him. He always finds help in his darkest moments. Why?” Jing Huai’s voice was filled with resentment.
Everything had been under control for eighteen years. Why had it all crumbled overnight?
Madam Pei’s face went white, her fists clenched tightly.
“Mother, this shouldn’t be our life,” Jing Huai muttered, his gaze distant. “Where did we go wrong?”
“Ever since Lu Chao Chao was born, everything changed,” Madam Pei whispered, her tone heavy with suspicion. “Before Chao Chao’s birth, your father cared for us, you were celebrated as a genius, Lu Yan Shu was disabled, Lu Yuan Xiao was lost to gambling, and Lu Zheng Yue was infatuated with Su Zhi Qing. We had control over them all.”
“Yes, it’s Lu Chao Chao.”
“Lu Chao Chao is the unexpected factor.” They looked at each other, their eyes reflecting a fierce resolve.
A knock at the door interrupted their grim contemplation.
A disheveled monk, his robes askew and belt undone, pushed the door open.
“What are you doing here?” Madam Pei gasped, quickly shutting the door behind him.
The monk rubbed his bald head. “My son was hurt. Can’t a father visit his son? It’s a father’s duty, after all. Lu Yuan Ze is heartless!”
Lu Jing Huai’s face darkened.
“Leave!” he spat, his eyes showing pure loathing.
“How can you speak to your father like that? I am your father!” the bald man retorted angrily.
“If it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be enjoying life in the Lu family! Ungrateful child! Do you think you’re Lu Yuan Ze’s son?”
The man slumped in a chair, causing Madam Pei’s eye to twitch.
“I wish I were Lu Yuan Ze’s son. At least his sons have talent!” Jing Huai sneered.
“You insolent boy!” The bald man stood, infuriated.
Madam Pei restrained him, her expression furious. “Enough of your nonsense, or I’ll throw you out myself!”
The man reluctantly sat back down, subdued by her anger.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“You’ve lost your mind bringing him here! Caught by Grandmother? You must be out of your senses!” Jing Huai accused, his expression menacing.
Humiliated, Madam Pei dragged the bald man out.
“Why are you pushing me?”
“Can’t I even see my own son?”
Jing Huai’s expression was sinister. Why? Ever since Lu Chao Chao’s arrival, everything had fallen apart.
Lu Chao Chao must be eliminated.
She must be stopped!