Chapter 240: The Hot-Tempered Little Pepper
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
Zhou Shu Yao had never met Lu Yan Shu before.
However, through Jiang Yun Jin, she had heard his name.
She and Jiang Yun Jin had never gotten along since childhood.
Jiang Yun Jin’s family background was not high, yet she always carried herself with an air of superiority, as though she was untouchable. And because she was betrothed to a young prodigy, she held her head even higher with pride.
As for Zhou Shu Yao…
Though she came from a prestigious family, her personality was straightforward, her household simple, and she disliked unnecessary formalities. She did as she pleased.
She was far from what noble families considered an ideal wife.
Thus, at seventeen, she remained unmarried.
Two years ago, Jiang Yun Jin had even mocked her, calling her an old spinster who couldn’t find a husband.
“Chao Chao, your brother is already extremely intelligent. You shouldn’t be too critical of his appearance…”
“He’s maxed out his intelligence stat. Even if he’s plain-looking, it doesn’t matter…” Zhou Shu Yao whispered.
Lu Chao Chao pouted. “My brother is not ugly!”
As they spoke, the carriage came to a halt before them.
A slender, fair hand, its long fingers distinct and elegant, lifted the curtain.
The young man’s brows and eyes were as clear and cold as a painting, like stars in the night sky—pure, untouched by any blemish. His features were sharply defined, his demeanor refined and graceful.
Dressed in azure robes, his figure was tall and poised.
Zhou Shu Yao clutched her chest and staggered back a step.
Holy heavens!!
Lu Chao Chao’s elder brother was incredibly handsome!!!
Jiang Yun Jin must have lost her mind. She must be insane!
With looks like that, even if he were paralyzed, he’d still be worth spending a lifetime with!
Moreover, he had saved her life!
“I apologize! Your brother’s beauty alone is enough to support ten Plain Cloud Halls!” Zhou Shu Yao solemnly declared to Lu Chao Chao.
Lu Yan Shu nearly slipped.
He almost tumbled out of the carriage.
That was supposed to be a compliment??
“Big brother, hug, hug!” Lu Chao Chao threw herself into his arms. “Big brother, the Full Duck Feast at Plain Cloud Hall was so delicious. You should try it next time!”
Zhou Shu Yao screamed internally.
[I want to pounce on him too!]
She watched Lu Chao Chao with envy…
“Why next time?” Lu Yan Shu asked casually.
“Because I’m already full this time.”
[And next time, when big brother eats, I can tag along for another feast…]
Lu Yan Shu let out a deep sigh. His little sister’s brilliance was entirely dedicated to food.
“Miss Zhou…” Lu Yan Shu nodded at Zhou Shu Yao.
She was surprised. She had never interacted with him directly before.
“You fought with Jiang Yun Jin because of me. I was there. Thank you, Miss Zhou, for speaking up on my behalf.” Lu Yan Shu expressed his gratitude sincerely.
Zhou Shu Yao’s face flushed.
“N-no need to thank me. Jiang Yun Jin was the one who acted inhumanely.”
“You saved her from drowning, yet she hid away in fear of being scolded. How dare she look down on you? She deserved to be beaten!”
“Anyone could wrong you, but she absolutely could not!”
Zhou Shu Yao had once fought Jiang Yun Jin.
Back then, she had mischievously fallen into the water, and Lu Yan Shu had risked his life to save her. Jiang Yun Jin, afraid of being reprimanded, had hidden herself away.
As a result, Lu Yan Shu remained underwater for too long.
When he woke, he was paralyzed. The world mourned the fall of a prodigy, and many criticized Jiang Yun Jin.
As a child, Jiang Yun Jin had felt guilt.
But as she grew older, resentment took root instead. She blamed Lu Yan Shu for not dying, for forcing her to bear eternal reproach and guilt because of his condition.
On her twelfth birthday, Lu Yan Shu left his room for the first time in four years, seated in a wheelchair.
The once radiant genius had been cast down to earth, his frame frail, his brilliance dulled like dust-covered stars.
The moment he appeared, Jiang Yun Jin’s smile froze.
She was caught in an awkward dilemma, not knowing how to react.
Throughout the celebration, she avoided him, though her eyes occasionally betrayed undisguised disgust.
The weight of everyone’s sympathetic gazes suffocated him, so he escaped to the woods, dazed.
Until he overheard an argument between Jiang Yun Jin and her mother.
“Stop showing that face to a cripple! If people see it, they’ll talk!” Madam Jiang hissed.
Jiang Yun Jin protested, her voice filled with resentment. “What more does he want? Yes, he saved me, and I already kowtowed to thank him! Does this mean I’m bound to him for life?”
“Mother, just looking at that cripple disgusts me.”
“Mother, let me break off the engagement. I will never marry a cripple! My whole life would be ruined! Please, help me!” Jiang Yun Jin clutched her mother’s arm, weeping.
“I wish I could, but your father won’t agree.”
“Marquis Zhongyong and our family’s old master had a life-or-death bond. Back then, the old master admired Lu Yan Shu’s talent and secured this engagement based on their friendship.”
“Now, Lu Yan Shu is paralyzed because he saved you. If we annul the engagement, what will happen to our family’s reputation?”
“Your future marriage prospects would be even harder to secure.”
Jiang Yun Jin’s eyes were red with tears. “Reputation, reputation! Am I supposed to suffer a lifetime with a cripple just for reputation?”
“Mother, have you seen what he’s become? Where is the proud young genius he once was? Everyone is laughing at me!”
“Just looking at him makes me sick.”
A heavy silence followed.
Lu Yan Shu felt his blood freeze, his whole body trembling in a cold so deep it numbed his pain.
Yet he had no time to wallow in sorrow.
Out of nowhere, a fiery tempest stormed in—a girl in a blazing red dress, unfazed as she launched her assault.
“You heartless wretch, I’ll beat you to death!”
“You disgust me!”
Like a streak of fire, she charged forward and slapped Jiang Yun Jin across the face, sending her mother tumbling into the grass with a swift kick.
She grabbed a handful of dirt and stuffed it into Madam Jiang’s mouth.
“The rotten tree breeds twisted roots! Bah! Not a single one of you is decent! I thought you only loved to act superior and bask in vanity, but turns out you’re just a soulless, shameless beast!”
“Who could be more disgusting than you?!”
“If you’re so eager to repay him, why don’t you just die? You wail about returning his life and feeling guilty, yet you haven’t hung yourself or swallowed poison! What are you even yapping about? What an act!”
“A wretch like you wasn’t worth saving! Drowning you would have been a blessing to the world!”
Another slap landed, leaving Jiang Yun Jin’s face swollen.
“Aaaah!!” Madam Jiang shrieked.
“Help! Someone stop them!”
Jiang Yun Jin recovered quickly and engaged in a vicious scuffle with Zhou Shu Yao.
By the end of it, Zhou Shu Yao had yanked out a chunk of Jiang Yun Jin’s hair.
Jiang Yun Jin howled in anguish.
“Shameless tramp! You dare mock someone for being paralyzed? You’re not even worthy of a beggar on the streets!” Zhou Shu Yao cursed.
“If you want a cripple so much, take him! It’s easy to talk when you’re not the one suffering!” Jiang Yun Jin shrieked, sobbing.
From then on, the Zhou and Jiang families became bitter enemies, opposing each other in court.
Because of that fight, Zhou Shu Yao earned the nickname ‘Hot-Tempered Little Pepper.’
It stuck with her, making marriage prospects difficult to this day.
After all, what respectable noble lady rolls up her sleeves and brawls in public?
At the apothecary’s entrance, Jiang Yun Jin stepped down from her carriage, her gaze landing on Lu Yan Shu and Zhou Shu Yao standing together—her eyes seething with venom.
“Years ago, Zhou Shu Yao had a terrifying fall into the water”
This should be Jiang Yun Jin.