Chapter 35: Stealing Elder Brother’s Articles
The novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Is this what you came here for today? To suggest that Yan Shu should stand as a witness?” Madam Xu confronted the man before her, her voice trembling with rage. “You want him to appear, even though he’s been publicly humiliated by a marriage rejection and scorned by society? You’re only making things worse for Yan Shu!” Her eyes burned with fury.
Lu Yuan Ze, in an attempt to soothe her, replied, “My dear, considering Yan Shu’s condition, enduring a few insults should be the least of our worries. After all, he won’t suffer any physical harm if he stays indoors.” His dismissive attempt at consolation brought Madam Xu to tears. “As for Lu Jing Huai, I’ve met the young man. At just seventeen, he secured one of the top three positions in the national scholarly exams. He’s destined for greatness. Why not establish a favorable connection with him? Some even say he’s the new Yan Shu, with literary skills and writings rivaling our son’s!” Lu Yuan Ze spoke with enthusiasm, revitalized by the prospect.
Madam Xu’s voice trembled with emotion, “I won’t let anyone use my son as a stepping stone to further their own reputation!” This was more than just a testimony; it was about positioning Yan Shu as a mere rung on the ladder for Lu Jing Huai’s ascent to fame.
“Even with Yan Shu’s paralysis, I refuse to let him be demeaned! As for Lu Jing Huai, there were rumors of his involvement with Jiang Yun Jin even before their engagement was officially terminated. Who’s to say there wasn’t something illicit going on? A so-called prodigy achieving high scholarly honors? He’s just a cunning seducer! And you expect my son to support him? In your dreams!” Madam Xu clenched her teeth in indignation.
In a sudden outburst of anger, Lu Yuan Ze struck Madam Xu across the face, his expression a mix of fury and barely contained rage. “How dare you speak such nonsense!”
With calm born of deep-seated resentment, Madam Xu gently dabbed at the blood trickling from the corner of her mouth, her eyes alight with loathing. “You’ve truly lost your mind!”
“What has happened to you, my wife? You used to be so magnanimous, a woman of great virtue and generosity. And now, this?” After rebuking her, he left the room in a huff.
Deng Zhi entered hastily, noticing the lady’s bruised cheek and the blood at her mouth, tears starting to stream down her face. “How could our lord resort to violence against the lady?” In concern, Deng Zhi ordered a servant to fetch hot water to soothe the swelling.
Madam Xu sat stoically, allowing the maids to fuss over her without a word. In the corner, unnoticed, Lu Chao Chao sat rigidly on the sofa, her beloved apples forgotten and scattered on the floor.
“Him a genius? He’s merely climbing the ladder of fame by plagiarizing her elder brother’s scholarly works! Now, he not only pilfers from my brother, but as the female lead matures, he’ll even have access to a treasury of poetry and essays spanning two thousand years to bolster his own reputation.”
Despite the festive lights illuminating the streets outside, the atmosphere within the house was starkly different, charged with Madam Xu’s animosity. “Investigate the articles that brought Lu Jing Huai notoriety. I want to see his earlier works as well.” She dispatched a handful of reliable guards for the task, the same ones she trusted implicitly for sensitive probes since being sent over from the Xu household by her brothers.
After leaving, Lu Yuan Ze didn’t return for half a month, seemingly using his absence as a tactic to coerce Madam Xu into submission. Moreover, the young Lu Wan Yi had the audacity to send a letter rebuking her, suggesting, “A man only resorts to violence against a woman if provoked; the fault must lie with the woman. Sister-in-law, you should reflect on your missteps. It’s beneath a woman to resist submitting to a man.”
“How outrageous! After everything the lady has done for her over the years, treating her no differently than her own child, and yet she repays that kindness with betrayal and ingratitude!” Deng Zhi fumed after reading the letter.
Madam Xu responded with a knowing smile, “Is my mother-in-law aware of this letter?”
Still seething, Deng Zhi replied, “Of course, the old madam was the first to be notified. She, too, wants you to ponder over your supposed faults.”
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao perched on the bed, her eyes twinkling with mischief, gleefully anticipating familial discord. “Auntie’s going to get a beating… Let the beatings begin…” she chanted in her baby babble, clapping her little hands with infectious enthusiasm.
Madam Xu chuckled as she gently squeezed her daughter’s plump cheeks, finding amusement in the child’s anticipation of the drama. Indeed, she was curious about the impending events as well.
“I really wish for some mashed meat tonight… If I could have that, I’d be the happiest child alive… Mashed meat, mashed meat, mashed meat…” Lu Chao Chao continued, her adorable grin melting Madam Xu’s heart.
“Since today is August 15th, let’s prepare mashed meat for Chao Chao, along with some easy-to-digest snacks.” Madam Xu felt warmth spread through her, her resolve softened by her daughter’s joy. Were it not for Chao Chao’s presence, she might have faced a bleak path.
She decided to pursue a divorce, wanting to start anew with her four children. It was daunting, but with her sons and daughter by her side, she felt hope.
“Mama is the best,” Lu Chao Chao embraced her warmly, planting a loving kiss on her cheek.
“How splendid it would be to go outside and bask in the moon’s glow tonight…” Lu Chao Chao thought, longing for the simple pleasure of moon gazing.
Madam Xu, however, ignored her silent wish.
“The kitchen staff have been baking mooncakes since dawn in anticipation of tonight’s moon viewing. You all have heard rumors of an outdoor gathering where the city’s most talented and beautiful showcase their gifts. In the past, the grand princess organized a magnificent celebration. This year, given her delicate condition, she’s understandably cautious about hosting a large gathering. Nonetheless, tonight, we’ll decorate our pond with lanterns, prepare food, and distribute moon festival bonuses.” Madam Xu’s announcement brought joy to her head maid.
Turning to Chao Chao, Madam Xu said, “Having you is my greatest joy. Let’s take ten thousand taels of silver and donate it to disaster relief. The floods in Linluo have displaced many, creating a refugee crisis. It’s our way of spreading kindness.”
“Your generosity knows no bounds,” Deng Zhi replied with a deep bow, committing to oversee the donation.
On this day, the curfew was suspended, and the streets were adorned with red lanterns.
“Madam, the plight of the refugees is heart-wrenching. They’ve settled in a village fifty miles from the city. Out of gratitude for the young miss’s generosity, they’ve named their new home Chao Chao Village,” Deng Zhu reported.
Madam Xu acknowledged this with a nod, while Lu Chao Chao, indulging in red bean mooncake, radiated joy.
She felt an unusual surge of warm, golden energy throughout the day. The act of kindness toward the refugees acted as karma, sending the baby girl waves of energy for the good deed, which she transformed into spiritual energy.
In light of the good news, Deng Zhi brought another report that dampened the mood. “Madam, the Marquis hasn’t returned yet. Furthermore, the old madam has left under the guise of offering prayers at the temple,” she reported, her voice cautious. This prompted the maids to bow their heads, bracing for Madam Xu’s reaction, fearing the absence of the Marquis might spark her anger.
The Marquis had been absent for ten days, yet Madam Xu revealed nothing of her inner thoughts. To an onlooker, her calmness might suggest introspection or remorse. However, the reality was starkly different. If Lu Yuan Ze thought staying away would pressure her into submission, he was mistaken.
“Let him be. If he doesn’t return, we’ll embrace the peace and quiet of the holiday,” Madam Xu responded with serene indifference. She knew it was the Mid-Autumn Festival, traditionally a time for families to unite. Pei Jiao Jiao, with her manipulations, would ensure Lu Yuan Ze remained by her side. His absence, intended to humble Madam Xu and force her acknowledgment of her supposed faults, was a ploy she saw through.
Deng Zhi’s emotions surged, tears brimming in her eyes out of sympathy for Madam Xu. Here was the lady of the house, the rightful wife welcomed with grandeur, now subjected to the indignity of her husband spending the festival with a concubine. Such disregard for her position was deeply troubling.
“Deng Zhi, you must realize, I no longer yearn for his love or truth,” Madam Xu spoke gently, comforting her head maid on the brink of tears. Her resolve was clear. She aimed to secure a future where she and her children could leave with dignity. The more Lu Yuan Ze indulged in his arrogance, the smoother her path to free herself from his grasp and push him toward his downfall.