Chapter 39: The Drama Unfolds
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“Hey, hey, Jing Huai, I was just kidding!”
Jing Huai’s friends, Zhou Lin and Wang Yue Chuan, hurried to catch up with him as they briskly walked from behind.
“Jing Huai, I’ve heard an interesting rumor. Did your servant really try to harm that disabled guy? It’s got to be a misunderstanding, right?” Wang Yue Chuan asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
He knew Jing Huai, renowned for his intelligence, couldn’t stand being compared to Lu Yan Shu. Their rivalry was so fierce that when Jing Huai’s essay was mistakenly credited to Lu Yan Shu during the exams, it greatly bothered him.
“Hopefully, this doesn’t cause you any problems, Jing Huai. You have your exams in six months, and the dean expects great things from you,” Zhou Lin added, his modest background not stopping him from carrying himself with dignity.
Lu Jing Huai, respected for his disregard for social hierarchy, had earned the esteem and admiration of those from lower classes.
The trio headed to a teahouse and picked a spot on the second floor overlooking the busy streets.
Nearby, they overheard someone complaining, “Darn it, someone released a Buddha lantern last night, and I was praying on my knees for hours… If I find out who did it, they’ll regret it!”
“My forehead’s bruised from bowing, tricked into thinking it was a sign from the gods!”
“I wonder who did it.”
“Did you hear about the fire at Marquis Zhongyong’s place last night? It was huge. I hope everyone’s okay.”
The conversation continued, causing Lu Jing Huai to appear frustrated as he sat there in silence, a rare display of emotion on his usually calm face.
Unable to contain his laughter, Zhou Lin said, “Last night was crazy. The whole city was in chaos, trying to find out who released the lantern.”
Lu Jing Huai recalled how his mother had made him pray all night for academic success. What an embarrassment.
Feeling uneasy, Lu Jing Huai soon found a reason to leave.
After he left, Wang Yue Chuan teased, “Why pretend? Isn’t it obvious that taking Lu Yan Shu’s intended would cause bad blood?”
Zhou Lin, surprised, inquired, “What happened?”
“Lu Yan Shu’s fiancée made him disabled while trying to save her from drowning. Now, Lu Jing Huai is engaged to that same girl.”
Zhou Lin was astonished. “So, she left Lu Yan Shu, who suffered so much for her, for Jing Huai?” He found it unbelievable.
“Yet, society praises them as a perfect match, both accomplished and good-looking,” Wang Yue Chuan remarked disdainfully. “Now that Lu Yan Shu is disabled, who will defend him? Who dares to challenge the top student of Tianhong Academy, a prodigy destined for greatness? It’s obvious they’d rather praise him.”
Zhou Lin’s face fell, his admiration for Lu Jing Huai diminishing. “Brother Jing Huai is making a mistake. He’s always been above such petty concerns, never looking down on those less fortunate. It’s surprising to see him act this way now, especially when he’s been so open to sharing his knowledge, even distributing his annotated books to help others.”
These acts of kindness were truly commendable.
“Oh, when will I achieve such a level of understanding? Brother Jing Huai was just a regular kid until he turned ten. Then, all of a sudden, he changed, his writings coming to life and earning widespread praise.” Zhou Lin’s envy was evident.
“The Lu clan really does seem to produce geniuses one after another,” Zhou Lin noted, unaware of Wang Yue Chuan’s thoughtful gaze.
The scene then shifted to the Marquis’s estate, filled with tension.
“Why are you involving the authorities again? As the lady of this house, your constant interference outside doesn’t reflect well on us! Yan Shu and Chao Chao are fine! You need to withdraw your complaint at once!” The elderly lady’s irritation was clear, her tone sharp.
Despite the seriousness of the fire the night before, it was fortunate that no one was injured.
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
Madam Xu replied with a cool demeanor, “Mother-in-law, your view is quite interesting. Our home was nearly destroyed, putting my children at risk, and you think I shouldn’t seek justice? Or are you implying you had a role in the fire?” Her suggestion visibly shocked the elderly lady.
At that moment, Lu Yuan Ze entered the room, shocked by the accusation. “My dear, how can you say such things? Yan Shu and Chao Chao are part of our family. How could you suspect my mother? You’re hurting her deeply. You need to apologize to Mother right away!” he insisted.
Madam Xu responded calmly, “We should stick to the facts.”
Her stance only angered Lu Yuan Ze more.
The elderly lady was left speechless, never expecting Madam Xu to be so bold and resolute!
“Yan Shu and Chao Chao were almost victims of arson, and you think I shouldn’t report it? Aren’t they part of the Marquis’s family? Tell me, my lord, shouldn’t I seek justice for them?” Madam Xu argued, her smirk showing her confidence.
Lu Yuan Ze was visibly worried as he defended his position, “Why wouldn’t I want to report it? It’s the correct action to take. But having Lu Jing Huai’s servant arrested seems a bit far-fetched. I know the children are everything to you, but accusing someone without proof isn’t right.” He sighed deeply, his concern apparent.
Madam Xu watched him, a smirk on her face. “Interestingly, the servant’s link to Lu Jing Huai comes through his mother’s second uncle’s son, who happens to be Lu Jing Huai’s academic mentor.”
This convoluted connection, which might have gone unnoticed if not for the incident with Chao Chao, was now under scrutiny.
Lu Yuan Ze was stunned, trying to make sense of the tangled relationships.
“How could this be?” He was truly puzzled, not expecting such a connection to Lu Jing Huai, who had secretly built his reputation on the plagiarized works of his stepbrother, tarnishing his own achievements.
The man had thought his efforts against Lu Chao Chao were simply clearing the way for Jing Yao to come live inside the Marquis Mansion.
“Before, Husband, you praised him for his honesty, even suggesting Yan Shu could vouch for his character. Is this the integrity we’re talking about?” Madam Xu’s tone dripped with disdain.
“There are rumors of his questionable background, always only seen with his mother. Maybe he’s the illegitimate child of some high-ranking official.” Madam Xu’s disdain was clear, her scorn growing with Lu Yuan Ze’s discomfort. “Which noble official was tricked into fathering such a disgrace?”
“Enough!” Lu Yuan Ze snapped, his frustration peaking. “My wife, we have no solid proof against the scholar. We must not accuse someone without evidence.” His voice showed his distress, his hands clenched in frustration.
Faced with Madam Xu’s anger, he couldn’t persuade her and quickly left the room.
Madam Xu’s cold gaze followed him. “A tiger doesn’t eat its young, yet he’s shown he’s less than that. To what kind of man am I married!” She was so upset she bit her lip until it bled.
[So, the cunning father seeks connections to protect Lu Jing Huai again… He’s notably close to Lord Chen, the Minister of Rites. Without such backing, how could Lu Jing Huai hide his deceit for so long?]
Madam Xu was furious, shaking with anger as she personally knew of the Minister of Rites. The official was a powerful ally of the Xu house whom her own father elevated during his younger years!
Later in the day, after the quarrel with her husband, Deng Zhi approached Madam Xu with news. “Madam, the servant confessed to everything and has been arrested, but Lu Jing Huai…” Deng Zhi was close to tears. “It’s said he had a strong supporter. Should we ask your father for help?”
Madam Xu motioned for her to come closer, sharing her strategy quietly, and Deng Zhi’s face lit up with understanding and respect.
“Madam, your insight is unmatched!” Energized, the head maid quickly left to carry out their plan.