Chapter 41: Fainting from Fury
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation.
“A misunderstanding? The house she lives in is under my husband’s name.”
“That illegitimate child of hers, Lu Jing Huai, was recommended by my husband to join Soaring Elegance Academy.”
“And just recently, when her servant boy burned down Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor and attempted to harm the Lu family’s eldest son, it was my husband who saved him.”
“The Marquis Lu is truly generous, allowing outsiders to plot against his son while protecting the murderer.” Madam Qin let out a light sneer.
“Do you believe it when they say there’s nothing going on?”
“That shameless woman! She’s spread her legs so many times; who knows how many benefits her son has gained!”
These words struck a nerve, causing Lu Jing Huai’s temples to throb as if he were a trapped young beast.
“Madam! Madam! Madam!” A panicked voice called out from the crowd.
Official Chen rushed over, his official hat barely hanging on, his movements hurried and flustered.
“Everyone, disperse! Disperse! This is all a misunderstanding!” Official Chen, now forty-three, already had a beard streaked with white.
He hurriedly ordered the servants to clear the area, driving everyone away. Yet, even as the crowd stepped back, their gazes remained mocking and entertained.
“Official Chen still has so much energy,” someone even shouted with ridicule.
Lu Yuan Ze’s breathing grew heavier with anger.
Official Chen quickly approached, trying to pacify his furious wife. “Madam, it’s all a misunderstanding. I have no connection to Madam Pei!” He glanced at Lu Yuan Ze, a deep resentment flashing in his eyes.
“No connection? The house is under your name. You vouched for her son, didn’t you? Chen You Liang, I must have truly misjudged you!”
“You dare fool around behind my back? Not only that, you even have a bastard child!”
“Having a bastard child is one thing, but letting him thrive in the capital? That’s a slap to my face!” Madam Qin was so enraged that she lunged forward, scratching at his face.
Official Chen covered his face, repeatedly begging for mercy. Everyone knew Madam Qin’s fierce reputation.
Years ago, when Official Chen was newly promoted, he went out to drink at a flower house. Madam Qin stormed in with a rolling pin and chased him out of the brothel, leaving him to run naked through the streets. Even the Emperor sidelined him for three years after that incident.
Since then, Official Chen never dared to provoke her again.
Even now, he didn’t dare to fight back. Though his expression showed anger, he restrained himself, trying to coax his wife. “Madam, let’s go home and talk about this, please?”
Madam Qin cast a piercing look at Pei Jiao Jiao. “Go home and kneel for proper reflection.”
Madam Qin was renowned for her tiger-like dominance. Even after decades of marriage, how could she not recognize her husband’s guilt? She suspected he was merely a scapegoat, that this so-called affair was someone else’s scheme. But so what?
[What does it matter if she’s an outsider? Today, I’ll give her a taste of what it feels like to be slapped on behalf of a fellow woman.]
Pulling out two taels of silver, Madam Qin threw it disdainfully in front of Pei Jiao Jiao.
“For someone who dresses so prim and proper, with a son pretending to be the heir of a noble house, where do you get the gall?”
“Someone like you?”
“With the airs of a vixen, spreading your legs for every man. If I see you again, I’ll strip you down next time!”
“Let’s go!”
By now, Madam Qin’s sharp gaze had picked up on some subtle clues. Lu Yuan Ze’s furious expression, the Old Madam’s tears of heartbreak, and the way the servants helped Pei Jiao Jiao to her feet all confirmed her suspicions.
[This fool of a husband likely took the blame for someone else.]
Even if she’d been led into a trap today, so what? As long as she could expose the filth, it was worth it.
Madam Qin sneered as she spoke, “Take it as the old master’s reward for you—a relief for your body. That’s enough. I won’t make things difficult. It’s just a plaything. If you like, a small sedan chair could bring you back to the estate as a concubine. Why stoop to thievery?”
Her words were laced with derision as she cast a fleeting glance at Lu Yuan Ze. Here he was, treating his mistress like the main wife, raising children openly outside the household. Not only were they numerous, but their son’s reputation was excellent.
Just imagining it made her seethe with anger. And when she thought deeper, about how not long ago, Lu Jing Huai’s book boy had hired someone to commit murder… the implications chilled her to the bone.
[Could it be that they were planning to replace the legal wife at any moment?]
Madam Qin’s eyes flickered with disgust before she led her entourage away in grand fashion. Official Chen glanced back at Lu Yuan Ze, then hastily followed Madam Qin with his short, frantic steps. As Madam Qin settled into her sedan, Official Chen, sweating profusely, trailed behind, swinging his old arms and legs with determination.
Once the crowd dispersed, Pei Jiao Jiao covered her face and began to cry softly. “Jing Huai… Jing Huai…” she murmured, her gaze filled with worry as it fell upon Lu Jing Huai.
Lu Jing Huai’s lofty nature had always kept him from revealing his identity in public. Now, being brought low so publicly…
He stood in cold silence, watching Pei Jiao Jiao and Lu Yuan Ze. Even amidst the crowd, he couldn’t bring himself to call his father “Father.”
Pei Jiao Jiao, her hair disheveled from the altercation, clutched her child tightly as grief consumed her. “My Jing Yao, my child…”
Lu Yuan Ze dared not approach. Too many eyes were on them today.
“Madam Pei may need a physician,” he whispered, throwing Pei Jiao Jiao a meaningful look before hastily leaving with the Old Madam, who was reluctant to depart.
“Such wickedness, such wickedness… To harm my grandchildren so cruelly…” the Old Madam muttered tearfully as they left.
Meanwhile, Lu Chao Chao craned her neck, trying to see further into the distance.
[Hit her, hit her! Tear her face apart! Hahaha, good…]
[That’ll teach you all for hurting my mother. You deserve it!]
[That Madam Qin is so kind…]
Lu Chao Chao’s chubby hands clapped enthusiastically until they turned red. Deng Zhi held her as she jumped excitedly in her arms.
Madam Xu’s eyes softened into a faint smile as she stroked Chao Chao’s head, planting a kiss on her cheek. Yet when her gaze landed on Pei Jiao Jiao’s doorway, it turned icy.
[You dared to harm my child? Then don’t blame me for being ruthless.]
Madam Xu was a woman of deep passions, whether love or hatred, but she had her principles. She would never target children, even those born of her enemies. But today—today was different. She no longer needed to hold back.
[Excellent. The main character just got publicly slapped!]
[Hmph, how could she not be a menace? A tiny body housing an adult’s soul.]
[Hehe, now everyone in the capital knows her family’s just a disgraceful mistress… Let’s see how arrogant they can be now! Nyaaah!]
Chao Chao bounced in Deng Zhi’s arms, overjoyed by the drama.
Meanwhile, Madam Xu’s mind turned toward revenge. Though the fire incident had been pinned solely on the book boy, it had allowed her to exact a harsher punishment that would leave them reeling. A small consolation, but one that eased some of her inner turmoil.
[Lu Yuan Ze probably doesn’t even know that Lu Jing Huai’s genius reputation was stolen,] she thought, her brows furrowing slightly. [For now, I’ll hold off from exposing Lu Jing Huai. Only by maintaining his pedestal can I secure a better future for the children.]
Her children were deemed the Marquis’ Manor’s shame. But when the day of divorce came, it would also be their moment to shine.
When Madam Xu returned to the Marquis Zhongyong’s Manor, the household was already in chaos. A physician had been summoned. The Old Madam, overwhelmed by anger, had fainted.