“Chapter 77: Favoring the Concubine, Destroying the Wife”

"Chapter 77: Favoring the Concubine, Destroying the Wife"

"'The mistake was made by my family's crown prince, but it was a foolish act from seven years ago. He was just a child, not understanding the gravity of things, leading to this grave error.'"

"'Arranged marriages are not taken lightly, so we ask for the Lin family's understanding and tolerance.'"

"The speaker was the head of the Lu family and also the Wuding Marquis's own uncle."

"Although he didn’t hold an important official position, he was a respected figure within the Lu family."

"Other members of the Lu family also spoke up, 'We admit our mistake and are willing to accept any punishment. The Lin family may decide, and the crown prince will not haggle.'"

"Linyun Yi couldn’t hold back any longer, angrily standing up and bowing, 'Had my father known of the Lu family’s true nature, he would never have agreed to my sister marrying into it!'"

"'To have a bastard son before officially marrying — that's deceitful marriage on your part!'"

"This accusation, coming from a seemingly insignificant figure, visibly upset the Lu family elders."

"The Lin family patriarch pretended to be slightly angry, scolding, 'Sit down, Yi.'"

"Linyun Yi sat down abruptly, grabbing his mother’s sweating hand."

"The Lin family patriarch slowly said, 'Though Yi’s words may be brash, they are true. The Lu family deceived us in the marriage, and the crown prince has humiliated our daughter for a concubine. Continuing this relationship would only breed enmity.'"

"The implication of seeking a divorce was clear."

"Madam Lu felt dizzy, as if about to faint."

"Nanny Yan quickly called out, 'Old madam!' and revived her by pinching her philtrum."

"The Lin family members were also nervous; securing an amicable divorce was important, but they couldn't afford to upset the old madam too much. If the word 'filial' was brought up, it would tarnish the Lin family’s reputation, and Linyun Wan would fare poorly."

"The Lin family patriarch also suggested, 'If the old madam feels unwell, please rest. The Marquis’s wife and your Lu family members are here; you needn't worry too much about your grandchildren’s affairs.'"

"Tears came readily to Madam Lu's eyes, 'How can I not worry?'"

"'Zhengliu is foolish, and if you say it's deceitful marriage, we, the Lu family, can accept that. But to end a marriage over a mere concubine... It’s said better to dismantle a temple than a marriage. How is it that in your Lin family, it’s the other way around...'"

"Madame Lin, usually gentle, trembled with anger, her tone icy, 'Is it really about a concubine! Was my daughter treated this way over a concubine!'"

"Linyun Wan clutched her handkerchief, too far from her mother to do anything but watch."

"Linyun Yi patted Madame Lin’s hand gently."

"Madame Lin wanted to continue, but she was too out of breath to speak."

"Linyun Yi stood up again, bowing and saying, 'My elder sister has been well-educated in poetry and literature, personally taught by our father, proficient in 'Instructions for Women' and 'Admonitions for Women'. She has always adhered to etiquette, never once stepping out of line.'"

"'Anyone who has met my sister can attest to her kindness. Gentle and wise, resilient and open-minded, she is a model wife in any household.'"

"'If the old madam wishes to suggest my sister’s jealousy as the reason for not tolerating the concubine and the crown prince’s foolish actions, then I must respectfully disagree.'"

"Madam Lu was taken aback, never expecting such eloquence from a twelve-year-old boy!"

"Linyun Yi stood tall, facing the Lu family elders with a serious expression, 'In our dynasty, it’s not unusual for men to take concubines, but it has always been the norm to marry a wife before taking a concubine. I’ve never heard of a family that takes a concubine before marrying a wife!'"

"'Even if the crown prince foolishly took a concubine first, the Lu family allowed the concubine to masquerade as a relative of the old madam, deceptively keeping her in the mansion.'"

"'And this concubine’s son was secretly adopted under my sister’s name.'"

"From a concubine to a cousin, from a bastard to a legitimate heir. I want to ask the Lu family, what exactly are you plotting?"

"For a concubine and a bastard, the Lu family schemes against my elder sister to this extent—doesn’t this amount to favoring a concubine over a wife? This is indeed favoring a concubine over a wife!"

The members of the Lu family lowered their heads.

Everyone was well aware that if not for their plans involving that concubine, Lu Zhengliu and the elder Lady Lu wouldn't have deceived the lady of the house to such an extent.

Thinking deeper… it could lead to bloodshed.

The phrase 'favoring a concubine over a wife' was not an overstatement.

Yet, the Lu family could not bear such a grave accusation.

The elder Lady Lu looked at the Lu family elders; not one of them had the words to rebut, nor did they dare to meet her gaze.

The heir had not informed them about this matter beforehand!

Now, expecting their support, they genuinely didn’t know how to approach the Lin family.

Wei Shi was already frightened out of her wits, taking a long time to grasp the reasoning behind Lin Yunyi's words.

Clutching Lu Zhengliu’s arm, she asked in a low voice, “Did you, did you really consider harming Yunwan?”

Lu Zhengliu pursed his lips, clenched his fist, and said, “No.”

He had never thought of harming her.

The head of the Lin family stood up and said, “Given the circumstances, I think it's best for our families to… separate amicably.”

Wei Shi panicked.

She urged Lu Zhengliu, "Son, say something! Speak up, quick!"

How could they separate?

The Marquis of Wuding cannot be without Lin Yunwan as its mistress!

Lu Zhengliu stood up, walked to Lin Yunwan, looked into her eyes, and swore solemnly to the heavens, “On the honor and glory of the Lu family, I, Lu Zhengliu, swear I have never thought of harming my wife, never. If there is a single false word in what I say, may I be struck by lightning and meet a terrible end.”

He spoke without a hint of guilt.

Because this was always his belief.

Lin Yunwan’s face remained cold, not looking at him.

Members of the Lu family quickly interjected, “Even if the heir is foolish, he wouldn’t be so unprincipled as to harm his wife.”

“He has staked his life and the future of our Lu family on this; I believe the heir’s words are true.”

“The heir simply acted foolishly and dared not tell you, his wife’s niece, thus resorting to such a desperate measure.”

“This still shows he values you, his wife’s niece; otherwise, he wouldn’t have taken such a step.”

“Ultimately, it’s all a misunderstanding.”

The elder Lady Lu, in tears, said, “Old Marquis, I am sorry. I failed to teach my grandson well and couldn’t protect my granddaughter-in-law. I truly have let down your life-saving grace to the Lin family in the past!”

Lin Yunyi gave a cold laugh.

So now the old Marquis’s favor is brought up?

He presented five ginseng roots, saying, “These are the five ginseng roots the old Marquis once lent to our Lin family. Although they did not save my father, our family has always been grateful.”

“Since the elder Lady Lu wishes to repay kindness with kindness, I am here to repay the Lu family's favor on behalf of my father.”

“The elder Lady Lu shouldn't trouble my elder sister any longer. I am the legitimate heir of the Lin family; it's my duty to repay our family's debt of gratitude. This has nothing to do with my sister!”

With such resolve from Lin Yunyi, the members of the Lin family were ready to support him.

The Lin family head said, “These are century-old ginseng roots, but didn’t the old Marquis lend ten-year-old ginseng to our family back then?”

Lin Yunyi replied with a bow, “The Lu family's kindness, my Lin family can repay tenfold. But my elder sister—she must return home.”

The elder Lady Lu’s face stiffened.

How could Lin Yunyi be so thoroughly considerate! He had thought of everything!