Chapter 235: The Lu Family Truly Abandoned Her?

Chapter 235: The Lu Family Truly Abandoned Her?

"Hmph, what a joke! Would you be willing to let your noble Young Master Zheng marry the daughter of a beggar? That foolish boy insists on it, stubborn as a mule. To prevent him from making a grave mistake, I had no choice but to take matters into my own hands."

Madam Zheng was left speechless by this retort.

To be honest, she truly couldn't accept her son marrying the daughter of a beggar.

But... Jinxiu wasn't just any beggar's daughter.

"Even if she isn't my biological daughter, she is still my adopted child. How dare you insult her by calling her a beggar's daughter?"

"Well then, even if she's your adopted daughter, doesn't that still make her the daughter of a beggar? She is both an adopted daughter of the Zheng family and the daughter of a beggar, correct?"

Madam Zheng was once again at a loss for words.

After a moment, she continued, "Your son Lu Shen has already defiled my daughter. If you dare to break off this engagement, I'll go to the authorities and sue you!"

Madam Lu chuckled. "You should clarify: did my son defile your adopted daughter, or did your adopted daughter seduce my son?"

"What are you saying? You want to turn the world upside down?"

"Why? If such a significant matter truly involved my son defiling your foster daughter, wouldn't you have brought the case to the authorities long ago? Why wait so long to mention it? It's evident that you're only using these baseless accusations to intimidate us, given your desire to call off the engagement with our Lu family."

"Y-Y-You..." Madam Zheng rose impulsively, her hand trembling as she pointed at her.

"Calm yourself, I merely speak in jest," Lady Lu chuckled, her tone light. "How could it be that your adopted daughter seduced my son? Their affection runs deep; even if the heavens fell, it would only be the irresistible passion of betrothed lovers."

Madame Zheng took several deep breaths to compose herself.

"Madam Lu, if you understand, why insist on separating this loving couple?"

"Well, I can empathize with their feelings, but we, the Lus, have our reputation to consider. If Lu Shen were to genuinely marry your ward, people would surely ridicule us to no end."

Madam Zheng retorted, "I've said it—our Zheng family acknowledges her."

"That won't do. When others make fun of the Lus, they won't mention that the Zhengs accepted her. They'll only mock us for marrying the daughter of a beggar."

Madam Zheng: "Are you saying there's no point in further discussion then?"

"Apologies, but our discussion is at an end. A matter of calling off the engagement is no small issue; our Lu family needs to deliberate. However, I promise to return the betrothal documents within three days."

With the negotiation unsuccessful, Madam Zheng left the Lu residence with a darkened expression.

After she had departed, Lu Shen, who had been hiding behind a screen, emerged. "Mother, do you think they'll actually call off the marriage?"

"What's wrong? Do you still believe she's worthy of marrying you?"

"No, didn't we agree that she would be a concubine? I genuinely like her. Mother, I must have her."

"All right, I understand. Don't worry, we'll first intimidate them with the idea of breaking the engagement. Once they realize Zheng Jinxiu can't marry elsewhere, they'll settle for the lesser option and request for her to enter the Lu household as a concubine herself."

"Hmm... really?"

Lady Lu chuckled. "Trust me, child. No one understands these matters better than your mother. This plan has a high chance of success."

Lu Shen felt reassured and a cunning smile spread across his face.

After a moment's thought, he added, "But we can't make her suffer too much. My feelings for her are genuine."

"Alright, alright, Mother knows. Look at you, so helpless."

...

At the Zheng residence.

Zheng Jinxiu had been waiting anxiously. Upon seeing her mother return, she hurried to greet her, "Mother, how was it? What happened?"

She was now well aware of the urgency.

In the past, she had looked down on Lu Shen, but now she feared that he might not marry her.

Mrs. Zheng didn't know how to put it into words and simply said, "I didn't meet Young Master Lu. I've heard that he's been confined by his family."

"Oh? Does that mean... they're not in favor of our marriage?"

Mrs. Zheng remained silent.

Zheng Jinxiu pressed on anxiously, "Are they planning to call off the engagement?"

Madam Zheng observed her daughter's distress and reassured her, "Don't be afraid. Young Master Lu likes you. He's currently opposing his family for your sake. With the depth of his feelings for you, he will surely fulfill his promise and marry you on time."

Zheng Jinxiu stumbled.

Indeed, the Lu family no longer wanted her.

But could Lu Shen truly defy his family?

"What should I do now? What should I do..." Zheng Jinxiu wept. "My reputation is ruined, and rumors say I'm the daughter of a beggar. I have nothing left. How can I still marry?"

Madam Zheng comforted her, "It'll be alright, it'll definitely be alright. Go back and wait for news. Mother will help smooth things over."

Zheng Jinxiu pulled away from her mother's hand. "You'll help me? How can you help me? This is all your fault."

Madam Zheng was taken aback. "My fault?"

Through her tears, Zheng Jinxiu raged, "Whose fault if not yours? You were the one who arranged the marriage with the Lus. I warned you about the Fangs long ago. Keeping them around would only lead to trouble. We should have sent them away earlier, but you couldn't make up your mind.

What about the debt of gratitude? You only remember that they took you in for a day, yet you forget how many scars your own daughter bears. They treated your flesh and blood like pigs and dogs. Don't you hate them for it?"

Lady Zheng's face turned ashen, her heart racing with anxiety, rendering her unable to utter a single word.

Watching her rush away after finishing her speech, Lady Zheng only slumped onto a chair once she had disappeared from sight.

Seeing this, Lady Luo hurriedly rushed in.

"Lady, Lady, what's wrong with you?"

Lady Zheng shook her head in pain and waved her hand. "It's nothing, I'm fine. I just feel uncomfortable."

"Where do you feel uncomfortable? Should I send for a physician?"

"No, there's no need for a physician. It's my heart that aches. Just talk to me, please."

"Very well, Lady, you speak."

"Aro, tell me, was I really in the wrong?"

"Lady, what has happened?"

"Ai! All this time, I've been thinking for her, worrying and working tirelessly on her behalf. Even if there's no reward, there should at least be recognition for my efforts. Yet she not only fails to thank me, but she actually blames me! She accuses me of arranging her marriage with the Lu family and not promptly dealing with the Fangs.

You know the reason we agreed to the match with the Lus, don't you? It was because she conspired with that girl from the Wang family to harm Jinyu and Lu Shen. When their plan backfired, they were blackmailed by Lady Lu. Not just her – even Lady Wang had to send her daughter to the Lu family as a concubine to appease them. What could I have done differently?

And regarding the Fang family matter, if she hadn't taken matters into her own hands, how could this have happened? Yet she has the audacity to blame me."

"Yes, I understand," Lady Luo consoled her. "Perhaps it's just too much for her to handle all at once. The First Miss might not be able to process everything right now."

"I know she can't handle it, and honestly, nobody could. But she shouldn't say such hurtful things to me."

Lady Luo didn't respond further, instead gently massaging her temples as she listened to her complaints.

It seemed this time, her heart was genuinely wounded. When Master Zheng returned home that evening, she recounted the entire ordeal in front of him.

You see, she had never before criticized Zheng Jinxiu in front of her son or husband. More often than not, she would sing praises about her daughter's obedience and maturity, only occasionally mentioning any indiscretions diplomatically, always providing excuses to defend her.