Chapter 5: A Mismatched Pair

Chapter 5: A Mismatched Pair

"You!" The middle-aged man was clearly enraged, but his words were interrupted by a fit of violent coughing.

Su Youyue's nails dug painfully into her palms.

She had no idea that this was how the Lu family had humiliated her grandmother and father back then.

Yet, upon arriving, she had impulsively rushed to her grandmother in her wheelchair, weeping and pleading, after overhearing the agreement to annul the engagement. She had blamed her grandmother and father for agreeing to it without consulting her, assuming they actually intended to give her marriage to Su Qian...

Her grandmother and father hadn't been trying to replace her with Su Qian. They despised the Lu family so much that they wanted nothing more than to sever all ties, never to have any dealings with them again!

Father had always been in poor health, and her marriage fiasco in her previous life worsened his condition, making him weaker than ever. Grandmother refused to see her anymore, consistently turning her away at the door. She had been heartbroken, believing that her grandmother had always disliked her as a granddaughter...

She truly was... foolish!

Madam Kang, the elder matriarch of the Lu family, spoke sharply, showing no consideration for Master Su's health as she continued to berate Su Youyue for her wrongdoings.

Su Youyue could no longer bear to listen and was about to rush in to confront the other woman when a voice, old yet resounding with strength, suddenly echoed, akin to the solemn tone of Buddhist scripture, instantly silencing the elderly lady's clamor.

"Our Su family only accepts a cancellation, not a substitution, for this marriage."

Madam Su spoke up and then turned to the man who had remained silent throughout as if detached from the situation.

"Lu Song, you and Nannan were betrothed since childhood and grew up together. If your mother doesn't understand Nannan's character, I believe you do. Although she has a fiery temperament, she is pure and genuine at heart. Today, I'll ask you one question: Did you willingly request to annul your engagement with Nannan?"

Su Youyue's eyes reddened.

Nannan.

How long had it been since she last heard that pet name?

In fact, it was a term of endearment commonly used for children in Jiangnan. However, the Su family hailed from Yanjing, and as her birth mother was from Jiangnan, she was given this nickname right after she was born.

Though her mother had left her after just a month of caring for her, this pet name accompanied her for many years and eventually became her courtesy name. Only her grandmother and father addressed her by it.

In her previous life, after causing such a scene in the main hall, no one dared to call her Nannan for the rest of her life.

Unbeknownst to when, Su Youyue's vision had blurred with tears.

Not making her wait too long, a male voice echoed from the main hall.

"Thank you for your kind intentions, Madam... But Youyue is wilful and wayward, not the ideal match in Lu Song's heart."

Following an eerie silence, Su Youyue tugged at the corners of her mouth.

In her previous life, she was indeed wilful and wayward, not considered an ideal partner by ordinary people. Yet, what was Lu Song? Before they even married, he already had a concubine's child. Any parent in Yanjing City who cared for their daughter would never marry her off to such a scoundrel!

"Nuannuan, come in," her grandmother's voice sounded again, this time addressing Su Youyue outside the hall.

Startled, Su Youyue realized that her grandmother had known of her arrival all along. The question was meant to expose the true nature of the Lu family before her eyes.

With tears brimming, she curved her lips slightly and allowed Jin'er to push her in.

Both Lady Kang, the senior matriarch of the Lu family, and Lu Song were startled within the hall. They hadn't expected Su Youyue to have been there all along, nor did they know how much of their conversation she had overheard. Their faces momentarily displayed unease.

But Lady Kang quickly regained her composure. She hadn't uttered a single lie that day. If the Su family bothered to inquire, everyone in Yanjing City knew the infamous reputation of their legitimate eldest miss.

With such aspirations, they dared to dream of marrying their son? It was akin to a toad longing for swan meat!

Only then did Master Su, Su Zhenyun, realize his daughter's presence. A wave of deep concern and distress flashed in his eyes as he hurried to her side. "Yuyue, when did you arrive?"

Observing her father's worry and reluctance, Su Youyue gently wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes, smiling as she shook her head. "I've only been here for a short while, Father. There's no need to be concerned."

How could Su Zhenyun not be worried? He knew that his daughter had always been fond of Lu Song and had her heart set on marrying him. Hence, despite his dissatisfaction with the Lu family's behavior and actions, he had endured it all.

Little did he expect the Lu family to be so ungrateful and treat his daughter with such disdain. All his efforts to pave the way for Lu Song, his future son-in-law, had been in vain!

He had originally decided to call off the marriage, but seeing his daughter shed tears for that good-for-nothing man made him hesitate instantly.

Given his daughter's temperament, if she were to make a fuss, he might not be able to withstand her demands and end up agreeing not to cancel the engagement.

Well then! If the Lu family refused, he would simply endow most of his fortune as dowry for his daughter!

The servants in the hall, witnessing Su Youyue's tears, couldn't help but tense up. They looked at her with frustration, wishing she would give up on Lu Song. It seemed that the young lady still held onto her feelings for him. If she caused a scene, Master Su would undoubtedly yield to her wishes and not call off the marriage.

Is Madam and Lord going to allow this old shrew from the Lu family to humiliate them without consequence today?