Chapter 30: If a Lie, Betrayal and Isolation

Chapter 30: If a Lie, Betrayal and Isolation

On the day Su Youyue had called off the marriage, she'd also made such a statement, but not in front of so many people. Neither Old Lady Lu nor Lu Song felt as humiliated then as they did now.

They now felt utterly disgraced!

How could Old Lady Lu and Lu Song not know that it was shameful for an unmarried man to have a concubine and an illegitimate child? That's why Yun Niang had been living outside the family with an ambiguous status these past years, awaiting the day when Lu Wen would be formally adopted into the family.

But now that this secret had been exposed, who would still want their daughter to marry Lu Song?

Old Lady Lu couldn't afford to acknowledge this, and her demeanor weakened slightly, though she still tried to argue, "What nonsense are you spouting, you little harlot? Do you not fear the Tongue-Tearing Hell for wagging your tongue so carelessly? My son, Song'er, doesn't have any concubine or illegitimate children. For a maiden like you to speak so openly about such matters, you have no shame!"

She wanted to flee with Lu Song right then, but if she didn't say anything, wouldn't that confirm that her son indeed had a mistress and an illegitimate child?

Su Youyue laughed coldly, and anyone could see how much she despised the mother and son before her. "Tongue-Tearing Hell? I thought Old Lady Lu believed in nothing but herself, allowing her to act as such a heartless and ungrateful wretch. Heaven has eyes, and it should send you, an old venomous hag who ruins an unmarried woman's reputation for no reason, straight to hell!"

"If a single word of what I, Su Youyue, said about Lu Song having a concubine is false, may lightning strike me down, and let me live a life without marriage, isolated and betrayed by all, only to die a miserable death!"

The entire room fell silent, stunned that such a young girl in a wheelchair would dare to make such a grim vow.

"Miss!" Jin'er was initially delighted to hear Su Youyue's words but was later terrified to the core. Tears welled up in her eyes as she felt her heart ache for her mistress.

Even if what Miss said was true, there was no need for her to make such a venomous oath... Jin'er dared not imagine the scene if Miss were to truly suffer that fate. No, Miss would never fall to such circumstances. Jin'er would stand by her side until the very end...

With sharp eyes filled with no trace of fear, Su Youyue allowed everyone present to scrutinize her openly and unflinchingly.

In her previous life, she had already experienced the bitter consequences of being betrayed and abandoned, ultimately meeting a tragic end. Now, every word she spoke was the truth. What was there left to fear?

The figure of the young girl exuded an indomitable strength, as if she could single-handedly confront a hundred foes. The servants of the Su family, who had initially held some resentment towards her, couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion that bordered on tears. They finally understood the immense injustice the Lady had endured, which explained her decision to withdraw from the engagement and the drastic change in her demeanor. How detestable the Lu family was!

Moreover, who said the Lady was incapable of managing the household? Today, she stood up for the Second Miss, defending the reputation of the entire Su family, and silenced that old hag with her scathing words. This proved her competence!

In a corner, a pair of eyes also fixated on Su Youyue's back. Although her face was unclear, the overwhelming emotions emanating from her were palpable.

Anger, hatred... and a subtle hint of sorrow that was difficult to discern.

Her tone was laced with hatred, and her words brought a sense of satisfaction. Yet, beneath the vengeance and the thrill of revenge, who knew how much despair she had endured?

After an indeterminate amount of time, the whispers resumed.

"It turns out that the Lu family did such despicable acts. Yet they still have the audacity to criticize Madam Su daily, claiming she's wicked and unreasonable, and that they were forced to annul the marriage..."

"Who would have thought the entire Lu family could be such people? They even had the nerve to borrow money from their future daughter-in-law. It's laughable! Not only that, they used the money to maintain a concubine and her child. How dare they act without fear of divine retribution!"

"I bet Lu Song's rescue of Second Miss Su was deliberate too. With First Miss Su out of the picture, he must be eager to find another match. But do they even deserve a lucky star like her? Hardly! Their poverty probably prevents them from even affording a meal!"

"No wonder First Miss Su suddenly agreed to the annulment. People say she's foolish for chasing after men, but she's actually very clear-headed. She recognizes the true nature of this family and wants out immediately."

Each whisper felt like a slap across Elder Madam Lu and Lu Song's faces, leaving them red with embarrassment, yet inwardly, they remained indignant.

Su Youyue was wicked to begin with; who would want such a woman in their family? Besides, the money was rightfully hers. In the past, with the marriage agreement in place, if their lives were difficult, wasn't it reasonable for her to provide assistance? Now that the marriage was called off, they hadn't asked her for any loans!

As for maintaining a concubine and her child, which man didn't have some romantic indiscretions? Was it worth making a fuss about?

Elder Madam Lu cursed Su Youyue for her shamelessness and the onlookers for enjoying the spectacle. If they didn't deserve Second Miss Su, how could her own Song'er not? He held an official position and was handsome; those high-born ladies should be pursuing him!

Fuming, she was about to lash out again when the maid who had previously spat at her and fled returned, carrying a bucket full of feces.

"Wretched old hag, you should hurry back and tend to your concubine and her child. Today, they were drenched in manure and choked until they fainted. Seeing how your mouth spews filth, it's fitting for you to be doused in more of it!"

The stench intensified, overwhelming the faint bitterness that had lingered on Lady Lu's breath. She felt nauseous once again. Upon hearing about Yun Niang and her grandson's misfortune, her expression changed. She knew she couldn't hide the truth any longer. Since there was no chance of accomplishing anything with Miss Su today, she had no desire to remain!

She hastily pulled her son away, but not before continuing her tirade as they ran.

As for Su Youyue, a reputable young lady, how could she behave so shamelessly and disgustingly? To actually have someone throw manure at them!

The pair fled, leaving the other onlookers with grim faces, all hurriedly covering their noses.

"Chunya, be careful not to spill it on any innocent bystanders," Su Youyue instructed calmly.

Chunya promptly acknowledged and cautiously retreated.

Turning to the guards at the entrance, Su Youyue continued, "Remember this, regardless of who is in charge today, for the sake of our Su family's honor, each and every one of us must protect it. Today, if anyone from the Su family encounters trouble, they should defend our family's reputation by driving away these troublemakers!"

"If anyone dares to offend our Su residence without reason in the future, you have my permission to deal with them severely. If they die, I, Su Youyue, will take responsibility!"

Seeing the guards nodding in agreement, she finally addressed the crowd, "Our Su household failed to recognize the true character of this scoundrel, allowing him to bring disgrace upon us and causing our fellow townspeople to witness such an embarrassment."

Having finished her words, she instructed Jin'er to wheel her back into the estate.

The onlookers, having seen Su Youyue caution Chunya not to spill the manure water on them, already felt a certain fondness for her. Now that she was apologizing, they instantly thought that this Miss Su was not as despicable as rumored.

"Sigh, Miss Su is really unlucky to have been engaged to such a disgusting family from the Lu household. Fortunately, she called off the marriage."

"I think Miss Su just has a fiery temper, but she's not as vicious as they make her out to be. I believe it's right for the Elder Madam Su to let her manage the household affairs. Who wouldn't say that the young miss handled today's situation with grace?"

"Speaking of which, where is Second Miss Su? When did she leave?"