Chapter 33: No Need to Come Again

Chapter 33: No Need to Come Again

Upon hearing this, Old Lady Su felt that her granddaughter was still too soft-hearted. This punishment seemed a bit too lenient.

It didn't matter if Concubine Liu lacked understanding. Su Qian, however, was the second miss of the Su family. How could she disregard the family's reputation and abandon her older sister who had stood up for her?

Initially, she had thought that this second granddaughter was a sensible young lady. Now, it seemed that Nuan Nuan was actually better...

She lowered her gaze for a while before looking at Mother Zhang beside her. "Tomorrow, you go and supervise. Make the second and third misses return everything they've borrowed from the first miss over the years. Our Su family cannot tolerate such ill-bred young ladies who borrow without returning!"

Madam Zhang's heart skipped a beat, immediately realizing that Lady Feng was truly serious. She hurriedly agreed.

She was also an elderly member of the household and was well aware that, after Miss Su Youyue, it was Miss Su Qian, the second young lady, whom the old madam doted on the most.

Judging from the present situation, it seems Miss Second's actions have deeply disappointed Madam Elder, to the point that she has uttered such stern words.

Su Youyue smiled at her grandmother, in fact, when she previously asked Su Rong to return the items, it was simply because she wanted that girl, who lacked any sense of propriety, to stop bothering her. Over the years, Su Rong's expenses on food, clothing, and daily necessities had long since exceeded the amount of assistance she had provided, and there was no way she could possibly repay it all.

Yet, it was high time that Madam Liu and Su Qian returned what they had taken all these years.

As twilight fell, the streets outside the Su residence remained bustling with passersby, acquaintances exchanging pleasantries upon encountering one another. The most frequent topic of conversation was the recent gossip surrounding the Su and Lu households.

In Yanjing City, it was common knowledge that the engagement of the Su family's eldest daughter had been broken off due to her malicious reputation and supposed ill fortune. Rumor had it that on the day of the cancellation, she even lashed out at Elder Madam Lu with a whip.

This incident had been a source of amusement for the public these past days. Now, however, there was a sudden twist, igniting the curiosity of all, eager to share their newfound gossip.

"It turns out that Miss Su agreed to the termination of the engagement because Lu Song has a three-year-old son from his concubine, and the Lu family used her financial support to raise that mother and child!"

"How shameless! How could they have the audacity to call off the engagement and slander Miss Su's name?"

Furthermore, they even concocted some heroic rescue scenario to tarnish Miss Su's reputation, forcing her to marry into their family... Lu Song is nothing but a toad dreaming of eating a swan. Miss Su is a fortunate star; many nobles are vying for her hand in marriage. Their dilapidated family doesn't deserve her!

"Indeed, with such an ungrateful family, let alone Miss Su the Second, I wouldn't even consent to my own daughter marrying into it. No wonder Miss Su the First agreed to the annulment. Perhaps she was disgusted by their behavior too."

Amidst their mutual vitriol directed at the Lu family, someone soon connected the dots to the incident earlier that noon when a mother and son in Blue Smoke Lane were drenched with feces. They were cursed as concubine and illegitimate child. Could it be that they were Lu Song's concubine and bastard offspring? Rumor had it that the concubine was even Lady Lu's niece.

Those with curious minds soon connected the dots. The woman living there indeed shared the same surname as Madam Lu, and she was unmarried yet had a three-year-old son with the same surname...

With the truth laid bare, who would still believe the insults the Lu family had hurled at Su Youyue before? Almost everyone found the Lus utterly despicable and felt they deserved to be smeared with feces. However, there were also a few who whispered that it was rather indecent of a well-bred young lady like Su Youyue to have orchestrated such an act...

Regardless, by nightfall, most of Yanjing City was aware of the incident. Many even flocked to Qingshān Alley to witness the spectacle, eager to catch a glimpse of Lu Song's concubine and illegitimate child.

However, they were disappointed. Yun Niang and Lu Wen had already anticipated the exposure when Chunya hurled manure at them in front of their neighbors. They hurriedly cleaned themselves up and made their way to the Lu residence.

When Old Lady Lu arrived home with Lu Song, she encountered Yun Niang and her son, both reeking of filth. Only then did she realize that the secret had truly been uncovered!

"Damned wench, Su Youyue! When did she find out?!" Old Lady Lu's fury knew no bounds as she swept several teacups off the table, shattering them into sharp fragments.

The shards narrowly missed Yun Niang, causing her face to pale. Fortunately, Lu Wen pulled her back just in time, preventing any injuries.

Looking at the elders' grim expressions, Lu Wen's own countenance couldn't have been much better.

How could Su Youyue know about Mother and his existence at this point?

Didn't she remain ignorant for an entire decade in her previous life, only discovering the truth when Mother returned from the battlefield with Father?

Lu Wen's young face darkened as he quickly considered a possibility he had never entertained before.

Could it be that the foolish Su Youyue also reincarnated?

Realizing this, Lu Wen suddenly understood why she had agreed to the annulment. In her previous life, she had been drowned by several members of his family. Of course, she wouldn't dare to marry into the family again in this lifetime.

At the same time, a chill ran down his spine. If Su Youyue had also been reborn, wouldn't she resume those businesses?

But soon, Lu Wen calmed down. What was he afraid of? He had already seized several of her prosperous shops and hired many workers who had previously worked there. It was only due to lack of funds that he hadn't bought the remaining two shops and employed the rest of the workers.

With these shops and workers under his control, what was there to fear? As long as it wasn't long before these people produced goods that would sell explosively in the future, just as he had instructed. And Su Youyue could only watch, powerless and frustrated over losing her shops to him!

Thinking about the two remaining shops that he had yet to acquire, Lu Wen gritted his teeth. He had to find a way. He didn't want to leave even the slightest chance for Su Youyue.

Recalling how he had to pretend every day, asking his mother-in-law insincerely for ten years, groveling before her, he felt utterly disgusted.

Fortunately, Su Youyue was no longer marrying his father, and she had exposed the truth. In fact, this was beneficial for both his mother and himself. With Father unable to wed another noble woman, he might consider Mother...

Amidst Lady Lu's scolding, a hint of delight flickered in Lu Wen's eyes. However, before he could speak, someone suddenly arrived from the Imperial Camp, looking for Lu Song.

The entire Lu family was startled. Lady Lu dared not continue her tirade, fearing outsiders would hear and mock them. They respectfully invited the visitor inside, but the person refused to enter and only requested to speak with Lu Song outside.

When they reached the entrance, Lu Song saw that his superior was the one who had come. He hastily asked if there was an urgent matter that required him to take over someone else's night shift.

Incidents like this weren't entirely unprecedented. The military officers in the Capital Camp were required to carry out routine patrols. But should an officer have an urgent matter on any given day, a substitute would naturally be needed.

To their surprise, the newcomer scoffed and taunted, "On duty? After causing such a scandal, you still expect to take your turn? Let me tell you, your dirty deeds have even reached the ears of the nobles in the palace. Starting tonight, there's no need for you to ever step foot in the Capital Camp again!"