Chapter 34: It’s Scary to Be Penniless

Chapter 34: It's Scary to Be Penniless

"Wh-what?!" Before Lu Song could react, his grandmother, who had rushed over, exclaimed in shock as if struck by lightning, standing frozen in her tracks.

The official delivering the news had already heard of the family's deeds and knew that the matriarch had played a significant role. His gaze towards her was filled with disdain.

"I'm merely here to inform you. Lu Song, take care of yourself!" With that, the official turned and left promptly.

Mrs. Lu, now in a state of panic, dashed forward to grab the official's sleeve. "Your Excellency! Your Excellency, you can't just leave like this! Our Song'er is skilled in martial arts and has an illustrious future ahead. If he loses his position, how will I survive?!"

Caught off guard, the official felt a wave of disgust wash over him. He roughly shook off her hand and coldly replied, "If you had foreseen this, why did you act so recklessly in the first place? When you were tarnishing the reputation of Miss Su, did you ever consider how she would live on?"

With a forceful shake, the official freed himself from Mrs. Lu's grasp and hurried away, fearful of being associated with such ungrateful people.

He remembered that previously, Minister Su had secretly exerted pressure on the Capital Camp to remove Lu Song. However, feeling pity for the young man's promising career, he had intended to transfer him temporarily to a less prominent role, planning to reinstate him later despite the pressure.

But now, he realized that Lu Song was an ungrateful wolf in sheep's clothing. Who knew if he might one day blame him for his transfer? The official dared not assist someone like that!

As the figure disappeared into the distance, Lady Lu let out a piercing cry and plopped onto the ground. "Damned wench! I knew she was here to bring us bad luck. I should have had the heart to annul the marriage when her legs were crippled. Then, she wouldn't be able to ruin our Lu family's fortune today!"

Lu Song seemed to have lost his soul. Standing rooted to the ground, he couldn't recover from the shock.

So, it was all because of that foolish Su Youyue that he lost his official position and became an ordinary civilian?

No... He still had the title of a scholar.

But who among the aristocratic families would take a scholar without an official rank seriously? !

If the Lu family lived in some remote area, his scholarly title might have allowed him to be a tutor. However, in the capital where nobles gathered, who would hire a mere scholar as a teacher? At best, he could find work as a copyist.

He had long been accustomed to mingling with noble youths. How could he lower himself to copy books like those poor scholars? Besides, he hadn't picked up a book for years, and his calligraphy was never exceptional...

In his daze, Lu Song recalled his former friends. Many of them were from aristocratic families. Although their status wasn't particularly high, they were still better off than his family now. If they were willing to vouch for him, he might still have a chance to turn things around.

Regaining his composure, Lu Song seemed certain that these people would come to his aid. Without another word, he left his mother behind and dashed out.

Lady Lu didn't know where her son was going. Clutching her thighs and pounding her chest, she cried, "Oh Mother, if you're watching over us, you should see the disastrous marriage you arranged for your grandson. It has completely destroyed Song'er's promising future..."

Hearing Madam Lu's scolding, Yun Niang couldn't help but worry about her cousin. Cousin had lost his official position due to Su Youyue; their relationship was now impossible. Yet, she couldn't feel happy. How dare that wretch ruin Cousin's career?

Lu Wen also furrowed his brow. He never expected his father's official position to be compromised because of his affair with his mother. If Father lost his position now, how could he ever serve in the military, achieve greatness, and ascend to the rank of general?

That vixen, Su Youyue, truly deserved death!

As twilight fell, Yun Niang escorted Madam Lu back to their quarters. She instructed the servants to boil water while sitting beside her, joining in the tirade against Su Youyue.

Midway through their venting, a wayward young man, his steps unsteady and face dissolute, entered. Recognizing the name they cursed, he asked in disbelief, "Mother, Cousin, whom are you scolding?"

Madam Lu's anger flared at the sight of her good-for-nothing son returning from his dalliances. "Who else but that slut Su Youyue? She exposed your cousin and Wen-ge, causing the officials to take out their wrath on your elder brother and strip him of his post. I wish I could strangle her!"

Lu Cheng was known for his lack of scholarly or martial prowess, preferring to socialize with his disreputable friends instead. Often, he'd be absent for days. Just learning of this situation, he was stunned, immediately questioning in disbelief,

"How could that be? Everyone knows that fool adores my brother. She would never harm him."

Madam Lu frowned. "How is it impossible? Go inquire around – she's brought calamity upon our family!"

Lu Cheng's mind was in disarray. "Then what about her marriage contract with my brother?"

Recently, he had been spending his days gambling with friends and nights at pleasure houses. He hadn't returned home for several days and was thus oblivious to his elder brother's annulment of the engagement.

Yun Niang softly explained, "Cheng'er, your eldest brother has already called off the engagement with Su Youyue. It's been quite a few days."

Without thinking, Lu Cheng asked, "The engagement is called off? Then how am I supposed to ask her for money?"

In the past, whenever he needed cash, he would turn to the fool Su Youyue. Just by addressing her as 'sister-in-law' twice, he could coax her into giving him a large sum of silver. With that money, he could indulge himself outside for days without returning home.

Money made one a master outside, but back home, he was forced by his mother to read books and learn martial arts. Naturally, he preferred the carefree life outside.

If that fool no longer had an engagement with his eldest brother, how could he continue asking her for money in the future?

Recalling the hundred taels he owed at the gambling house today, Lu Cheng's face turned darker than the bottom of a pot. If Su Youyue didn't pay it back, who would?

Old Lady Lu's anger flared up at the mention of money from Su Youyue. "What money?! You dare to take money from a calamity star like her?!"

Lu Cheng simply couldn't fathom the logic of his mother's thoughts. Why would she care if the money was given by a supposed ill-fated person when she was willing to ask for it in the first place?

Wasn't it more terrifying to be without money?

These past few days, whenever he saw those gambling addicts who had lost even their wives and children in casinos, he felt that having money was truly blissful.

Besides, hadn't his mother herself frequently asked Su Youyue for money before?

Unfortunately, his mother was clearly still upset, and Lu Cheng wasn't blind to this. He dared not speak out against her, nor did he dare mention his debts. All he could do was keep quiet and secretly brainstorm a solution.

No, he needed to reconnoiter the situation with that fool, Su Youyue. He certainly didn't want to let go of such an idiotic money source so easily.