Chapter 199 – Regret

Chapter 199 - Regret

"Dad, have you mistaken someone?"

Although Su Youyue was reluctant to discourage her father, she still had to remind him that their mother had been gone for over a decade; how could she possibly appear in the residence?

Su Zhenyun, however, paid no heed to what his daughter said and immediately headed toward the Warm Green Courtyard.

"Miss, has the master also been haunted by nightmares?" Jin'er stared dumbfounded at the master's behavior.

If not for this explanation, how could one make sense of the master's actions?

Su Youyue sighed helplessly. "Let's go and see first."

Her father wasn't exactly a rational person, especially when it came to matters concerning her mother.

When they arrived at the Warm Green Courtyard, the two maidservants there looked bewildered.

"Master, Master Ji, the divine physician, left early this morning to buy some herbs. Since several guards accompanied him, we didn't ask further."

As soon as Su Youyue arrived, she saw her father rushing out of the Su residence again.

She quickly called out to stop him: "Dad... You don't need to rush. Master Ji will be staying in our residence these days. He's going to the palace today, so why don't you go back and get ready? I'll send someone to find Master Ji. By the time you're ready, he might already be back."

Today, the Su residence would be attending a palace banquet, so those who were going naturally needed to prepare.

After hearing her words, however, Su Zhenyun waved his hand. "I'm going to look for him right now! I'll get dressed when I come back!"

Without looking back, he headed out of the Su residence.

"Miss, this..." Chunya had never seen the master act like this before and hesitated.

Su Youyue frowned slightly. "Forget it, let Father go. Once he sees her, he'll realize the truth."

She was just as confused as everyone else, but since Zhe Jing and the others had accompanied Master Ji to buy herbs, she couldn't ask them what had happened.

The Su residence finally quieted down for a while, but Li Rong had to follow his master around without a moment's rest.

Not knowing which pharmacy Master Ji had gone to, Su Zhenyun searched through each pharmacy one by one.

As he got closer to the main road, he finally heard some news, which made him quicken his pace even more, a look of joy appearing on his face.

At the Peaceful Medicine Shop.

The shop assistant had gathered the herbs and was about to pack them when the man at the counter hesitated and asked, "Excuse me, is there any discount on buying herbs during the New Year?"

The assistant paused in packing the herbs, looked up at the well-featured man standing before him, sized him up from head to toe with a hint of disdain in his eyes, and said slowly, "I can't decide that. If the shopkeeper finds out, he'll deduct it from my wages."

The man could see the contempt in the assistant's eyes and felt embarrassed. He mumbled an acknowledgment and took out a small pouch from his sleeve, pulling out fifty copper coins.

As soon as the fifty coins were taken out, the pouch flattened considerably.

He counted the coins one by one, making sure he hadn't given too many, then handed them over.

After collecting the package of herbs, he was about to leave the shop when someone suddenly rushed in from outside.

"Minister Su..."

Lu Song looked at Su Zhenyun in surprise. In his memory, Su Zhenyun was usually very strict with him and rarely appeared this happy. He wondered what good fortune he must have encountered.

Thinking of good fortune, Lu Song's eyes darkened slightly, and he involuntarily clenched his fists.

Ever since the engagement with the Su family was broken off, due to the Su family's methods, the Lu family's situation had become increasingly difficult. They had lost their old residence and were now crammed into a dilapidated courtyard.

Previously, he had enough money to support his son's education, but now, it was a struggle for everyone in the family to avoid going hungry, let alone spare money for his son's schooling.

If not for the clandestine work he found, secretly copying romantic novels for others, they might not even have money to buy rice.

Even so, he still had to buy medicine for Lu Cheng and couldn't bear to watch his younger brother die from illness right in front of him.

Everything required money—meals, medical treatment, everything. Lu Song was overwhelmed and anxious, barely able to force a smile on his face. He wished he could stretch every coin to its limit. After buying the medicine for Lu Cheng today, he only had enough money left for tomorrow's rice.

Every time he copied books until his fingers deformed and his neck and hands ached, he couldn't help but recall the glory days when he was engaged to the Su family...

Back when Minister Su spoke condescendingly about helping him, he always looked at Lu Song with a disappointed expression. This made Lu Song harbor resentment deep down.

But seeing Minister Su again now, Lu Song vaguely thought that if he could return to the days before breaking off the engagement with the Su family, when Minister Su helped him everywhere, it would be wonderful.

Back then, everyone addressed him respectfully as Lord Lu when he went out.

He wouldn't have to haggle over every coin or worry about whether he could feed his family the next day or support them...

Now, when he returned home, he had to endure his mother's complaints and Yun'niang's constant crying. Lu Song felt like he was going crazy.

He felt like everyone in his family had changed, no longer showing concern but rather acting like bloodsucking leeches clinging to him!

When Su Zhenyun recognized Lu Song's face, his expression turned sour, feeling unlucky. Without acknowledging him, he directly handed ten taels of silver to the shop assistant. "Excuse me, has a beautiful female physician come here to buy herbs? She was accompanied by guards and was about this tall..."

The shop assistant's eyes lit up upon receiving the silver ingot. He quickly stepped out from behind the counter to personally attend to this distinguished guest. After thinking carefully, he replied, "Sir, there was indeed such a female physician. She was very knowledgeable about herbs. She just left. If you chase after her now, you should still catch up."

"Great, thank you!" Su Zhenyun was overjoyed and was about to dash out of the shop.

As the silver ingot dropped, Lu Song's gaze almost stuck to it.

Ten whole taels of silver! Su Zhenyun had casually given it away. The shop assistant had merely spoken a few words and received such a large amount!

Meanwhile, he worked hard to copy books for half a day and earned only one hundred copper coins, not even close to a single tael of silver, let alone ten taels!

Watching Minister Su's retreating back, Lu Song felt as if a mountain of gold was about to slip away from his sight. Ignoring his pride, he couldn't help but call out again, "Minister Su!"

Hindered by him, Su Zhenyun couldn't help but feel displeased. "Lu Song, do you still have the audacity to speak with me?"

"Minister Su... These days, I've been reflecting on the past, recalling your earnest guidance towards me. I can't help but feel deeply grateful and regretful for not understanding your good intentions back then. Today, I just want to apologize to you..."

Originally, Lu Song wanted to deceive Su Zhenyun. Even if he couldn't trick her into resuming the marriage, it would be enough if she could give him some money to support him.

But as he lied, even he began to believe his own words.

He suddenly realized that no matter how Su Zhenyun treated him in the past, it was all genuinely for his future, and she had indeed done a lot for his sake.

Back then, he felt humiliated before her, but now, thinking about it, that sense of pride seemed so laughable. Many people wished for such connections, but they didn't have them.

If his mother hadn't said such harsh words when they broke off the engagement, completely severing ties with Minister Su, perhaps even after breaking off the engagement, considering their past acquaintance, the Su Family wouldn't have cut them off entirely.

Those people were right; the Lu Family, in terms of family background, had indeed overreached by associating with the Su Family...

Unfortunately, he couldn't see that at the time.

One mistake led to another.

Having realized the crux of the matter, Lu Song's regret grew overwhelming.

No matter how remorseful he was, Su Zhenyun remained unmoved as she looked at him, letting out a cold snort. "This is what you should be apologizing for, but I don't accept it! Our Su Family has already severed ties with your Lu Family. If you truly remember my teachings from the past, stay away from our Su Family!"

With that, Su Zhenyun hurried off to find Doctor Ji.

Seeing that she had no intention of engaging with him, Lu Song became anxious and chased after her all the way outside the pharmacy, grabbing onto Su Zhenyun's sleeve. "Minister Su, I sincerely want to repent. Could you... let me meet Nuan Nuan and formally apologize to her?"

Su Zhenyun was already in a rush to find his wife and was being held back, making him want to punch Lu Song.

When he heard Lu Song call his daughter by her nickname, he lashed out in anger, striking Lu Song. "You, who gave you permission to call Nuan Nuan by her nickname? Shut up!"