Chapter 276 Hidden Truths

Chapter 276 Hidden Truths

Lu Sen was an impatient man and did not like the other two girls in the Su household. Therefore, upon hearing what Hongxiu said, he immediately blamed all the fault on Su Rong.

Hearing Su Youyue's rebuttal, he hesitated for a moment but still had no patience with Su Rong. In his view, since Zhenyun had promised to be faithful to Elder Sister for life, he should not have taken another woman, let alone fathered two daughters.

Naturally, he harbored no affection for these two daughters of Zhenyun.

He wanted to say more against Su Rong but was stopped by his elder brother Lu Lin: "Second Brother, we shouldn't just believe one side of the story. Let's hear what this girl has to say about what happened."

Xiao Xing was already as dejected as a flattened bun, about to speak, when Su Rong walked in from outside: "I'll tell you myself."

The little girl had her hair in twin buns, her face still carrying baby fat, looking innocent and childlike. Yet her dark, sticky eyes were resolute.

"I had just finished breakfast and was taking a walk in the garden with Xiao Xing when I unexpectedly ran into Lu Shuangshuang. She started mocking the jade hairpin that Elder Sister gave me, saying that although I've been living in the Su household, eating and wearing the best, once I marry out, I won't be able to beg for anything from the household anymore."

"I didn't understand what she meant, so I told her that I'm spending my own family's money, and it's none of her business. But then she suddenly got angry and called me a bastard! She said I wasn't of the Su family's bloodline, so I cursed her back."

Su Rong had never spoken so much in front of everyone before. After finishing, her face flushed, and she felt a bit weak, her fingertips trembling slightly. But when she saw Su Youyue's encouraging gaze, she suddenly felt bolstered and straightened her chest.

"The words I used were harsh. She came over to push me into the water, but I'm not someone to be bullied, so I pulled her down too. That's what happened, Great Uncle, Second Uncle. If you want to punish Su Rong, go ahead, but I don't think I was wrong!"

Lu Lin and Lu Sen had different expressions after hearing this. Lu Sen instinctively disbelieved her account, wondering why his daughter would call the third Miss of the Su family a bastard.

But Lu Lin's expression was complex.

As Lu Sen moved to question her, Lu Lin, knowing his younger brother's temperament, raised his hand to stop him: "If that's the case, you indeed did nothing wrong. Cursing Shuangshuang was justified."

"Brother?" Lu Sen was puzzled. Why would his elder brother take the side of a girl without any blood relation?

But seeing the look Lu Lin gave him, he closed his mouth.

Lu Lin still held great authority as the elder brother. He knew that if his elder brother spoke, there must be a reason.

But Shuangshuang was a well-behaved girl; how could she do such a thing? He thought his elder brother was being deceived by this little girl.

Su Youyue was also surprised by her elder uncle's attitude, feeling something was off.

Although she believed Su Rong's account, there was no reason for her elder uncle to believe her outright.

Moreover, why would Lu Shuangshuang suddenly call Su Rong a bastard?

Just as Su Youyue furrowed her brows, Lu Lin stood up: "Rong'er, rest assured. Your elder uncle will handle this and properly punish Shuangshuang."

Su Rong looked at her elder uncle, who had no blood relation to her, with wide eyes, astonished.

This was Lu Shuangshuang's own paternal uncle, yet he believed her so readily?

Though she was telling the truth, she still felt a bit uncertain.

Lu Sen wanted to say more, but Lu Lin grabbed his arm, told Su Youyue they would discipline Lu Shuangshuang, and led him out.

"Big Sister..." Su Rong ran to Su Youyue and tugged at her sleeve.

Su Youyue patted her head, watching the backs of her uncles thoughtfully.

She had never met Su Rong's mother. She only knew that one day, her father took a concubine while serving elsewhere and brought back a daughter.

It was said that the concubine died shortly after giving birth to Su Rong, so only Su Rong was brought back.

Could there be some doubt about her identity?

"Don't worry, Big Sister will stand up for you," Su Youyue reassured Su Rong.

No matter what, she had come to regard Su Rong as her own sister. No matter what happened, their relationship would remain unchanged.

In this world, people value blood ties so much because they seek a deeper bond than mere acquaintances. Noble families expand their branches because family is more reliable than outsiders, offering genuine affection.

If one cannot find true affection through blood ties, insisting on them would be putting the cart before the horse.

Su Rong, hiding beside her big sister, looked relieved.

After sending the little girl back to her courtyard, Su Youyue headed towards where her uncles were.

At that moment, Lu Sen looked at his elder brother with confusion: "Brother, you said I shouldn't believe one side of the story, but aren't you doing the same? Just because that little girl said a few things, you think it's all Shuangshuang's fault."

Lu Lin's gaze was deep: "Have I ever believed just one side of the story? You're blinded by your emotions, thinking Shuangshuang is your biological daughter and closer to you by blood. You instinctively support her without considering the facts. Why haven't you wondered why Shuangshuang would call the third Miss of the Su family a bastard?"

Lu Sen was stunned, realizing the situation was indeed strange. The third Miss wouldn't lie about such a specific insult, as it had a strong implication.

But he still looked puzzled at his elder brother.

Lu Lin sighed: "I believe the third Miss's account because she truly isn't of the Su family's bloodline."

"How... How is that possible? Brother, you've never mentioned this!" Lu Sen was dumbfounded.

The third Miss wasn't of the Su family's bloodline? Then whose child was she, and why did she become part of the Su family?

Just as Lu Lin was about to speak, a servant reported that the eldest Miss of the Su family had arrived.

He had to tell his second brother not to mention this matter and then let Su Youyue into the room.

"Nuan Nuan." Lu Lin looked kindly at Su Youyue, "Why are you here? Is there something else?"

Seeing her second uncle's odd expression, Su Youyue knew her elder uncle must have said something. After all, she understood her second uncle well—he couldn't hide his thoughts.

After a moment of silence, she directly asked: "Elder Uncle, I came to ask you about my third sister's identity. Is there something hidden about it?"