Chapter Eighteen: Amidst Laughter, the Mighty Fleet Turns to Ash

Chapter Eighteen: Amidst Laughter, the Mighty Fleet Turns to Ash

Goodness, you'd think she had drunk some miracle potion that cures everything.

After splitting the firewood, Xie Yan didn’t linger.

Before leaving, Yunniang stuffed a small bamboo basket full of freshly baked, soft, and fragrant pancakes. She handed the basket to Xie Yan without giving him a chance to decline, hanging it directly on his arm.

“Take it back for the children to try.”

Yunniang went out of her way to show kindness, hoping it would help Xie Yan’s children gradually accept Lu Mingchao and ease their resistance.

Though Xie Yan appeared cold and rough around the edges, he was actually very perceptive and insightful.

“Yunniang, I’ll make things clear to the children in advance.”

Yunniang’s smile grew even more genuine and loving.

Xie Yan, carrying the small basket, gradually disappeared into the distance.

……

Bright winter sunlight, warm and truly lovely.

The wind and snow ceased, and for several consecutive days, warm sunshine spread across the land, soft and bright.

As the Lu and Xie families began to visit each other frequently, news that Lu Mingchao, the biological daughter of the Lu family who had just returned, would continue her marriage arrangements with Xie Yan spread like wildfire. It didn’t take long for the news to reach the entirety of Changxi Village.

The villagers of Changxi Village were skeptical, and some went to investigate out of curiosity, well-wishing, or a desire to watch the drama unfold. They came in small groups to see for themselves.

The Lu family didn’t shy away or fear public opinion. They responded openly and confidently, confirming that the wedding would proceed as planned, with all the necessary celebrations.

Feng Jinyu, who had dressed up specially to follow her neighbors, had a gleam of arrogance in her eyes. Half-closing them, she scornfully spat, “So now anyone can latch onto Brother Xie Yan?”

“And this so-called 'miss' from the capital, so eager to marry, must have done something disgraceful elsewhere and is now desperate to find someone to take the blame.”

Feng Jinyu believed she had reason to be proud; after all, she had been prophesied by the famous fortune-teller of the region to have a destiny of great wealth and fortune, one that would bring prosperity to her husband.

The lively courtyard of the Lu family fell silent.

People exchanged glances, silently communicating.

In their eyes, although Feng Jinyu’s words were harsh, they seemed to make sense upon reflection.

Yunniang’s eyes reddened with anger, wishing she could pounce on Feng Jinyu and tear her contemptuous mouth apart.

It was all too easy to ruin a woman’s reputation. Gossip and scandalous rumors could cut deeper than any blade, destroying her without a trace.

After a brief silence, there was a cacophony of discussions, noisy and chaotic.

Lu Mingchao, who was inside teaching Lu Xiao Xin, frowned slightly.

The malice in the young woman’s words was far more intense than what Feng Jinyu’s aunt had said the other day.

Lu Chunsheng and Lu Lei, father and son, had gone out to find wood and a carpenter to make her dowry boxes. Only the weak and elderly were left at home.

It wouldn’t be right to rely on the scholarly Lu Yao to argue with that malicious young woman.

It wasn’t that they were worried about losing the argument; it would simply be beneath them.

"Xiao Xin, keep writing. Elder Sister will go out and take a look," Lu Mingchao gently rubbed Xiao Xin's soft, thick hair and softly instructed.

Stubbornly, Xiao Xin grabbed Lu Mingchao's sleeve. "Elder Sister, I'll protect you."

Lu Mingchao chuckled. "Don't worry, your Elder Sister isn't made of dough. I can handle myself just fine. Remember, a smile can disarm even the toughest opponent."

"Good boy."

Xiao Xin pouted and withdrew his hand, his clear eyes like autumn moonlight filled with pure worry and confusion.

Why do people still come after her to yell, even though she's so kind and gentle, just like they did with Third Water?

Xiao Xin couldn't wrap his head around such a complicated question.

Lu Mingchao pushed the door open and stepped out, her expression calm as she shook her head at Lu Yao, who stood under the eaves a step ahead of her.

"May I say something?"

Lu Mingchao ignored the curious gazes around her, her voice clear and crisp.

"My dear, this girl is truly beautiful," someone blurted out in awe.

Her raven-black hair, snow-white skin, bright eyes, and the red plum blossom on her forehead made her look stunning. Standing in the shabby yard, she was like the only blooming white jasmine amidst the weeds, standing out like a beacon, making everything else pale in comparison.

It was Xie Yan's fortune to marry such a beautiful girl.

"Jinyu, are you sure the Lu family's daughter is clinging to Xie Yan?" someone with a straightforward personality asked.

Feng Jinyu's hand paused on her hairpin, the pride on her face cracking, feeling an inexplicable sense of humiliation.

Gritting her teeth, she refused to back down and screamed in frustration, "That's exactly why I think there's something suspicious going on."

If others could be so beautiful, why couldn't she be? Feng Jinyu was both angry and jealous.

If only she had Lu Mingchao's looks, she would have married into wealth and lived a life of luxury, not painstakingly currying favor with the hunter.

The more she thought, the angrier she became, and the more she wanted to cry.

Lu Mingchao's eyes narrowed, and she smiled instead of getting angry, the shallow smile slowly spreading across her lips, her gaze open and formidable as she stared directly at Feng Jinyu. "Are you a Miss of the Feng family?"

"On the day I returned home, was it the Feng family who drove a poor woman to the brink of shame and almost hanged herself outside your door?"

"The Feng family has a reputation for not letting others live in peace."

Lu Mingchao sighed softly and continued, "In the capital, I often heard a saying: the people who accuse you know exactly how innocent you are."

"Miss Feng, since you're so clear about it, how many people have you wronged in this way?"

Lu Mingchao's gaze was intense as she walked steadily into the yard, standing face to face with Feng Jinyu.

Her straight back was like a noble pine, standing tall like a gentleman of integrity.

Feng Jinyu's heart raced, and she took an involuntary step back. "What nonsense are you spouting?"

"I'm discussing the matter at hand. Can you prove your innocence?"

Lu Mingchao scoffed. "I'm simply discussing the matter at hand."

"Why don't you set an example to prove that you've never done that, and never framed anyone?"

Feng Jinyu was at a loss for words. "How can I prove that? If you're innocent, you have nothing to hide."

"Is that so?" Lu Mingchao said, pretending to be enlightened. "Miss Feng, you really do set high standards for others while being lenient with yourself."

"But from where I'm standing, your actions don’t exactly line up," Lu Mingchao said, seemingly embarrassed. He lightly rubbed his nose with his finger, trying to hide the amusement that threatened to break into a smile.

Feng Jinyu, completely cornered, started to hurl insults when she realized she couldn’t win the argument.

Lu Mingchao clicked his tongue and stepped back slightly to avoid getting sprayed with spit.

… Disgusting!

Then, she reached into the pocket of her cloak and grabbed a large handful of sunflower seeds, distributing them to the women in the yard, and watched Feng Jinyu's verbal outburst with great interest.

Life in the countryside was dull, and it was rare to have someone willing to put on a show for the family.

"Hey, Second Brother, want some?"

Lu Yao politely declined. It wouldn’t fit his image as a scholarly gentleman.

Lu Mingchao laughed and stuffed a handful of peeled pine nuts into Lu Yao's hands, raising an eyebrow knowingly.

See, your image is preserved.

Lu Yao rolled his eyes but kept quiet.

Feng Jinyu: … I happen to have some connections.