Chapter 79: Meeting Jade Strings

Chapter 79: Meeting Jade Strings

Accusing the second young master of the Sun family isn't surprising.

What's surprising is that with solid evidence, the accusation succeeded, and the second young master of the Sun family is still languishing in the county jail.

For a moment, the women looked at Lu Mingchao with complex expressions.

Some revered her, some were intrigued and impressed, and others frowned in disdain.

The magistrate's wife considered for a moment, "Madam Sun, the plum blossom banquet emphasizes a serene and peaceful state of mind. Let's not mar the beauty heaven has bestowed."

"What do you think?"

Madam Sun gripped her handkerchief tightly, her eyes nearly bulging out, but she dared not directly refute. She reluctantly said, "Of course, we must respect the magistrate's wife's face."

"Plum blossoms, proud and pure, brave frost and snow. Some people's presence here is likely inappropriate."

"I revealed her identity for your benefit."

The magistrate's wife was displeased, her smile fading, truly showing the dignity of an official's wife.

Her favoritism towards Lu Mingchao was glaringly obvious, yet Madam Sun kept hopping around like a grasshopper.

Had her husband not repeatedly emphasized that the eldest son of the Sun family, Sun Zhiye, was extraordinary, she would have already ordered the maids to escort Madam Sun out.

Lu Mingchao smiled softly and shook her head gently at the magistrate's wife.

It's alright.

The magistrate's wife blinked, her silent question hanging in the air.

Lu Mingchao nodded once more.

At once, the magistrate's wife felt reassured.

"In what way is it inappropriate?"

"Flies don't land on an uncracked egg," Madam Sun blurted out. "Xie Lu should examine her own faults."

Lu Mingchao's smile blossomed like a flower, "You are not a fish; how can you know the joy of fish? Madam Sun's familiarity with the habits of flies is truly remarkable."

"Madam Sun, there's no need to belittle your son like this."

Since you're the fly, you get to decide!

Unlike Madam Sun's gnashing teeth and sharp tone, Lu Mingchao's smile never faltered, her voice gentle and soft, like a spring breeze.

But it was precisely this gentle, composed, and polite voice that did not lose ground in this confrontation.

A hint of amusement flashed in the magistrate's wife's eyes; she couldn't help but feel embarrassed on Madam Sun's behalf.

Before this, she didn't know she had the habit of feeling embarrassed for others.

The magistrate's wife beckoned to a maid nearby, whispered a few instructions, and the maid responded, curtsied, and left.

Madam Sun, furious and humiliated, said, "You little harlot, with your clever words and flattering manner."

"Madam Sun!" Lu Mingchao straightened her expression, "I didn't want to spoil the enjoyment of this plum blossom banquet by bringing up your son's filth."

"But Madam Sun insists on lashing out without reason. If I keep backing down, it’ll only fuel gossip and make people think I’m guilty and weak."

"Is Madam Sun so upset because she thinks her son’s actions are blameless, or does she doubt the magistrate’s fairness despite the solid evidence?"

"Or is this just how the Sun family operates?"

"You can act wicked and violent, but you can’t stand others defending themselves?"

At this, Lu Mingchao chuckled and sighed, "It’s no surprise—after all, the second young master of the Sun family is always going on about 'Sun for half a day,' as if the whole sky were filled with those words."

"Madam Sun, I’ve done nothing wrong."

Madam Sun was so furious she nearly ripped her handkerchief, shaking but unable to muster a strong comeback.

She jabbed a finger at Lu Mingchao, seething.

Lu Mingchao smiled softly, stepped forward, and curtsied to the ladies. "I’m sorry for ruining the mood—my apologies to everyone."

"You’re so well-mannered, even when wronged. Your upbringing truly shows," the magistrate’s wife remarked.

Lu Mingchao smiled. "You’re the judge of that."

Outside the Lake Pavilion, along the water-side corridor, a man seemed to be walking there.

Looking closer, the magistrate, in a brocade robe and crane cloak, led the way, trailed by several young men, each with their own charm.

A maid arrived to announce their presence, and the wind-blocking curtains were drawn back.

Standing beside the magistrate’s wife, Lu Mingchao had a clear view of the newcomers.

Her A Yan and her second brother, walking through the snow, were absolutely mesmerizing.

Forget the plum blossoms—let’s admire A Yan and the second brother. They’re more beautiful than any flower.

The magistrate’s wife, struck by the newcomers’ poise, gently patted Lu Mingchao’s hand and whispered, "I didn’t want you to be wronged, so I had the maid fetch your and Madam Sun’s family."

"The one in the black robe and jade crown is Madam Sun’s eldest son, Sun Zhiye—a righteous man. He won’t cover for his mother."

"Your public spat with the second young master of the Sun family has stirred up rumors and gossip, tarnishing your reputation."

"If the eldest son of the Sun family handles this fairly, it’ll only help you."

Lu Mingchao nodded, listening quietly without comment.

Is this the so-called 'clear and cold jade string' of the Sun family?

He’s certainly well-regarded—even the magistrate’s wife sings his praises.

A paragon of virtue. Honest and upright.

"The young man next to the eldest son of the Sun family is my son, Xu Qingxing—quite the troublemaker."

Lu Mingchao frowned—this wasn’t something to agree with.

The magistrate's wife may complain about her own son, but if she agreed, it would truly be inappropriate.

"Sincerity is rooted within, purity is displayed without. Washing away the impurities, both inside and out like frost and snow."

"Master Xu surely embodies the essence of 'Qingxing'."

Lu Mingchao's voice was gentle, her tone earnest, lending an air of credibility.

The magistrate's wife's smile deepened, though she said, "That troublemaker stirs up chaos daily, and I'm nearly at my wit's end."

Then, she shifted the topic, "Those two must be your brother, Scholar Lu, and Mr. Xie, correct?"

"Such fine figures, as handsome as jade, exuding extraordinary grace."

She knew nothing about Xie Yan.

But she had long heard of Lu Yao.

His splendid writings, each word a pearl, a distinguished guest among scholars and poets.

Seeing him today, he truly lives up to his reputation.

With such a brother, Lu Mingchao might well regain her standing in the capital.

The magistrate's wife's inner judgment unknowingly leaned further in favor of Lu Mingchao.

"You are too kind," Lu Mingchao replied modestly.

The waterside corridor finally ended, and Lu Mingchao and the magistrate's wife stopped exchanging compliments.

"Your humble servant, Xie Lu, pays respects to the magistrate."

The magistrate, draped in a crane-feather cloak, exuded an air of ethereal grace, saying, "No need for formalities."

"Zhiye, weren't you keen to apologize in person?"

Sun Zhiye complied, bowing his head and clasping his hands, "I am Sun Zhiye, here to apologize on behalf of my wayward brother to Madam Xie."

"My brother has repeatedly erred; it is my failure in discipline."

Lu Mingchao blinked, pretending to be puzzled, "I have a question, I hope the eldest son of the Sun family can enlighten me."

"Please, go ahead."

"I am young and naive; I don't know whether to believe your words or your mother's."

Sun Zhiye lowered his head, his brow slightly furrowed.

With Xie Yan and Lu Yao arriving together, the maids leading the way and the magistrate remained silent.

Lu Mingchao gently reminded, "Your mother said that this unworthy one should know better and apologize to the second young master of the Sun family, saying that flies don't land on a seamless egg, and I should examine my own faults."

"Fine words cost nothing."