Chapter 113: Morning Clouds, Evening Rain

Chapter 113: Morning Clouds, Evening Rain

Lu Mingchao's voice was as calm and deep as a hidden river.

It was heavy.

It was cold.

If Cheng Zhi had truly lost her virtue, burdened by rumors, like a dove with broken wings, doomed to fall, and Lu Lei, in a moment of pity, reached out to catch her.

At that moment, the scandal would engulf them, leaving no room for defense.

Abduction and illicit affairs are entirely different matters.

Master Cheng would doubt the moral integrity of the Lu family due to Lu Miao's actions, and others would deem the entire Lu family as despicable for Lu Lei's alleged seduction of a scholar's daughter.

Lu Yao was preparing for the imperial examination next autumn.

Lu Yao's path to success had already been cut off for more than two years, and countless days and nights of effort had been woven into threads, only to rebuild a shaky bridge. How could it be allowed to be destroyed once more?

Upon reflection, she was the one to blame for this mess.

"I was too lenient," Lu Mingchao sighed, partly blaming herself, partly reflecting.

She was born in a time of peace and prosperity, strolling through spring, surrounded by the scent of flowers and birdsong. Even after being transported to this world, the principles of reason and righteousness from her time still shadowed her.

But she had forgotten that this was not a place where law, humanity, or justice mattered.

With enemies, you either endured humiliation or wiped them out entirely.

Yes, wiped them out entirely.

What’s the point of just trimming the branches?

Sun Zhiye was truly a fine whetstone.

He could hone her, this unconventional blade, to a razor’s edge.

In a moment, the despair in Lu Mingchao’s heart vanished.

There was no retreat; she had to confront the challenges directly.

"What really happened to Cheng Zhi’s virtue?"

Lu Mingchao lightly curled her fingers, tapping the table slowly.

Outside the window, snowflakes began to fall unnoticed, the wind blowing the snow, the snow tapping against the window, making the room feel clean and warm.

"I still need to meet Cheng Zhi, otherwise, it's hard to make some decisions," Lu Mingchao said.

She needed to determine what role Cheng Zhi played in this matter.

"As for meeting Miss Cheng, if we don't want it to seem deliberate, Lu Yao can help," Xie Yan continued to explain. "Lu Yao has a classmate whose younger sister has had interactions with Miss Cheng."

Lu Mingchao re-donned her cloak. "Better sooner than later. I'll go back again and try to subtly probe my brother."

"It’s better to be cautious."

"It's better for me to tell him than for him to suddenly hear it from someone with ulterior motives."

Xie Yan stood up, "I'll come with you."

"It's snowing, where are you off to in such a rush?" Shu Yuan held a brush in his hand, sweeping it across his face, leaning by the window to look at the two hurried figures in the yard.

Lu Mingchao adjusted her cloak and turned around, "Sun Zhiye has made a hostile move."

"Just kill him," Shu Yuan said calmly, as if the world had suddenly slowed down and quieted with the falling snow.

Lu Mingchao sighed, "We can't kill him. He's tied up with the Yongning Marquis's household."

"In the capital, the Yongning Marquis's household isn't top-tier, but their connections are deep and tangled. I worry that if Sun Zhiye dies mysteriously, it'll ruffle some feathers. Drawing more attention to Changhe County would do more harm than good."

"Killing him isn't the smart move."

"If he plays dirty, we'll play smarter."

"I want him to die without a doubt, so no one can question it."

"Tell your people to check if the second young master of the Sun family has any hidden assets, and plant two skilled men in the Taoist temple."

"Just make sure Old Master Sun and Madam Sun stay alive."

Shu Yuan threw down the brush in his hand, his face as black as Bao Gong's, and said seriously, "I'll handle it immediately."

Lu Mingchao: Such a handsome face, ruined enough to play the King of Hell.

It's painful to look at!

"Then it's all yours," Lu Mingchao nodded in gratitude.

Shu Yuan glared, "We're family, no need to stand on ceremony."

Lu Mingchao smiled, "Then you handle the house, and the kids' meals are on you."

Changxin Village, the Lu family.

Lu Mingchao returned, and a serious look crossed Lu Yao's moon-like, elegant face.

In the Lu family's small yard, the scent of food was already drifting.

Yunniang, busy in the kitchen with her sleeves rolled up, heard Lu Mingchao's voice and quickly opened the window, waving a wooden spoon, "Chaochao, son-in-law, I'll whip up a couple more of your favorites."

The cold wind mixed with the firewood smoke, making it a bit stifling. Yunniang coughed a couple of times.

Lu Mingchao beamed, "I love everything you cook, mom."

"A Yan does too."

Hearing this, Yunniang's smile deepened.

Lu Yao ushered Xie Yan and Lu Mingchao into the room.

"Second brother, get big brother in here too," Lu Mingchao said seriously.

Lu Yao had a hunch.

It's probably about big brother's love interest.

Lu Lei, chopping wood, felt his heart drop. He set down the axe and trudged towards the room.

"Sis, bro-in-law."

Lu Lei fidgeted nervously, not as open and honest as he used to be.

"Big brother, I need to ask you something. It might be a little personal, but it’s crucial. I hope you can be straight with me." Lu Mingchao steeled herself to speak.

Asking her big brother about intimate matters was really awkward.

"I’m not going to marry Cheng Zhi after all." Lu Lei lowered his head and spoke on his own.

Lu Mingchao was taken aback, her lips tightening.

This wasn’t just about marriage anymore, but a mess that was about to blow up in their faces.

"Big brother, that’s not what I’m asking about."

Lu Mingchao’s voice faltered slightly, "Big brother, have you and Cheng Zhi ever crossed the line?"

Lu Lei’s head snapped up, confused, "What do you mean?"

Lu Mingchao took a deep breath, closed her eyes, "I mean, have you been... together?"

Lu Yao, being a scholar, and Lu Lei, having been influenced by him for years, could more or less understand the euphemistic language.

Lu Lei’s face flushed crimson. He stumbled over his words.

"I haven’t even married her—how could I ruin her reputation?"

"Master Cheng’s really strict. If that had happened, he’d have broken Ah Zhi’s legs by now."

"Chaochao, please..."

In his flustered explanation, Lu Lei seemed to think of something. The blush on his cheeks faded, his face turned from red to white, gradually losing color, "Is it her..."

Lu Lei didn’t even dare to voice his speculation.

Lu Mingchao met Lu Lei’s gaze, slowly nodded, and solemnly recounted what Xie Yan had found out at the Floating Fragrance Pavilion.

"The assistant minister’s son was adamant. It seems that the matter of Cheng Zhi losing her virginity is not baseless."

"Even if it wasn’t you, they still want to pour the dirty water of seduction onto the Lu family."

"So, before dealing with this thorny issue, big brother, you must promise me one thing."

"No matter how difficult Cheng Zhi’s situation becomes after this matter blows up, no matter how much you feel for her, you must not step forward to admit to a false accusation."