Chapter 155: No Need to Be Too Cutthroat

Chapter 155: No Need to Be Too Cutthroat

Was the Zhang family patriarch ensnared by Sun Zhiye’s mask of kindness and morality, or was he blinded by Sun Zhiye’s flashy and over-the-top promises? Ultimately, it’s all about greed.

An ink-wash landscape screen cleverly blocks out the noise of Chaofu Grain Shop from the outside world.

Lu Mingchao lounged comfortably in the rocking chair, her fingers slightly bent, tapping the armrest in rhythm.

If Sun Zhiye wanted to get back on his feet, there were two pressing issues.

First, business reputation.

Second, money.

He could still juggle funds to cover the accounts.

But what about his falling apart reputation?

How could Sun Zhiye restore it in a short time?

But how to fix it didn’t matter.

She would hit him hard when he thought he was on the upswing.

The sky had been gray for days.

The case of Cheng Zhi charging Lu Lei with fraud was finally settled. Because of lack of evidence and unclear details, Lu Lei could not be convicted and was let off.

The Cheng father and daughter were sentenced to a beating for malicious slander and framing.

Meanwhile, the Cheng father and son’s reputation was ruined.

The statement Cheng Zhi made during her defense in court, that on the ninth day of the ninth month in the eighth year of Qiyong, she was personally sent by her father and brother to Juren Hu’s residence in Hewan Lane, packed a punch.

The image of Master Cheng, who had only just built up a reputation as a respected teacher in Lianhua Town, came crashing down in an instant.

No amount of explaining, excusing, or arguing could help.

Even the eldest son of the Cheng family was despised.

Their usual hypocrisy and sanctimoniousness became sharp knives, cutting into the father and son.

Cheng Zhi, limping with her bruised and bloodied body after the beating, tearfully declared that she no longer wished to be coerced by her father and brother into immoral acts and requested to leave the Cheng family.

She’d rather die in misery than live in disgrace.

According to Daqian law, children accusing their parents is a grave act of filial impiety. Among them, descendants who establish separate households without parental consent are sentenced to at least three years of hard labor.

The "Classic of Filial Piety" states that among the five punishments, there are three thousand offenses, but none is greater than filial impiety.

In all dynasties, filial impiety has existed as an independent crime.

Even in the laws of previous dynasties, filial impiety was listed under the "Ten Abominations," with more severe and harsh punishments.

Thus, when the news broke, countless people were shocked.

Upon hearing this, Lu Mingchao felt a spark of admiration. She did not show herself but privately hired a lawyer for Cheng Zhi under a concealed identity.

Every profession has its expertise, and a lawyer skilled in Daqian law can identify the most obscure loopholes and overlooks no detail.

This is the sole favor she would grant Cheng Zhi, a fellow woman.

With a lawyer present, Cheng Zhi is bound to achieve her wishes with the least resistance.

Lu Mingchao stood in the courtyard behind Chaofu Grain Shop, her expression calm, as she plucked a plum branch.

The red plum blossoms today were without the fluttering snow.

They were proud, unyielding, pure, and fervent.

Cheng Zhi's past—she could surmise the broad strokes without deep investigation.

In the eighth year of Qiyong, Cheng Zhi was just on the cusp of adolescence.

Cheng Zhi brought up Juren Hu, but was he the only one?

As she was just maturing, Cheng Zhi's nightmare began.

To fall or to choose to fall.

This was the only path Cheng Zhi had.

It is hoped that, after leaving the Cheng family, Cheng Zhi would bloom like the red plum blossoms after the snow, bursting with life on the branches.

Beneath a gentle yet bright sun, free from the harsh winds and heavy snow that aimed to humiliate and crush her.

As for the false accusation, Cheng Zhi received her due.

Beyond her deserts, Cheng Zhi also deserves the right to live.

Detestable! Yet pitiable!

She is Lu Mingchao.

She is not merely Lu Mingchao of Daqian.

Standing on the land of Daqian, she must not forget her past in a world that upheld human rights.

Lu Mingchao twirled the plum branch, gently tucking it into her bun.

A breeze passed, causing the delicate red plum blossoms to sway gently.

"Mingchao, the carriage is ready."

Xie Yan leaned against the pillar, smiling as he looked at Lu Mingchao.

Mingchao had not concealed from him her efforts to find a lawyer for Cheng Zhi.

He knows, Mingchao seeks revenge for grievances.

He also knows, Mingchao harbors compassion.

A contradiction? Not at all.

This is how a living person should truly be.

He never liked to describe Mingchao with terms like indecisiveness or womanly kindness.

The Great Dao encompasses fifty, Heaven claims forty-nine, and man holds onto one.

Even the Great Dao operates this way, so why should people's schemes and calculations be so absolute, forcing a choice between life and death?

Lu Mingchao's eyes curved into a smile as she gestured vaguely at the red plum in her hair bun, "A Yan, does it look straight?"

"Straight," Xie Yan replied, picking up the plum petal that had fallen on Lu Mingchao's shoulder.

The plum branch stands straight. The heart is true. The path ahead will be just.

With a sparkle in her eyes and palms pressed together, Lu Mingchao boarded the carriage from the back door of Chaofu Grain Shop, heading to a secluded Taoist temple outside the city.

Inside the carriage, the bronze heater emitted a steady warmth, with gentle wisps of heat floating in the air. Soft, sweet pastries rested on a white porcelain plate, their aroma enticing. Two volumes of policy discussions were neatly arranged on a small wooden box.

These were originally Lu Yao's drafts, tested and reviewed in his spare time.

After stumbling upon it, Lu Mingchao borrowed the volumes to read.

The deeper she delved, the more astonished she grew.

Lu Yao's policy discussions were not mere rhetoric; they pinpointed current issues with visionary insight.

As if destined for the court, he naturally cared for his people.

After rolling up the policy discussions and placing them in the box, Lu Mingchao accepted the hot tea from Xie Yan and took a sip.

Xie Yan calmly said, "The old squire of Lotus Town, Zhang, sold his shops and fields, raising forty thousand taels of silver, all handed over to Sun Zhiye by Zhang Cheng."

Lu Mingchao frowned slightly, "Didn’t we have someone drop a subtle hint?"

"Given Grandfather Zhang's caution, he’d only act after careful thought."

"After careful thought and caution," Xie Yan explained, "Without it, even the Zhang family’s ancestral property might have been sold."

"Did Sun Zhiye offer a new incentive?" Lu Mingchao speculated.

"To the capital?" she asked.

Lu Mingchao had a sudden flash of insight, a stroke of fortune.

"Sun Zhiye told the Zhang family he’d found refuge with a capital nobleman."

"The Marquis of Yongning’s banner still carries weight."

"Right?" she asked.

Xie Yan nodded, "That’s likely the case."

"Initially, Grandfather Zhang planned to sell some fields and shops, raising over ten thousand taels for timely aid."

"After a secret talk with Sun Zhiye, he escalated, selling everything but the Zhang family’s ancestral property, showing a resolve to stand with Sun Zhiye through thick and thin."

Lu Mingchao's fingertips caressed the teacup, "In the end, ambition and greed have prevailed."

"According to Grandfather Zhang, with the Marquis of Yongning backing Sun Zhiye, there would never be a shared fate of doom."

If indeed the Marquis of Yongning were his backing, Sun Zhiye could indeed stand firm and act with impunity in Changhe County.

Unfortunately, Lu Minghui does not represent the Marquis of Yongning.

Moreover, Lu Minghui has her own agenda.

I wonder what Lu Minghui is up to now?

Perhaps she has learned to show mercy when it’s due after returning to the Marquis of Yongning.

Highly unlikely.

After all, old habits die hard.

Lu Minghui’s thirst for vengeance.