Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Seven: Eliminating Witnesses Rather Than Keeping Secrets

Chapter One Hundred and Fifty-Seven: Eliminating Witnesses Rather Than Keeping Secrets

Madam Yongning Marquis gently brushed past Lu Minghui's hair, her gaze heavy with concern.

She felt both indifference and a mix of worry and pity.

Her indifference was directed at the servants in Lanxi Courtyard who had been executed by beating, while the worry and pity were for Lu Minghui's pure and gentle reputation and her prestigious marriage.

Lu Minghui felt her scalp tighten, cold sweat beaded on her forehead, and her long lashes fluttered uncontrollably.

Madam Yongning Marquis's hand hesitated slightly, a flicker of displeasure flashed in her eyes as she spoke in a deep voice, "Minghui, if you can handle this matter properly, choosing to conceal it is acceptable. However, if the situation worsens due to concealment, it will be too late to confess then."

"You have recently returned to the capital, without any old friends from your past, and the Duke's family's attitude towards the marriage is aloof and indifferent. Moreover, Gu Huai has disrespected both families by requesting to be stationed outside the capital without permission. Your situation is perilous, and you must always act with caution, allowing no room for negligence."

"Minghui, I have only you and your brother as my children, and I am fully committed to planning for your future."

Lu Minghui resolved herself and knelt down with a thud, her head bowed while she sobbed, "Mother, since I rejoined the family, I have always comported myself with the demeanor of a high-born lady, not daring to make any missteps."

"However..."

Lu Minghui promptly revealed a look of shame and anger, "In Changxi Village, Lu Chunhe and his son intended to humiliate me. I was vigilant and managed to preserve my chastity."

"But, it is still a disgraceful matter that cannot be exposed."

"The Duke's family is already dissatisfied with me, and if this old matter comes to light, my life will be ruined."

"I have had a hard life. Lu Mingchao lived in luxury in the marquis's residence, while I suffered in the countryside. Now that we have finally returned to our rightful places, I still have to live in fear, unable to sleep at night."

Lu Chunhe and his son must die.

This was something she had resolved to do since she was reborn with her memories.

In this life, she was determined to replace Lu Mingchao and become a flawless and respected noblewoman.

If possible, she would like to turn Changxi Village and Dahe Village into scorched earth, with no survivors.

This way, no one would know about her foolish past.

The foolish things she had done were too numerous to count.

Madam Yongning Marquis's face changed drastically, a mix of green and white, and she was instantly furious. The graceful demeanor she usually displayed was now completely gone, replaced by sharpness in her eyes as she tightly grasped Lu Minghui's wrist.

"Humiliation?"

"Physical contact?" Madam Yongning Marquis spoke word by word.

Lu Minghui looked embarrassed, "Mother, I resisted with my life."

Madam Yongning Marquis seemed not to notice Lu Minghui's embarrassment and slapped her, "How dare you keep such an important matter hidden for so long."

"Do you know..."

"If your reputation is ruined, even if you are not defiled, it is as if you were!"

"What kind of scoundrels are Lu Chunhe and his son, with no filter on their mouths? If they speak out, you are finished!"

"At that time, not only the Duke's family, but even the declining nobility will criticize and pick on you. You will only end up being sent far away, married off to a poor family or a merchant's son."

As if not satisfied, Madam Yongning Marquis extended her finger and poked Lu Minghui's forehead hard, more out of frustration and disappointment than anger.

Lu Minghui knelt on the ground, crying helplessly, "Mother, I was afraid, afraid that you would despise me if you found out, afraid that I would bring shame to the Yongning Marquis family."

"Mother, I know I was wrong."

"Please help me."

The Madam of Yongning Marquis pursed her red lips, frowned in thought for a moment, and said in a deep voice, "This matter, I will handle it for you."

"From now on, keep it to yourself."

Lu Minghui lowered her eyes, a flash of joy in her heart.

Sun Zhiye refused to be her pawn, but the Madam would also clear all obstacles for her.

"Don’t worry, Mother, I understand."

The Madam of Yongning Marquis pulled Lu Minghui up and spoke earnestly, "Hui'er, you are the cherished daughter of the Yongning Marquis family, a gem, a rare beauty. That Lu Chunhe and his son are just rubble and weeds, unworthy of causing you worry and anxiety, losing your calm."

"Right now, the most important thing is for you to marry into the Duke's family with grace and dignity, not to give others a reason to laugh at you."

"When you marry into the Duke's family, the Marquis family will have me and your brother as your support. In the future, when you manage the Duke's household and become the mistress of a high-ranking family, you must also help your brother."

"Are you in pain?"

The Madam of Yongning Marquis gently touched Lu Minghui's swollen cheek, her voice filled with apology, and continued, "I was so angry that I hit you too hard."

Lu Minghui, with tears streaming down her face, sobbed, "I know you were worried about me; it doesn’t hurt."

"How does Mother plan to handle this?"

The Madam of Yongning Marquis used a handkerchief to wipe the tears flowing down Lu Minghui's cheeks, her gaze sharp and meaningful, "Hui'er, what are your thoughts?"

Lu Minghui's heart skipped a beat, but she showed no sign on her face, appearing naive and indecisive, "What if we send someone with money to silence them?"

The Madam of Yongning Marquis sighed deeply.

Kindness has its virtues.

"Hui'er, money won’t silence villains; it will only fuel their greed."

"Today, I will teach you a lesson: a deadly secret must never be entrusted to others."

Unless, that person is dead.

Silencing isn’t as sure as eliminating.

Lu Minghui looked as if she understood but also didn't, obediently saying, "With Mother’s love and guidance, I will learn well."

"Thank you, Mother."

The adoration in Lu Minghui’s eyes was unmistakable.

A deadly secret must never be entrusted to others, then it can only be left in the hands of ghosts.

She hoped the Madam of Yongning Marquis wouldn’t let her down.

According to her original plan, she wanted to establish herself and have people she could use before carrying out the elimination, but who would have thought that Lu Chunhe and his son were seeking death, then don't blame her for sending them to their graves early.

Early death means early reincarnation—a great act of merit.

"Do your adoptive parents' family know about this?" the Madam of the Yongning Marquis suddenly asked, as if struck by a thought.

Lu Minghui pursed her lips and murmured, "They only know the general idea, not the details."

The Madam of the Yongning Marquis raised her eyebrows and asked, "Are you sure?"

Lu Minghui nodded, "Lu Yao witnessed it, but he later accidentally fell into the water and had a high fever that wouldn't subside. His mental capacity reverted to that of a child, and he doesn't remember that incident."

The Madam of the Yongning Marquis's eyes flashed with a gleam, "How fortunate."

Lu Minghui pretended not to understand the deeper meaning in the Madam's words and earnestly agreed, "Surviving is indeed a stroke of luck."

She wasn't shielding the Lu family; the timing wasn't right. Simultaneous accidents involving Lu Chunhe and Lu Chunsheng would surely raise eyebrows.

Other young ladies in the capital were also watching her, eager for her to slip up.

After all, the role of the Duke's family heir's wife is highly coveted.

Besides, Lu Yao is the only thorn in the Lu family's side.

Handling Lu Yao doesn't require her to get her hands dirty.

Princess Qingyu, known for her many lovers, would likely be drawn to the exceptionally handsome Lu Yao.

She had considered winning Lu Yao's favor.

Yet, Lu Yao's piercing, cold gaze seemed to strip away all pretense, leaving her feeling completely exposed.

A journey to a Taoist temple deep in the mountains.