Chapter 238: You’re Something Else!
Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Once she became a concubine of the Chen family, everything would be over for her. She would become a part of the Chen family, lose her reputation, and all her money would belong to them.
She and Chen Kai were not married through proper channels. According to the rural customs, they were supposed to be drowned.
She was neither an official concubine nor a wife; they were having an affair.
However, things were different now. Mayor Qian appeared. Wang Zongsheng recognized Lu Ruxin and knew she was the disciple expelled by Madam Qiao. He did a favor to Mayor Qian and Madam Qiao.
Otherwise, Lu Ruxin would be in a miserable situation.
Magistrate Wang focused on the evidence presented by Chen Kai and ruled against the Chen family.
Madam Chen Jia was taken away by the officials while Chen Kai looked displeased. He went to Lu Ruxin and surprisingly put on a caring act.
“Xin’er, do you have to do this?”
Lu Sanniang stared at him and slapped him across the face once again.
“Keep your distance from my daughter from now on. She’s living in the city alone but still has her family!”
Holding his face, Chen Kai gnashed his teeth, “Humph, you dare to mess with my Chen family…”
Before he could finish, Mayor Qian rushed over and slapped him. Today, he received three slaps in public court.
“Fine! Fine!”
Chen Kai, who was slapped three times, had no more composure and looked ferocious.
“You guys are really something!”
Mayor Qian looked at him coldly. “You are also quite something, daring to use such tricks to smear my daughter’s reputation and even trying to seize her property. Your Chen family is truly outstanding!”
“Humph, who are you to meddle in our affairs?” Chen Kai scrutinized Mayor Qian.
“I am Qian, Lu Ruxin’s father. The Qian family in Tianshui Town, to be precise.
What, do you want to compare your family background with mine?”
Chen Kai arrived later and wasn’t present when Mayor Qian greeted Magistrate Wang, so he didn’t know their relationship.
However, the Chen family knew who they should avoid in the city’s jurisdiction. First, it was the Wang family, and next was the Qian family. When he heard this, Chen Kai’s face turned gray. “You, you’re from the Qian
family in the capital?”
“That’s my big brother’s family.”
Chen Kai was so scared that he knelt with a thud. “I’m sorry. I didn’t recognize you.”
“Humph, we’re not finished with today.”
Mayor Qian looked at Wang Zongsheng. “I’ll take my daughter home first. We can discuss this another time.”
“Alright.”
The two exchanged polite greetings, and then Qian Zhenchang looked at Lu
Ruxin.
“Can you walk?”
“Yes.”
Lu Sanniang helped her up, and the three of them left the courtroom and got on a carriage, heading straight for Xin Garden.
In the living room, Mayor Qian and Lu Sanniang sat at the head of the table while Lu Ruxin knelt on the floor.
With a stern face, Lu Sanniang pointed her trembling fingers at her daughter.
“It’s incredible, my daughter. I never thought you would do something so outrageous.”
“Mother, I was wrong. I won’t do it again!”
“Humph, look at your mansion. Are you learning these things from your master? Do you have that ability? Do you know how much effort she put into her family? Are you worthy?”
“She transformed from someone who couldn’t read a single word into a literate person and from someone who knew nothing into a martial arts expert who could handle three to five men.
“She could do double-sided embroidery, run a business, and clearly distinguish right from wrong in the black-and-white world, never engaging in actions like yours. Are you even qualified?”
“She wholeheartedly worked for the sake of her family, displaying great skill and rarely seeking the limelight. She willingly stayed in Tianshui Town, never engaging in actions that would harm her family’s reputation.”
“She always protected her family’s honor and dignity. But look at the things you’ve done. Why didn’t you learn from her? Xin Garden? Haha, are you even worthy?”
Lu Sanniang spoke in a harsh and loud tone. Her daughter was overwhelmed, breaking into tears.
“Mother, I know I was wrong! Please, don’t say any more!”
“Today, we came here early. If we were a little late, you would have become the
Chen family’s concubine. Do you even know what a concubine is?” “Mother, I know I was wrong!”
“Hmph, thinking you’re all that just because you’ve opened numerous businesses with your master’s recipes, you’ve become arrogant and even considered keeping a lover in luxury. Ask yourself, do you even possess such skills?”
Lu Sanniang yelled as she spoke, her anger towards her eldest daughter palpable. Her head must have been struck by a door, kicked by a mule, and had dung thrown at it, for she wanted to give her a thrashing.
Mayor Qian felt it was enough. “Sanniang, that’s enough scolding. She’s suffered enough.”
“Not enough! She still doesn’t understand where she went wrong.”
“Mother, I know I was wrong. I was arrogant, self-important, looked down on others, and didn’t listen to advice. My stubbornness led to the current situation. I’m sorry, Mother!”
“Hmph, a child who has ventured far makes their mother worry. Have you ever considered me?”
“Today is the day of your Uncle Qian’s and my grand wedding!”
Lu Sanniang shouted at her daughter. It was then that Lu Ruxin realized why, during the court hearing, Mayor Qian kept emphasizing she was his daughter.
When she got into trouble, her mother and stepfather came immediately. But she was unaware of the grand wedding.
In her moment of disgrace, she had disrupted their joyous occasion. The magnitude of her fault was indeed significant. This was the result of caring versus not caring.
“Enough, Sanniang. That’s it!”
Mayor Qian looked at Lu Ruxin. “Since you used to address me as ‘Uncle,’ you should now call me ‘Father.”
“Father!”
“Well then, since you call me ‘Father,’ I have to plan for you. You can’t continue living in the provincial capital. The Chen family will keep causing trouble, especially now that your reputation is tarnished. For now, return to Tianshui Town?”
“I’ll follow Father’s arrangements for everything! ”
“You’re a good girl, but some things have blinded you and made your heart narrow. Learn from your mistakes, listen to your elders more, and never act recklessly again.”
“I understand!”
“Pack your things and take whatever you can. I’ll take care of this house for you. I have plenty of space. I’ll provide you with a separate residence. Settle your accounts and send everything to the Qian family in Tianshui Town. Don’t leave your new place and stay at home. When the dust settles, I’ll find a good match for you through a matchmaker. How does that sound?”
“Yes.”
Lu Ruxin obediently followed Mayor Qian and his wife back to Tianshui Town.
They returned in the middle of the night, and the townspeople didn’t know about the incident. Mayor Qian gave instructions not to let anyone utter a word about it.
Qiao Mai didn’t know about the incident because the next afternoon, Old Master Wang returned home with the twin brothers. The whole family gathered around them, asking about the exam. “How did you
“We did quite well and answered all the questions.”
“Alright, don’t stress yourselves too much. Do your best!”
“We can’t compare to father.”
“He’s a bookworm; of course, you can’t compare. I didn’t expect much from your exams as long as you pass.”
“Hehe, then it should be fine!”
“Hey, my little Feng’er and Yun’er are about to be scholars, huh?”
“The teacher said we should participate in the next imperial exam tomorrow.”
“Then we should listen to the teacher.”
“Mother, why doesn’t the Ming Dynasty have a martial exam?”
“The Ming Dynasty values literature over martial arts. The main reason is that there are no wars to fight. However, you should still learn martial arts because it will allow you to serve your country, keep you healthy, and protect your family.”
“Yes, we will.”
Chuan’er raised his little hand. “Mother, I will learn too.”
Qiao Mai flicked his nose. “You, with your lazy ways. When it comes to martial arts, you slack off.”
“Hehe, I might not be cut out for it, but I have a good physique.”
“That’s true. With all the food you eat, you better have a good physique.”
“Haha!”
The next day, Yuan Jiaqi returned on time. He came back to hear that the children did well in their exams and was pretty happy about it.
When the weather got warmer, tree planting began again on the outskirts of
County She..
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