Sister-in-law Meixiang asked in a disbelieving whisper, “Qingqing, are you saying Honghong married Lu Jianguo because she was having an illicit affair with him?”
Nan Qingqing ate a piece of candy.
The milky flavor instantly spread through her mouth.
She narrowed her eyes contentedly and said, “Sister-in-law’s maiden family is from Lu Family Village, right? If you don’t believe me, go back and ask them. Many people from the Lu family saw it.”
Sister-in-law Meixiang could tell from Nan Qingqing’s expression that she wasn’t lying.
She kindly informed Nan Qingqing, “Nan Honghong said it was you who wanted to go to Nancheng to join the army, so you had an illicit affair with Lu Jianguo’s uncle. Your parents are furious and are currently in the south room apologizing to Lu Jianguo.”
Nan Qingqing simply said, “Oh, thank you, Sister-in-law Meixiang.”
Meixiang smiled and said, “Just a verbal thanks? Give me some candy to eat.”
Nan Qingqing grabbed five or six pieces of candy and handed them over.
Sister-in-law Meixiang clicked her tongue twice and said, “What a waste of such long fingers, only grabbing this much?”
Nan Qingqing smiled until her eyes narrowed into tiny crescents.
Sister-in-law Meixiang patted Nan Qingqing’s bottom and said, “You have a slim waist and wide hips – perfect for bearing children.”
Nan Qingqing: “…”
Nan Qingqing entered her home.
Nan Honghong was lying over the Eight Immortals Table in the main room, crying.
Lu Baiyang didn’t know where to put the things in his hands.
Nan Qingqing walked directly to the south room door.
She kicked it open with one foot.
Nan Fusheng had just been bowing and scraping in apology for Nan Qingqing’s illicit affair.
He never expected this troublemaker would show up now.
Nan Fusheng picked up the broom beside him and swung it at her, “Today I’m going to beat to death this shameless creature, this wretched thing! Where do you expect your old man to put his face?”
Nan Fusheng gripped the broom handle tightly.
Using the same strength he employed for farm work, he continuously swung at Nan Qingqing.
While running, Nan Qingqing said, “You old foolish ruler, you don’t know anything.”
Nan Fusheng snorted, “If I don’t beat you to death today, I’ll call you father.”
While running, Nan Qingqing retorted, “I don’t want a son who can’t distinguish right from wrong like you. If grandmother were still here, she’d be furious with you too.”
Nan Fusheng: “You beastly creature, how dare you mention your grandmother! You were spoiled rotten by her. Today I’m going to teach you some discipline.”
Nan Qingqing darted behind Lu Baiyang in a flash.
Lu Baiyang raised his arm to block Nan Fusheng’s broom swing.
Even Lu Baiyang felt the sting from that blow.
If that had hit Nan Qingqing…
Lu Baiyang thought of Nan Qingqing’s fair, glowing skin – it would surely have been badly injured.
Lu Baiyang said in a deep voice, “Father-in-law, I am Lu Baiyang, Qingqing’s husband.”
Nan Fusheng glanced at Lu Baiyang.
Though he was over forty years old, he found this young man’s gaze somewhat intimidating.
But Nan Fusheng would never admit he was afraid.
He pressed down on one end of the broom with one hand.
Placing the other hand on his hip.
He said furiously, “Nan Qingqing, I carefully selected a husband for you, and you agreed to marry him. But on the wedding day, instead of marrying Jianguo, you actually married Jianguo’s uncle! Do you know how the villagers are gossiping about this?”
Nan Qingqing hid behind Lu Baiyang.
Peeking out with just her head.
Nan Fusheng raised the broom.
Nan Qingqing quickly pulled her head back again. “What do you know? Were you present at the wedding yesterday? Hearing is false, seeing is true. You didn’t witness it yourself, yet you’re convicting me based on rumors and gossip. The villagers also say you’re the one who drove my mother away, that you and Wang Meihua were carrying on while my mother was still here, and some even say Nan Honghong is your biological daughter. Are those rumors true?”
Nan Fusheng couldn’t help but curse, “Of course not, that’s all bullshit.”
Nan Qingqing raised her voice, “So when it’s about you, it’s bullshit, but when it’s about me, it’s the truth? Who made that rule?”
Nan Fusheng: “…”
Nan Honghong rushed out.
She exchanged a glance with Lu Jianguo.
Both of them were somewhat panicked.
The reason they could lie so brazenly was because when Nan Honghong brought up the matter of the bridal return visit during today’s meal, Nan Qingqing had remained silent.
Additionally, since the family hadn’t prepared any gifts for Lu Baiyang and Nan Qingqing’s return visit, Nan Honghong had concluded they wouldn’t be making the visit.
So on the way, she had discussed with Lu Jianguo about shifting all the blame onto Nan Qingqing.
They planned to claim that during the wedding, Nan Qingqing had seen the groom’s younger uncle, became enamored with his military status, and insisted on marrying him instead.
And that she, Nan Honghong, was the one who saved the situation.
But Nan Honghong and Lu Jianguo never expected that Nan Qingqing and Lu Baiyang would actually show up for the return visit.
Nan Honghong shot Lu Jianguo a meaningful look.
However, Lu Jianguo pretended not to see it.
Nan Honghong was so angry her eyes turned even redder.
But things had already come to this.
Nan Honghong knew she had to step forward and put an end to this farce.
She quickly said, “Dad, what’s past is past, let’s not bring it up anymore. Now, Qingqing and her husband, me and Jianguo – we’re all doing fine.”
Nan Fusheng looked at this daughter who, though not biologically his, was sensible and understanding, and felt somewhat comforted.
Nan Honghong took the broom from Nan Fusheng’s hand.
She forced a smile and said, “Qingqing, hurry and bring your husband inside. Mom was just wondering why you hadn’t arrived yet.”
Nan Qingqing emerged from behind Lu Baiyang, “Why shouldn’t we talk about it? I’d like to discuss it.”
Nan Honghong’s smile froze at the corners of her mouth.
Nan Fusheng gritted his teeth, “Nan Qingqing, don’t be ungrateful when given face.”
Nan Qingqing sneered, “I’m ungrateful? Since I was little, have you ever given me any respect? Have you ever believed what I said?”
Nan Fusheng was stunned by the question, “What exactly do you want? Today is the day for the bridal return visit – must you make trouble on this very day?”
Nan Qingqing shook her head with a laugh, lowering her gaze as she said, “So now it’s me causing trouble again. How perfect. Yes, I want to make trouble, but why would I want to make trouble? Have you ever cared? You don’t care. You never care.”
Nan Fusheng said, “I raised you to adulthood – did I do wrong in that too?”
Nan Qingqing enunciated each word clearly, “Terribly wrong. You shouldn’t have raised me at all. You should have strangled me at birth.”
Nan Fusheng: “Listen to what you’re saying! Is that any way for a person to talk? You’ll make your husband laugh at us! Stop talking.”
He moved to grab Nan Qingqing.
Nan Qingqing shoved Nan Fusheng away, “Don’t touch me! You only ever believe what those two mother and daughter say. They’re your real family. I’m the outsider who needs to be guarded against. I’m the stranger in this house.”
Nan Fusheng frowned.
Fuming with rage, he said, “Why are you saying all this? Have I ever let you go hungry or thirsty? So what if I didn’t let you go to school? What’s the point of a girl reading so many books? It’ll make your heart restless, and then you’ll just run away.”
Nan Qingqing clenched her fists tightly.
Two lifetimes.
She had completely lost all hope for her father.
The blood vessels in her eyes bulged one by one as she said, “Do you know that yesterday, at my wedding, I caught Nan Honghong and Lu Jianguo having an illicit affair in my wedding chamber, on the kang?”