“Young Master, if it weren’t for this marriage contract, we would be like strangers. Now that I have someone else in my heart, why do you insist on keeping me here?”
“A forced marriage is never sweet. Let’s part amicably. To be honest, I was in the wrong first. As the party at fault, I will return double the betrothal gifts.”
In order to make Zhou Hongbai give up completely, Cao Lingyun forced herself to say some harsh words, even trampling on his male pride.
As expected, the smile on Zhou Hongbo’s face visibly disappeared, and his expression became increasingly unpleasant.
Her words were as sharp as an awl, each sentence piercing Zhou Hongbo’s heart, leaving him wounded all over.
After a long pause, Zhou Hongbai feigned calmness and said, “The engagement was arranged by our elders, and the annulment of the engagement naturally requires the agreement of both families. I cannot make that decision.”
Unwilling to listen to her hurtful words any longer, he quickly tore the annulment letter to shreds and fled as if his life depended on it.
Cao Lingyun watched his disheveled retreating figure, feeling a pang of heartache, but she couldn’t soften her heart.
Seeing Zhou Hongbai leave, Yanzhi lifted her skirt and came in. She saw Cao Lingyun staring blankly and couldn’t bear it.
She picked up a handkerchief and stepped forward to wipe away Cao Lingyun’s tears, unable to resist offering words of comfort.
“Miss, is it worth breaking off your engagement with the young master just to deal with the people in the next courtyard?”
“Of course it’s not worth it.”
Cao Lingyun felt weak and powerless. She closed her eyes, her heart aching. “But he is innocent.”
In her previous life, she hurt him repeatedly, but he was happy to endure it. Even after she married someone else, he never gave up on her.
Even after her death, it was Zhou Hongbai who personally avenged her enemies.
Having been reborn, her enemy is still before her. She has not yet avenged her great grudge, so how could she dare to harbor any illusions, lest she bring trouble to Zhou Hongbai again?
“Miss, please forgive me for being nosy, but if we take advantage of the young master’s influence, it will be easier for us to do things. With the young master backing us up, the master will be more wary.”
“Shut up,” Cao Lingyun snapped. “You must never say such things again, or I’ll sell you off.”
“This servant knows she was wrong.” Rouge realized she had said the wrong thing and lowered her head to admit her mistake.
They had just returned to Renxi Residence when Bao Yan walked in right after them.
“Miss.” Bao Yan quickly came to her side and said with a smile, “The matter has been taken care of. The master will return to the manor in about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.”
Cao Lingyun nodded, walked into the room, took out a gold hairpin with cloud and phoenix patterns from her dressing case, and handed it to Bao Yan along with a letter.
“Go to Baoyue Tower and find Head Lin. Be sure to give her the token in person, and do not ask anyone else to do it.”
“Please rest assured, young lady.”
Bao Yan took her things and left the Cao residence.
“Rouge, help me with my makeup and dressing up. We still have a good show to show.”
Cao Lingyun tidied herself up a bit, then lifted her skirt and walked towards Ming’an Hall.
Before they even reached Ming’an Hall, Cao Jianfeng’s roar could be heard, mixed with the sound of a woman sobbing incessantly.
“Crying, all you do is cry. If it weren’t for your pleading, this wretched girl would never have been allowed to leave the manor. In front of everyone, a concubine’s daughter pushed the legitimate daughter into the lake. What a skill!”
“I have been ridiculed all the way here. This wretched girl has disgraced the Cao family. From today onwards, I will stay at home and reflect on my mistakes.”
Cao Jianfeng’s face was gloomy as he cursed Cao Linglan in displeasure.
“Why is Father angry? I don’t think Fourth Sister did it on purpose. She lost her virginity a few days ago and was probably traumatized.”
Cao Lingyun strode inside, glanced at Cao Linglan kneeling on the ground, and her smile deepened.
She bowed slightly and forced a smile, “Although my fourth sister was a bit impulsive this time, fortunately she only pushed me into the water and did not hurt anyone else.”
“In the end, this is all a family matter. It’s just a matter of others having a few comments, so it’s not a big deal.”
The silence inside Ming’an Hall was terrifying, and the heavy atmosphere made one want to escape.
“You bastard, if you had known you would cause such a terrible disaster, you should have just killed him and his lover together back then, so that you wouldn’t have offended my eyes.”
Cao Jianfeng was so disappointed in him that he almost ground his teeth to powder.
For him, family honor was more important than anything else.
Faced with the vandals, I wish I could devour them alive immediately.
He had a terrible headache, so he sat down, rubbing his forehead, and gave Cao Linglan a disgusted look.
“Feng Lang.” Peng Xue’s delicate hand had just touched Cao Jianfeng’s sleeve when he shook it off the next second.
Cao Jianfeng angrily pointed at Peng Xue and scolded her, “These are all good children you raised. They’ve really opened my eyes.”
“I have repeatedly told you to be careful with your words and actions when you are out and about, because your words and deeds represent the Cao family.”
“You’re really something, ignoring what I said.”
“Father, it’s not like that. It was her. She must have hired someone to ruin my reputation.”
Cao Linglan was unwilling to give up and pointed at Cao Lingyun, trying to persuade her father.
But before her hands could even touch Cao Jianfeng, he turned away in disgust.
Her father thought she was dirty?!
She closed her eyes in despair, her mind replaying the events of her past life, trying to find a way to retaliate against Cao Lingyun.
Unfortunately, it ended in failure.
Although she was reborn, things took an unexpected turn, leaving her feeling melancholy.
She had no time to worry about anything else, as she was focused on regaining her position in the Cao family. As for Cao Lingyun, there was no rush; there would be plenty of ways to deal with her later.
“Father, I have been framed and suffered a great loss, which has also put the Cao family in danger many times. I know I have no right to defend myself. I am willing to accept the punishment, but I beg you to grant me this request.”
Upon hearing this, Cao Jianfeng’s expression softened. “Tell me,” he said.
“Now that Lan’er has long passed the coming-of-age ceremony, although she has lost her chastity and cannot marry into a high-class family, she can still marry into a lower-class family.”
Cao Linglan said to herself, “There are many capable people among the candidates in this year’s imperial examination, which will be a great help to the Cao family.”
Cao Lingyun realized something was wrong. In her previous life, Cao Linglan had put in a lot of effort to help her break off her engagement with Zhou Hongbai.
After she got married, everyone in the capital knew that the fourth daughter of the Cao family was eager to marry the young master of the Zhou family.
However, the latter looked down on Cao Linglan at all, and this younger sister who had been scheming all her life ultimately failed to marry into the Duke of Zhou’s mansion as she wished.
Why has Cao Linglan changed her ways?
No matter what she’s up to, Cao Lingyun won’t let her get her way.
“My sister is as naive as ever, using your filthy body to deceive the candidates. Aren’t you afraid of backfiring and bringing utter disaster to the Cao family?”
Cao Lingyun lowered her eyes and smiled faintly, her sarcasm reaching its peak as she repeatedly brought up Cao Linglan’s pain to lash out at her.
She casually picked up her teacup, took a sip, and cleared her throat before saying, “Without a pure body, let alone a scholar, even a country bumpkin wouldn’t look at me.”
“Father, it’s not that I’m heartless. This matter concerns the honor and disgrace of the Cao family. I have no choice but to speak out for justice to prevent my sister from going astray.”
She emphasized “went astray,” intentionally or unintentionally reminding her father of what happened that night.
Upon hearing this, Cao Jianfeng was stunned, and his expression changed drastically. He had almost been brainwashed by Cao Linglan, but fortunately, Cao Lingyun reacted quickly and managed to stop the damage in time.
The events of that night were like leftover food; every time he thought about them, he felt incredibly disgusted and repulsed.