Marshal Lu smacked his lips. The pear soup had the refreshing sweetness of fresh pears combined with the soft, gelatinous texture of white fungus.
It was absolutely delicious.
“I’ll make another pot for you today. That brat Shijia snatched two pears yesterday. I don’t know where they bought them, but they’re honestly the best pears I’ve ever tasted.”
Marshal Lu nodded. He needed to finish them quickly before that rascal came back to raid the kitchen again.
A good night’s rest naturally put him in a good mood.
Unfortunately, that pleasant mood lasted only until the gate guard came to report a visitor.
The moment he heard who had come, his expression darkened.
The child had looked so pitiful yesterday that his opinion of Xu Shanchuan had plummeted. He wasn’t someone who judged unfairly, and he had already sent people to investigate everything.
If it all proved true…
He would definitely seek justice for Old Master Xu.
Seeing the marshal’s grim face, the young guard asked cautiously,
“Should I turn them away for you?”
“No. Tell them I’m still asleep. Let them stand outside for two hours before allowing them in.”
It was a beautiful sunny day. Standing outside for two hours wouldn’t kill them.
“Yes, sir.”
The guard returned and relayed the message exactly as instructed.
Tang Jinhua frowned.
“Could that little bitch have said something to the marshal? Otherwise, a family as proper as the Lus would never leave guests waiting like this.”
Xu Shanchuan immediately scolded her,
“Keep your voice down! Do you want someone to hear you and have you arrested?”
Xu Xunle, having been reborn, remained comparatively calm.
“As the saying goes, those who endure hardship will rise above others. Right now, all we can do is wait.”
Tang Jinhua shot her a glare.
“You wretched girl. Now you’re lecturing me? Fine. Let’s see what kind of ‘great person’ you become later.”
By the time the three of them were drenched in sweat, they were finally allowed inside.
Xu Xunle wiped the perspiration from her face.
“I told you perseverance pays off. Once we tell them everything, they definitely won’t want someone with such a disgraceful private life.”
Tang Jinhua clutched her handbag tightly while wiping the sweat from her forehead.
“I don’t know… I have a bad feeling about this.”
The moment they entered, Xu Shanchuan was awestruck by the Lu residence.
The Xu family had been wealthy, but because of the political climate, their villa still sat beside ordinary residential blocks.
The Lu residence, on the other hand, was surrounded by lush trees. Simply stepping inside brought a sense of tranquility.
Elegant without being ostentatious.
Marshal Lu sat in the pavilion in the courtyard.
“Go ahead. What is it you wanted to discuss?”
Looking at the marshal’s stern expression, Xu Shanchuan’s heart skipped a beat.
The marshal hadn’t even said anything, yet his legs were already trembling.
He had seen plenty of influential people before…
Clenching his fists, he forced his weakening spine straight.
“Marshal Lu, today I’ve come to confess something.”
After speaking, he carefully observed the marshal, whose expression remained unchanged, silently signaling him to continue.
Xu Shanchuan swallowed and went on.
“My unfilial daughter can no longer marry Lu Shijia…”
“…because she’s no longer a virgin.”
The moment those words left his mouth, Marshal Lu, Meng Qi’an, Lu Beichen, Lu Shijia, Xu Nianchu, and Yu Wei—who had just stepped inside—were all stunned into silence.
Marshal Lu narrowed his eyes.
The wrinkles on his face looked as sharp as if carved by a blade.
“Do you understand what you’re saying?”
Xu Shanchuan nearly lost his nerve but still forced himself onward.
“I do. I have proof.”
He motioned to Tang Jinhua.
Her trembling hands reached into her bag and produced a bloodstained piece of clothing.
“This is what she wore the night before last when she stayed out overnight. She didn’t come home until the following morning. We’re deeply ashamed that our daughter has brought such disgrace upon the family.”
She paused, seeing the marshal’s face grow colder than ice, then hurriedly continued,
“Well…”
“If you still don’t want to cancel the engagement, then perhaps… another daughter could take her place. They’re both our daughters after all. Xu Xunle is our eldest. She would be perfectly suitable.”
As she spoke, she pushed Xu Xunle forward.
Xu Xunle had been smiling for so long that her face was beginning to cramp.
She forced herself to maintain the smile, though it looked more painful than cheerful.
Xu Nianchu let out a cold laugh as she stepped forward.
“I’ve heard of ‘swapping the prince with a civet cat.’ I never thought you’d try replacing me with a counterfeit.”
“I never believed the saying that ugly people dream the biggest dreams… but today I do.”
The three members of the Xu family froze the instant they saw Xu Nianchu.
Xu Xunle recovered first.
“Little Sister, don’t be like this. I know you’re unwilling, but in a matter like this, shouldn’t you at least ask whether Lu Shijia is willing to marry a woman who’s already been with another man?”
Her intentions couldn’t have been more obvious.
She wanted Xu Nianchu to ask Lu Shijia directly.
What man wouldn’t care about something like this?
Whether it was true or not, as long as the question was asked, a thorn would be planted in both their hearts.
If Lu Shijia knew she wasn’t a virgin but still chose to marry her, he’d surely feel uncomfortable.
If he refused, Xu Nianchu would think he lacked conviction.
What Xu Xunle hadn’t expected…
…was that Xu Nianchu walked straight toward her.
Right in front of all the elders—
Smack!
Xu Nianchu swung with all her strength.
The crisp slap echoed through the courtyard.
Xu Xunle collapsed onto the ground.
Five bright finger marks instantly appeared on her face, and blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
Xu Nianchu’s own hand wasn’t spared either. Her palm had turned bright red from the impact.
But…
Hitting her felt incredibly satisfying.
She’d do it again next time.
Xu Shanchuan was the first to rush forward.
“You unfilial brat! How did I raise such a disgrace? Your upbringing is appalling! I feel ashamed before Marshal Lu!”
Xu Nianchu smiled.
“Ashamed?”
“I don’t think the person you’ve wronged is Marshal Lu.”
“I think it’s my mother.”
Xu Shanchuan’s face instantly stiffened.
Did she know something?
Had she discovered the truth about her mother’s death?
No wonder she’d changed so drastically these past few days.
Fear, uncertainty, and panic flickered unmistakably across his face.
Behind them, Yu Wei remained expressionless, her thoughts unreadable.
Lu Shijia frowned deeply.
Something about this whole situation didn’t add up.
Then Lu Beichen stepped forward from behind them, his voice calm and steady.
“The blood on those clothes…”
“…is mine.”
Tang Jinhua’s eyes darted around.
She hadn’t expected that little bitch to have gotten involved with him—the man known throughout the military as the Cold King of Hell.
She had heard of Lu Beichen while investigating the Lu family.
She immediately seized the opportunity.
“Oh my, Nianchu! I never imagined you were this kind of girl. Having Lu Shijia as your fiancé wasn’t enough—you even seduced his uncle!”
“People will look down on you for this.”
Standing there with his sharply defined features and icy aura that warned strangers to keep away, Lu Beichen gave her a mocking look.
“What kind of nonsense are you spouting?”
“Do you have any idea what happens when you slander a soldier?”
“You could end up rotting in prison.”
Marshal Lu looked toward Lu Beichen.
This was the grandson he trusted most, and he naturally believed him.
“Enough with the suspense.”
“What exactly happened?”