Fu Laiqing could hear the sternness in Cao Dejiang’s words, and the little sprout of curiosity that had just emerged in his heart was immediately suppressed.
Fu Laiqing nodded seriously and said, “I understand, Uncle.” He wasn’t some naive kid who didn’t understand the dark undertones of these matters.
Besides, he had no grudges against Xiao Yan. Why would he go out of his way to provoke him? After all, Xiao Yan was the brother of Miss Song.
Fu Laiqing had his own thoughts, and he couldn’t help but say, “Uncle, based on what you said, Grand Tutor Rong didn’t think highly of the aristocracy. Earlier, the Lu family said that the marriage between Lu Zhinian and Miss Song was arranged before Grand Tutor Rong’s death.”
“Do you think there’s a chance they were lying all along? Maybe Grand Tutor Rong never intended to marry Miss Song into an aristocratic family, and the Lu family just took advantage of his illness, using it as an excuse to concoct this marriage?”
Cao Dejiang was stunned and reflexively wanted to say it was impossible. Even if Grand Tutor Rong was truly muddle-headed from illness, the Song family wasn’t entirely without members. How could they let the Lu family pull off such a thing? But the words got stuck in his throat, and his brows gradually furrowed.
If it had been any other family, they would never do something so absurd as to treat a marriage lightly. But the Song family...
Song Tangning’s parents had passed away early, and her only support was Grand Tutor Rong and Princess Cheng.
Princess Cheng had a husband and children, so she couldn’t always be there to protect Song Tangning. And at that time, Grand Tutor Rong was already bedridden. If the Lu family or the Empress truly had intentions of gathering the Rong family’s influence, or even using Grand Tutor Rong to pave the way for the Fourth Prince, then it wasn’t impossible that they persuaded the Song family to cooperate, deceiving Princess Cheng and the young Song Tangning into agreeing to the marriage arrangement before Grand Tutor Rong passed.
Princess Cheng was grieving over her father’s death and had no time to focus on other matters, and young Song Tangning was still just a child, easy to deceive.
Song Hong was eager to inherit the title, had been cozying up to the aristocracy for years, and was close with them. On top of that, he had even let his younger brother take the blame for him and allowed his illegitimate daughter to bully his niece...
The more Cao Dejiang thought about it, the stranger his expression became, and he couldn’t help but glance at Fu Laiqing. Could it be that this kid’s wild guess was actually right, and the Lu family was this shameless?
If that engagement was a lie, this would be quite the scandal...
As a flicker of thought crossed Cao Dejiang’s eyes, Fu Laiqing didn’t notice his uncle’s expression. Instead, the more he thought about it, the more reasonable he felt his own deductions were.
He said indignantly, “Uncle, you said Grand Tutor Rong didn’t give face to the aristocracy. The Lu family has nothing good in it, so how could Grand Tutor Rong bear to marry her into a den of wolves?”
“The Lu family probably tricked everyone, cheated Miss Song into the engagement, then mistreated her and tried to deceive her out of her dowry. They’re just a bunch of shameless people, utterly disgraceful!”
Cao Dejiang couldn’t be sure whether any of this was true, but seeing how Fu Laiqing was getting more and more worked up, looking like he was ready to roll up his sleeves and charge in, he raised an eyebrow. “Why are you so angry? It’s not like the Lu family took advantage of you.”
Fu Laiqing’s face instantly reddened, and he coughed to clear his throat. “I just don’t like seeing them bully a young girl...”
Cao Dejiang wasn’t easily fooled. “What’s it to you if they’re bullying someone? What does Miss Song have to do with you?”
“Who says it has to do with me? I’m just standing up for what’s right. Besides, Miss Song is setting up academies to benefit students across the land. Why shouldn’t I help?” Fu Laiqing argued, trying to sound righteous.
Seeing Fu Laiqing’s flushed cheeks and evasive eyes, and the way he spoke so warmly whenever he mentioned Miss Song, calling her a “young girl” as if savoring the words, Cao Dejiang couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. He hadn’t seen this rascal show such “gentleness” toward any other girl before.
Fu Laiqing felt uneasy under his uncle’s gaze. “Uncle, why are you looking at me like that?”
Cao Dejiang shifted his gaze. “Nothing, I just think you might be onto something. The Lu family was indeed too lowly this time, bullying a child without parents. It’s a pity for Miss Song, such a bright young lady, to have her engagement broken and her reputation damaged. Even if the fault lies with the Lu family, people will still gossip behind her back in the future.”
“Who says her reputation is damaged!” Fu Laiqing immediately retorted. “Miss Song didn’t do anything wrong. She treated Lu Zhinian well during the engagement, and when they broke it off, she didn’t show the slightest reluctance. Plus, the Lu family was at fault; it was that scoundrel Lu Zhinian who ended things.”
“Everyone in the capital knows they mistreated Miss Song. It’s the Lu family’s fault. Anyone who talks behind Miss Song’s back is either malicious or deliberately trying to cause trouble. Uncle, don’t be so old-fashioned as to follow them...”
“Bang!” Cao Dejiang slapped Fu Laiqing on the head. “Watch your mouth!”
Fu Laiqing quickly covered his head and hunched his shoulders. “I wasn’t wrong...” But when he saw Cao Dejiang raise his hand again, he immediately fell silent.
Seeing how eager Fu Laiqing was to defend the girl, it was clear to Cao Dejiang that he had developed feelings for her. He shot the rascal a look, not wanting to deal with him any longer. “Don’t you have work today? What are you doing here?”
“Miss Song is heading to the southern part of the city to inspect locations for the academy, yet you’re idling around here. Does your office have nothing for you to do?” He said irritably.
Fu Laiqing’s eyes lit up. Miss Song was heading south to inspect locations? He knew where that was; he had checked it out when the Capital Construction Department marked off the area earlier. If he went now, would he be able to see her?
With excitement in his heart, Fu Laiqing quickly got up. “Uncle, you’re right. I should be diligent. I’m heading to the office now. You go home first, and I’ll sneak you some wine later when Aunt’s not around...”
Cao Dejiang’s eyes widened, and his large hand was raised again.
Fu Laiqing quickly jumped off the carriage. “Uncle, I’m leaving now. Don’t miss me too much.”
“Get lost!” Cao Dejiang scolded, but as he watched Fu Laiqing leave, looking delighted, he couldn’t help but mutter, “Little rascal.”
After scolding him, he saw Fu Laiqing disappearing into the crowd, skipping along like a peacock showing off its feathers. Cao Dejiang couldn’t hold back a chuckle.
“Brat.” He really was still just a young man, unable to hide his feelings at all.
With such transparent intentions, it was no wonder they were easy to see through.
The old servant driving the Fu family’s carriage chuckled, “It seems that Young Master Fu has a particular interest in Lady Song.”
Cao Dejiang laughed, “It’s not just interest— most likely he’s fallen for her.”
=========
T/N:
Xiao Yan: He’s delusional
You can read ahead to chapterr 234 here
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