Lu Zhinian’s face turned an ashen white at her words.
As Song Tangning gazed at the man she had once pursued so desperately, she couldn’t help recalling Qian Qiyue’s earlier words. Xiao Yan’s face came unbidden to her mind, and as she compared the two, she was struck by how utterly ordinary Lu Zhinian seemed in comparison. How had she ever been so consumed, so hopelessly obsessed over someone like him?
A small, scornful smile curved her lips. Raising her head, her expression calm, she spoke again. "Since you’ve managed to get out of prison and find your way here, I assume you’ve also spoken to the other members of the Lu family and are aware of our situation. Have you come to fulfill the promise the Lu family made?"
Lu Zhinian faltered, his body swaying as though struck. "Tangning, don’t… don’t be like this…" His lips were bloodless, his voice trembling and hoarse. "I know you resent me for leaving you in the mountains and for not valuing your love, but I’ve just… I was so used to having you by my side, I thought you didn’t care about such things. But if it’s what you want, then everything I have will be yours. I won’t even look at another woman."
"I won’t hold you to the Lu family’s standards, and no one will ever dare to hurt you," he murmured, reaching out to grasp her sleeve, his eyes red and pleading. "Please, Tangning… forgive me."
Song Tangning raised an eyebrow as she looked at him, standing before her pale and on the verge of tears, and felt a sudden wave of amusement.
When she had begged him, he’d only looked down on her, treating her like discarded waste. Now that she was finally free of him, he was suddenly all reluctant attachment and heartfelt devotion?
His so-called love was truly cheap.
With a flick of her hand, she brushed Lu Zhinian’s grip away. "Lu Zhinian, do you still think all this is because of her? Because of Song Shulan?"
"I…" he stammered, utterly at a loss.
"Song Shulan, delicate as a willow, is beautiful enough to draw men’s pity—it’s natural. But you, despite being engaged, have no control over yourself. You discard the old for the new, trampling over years of companionship. You’ve belittled my feelings, exploited my grandfather’s resources, and made all of the capital believe that I’m the one overreaching, that I’m the one seeking a marriage above my station."
"The root of this disaster was never Song Shulan. It’s you."
She looked him in the eyes, her gaze steady. "Our engagement is over. The Lu family would never have me as their daughter-in-law now. Instead of clinging to me here, you’d be better off focusing on how to fulfill your family’s promise."
"The Lu family’s shame was exposed once already. Surely, Third Young Master, you wouldn’t want to break your word and bring even more disgrace to yourself and your family."
She paused for a moment, her eyes cold as she added, "Oh, and next time, address me as Miss Song. I’d rather not have people misunderstand."
"Or, better yet, if we could never meet again—that would be best."
Without a backward glance at his already pale face, Song Tangning turned to Qian Qiyue and Song Ru. "Sister Ah-Yue, Ah-Ru, let’s go."
Qian Qiyue could have cheered. This was the same feisty little Haitang she’d known growing up, the one who always stood her ground. She looped her arm around Tangning’s and pulled her along. Song Ru, casting one last fierce look at Lu Zhinian, gathered her skirt and followed closely beside her sister.
Even though Lu Zhinian had expected Song Tangning wouldn’t forgive him so easily, hearing such cold, cutting words from her own lips still felt like a hand had closed over his heart, squeezing until he could barely breathe. His headache returned with brutal intensity, the torment he’d barely suppressed now boiling back to life.
“The Princess of Cheng is dead, Song Tangning has lost her support, and Song Shulan, with her budding fame, even has the favor of that eunuch Xiao Yan. She would be a suitable match for you and improve your grandfather’s position at court. Why hesitate?” His grandmother’s voice echoed in his mind, twisting his thoughts.
He had hesitated then, replying, “But Xiao Yan’s sudden attachment to Lan’er seems strange. Besides, he has barely spoken to her since that one day he acknowledged her as his sister…”
If not for Xiao Yan’s terrifying reputation, half the capital wouldn’t think twice about disregarding his so-called “sisterhood” with Song Shulan.
"Why worry about that? Song Shulan is better than Song Tangning in every way!" His grandmother’s disdainful face flashed in his memory. “Look at what Song Tangning has become—how could she ever be fit to join the Lu family as its matriarch? You once adored Song Shulan, and she’s now of the second branch of the Song family. That sickly Tangning won’t live much longer anyway. Marrying Song Shulan will still fulfill the marriage bond with the Rong and Song families…”
It wasn’t like that. It wasn’t like that at all!
Clutching his head, Lu Zhinian watched the vision of his grandmother, full of schemes and disregard, already waiting for Song Tangning to die so that Song Shulan could inherit everything that should have been hers. The blinding pain in his head broke through in waves, yet a sudden clarity came over him. Seeing Song Tangning and her friends walking away, he lunged forward and grabbed her arm.
"Tangning, don’t go!"
“What are you doing?!”
Tangning, startled by the sudden grip, glanced back, and Qian Qiyue’s anger flared. “You’re insane! Let go of Tangning right now!”
Qiyue slapped Lu Zhinian across the face, her nails nearly scratching his skin, yet he held onto Tangning all the tighter, leaning toward her desperately.
Qian Qiyue tried to pull Tangning away, shoving at Lu Zhinian with all her strength, but he only pushed her back. Clutching Tangning fiercely, he felt the agonizing pain in his head vanish for a blissful instant, leaving him clear-headed and craving this momentary peace.
“Tangning… I know I was wrong, I truly do. If you want me to kneel, I’ll kneel. I’ll do anything you ask—just please, don’t leave me…”
“Lu Zhinian, you’re mad! Let go of me!” Song Tangning struggled, raising her knee to try and kick him away, but he clung to her with a crazed desperation.
“Tangning, don’t be afraid of me…” Lu Zhinian pleaded, his grip tightening as he grew more emotional. “I know you dislike the Lu family. We can leave them behind! I’ll give up everything if that’s what it takes for you to forgive me. Please, you used to love me so much—just love me a little more, even if only for a moment…”
His eyes reddened as he continued, completely ignoring Tangning’s frantic attempts to escape. Even as her nails dug into his back, leaving bloody scratches, he refused to let go and even tried to press his lips to hers. Tangning tilted her head back, desperately trying to avoid him, but he was drawing closer.
Then, with a resounding “thud,” Lu Zhinian froze, his shoulder buckling inward.
Song Ru, pale as a ghost and shaking all over, stood behind him clutching a large broken branch. Seeing that he still hadn’t released Tangning and had smeared blood on her in the process, Song Ru, terrified but resolute, lifted the branch again, intending to strike his head. Before she could, Lu Zhinian’s lackey grabbed her, flinging her to the ground and kicking her away.
“Ah-Ru!” Tangning’s eyes widened in horror as she watched Song Ru slam into a pile of stones and curl up in pain. Enraged, she twisted and sank her teeth into the side of Lu Zhinian’s neck, biting down with all her strength until he spasmed in agony.
“Third Young Master!” one of Lu Zhinian’s servants shouted in panic. Ignoring who was actually injured, he shoved Qian Qiyue aside and tried to pry Tangning off. Blood gushed from Lu Zhinian’s neck as the servant struck Tangning’s shoulder, forcing her to release him.
When they finally dragged Lu Zhinian back, part of his neck near the shoulder was missing a chunk of flesh. The servant, enraged, seemed ready to strike Tangning with lethal intent when a stone struck him in the back, causing him to stagger forward.
Fu Laiqing, who had arrived hoping to “bump into” Tangning, swept forward like a storm, fury etched across his face as he placed himself protectively between Tangning and her friends. "Who are you people? What—Lu Zhinian?!”
Recognizing the blood-covered man, Fu Laiqing’s anger only grew. "What do you think you’re doing? Planning to commit murder in broad daylight?!”
Lu Zhinian’s servant, snapped back to reality by Fu Laiqing’s words, stammered, “Sir, please understand… this is merely a private matter between our young master and Miss Song…”
Fu Laiqing cut him off, seething, “What private matters could possibly exist between Miss Song and your Lu family?!”
He glanced back to see Tangning, her face streaked with blood as she rushed to Song Ru’s side, while Qian Qiyue’s dress was torn and disheveled. His rage boiling over, he bellowed, “Miss Song has annulled her engagement to Lu Zhinian and has no connection whatsoever to the Lu family! The Lu family just recently made a public apology, claiming they regretted their actions, and now you people are out here committing assault? Where do you get the audacity?!”
His voice rose with each accusation. “Miss Song is the Emperor’s personally decreed Princess of Yiyang, and Lady Qian is the daughter of the Minister. To assault them like this, do you have no regard for the law?!”
“I… I…” The servant faltered, about to stammer out an explanation, when suddenly he felt a chill behind him. Before he could react, a heavy blow struck his back, sending him sprawling to the ground.
“Miss!” Hang Li appeared, his face dark with anger. He hadn’t expected the Lu family would follow them all the way here, much less that such an incident would occur in the brief time he’d gone to fetch the carriage. Seeing Song Ru bleeding and supported by a visibly shaken Tangning, he stomped down hard on Lu Zhinian’s chest. “Harassing a young lady—you Lu family people must be so proud!”
“Ahhh—!” Lu Zhinian let out a guttural scream as Hang Li twisted his heel for emphasis.
Just then, Tangning’s panicked voice rang out, “Hang Li, come check on Ah-Ru!”
Hang Li released Lu Zhinian with a forceful kick and rushed over. Crouching beside them, he saw Song Ru curled tightly in Tangning’s arms, shivering and drenched in sweat from the pain, her face a ghastly shade of white.
Whether she’d injured her abdomen or her bones, Song Ru was clearly in agony, whimpering as cold sweat poured down her face. Tangning and Qian Qiyue were both teary-eyed, overcome with worry.
“I think Ah-Ru is badly hurt. What do we do?” Qian Qiyue crouched down beside them, helpless.
Tangning didn’t dare touch Song Ru’s injuries directly and, knowing that Hang Li had some knowledge of treating external injuries, implored, “Guard Hang, please check Ah-Ru!”
“Miss, with all due respect, there are proprieties…”
“Proprieties? There’s no time for that! I saw blood—she might have broken something. Just examine her quickly to see if her bones or anything serious is injured,” Tangning urged.
After a moment’s hesitation, Hang Li nodded and leaned in, gently placing his hand over Song Ru’s abdomen, where she had been clutching in pain. After examining her ribs and spine, he finally sighed in relief, though his brow remained furrowed. “There’s no damage to the bones or any major organs…”
“But why is Ah-Ru in so much pain?” Tangning asked urgently.
“It seems likely her internal organs took a hit and have been jarred. We need to get her back to the manor and have Physician Qin examine her as soon as possible.”
Tangning stood up immediately. “Then let’s go!”
As she moved to help Song Ru up, Hang Li quickly interjected, “Please, allow me.”
Half-conscious from the pain, Song Ru vaguely registered someone speaking softly near her ear, murmuring an apology before she was lifted into someone’s arms.
As Hang Li carried Song Ru, he couldn't help but notice how painfully light she felt. This realization only deepened his loathing for the Lu family. “Miss, those Lu family dogs… should we leave them intact?”
Song Tangning’s gaze was sharp as ice as she fixed on the servant who had attacked Song Ru. “Can you cripple him?”
Without hesitation, Hang Li approached the Lu servant, then swiftly broke all four of his limbs underfoot. When the man’s screams filled the air, Hang Li instinctively shielded Song Ru, who stirred fitfully in his arms, drawing her closer to his chest to block out the sight.
Meanwhile, Song Tangning walked over to where Lu Zhinian lay collapsed on the ground.
“Tangning…” he managed, his voice pleading.
Slap!
Tangning’s hand struck his face mercilessly. Before he could react, she slapped him again, forcing his head to the side, then pressed down on the wound on his shoulder. Fresh blood immediately soaked her hand.
“Lu Zhinian, you’d better hope Ah-Ru is alright. If anything happens to her, I will see your entire Lu family destroyed.”
Her tone was no longer merely cold; it was pure, piercing hatred.
“All these years, I thought you were merely proud and self-righteous. Only now do I see how disgusting and shameless you truly are. I regret every moment I wasted liking you. Those years of feelings would have been better spent on a dog!”
Staggering, Lu Zhinian watched as Tangning hurried away with Hang Li, Qian Qiyue, and Song Ru, clutching his wound as he struggled to rise.
“Tangning… don’t leave…”
“Haven’t you had enough?”
Fu Laiqing blocked his path and shoved him backward. “Quit with this pathetic act! You didn’t care before, so who are you putting on this display of ‘deep affection’ for now?”
Earlier, Fu Laiqing had considered Song Jin Xiu the greatest hypocrite he’d ever met, but seeing Lu Zhinian now, he realized this man could beat even Jin Xiu in sheer disgracefulness.
“I swear, if you have even an ounce of decency left, Lu Zhinian, don’t ever bother Miss Song again. Otherwise, don’t blame me for getting rough.”
Lu Zhinian’s eyes turned bloodshot as he retorted, “What business is this between Tangning and me to you?”
Fu Laiqing held his head high. “Plenty of business! I’ve admired Miss Song for ages. The only reason I held back was out of respect for the Song and Lu family engagement. Now that it’s been annulled, there’s no reason I can’t express my feelings.”
He added, his voice carrying his declaration proudly, “Miss Song is the woman I long for. If she gives me her consent, I, Fu Laiqing, will bring her home in a grand sedan chair and marry her with a bride-price fit to honor her name!”
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T/N: The level of delulu
You can read ahead to chapterr 234 here
Not going to lie, nearly every chapter I want to bow to the translator and the author!
ReplyDelete“The root of this disaster was never Song Shulan. It’s you."
Ah Ru pushing past her fear and anxiety to hit a noble heir to protect Tangning!
“Miss Song has annulled her engagement to Lu Zhinian and has no connection whatsoever to the Lu family! The Lu family just recently made a public apology, claiming they regretted their actions, and now you people are out here committing assault? Where do you get the audacity?!”
“Proprieties? There’s no time for that! I saw blood—she might have broken something. Just examine her quickly to see if her bones or anything serious is injured,”
The quality of the translation is amazing and I wish I had multiple copies of this book - one book I could annotate and highlight properly, and a beautiful physical copy… bonus points if it had the occasional coloured image in it depicting the best mic drop scenes! 💕 💖 ✨ 🎤 🔥 🗡️ 👸 🌸