Chapter 7

Lu Hengzhi’s brows furrowed slightly as he placed his teacup on the table—not too lightly, not too heavily.

Everyone present had the same thought: Su Qingluo, a mere orphan girl, daring to cause a scene at this moment—she must be finished.

Lu Hengzhi was indeed angry, but not because Su Qingluo had stirred trouble. What angered him was that she had been pushed to the point of seeking his help so publicly, and he still didn’t know what kind of injustice or coercion she had suffered.

Madam Liu, Madam Qian, and several maids and servants rushed in. Madam Liu immediately said, “Third Master, Qingluo is young and doesn’t understand. Please don’t take it to heart—I’ll take her away right now.” She gestured for the maids to escort Su Qingluo out, but was interrupted by Lu Hengzhi’s cold voice: “Hold on.”

Madam Liu’s heart skipped a beat.

Just two words from Lu Hengzhi, and the weight of his authority froze everyone in place. No one dared to move.

Second Master Lu You had just endured a sleepless night and was preparing to rest. He was completely baffled—how could the usually obedient Su Qingluo cause such a commotion? He had always left the inner courtyard matters to Madam Liu. How had even Qingluo and Yan’er’s engagement gone awry?

Faced with so many people, his expression darkened. “Qingluo, I’ve always treated you like my own daughter. This is a family matter—we can settle it behind closed doors. There’s no need to trouble the Chief Minister.”

Madam Liu quickly added, “Exactly, Qingluo. Everyone has seen how your uncle and I have treated you over the years. Yan’er constantly sends you gifts. Even if I’ve done something wrong, must you embarrass me in front of everyone? Especially with the old lady in such poor health?”

She began to sob quietly.

Lu You had long enjoyed a good reputation in the clan, and soon others chimed in, “That’s right. After all, your uncle and aunt raised you—how could you be so ungrateful?”

“She’s just an orphan. Raising her was like feeding a thankless wolf—no sense of gratitude…”

“Not to be harsh, but this is truly unfilial. The old lady’s life is still uncertain…”

These accusations alone could crush Su Qingluo. Her eyes welled with tears. The injustice was overwhelming.

Amid the chorus of scolding and blame, Lu Hengzhi suddenly spoke. His voice was calm and deliberate: “Yes, why indeed?”

He continued evenly, “What could have happened to drive a well-bred young lady to disregard propriety and seek my help so publicly? Second Uncle, if you truly see her as your own daughter, have you considered what might have led to this?”

With just a few words, Lu Hengzhi instantly shifted the tide.

Everyone present began to reconsider, sensing something was off.

“That’s right. I know Miss Su—she’s always been well-educated, kind, and respectful, even toward the servants…”

“She’s an orphan, living under someone else’s roof. Who knows what grievances she’s endured?”

“Exactly. What could have happened to drive her to seek help from the Grand Councilor at a time like this?”

Lu You’s expression darkened.

Lu Hengzhi’s words, though measured, clearly implied that Su Qingluo hadn’t been treated well under Lu You’s care.

The bitterness in Su Qingluo’s heart slowly began to ease. Through the screen, she looked toward him, feeling that his presence was extraordinary—like a celestial being descending to rescue her from fire and water.

Lu Hengzhi spoke calmly: “Though this concerns the second branch, since Miss Su has come to me, the Chief Minister, I have no reason to ignore it.”

“Besides, six years ago, I personally escorted Miss Su from Jinling to the capital along with Second Uncle. She calls me Third Brother. If she’s been wronged, it’s only right that I stand up for her.”

This piece of history was unfamiliar to most of those present. No one had expected that this orphan girl had such a connection to the most powerful man in court—and from the sound of it, he was clearly protective of her.

For a moment, everyone was stunned.

After all, Lu Hengzhi was famously ascetic and indifferent to women. He had topped the imperial exam at eighteen, entered the Hanlin Academy, and by twenty-two had joined the court—becoming the youngest Chief Minister in the history of the Chu dynasty. Over the years, countless noble families in the capital had tried to marry their daughters to him. All were politely declined. Some even sent women directly, only to have them sent back. Rumors had even circulated that he might prefer men.

Could it be that he had feelings for this orphan girl from the Su family?

Lu Hengzhi was well aware of the kind of speculation his words would provoke—but he said them anyway. Deep down, he even felt that if people began to associate the two of them, it wouldn’t be a bad thing. In fact, he almost welcomed it. He lifted his gaze, eyes settling on the folding screen. Through it, he could faintly see the young woman kneeling, her back straight, her figure slender and fragile.

He gave a quiet command: “Bring a chair for Miss Su. Let her sit and speak at ease.”

The moment those words fell, the courtyard and hall fell into stunned silence. No one could speak.

Lu You, Madam Liu, and several elders were still standing—yet a chair was being offered to this young woman alone. What did that imply?

Song Wen personally brought over a chair and handed it to a maid. Once Su Qingluo was seated, she began to speak slowly.

“About twenty days ago, I happened to see Lu Yan and his cousin Liu Yanran meeting privately in a tea house. Their behavior was intimate, and their words made it clear they’d been seeing each other for some time. That same day, I told my aunt I wanted to break off the engagement. She said it wasn’t a trivial matter and that she’d look into it first.”

“I waited, hoping she would truly stand up for me. Then I lost my sachet and went back to retrieve it—only to overhear her scolding Lu Yan for being careless and causing trouble. She told him to apologize to me, saying that marrying me would secure a generous dowry, and once the wedding was done, he could do whatever he pleased.”

Only now did the crowd recall that the Su family had once been the wealthiest in Jinling—wealth enough to rival a nation. Su Qingluo was their only cherished daughter. Her dowry must be immense.

The Lu family, though a prestigious clan for generations, had declined somewhat in recent years. Still, they prided themselves on honor and would normally disdain such schemes.

Suddenly, many in the crowd looked at Lu You with thinly veiled contempt.

Lu You’s face flushed red, then pale. He silently cursed Madam Liu.

Su Qingluo continued: “Out of respect for family ties, I never confronted my aunt directly. I only hoped to end the engagement quietly. But she kept delaying and even used filial piety to pressure me, forbidding me from withdrawing.”

“I thought there was still time before the wedding, and perhaps I could find another way. Then last night, my grandmother collapsed—her life hanging by a thread. And this morning, my aunt shamelessly suggested I marry Lu Yan tomorrow to ‘zhongxi’ and revive her.”

T/n: 冲喜 (chōng xǐ) is a traditional Chinese practice where a wedding is hastily arranged in hopes that the joy and auspiciousness of the event will counteract misfortune or illness, typically of an elder or someone gravely ill. It’s often seen as a last-ditch effort to “bring luck” or “prolong life.”

At the mention of “zhongxi,” Lu Hengzhi’s eyes narrowed, his gaze sharp as arrows aimed at Lu You—ready to pierce through him.

Madam Liu had some nerve, daring to make such a proposal.

Lu You had no idea this had happened. Cold sweat began to bead on his forehead. “Zhongxi” was not something a noble family like the Lu clan would ever resort to.

“My lord, please judge clearly: Lu Yan was the first to betray me, Madam Liu then coerced me, and now—disregarding Grandmother’s health—she only seeks to claim my dowry. Such a person, I, Su Qingluo, will never marry!” Her words rang out with force.

The courtyard and hall fell into instant silence.

After a long pause, murmurs began to rise.

“That aunt and uncle are terrifying—like wolves that devour without spitting out the bones…”

“‘Zhongxi’? Isn’t that just a ploy to trap her before she runs and they lose the money? Is the second branch that desperate for cash?”

Madam Liu’s face turned deathly pale. She had no idea when Su Qingluo had overheard her conversation, and now she was completely cornered. Quick-witted as ever, she immediately burst into loud sobs. “I’ve been wronged! Qingluo, how could you slander me like this? The old madam herself chose this marriage. Even if Yan’er isn’t perfect, he’s still a certified scholar. Surely he’s not lacking in good matches?”

She swore solemnly, “If I ever coveted your dowry, may I die a miserable death!”

She knew she couldn’t admit to this—if she did, she’d never be able to hold her head up in the capital again. Even if Su Qingluo had overheard something, there was no proof.

She cried hoarsely, “Yanran is Yan’er’s cousin. They were just chatting in the house, and you got jealous. Yan’er had no choice but to meet her outside. It was just a conversation! Even if you want to break off the engagement, how could you fabricate such lies to smear me?”

Madam Liu steeled herself. “If the Lord doesn’t believe me, then summon Yan’er to clarify!” At this point, all she could do was gamble on whose version the crowd would believe.

In this setting, Lu You had no choice but to side with Madam Liu. He said, “If we must settle this publicly, then of course we should call Yan’er. We can’t rely on just one side of the story.”

Lu Hengzhi’s tone was faintly amused: “Indeed.”

His gaze swept across the crowd, and when he spoke again, his voice carried a hint of displeasure: “Where is Lu Yan? Grandmother is gravely ill—even the collateral relatives have kept vigil all night. He’s the only legitimate son of the second branch. Why hasn’t he shown his face?”