What nonsense was this? Demanding they kneel the moment he barged in through the door? Did he think he was God Almighty? If heaven itself acted that arrogant, she’d bash a hole right through the sky with her cane.
Old Madam Tang lowered her hand and rolled her eyes without a hint of restraint.
“Pfft.” Tang Jin immediately clamped her mouth shut, biting down hard on her teeth to stifle her laughter.
Hahaha, Old Madam Tang was just too perfect. She had nearly died laughing.
Chu Father’s face darkened even further, black as the bottom of a pot scorched for decades.
“This old man is disciplining his daughter. Unrelated people should mind their own business.”
Old Madam Tang snorted with laughter, drawling lazily, “You’re the one sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong. This old lady is Lingyue’s grandmother. Who are you, some filthy stray?”
Chu Father paused in surprise. What grandmother? His mother had died years ago.
He had rushed over in haste. Last night, Chu Shaoyang had stayed in the city, only returning home that morning. He hadn’t even had time to inquire about Chu Lingyue’s situation before charging straight to this place upon hearing where she was.
“This old man’s parents passed away long ago, and his daughter has no grandmother. You, woman, are incredibly rude.”
Old Madam Tang spat on the ground. “Wishful thinking on your part. This old lady doesn’t have a disobedient son like you. Listen up—Lingyue married my granddaughter ages ago. She’s dearer to me than my own flesh and blood.”
Lingyue was the apple of her eye, far more precious than her unlucky granddaughter.
Chu Father stared at Chu Lingyue in disbelief, fury surging in his eyes. “Lian’er, you’ve gone and gotten married!”
Was this something his obedient, well-behaved daughter would do?
No, she hadn’t been obedient for a long time now. Otherwise, she never would have run away from home without a word.
Scholar Chu’s face showed no surprise. He merely gazed calmly at Chu Lingyue, lost in his own thoughts.
Chu Lingyue turned her face away, seemingly at a loss for other words. She repeated the same line: “I go by Lingyue now.”
Chu Father roared in anger, “No matter what you call yourself, you can’t just marry behind your father’s back—especially not into a family like this!”
He jabbed a finger at Old Madam Tang, his eyes brimming with disdain. He was so furious he could scarcely speak.
The moment Old Madam Tang heard that, she bristled. “What’s wrong with our Tang family? What’s wrong with a household like ours? You rotten old man, explain yourself!”
Old Madam Tang raised her cane, itching to lunge forward and give him a thrashing.
The Tang family neither committed crimes nor stirred up trouble for the locals. They lived honest lives, and they certainly hadn’t mistreated Chu Lingyue now. Before… well, before, her unlucky granddaughter had been a bit muddleheaded, but even then, they hadn’t tormented Chu Lingyue. At worst, they’d lived a simple, frugal life.
Chu Father ignored Old Madam Tang entirely and addressed Chu Lingyue directly. “Marriage is a major affair, governed by parental consent and the matchmaker’s word. Your father never approved of this match, so it doesn’t count. Come home with me at once.”
Chu Lingyue stood behind Old Madam Tang, her tone flat. “A-Jin and I have been married for a year already. We’ve even registered the marriage contract with the authorities. It doesn’t matter if you approve or not, Father.”
At her words, Chu Father’s expression froze. “Lian’er, is that how you speak to your father? You can’t even get my name right. And as for that marriage contract with the yamen—so what?”
Hundred Blades City had strict laws. Marrying couples not only had to verify their identities but also obtain documentation from the yamen in their registered household’s jurisdiction. He held his daughter’s household registration. The yamen would never issue papers without going through him. No matter how you sliced it, this marriage wasn’t valid.
With that realization, Chu Father felt even more confident. He completely dismissed Old Madam Tang. Some country bumpkin dared to claim kinship with him? What a pipe dream.
One glance at her father’s expression told Chu Lingyue exactly what he was thinking.
She stared straight at him, her face expressionless. “Father, if this marriage doesn’t count, what awaits me if I go home with you? Will your daughter have any say or right to refuse?”
As she asked, a faint glimmer of hope lingered in her eyes.
Old Madam Tang’s heart skipped a beat at the sight. She hurriedly advised, “Lingyue, don’t be foolish. What if he tricks you back and then goes back on his word?”
Chu Lingyue kept her gaze fixed on her father. “Father has always kept his promises. He would never go back on his word.”
So, she already knew the answer deep down.
She only asked out of lingering sentiment for their past bond—a foolish hope for fatherly affection.
Chu Father replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world. “A child’s marriage must follow their parents’ wishes. That’s been the way since ancient times. Your father has already arranged an excellent match for you. Once we’re home, you’ll marry in style and splendor.”
If his daughter agreed to become that man’s concubine, their branch of the Chu family would have a shot at rising again. Even if they couldn’t reclaim their former glory, they could live in wealth and luxury.
It was the best arrangement he could manage.
Chu Lingyue let out a bitter laugh. “Does Father truly believe that becoming someone’s concubine would be a glorious fate for your daughter?”
Chu Father stared at her in shock. “Lian’er… you knew.”
No wonder she had run away from home. No wonder she had married so hastily. She had found out.
Chu Lingyue swallowed her heartache. “Yes, I know everything. I know you plan to offer me as a concubine to someone else for A-Di’s sake. I know you’ve forgotten the vows you made to Mother. Now, all you see are your second wife and A-Di.”
Only A-Di’s future mattered. Only the prospects of their Chu family branch. She didn’t factor in at all.
She was no longer the pampered daughter of the Prime Minister’s Mansion. Now, she was just a pawn to be discarded at will, her beauty traded for the greatest possible gain.
That was all the value she held in her father’s eyes.
At the mention of his first wife, a flicker crossed Chu Father’s gaze. But he quickly hardened his heart. “If your mother were alive, she wouldn’t approve of you marrying so rashly. She would support your father in choosing a fine household for you. Lian’er, why can’t you understand my good intentions? It’s all for your sake.”
His first wife, Madam Ning, had come from a poor family. As a young scholar traveling for studies, he had fallen in love at first sight. Despite his clan’s objections, he insisted on marrying her, even breaking ties with his family over it.
Fortunately, fortune had smiled on him. He passed the provincial exams, caught the Emperor’s eye, and rose step by step to become Grand Chancellor.
But without clan support, no amount of power could save him when disaster struck. He had tasted utter isolation back then.
He was living proof of that lesson. So his daughter had to marry someone powerful, even if it meant becoming a concubine.
“But the ‘good’ you envision isn’t the good I want.” Chu Lingyue closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them again, her gaze was clear, resolute, and unyielding.
She would rather live out her days in solitude than become anyone’s concubine.
Chu Father looked at her, his eyes filled with complicated emotions. “Lian’er, no matter what you think, you’re coming home with your father today.”
Chu Lingyue lowered her head and murmured softly, “If you insist on this, then your daughter has no choice but to be unfilial.”
“What did you say?” Chu Father frowned. Unfilial? What did that mean?
Chu Lingyue lifted her head and smiled. “You must have the wrong person. My surname is Chu, and my given name is Lingyue—the Chu of the Chu Kingdom. I was originally an orphan with no father or mother. Now, I’m A-Jin’s lawful wedded wife. I’m not your daughter.”
“What nonsense are you spouting? Don’t think that will leave your father helpless. You are Chu Boguang’s daughter—that’s an indisputable fact.” Chu Father nearly laughed in fury. She truly was his daughter—ruthless enough. Unfortunately, ruthlessness alone wasn’t sufficient.
Seeing the situation, Tang Jin knew it was time for her to step in. She walked to Chu Lingyue’s side, took her hand, and declared loudly, “This… Eldest Uncle, didn’t you hear? My wife isn’t your daughter. We can testify to that. Miss Chu, Scholar Chu’s daughter, can testify as well. It’s all written clearly in the County Yamen’s household registry.”
Chu Father eyed Tang Jin critically for a moment before snorting coldly. “Ignorant countrywoman. Do you think this old man could mistake his own daughter? Second Brother, tell them—is she Lian’er or not?”
At that, Scholar Chu nodded. “Of course I recognize Lian’er.”
Chu Father immediately puffed up with pride, a smug glint in his eyes. “Did you hear that? What kind of witnesses are you? This old man has more on his side. Father-daughter bonds aren’t something you can deny just because you want to. Such arrogance and ignorance.”
Before Tang Jin could respond, Scholar Chu—who had been quietly observing—spoke up again. “What Big Brother says is right, but Lian’er lived for a long time in the Imperial Capital. After Big Brother was dismissed from office and returned to our ancestral home, those old folks saw her when she was already a young lady. That doesn’t count. If anyone here saw Lian’er as a child, it would only be me and Shaoyang.”
Chu Father nodded instinctively, though something about the words felt off.
At that moment, Scholar Chu cupped his hands toward Tang Jin, Old Madam Tang, and the others, apologizing. “My apologies for the trouble we’ve caused you all. Big Brother, let’s go.”
Chu Father blinked, caught off guard. “Go? Go where?”
Scholar Chu smiled faintly. “Back to keep searching for Lian’er, of course. Big Brother, you’ve mistaken her. This girl just resembles her a bit. Shaoyang and I wouldn’t get it wrong. She’s not Lian’er.”
His words stunned not only Chu Father but also Tang Jin and Chu Lingyue.
“Second Brother, what do you mean by that?” Chu Father hadn’t expected Scholar Chu to turn on him like this. Shocked, he pressed urgently.
Scholar Chu nodded at Chu Lingyue, then turned to Chu Father with a somber gaze. “Big Brother, better to tear down a temple than wreck a marriage. I know you’ve promised her to some important person and you’re desperate to find Lian’er, but you can’t just call a deer a horse and claim some stranger as your daughter. Head back now, before you make a fool of yourself.”
Hadn’t he noticed the crowd already gathering to watch the spectacle?
Staring into Scholar Chu’s deep, intense eyes, Chu Father’s pupils contracted. Memories flooded back to ten years ago, when he was on the cusp of great achievement, poised for immense success. Yet this second brother had demanded they sever ties, calling him a fool.
Enraged at the time, he had banished the boy from the house without a penny.
Later, he learned from an old servant that his daughter had secretly helped this second uncle. That’s why he had reconnected with him—to find her.
When they met again, the young man seemed far more steady and sentimental, appearing to harbor no grudges. Who knew he had been waiting for this moment?
Scholar Chu gave a cold laugh, his expression eerily similar to that from a decade ago. “Big Brother, don’t be so stubborn. It’ll only harm you and others. If you heed your little brother’s advice, you might still have a peaceful end. Otherwise, regret will come someday.”
The exact same words, like a thunderbolt crashing through his ears. Chu Father reeled.
“Second Brother, you… Even if you pretend not to recognize her, what does it matter? Plenty of people in the Imperial Capital saw Lian’er. They can testify.”
Scholar Chu raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Then go to the capital and fetch them to verify, Big Brother. Your little brother won’t join you in your folly.”
With that, he turned and walked away, flashing a smile at his daughter, who had arrived at some point.
“Shaoyang, come along. We’ll grab some breakfast at Tower Beyond Towers.”
Chu Shaoyang stared at him blankly. “Father, why…”
“Shaoyang, your father isn’t senile yet.” Scholar Chu smiled faintly, casting a deep glance back at Chu Lingyue.
He was no pushover, even for this eldest niece of his.
Back in the day, that Little Master Chu who chased cats and dogs all over the Imperial Capital without a care in the world actually understood what really mattered. She had lived more clear-headedly than anyone, while her eldest uncle remained as muddled as ever—deserving every bit of his dismissal from office, with even his own daughter turning away from him, yet still refusing to see the light.
A person couldn’t afford to have a muddled head, that much was certain.
The father and daughter duo entered Tower Beyond Towers, only to find just a handful of occupied tables in the main hall. Scholar Chu couldn’t help but express his surprise. “Tower Beyond Towers seems awfully quiet today.”
It was usually packed to the rafters in here.
Chu Shaoyang’s lips twitched a few times. It wasn’t until they had settled into a private room that she recounted in detail everything Shopkeeper Lu had done.
Scholar Chu shook his head. “Another muddlehead. Just wait—it won’t be three days before his days as shopkeeper are numbered.”
Chu Shaoyang blinked in confusion. “Why do you say that, Father?”
Scholar Chu chuckled. “You were too young back then and don’t know who the current owners of Tower Beyond Towers are. Those two ladies aren’t the sort to be trifled with lightly. Your eldest uncle essentially fell into their hands indirectly. Fortunately, your father had the foresight to see it coming early—that he was bound to stumble. Those two are truly remarkable women of our era…”
Over here, Chu Shaoyang listened with wide-eyed filial admiration as her father reminisced about old tales from the Imperial Capital. Meanwhile, over at the Little Restaurant, the farce was still playing out.
Chu Father seethed with anger when he saw his second brother abandon him and walk away.
Disregarding everything, he lunged forward and seized Chu Lingyue’s wrist with brute force, yanking at her. “Lian’er, today you leave whether you want to or not. Your father absolutely cannot allow you to act so recklessly, you unfilial girl…”
“Hey, you scoundrel! Trying to snatch away a lawfully wedded wife, are you? This old lady will poke you to death!” Old Madam Tang cried out the moment she saw Chu Father about to get rough. She hefted her cane and jabbed it fiercely at him.
