LOT – Chapter 16 Father and Son Spun Around by a Woman

This entire affair was quickly reported to the emperor in real time. The emperor, multitasking between reviewing memorials and listening to the account, was genuinely stunned.

“I truly never expected people outside the palace to play these kinds of games! The father of the Marchioness of Changning is Hanlin Scholar Liu, right? And I think her second brother also serves in the Hanlin Academy, doesn’t he?”

Emperor Xuande even tried to recall what the father and son looked like. Scholar Liu had long been a senior official, and the Liu family had maintained a reputation of integrity and scholarly dignity for generations. Both the father and son had upright and proper appearances — the kind of face that screamed “honest official” at first glance.

Moreover, the entire family served in government with an almost rigid seriousness. Talking to them could be exasperating at times.

Who would’ve thought that this younger Hanlin Liu, who looked so honest, would behave so dishonorably?

“Sometimes, it’s the ones who look most honest that end up doing the most shameless things. I wonder how the Liu family is going to handle that mistress situation. One is the son, the other the grandson — tsk tsk tsk, what a mess! An utter mess!”

Eunuch Li watched the emperor gossip with such glee that he felt completely numb inside.

Every day, he was basically narrating a drama to the emperor, keeping him updated on everything happening around Lin Mo. This had now become part of the emperor’s daily entertainment.

Back at the Marquis of Changning’s residence, everyone was also enjoying the drama with great enthusiasm. Lin Mo and the system had already cursed the scumbag eight hundred different ways, each insult uniquely creative — a true first for everyone present.

System: [Host! Cursing people with you is so satisfying! Now I finally understand what it means to spew filth with every word!]

Lin Mo: [Oh no, no, I only know a smidge of trash talk — just surface-level skills. Compared to the real masters of cursing, I still have a long way to go.]

The onlookers, who had been thoroughly brainwashed by the barrage of insults: …

Are you sure this is just surface-level cursing? If that’s just the basics, then what we know is just kids playing house!

Though now they were curious — was “spew filth with every word” even a real idiom? Why hadn’t they ever heard of it?

Nearby, a young nobleman quietly asked Lin Qi, “Does your little sister curse you all the time at home? She sounds really fluent when she swears…”

Lin Qi: “…Your sister’s the one who curses people! My little sister is the epitome of gentleness!”

The young men around him: …Bro, that filter you’ve got on her is way too thick.

Meanwhile, Lin Mo sat alone in a pavilion, happily snacking and sipping tea. No one dared to approach or talk to her.

While everyone was curious about her, they were also extremely cautious. No one wanted to become the subject of the next big gossip.

Lin Mo was perfectly content being left alone. Truth be told, the food at the Marquis of Changning’s residence was exquisite — not only pretty to look at but also delicious. She was already planning to pack some up to take home later.

The Marchioness of Changning and her daughter had already left first. Although they were the hosts, everyone understood their current emotional state.

The heir of the Marquis, however, had stayed behind. Though he really wanted to go with his mother and sister to the Liu residence, someone had to remain as host of the banquet — he had no choice.

On the surface, the banquet was peaceful and harmonious, with cups clinking and laughter ringing out. But underneath, it was a stormy sea, with everyone secretly turning into rabid gossip hounds.

The system, in fact, was so enthusiastic it even gave Lin Mo live updates about the Liu family.

System: [Looks like the Marchioness of Changning and her daughter found evidence of Liu Xuan keeping a mistress. They’re on their way to the Liu residence right now.]

Even if they wanted to confront him, they had to have a reason. So the Marchioness of Changning quickly found one.

From the system’s point of view, it was like they had grasped a thread and were now going to settle the score.

Both the host and the system were kind of airheaded — aside from enjoying gossip, they didn’t bother with much else. Otherwise, they might have realized their inner thoughts were being overheard.

Lin Mo: [Hahaha! Beat him up! Beat that scumbag to death!]

Everyone else: …Isn’t that a bit too violent?

Still, they were quite eager to hear the next installment of this juicy drama. No need to guess — it was obvious what the Marchioness and her daughter were doing. They completely understood how the two women must feel.

The fact that they didn’t cause a scene on the spot already showed tremendous self-restraint.

Meanwhile, chaos had descended upon the Liu residence.

“Aunt, Cousin! I really don’t know what you’re talking about! I’m a clean and innocent man — how could I possibly be keeping a mistress?”

Liu Xuan was still denying it with all his might, and the elders of the Liu family also stepped in to defend him. Their family had always been upright, and they were strict about the younger generation’s upbringing — how could any of their children be involved in such scandal?

But the Marchioness of Changning dragged the person in question straight over and slapped Liu Xuan hard across the face.

“You don’t want to admit it? Fine. I brought the witness. I even brought the woman! One of my servants saw you sneaking into a certain alley often and got curious. They followed you and saw you entering this woman’s courtyard. You two were already getting cozy before you even stepped into the house!”

“And those two children of hers call you Father. That’s not something kids just randomly say, right?!”

Liu Xuan’s face turned as pale as paper. He’d always been careful when visiting Yao-niang — how had he not noticed someone following him?

“My lord, save me!”

Yao-niang knelt tearfully on the ground, looking utterly pitiful, like a flower drenched in rain.

Liu Xuan’s father also turned an ugly shade of red the moment he saw her.

He had no idea this woman was his son’s mistress! She claimed to be a widow!

Scholar Liu looked at the chaos in his household and was so furious he nearly fainted.

“You disgraceful fool! Just tell me — do you or do you not know this woman? And are those two kids hers really yours?!”

On one side was his grandson. On the other, his daughter and granddaughter.

All flesh and blood — but now at war.

They had hoped for a closer bond through marriage. Once the granddaughter married in, they would’ve treated her well, no doubt. Everything had seemed so perfect — until this disaster of a son turned out to be hiding a mistress with kids!

As soon as the Marchioness of Changning saw her father’s expression, she knew he was putting on an act again.

“Father, there’s no need to pretend to be so angry. I know exactly what you’re thinking. You just want to put on a little performance in front of me and then smooth things over like it’s no big deal. Let me make this absolutely clear — this matter will not be resolved quietly.”

“When I saw Liu Xuan going in and out of that woman’s courtyard, I had someone start watching the place. And guess who else they saw later?” The Marchioness turned to look pointedly at her second brother.

Second Uncle Liu avoided her gaze, his eyes darting with guilt and panic.

Hanlin Liu looked at his second son’s expression and nearly choked on the spot. He looked like he might faint at any moment.

The Marchioness continued, “Father, your health is perfectly fine, so stop pretending. That woman wasn’t just involved with Liu Xuan — she’s also connected to Second Brother. A father and son tangled up with the same woman — what an absolute joke!”

The system recounted the Liu family drama with vivid detail and dramatic flair, and not only was Lin Mo thoroughly enjoying it, everyone present was listening with rapt attention.

This banquet was definitely worth attending! Not only was the food delicious and the drinks flowing, but they also got front-row seats to a real-life soap opera!