TGCFNM -Chapter 393 Yunliu Has Arrived

Chu Ling raised her hand, and the surroundings immediately fell silent.

The First Madam of the Wei family looked at Chu Ling. She had already realized that the one truly making the decisions was this person— even the Xue family had to listen to her.

“What exactly will it take for you to let the Wei family off?” the First Madam of the Wei family asked, forcing herself to look at Chu Ling.

Chu Ling was so angry she laughed. “Let you off? Madam, your words are far too serious. It has been your Wei family who refused to let the Xue family off—spreading rumors again and again, driving their daughter to the point of death. And now you think yourselves innocent and pitiful?”

The Second Madam of the Wei family clenched her handkerchief. “In any case, the marriage between our two families cannot happen. Why don’t we each take a step back?”

The First Madam glanced at the Second Madam and pressed her lips together, thinking: That’s the only way. If we keep entangling with the Xue family, Liang’er’s marriage prospects will be in trouble.

“When all is said and done, the two families never exchanged formal marriage documents, nor did we exchange betrothal tokens. It was merely a moment of confusion on the part of the elders to arrange the match. Now that everything has been made clear, let us simply consider the engagement void.” As she spoke, the First Madam slowly straightened her back. “From now on, bridge returns to bridge, road to road. Our two families will have no further dealings.”

The Second Madam also lifted her chin. The Wei family had been reinstated to official rank—no matter how arrogant the Xue family might be, they could not stand against officials of the imperial court.

Chu Ling looked toward Xue Yang.

Xue Yang nodded, though anger still burned in his eyes. “Our families were old friends, but no one could have expected so many things to happen.”

Chu Ling frowned as she listened.

The First Madam of the Wei family added, “Our families were once close. Even if the marriage cannot proceed, we need not become enemies. Though we’ll have nothing to do with each other in the future, if the Xue family ever comes seeking help, the Wei family would still extend some care.”

That sentence was a threat.

The Wei family were officials; the Xue family were commoners. No matter what, the latter could not win.

Xue Yang clenched his fists in fury. He truly wanted to throw caution to the wind—but he was not alone. He had his family. How could he dare place them in danger?

His daughter had thought the same, which was why she had tried to take her own life to protect her family.

But he simply could not swallow this humiliation!

Just as Chu Ling was about to speak, she suddenly saw two people approaching arm in arm. Xiao Hua waved at her. “My lord! My lord!”

Chu Ling signaled for a path to be cleared. Shiyu supported Yunliu as she slowly walked forward.

Yunliu had been ruthless to herself—the scissors had cut deep. Even now, with layers of gauze wrapped around the wound, blood still seeped through. Her face was pale as paper, as if a gust of wind could knock her down.

Yet Chu Ling was not worried. From the look in Yunliu’s eyes, she knew the girl intended to live.

Xue Yang immediately stepped forward to support Yunliu.

Yunliu weakly offered a bow, after which Madam Xue and Grandmother Xue pulled her into their arms. Tears fell before words could be spoken. Even the surrounding townsfolk could not help but feel sympathy.

The First Madam of the Wei family frowned at Yunliu. “Yunliu, I watched you grow up. I never wished to make things difficult for you. But the difference between heaven and mud is something you understand. And now that you’ve even entered a brothel—no matter what, you are no longer worthy of Liang’er.”

Yunliu said nothing, only gazed weakly at the two Wei madams.

The Second Madam, feeling somewhat guilty, nevertheless forced herself to speak. “My sister-in-law has already made things clear with your Xue family. Since we cannot become relatives, let’s not become enemies either. If the Xue family encounters trouble in the future, you may still seek help from the Wei family… Besides, what the elders once said was merely careless talk. You shouldn’t take it too seriously.”

Yunliu glanced at Chu Ling, then at Shiyu.

Shiyu hurried forward, about to help.

Yunliu shook her head. “For my sake alone, Your Excellency has come, Shiyu has come, and even my family has come. If I still cannot stand up for myself, then I have failed everyone’s concern for me—and I would not be worthy of being a daughter of the Xue family.”

Chu Ling looked at her. “Yunliu, in this world, only by relying on yourself can you truly survive.”

Tears shimmered in Yunliu’s eyes as she nodded firmly. “Your Excellency, I’ve already walked through the gates of death twice. What is there left for me to fear? And Shiyu has persuaded me as well—I have done no wrong. No one can say that a person who upholds filial piety is at fault.”

Chu Ling’s eyes shone brightly. “Exactly. No one can say a filial daughter is wrong. You did nothing wrong!”

Taking a deep breath, Yunliu looked at the Wei family’s First Madam and Second Madam. As proper and composed as ever, she gave them a respectful bow before straightening up, her gaze resolute.

“At that time, the Xue and Wei families were both living on Sin Street. Though my family lived in hardship, none of us were ill. My grandmother and parents were adamant that I should not enter a brothel. But then Wei Liang fell sick. It was Aunt Wei who personally begged me. Does Aunt Wei still remember?”

The Wei family’s First Madam’s expression changed.

The surrounding townsfolk erupted in an uproar.

So in the end, they had forced someone else’s daughter into a brothel to cure their own son?

Yunliu continued, “Aunt Wei said my family could not endure heavy labor, and that Wei Liang might not survive. She urged me to enter the brothel. Part of the money I earned there was used to buy medicine for Wei Liang, was it not? I saved his life. Aunt Wei would not deny that, would she?”

The Wei family’s First Madam drew in a deep breath. “The Wei family will never forget your kindness. If the Xue family encounters difficulties in the future, you may come to us for help.”

Yunliu let out a mocking laugh. “No. The Xue family will never again step through the doors of the Wei household.”

The Wei family’s Second Madam frowned. “Then what exactly do you want? Do you insist on marrying into our Wei family?”

Yunliu shook her head. “How could my parents bear to marry me into such an ungrateful household?”

The faces of both Wei madams darkened instantly.

Yunliu took another deep breath. “Since the engagement is to be broken, then let Wei Liang come out. This matter should be settled properly. Hiding behind women—what kind of man does that make him?”

Just as the Wei family’s First Madam was about to scold her, Chu Ling cut in directly, “If Wei Liang continues to cower and refuses to come out, then this marriage still stands. And if the Wei family dares to arrange another match, I will lead the townsfolk to your gates. Why don’t you guess whether I would dare?”

“This is a matter between the Wei and Xue families. Outsiders should not interfere!” the Wei family’s First Madam snapped.

Chu Ling looked at the two Wei madams indifferently. “I enjoy meddling. What can you do about it? Have Lord Wei submit a memorial to impeach me? I was specially permitted by His Majesty to remain for the birthday celebration. The Wei family has only just been reinstated—your positions are not yet secure, are they?”

The Wei family’s Second Madam was furious and about to speak when the First Madam stopped her.

“Yunliu, you are an unmarried young lady. How can you speak directly with a man? Why not let your father and I decide this matter?” the First Madam said.

Xue Yang’s eyes were icy. “Have Wei Liang come out. Otherwise, this will not end!”

More and more onlookers were gathering outside. If this was not resolved quickly, it would become yet another scandal implicating the Wei family… After some thought, the First Madam gave the Second Madam a look.

The Second Madam immediately went to the back rooms.

The First Madam turned to the crowd outside. “It would not look good if this matter grows too large. Let us discuss it inside.”

Yunliu refused outright. “When you ruined my reputation in public, did you think it would look bad? When you forced me toward death, did you think it would look bad? And now you care about appearances?”

Shiyu stepped forward in support. “Have Wei Liang come out. Break off the engagement in front of everyone. From then on, each will go their separate ways—marriage for marriage, bride for bride, with no further entanglements!”

The First Madam’s gaze turned dark and icy. “Very well!”