Chapter 94: with translation of chapter title

~20 min read 3,857 words

Don't look, I'll fix it first.

Probably means: "(Don't look yet, wait for me to fix it first.)" The parentheses indicate maybe a whisper. We'll translate: "(Don't look, wait for me to fix it first.)"

Du Ren Mei was dazed.

How can he be a little confused? Aman and Jiang Li's open affection is somewhat improper, but they're a proper married couple; even if they go a bit too far, it's not a big deal.

Why are Mingzhu and this maid reacting so strongly?

Du Ren Mei turned to Du Ruo and said, "Aman, you..."

Du Ren Mei looked at Du Ruo, "Aman, you……"

"Dad, don't blame my sister—she didn't mean to do it!"

"Father, don't blame sister, sister didn't do it on purpose!" Note there is an opening quote missing closing? We'll keep as is: "Father, don't blame sister, sister didn't do it on purpose!"

Du Mingzhu interrupted him, her face full of urgency as she begged: "My sister grew up in the countryside and hasn't seen much of the world. Now, when a decent-looking man deliberately approaches her, she can't help but make such a mistake."

Du Mingzhu cut off his words, pleading with an anxious face: "Sister grew up in the countryside, hasn't seen much of the world; now that a somewhat handsome man deliberately approaches her, she naturally can't help but make such a mistake."

As she spoke, Du Mingzhu turned toward the crowd and her eyes landed precisely on Wang Bujiu.

Saying that, Du Mingzhu turned toward the crowd and precisely spotted Wang Bujiu.

"Brother-in-law," she called to Wang Bujiu, tears in her eyes, "I apologize on my sister's behalf. Please, for our father's sake, forgive her momentary lapse and don't divorce her."

"Brother-in-law." She called out to Wang Bujiu, tears in her voice: "I apologize to you on behalf of my sister; I only ask that, for Father's sake, you forgive her momentary bewilderment and certainly do not divorce her!"

Wang Bujiu froze, his beard stiff with a dazed look.

Wang Bujiu froze, every whisker on his face showing a dazed expression.

What kind of brother-in-law is this?

What the heck is a brother-in-law?

That woman earlier truly grew up in the countryside and actually ran off with a passing merchant.

That woman before indeed grew up in the countryside and indeed ran off with a passing peddler.

But I've never heard she was Du's illegitimate daughter.

But I haven't heard that she is Lord Du's illegitimate daughter.

Wang Bujiu stepped back two steps, his face full of disgust, "You've got the wrong person—who do you think is your brother-in-law?"

Wang Bujiu immediately stepped back two steps, face full of disdain: "You've mistaken the person, right? Who is your brother-in-law?"

Du Mingzhu didn't notice anything wrong and kept saying: "Brother-in-law, I know you're upset with our Du family because of my sister and don't want to acknowledge this relation. But she's still your lawfully wedded wife; even if she's gotten involved with your close friend, it's only because she's lonely—please don't disown her, okay?"

Du Mingzhu utterly failed to notice anything wrong, and kept saying: "Brother-in-law, I know you're dissatisfied with our Du family because of my sister's matter and don't want to acknowledge this relation. But sister is after all your lawfully wedded wife; even if she got involved with your close friend, it's only because she was too lonely—please don't deny her, okay?"

Wang Bujiu: "... Are you crazy?"

Wang Bujiu: "... Are you sick?"

I initially thought this woman was poisonous, having disfigured the younger siblings; now it seems she's not only poisonous but also mentally ill, spouting nonsense no sane person could understand.

Initially I only thought this woman was poisonous, causing the younger siblings to be disfigured; now it seems she's not only poisonous but also mentally ill, speaking nothing a normal person could understand.

Wang Bujiu didn't understand, and neither did anyone else there.

Wang Bujiu didn't understand, and neither did the others present.

The county magistrate and Su Wanjun exchanged a glance; as an official and a lady of the inner quarters, they quickly saw through the situation.

Li Xianling and Su Wan Jun exchanged a glance; as a couple—one versed in officialdom, the other in inner household—they quickly saw through the situation.

Su Wanjun pressed her handkerchief to the corner of her mouth, hiding her smile.

Su Wan Jun pressed her handkerchief to the corner of her mouth, hiding her smile.

Du family's Miss Mingzhu is quite something—she openly pleads for her sister, but every word is a deadly jab, wishing to let the whole world know her sister has a lover outside; she's incredibly scheming.

Du Fu's Miss Mingzhu is quite something—openly pleading for her sister, yet every word is a deadly move, wishing to let the whole world know her sister has a lover outside, her scheming runs deep.

It's a shame she even got the person wrong; trying to make others laugh at her sister's expense, she might end up being the one laughed at.

Too bad she got the person wrong; wanting others to laugh at her sister's joke, she might end up being the laughingstock herself……

Su Wanjun didn't rush to expose it; she just stood aside and watched the drama.

Su Wan Jun also didn't rush to expose it, just standing aside watching the show.

Du Mingzhu's mother, Lady Jiang, couldn't stay out of it; she stepped forward, grabbed her daughter's wrist, pulled her close, and asked in a low voice, "Zhu'er, what are you doing?"

Du Mingzhu's mother, Lady Jiang, couldn't stay out of it; she stepped forward, grabbed her daughter's wrist, pulled her back, and asked in a low voice: "Zhu'er, what are you doing?"

Lady Jiang differs from Du Mingzhu; she doesn't care about the Zheng mother and daughter.

As a daughter of a marquis household, even if she's merely a concubine-born girl, she would never stoop to argue with a country woman; it would be beneath her status.

As a daughter of a marquis' residence, even if merely a concubine-born daughter, she would never deign to quarrel with a country woman; it would be beneath her status.

But since her daughter insists on targeting them, Lady Jiang didn't stop her.

But since the daughter insists on targeting them, Lady Jiang also did not stop her.

They're just two ants; if they die, they die.

Just think of it as giving Mingzhu some amusement.

Just treat it as giving Mingzhu some amusement.

However, some things can be done, but not openly, and certainly not by testing the waters yourself—that's foolish.

However, some things can be done, but not openly, and certainly not by experimenting on oneself—that's foolish behavior.

"Come back with me, Mother!" Lady Jiang pulled Du Mingzhu away.

"Come back with Mother!" Lady Jiang pulled Du Mingzhu to leave.

But Du Mingzhu refused; she couldn't leave before seeing that wretch's miserable fate.

Du Mingzhu refused, unwilling to leave before seeing that lowly wretch's miserable end.

"Mother, don't interfere," Du Mingzhu whispered, gritting her teeth, "I know what I'm doing."

"Mother, don't interfere." Du Mingzhu gritted her teeth in a voice only the two could hear: "I know my limits."

She shook off Lady Jiang's hand, turned to the crowd, and pleaded: "Please, everyone, keep this to yourselves; don't spread today's events, give my sister a chance to reform."

She shook off Lady Jiang's hand, turned to the crowd and pleaded: "Please, everyone, keep this to yourselves; don't spread today's affairs, give my sister a chance to reform."

The people present had varied expressions, whispering to each other.

The people present had varied expressions, muttering quietly to those beside them.

Some were confused, others found it amusing.

Some were confused, some found it funny.

"Oh? I don't even know what I need to reform," Du Ruo thought, both amused and speechless, "Miss Du, please explain clearly."

"Oh? I don't even know what I need to reform." Du Ruo found it both funny and speechless: "Miss Du, please explain clearly."

Su Wanjun chuckled softly, "Yes, Miss Mingzhu, what did Madame Du do wrong?"

Su Wan Jun chuckled: "Yes, Miss Mingzhu, what did Madam Du do wrong?"

Even Du Ren Mei looked at her own daughter like she was a fool, "Mingzhu, what on earth are you up to?"

Even Du Ren Mei looked at her daughter like she was a fool: "Mingzhu, what on earth are you up to?"

Du Mingzhu froze.

What's going on? Why is everyone reacting so strangely?

What's going on? Why is everyone's reaction so strange?

That wretch is actually consorting with an outsider man—isn't that wrong?

That lowly wretch is actually cavorting with an outsider man—isn't that wrong?

She looked puzzled at Wang Bujiu, but saw him standing there foolishly, watching the fun, as if it had nothing to do with him.

She looked puzzled at Wang Bujiu, but saw him standing there foolishly watching the fun, as if it had nothing to do with him.

He even gave a smug grin and gestured at that lover!

He even gave a grinning gesture to that lover!

Du Mingzhu finally realized what was happening; she turned her head sharply and saw that handsome lover openly taking Du Ruo's hand in front of everyone.

Du Mingzhu finally realized something, turned her head sharply, and saw that handsome lover holding Du Ruo's hand in front of everyone!

Du Mingzhu's pupils widened in shock: "......???"

Du Mingzhu's pupils shook: "……???"

"Truly strange, weird things happen every year, but this year there are especially many." Su Wanjun added another jab, "Miss Mingzhu, you're both pleading and begging here—it seems you and your sister are close, so why don't you even know what your sister's husband looks like?"

"Truly strange, oddities happen every year but especially this year." Su Wan Jun added another jab: "Miss Mingzhu, you're both pleading and begging here; it seems you and your sister are close, yet you don't even know what her husband looks like?"

The Marquis of Ji also jumped out, laughing heartily: "I say, Jiang Li, your sister-in-law is beautiful, but your eyesight is poor—you even mistook your own brother-in-law; you probably need to see a doctor."

The Prince of Ji Commandery also jumped in, laughing loudly: "I say, Jiang Li, your sister-in-law is beautiful, but your eyes aren't great—you even mistook your own brother-in-law; you'd better see a doctor."

Jiang Li's expression was calm: "What the Marquis said."

Jiang Li's expression was calm: "What the Prince said is correct."

He then corrected: "However, the Marquis got one thing wrong—she's not my sister-in-law; my wife has no relation to the Du household whatsoever."

He then continued, correcting: "However, the Prince got one thing wrong—she is not my sister-in-law; my wife has no relation whatsoever to the Du residence."

His wife? Du Ruo is his wife?

"His wife? Du Ruo is his wife?"

So then he is... Jiang Li??

Then he must be……Jiang Li??

Du Mingzhu's vision went dark; she almost fainted.

Du Mingzhu's vision went black, she almost fainted.

The maid Xia He quickly steadied her.

Maid Xia He hurriedly supported her.

Du Mingzhu suddenly turned to her, eyes icy: "You didn't say you went to look? You didn't say Jiang Li is ugly, a rough brute?"

Du Mingzhu suddenly looked at her, eyes grim: "You didn't say you went to see? You didn't say Jiang Li is ugly in appearance, a crude and brutish man?"

"Yes, miss." Xia He's eyes darted nervously in their sockets, "I really did go look, but I don't know why..."

"Yes, miss." Xia He's eyeballs darted uneasily in their sockets: "I really did go see, I also don't know why……"

How did it become like this?

To see what Jiang Li looks like, she even specially sent someone to probe the embankment, saying there was something for Jiang Li, but it was clearly that big oaf who came out to receive it.

To see what Jiang Li looks like, she even specially sent someone to probe the dam, saying there was something to give Jiang Li—clearly it was that big fool who came out to receive it.

Thinking of the consequences of offending the miss, Xia He suddenly panicked.

"Spare the servant, miss, the servant can't be without hands! Please give the servant another chance to correct herself, the servant promises, there won't be a next time..." She plopped down on her knees at Du Mingzhu's feet, clutching Du Mingzhu's skirt hem, crying like a prisoner sentenced to death.

Du Mingzhu was furious and kicked her away with one foot.

It's all that servant's fault—she made me lose face, didn't admit she mistook the person, and now everyone will ridicule me!

How can she ever face people again?

Du Mingzhu said, 'Liu Ya, cut off her hand…'

'Tie her hands for me.' He hadn't finished speaking when Madame Jiang abruptly cut him off.

Madame Jiang glanced at the two maids behind her and said, 'This girl didn't do her job well, angered the master; take her back and lock her in the woodshed, starve her for a few meals as a minor punishment.'

'Yes, madam.'

The maid quickly dragged the utterly limp Xia He away.

Madame Jiang seized Du Mingzhu's hand, her nails digging in, and said, 'Zhu'er, let's go home.'

Du Mingzhu finally came to her senses from shame and rage.

She knew Madame Jiang was doing this for her own good, to keep her from earning a spiteful, vicious reputation.

Having caused such a scene today, she could only lay low for the time being.

'Understood, Mother.' Du Mingzhu collected herself, then bowed slightly to the crowd, returning to her usual gentle, ladylike demeanor, 'I mistook the person; I've made a fool of myself before everyone.'

Everyone present were prominent figures of Wutou County; none were foolish, and they could see the truth clearly.

Everyone was secretly shocked.

Who would have thought that Lord Du, who looks so refined, would have a daughter so cruel and vicious—truly a case of good bamboo producing bad shoots.

Several who had wanted to marry into the Du family immediately abandoned the idea.

Such a vicious daughter-in-law cannot be taken; a moment's carelessness could exterminate the clan.

Though they thought this, they smiled and said, 'It's nothing, nothing; Miss Du, please go on your way.'

Madame Jiang took her daughter and left.

'You're leaving just like that? Miss Du, you haven't returned my mother yet.'

Du Mingzhu halted, having forgotten about that.

Madame Zheng would naturally release her, but in front of all these people she couldn't admit she had seized someone.

'Sister, what are you saying? How is the aunt missing?' Du Mingzhu put on an innocent face.

Du Ruo gave a cold smile, about to speak.

Jiang Li stepped forward first, bowed to Magistrate Li Xianling, and spoke in a resonant, forceful tone: 'Sir, I want to sue the Du Fu for forcibly abducting my mother-in-law, the Zheng Clan, and refusing to release her! Furthermore, I want to sue Du Mingzhu for spreading rumors and slander, intending to ruin my wife's reputation! For a woman, reputation is as important as life; Du Mingzhu's act is tantamount to murder—heinous and unforgivable!'

The crowd erupted in an uproar.

Du Ruo gave Jiang Li a grateful glance.

It's more appropriate for him, as her husband, to bring this up; after all, whatever she says, she's still Du family blood, and doing so would seem overbearing and unsympathetic.

Magistrate Li Xianling looked somewhat embarrassed at Du Ren Mei.

Du Ren Mei straightened her face: 'What abduction? How could Mingzhu do such a thing? At most she just invited Madame Zheng over for a visit. This is a family matter; we can settle it behind closed doors—no need to take it to the courthouse and waste the magistrate's effort.'

'For us as a couple, this is not a family matter but a public one.'

Jiang Li continued: 'Nothing can't be spoken of; Du Mingzhu is not the first time she's persecuted my wife. If we let her off lightly again, she'll surely escalate next time—what then? Please, sir, decide!'

Magistrate Li Xianling remained silent for a moment.

To be frank, although he admired Jiang Li and was grateful to Du Ruo for saving his son, offending the Marquis of Bei'an's mansion would indeed put him in a difficult position.

Madame Jiang saw through Magistrate Li Xianling's thoughts, a gleam of pride flashing in her eyes.

As for this Li Jue Ming, he's sensible, knowing whom not to offend.

'Captain Jiang, you've said all this, but do you have any evidence?' Madame Jiang slightly lifted her chin; though her appearance was ordinary, her aura was commanding: 'It just so happens to be the Mid-Autumn Festival; Mingzhu invited Madame Zheng over out of pure goodwill—how could it be considered such a serious abduction?'

She slowly walked up to Du Ruo, her smile not reaching her eyes.

'As for that incident just now, she merely mistook the person, and besides, she was worried about you, my sister, so she momentarily lost her composure—how could that be considered slander?'

Indeed, Madame Jiang is still sharp; with just a few short sentences she managed to deflect blame from Du Mingzhu.

She even managed to cloak herself in a halo of saintliness.

'Invite my mother over? Good intentions?' Du Ruo couldn't help but laugh, 'I'm afraid it's nothing but a venomous heart.'

'Six years ago Du Mingzhu poisoned me, ruining my appearance; six years later she despised the Jiang family's poverty, forced me into a substitute marriage, nearly ruining my life.'

'Now that she sees us living happily together, she harbors ill intent and insists on utterly destroying my reputation.'

'Madam Du, you say she means well toward us mother and daughter—does saying that not prick your conscience?'

Speaking, Du Ruo looked at Du Mingzhu: 'I really can't understand—what have I done to offend Miss Du that you would poison me again and again, unwilling to stop?'

A buzzing sound suddenly rose from the crowd.

Before, people merely thought Du Mingzhu was harsh with servants and played tricks on her own older sister.

Now it seems this girl is far more terrifying than they imagined…

Seeing this, Du Mingzhu's eyes flashed with a hint of ruthlessness: 'Du Ruo, everything requires evidence; you're just spouting baseless accusations to ruin my reputation—don't blame me for not showing respect for your father!'

Liu Jinu has already been exiled to the frontier; whether he's alive or dead is unknown.

As for Xia He, I'll deal with her when we get back!

By then, with no corpse as evidence, what can Du Ruo do to her?

Just then, Li Nan Si suddenly squeezed in between the adult's legs, his small hand pointing at Du Mingzhu, raising his little head and shouting loudly: 'I heard it all! That wicked woman, just now over there with her maid, was speaking ill of the Lady Du, and even said she'd snatched the Lady Du's mother and locked her in the cellar!'

Everyone was startled.

Su Wanjun quickly pulled her son to her front: 'Sir is speaking; children shouldn't interrupt.'

'Mother, I really did hear it.' Little Master Li looked aggrieved: 'She even said that back then they should have just given Lady Du a bowl of poison to kill her outright, not merely ruin her appearance…'

Su Wanjun covered her son's mouth, looked up and smiled: 'Children's words are careless; no need to pay attention.'

Madame Jiang curled her lips: 'The little master, so young, already knows to repay kindness; he's sure to go far in the future. I heard Du Ruo once saved him—is that true?'

Su Wan Jun's smile turned cold.

「Madam Du, what you mean is that my son lied to repay a favor? 」

As she spoke, she turned to her husband and said solemnly, "Sir, since Madam Du suspects Nan'er of lying, we ought to look into this matter, what do you say?"

Li Xianling nodded, "That makes sense; let's investigate."

He gestured to Wang Bujiu, "Take a few people to the Du Fu's cellar to have a look; if the Zheng Clan is really there, it will prove Nan'er's words are true, Du Mingzhu indeed abducted the Zheng Clan and indeed poisoned Du Niang Zi."

Wang Bujiu's spirits lifted greatly.

He didn't go to the Ya Men to summon people; instead, he directly picked a few strong and sturdy servants at the Li Fu and eagerly set off for the Du Fu.

Du Ren Mei was extremely anxious, "Ah, sir, how can this be..."

「Lord Du, don't worry. 」 Li Xianling soothed him, "Didn't your lady just say that Du Mingzhu 'kindly' brought the Zheng Clan to your residence? Since it's out of goodwill, she would naturally treat her as an honored guest; how could she be locked in the cellar, am I right?"

Du Ren Mei, Jiang Shi: "……"

Both residences were on Qingstone Lane, very close; they returned in less than half an hour.

Indeed, they brought back the Zheng Clan.

The Zheng Clan's hair was disheveled, her expression dazed, and she had dirt all over her; clearly she had not been treated well.

"Mother!"

"Mother-in-law!"

Du Ruo and Jiang Li hurried over, one on each side, supporting her; seeing her daughter and son-in-law, the Zheng Clan's eyes finally focused, and she embraced her daughter and burst into tears.

「A Man, you've come to save Mother… snivel snivel snivel, Mother, have I burdened you again……「

"It's all right, Mother; I've come to take you home."

Du Ren Mei stared blankly at that frail, elderly woman.

Under pressure from Jiang Shi's ***, for over ten years he dared not even glance at the Zheng Clan; unexpectedly, seeing her again, it turned out to be in such an awkward situation.

Once the blossom of Xinglin Village, now she has aged like this……

He felt sorrowful, wanting to go over to comfort her, but hearing Jiang Shi cough heavily twice, his feet instantly recoiled as if scalded by fire.

On the other side, Wang Bujiu was reporting, "Sir, the Zheng Clan was indeed found in the Du Fu's cellar; it appears she has been locked up for most of the day, and not a drop of water has been given."

Jiang Li clasped his hands and said, "Now that the evidence is conclusive, please, sir, make the decision."

Li Xianling sighed, "In that case, I can only handle this matter impartially."「

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