Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 217 You Still Have More Style

The torchlight and lanterns inside and outside the courtyard illuminated Jiang's departing figure, but Lu Jia, who was watching all this from inside the house, had eyes as dark as an abyss.

Jiang's marriage into the Lu family was arranged by the Yan family. Over the years, she has acted arrogantly and domineeringly in the Lu family, and the Yan family, who have supported her behind the scenes, have played a crucial role in this, as Lu Jia knows.

Everyone in the world knows it.

But why was it that when Madam Jiang said those last words, only Madam Yan's expression changed?

"Humph!"

A deep, resonant, yet powerful snort from the matriarch of the high hall pulled everyone back to their senses.

She stood up, gave Yan Song a deep look, and walked out.

Yan Song's expression turned serious, and he also stood up.

As he reached the threshold, Yan Shu asked, "Father, what should be done with this place?"

Yan Song took a deep breath facing the night sky outside the door, and raised his hand to wave it behind him.

Yan Shu immediately cast a sharp glance at the servant at the door.

Lu Jia couldn't help but glance in the direction the Yan family servants were walking towards the deep and quiet back hall.

How to handle this situation is essentially asking how Wei should be dealt with. Tonight, that old scoundrel Yan has been practically stripped bare; how can Wei possibly survive?
The person who will support the future of the Yan family is Yan Shu. Although Old Madam Yan may not be as politically as Yan Song, she can still maintain her authority in front of the old scoundrel Yan Shu, who is equally capable and perhaps even more ruthless.

After Yan Song left, only four people remained in the room.

“Lan Chu,” Yan Shu walked up to Lu Jie, “I’m so sorry you had to laugh at what happened tonight.”

Lu Jie cupped his hands in greeting: "We've been brothers for years, why are you being so formal?"

Yan Shu sighed, "When I brought you two together, I sincerely hoped that I could have a long and lasting relationship with you, Lan Chu. Now I only feel sorry for you."

Lu Jie then fell silent, and the two of them sighed in silence.

Madam Yan walked over, took Lu Jia's hand, and looked her up and down carefully: "Jiajia, do you still recognize me? I almost didn't recognize you. You've become even more beautiful and elegant than when you were little."

"I never knew that Jiang Mingyi could be so cruel to such a smart and docile child, bullying him time and time again."
“I deserve to be hit. If I had known you were living such a life under your stepmother, I should have stood up for you.”

Lu Jia lowered her eyes and then raised her sleeve to wipe them.

Yan Shu withdrew his gaze from her and looked at Lu Jie: "Jiang Mingyi spewed foul language, like a madwoman, uttering nonsense without any regard for decorum, harming these juniors. Earlier, she slandered Qu Ge'er—"

Lu Jie replied sternly, "Since you know she's just spouting nonsense, why are you taking these ramblings to heart? I watched Qu Ge'er grow up, so naturally none of those things she's saying happened. But I don't know what kind of evil has possessed her to spread such rumors and fabrications. I will give you an explanation later!"

Yan Shu and his wife exchanged a glance, their expressions slightly relaxed.

But Madam Yan still said, "Such a vicious woman, why don't you quickly divorce her?"

"Madam!" Yan Shu gave a wink to stop her.

Lu Jie frowned: "Madam's reasoning is sound, but many officials witnessed last night's events. By tomorrow morning, it will likely be the talk of the town. For the sake of Grand Secretary Yan and the Yan family's reputation, it would be wise to remain silent and wait for the storm to pass. If I were to divorce my wife now, it would inevitably cause another uproar, which would be a poor strategy." Yan Shu nodded: "This is a very good plan. Divorcing one's wife is no small matter, especially with Ying'er involved."

Upon hearing Lu Ying's name, Madam Yan's expression suddenly shifted, and her gaze locked onto Lu Jie again: "Then, will the marriage between our two families be affected by today's events?"

Madam Yan was still uneasy about what Jiang had said to Yan Qu.

She certainly couldn't believe that her son was impotent!

Even if Jiang found out from Yan Qu's mistress, wouldn't that slut outside just spout nonsense? What if she was deliberately trying to smear him?
She would naturally have to investigate when she got back.

But what if it's true that Mrs. Jiang is so adamant about not agreeing to the marriage?

If it's true, and Lu Jie refuses to marry Lu Ying to Yan Qu, wouldn't Yan Qu not only be childless but also unable to marry a proper wife? There are plenty of people in the world willing to marry into the family regardless of the consequences, but since Miss Lu refuses to marry into the family and the Yan family hasn't arranged a marriage with a family of equal social standing, wouldn't it be possible for news of this private matter between Yan Qu and his family spread?
"It's a done deal, surely Lord Lu wouldn't go back on his word?"

Concern leads to chaos.

Madam Yan was no longer able to face the consequences as calmly as usual, and she couldn't wait for Lu Jie to give her an answer.

Lu Jia, who had been hanging her head, raised it slightly at this moment.

From the moment she stepped into this place until now, apart from Lu Jie speaking up when the Jiang family was at their wits' end, Yu Ze hadn't spoken up for her at all. Just like last time when facing the Du Mama incident, he was a father who was always ready to smooth things over, only speaking up when he had no choice but to at the very end. So tonight, she hadn't expected him to help at all.

But he never compromised and always maintained the proper attitude.

Tonight, when Jiang dragged him outside Anqing Hutong, they discovered the Yan family and witnessed this embarrassing incident. He could have gone back, so why did he drag Jiang in instead?
Is he really that gossipy?
Why didn’t she know!
At this moment, Madam Yan's question struck a chord with Lu Jia.

Given the current situation, this marriage must take place.

Since Jiang Shi has become a useless son, the Yan family can only bind the Lu family by marriage and continue to marry Lu family daughters into the family.

At this point, would they really abandon the existing marriage agreement and instead demand a replacement?
If that's the case, then the Yan family has openly dared to ride roughshod over Lu Jie.

Although Lu Jie had designs on the Yan family, given his status and position, it would be no good for him to bow his head to the dust and let them manipulate him.

If Lu Jie doesn't want to part ways with the Yan family tonight, he'll have no choice but to accept the marriage.

But Lu Jia still wanted to know if Lu Jie could really abandon Lu Ying, who had been raised by his side for fourteen years and had never left him, just as he had allowed her to marry into the Yan family in her previous life.
Lu Jie, receiving the gazes of the three people in the room, said almost without pausing, "After this incident, the Yan family is still willing to proceed with this marriage. Isn't that an honor for the Lu family?"

Madam Yan's eyes lit up instantly, and her straight back visibly relaxed.

She smiled.

Looking at Lu Jia beside him, he put his arm around her again: "Good child! Your parents both come from noble families. Looking at you, you are definitely more like a young lady of the Lu family!"

Lu Jia leaned on her shoulder and smiled silently.

Or is she more suitable to be sent to the Shen family as a pawn for the next generation?

That's great.

The Lu family's daughters have all been used by your Yan family.