The husband I snatched halfway through his life is strange.

Sunlight filtered through the gaps in the trees and slanted into the corridor.

Chu Liulang was led forward by his servants, along a path that was rarely used by people.

He was a notorious womanizer, with an exceptionally handsome and charming appearance. His alluring peach blossom eyes and honeyed lips gave him a plethora of tricks to charm people.

Seeing that the servants were only focused on leading the way, he couldn't help but feel annoyed.

Her mother's admonitions and warnings before she left still echoed in her ears. And then there was Chu Ning, still a young woman in her chambers, and the fact that the two had secretly engaged in illicit relations, which her father had witnessed, eliciting his furious rage.

The porcelain shattered with a loud crash, shards scattering all over the ground.

"Filthy! Utterly filthy!"

"You bastard! She's your own sister, your own flesh and blood! How could you do this to her? If I were you, I wouldn't have the face to live on!"

He was so frightened that he didn't even have time to put on his clothes. He was covered in cold sweat and knelt on the ground begging for mercy, but was kicked away by Chu's father.

"How long has it been? How long have you been secretly carrying out your plans right under my nose?"

It wasn't long, only about half a year.

"Today I will beat these two scoundrels who have disgraced the family and tarnished the reputation of the Chu family to death! Only then will I be worthy of our ancestors!"

At that time, he was very interested in Chu Ning. As the stick, which was as thick as an arm, came down, he did not hesitate to press Chu Ning, who had recently been making love with him, down on his body. He was hit several times, and it felt like his internal organs were about to be dislocated.

Father Chu truly wanted to kill this wretched child and then drown his legitimate daughter in the pond to protect the family's reputation. But his wife knelt on the ground, pleading desperately.

"Master, no, absolutely not!"

"I only have one son and one daughter. If anything happens to them, I won't live either."

Madam Chu clung tightly to the stick, trying to stop the execution. But her father, with a dark face, kicked her away and launched into a tirade of abuse.

"A doting mother spoils her son! He's done wrong since he was little, and you've always protected him. How many innocent young women have been ruined by lust over the years? And you're always the one cleaning up the messes and throwing money at things to make things right."

"I was confused too. I thought they were all daughters from humble families, of lowly status. It was a blessing for him to take a liking to them. It was just a matter of adding another pair of chopsticks to the family and carrying them into the mansion in a sedan chair. Who would have thought it would lead to this catastrophic disaster? Do you think I won't punish you? Get out of here!"

What happened next?
Just as Chu's father was contemplating murder, the Duke of Zhou's mansion sent a matchmaker to their door, intending to marry the younger sister.

The gate of the Duke of Zhou's mansion is high, but the heir's legs...

The Chu family is of lower status, but their eldest daughter is exceptionally beautiful, having been carefully cultivated for over a decade.

In the past, Chu's father would have definitely arranged a good marriage for her. He Xuran, the young master of the Qingyuan Marquis's Mansion, was quite capable despite his young age. He called the Grand Tutor "brother-in-law," and the He family was also the Empress Dowager's maternal family!
He's had his eye on it for a long time.

He was thinking of shamelessly trying to curry favor with her. But he couldn't bear to see Chu Ning fill the hole left by the Duke of Zhou's mansion, so he racked his brains trying to politely decline.

But now, it's all ruined!

Zhou Xuan's legs are bad, so even if he is the heir apparent, this is all he can do for the rest of his life. I'm afraid he won't be able to run the Zhou State Duke's mansion in the future.

Many mansions avoided the idea of ​​a marriage alliance. Who would be willing to arrange a marriage with them?
After this incident, it's not worth offending the Duke of Zhou's mansion for Chu Ning's sake.

Moreover, the betrothal gifts and benefits offered by the Duke of Zhou's mansion were truly generous.

Master Chu agreed.

To prevent further trouble, Chu Liulang was imprisoned, and during this time Chu Ning was married into the Duke of Zhou's mansion.

Perhaps Chu Liulang was simply a promiscuous man.

Upon learning that his former lover was now married to another man, he felt no sadness, but rather a sense of relief.

It's as if... this matter is completely over.

He survived, and remained a member of the Chu family.

After his mother arranged for him to marry Zhou Yurou, he lost all interest in Chu Ning.

Thinking of this, Chu Liulang stamped his foot.

They were unwilling to move forward.

He also didn't want to see Chu Ning in private again.

"Brother."

Just as he hesitated, Chu Ning's voice came from behind him.

Chu Ning: "I can tell from your appearance that you've had too much to drink. Let me take you to the side room in the front courtyard to rest for a while."

She smiled and spoke softly.

"My grandmother's birthday is coming up soon, and I'd like to take this opportunity to talk to my brother about how to throw her a big celebration."

That excuse was perfectly plausible.

"Next time."

Chu Liulang: "I'll go first..."

"Is my brother rejecting me?"

"But among all my sisters, you clearly love me the most." Yes, I love you.

The pain was so intense that I lay on the bed.

Looking into her eyes, Chu Liulang suddenly found himself unable to refuse.

What he was most infatuated with back then was Chu Ning's eyes, which seemed to hold a rebellious spirit.

Chu Ning took the child from the wet nurse's arms and walked straight towards it.

The emotions in her eyes were intense and powerful, as if a mere spark could ignite a wildfire.

“I have something to discuss with my brother, so you don’t need to come along.”

The servants didn't think anything of it.

"Yes."

Only the old woman who had served Chu Ning since childhood felt a sudden pang of anxiety.

Watching the brother and sister walk forward, and with so many people around, she couldn't afford to panic and arouse suspicion, so she could only follow closely behind.

Fortunately, Chu Ning didn't chase her away.

We followed the path forward, and further forward, until we entered the courtyard.

Chu Ning had already dismissed everyone in the courtyard and sent them outside.

Chu Ning didn't take him to the side room; instead, she openly led him towards the main house.

It was the room where she and Zhou Xuan rested and slept.

"No! Young lady..."

The old woman spoke up urgently and blocked the way with her body.

"Absolutely not! You are now the young mistress of the Duke of Zhou's mansion, you shouldn't be reminiscing about the past..."

It was interrupted.

"Old Woman Wang".

Chu Ning: "Stand guard outside and don't let anyone get close, or you will be held responsible. I want to catch up with my brother."

She smiled as she spoke.

It doesn't seem like a threat, but it's more threatening than a threat.

"Just like three years ago when my brother and I poured our hearts out to each other, and you were keeping watch outside."

"Tell me, if I had betrayed you back then, would you still be alive and standing here teaching me how to do things?"

In a few breaths, Granny Wang made her choice and helped Chu Ning push open the door.

Chu Ning smiled at Chu Liulang, who was frowning.

"Why isn't brother going in yet?"

She freed one hand and tried to pull him.

“I was delighted to see you and your mother today; you should know how long I’ve been looking forward to seeing you. But you didn’t even look at me, nor did you say a single word to me.”

His tone was one of indescribable resentment.

Chu Liulang instinctively dodged and stepped inside, speaking as he went.

"We shouldn't keep dragging this out. Fine, let's make things clear today."

"Your status is now extraordinary, and I am about to get married. I apologize for what happened before."

"Can't we look forward?"

"Look ahead?"

"Yes. Now that you have a child and your life is settled, you and your brother-in-law should live a good life together."

Chu Ning reacted as if she had heard a joke.

She just kept her head down, comforting the child.

Her nickname is Zhuzhu.

"Brother, look at her."

She forcefully sent the child there.

said softly.

“Look at our children.”

(End of this chapter)