Madam, don't do this!

Chapter 354 The Last Act of Mercy (1)

Although Fang De was old, he was not senile.

On the contrary, having spent so many years navigating the court and the Fang family, his mind was sharper than anyone else's; he could understand the intricacies of many things with just a glance. Frankly, causing such a commotion was somewhat shameful for the Fang family. Song Yan could have easily contacted him privately, and with his methods, he could have easily suppressed the matter silently.

It could even deter Xie Qingqing and Fang Lingyu from bothering him again.

But he could also understand Song Yan's actions.

If the matter is resolved privately, and I don't punish Fang Lingyu and Xie Qingqing, then Song Yan will definitely harbor resentment.

If Fang Lingyu is dealt with, Fang Hu might feel that he has wronged Fang Lingyu. Fang Jiang, Fang He, and Fang Hu already feel that they favor the eldest son. If this causes a commotion, it will probably lead to a rift between father and son.

Now that everything is laid bare, although it may seem a bit ruthless, it is the best approach.

Moreover, this was more of a test.

If the prestigious Fang family can't even handle such a small matter, then in Song Yan's eyes, the Fang family is simply not a worthwhile partner, and their relationship will only grow weaker in the future. It's laughable that the Fang family, clearly the first-class aristocratic family in Ningguo, with countless people wanting to curry favor with them, is now being sent by a marquis to test whether the Fang family is qualified to cooperate.

That was somewhat presumptuous.

However, in Fang De's eyes, Song Yan had that qualification.

When chaos is imminent, the army is the most loyal support.

Song Yan possessed the most elite troops in the entire Ning Kingdom.

This is Song Yan's capital, and it's also what the Fang family lacks most.

"My poor daughter, you have ruined her innocence."

"You beast! How could you beat Lingyu like this? My master treated you so well, like his own son and nephew, and this is how you repay him?"

"Do you still have a conscience?"

Xie Qingqing seemed to have turned into a shrew, sitting on the ground and wailing loudly. Her eyes were red, and the tears came so easily that her face was covered in tears. Before long, the rouge and powder on her face were mixed into a paste by her tears and rolled down her cheeks.

For a moment, that face looked like a ghost.

One cried, two made trouble, and three hung.

This is the most common tactic used by shrewish women in ordinary households.

Although it's not very respectable, it's useful.

Of course, Xie Qingqing would never do such a thing in front of Fang Hu. In Fang Hu's eyes, she was obedient, sensible, and considerate. Otherwise, she, a concubine of poor birth, would not have won Fang Hu's favor. However, when facing outsiders, she didn't need to worry so much. On the contrary, her crying and fussing could help Fang Hu say some things that he was reluctant to say.

Therefore, Fang Hu would not be angry at all, but would be very happy.

She wasn't very knowledgeable about important matters. But Xie Qingqing was extremely adept at understanding men's minds.

As expected, although Fang Hu felt that Xie Qingqing's actions were somewhat undignified, he wasn't angry. On the contrary, a smile appeared on his lips. He wasn't stupid; he could naturally see that all of this was a scheme orchestrated by his wife and daughter.

But Fang Hu had his own plans.

Although Song Yan's background wasn't great, he was a person with great potential.

Fang Hai also rose rapidly through the ranks, becoming an earl and marquis, all because of Song Yan.

If Song Yan and Fang Lingyu were to get married, they would be family. Although things weren't going well now, Fang Hu believed that with Lingyu's abilities, it wouldn't be long before she could completely fool Song Yan. At that point, who would care about this little bit of unpleasantness? Then, he could have Song Yan arrange positions for his brothers-in-law in his troops, giving them some prestige, and their merits would skyrocket... How could he let Fang Hai have all these achievements go to waste?
In a few years, his sons might all be able to obtain titles. Even if they cannot inherit their father's title of Duke, they will still be nobles for generations and live a life free from worries about food and clothing.

Thinking this way, Fang Hu felt that Xie Qingqing and Fang Lingyu had done a good job. Clearing his throat, Fang Hu glared at Xie Qingqing and scolded her in a deep voice, "Cry, cry, all you do is cry, you ignorant slut, shut your mouth... Lingyu, you tell me, what exactly happened?"

At this moment, Fang Lingyu was in pain and cold, and her whole body was convulsing.

Hearing her father's words, she still desperately opened her mouth: "Father, it was... it was Song Yan who invited me to meet him in the garden. I felt it wasn't appropriate to meet a man in private. If someone saw us, it might ruin my reputation. I wanted to refuse, but Song Yan is a distinguished guest of yours, Grandpa, and I dared not neglect him. After thinking it over, I decided I still had to come." Fang Lingyu took out the explanation she had prepared beforehand: "I think I should at least tell Song Yan that it's not appropriate to meet a girl at night. Even if we have something to say, it should be done during the day when elders are present to be proper."

Song Yan was shocked.

Although his speech was slightly slurred because half of his front tooth was broken, his words were still sincere and heartfelt.

It was as if she were some kind of good girl.

If it weren't for the two-month-old baby in her belly, Song Yan would have believed it.

This woman is simply a born actress.

As she spoke, Fang Lingyu burst into tears again, tears streaming down her face, mixed with blood, dripping down one by one: "But, but who knew that Song Yan was a beast in human form? As soon as we met, he started to lay hands on me, and even tore off my daughter's clothes. My daughter struggled desperately and refused to submit, so Song Yan got angry and beat my daughter badly."

In his words, he placed all the blame on Song Yan.

Song Yan remained smiling, showing no sign of panic. She admired Fang Lingyu greatly. Despite her young age, Fang Lingyu was a natural actress. If she were in another time and space, she would be a popular young actress, much better than those who only knew how to use green screen and stare blankly.

"Father, please forgive your unfilial daughter."

"My daughter's body has been ruined by this beast, I have no face to continue living in this world." With that, Fang Lingyu ran towards the artificial hill, sobbing.

Judging from his appearance, it seemed like he wanted to smash his head against the artificial hill and die.

Xie Qingqing, who was sitting on the ground, suddenly jumped up and hugged Fang Lingyu. The two women cried and made a scene, and from time to time, you could hear voices saying things like "Don't hold me back, let me die."

laugh!
Song Yan couldn't help but burst out laughing.

This is probably a very common trope in female-oriented content.

He never expected such a thing to happen to him. Of course, he couldn't help but laugh, but that wasn't the reason. Rather, he clearly saw that just as Fang Lingyu was about to crash into the artificial hill, the several heads that had been sticking out from behind the hill were obviously startled by Fang Lingyu. Their heads quickly and neatly retracted, looking rather comical.

Song Yan understood that Fang De, that old fox, hadn't made a move yet, probably waiting for Fang Hu to make a statement. After all, he was his own son, and perhaps he still held onto some hope. What Fang Hu said next would most likely determine how Fang De would deal with him.

Fang Hu was surprised that Song Yan could still laugh at this point, and his face showed embarrassment, as if all his little schemes had been exposed.

“Nephew Song, what do you think we should do about this? We need to come up with a plan.”

“My Lingyu is gentle, skillful, and pure. You have ruined her innocence. I would never marry my daughter to a beast like you, for both reason and morality. But I can’t just watch Lingyu die. So, you should marry Lingyu.” Song Yan sighed. He clearly saw the light in the old man’s eyes behind the rockery suddenly dim.

At that moment, Fang De must have felt extremely disappointed.

Shrug and said, "Second Master Fang, I actually think that 'pure and innocent' is not quite the right word to describe Fang Lingyu, since she was the one who pounced on me just now."

"You're talking nonsense!" Fang Lingyu, who had just been crying, suddenly screamed upon hearing this: "How could I, a girl, use my innocence to frame someone?"

"shut up."

Just then, a roar suddenly came from behind the artificial hill.

But Fang De, unable to resist any longer, finally came out.

Under the moonlight, Fang De's face turned from pale to red, his eyes wide with anger, as if he had been greatly shocked, and his old, hunched body was trembling.

Behind Fang De were Fang Hai and Fang Shan, the Prefect of Dongling Prefecture.

At the very back is Luo Tianyi.

Seeing the group emerge from behind the artificial hill, Fang Hu's heart skipped a beat, his face instantly changing drastically. For some reason, he had a very bad premonition. Unfortunately, Fang Lingyu was oblivious to this. Seeing Fang De appear, she assumed that someone had come to back her up, and staggered towards him, saying, "Grandpa, you must stand up for me! This Song Yan..."

Before he could finish speaking, Fang De could no longer hold back. He suddenly raised his arm and slapped Fang Lingyu hard across the face.

Snapped.

Despite his aged appearance, Fang De's slap was incredibly powerful, and the crisp sound of the blow echoed through the night.

Fang Lingyu was slapped to the ground, covering half of her face, a tooth spitting out of her mouth, abruptly interrupted.

Xie Qingqing was so frightened that she fell silent.

Seeing Xie Qingqing's state, Fang De was even more furious. Without this bitch instigating him, his second son wouldn't have been so stupid.

He walked over shakily, and another slap landed heavily on Xie Qingqing's face.

Poor Xie Qingqing's face was swollen up on one side, and even a trace of blood seeped from the corner of her mouth.

Xie Qingqing was terrified. She was extremely afraid of her father-in-law, Fang De. Her little tricks worked like a fish in water with Fang Hu, but they were completely useless in front of Fang De. A single glance from Fang De was enough to make her tremble all over.

Seeing that his wife and daughter had been beaten, Fang Hu was frightened but also somewhat dissatisfied: "Father, what are you doing? Lingyu is being bullied now, and instead of helping your own family, you're helping an outsider..."

Fang De glanced indifferently at Fanghu, then pointed to the artificial hill: "We were there before Song Yan arrived."

Fang Hu's breath hitched, and the rest of his words caught in his throat. He knew he had no room for further explanation, but he was still somewhat unwilling: "But, Lingyu is my daughter, your granddaughter."

Fang Hu knew that Fang De was not the kind of person who upheld morality and fairness. When it came to ruthlessness, the entire Fang family combined couldn't compare to the old man. He just wanted to understand whether, in the old man's heart, the Fang family members were more important, or an outsider was more important.

Fang De sighed. He really couldn't understand how such a shrewd person like himself could have such a foolish son. A general who holds great power, someone he has to treat with respect and try every means to build relationships with. How many heads do you have that you dare to scheme against him?

Fang Lingyu, now fully recovered from the slap, recalled her disheveled state, covered in blood, her grandfather's indiscriminate slap, and his callous siding with outsiders over his granddaughter. All the grievances welled up in her heart at that moment. The fear instilled by her grandfather vanished, leaving Fang Lingyu with only the urge to vent. Unable to control herself, she screamed, "Song Yan, I don't understand! You're just a peasant! What's wrong with me that I don't deserve you?"

Song Yan sighed helplessly. "Fine, it's your own fault for not wanting this last bit of dignity."

He blinked: "Probably because I don't want to raise someone else's child."

Rumble, rumble.

This statement is absolutely a bombshell.

In an instant, everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

Even Fang Hai and Fang De swayed slightly. They only knew that Fang Lingyu was no longer innocent, but they didn't know that she even had a child.

No wonder... no wonder Fang Lingyu was so anxious.

She pulled open her thin clothes and rushed to Song Yan.

She's in a rush to find a father for the bastard child in her belly.

Fang De's hands clenched tightly, his usually amiable face now looking almost ferocious. "That stupid, despicable woman!" If, before, Fang De had understood why Song Yan was unwilling to resolve the matter privately and insisted on losing face for the Fang family, he still felt somewhat uncomfortable. But now, all that discomfort vanished, and he even broke out in a cold sweat.

This is making enemies of the Fang family!
He's a general who can trample the royal court on horseback. If you want to die, don't drag the entire Fang family down with you.

Fang Hu swayed, his face darkening. Now he finally understood why Song Yan would rather offend the Fang family than get involved with Fang Lingyu.

Xie Qingqing and Fang Lingyu were both deathly pale, their wide eyes revealing deep fear. Fang Lingyu instinctively opened her mouth, "I, I didn't, I... I didn't..."

Although she was refuting, she had lost the confidence she had when she screamed just now.

“It’s been about two months.” Song Yan smiled. “It’s Fan Jiu’en’s child.”

“I’m a miracle doctor who can even cure tuberculosis. You can’t hide what’s in your belly from me.”

Fang Lingyu fell silent. The strange gazes around her filled her with immense shame, and at that moment she wished she could disappear into the ground.

At the same time, she felt increasingly resentful towards Song Yan, and her eyes were filled with venom when she looked at him.

So what if he's Fan Jiu'en's child? Why are all men like this, so concerned about whether he's their own flesh and blood? As long as you raise him, won't he call you "Dad" and take care of you in your old age?

Women suffer through ten months of pregnancy and childbirth; can't they be more understanding and tolerant?
What's wrong with this world? Why is there so much malice towards women?
Fang De pursed his lips. Fang Lingyu's foolish actions had completely offended Song Yan. He knew that if he couldn't handle it well, the little bit of affection between the Fang family and Song Yan would be severed in an instant: "Fang Shan."

"The child is here."

"Take Xie Qingqing and Fang Lingyu away."

"Charcoal burning, white silk, soaking pigs in cages, and arsenic."

"Let them choose for themselves; this is the last act of mercy the Fang family is showing them."

(End of this chapter)