Favoring a Concubine and Destroying the Wife

"This was a mistake made by the young master of the Lu family, but it was also a foolish thing he did seven years ago. He was just a child and didn't know the seriousness of the matter, which led to this terrible mistake."

"A marriage is no easy feat, so please bear with the Lin Family."

The speaker was the patriarch of the Lu family, who was also the uncle of Marquis of Wuding.

Although he was old and did not hold an important official position, he was still considered a person of status in the Lu family.

The Lu family echoed, "We admit our mistake, and we'll accept whatever punishment is due. The Heir Apparent will not haggle over the Lin Family's offer."

Lin Yunyi could no longer contain himself. He stood up angrily, bowed, and said, "If my father had known from the beginning that the Lu family had this kind of family tradition, he would never have agreed to let my sister marry into the family!"

"Having a son by a concubine before marrying Principal Wife —your Lu family is committing marriage fraud!"

These were extremely harsh words, especially since he was just an unknown nobody. The elders of the Lu family looked very displeased.

The Lin clan leader feigned anger and scolded, "Yi-ge'er, sit down."

Lin Yunyi sat down, flicking his sleeves, and took Madam Lin's sweaty hand.

The Lin clan leader said slowly, "What Yi-ge'er said may be a bit arrogant, but it is indeed the truth. Since the Lu family committed marriage fraud first, and the Heir Apparent has humiliated my the Lin clan's daughter for the sake of a Concubine, any further marriage would only create enmity."

The meaning of divorce is quite clear.

Old Madam Lu felt dizzy and thought she was about to faint.

Nanny Yan quickly called out, "Old Madam!" and pinched her philtrum to wake her up.

The Members of the Lin clan were also nervous. It was important to reach a divorce agreement, but they couldn't let the Old Madam die of anger, otherwise the pressure of filial piety would damage the Lin Family's reputation, and Lin Yunwan would not have a good ending either.

The Lin clan leader also asked, "If the Old Madam is not feeling well, she should go back and rest! The Lady of the Marquis and your Lu family members are here, so you don't need to worry too much about your children and grandchildren."

Old Madam Lu's tears came easily. "My dear in-law, how could I not worry?"

"Zhengliu is a fool. If you want to say it's a marriage of convenience, our Lu family will accept it for now. But to go to the point of divorce over a lowly concubine... People say it's better to tear down a temple than to break up a marriage, so why is it that in your Lin Family, it's the opposite..."

Madam Lin trembled with rage. Her usually gentle demeanor vanished, replaced by a chilling tone as she retorted, "For the sake of a Concubine?! For the sake of a Concubine?!"

Lin Yunwan clutched the handkerchief in her hand. She was too far away from her mother and could only watch her.

Lin Yunyi patted Madam Lin's hand.

Madam Lin wanted to continue, but she was already out of breath and unable to speak.

Lin Yunyi rose again and bowed, saying, "My Elder Sister has been well-versed in poetry and literature since childhood, and was personally taught by our father. She can recite 'Lessons for Women' and 'Admonitions for Women' fluently. From childhood to adulthood, she has always adhered to etiquette and has never done anything out of line."

Everyone who has met my Elder Sister has never spoken ill of her. She is gentle, virtuous, resilient, and magnanimous; she would be a model wife no matter which family she marries.

"If Old Madam 're suggesting that my Elder Sister's inability to tolerate the Concubine and the young Heir Apparent's foolish actions stems from jealousy, then I must apologize for offending you."

Old Madam Lu was taken aback, never expecting that a twelve-year-old boy could be so articulate!

Lin Yunyi straightened his back, looked at the elders of the Lu family, and said with a serious expression, "It is not uncommon for men in our dynasty to take concubines, but it has always been the custom to marry a wife first and then take a concubine. I have never heard of a family that takes a concubine first and then marries a wife!"

"If the Heir Apparent were confused and took a concubine first, that would be one thing, but the Lu family allowed the Concubine to pretend to be a relative of the Old Madam Lu, keeping her in the mansion to avoid suspicion."

"This Concubine's adopted son was also secretly adopted into my sister's family."

"From concubine to younger female cousin, from Concubine-born Son to Legitimate Son. I want to ask the Lu family, what exactly are you planning?"

"The Lu family has gone to such lengths to scheme against my Elder Sister for the sake of a lowly concubine and Concubine-born Son Lu family —isn't this a case of favoring a concubine over the wife? This is blatant favoring a concubine over the wife!"

The Lu family members lowered their heads.

Everyone knew perfectly well that if Lu Zhengliu and Old Madam Lu hadn't been planning something for that lowly concubine, they wouldn't have gone to such lengths to deceive their mistress.

Thinking about it more deeply... that involves bloodshed.

The phrase "favoring a concubine at the expense of the wife" is not an exaggeration.

But the Lu family cannot bear such a heavy burden of guilt.

Old Madam Lu glanced at the elders of the Lu family; none of them dared to refute her, nor did they dare to look at her.

The Heir Apparent did this without informing them!

Now, if they want their help to stand up for them, they really don't know how to ask the Lin Family for help.

Wei Shi was terrified and it took her a long time to understand the reasoning behind Lin Yunyi's words.

She grabbed Lu Zhengliu's arm and whispered, "You... you really wanted to harm Yun Wan?"

Lu Zhengliu pursed his lips, clenched his fist, and said, "No."

He never intended to kill her.

The Lin clan leader stood up and said, "Things have come to this. I think the two families should... seek a peaceful divorce."

The Wei Shi panicked.

She urged Lu Zhengliu, "Son, say something! Say it now!"

How can we get a divorce?

The Wuding Marquis Residence cannot be without Lin Yunwan as its matriarch!

Lu Zhengliu stood up, walked to Lin Yunwan, looked into her eyes, and solemnly swore to the heavens. "I swear on the honor and reputation of the Lu family, I, Lu Zhengliu, have never thought of killing my wife, never. If I have said a single false word, may I be struck by lightning and die a horrible death."

He said this without the slightest hint of guilt.

Because that's always been his thought.

Lin Yunwan's expression was indifferent; she didn't even look at him.

The Lu family members quickly chimed in, "No matter how muddle-headed the Heir Apparent may be, he wouldn't be so unruly as to kill his wife."

"This involves risking lives and the future of the Lu family. I don't think what the Heir Apparent says is false."

"The Heir Apparent did something foolish and dared not tell you, my niece-in-law, so he resorted to this drastic measure."

"This is only because I value you, my niece-in-law; otherwise, I wouldn't have done something like this."

Ultimately, it's still a misunderstanding.

Old Madam Lu also cried, saying, "My Old Marquis, I'm so sorry. I failed to raise my grandson well and protect my granddaughter-in-law. I've truly let down the kindness you showed the Lin Family when you saved their lives!"

Lin Yunyi a cold laugh.

Does this bring up the Old Master's kindness?

He took out five ginseng roots and said, "These are the five ginseng roots that my Old Master lent to the Lin Family back then. Although they couldn't save my father, the Lin Family is still grateful and will always remember them."

"Since the Old Madam has shown me kindness, I will repay the favor to the Lu family on behalf of my father."

"Old Madam, please don't make things difficult for my Elder Sister. I am the Legitimate Son of the Lin Family, and I will repay the Lin Family's kindness. It has nothing to do with my sister!"

Lin Yunyi has such ambition, the Lin Family should lend a hand.

The Lin Family patriarch said, "These are all century-old ginseng. I remember the Old Marquis borrowed ten-year-old ginseng from the Lin Family back then?"

Lin Yunyi bowed and replied, "The Lu family's kindness can be repaid tenfold by my Lin Family. But my Elder Sister —must go home."

Old Madam Lu's face froze.

How could Lin Yunyi be so thorough! He thought of everything!