Chapter 135: Murong Xiu's Token of Gratitude

The two of them were utterly disheveled, yet they could only endure it. After all, Murong Xiu’s servants and maids were watching them! They had no means to resist Murong Xiu. After being paraded through the streets, who knew what fate awaited them...

“Everyone, listen to me!” one of the servants shouted loudly. “This so-called scholar from the Ru Literature Hall, Hou Tianlu, has been claiming to be a third-place laureate in the imperial examination, but he’s been lying all along! He did take the exam, but he didn’t even make it onto the list!”

“What? So he’s not really a third-place laureate?”

“Whoever sends their children to Ru Literature Hall does so because of that prestigious title!”

“He deceived all of us! And had the nerve to charge so much money!”

“I really want to beat him to death!”

Hou Tianlu closed his eyes in despair. Indeed, he had failed the imperial exams, but in the capital, he had met Murong Xiu and even won her heart. Murong Xiu knew of his failure; she disapproved of his deception but chose to conceal the truth out of love. Now that she no longer loved him, naturally, she would no longer protect him...

He was utterly finished.

...

As soon as Lin Sanqian returned home, she told Liao Shuxia everything. Liao Shuxia couldn’t help but clap her hands with delight. “Good! That Lin Shuimei girl is just as wicked as her parents. Last time, she even teamed up with that worthless scholar from Ru Literature Hall to try to harm your second brother. Finally, she’s getting her comeuppance!”

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

“Who is it?” Zhao Lan’er went to open it. The moment she opened the door, she saw a large group of people and a horse-drawn carriage outside, startling her. “W-who are you?”

Lin Wenyan sensed something was amiss and hurried over. Others followed quickly.

“Is this the home of Miss Lin?” a person dressed as a maid politely asked from the front.

“May I ask what you want?” Lin Wenyan asked warily.

At that moment, Murong Xiu stepped down from the carriage.

Lin Sanqian was taken aback upon seeing her. “Madam Murong?”

Murong Xiu smiled. “Miss Lin, I’ve come to thank you.”

“Please, come in,” Lin Sanqian said.

...

Because she had already told her family about Murong Xiu, they all knew she was Hou Tianlu’s wife. Thinking of how she had had Hou Tianlu and Lin Shuimei paraded through the streets, everyone looked at her with a hint of admiration.

Murong Xiu entered, greeted everyone individually, and took a seat at the stone table in the courtyard.

“Miss Lin, thank you so much,” Murong Xiu said. “If it weren’t for you, I might have been fooled by that scoundrel Hou Tianlu for my entire life.”

“It’s nothing. I just reminded you. The important thing is that you’ve seen things clearly,” Lin Sanqian smiled. “But isn’t it risky to parade them through the streets like that? Didn’t the authorities come after you?”

“No one in this town dares to interfere with me,” Murong Xiu said calmly, yet an unspoken aura of dominance lingered.

Lin Sanqian sensed the presence of a powerful benefactor.

“Wait, there is someone,” Murong Xiu seemed to remember something. “The one now living in the Yu residence... never mind. Anyway, thanks to you, Miss Lin, here is a token of my gratitude. I hope you won’t mind.”

No sooner had she spoken than two servants carried over a large chest. One opened it, revealing gold, silver, and jewels that nearly blinded Lin Sanqian with their brilliance.

Sure enough, a powerful ally indeed!

“Th-this is too much. Madam Murong, I only reminded you, how can I accept all this?” Lin Sanqian said shyly.

“You must accept it,” Murong Xiu took her hand solemnly. “Though you only said a few words to me, you saved me from that scoundrel’s deception and opened my eyes to how terribly wrong I’ve been all these years.”

Her gaze lowered, tinged with sorrow.

“Madam Murong, it’s not too late to see his true colors now,” Lin Sanqian said. “Better to cut your losses early than to keep making mistakes.”

“Yes,” Murong Xiu smiled again. “So you must accept these gifts.”

Lin Sanqian swallowed nervously before shyly accepting them. It would be foolish to refuse such wealth.

This was a significant step toward her dream of sudden fortune.

“Madam Murong, please stay for dinner,” Lin Sanqian warmly invited.

Murong Xiu agreed without hesitation. However, she had brought too many maids and servants for the Lin household to accommodate, so she gave them some money to eat elsewhere and arranged for them to come back to pick her up later.

Having accepted a chest full of treasure, Lin Sanqian was determined to treat Murong Xiu well. She sent two brothers out to buy plenty of meat and vegetables while she displayed her culinary skills in the kitchen.

Zhao Lan’er helped nearby, and Liao Shuxia chatted with Murong Xiu. They were close in age and quickly hit it off. Liao Shuxia even gifted her some embroidery pieces.

“Dinner is served!”

Murong Xiu had expected a simple meal, but as dish after dish was placed on the table, her eyes widened in surprise.

Sweet and sour fish, braised spare ribs, steamed pork with rice flour, mouth-watering chicken, stir-fried prawns, minced pork with eggplant...

Though she usually enjoyed fine meals at home, compared to this spread, her usual fare suddenly seemed bland.

“Please, Madam Murong, have a seat and taste my cooking,” Lin Sanqian invited enthusiastically.

Murong Xiu sat down and couldn’t resist picking up her chopsticks first. She took a piece of fish and closed her eyes in delight.

No wonder Lin Sanqian’s fried chicken business was so successful! Not only was her fried chicken delicious, but all her dishes were exquisite!

Even if Lin Sanqian had never helped her, Murong Xiu would have gladly traded that chest of treasure for this feast.

For the moment, she pushed thoughts of that scoundrel Hou Tianlu to the back of her mind and happily feasted with the Lin family.

Her maids and servants returned after their meal. Though full, they stood at the Lin gate, mouths watering at the aroma.

After dinner, Murong Xiu sank into a chair, utterly satisfied.

She suddenly felt that Hou Tianlu and Lin Shuimei were no longer matters worth fretting over!

“Madam Murong, what are your plans now?” Lin Sanqian asked.

After a moment’s silence, Murong Xiu replied, “I plan to return home.”

She had been away from her parents for many years.

Though they were angry with her, they still cared deeply. They had not taken back the wealth and servants she had brought with her. Sometimes, when she wrote to them, they replied immediately.

She wanted to go home and spend her days caring for and honoring her parents.

“That’s good,” Lin Sanqian said.

“If you ever come to the capital, be sure to look me up,” Murong Xiu smiled. “With me around, no one will dare bully you.”

“Absolutely,” Lin Sanqian smiled back.

Though she didn’t yet know Murong Xiu’s parents’ true status, it was clear they were high-ranking and influential.

After Murong Xiu left, the Lin family prepared to rest.

Just then, a sudden, urgent knock sounded at the door.