Although Ji Zizhao’s status had soared, and she was no longer the useless waste she once was.
Yet, to slap a man across the face in broad daylight was still rather shocking.
It could be said that this slap stunned everyone.
This was not something any woman could or dared to do.
But Ji Zizhao did it.
And she did it for everyone to see.
Such courage…
It left the young masters beside them gaping.
Sun Lu slowly recovered from his shock, finally seeing Ji Zizhao standing before him, and everyone behind her.
Aunt Xue looked at the scene in disbelief, feeling as though she were dreaming.
She had met Sun Lu many times.
He was talented and well-mannered. Even if his family was a little poor, Aunt Xue felt that was not a problem.
After all, she was merely a concubine, and her daughter was a daughter of a concubine. If she were to truly choose a wealthy family, her daughter would only ever be a concubine for the rest of her life.
Therefore, Aunt Xue had great approval for Sun Lu.
She had even privately planned to give them money to start their lives after Xue Xiaochun’s marriage, as with Sun Lu’s talent, he would surely succeed sooner or later.
To think that Aunt Xue, who had planned for the next fifty years, was now being told that Sun Lu was a scumbag?
Aunt Xue felt both hatred and anger, but her reason told her that it was best to distance herself from Sun Lu at this moment. Otherwise, based on Sun Lu’s recent words, she would never be able to establish herself in the Xue family again.
Others watched the scene in silence.
Ultimately, this matter did not concern them much.
“Ji Zizhao, what are you doing!” Amidst the quiet, Xue Xiaochun suddenly rushed out, shielding Sun Lu behind her, and glared at Ji Zizhao.
Ji Zizhao looked at Xue Xiaochun before her, then at Aunt Xue beside her, and remained silent.
Aunt Xue was indeed intelligent, understanding the principle of self-preservation.
It was a pity, however, that Xue Xiaochun was foolish.
“Xue Xiaochun, are you out of your mind! Can’t you see that Sun Lu is a scoundrel who abandoned his wife? And you’re defending him now?” Xue Yinuo was truly exasperated. How could she have such a disappointing sister?
“Didn’t you hear what Sun Lu just said? He said he has no relation to that woman anymore, and that the woman has been pestering him. In our imperial city, which man doesn’t have three wives and four concubines? Sun Lu is merely clearing his name with this shameless woman, what wrong has he done?”
Xue Yinuo was…
Speechless.
Sun Lu also seemed surprised that Xue Xiaochun would defend him. He immediately declared to Xue Xiaochun, “Xiaochun, don’t worry, I will definitely not fail you. The reason I want to quickly distance myself from this lowly woman is so that I can marry you with a clear conscience.”
He looked so devoted, as if the person who had been cold-blooded and furious moments ago was someone else entirely.
Xue Xiaochun did feel uncomfortable, but she had already come this far with Sun Lu. If she didn’t marry Sun Lu now, who else could she marry?
No matter how foolish she was, she knew this was not the time to argue with Sun Lu. Only by standing with him could the Xue family continue to provide her with a dowry.
Sun Lu saw the flicker of hesitation in Xue Xiaochun’s eyes. To show his resolve, he turned to the woman who had been silently lowering her head and roared, “Get lost, quickly!”
The woman remained rooted to the spot, as if she hadn’t heard him.
Seeing this, Sun Lu immediately strode towards her, intending to grab her and throw her out.
It was as if only by doing so could he prove his innocence.
However, as he reached for the woman again, his hand was once again caught by Ji Zizhao.
Sun Lu, seeing Ji Zizhao’s constant interference, was filled with hatred. “This is my own affair. For the Eldest Daughter of the Ji family to repeatedly interfere, isn't that rather inappropriate?”
Ji Zizhao did not answer Sun Lu. Instead, she flung his wrist aside.
Sun Lu had not expected Ji Zizhao to have such strength. His arm was almost dislocated.
Ji Zizhao silently pulled the woman to her side, carefully examined her injuries, and then looked up at Sun Lu again, saying, “I’ve heard Madam Xue mention Young Master Sun before, saying he was humble and polite. But now you’re constantly slandering my friend, I’m very curious, does Young Master Sun look down on my friend, or on me?”
Sun Lu was…
To say he was shocked was an understatement.
“She’s just a discarded wife, how could she be Eldest Daughter Ji’s friend?” Sun Lu argued, gritting his teeth.
“I don’t need to explain to Young Master Sun how one becomes a friend, but Young Master Sun’s current harm to my friend is real. Moreover, Young Master Sun himself admitted that he was once married to my friend. If that’s the case, why don’t we report this to the authorities? I believe the officials will determine who is right and who is wrong.” Ji Zizhao intended to strip Sun Lu of his dignity and trample on it today, all for the sake of finding witnesses.
With so many people seeing and hearing this, Ji Zizhao had no need to argue further with him.
Upon hearing that it would be reported to the authorities, Sun Lu panicked instantly and looked towards Xue Xiaochun for help.
No matter how foolish Xue Xiaochun was, she knew this matter could not be brought to the yamen. Otherwise, with Ji Zizhao’s current status, the authorities would surely heavily sentence Sun Lu.
“If anyone dares to report this, I will die here today!” Xue Xiaochun said, preparing to dash towards a rockery.
Seeing this, Aunt Xue immediately knelt before Madam Xue, “Madam, I know you’ve always looked down on Xiaochun, and I know Xiaochun is just a concubine’s daughter, incomparable to Sister Nuo. I ask for nothing else, only that Xiaochun can become a wife. Please have pity on me, Madam. If this matter is reported to the authorities, Xiaochun’s reputation will be completely ruined!”
Her words were such that anyone unaware would think that Madam Xue was cruelly mistreating Xue Xiaochun in the manor.
Ji Zizhao looked at Aunt Xue’s tear-filled eyes, her heart turning cold.
Aunt Xue was indeed clever, knowing how to lower her status and highlight Madam Xue’s elevated position.
This way, even if Madam Xue was unwilling, she would have to come forward to help maintain the situation.
Otherwise, she would truly become the villain that Aunt Xue described.
However, since Ji Zizhao had decided to make a scene today, she had no intention of letting it end peacefully.
Glancing around, she saw a figure trembling uncontrollably, and Ji Zizhao couldn’t help but smirk silently.
Immediately after, an angry roar echoed through the crowd, “Are you done making a scene!”
Everyone looked towards the sound and saw Xue Yongnian walking out of the crowd, his face filled with rage.