Can a System Have Bad Intentions? - Chapter 4

Although Lu Deren was furious, he maintained his usual refined demeanor.

However, his hand on the table suddenly clenched into a fist, and his face twisted with rage, a fierce glint in his eyes.

“Lu Tang!”

Lu Deren abruptly stood up, took two steps forward, and raised his hand to slap Lu Tang.

Madam Qiao instinctively tried to stop him but hesitated, recalling Lu Tang’s outrageous behavior today.

If this child wasn’t disciplined now, he would be beyond saving! Arrogance was one thing, but having a poor character meant being rotten to the core.

In a flash, Lu Tang wondered: Should I dodge or not? Should I dodge or not?

Seeing Lu Deren’s slap coming down, Lu Tang’s heart tightened, and he instinctively tried to dodge.

Before he could move, someone pushed him from behind, causing him to stumble forward. Lu Shuqiang’s voice came from behind.

“Father, tomorrow Little Tang has to carry me to the bridal sedan and parade around the city with the dowry. Do you want him to go out with a handprint on his face?”

Lu Deren roared, “You’re still protecting him? Do you even know what he did?”

Thinking about the things Lu Deren and Gu Yunhe had mentioned about Yue’er at noon, Lu Tang retorted, “Why are you yelling at my sister! Are you hitting me because of what happened at noon or because I want to take Yue’er as a concubine?”

Lu Deren was momentarily stunned by Lu Tang’s question.

He had acted on impulse.

It was just a name. Normally, he had more self-control, so why did he lose it today?

With a dark expression, Lu Deren said, “Both are reasons for a beating!”

Madam Qiao quickly pushed Lu Tang, “Being reckless is one thing, but saying such things today is another. This is your father. Think about whether those words were appropriate. Now apologize to your father! If it weren’t for your sister’s wedding tomorrow, you’d be facing the family law today!”

Lu Tang clenched his fists. “I’m sor—”

“Master, Madam, something terrible has happened!”

An old servant rushed in, cutting off Lu Tang’s words.

Lu Tang’s heart sank. Something was going on at Spring Fragrance Courtyard.

The one who ran in was Madam Qiao’s personal maid.

“Madam, there are rumors outside that Young Master Changming was caught at Spring Fragrance Courtyard with prostitutes by Master Gu just now!”

After speaking, the old servant was out of breath. Lu Shuqiang felt the world spinning, her legs gave way, and she fainted backward.

Lu Tang quickly caught her. “Sister!”

Madam Qiao’s face turned pale. “What’s going on? Tell me slowly. Why would Changming go to Spring Fragrance Courtyard?”

Lu Deren followed up, “There must be some mistake!”

The maid took a deep breath. “No mistake. When the Gu family went looking, Young Master Changming was in the middle of a scandal at Spring Fragrance Courtyard.”

She wanted to say more but glanced at Lu Shuqiang and swallowed her words.

Lu Tang urged, “This is no time to hold back, speak up!”

The maid continued, “Young Master Changming had two prostitutes with him at Spring Fragrance Courtyard. When the Gu family found him, he was in bed with them. The commotion almost alerted the entire Spring Fragrance Courtyard. There’s no mistake. The Gu family has already taken him back, but this scandal is now known throughout Qingshui County. Our young lady…”

Lu Shuqiang’s face turned pale as she fainted again, falling into Lu Tang’s arms.

“Sister, Sister!”

Lu Tang quickly laid her down on the bed.

Madam Qiao urgently called for a doctor.

“This can’t be true. Changming isn’t that kind of person. The Gu family is a scholarly family, and Changming just passed the imperial examination. How could he do such a thing? And with the wedding tomorrow, there’s no reason for him to cause such trouble. This must be a misunderstanding!” Lu Deren’s tone was firm as he glanced at the unconscious Lu Shuqiang.

Lu Tang said to the maid, “I also think Changming wouldn’t do such a thing. Are you sure there’s no mistake?”

“How could it be wrong? The names of the two prostitutes are well known—Zhao Yue’er and Su Yue’er. If it were wrong, how could the names be so clear?”

Lu Tang frowned. “Zhao Yue’er and Su Yue’er are indeed from Spring Fragrance Courtyard.”

As someone who frequented Spring Fragrance Courtyard, she knew these names well.

Gritting her teeth, Lu Tang grabbed a cup and smashed it on the ground.

“All women named Yue’er are despicable! Not a single one is decent. They’re all disgraceful, with parents who are no better. They’re nothing but gutter rats, deserving of divine punishment.”

(This outburst is unrelated to our dear readers~~~)

Veins bulged on Lu Deren’s forehead, his gaze sharp as a knife, anger flaring up, his chest heaving.

Lu Tang glanced at Lu Deren, then turned to grab Madam Qiao’s hand. “Mother, my sister cannot marry him. We need to call off the engagement now!”

Madam Qiao understood that after such a scandal, the marriage was impossible.

“Nonsense!” Lu Deren, suppressing his raging anger, scolded Lu Tang. “Marriage is not child’s play. Your sister and Changming are in love. Don’t you know how much your sister likes Changming?”

Lu Tang retorted, “So, knowing that Gu Changming is involved with Yue’er, my sister should still marry him? What if he brings that woman back to the Gu residence? Should my sister share her husband with that vile woman? Father, are you my sister’s father or Yue’er’s father?”

Lu Tang’s words stunned her.

Daughter?

Every word Lu Tang spat out about Yue’er was venomous, stabbing at the heart. Lu Deren trembled with fury, barely restraining himself from striking.

“Mother, this marriage must not happen.”

“No marriage! I’ll go cancel the engagement right now!” Madam Qiao, eyes red with anger, was ready to tear Gu Changming apart.

“Madam, don’t be impulsive. Little Tang is just a child, hot-headed and impulsive. How can you lose your mind too? You know what kind of person Changming is. This incident happened suddenly. No matter what, we should wait and see how the Gu family explains this. If we rush to break off the engagement now and it turns out to be a misunderstanding, won’t it ruin Shuqiang and Changming’s future? Not to mention, Shuqiang will be heartbroken.”

Seeing Madam Qiao’s expression soften, Lu Tang knew she was listening to Lu Deren. She stomped her foot in frustration. “Mother!”

Madam Qiao glanced at Shuqiang’s pale face, unconscious on the bed. “Take care of your sister. I will handle the rest.”

“Mother, you can’t push my sister into a fire pit! Regardless of whether this is a misunderstanding, the fact remains that Gu Changming went to Spring Fragrance Courtyard. If he hadn’t gone willingly, who could have forced him?”

Lu Deren sighed deeply. “I understand your anger. I’m angry too. But being impulsive won’t solve anything. Besides, your sister’s feelings matter the most in this situation.”

Seeing Lu Deren’s pretense, Lu Tang almost revealed the conversation she overheard at noon, wanting to confront him directly.