Chapter 20: The Choice
Originally, Lu Anrong went to see the child only to prove that Anran was making a mountain out of a molehill, but he never expected the child's injuries to be so severe. It just so happened that Doctor Sang came to change the dressings, and only then did Lu Anrong see the true condition beneath the bandages—there were only four words to describe it: too horrible to look at.
The moment Lu Anrong returned to the manor and saw Lu Junfan, his anger flared up instantly—it nearly drove him mad. Not only had he suffered a bellyful of humiliation from that wretched child outside, but all the way back, people pointed and whispered about him. Where was the Chancellor of Crescent Moon now? He was nothing but a failed father who could not teach his own son.
“And you! Look at the fine son you’ve given birth to, at the fine job you’ve done raising him! You’ve really brought honor to our family! Do you know how many people pointed and laughed at me on the way back today? How many citizens of Moon City mocked me? How many tales of your son’s ‘great achievements’ I had to hear? He has utterly ruined the reputation of the Lu family’s ancestors. Too much motherly kindness produces a worthless son—this is all your fault!”
Having finished berating Lu Junfan, Lu Anrong still could not vent his anger, so he turned and pointed at Lady Leng, scolding her sharply.
“If this matter could be resolved, that would be one thing, but do you know what your precious son has done? If it isn’t handled well and word reaches His Majesty, what will they say? That the Chancellor of Moon City can’t even educate his own son—how is he fit to assist His Majesty in governing the realm? How can he command respect? You tell me, how?”
“If His Majesty is displeased, what do you think he’ll do? How will the censors write about this? Does the Lu family still care about its reputation? Useless!”
“Master…”
Lady Leng called out again, her eyes red and bloodshot from worry over her son. A single strand of white hair had appeared at her temple. After so many years, Lu Anrong had never spoken a harsh word to her, but now, with that girl having just stirred up trouble in the Lu family, he had already shouted at her twice. Her heart ached unbearably.
“Master, what will become of Fan’er?”
“He brought this on himself. I, Lu Anrong, will consider I never had such an unfilial son!”
“Oh, and if he wants to keep his legs, that girl said he must kneel and beg her forgiveness—only then will she heal him! Whether he wants to keep his legs or not, let him decide for himself!”
Looking at Lady Leng, who stood there weeping silently, Lu Anrong’s heart softened again, but in the end, he left behind these words and swept out of the room, his anger still boiling. He was truly beside himself with rage!
“Mother!”
Lu Junfan felt nothing but grievance—his legs broken by Anran, and now he had to kneel and beg for forgiveness? The injustice burned within him. Now that Lu Anrong had clearly washed his hands of the matter, all his hopes were pinned on his mother.
“Mother, that wretched girl has climbed right over our heads! Father refuses to stand up for me—are you not going to defend your own son either? I’m in such pain…”
Taking advantage of Lu Anrong’s departure, Lu Junfan played the pitiful son to Lady Leng, who saw and felt his suffering keenly. Glaring hatefully in the direction Lu Anrong had left, she hugged her son tightly to comfort him.
“Fan’er, don’t worry. That wretched Anran—your mother will not let you suffer this loss for nothing. I will have revenge for you, just you wait!”
Lady Leng swore bitterly in her heart that she would never let that wretched Anran off lightly—never!
With a loud creak, the Chancellor’s mansion gates swung open once more. Lady Leng strode ahead, her voice cold and stern: “You unfilial son! You have truly shamed the ancestors of the Lu family. Not only have you refused to make amends, but you’ve acted with such recklessness. You’ve brought disgrace to us all. Now, go and kneel, apologize to that child. Otherwise, never think of setting foot in the Lu family’s home again!”
Lu Junfan was dragged out by two young attendants and mercilessly dumped at the gate. He kowtowed to Lady Leng, bowed to the gathered townsfolk, confessed his wrongdoing, and then began to kneel his way toward the restaurant.