How could I possibly be confined in a cage?

Chapter 134 Family Law

Guo Zixing knew this was a family matter of the Lü family and did not want to get involved, especially since... it wasn't a good thing. Therefore, after seeing the Lü family off, he took his leave and did not witness the scene of Lü's father punishing Yanru.

On the way back, Zhang Xun remained in a daze for a long time. Guo Zixing asked him, which was rare for him, "What's wrong with you? You seem to have lost your soul."

Zhang Xun suddenly came to his senses and couldn't help but exclaim, "Beautiful, so beautiful! No wonder Master Song is unwilling to let go. I can't bear to part with such a beauty either."

Guo Zixing recalled the scene he had just witnessed Yan Ru and agreed with Zhang Xu's assessment: she was more beautiful than Xi Shi and pitifully charming.

Especially that delicate and innocent face; even if you know that what she did was wrong, you can't bear to blame her and subconsciously feel that it's not her fault.

However, Guo Zixing laughed and said, "Don't you think Qingru is beautiful too?"

Zhang Xun said, "She is beautiful, hehe, but I prefer her sister's type."

"Don't even think about it. I think even if she remarries, she probably won't marry you."

Zhang Xun blushed, a rare occurrence for him. "As long as a man achieves great things, there is no woman he cannot desire."

"You?..." Guo Zixing looked at Zhang Xun, could it be that he really fell in love at first sight?

Zhang Xun stopped talking. He dared not say that he had actually seen Yan Ru a long time ago. Last Mid-Autumn Festival night, in the alley of the Lü family, he had grabbed Yan Ru and ever since then, her beautiful image had always lingered in his heart.

He just didn't dare to say it.

At this moment, Yan Ru, whom he was thinking about, had been kneeling on the ground for an hour. No matter how much Qing Ru begged, Lü Peijun would not give in.

Yanru herself didn't want to get up. She knew she had been too absurd, so it wasn't just her father who was punishing her, but also herself; otherwise, she really wouldn't be able to face herself.

If she did something outrageous, it would be fine if others didn't point it out, but once they did, she would be utterly ashamed. Besides, she was an educated woman and not by nature a promiscuous person.

“Sister, you don’t need to beg Father anymore. It was my fault to begin with. Father’s punishment was justified. I have failed you all in raising me and I have also failed our deceased mother.”

Qingru said urgently, "Yanru, don't be stubborn. Your body... Song Yuanliang came to me before and said you were pregnant. Don't take your body lightly."

Yan Ru's heart skipped a beat. She had no idea about this; it turned out that her sister knew about her suspected pregnancy.

Yan Ru smiled bitterly, "What did he say?"

“He asked me to buy property so he could leave here and live with you.”

"That's not appropriate, and sister, I'm not necessarily pregnant, I just haven't had my period this month."

Qingru, unaware of this, hurriedly asked, "Haven't you seen a doctor?"

"No, the Song family has strange rules. Women who have never given birth are not allowed to leave the boudoir. I don't want to be Master Song's concubine, so I've kept the news a secret and haven't seen a doctor to confirm whether I'm pregnant."

Qingru didn't quite understand, "What's the connection between these two things?"

Yan Ru explained, "The Song family's rule is that after becoming Master Song's woman, she will be arranged to live in a separate embroidered building. Only after she successfully gives birth to a child and informs the ancestors will she be arranged to live in the courtyard and become a formal concubine."

Thinking of this, Yanru couldn't help but defend herself, "Father, I'm not after the Song family's wealth. From the first day I arrived at the Song family, I stayed in the embroidery room arranged by Master Song. It's clear that he intended for me to be his concubine from the beginning. Please don't misunderstand your daughter."

At first, after realizing Master Song's intentions, I wanted to leave the Song residence. I returned last Mid-Autumn Festival, but there were police lying in ambush nearby, ready to arrest me as soon as they saw me. Later, I refused to comply, and when the car reached the Mi River, I grabbed the steering wheel and drove it into the river, car and all.

Qingru was horrified when she heard this, and quickly hugged Yanru to comfort her. Yanru had been timid since childhood and couldn't swim, so this was a sign that she was determined to die.

Once Yan Ru started talking, she couldn't stop. "When I woke up later, I was already at the Song residence. I had a high fever for several days and nights. Thanks to Master Song for getting medical treatment, I was very grateful to him at that time."

After I recovered from my illness, Master Song repeatedly promised me that as long as... as long as I obeyed him, he would definitely save you and my sister. I believed him, and so... I gave myself to him. But he was just going through the motions and never actually did anything. On the contrary, it was his son, Song Yuanliang, who said that he had long been in love with me and was willing to help me solve my problems. That's why I changed my mind and... we were kindred spirits."

Yan Ru crawled to Lü Peijun's side, her words earnest, "Dad, I'm really not a bad person, I just... just..."

Lu Peijun couldn't listen anymore and hurriedly helped Yanru up. "Good children, it's my fault. I failed to protect you. If I hadn't been so engrossed in studying antiques all these years and hadn't been involved in production, how could you two weak women have been left to be slaughtered by others?"

If he had been a little more ambitious over the years and climbed into the upper class, he wouldn't have met with this sudden misfortune. He raised Yan Ru to be so naive and ignorant, so why blame her for misjudging people?

"Yanru, I'm sorry you've had to go through this. Once these troubles are over, our family will leave Sifang City and start a new life."

Yan Ru felt relieved. Her father's words meant he no longer blamed her. Could she then let go of her own guilt?

"Father, is there something else you need to do if you're not leaving now?"

Do you remember what I gave you before?

“I remember, that thing was at the Song residence. I left in a hurry today and didn’t bring it with me.”

Lu Peijun pondered how to get it back, after all, he had already fallen out with Master Song.

Seeing Lü Peijun's worry, Yan Ru quickly said, "I can ask Song Yuanliang to get it back. He knows where I put my things."

"Is he trustworthy?"

"can."

"Alright, go back to your room and rest. You've always been weak, and if you keep kneeling like this, your body definitely won't be able to take it."

"It's all up to you."

Qingru rushed over to help Yanru up. Yanru's legs had gone numb from kneeling for so long, and she stumbled and almost fell, but fortunately Qingru caught her in time.

After Qingru helped Yanru leave, Lü Peijun began to make his plans.