Chapter Twenty-Six: Tearing Up the Marriage Contract

Two slaps, one left and one right, left Zeng Lang utterly stunned, while Madam Zeng shrieked as she rushed forward—only for Lu Ying to step back, deftly evading her grasp.

Lu Ying retreated all the way to stand before Lu Yun and Uncle Wen. Her face flushed crimson, her voice cold as she declared, “Zeng Changzhi, years ago my father and yours were as brothers, and when I was five, you and I were betrothed. Ten years—ten years is enough for even two stones to bear each other’s marks, to foster affection. And yet you—your wife of humble origins you’d reduce to a concubine. Worse still, had it not been for your mother’s words, you would have kept your schemes hidden! Zeng Changzhi, has your heart been devoured by dogs?”

Having said this, she spat forcefully onto the ground, her voice icy and disdainful: “Cold-hearted and fickle, such a man is unworthy of being a husband.”

She turned her head toward Lu Yun and ordered, “A Yun, bring the marriage contract!”

“Yes.” Lu Yun hurriedly drew the contract from his breast and handed it to Lu Ying. The contract existed in duplicate—one kept in the Zeng household, the other in Lu Ying’s possession. Ten years had passed; the parchment was yellowed with age.

Time is a butcher’s knife—only the hollow, meaningless words remain unchanged; everything else is different.

Lu Ying took the contract, and before the gathered crowd slowly unfolded it. Then, with a determined hand, she tore it in two.

A soft tearing sound echoed; in the blink of an eye, the silk document was split. Yet Lu Ying did not stop—she kept tearing until the contract was in seven or eight pieces. Raising her hand, she let the spring wind carry the fragments away, her lips curled in a cold smile, head held high as she scoffed, “Zeng Changzhi, listen well: I, Lu Ying, no longer want you!”

With that, she turned, took Lu Yun by the hand, and walked toward the door.

Zeng Lang trembled with fury, his face livid as he barked, “Stop!” With a stride, he blocked Lu Ying’s path, yelling angrily, “Lu Ying, did I permit you to leave? How dare you! The marriage contract is not yours to destroy at will, nor the engagement yours to break as you please!”

His rage and humiliation twisted his face further. “Let me tell you, you don’t decide whether this engagement is broken! Lu Ying, consider your circumstances! You’re the daughter of a ruined household, orphaned. Do you really think anyone respectable would marry you except me? Stop dreaming. Even entering my house as a concubine would be an honor for you!”

He ranted fiercely, but Lu Ying paid him no heed. She led the red-faced, trembling Lu Yun past Zeng Lang and toward the gate.

Madam Zeng, beside herself, laughed shrilly, “A Zhi, ignore this fool! I’d like to see if she regrets it after stepping outside this door! Hmph, what a thing—does she even know herself, daring to tear up the marriage contract? She’s not afraid she’ll never marry?”

Madam Zeng’s insults were crude, but Lu Ying and her companions quickened their pace, and in a flash, they were out of the Zeng household.

Once outside, Lu Ying turned to Uncle Wen, her face still flushed, tears glistening in her eyes. “Uncle, I have a request,” she said, bowing slightly and choking back emotion. “Only you, being an outsider, have witnessed everything clearly and impartially. I know you’re not one for idle gossip, but I ask, if anyone speaks ill, please defend me.”

Her posture was upright, her expression stubborn and proud, yet tinged with vulnerability and grievance. “That family is shameless. I fear today’s events, once spread, will be distorted, leaving my brother and me without a place to stand.”

Uncle Wen nodded solemnly, replying, “You need not fear. I will speak truth where needed.” He was an honest, upright man, and Lu Ying’s words moved him; his answer was resolute. “Go home in peace.”

“Thank you, Uncle Wen.”

Once parted from Uncle Wen, Lu Yun drew close to his sister, whispering, “Sister, we haven’t even met Uncle Zeng—was tearing up the contract so abruptly wise?”

Lu Ying’s lips curled faintly as she answered in a low voice, “Circumstances have changed; it must be handled this way.” After a pause, she added, “Things have escalated—our families are now foes, not kin. The Zengs have no reason to cling to this engagement.”

After thinking a moment, Lu Ying leaned in and said, “A Yun, let’s visit our old residence later, call on Aunt Yang and the neighbors, and invite them to a meal at our new home three days hence.”

Lu Yun was puzzled by his sister’s sudden shift, but before he could speak, Lu Ying’s tone grew cool: “If Aunt Yang or others mention Zeng Lang, we’ll recount what happened today. Remember, the more detailed and indignant, the better.”

He didn’t quite understand her intent, but his anger toward Zeng’s mother and son was genuine, so he readily agreed.

Thus, the siblings did not return home, but went straight to their old house.

They had only recently moved, and Lu Ying’s departure had drawn much attention. The neighbors had many questions, so the moment they appeared, they were surrounded and invited inside, even before reaching Aunt Yang’s house.

After some cheerful conversation, Aunt Yang hurried in, saying, “Ah Ying, you’re back? By the way, your Zeng Lang has been looking for you. Did he find you?”

As soon as she spoke, everyone noticed Lu Ying’s smile fade, her head lower, her eyes redden in an instant.

Everyone was surprised; Aunt Yang cried, “Ah Ying, what’s the matter?”

Lu Ying choked out, “I—I just tore up the marriage contract. There is no longer any engagement between Zeng Lang and me.”

“What?”

Amid shocked exclamations and inquiries, Lu Yun, prompted by his sister, abruptly stood and shouted, his face flushed, “That Zeng scoundrel bullied us for being orphans, trying to marry Cousin Pingyin. That alone was bad enough, but he scorned my sister, wanted to marry someone else, and still refused to let her go—he even said he’d take her as a concubine…”

At these words, the room erupted. In this era, an engagement was a matter of righteousness, recognized by all. Zeng Changzhi’s abandonment of his betrothed for a wealthy bride was already deplorable, but to demote his fiancée to concubinage was a naked insult to her and her family.

Moreover, since the Lu siblings had moved nearby, the neighbors were familiar with both Lu Ying and Zeng Lang. Seeing the well-matched pair fall apart—discovering that the reliable suitor was actually heartless—was a shock, stirring everyone into angry condemnation.

As they voiced their outrage, Lu Yun’s anger only grew. He recounted how his sister had rescued the noble ladies, Zeng Changzhi’s and his mother’s displeasure, and Madam Zeng’s veiled insults upon their arrival at the Zeng household. Lu Ying added occasional remarks—few words, but each one precise, supplementing the story and stoking Lu Yun’s deep resentment, prompting the usually reserved boy to pour out his grievances.

Of course, Lu Yun did not mention that his sister had flung mud at Madam Zeng, nor that she had slapped Zeng Lang twice.