Chapter 78: Filial Lies Laid Bare

By the time Wei Lan and her group arrived, the two sides were about to come to blows.

The scene was in chaos.

Upstairs, Chen Zhou watched and cursed.

“There are still that many blind people speaking up for Wei Lan?

Damn it!”

Su Er stood nearby, not daring to speak, just trying to blend into the background.

By then, Wei Lan had already had the guards push through and make a path.

“Make way.

Our master has arrived.”

“Move aside.”

Wei Lan saw that the guards had made a path just wide enough for one person.

She walked in slowly and then stood there quietly, her gaze coldly fixed on Wei Wenyuan across from her.

Wei Wenyuan recalled his previous experiences and immediately broke out in a cold sweat.

He decided to strike first while Wei Lan hadn’t yet spoken.

So, Wei Wenyuan pointed at Wei Lan and cursed, “Wei Lan, you heartless beast!

How dare you show your face here!

Everyone, this is my unfilial daughter!”

Hearing this, the scholars around him grew agitated.

“Wei Lan, filial piety has always come first.

How could you treat your own parents like this?”

“Exactly!

Ignoring your own father’s life and death – you are utterly vicious!”

“Wei Lan, you’re a cruel woman!”

But the young girls on Wei Lan’s side naturally weren’t happy and immediately retorted.

“You’re slandering her!

That Wei Wenyuan is clearly not a good person.

Don’t you dare smear our sister!”

“Yes, don’t you dare slander our sister!”

Just as the two sides were about to argue again, Wei Lan made a downward gesture with her hand and said coldly, “Everyone, be quiet.”

Hearing this, the young girls on her side did quiet down.

But the opposing side refused to let up.

“Wei Lan, who do you think you are?

Why should we listen to you?”

Wei Lan saw that the people across from her were dressed as scholars.

She sneered, “Acting so impetuously, getting all worked up after just a few words from someone else – is that how someone who claims to be a future pillar of the nation should behave?”

“You!”

That scholar pointed at Wei Lan in anger, but was pulled back by his companions.

They thought for a moment and felt that Wei Lan’s words made sense.

Even if they didn’t, stepping back, Wei Wenyuan should be the one at the very front.

So why were they the ones in front, with Wei Wenyuan standing even further back than them?

So, the scholars all retreated behind Wei Wenyuan.

Even the scholar Wei Lan had just mocked was now pulled by his companions to stand behind Wei Wenyuan.

Facing Wei Lan directly, Wei Wenyuan was a bit nervous, but he still forced himself to act calm.

“Wei Lan, you unfilial daughter, you still have the nerve to criticize others?

You are the most despicable one here!”

Wei Lan sneered at Wei Wenyuan.

“You’ve been standing here for half a day, calling me unfilial.

So, give me an example.

How exactly have I been unfilial?”

“You… you don’t care whether I live or die – that’s unfilial!

And you caused me to lose a finger!”

Wei Wenyuan was completely provoked by Wei Lan and started shouting.

Wei Lan, however, laughed loudly.

“A person like you doesn’t deserve to be called a father.

I, Wei Lan, swear here and now: if even half of what I’m about to say is false, may I die a terrible death, struck by lightning.

Wei Wenyuan, I take responsibility for every word I say.

Do you dare to swear?”

“You… you…”

Wei Wenyuan stepped back in fear and did not dare to respond.

Ancient people revered the power of gods and spirits, and those who lied were afraid to swear oaths.

Wei Lan sneered.

“You don’t even dare to swear an oath.

I think everyone here has a pretty good idea how much truth is in your words.”

Wei Wenyuan was so anxious that cold sweat poured down his forehead.

He said to Wei Lan in a panic, “You… you…

Swearing an oath doesn’t prove everything.

Wei Lan, stop slandering me here!”

“Slandering you?

Wei Wenyuan, let me ask you: I married into the Lu residence because you, as my father, owed hundreds of taels of silver from doing business and needed to repay the debt urgently.

That’s why you sold me off to the Lu residence in exchange for silver.

Isn’t that true?”

“I…

I had no choice.

I did it for the good of the family.

You shouldn’t resent me for that.”

Wei Wenyuan retorted.

Wei Lan smiled and continued.

“Fine.

Then let me ask you another question.

You incurred gambling debts at Dacheng Gambling House and refused to change your ways.

You even borrowed silver from them to do business, only to be set up and lose everything.

You were tied up there for days.

In the end, did you try to get me, your daughter whom you’d already sold, to pay off your debts again?”

“I…

I had no choice.

They tricked me!

They tricked me first!

It’s not my fault!

You can’t blame me!”

Wei Wenyuan was sweating profusely, clearly panicking.

And the scholars standing behind him all looked at him with disdain.

They were all scholars, and what they despised most were those who frequented gambling dens and brothels.

Wei Lan smiled and shook her head.

“Let me ask you one more thing.

After I went to Dacheng Gambling House with my people and you were released, you could have lived a peaceful, stable life.

But you started gambling again, lost another three hundred taels, caused my mother to go missing, and sold off the Wei family’s ancestral home.

That’s your idea of filial piety?

You’re a true filial son of the Wei family, selling off your ancestral property to gamble.

I ask you, is that filial?”

“Oh my god, so this is Wei Lan’s father?

What a terrible person.”

“He sold his daughter and is an incorrigible gambler.

If I were her, I wouldn’t acknowledge a father like him either.”

“Exactly.

He sold the ancestral home himself and still has the nerve to call Wei Lan unfilial?

He’s the unfilial one.”

“Serves him right.

Damn gambler.”

“Pah!

Gambling dog, get lost!”

“Disgusting.”

Public opinion had completely turned in Wei Lan’s favor.

Wei Wenyuan was almost in tears, and quickly said, “No, no!

I gambled because I wanted to make more money to give the family a better life!

It’s Wei Lan’s fault!

It’s all her fault for not giving me silver!

It’s all her fault!”

Wei Lan looked at him coldly.

“I don’t have a father like you.

Although I married into the Lu residence, my wife is a reasonable person who treats me very well.

Without her, I wouldn’t be who I am today.

But that doesn’t change the fact that you sold me to the Lu residence to pay off your debts.”

Wei Lan took a deep breath and continued.

“Furthermore, just over half a month ago, Chen Zhou hired thugs to frame our Lu family tavern.

When I exposed him, the City Lord threw him in jail.

He must hate me to the bone.

As my father, you have never considered my feelings.

You sided with my enemy, turning your blade against your own daughter.

I ask you, does a father like you exist in this world?”

Amidst Wei Lan’s resounding accusations, the crowd, including the scholars, began pointing at Wei Wenyuan.

Ancient people valued filial piety, but selling the ancestral home was a great act of unfilial conduct in itself.

So even the scholars looked down on him.

“So this is the kind of person he is?

Disgusting.”

“He’s just a gambling dog who only wants money.

He even helps outsiders frame his own daughter.

What kind of creature is that?”

“Serves Wei Lan right for ignoring him.

Disgusting.

And he has the nerve to say these things in front of a bookstore.

It’s an insult to the books of the sages inside.”

“Exactly.

Get lost!”

“Get out!

Get out!”

The scholars grew increasingly agitated.

In the crowd, someone threw a rotten egg at Wei Wenyuan.

The thrower had excellent aim.

The rotten egg hit Wei Wenyuan square in the forehead.

The egg contents ran down, covering his face.

Where there was one, there were more.

Rotten vegetable leaves and rotten eggs were all aimed at Wei Wenyuan’s body and face.

Wei Wenyuan was like a rat crossing the street – everyone wanted to hit him.

But Wei Lan had never taken Wei Wenyuan seriously.

Her gaze fell on the manager of Chen Ji Bookstore, who was hiding behind the crowd.

She said, “Go back and tell Chen Zhou that a bookstore sells the books of the sages.

Stop doing such dirty deeds, lest you insult the books inside.”

Wei Lan’s voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but everyone around could hear clearly.

Some people started throwing rotten vegetable leaves at the entrance of Chen Ji Bookstore.

“What kind of person is this?

And he runs a bookstore?

Pah!”

“In the future, anyone who buys books from Chen Ji Bookstore, I’ll look down on them!”

“Exactly.

If you won’t take the right path and only think about crooked ways, I think Chen Zhou should be thrown back in jail.”

The entrance of Chen Ji Bookstore was piled high with rotten vegetable leaves.

Upstairs, Chen Zhou was furious, his eyes bloodshot.

“Wei Lan, you waste!

Ruining my reputation!

Just you wait!”

Su Er lowered his head, not daring to make a sound.

The sound of smashing porcelain echoed from the private room.

The waiter wanted to go in and check, but the manager stopped him.

When Chen Zhou had composed himself and came out of the private room, all the dishes inside had been smashed.

Chen Zhou signaled Su Er to pay the bill, then walked out.

But as he walked, people pointed at him.

“Look, that’s Chen Zhou.

He looks decent, but he’s really evil.”

“He’s always scheming against the Lu residence.

He even got Wei Lan’s gambling addict father to cause trouble.”

“Disgusting.”

Hearing these words, Chen Zhou clenched his fists so hard they almost shattered.

After leaving the tavern, he quickly took a carriage back to the residence.

After returning, Chen Zhou went into his bedroom and locked the door.

Then came the sound of porcelain shattering far and wide.

This kind of young master appeared calm and composed, but in reality, he hated losing and was extremely concerned with saving face.

Being looked down upon by the entire city of Panyang was worse than death.

When Chen Zhou had finished venting and opened his bedroom door, the floor was completely covered in shattered porcelain.

Wei Lan, on the other hand, could be said to have achieved a complete victory.

Seeing the young girls who had just argued so passionately on her behalf, she said politely, “Thank you for speaking up for me just now.

If you have no other plans, I’d like to invite you to the tavern across the street for some fruit drinks and pastries.”

It was just past noon, so she couldn’t invite them to a full meal.

She could only treat them to some desserts to show her appreciation.

And Wei Lan thought the young girls would probably decline.

Then she heard Lu Shihuai’s excited voice.

“Yes!

Since you’re treating us, we must go!”

Wei Lan smiled awkwardly at the young girls.

Alright, they were quite enthusiastic.

So Wei Lan sent all the guards back, keeping only Xi Ye with her.

She took the five young girls to the tavern across the street.

Wei Lan ordered a bowl of fruit drink for each of them, along with seven or eight kinds of pastries.

“You’ve been out here talking for me for so long.

You must be thirsty.

Have something cold to cool down.”

Wei Lan smiled.

“It’s nothing.

They were the ones running their mouths.

You’re such a good person; we know you couldn’t be like that.”

“Exactly.

I just never expected Chen Zhou to be this kind of person.

From now on, I’ll tell my father to have as little business dealings with him as possible.”

“Right.

Someone who schemes against others like that might turn on his business partners one day.”

“Yes, I’ll remind my father to be careful of the Chen residence too.”

Lu Shihuai said.

Wei Lan very much agreed with the young girls’ words.

People like Chen Zhou, who have no shame, can put on a decent front when their true nature isn’t exposed.

But once they are, they might jump like a cornered dog.

So, Wei Lan planned to tell the guards at the residence to strengthen patrols, to prevent Chen Zhou from finding any loopholes.

“Oh, right, Sister Wei Lan, you be very careful.

Chen Zhou will definitely hold a grudge against you.”

“Yes, yes.

Be careful.

If anything happens, you must come to my father for help.”

Lu Shihuai quickly added.

“Alright.

Thank you for the warning.

I’ll be careful.

And thank you again for today.

I’ll treat you to a proper meal another day to thank you properly.”

Wei Lan said politely.

“Great, Sister Wei Lan!

If you’re treating us, we’ll definitely come!”

***

After finally seeing the young girls off, Wei Lan took Xi Ye back to the Lu residence.

She gathered the guards in the residence and addressed them, specifically telling the head guard, Hang Shuyao, about the recent situation.

She instructed her to strengthen patrols and, most importantly, to ensure that Lu Zijin had plenty of guards with her at all times, to prevent the Chen residence people from acting like cornered dogs.

When Wei Lan returned to Jingchen Courtyard, she went to bathe first.

She had been around other Kunzes today, and to prevent her wife from getting angry, she had to wash herself clean first.

In the afternoon, Lu Zijin returned to the residence very early.

She was a bit worried about Wei Lan and went straight to the bedroom.

“Was the matter with Wei Wenyuan resolved?”

Lu Zijin asked.

Wei Lan nodded.

“He can’t cause much trouble.

The main problem is Chen Zhou behind him.

We don’t need to think too hard to know Chen Zhou was behind this.

Wife, if you go out these next few days, be sure to take plenty of guards.

I’m afraid Chen Zhou might jump like a cornered dog.”

“Mm, I know.

Same for you.

When you go out, don’t just take Xi Ye.

Take more guards.

That will put my mind at ease too.”

Lu Zijin said.

“Okay.

I don’t think the Chen residence’s businesses will last much longer.”

Just thinking about it made Wei Lan happy, and she snuggled up to Lu Zijin.

Lu Zijin leaned against Wei Lan’s chest, her expression slightly worried.

“I’m afraid it’s not that simple.

The Chen family is a wealthy household in Panyang City.

Even though we’re suppressing them at every turn, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse.

They have deep pockets – enough to last for over a decade.

We can’t be careless.”

“Mm, I understand.

Anyway, we just can’t let them succeed.”

As she spoke, Wei Lan leaned in and kissed Lu Zijin’s cheek.

Lu Zijin bit Wei Lan’s lip, then smiled and lifted Wei Lan’s chin.

“I heard that after handling the matter, you went with a few young girls to a tavern for pastries?”

“Oh, those girls were arguing on my behalf.

I was really just being polite.

I never expected them to actually not stand on ceremony.

But they did help, so inviting them to eat something wasn’t a big deal.

Wife, you’re not angry, are you?”

Wei Lan’s voice softened, and she pressed her cheek against Lu Zijin’s shoulder, acting spoiled.

Lu Zijin had only wanted to tease Wei Lan; she wasn’t really angry.

She kissed Wei Lan’s earlobe and smiled.

“Of course not.

My little dog is so obedient and soft.

Even I can hardly handle her.

How could she possibly go out and attract bees and butterflies?”

Hearing this, Wei Lan looked at Lu Zijin, feeling very wronged.

What was her wife talking about?

She was very fierce, okay?