Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Looking again at the red robe on the corpse, Lu Yueming suddenly released her grip and vomited.

Qi Huan handed her a handkerchief, wiped her mouth, and then took her to the river to wash her hands.

"Yueming, let's go back."

Let's go back and see if it's Xiu Wen coming to propose marriage.

Qi Huan took her friend's arm, and together they rode their horses back towards the Lu's Residence.

As for Yan Qinghe, he felt so disgusted that he just wanted to hurry home and bathe and change clothes. Yan Wu was left behind to help Dong Geqiu collect the corpse.

An hour later, as they neared the Lu's Residence.

In the distance, they saw that the entrance was crowded with people. Two groups vying for marriage were jammed on either side of the road, neither willing to give way.

On the left stood an old lady, accompanied by a mother and son, with maids and servant girls beside them.

On the right was The Man in Red Robe, with Wang the Matchmaker standing akimbo next to him.

The betrothal gifts behind The Man in Red Robe stretched in a winding line, almost three times as long as the other side's.

Seeing The Man in Red Robe by the stone lions, Lu Yueming's eyes grew hot, blinking non-stop, afraid that it was all a dream.

She no longer wanted to wake up from it.

Qi Huan nudged her with a riding crop, teasing, "Our Yueming is quite popular, who will you choose?"

"Neither of them." Lu Yueming turned her head away, suddenly laughing, then forcing down the corners of her mouth and composing her expression.

After going a little further, she jumped off her horse and rushed into Old Lady Du's embrace, acting spoiled, "Grandmother, why have you come?"

"This child, you're so grown up now, how can you still act like a little kid?"

Old Lady Du complained with her words, but her hands gently stroked Lu Yueming's head.

"What's that smell? So foul!"

Next to her, Mrs. Du pinched her nose and shrieked, backing away a few steps.

Following behind her, Du Ziteng hurriedly waved his folding fan, remarking, "It's my cousin!"

Reminded by her son, Mrs. Du scrutinized Lu Yueming with disdain, curling her lip in contempt, "Yueming, have you fallen into a cesspit? You stink!"

Lu Yueming took a deep whiff, indeed it was quite foul.

It must have been the stench of the corpse she had encountered earlier, mixed with the smell of vomit.

"Yueming, it's not because your aunt is saying this, but after your mother fell ill with no one to take care of you, look at you, reeking all over, not grooming yourself properly, not the slightest bit like a proper young lady."

Pinching her nose, Mrs. Du kept criticizing her niece's flaws.

Then looking at Mrs. Du, her face was practically carved with the words: I am a malicious mother-in-law.

And Du Ziteng, who was wholeheartedly trying to push Lu Yueming away, clearly showed he was just a melon being forcibly twisted.

But Lu Yueming's marriage was none of her business to comment on.

So, she pulled Li Shuchen over to Xiu Wen's side, boosting his presence and gravitas.

"Hey, Brother Wang!"

"Go for it, Brother Wang!"

After she finished speaking, Xiu Wen twitched the corner of his mouth, purposefully deepening his voice, "Thank you, Miss Qi."

Then, he approached Old Lady Du, gave a bow and politely greeted her, "Prospective Grandmother, greetings."

"How dare you, who is your grandmother!"

"Prospective Grandmother, my name is Wang Xiu. I have long admired Miss Lu, and have come today to propose marriage. I beg you to grant your blessing."

He kept calling her "Prospective Grandmother," giving Old Lady Du a ringing headache.

No matter how she scolded or refused him, this young man stubbornly followed them, incessantly professing his affection.

Just as she was about to have the servants beat him away, a maid came to report that Mrs. Lu had awoken!

Everyone rushed over to see Mrs. Lu leaning against a cushion, sipping tea aided by a maid.

She had a pale complexion and had lost a significant amount of weight.

Upon overhearing the gossiping maidservants discussing the struggle between two parties vying for her daughter's hand in marriage, she forced her eyes open.

A man fears choosing the wrong career, a woman fears marrying the wrong husband.

Her daughter Lu Yueming must marry the right man!

Thus, she rasped out, "Which one of you wishes to become my son-in-law?"

Xiu Wen stepped forward and greeted her, "Greetings, future mother-in-law!"

Behind him, Du Ziteng stealthily retreated a few steps, only to be forcefully pushed forward by his grandmother Old Lady Du, awkwardly calling out, "Auntie."

Mrs. Lu glared at him and said impatiently, "To marry Lu Yueming, there are three conditions!"

"Name them! I shall surely accomplish them," Xiu Wen hastily responded.

As for Du Ziteng, he chose to remain silent, believing that silence is golden.

He said nothing.

Mrs. Lu glared at him again, already mentally eliminating him from the contest even before it had begun.