At this moment, Madam Hu, who had been hiding in the crowd enjoying the spectacle, had no choice but to step forward. She walked to Madam Hu’s side, smiling, “How could such a small matter trouble you, Auntie? I’ll accompany him to the yamen. It’s likely that Hu Lianyu, without the backing of the Hu family, is nothing. If he doesn’t know gratitude, so be it, but to have such a strained relationship with the Hu family… as long as you’re not afraid of him stabbing you in the back, feel free to associate with him.”
In truth, Madam Hu was unwilling to get involved in Hu Lianyu’s affairs. She was forced to show her face today. If her aunt were to lose face today, she would surely face repercussions. Hu Lianyu lived outside the manor, and while he might face retaliation from the Hu family, it was his own doing. However, she lived within the manor. If her aunt’s expression became even slightly stern, it would raise suspicions among others. She didn’t want people to secretly laugh at her.
Upon hearing her words, Madam Hu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly excused herself. Soon, the group emerged from the yamen. Looking at the deed of severance in his hand, Hu Lianyu wore a genuine smile on his face. Su Dan Novels
Madam Hu looked at him as if he were an idiot. If possible, she believed most people in the city would be willing to join the Hu family. Yet, Hu Lianyu, with this status, tried every means to leave. She wanted to see how he would establish himself in the city without the Hu family. She suspected he would disappear before long. Let him gloat for a while; only the one who laughs last truly wins.
A few days later, witnessed by their neighbors, they held a simple wedding, and Hu Lianyu was formally married into the Zhou family.
Originally, everyone thought that after their marriage, Wu Caiwei would at least buy a large house in Yuzheng and they would live there. To everyone’s shock, they continued to live in Hu Lianyu’s humble abode. This baffled many, making it feel as though Hu Lianyu had married for nothing.
The couple remained unaffected by external gossip, walking hand in hand intimately through the streets every day. Those who saw them knew how deeply in love they were, gradually dispelling the rumors that Hu Lianyu was after her money. It was evident from their gazes that they were a devoted couple.
Of course, some scoffed at this, like the Hu family. What pained Madam Hu was that every time the couple appeared in public, people were reminded of the Hu family. Initially, everyone felt Hu Lianyu had acted impulsively. The Hu family was a prominent clan; falling out with them meant no future. However, as the couple appeared on the streets, radiating love, people’s opinions gradually shifted. They began to say that he was willing to defy everything for love and resolutely stand against the Hu family, portraying the Hu family as villains trying to keep them apart.
Then, one night, Wu Caiwei, who was fast asleep, suddenly heard a crackling sound. Startled, she sat up abruptly and saw a light outside her window. She thought it was dawn, but then she suddenly realized, combining it with the sound she had just heard, she quickly woke Hu Lianyu and opened the door.
Flames immediately surged in, accompanied by the smell of smoke. At some point, the courtyard had been filled with firewood. She grabbed a piece of clothing, tugged Hu Lianyu’s shirt, and they burst out through the roof.
On the rooftop, she shouted for help, “Fire! Fire! Quick, everyone, come and help!”
The night was very quiet, and with her using her inner energy, her voice seemed to be right beside everyone’s ear. After waking up, they were stunned at first. Upon running out, they truly heard people talking about a fire in the east and hurried to help extinguish it.
The weather was dry and hot, and the surrounding houses were densely packed. If a gust of wind blew, the consequences would be unimaginable.
A man hiding beneath the back wall of Wu Caiwei’s house frowned involuntarily as he watched the unfolding events.
He hadn't seen the affectionate couple emerge, only hearing their loud shouts from above. He knew today’s plan had failed and left with a worried heart.
He remained motionless in the darkness, and Wu Caiwei didn't notice his presence. The moment he moved, he exposed himself. Wu Caiwei thought for a moment, then grabbed Hu Lianyu, put him down, and casually draped her clothes over him before chasing after the man.
The man ran desperately. Suddenly, he saw a woman standing not far ahead. He didn't want to bother with her, but as they got closer and he saw her face, he was shocked. He stopped abruptly and ran in the opposite direction. However, in the next moment, something even more shocking happened: she appeared in front of him again.
His legs felt weak, and he broke out in a cold sweat. He unconsciously swallowed to relieve his tension.
Wu Caiwei rapidly approached him amidst his stunned gaze, grabbed the clothes around her neck, and dragged him to the entrance of her courtyard. Seeing Hu Lianyu standing there, directing everyone in putting out the fire, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Wu Caiwei discovered the fire quite promptly, and everyone worked together to help. Although Hu Lianyu’s small courtyard was reduced to ashes, the other houses suffered minimal damage. This was a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
Watching everyone sit on the ground, exhausted, Wu Caiwei directly brought the bound man to the center and said righteously, “Thank you all so much today. Tomorrow, I will buy some rice and oil and place them at the entrance. Everyone who came to help can collect some. Also, as you can see, my courtyard was doused with oil and had a lot of firewood thrown in. It is likely someone deliberately did this. I just saw him lurking by the back wall, and it’s clear he is involved. I need everyone to testify for me tomorrow and bring him to justice. I must find the mastermind; my house cannot be burned down without reason.”
Initially, the crowd hadn’t paid attention to these details, thinking it was an accident. It was late at night, and after working so hard, although they felt it was their duty to help, they couldn’t help but feel a bit resentful, thinking the couple was too careless. After Wu Caiwei’s reminder, they realized something was amiss. They then recalled that he had recently fallen out with the Hu family and that it was very likely retaliation from the Hu family. Of course, they had no evidence and dared not spread such rumors outside.
They couldn’t control how the Hu family disciplined their own kin, but so many ordinary citizens lived here. Had they not considered the consequences? Or did they view these ordinary people as mere ants, insignificant even in death? The thought sent a chill down their spines.
The next morning, without even eating breakfast, everyone hurried to Wu Caiwei’s courtyard, directly tied up the man with ropes, and headed to the yamen.
After Wu Caiwei recounted the events, the clerk looked at them meaningfully, recorded the case, and sent them back to await news.
As soon as they left, the clerk took the case to the county magistrate.
The magistrate stroked his beard, lost in thought. In fact, someone had already come to see him early that morning and offered gifts, which was the real reason he delayed opening the court. However, the people in the city were not foolish. It was likely that after this incident, there would be much speculation, and the Hu family’s reputation would suffer some damage.