He would make it up to her later, with interest.
Just then, a white-haired old lady emerged from a small door. Upon seeing Wu Caiwei beside Hu Lianyu, she immediately smiled, "Please, Madam, come inside."
"Thank you!" Wu Caiwei was the type of person who would be polite to others if they were polite to her, and even more impolite if they were rude.
The old lady, observing the lady's distinguished demeanor, elegant speech, and polite attitude, her smile widened.
She thought differently from others. Although Wu Caiwei appeared older than the young master, she had raised him herself and knew him intimately. He had never been close to any woman before. The fact that he had brought her in today and stood so close to her, with a doting expression on his face, clearly indicated an unusual relationship.
Even though her young master was once the young master of the Hu family, she had long accepted reality. The Hu family had split, and they were now without support and income. She would be grateful to any woman willing to marry her young master.
Entering the main room, Wu Caiwei surveyed the simple dwelling, which could only be described as destitute compared to where she had lived before.
When she looked up at the doorway again, she saw several old men and women standing there. Knowing who they were and seeing their curious and ambiguous smiles, she couldn't help but shake her head. People said the elderly were like children, and it was indeed true.
Wu Caiwei looked around for a moment before quickly leaving. After all, the lady was unmarried and the gentleman was unattached. Close proximity between the opposite sexes could harm their reputations.
In the afternoon, Hu Lianyu shut himself in his room to contemplate his next plan. An unwelcome guest arrived. Seeing Madam Hu sitting in the prime seat with a look of disdain, he couldn't help but frown. Hadn't she already driven him out of the house? Why was she back?
"I heard you've been very close to a certain madam. Our Hu family is, after all, a scholarly one. We cannot have a disgrace like you existing. Of course, if you don't mind affecting your father's reputation, you can do as you please." Su Dan Novel Network.
If it weren't for her fear of him implicating her own children, Madam Hu would never have come. Furthermore, she didn't want other factions interfering in the Hu family's affairs. To ensure the status of her own children, she could only feel secure by forever keeping him under her heel.
"Wasn't I already kicked out of the family? You have no right to interfere in my affairs. Besides, even if I did something shameful, could you kill me?" Hu Lianyu sneered at her, thinking she underestimated him and believed he was still the original him, to be manipulated at her will.
"In the eyes of outsiders, you will always be the young master of the Hu family. I can't do anything to you directly, but the Hu family in the capital has already instructed us to cherish our reputation and not do anything that disgraces the common people.
If I were to embellish things a little, and my aunt stood by my side, you can imagine your outcome. Of course, if you're not afraid of death, then it's another matter." Madam Hu sneered at him. This wasn't the first time he had resisted, but each time it had ended in failure. This time would be no different.
"Is that so? Then I'll wait and see. I've decided to be with her, and I thank you for removing my name from the Hu family's genealogy, allowing me to establish my own household. Otherwise, my marriage would still be in your hands." Hu Lianyu knew she liked to control everything and knew what to say to infuriate her even more, striking directly at her core.
"It seems you don't take my words to heart. Fine, very good. Just you wait." Madam Hu stormed out of his dilapidated courtyard, her eyes filled with malice. It seemed he had become too comfortable without her bothering him recently. It was time to show him her true methods.
Wu Caiwei was a little surprised when she received the letter. Hadn't she just seen Hu Lianyu this morning? Why would he send someone with a letter this afternoon? After opening it and reading the contents, she fell into thought.
Hu Lianyu had warned her to be careful when going out, to avoid falling into his stepmother's trap. Yet, she was heading straight into danger. In her heart, Hu Lianyu's affairs were her affairs. After being bullied by that woman for so long, before she could even retaliate, the woman had come looking for trouble. If she dared to touch Wu Caiwei, she would surely regret ever existing.
Hu Lianyu had also made some preparations. In this life, his body was still unable to practice martial arts. To prevent malicious individuals, he used the money Wu Caiwei gave him to buy many medicinal herbs from the street. He locked himself in his room and concocted some items, which he carried with him.
On this day, the weather was cold, and night had fallen. The streets were deserted, with very few people out and about. A few figures, hiding and darting, approached Hu Lianyu's courtyard. They scaled the wall and entered.
Hu Lianyu frowned involuntarily as the door to his room was violently kicked open, and strangers appeared. Without a doubt, he knew who had sent them. He calmly inquired, "What did Madam Hu instruct you to do to me?"
The men exchanged glances, looking at him with surprise. They were local thugs who had grown up in the area. They knew that Young Master Hu was frail and sickly, unable to carry anything heavy, and often ill. They had initially thought it was overkill to deal with a sickly young man, but to their surprise, he showed no fear upon seeing them. This suddenly made things rather interesting.
"Madam Hu said to break your legs. That way, the madam won't fancy you, and you won't be able to roam around outside, bothering her." The man answered truthfully, hoping to see his panicked expression. But they were disappointed.
"She's truly heartless. Isn't she afraid that after losing my legs, I'll fight back recklessly and expose her ugliness in the streets? What about her son's reputation?" Hu Lianyu knew she had more tricks up her sleeve and deliberately said this, wanting to hear their response.
"Madam Hu can easily deny it, claiming you offended people outside. Coupled with the recent rumors in the city about you and that madam, people will immediately assume it was the madam's husband seeking revenge for you seducing his wife.
She can even feign helplessness and a look of disappointment, which would conveniently wash away her previous image as a wicked woman. She can also tell other madams that she tried to guide you well, but you disdained her as a stepmother and looked down on her status, refusing to listen. This can also garner her sympathy." Although these men felt Madam Hu was quite unscrupulous, they were paid to do a job.
"She really has it all planned out. Too bad she miscalculated. That madam doesn't have a husband at all, and she's no ordinary person. Offending her would bring disaster upon the entire Hu family." Hu Lianyu said with a hint of schadenfreude, looking at them.