Chapter Thirty-Nine: He Doesn’t Blame Her

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It was not about her and Lu Xuanheng after all, but about Daoist Chongxu.

Su Mingxiu had learned that she had bribed Daoist Chongxu to deceive his family into arranging their marriage.

Jiang You'an had never expected this. Her mind went blank for a moment.

Still, compared with the matter involving Lu Xuanheng, bribing Daoist Chongxu seemed the lesser offense. Jiang You'an felt slightly relieved.

She cautiously looked at Su Mingxiu. “He... went to see you?”

Su Mingxiu sighed. “He had run up a huge gambling debt and came to me for money. He told me that you had bribed him to deceive my mother under the pretext that marrying you would bring me good fortune and dispel the misfortune surrounding me.”

That wretched Daoist! She had told him she would find the money for him, yet he had immediately gone to Su Mingxiu and exposed everything.

Now her actions had all come to light. This marriage... was probably over. Who would want to marry a liar?

Jiang You'an felt devastated and deeply ashamed. She lowered her head, unable to face Su Mingxiu.

“Why did you do it?”

“I knew Madam Su looked down on me. I also knew that she often went to Daoist Chongxu to have her fortune told. Because I wanted to marry you, I asked him to lie and say that my marrying you would bring you good fortune. Madam Su loves her son dearly, so once she believed him, she would come and ask for my hand herself.”

Jiang You'an's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke.

Su Mingxiu let out a bitter laugh. “I truly thought you loved me sincerely.”

“I do, of course—” Jiang You'an raised her head, intending to blurt out that she truly loved him. But when she met those cool, clear eyes, she could not bring herself to utter a lie.

She sighed softly, her face filled with sorrow, and slowly confessed everything. “At first, I approached you because I wanted to marry into a powerful family. I was an orphan with no one to rely on, living under another person's roof. I wanted to find myself a good home, one where I could protect myself and also clear my father's name. After meeting you several times, I set my sights on you.”

“Later, you treated me with sincerity. You cared for me and respected me, and little by little, I developed genuine feelings for you. You did not look down on my background. You even said that you would take me as your principal wife and give me the dignity I deserved. How could I not be moved? But I know I am no longer worthy of any of that...”

After Jiang You'an finished speaking, silence descended upon the room.

She did not dare look at Su Mingxiu's expression. She could imagine how disappointed and furious he must be.

Ever since her family had been destroyed and she had fallen into the mire, she had endured countless cold looks and humiliations. She could disregard the contempt and insults of anyone else, but Su Mingxiu was different.

He was the only person who had treated her with sincerity, who knew how to appreciate her, who saw her worth, and who defended her dignity. Disappointing him was the most painful thing in the world to Jiang You'an.

She felt that she was utterly wretched.

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Shame and remorse surged over her all at once, leaving her utterly mortified.

She lowered her head as tears slipped uncontrollably down her cheeks.

She wept in silence, unable to offer a single word in her defense. There was nothing left for her to defend. All she could do was await judgment.

The creak of wheels broke the deathly silence. Su Mingxiu moved his wheelchair until he was beside her.

“I cannot stand. Bend down.”

Not understanding, Jiang You'an bent forward and looked at him through tear-blurred eyes.

Su Mingxiu took out a handkerchief and gently wiped the tears from her face. His voice was as tender as a spring breeze. “This is the first time I have seen you cry. If I had known, I would not have brought this up today.”

For a moment, Jiang You'an did not understand what he meant. She looked at him in confusion.

Su Mingxiu smiled faintly and took her hand, guiding her onto the stool beside him. “Once we are married, you must not let me make you cry like this again.”

Jiang You'an wondered if she had misheard him. “You... you are still willing to marry me? You are not angry that I deceived you?”

“I never believed in such superstitious nonsense to begin with. I am willing to marry you simply because you have a place in my heart.”

Su Mingxiu held her hand, gradually warming her cold palm.

Jiang You'an stared blankly at his face, as clear and serene as moonlight. “But I resorted to such despicable means to marry you. You do not despise me?”

“I know you had no choice. You have not had an easy life.” Su Mingxiu's eyes were as limpid as water, fixed only on Jiang You'an. “From now on, you are no longer alone. You need not scheme at every step.”

He had seen the ugliest side of her, yet he had still chosen to accept her.

Jiang You'an's tears fell once more, and this time she wept even harder.

Su Mingxiu drew her into his arms. She fell against his shoulder and sobbed softly, soaking the front of his robe with her tears.

Stroking her soft hair, Su Mingxiu said gently, “You want a peaceful life. I can give you that. You want to clear your father's name. I will help you with that as well. But you must promise me that you will never do something like this again.”

Jiang You'an sniffed and gave a quiet little “Mm.”

Su Mingxiu patted her back lightly until she gradually calmed and her sobs subsided.

“Your eyes are swollen from crying.” Su Mingxiu brushed his fingertip over the corners of her reddened eyes and wiped away the tears. “I painted a portrait of a beauty for you at home. With you crying like this, you hardly look like the woman in it anymore.”

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Jiang You'an rubbed her eyes in embarrassment.

Su Mingxiu gave a soft laugh. “It will be dark soon. You should go home.”

Jiang You'an nodded. When she reached the door, she turned back and asked uneasily, “You truly are not angry with me?”

Su Mingxiu remained seated in his wheelchair. Beneath the dim yellow light, his expression was gentle and warm. “Angry that you soaked my clothes with your tears? I will have to let them dry for a while. Otherwise, when I get home, I really will not know how to explain it.”

Jiang You'an pressed her lips together in a smile. “Then I will be going.”

“Mm,” Su Mingxiu replied.

After Jiang You'an left, there was movement from the adjoining room.

Two servants dragged a man out and brought him before Su Mingxiu.

The man was bound hand and foot and beaten until his face was swollen and bruised. Without looking closely, one could hardly tell that he was Daoist Chongxu.

“Young Master Su, that woman set this whole marriage scheme in motion! I was only kindly warning you. Even if you did not wish to reward me, how could you treat me like this?”

Su Mingxiu's tone was indifferent. “I have paid off your gambling debts. From now on, if you dare harass her again or tell anyone else about this, you will have no place in the capital.”

Daoist Chongxu knew when to submit. The moment he heard this, he became obedient and nodded vigorously. “Yes, yes, yes. This poor Daoist understands. I will take this secret to the grave!”

Su Mingxiu did not spare him another glance. He allowed an attendant to push him away.

...

When Jiang You'an returned to the Lu residence, she felt exhausted. Walking slowly, she said to Autumn Orchid, “This is for the best. Now that he knows, I no longer have to live in fear every day.”

“Young Master Su is kindhearted and generous,” Autumn Orchid said. “My lady, you have truly met a good man this time.”

Jiang You'an thought of those gentle eyes and brows, and a faint smile rose to her lips.

The two of them continued walking. When they looked up, they came face-to-face with Lu Xuanheng and Li Lianzhu.