The Face-Slapping Journey of a Sword Cultivator Male God (QT) Chapter 009: The Rightful Heir's Retaliation in the Story of a Reincarnated Concubine's Son - Part 8

Drawn by the incessant clamor and noise, Xuan Yuan strode determinedly towards the main living quarters. As he approached the courtyard's entrance, the sound of shattering porcelain echoed through the air, accompanied by furious roars and a continuous cacophony of smashing objects.

"Lady Li, you better explain clearly to me! Did you have a hand in my son Yingjie's demise? The physician said his condition was improving yesterday, so how did he suddenly pass away today?" The furious interrogation of Luoning Marquis resonated through the main living quarters, underscored by the sounds of ongoing destruction. His voice, filled with undisguised abhorrence, carried through the air.

A glint of coldness flashed in Xuan Yuan's eyes as he strode towards the courtyard. Along the way, he noticed the maids, typically bustling with chores in the main living quarters, now trembling with fear. They huddled in the corridor, too frightened to enter the master's chamber, fearing his wrath.

Xuan Yuan's gaze hardened further as he passed through the corridor, its intricate vermilion carvings stark against his cold demeanor. The main entrance to the master's chamber was wide open. There, in official robes, stood Luoning Marquis. His anger was reaching its boiling point as he berated Lady Li. Xuan Yuan glanced inside the room. Shattered porcelain littered the floor, testaments to the Marquis's fury, and the once orderly interior was now in complete disarray.

Lady Li's expression was as cold and frosty as ice. Her hair, makeup, and attire remained impeccable amidst the tumult around her. Assisted by Aunt Yun, she stood facing the enraged Luoning Marquis, her gaze indifferent and tinged with weariness. She showed no response to the overwhelming anger emanating from him.

Despite the intense fury of Luoning Marquis and the chaos surrounding them, Lady Li remained elegant and composed. She appeared undisturbed, as if the turmoil before her did not exist. Offering a cold glance at Luoning Marquis, she calmly issued her command, "The Marquis is drunk. Please escort him back to his chamber."

"Yes, Madam," Lady Li's trusted aides, scattered on either side of the main chamber, responded calmly. Soon, one of the maids emerged from the room and found the young manservant of the Luoning Marquis. He was standing near the door, his lips pressed tightly together, his eyes wide with fear, too terrified to utter a word. Nonetheless, he was tasked with escorting the Marquis back to his chamber.

Bang!

Luoning Marquis pushed away the timid and trembling young manservant who had mustered the courage to assist him. He raised his hand and pointed it directly at Lady Li. His voice broke the silence like a thunderclap, "Don't play dumb with me. If you don't provide an explanation today, there will be no escaping the consequences of this matter."

"Vile woman! Did you really cause the death of my son, Yingjie?" Luoning Marquis questioned sharply, his voice filled with deep resentment towards Lady Li.

Xuan Yuan's expression turned cold and sharp, as he prepared to intervene. However, he noticed Lady Li, standing calmly before Luoning Marquis, raising her hand with nonchalance to smooth her temple. Her tone was composed and indifferent as she responded, "Marquis, you seem quite agitated. Do you really find such lack of composure necessary?" She paused briefly before adding, "And I must admit, I'm having some difficulty understanding your words."

A cold and mocking smile played across Lady Li's exquisitely made-up face. "Luoning Marquis," she began calmly, "we don't have anyone by the name of Yingjie here. Have you forgotten? You only have one legitimate son from your first wife and two illegitimate sons from your concubines. But none of them bear that name."

With a composed demeanor, she remarked, "The Marquis seems to have indulged in excessive drinking today, leading to incoherent ramblings. Allow me to escort you back." Despite her words, she remained rooted in place, not taking a single step forward.

As Luoning Marquis trembled with anger, Lady Li turned her head to look at Aunt Yun, who was supporting her. In a calm tone, she instructed, "Aunt Yun, take the Marquis Manor's invitation and fetch a royal physician. Inform them that the Marquis has had too much to drink and is experiencing some confusion, leading to nonsensical ramblings." Her tone towards Aunt Yun was even gentler than it was towards her husband.

System 0617, nestled within Xuan Yuan's Sea of Consciousness, exclaimed with starry eyes, "Wow! Host, host, your mother is so cool and amazing! Look at the Marquis, he's completely speechless, trembling with anger like a sheep having a seizure!"

A fleeting smile crossed Xuan Yuan's face, but it quickly disappeared. He strode into the main chamber, not even sparing a glance at the trembling Luoning Marquis, stepping over the shattered porcelain pieces. Approaching Lady Li, he bowed slightly and asked, "Mother, is everything alright?"

While speaking, Xuan Yuan subtly positioned himself in front of Lady Li, his body acting as a barrier against Luoning Marquis. His protective stance safeguarded Lady Li from any sudden outburst of violence.

Xuan Yuan's sudden appearance in their midst left the previously quarreling couple momentarily stunned. Luoning Marquis frowned upon seeing him, but when he heard Xuan Yuan's question to Lady Li and witnessed his protective gesture, his anger escalated. "You're truly your mother's devoted son, defending her like this! Do you even know the wicked deeds she has committed?"

Without a hint of emotion, Xuan Yuan turned to the Marquis and replied calmly, "Father, what is it that you're accusing Mother of? She is virtuous, graceful, and skilled in managing the household—a model of virtue among women. I fail to understand why you're making baseless accusations in your drunken state today."

Luoning Marquis retorted indignantly, "I am not drunk!" He pointed a finger at Lady Li, now shielded behind Xuan Yuan, and said with resentment, "This vile woman, your mother, caused the death of your younger brother today. Virtuous and graceful? Bah! I spit on such notions!"

Xuan Yuan's expression grew even colder. "If Father is referring to the person from Lane Street, there is no need to blame Mother," he said calmly. "It was I who took action."

"What?"

"Zhu'er?"

Luoning Marquis and Lady Li both exclaimed in unison. Despite the array of emotions swirling across Luoning Marquis's face, Lady Li frowned slightly and her gaze fell on Lin Xuanzhu with a hint of reproach. In her view, regardless of whether Lin Yingjie's death was related to Lin Xuanzhu or not, he shouldn't have intervened in this matter.

To Lady Li, Lin Yingjie's death was inconsequential. After all, what was Lin Yingjie? He was merely an illegitimate child who wasn't even recorded in the family genealogy. Even if it was indeed Lin Xuanzhu who had a hand in his demise, what could it matter? For the sake of an illegitimate child, could Luoning Marquis really do something to her or to Zhu'er?

Indeed, it was just a way for Luoning Marquis to vent his anger, akin to a mad dog howling. Lady Li saw no need to pay it much attention. What concerned her more was whether her son, Zhu'er, would have to endure Luoning Marquis's scolding or feel upset because of this incident. The well-being and emotions of her son were her primary focus above all else.

When Xuan Yuan took the initiative to admit that he was the one who caused Lin Yingjie's demise, Luoning Marquis's anger seemed to dissipate. He knew the temperament of his legitimate eldest son well and understood that Xuan Yuan had been shielded and protected by Lady Li, which gave him a somewhat naive and gentle demeanor. Moreover, considering Lady Li's personality, she would never allow him to get involved in affairs concerning illegitimate children.

"Are you really not involved in this?" Luoning Marquis believed his son wouldn't have done it, but he wasn't entirely convinced by his wife's denial of involvement. After all, he knew Lady Li's true nature very well, and couldn't entirely erase his doubts regarding this matter.

Xuan Yuan shook his head and stood in front of Lady Li, saying, "It was me who did it. Father, there's no need to doubt Mother. I..."

"Marquis, do you truly believe that your son is worth me taking any action against? He's nothing but an illegitimate child. I've endured him for eighteen years. Do you think I can't continue to endure him?" Before Xuan Yuan could finish his words, Lady Li pushed him aside. She confronted Luoning Marquis directly, her tone tinged with mockery and disdain.

Tearing off her gentle facade, Lady Li now appeared defiant and cold. "A mere illegitimate child, I have never cared for him. Marquis, it seems you have become rather confused today. Perhaps it's time for you to withdraw for the evening and take care of your health."

After being bluntly countered by Lady Li, Marquis Luoning's anger surprisingly subsided. He knew that his wife was aware of the people he had placed in Lane Street, and upon reflection, it made sense. She had tolerated Yingjie's existence for so long, and it was unlikely that she would resort to covert means at this point, after so many years.

"Are you really not involved in this?" Marquis Luoning asked again, but this time his tone was much gentler, devoid of suspicion, and rather tinged with sighs of relief.

0617: ??? Host admitted it, right? Why is he no longer suspicious?

(´･_･`)

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