The more Zhu Jiayu listened to Pan Luxiu speak, the colder her palms felt.
According to her, Liu Heng's treatment of Ning Qian was entirely calculated from beginning to end. And even after so many years since Ning Qian's death, Liu Heng has always pretended to be deeply affectionate, enjoying the benefits and advantages that this affection brings him.
Even while he was using Ning Wan to advance his career, he was also deceiving another innocent woman into having his child!
Years later, he used the same trick again, seducing innocent women to work for him.
Seeing Pan Luxiu's calm yet secretly delighted expression when she spoke of Liu Heng, Zhu Jiayu suddenly felt a little stunned. She didn't know how to talk to the woman in front of her, to tell her that the husband she spoke of, the father of her child, was actually a heartless, selfish, and wicked person who only knew how to climb the social ladder by relying on women!
She even suddenly felt a pang of self-reproach for meddling in other people's business. If she had simply walked away and hadn't interfered in the street, she wouldn't have met Pan Luxiu, and she wouldn't be in this predicament today.
She pursed her lips, stunned, standing under the clothesline. The woman's skirt, the child's clothes, and the man's robe were all neatly hung on the line. Anyone who saw them would think that this must be a very happy family.
Even though the truth was like a festering sore, in Pan Luxiu's mind, she did have a happy and fulfilling family. Although the family was poor, her husband was talented and ambitious, and her children were intelligent, lovely, and healthy.
But now, Zhu Jiayu is going to shatter her long-held beliefs.
She was a habitual wicked woman; just a few days ago, she had ordered the death of a young woman. The woman was in the prime of her life, with a beautiful face. But she was truly ruthless, showing no hesitation, no pity, and no regret whatsoever.
But now, she was genuinely hesitant.
Is there a way to have the best of both worlds?
No.
Liu Heng harmed his aunt and deceived Ning Han and his sister. Neither she nor Ning Han will let him go.
Her hesitation wasn't because she wanted to hide anything from Pan Luxiu. Liu Heng would die sooner or later; this couldn't be kept secret. She was simply wondering if there was a way to minimize the harm to Pan Luxiu.
Seeing that she was lost in thought, Pan Luxiu reached out and touched the back of her hand. Her hand was still wet, and Zhu Jiayu was quickly brought back to her senses by the coolness.
Pan Luxiu picked up the wooden basin and asked her loudly, "What are you thinking about so intently? Could it be that you have someone you like?"
She always speaks so bluntly and without restraint.
Zhu Jiayu was about to retort, but stopped herself. She went to Pan Luxiu's side and helped her put the wooden basin back, a shy expression appearing in her eyes.
Pan Luxiu didn't hear her speak, so she turned to look at her. When she saw her shy face, she said in surprise, "You actually guessed right?"
But after a short while, Zhu Jiayu forced a smile and said, "So what if you have someone you like? Men are all the same. They're always looking for something better, and they're not going to let anyone suffer."
Pan Luxiu looked at her fair face scrunched up, looking so aggrieved that she seemed about to cry, and her heart softened. She sighed and thought that this seemingly powerful noble lady in front of her was actually only fifteen or sixteen years old, a real little girl.
She was so smug on the street that day, yet now she was troubled by love. Pan Luxiu sighed inwardly, took her hand, and said, "You're so beautiful, why hang yourself on one man? If he can't be devoted to you, what's wrong with kicking him to the curb? Why suffer this injustice?"
Zhu Jiayu squeezed out two tears: "But I really like him very much."
Pan Luxiu couldn't bear to see her so upset, so she pulled her down to sit, found a handkerchief to wipe her tears, and said to her, "Why don't you tell me what's going on between you two? I'll help you figure it out. Maybe it's a misunderstanding?"
Zhu Jiayu gave a soft "hmm".
It was a bleak autumn day; the flowers and trees in the courtyard had withered, their yellowed stems and grasses lying prostrate on the ground. Zhu Jiayu sobbed softly, and against the backdrop of the desolate scene, she looked truly pitiful.
Pan Luxiu had already dried her hands and was patting her shoulder casually, without urging her on.
She had always lived a carefree life, and had never experienced anything so heartbreaking before, but seeing Zhu Jiayu crying so bitterly, her heart ached.
After Zhu Jiayu had finished crying, he finally let his guard down and softly told her about his own experiences:
"I've reached the age where I should be getting married this year, and my family has arranged a marriage for me with a promising young man. When I heard it was him, I was overjoyed... We've met a few times in private, and I thought we were a perfect match. He's given me many gifts and often tells me that once I'm married, he will cherish me very much..."
Upon hearing this, Pan Luxiu recalled her earlier remarks about "wanting to eat what's in one bowl while eyeing what's in another," and she understood the general direction of the matter. She thought that this talented young man was probably not a good person, and after using sweet words to deceive Ayu, he would surely change his mind and fall in love with someone else.
She had thought of many comforting words in her mind, and was ready to say them all to comfort Zhu Jiayu as soon as she finished speaking.
But what Zhu Jiayu said next left her speechless—she saw the girl in front of her covering her face in confusion and pain, saying:
"But later I found out that he already had a family. He had a beautiful and virtuous wife and a clever and lovely son. In fact, his family was very poor. However, every time he appeared in front of me, he was dressed in fine clothes and wore a splendid outfit..."
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