Chapter 100 Public Humiliation of Lu Zhaoruo
Lu Bohong was so angry at this sophistry that his chest heaved and he was speechless for a moment.
He was never good at arguing with people.
Seeing this, Li Nian'er let out a smug snort and glanced at him contemptuously.
This burly man is indeed tall and imposing, but unfortunately he's just a lowly patrol inspector, not even worthy to carry the shoes of the young master Meng she's so fond of! And now he dares to offend her, he's utterly despicable!
Lu Zhaoruo frowned. She hadn't expected that her brother would escape a disaster, but they would run into Li Yanei!
She took a half step forward, her gaze calmly meeting that of Young Master Li, her tone tinged with confusion: "Young Master Li's words are truly beyond my comprehension."
"So, according to you, my brother is innocent of saving lives today, but is guilty? Should we have stood by and watched your sister's horse continue its rampage, injuring more innocent passersby, until your sister also fell off her horse and was seriously injured..."
"At that time, will Magistrate Li be asked to preside over the court again and impartially try the case of his own daughter who ran amok and caused harm to the people?"
She spoke humbly, as if seeking guidance: "This humble woman is foolish and ignorant, unaware that this is the 'rule' that the officials uphold. So, in Lord Li's view, acting decisively and preventing tragedy from happening is considered 'collision'; while standing idly by and watching the disaster spread is considered 'duty'?"
She nodded slightly at the end, her tone still respectful: "I have truly learned a lot today. But I wonder, are these 'rules' the Li family's family precepts, or are they the law of our great lord?"
Li Yanei was rendered speechless by these words that were both dismissive and offensive, and his face turned pale.
The surrounding people whispered among themselves, all agreeing with Lu Zhaoruo.
He could not find a reason to condemn them.
Suddenly, he remembered something and sneered sarcastically, "Madam Lu really has a silver tongue! No wonder she was able to single-handedly take her husband's entire family to court. I heard that you stood alone in court that day, facing your in-laws, husband, and mistress, and you weren't intimidated at all. You managed to get them all to confess their crimes with a few words of 'reason'? What a fierce temperament, and what shrewd methods!"
He then changed the subject: "Now that you're divorced, you don't seem to feel the slightest shame. Instead of hiding at home to avoid embarrassment, you're showing your face in public, running some kind of brothel. And now you dare to point fingers and talk big to us officials' sons in broad daylight? I, the young master, truly... admire you greatly!"
He shook his head with feigned regret: "It's just a pity that with such a strong-willed nature as Madam Lu, no one will dare to marry her in the future."
"However..."
He suddenly took a few steps closer, lowered his voice, and said in a greasy and lewd tone, "I have a plan. Why don't you come with me? I won't hold your past against you and will give you the title of mistress to taste the pleasures of life, just like Lin Yingyu... How about it?"
Seeing Lu Zhaoruo's face turn pale, Li Yanei continued, "After all, for someone like you to be with me is already a huge honor. Learn from that Lin family, be more pragmatic, and you'll live a more comfortable life."
He specifically mentioned the name "Lin Yingyu" to place her alongside his mistress.
He wanted to use this name to reopen Lu Zhaoruo's wounds.
Lu Bohong clenched his fist instantly.
His younger sister finally escaped from the Shen family, only to be humiliated like this in the street?
Lu Zhaoruo took a few steps back: "Young Master Li," her voice was clear and cold, not loud but loud enough for those around to hear, "you should leave the taste of 'concubine' to people like Lin, who can't live without a man."
She continued, "In my embroidery shop, every penny I earn is clean, and I maintain my integrity. Even if I remarry in the future, I will be a respectable wife to someone else. You should keep this 'favor' to yourself; I cannot accept it."
Li Yanei's face was extremely ugly.
It's like being slapped in the face by the "bitch" you usually despise.
Who does she even belong to?
You're being incredibly ungrateful!
He suppressed his anger and instead loudly mocked, "Lu Zhaoruo, what are you pretending to be, a pure and innocent woman! You've been defiled by bandits and abandoned by your husband's family. Your body is already tainted! It's your great fortune that I, the young master, am willing to take you! Do you really think you're a pure and innocent virgin?"
The words "defiled her body" struck Lu Zhaoruo's heart hard. Her eyes were red as she glared at him angrily.
Li Yanei was only further excited by her prickly appearance. His gaze roamed brazenly over her body, finally settling on her slightly heaving chest. His tone was deliberately gentle: "Tsk, don't glare at me... Don't worry, as long as you obediently follow me and serve me well..."
He drawled out his words and lowered his voice, "Even Wan Miaoniang has to make way for you, how about it?"
Having said that, he thought he had offered a tremendous temptation and laughed heartily with self-satisfaction.
His servants behind him also laughed.
The laughter sent chills down Lu Zhaoruo's spine.
His words reminded the onlookers that Lu Zhaoruo had been defiled by bandits.
A shrill female voice immediately chimed in from the crowd; it was the woman who had stood up for Shen Rongzhi that day. She pursed her lips, her voice neither too loud nor too soft, just loud enough for everyone around to hear: "Oh, you're right! I almost forgot about that. If I had suffered such a fate, I would have hanged myself with a white silk ribbon long ago. How could I have the face to live until now, running a brothel and daring to show my face in public and argue with others?"
Hearing the woman's words, Li Yanei became even more smug, feeling that he was in the absolute right!
He gave the woman an approving look and said loudly, "Listen to this! Now that's a wise person! So, I'm just being kind and giving her a way out!"
He immediately turned his head, his gaze lingering on Lu Zhaoruo's pale face, and said as if bestowing a favor, "Madam Lu, you heard it too. If you nod in public today and agree to follow me, I, the magnanimous young master, will forgive your brother for offending an official's wife."
He used his fan to lift Lu Zhaoruo's chin: "How about it? This deal is pretty good, isn't it?"
"Bang!"
Lu Bohong punched Li Yanei hard in the face, cursing, "You're a beast!"
How could he, as the elder brother, stand idly by while his younger sister suffered such a humiliating disgrace?
But this punch only made Lu Zhaoruo more worried, as it undoubtedly gave Li Yanei another handle to use against her.
But the older brother was only trying to protect himself.
Caught off guard, Li Yanei was struck and staggered a few steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.
The surrounding people immediately fell silent.
Li Nian'er was terrified and quickly scolded, "How dare you! You actually dared to beat my brother? Don't you want your worthless life?"
Li Yanei covered his face, glared fiercely at Lu Bohong, and hissed, "Good! Very good! Lu Bohong, how dare you beat up an official's wife in public!"
Do you know what the consequences are for those who beat up officials' wives?
He felt a burning pain on his face, but what hurt even more was the humiliation of being beaten in public by a lowly inspector.
He was the son of a dignified county magistrate; he had never suffered such humiliation!
He slammed his finger into the ground: "Today! If you don't kneel down and crawl between my legs, I'll have my father throw your entire Lu family into prison! I'll make sure you can't live or die!"
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