Chapter 125: Chapter 125: I Refuse to Be a Concubine

“Outside the door are so many people, the old Mrs. Xiao, the Fu family, Mrs. Shi Lang Chen, Li Zhaohui, Zheng Sulan, and others. There are also other pilgrims,” Lin Qingqing said. “Now everyone knows about the matter between me and Xiao Fengxing, even knowing that we were involved while he was still engaged to Fu Mingzhu.”

“Now my reputation in the capital, I’m afraid… I’m afraid…” Lin Qingqing covered her face and began to cry, “Mother, what should I do! Now that my reputation is ruined, if Xiao Fengxing won’t marry me… or if the old Mrs. Xiao directly takes me as a concubine, I…”

“I might as well just die!” Lin Qingqing wailed, “How could I become a concubine!”

“What are you saying!” Mrs. Lin was so shocked she almost lost her balance.

She took two steps back and regained her balance with the help of a maid.

“Everyone knows?” Mrs. Lin asked, wide-eyed.

Lin Qingqing continued to cry, and Mrs. Lin, in annoyance, pulled her hands away from her face and scolded, “Stop crying! What good does crying do now!”

Startled by Mrs. Lin’s words, Lin Qingqing choked back her sobs slightly.

Mrs. Lin asked in a low voice, “Are all these people here specifically because of you two?”

“Certainly so,” Lin Qingqing said. “Otherwise, why would so many people suddenly be waiting outside?”

“Moreover, Liu Yue said that the old Mrs. Xiao deliberately brought guards and maids, restraining both her and Chang Tai so they couldn’t alert me and Xiao Fengxing.”

“Why would they do this?” Lin Qingqing complained, “Me being with Xiao Fengxing has nothing to do with them.”

Mrs. Lin coldly said, “Naturally, they can’t stand seeing Xiao Fengxing doing well.”

“With the spring exams approaching, using this incident to strike Xiao Fengxing could very well affect his performance in the exams,” Mrs. Lin said coldly. “That old Mrs. Xiao would certainly not allow Xiao Fengxing to grow large.”

“In this matter, you have suffered because of Xiao Fengxing.”

Mrs. Lin’s words instantly reminded Lin Qingqing, “Xiao Fengxing may not even be able to participate in this spring exam.”

“Why?” Mrs. Lin asked in surprise.

“Today Fu Mingzhu was also present. She slapped Xiao Fengxing and even drew blood from his face,” Lin Qingqing said, “I don’t know how his injury is now, but it should not scar.”

“My only worry is whether his face can heal in time, or he will miss this spring exam and have to wait another three years.”

Mrs. Lin took a deep breath.

Xiao Fengxing had originally said that after passing this exam, he would come to propose, allowing Lin Qingqing to marry him gloriously.

But now, it seems impossible.

Whether Xiao Fengxing can even participate in the spring exam is uncertain.

Additionally, Lin Qingqing and Xiao Fengxing being caught red-handed, there is no chance for glory.

Mrs. Lin suddenly shivered, fearing the old Mrs. Xiao intends to make Lin Qingqing a concubine.

If Lin Qingqing becomes a concubine, Xiao Fengxing will have a harder time proposing.

Knowing this, who would marry their daughter only to be mistreated?

Mrs. Lin increasingly feels this is precisely the old Mrs. Xiao’s intention.

But currently Mr. Lin is still on duty, and Mrs. Lin can only write a letter, sending a young servant quickly to Mr. Lin.

Upon the young servant’s return, he told Mrs. Lin: “Sir said, you must go immediately to the Marquis Changping’s estate to discuss the marriage with the old Mrs. Xiao, by all means ensuring the lady marries Master Xiao properly.”

“Did you hear any rumors outside?” Mrs. Lin asked.

The young servant hesitated for a moment, saying: “It’s spread everywhere in the streets and alleys.”

“What are they saying?” Mrs. Lin immediately queried.

“Saying… saying the lady is… shameless, knowing Master Xiao was already engaged yet,” the young servant said, “In short, what they’re saying is very unpleasant, and the rumors are spreading more wildly.”

“When I first went out, people said the lady and Master Xiao were caught privately in the room. By the time I sent the letter and returned, I heard…”

“What is it, tell me,” Mrs. Lin urged.

The young servant finally carefully said: “Already spread to people catching the lady and Master Xiao on the bed…”

“Enough!” Lin Qingqing, her face pale, cried, “Mother, I didn’t!”

“You may leave,” Mrs. Lin said, “Watch your mouth.”

“Yes,” the young servant quickly retreated.

Lin Qingqing grabbed Mrs. Lin and said, “Mother, your daughter is still intact!”

“Does that matter?” Mrs. Lin replied, “Who cares whether you are intact or not? In the rumors, regardless if you are or aren’t, it doesn’t matter.”

Lin Qingqing took several steps back as if the sky had collapsed, “Mother, what do I do!”

“What to do?” Mrs. Lin walked a couple of steps and said, “I will go to the Marquis’s estate right away to talk to the old Mrs. Xiao about marriage, and ensure you marry Xiao Fengxing as his principal wife.”

“Xiao Fengxing was right, that old crone Changping Hou’s wife can’t stand seeing us prosper!” Lin Qingqing angrily exclaimed, “What if she doesn’t agree?”

“No matter what, Xiao Fengxing’s marriage is in her hands. If she outright refuses, she’s aiming to ruin me…”

“If I had known, you shouldn’t have gotten involved with Xiao Fengxing,” Mrs. Lin sternly said, “What proper, well-behaved lady would get involved with him like you did?”

“Are you saying this now?” Lin Qingqing angrily said, “Back when Xiao Fengxing was engaged to Fu Mingzhu, his heart was here, using Fu Mingzhu only. You weren’t like this when you found out. You were so proud then.”

“I met with Xiao Fengxing this time because you and father urged me to see him, fearing the estate might discuss other matches,” Lin Qingqing said. “I believed in him, but for your peace of mind, I wouldn’t have met him, causing today’s scandal!”

“Are you now blaming me?” Lin Qingqing asked defiantly, “Don’t think you can pin all the blame on me!”

Mrs. Lin took a deep breath, “Talking about it now changes nothing.”

“I’ll go to the Marquis’s estate, whatever it takes, to ensure the marriage between you and Xiao Fengxing,” Mrs. Lin instructed the servants to prepare and hurried to the estate.

The old Mrs. Xiao anticipated that the Lin family would surely be in a frantic state.

So when the servant reported Mrs. Lin’s arrival, the old Mrs. Xiao wasn’t surprised at all.

The old Mrs. Xiao didn’t make things difficult and said, “Let her come in.”

Mrs. Lin entered with a face full of shame, “Old lady, it’s my failure in teaching my daughter that led to such scandal!”

“I am deeply ashamed, feeling unworthy to face you,” Mrs. Lin said.

The old Mrs. Xiao sighed deeply, “One hand alone can’t clap, my family member isn’t without fault either.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep