Chapter 31 - 28: Do You Really Want to Break Off This Engagement?_2

Her daughter Xue’er is clearly pure and spotless, but rumors are spreading that she has lost her honor, and buckets of filth continue being poured onto her, making it impossible for Xue’er to wash away the disgrace even if she jumped into the Yellow River. It’s simply hateful.

Regarding last night’s incident, who knows which heartless scoundrel spread the gossip? If she ever finds out, she certainly won’t let them off easily.

"Absolutely unreasonable!"

Yun Zheng was truly astounded; he admired the woman’s skill in making unreasonable arguments, truly leaving him in awe.

"Did I, as the Duke, ask Miss Su to go to such a place? Why should I advocate on her behalf?"

"A daughter of a noble family, the eldest legitimate daughter in the Grand Commandant Mansion, yet she frequents such places—what fine upbringing the Su Family has."

"Those who are unaware might think Miss Su admires the life of women in those establishments."

Ridiculous, the rumors were deliberately spread by him to ruin Su Qianxue and the Su Family’s reputation, to avenge Chen’er from the ’plot.’ Would he then come forward to refute them?

"You, you, you..."

Madam Su stared at him, shocked and angry, her face flushed with rage, wanting desperately to scratch his infuriating face.

What does ’admiring the life of the women in the establishment’ mean?

This bastard blatantly ridiculed Xue’er for going to such a place, suggesting she wants to be a courtesan—how dare he?

"Xue’er is young and unwise, mistakes are inevitable, but as an elder, aren’t you supposed to be more understanding? How could you say such words?"

"Please mind your words, Duke!"

Su Jian was furious, clenching his fists tightly, his gaze cold and icy.

"Hah!"

Yun Zheng showed no fear, sneering coldly as he slammed a crimson invitation and a sachet onto the sandalwood table, his voice indifferent and grim.

"I, the Duke, don’t have time to bicker with you. Here is your daughter’s birth fortune card and token; kindly bring Chen’er’s birth fortune card and token forward, this engagement shall be annulled."

"From now on, whatever rumors plague your Su Family will have nothing to do with our Yun Family, nor will I, the Duke, give you the courtesy of a visit over mere gossip."

Boom!!!

Like a bolt from the blue, the Su couple stared at him in disbelief.

Madam Su slammed the table vigorously, stood up and glared at him.

"Yun Zheng, are you proposing to break the engagement?"

Though she had been unhappy with Yun Wanchen’s handicap and dissatisfied with the marriage, constantly plotting a divorce, she never imagined the Duke Mansion would propose annulment first.

Now that Xue’er is plagued by rumors, if the Duke Mansion could publicly prove Xue’er’s innocence, this scandal would die down over time.

But the Duke Mansion chose to break off the engagement at this critical juncture, wouldn’t it solidify those rumors?

By then, Xue’er would be unable to defend herself, even with proof of her innocence, she would struggle to quell public opinion.

Losing her honor before marriage, who in Da Wu Country would dare to marry a woman with such an infamous reputation, becoming a laughingstock to all?

Absolutely not, this marriage must not be annulled, at least not before proving Xue’er’s innocence.

"At such a crucial moment, how can you break the engagement? Please wait until the storm passes."

In need, Madam Su softened her tone and attitude.

Him taking the initiative to annul the marriage is a tremendous opportunity, only the timing is wrong, she needs to placate him first.

"Indeed, this marriage cannot be broken now!"

Su Jian’s face was unsightly, dark as a pot’s bottom.

"Yun Zheng, though you and I have never gotten along, you don’t have to kick us while we’re down, do you?"

"Hah!"

Yun Zheng sneered full of sarcasm, mercilessly stating, "Call it kicking you when you’re down or whatever, this marriage must be ended today, no matter what you say."

"If you refuse to agree, I don’t mind—once I return to the mansion, I’ll have my servants announce that the engagement is unilaterally terminated."

"If you intend to shamelessly resist, I will accompany you—I’m curious to see who indeed ends up disgracing themselves more."

After those words, Yun Zheng felt a satisfying release of pent-up anger, standing up to leave.

This Su Family’s wicked woman truly thought he was unaware of her disdain for Chen’er?

If it weren’t for her daughter causing such a mess yesterday, she would be overjoyed at his visit today to break off the engagement.

She can disdain Chen’er, but why shouldn’t the Duke Mansion disdain a woman who conducts herself shamefully and has lost her reputation?