Chapter 379: Chapter 250: The Chu Family’s Cancellation of Engagement Letter_2
Chu Yuqin then glanced at the content of the newspaper and realized that the first article on it was the North Country Chu Family’s annulment letter.
After roughly looking through the content of the annulment letter, Chu Yuqin stood frozen on the spot for a long while, unable to return to her senses.
She wasn’t a fool, and in her heart, she had already guessed who had the Eastern Newspaper Agency publish this annulment letter. Clearly, it was not the Chu Family, but Lu Chen.
By using this annulment letter, Lu Chen directly restored her freedom. From now on, she would no longer be the bride of the Wang Family.
But then again, would the common folks acknowledge this annulment letter?
After all, she was the female party. From ancient times, it has always been the male party being dissatisfied with the bride and then canceling the marriage. There had never been an instance of the female party initiating an annulment, much less making it public instead of privately.
Seeing Chu Yuqin staring blankly at the newspaper, Chu Qingli continued, “Sister, from now on, you’re free. You are no longer a bride of the Wang Family!”
Hearing Chu Qingli’s words, Chu Yuqin sighed lightly and then replied, “Qingli, this matter is not so simple. Although the Chu Family has publicly called off the engagement, the common folks might not acknowledge this annulment letter. Perhaps in their eyes, I am still considered a bride of the Wang Family.”
Chu Qingli immediately spoke up, “Sister, rest assured. I just heard people discussing on the streets that everyone says the Wang Family rebelled and committed unforgivable crimes. The Chu Family should have severed ties with the Wang Family long ago.”
“In the eyes of the common people, you are just an unfortunate woman. They will recognize this annulment letter.”
Hearing Chu Qingli’s words, Chu Yuqin’s heart also felt a ripple of emotion. If what Chu Qingli said was true, then she would no longer be a bride of the Wang Family and could directly marry into the North Prince Mansion.
At this moment, Chu Yuqin recalled what Lu Chen had said to her sometime ago, that he wanted to marry her into the Prince’s Mansion openly and honorably. From now on, they would not need to sneak around, nor fear idle gossip.
With this thought, Chu Yuqin felt an intense warmth in her heart.
Seeing Chu Yuqin fall silent again, seemingly deep in thought, Chu Qingli inquired doubtfully, “Sister, you’ve regained your freedom. Are you not happy?”
Although Chu Yuqin had never consummated her marriage with Wang Han, she was always identified as the Wang Family’s bride. In the eyes of others, she was like a widow.
Now that her identity had been removed, Chu Yuqin was free, and she could marry whomever she wished to pursue her own happiness. Chu Qingli couldn’t understand why Chu Yuqin still seemed somewhat discontent.
Chu Yuqin then looked into Chu Qingli’s eyes and asked, “Qingli, do you really think this annulment letter was published by the Chu Family prompting the Eastern Newspaper Agency?”
Chu Qingli replied without hesitation, “Of course, isn’t the Family Head’s name written at the end of the annulment letter?”
Chu Yuqin smiled faintly, without saying anything.
Seeing Chu Yuqin’s smile, Chu Qingli felt a thump in her heart and instantly realized what it meant.
If Chu Yuqin was no longer a bride of the Wang Family, it meant that a man could now possess her body openly and honorably.
As to which man that might be, did it really need any guessing?
It was some brute from the North Prince Mansion.
Thinking this way, it was highly probable that that scoundrel had the Eastern Newspaper Agency publish the letter, with the clear purpose of monopolizing Chu Yuqin.
Realizing this, Chu Qingli said, “Sister, you don’t mean to suggest that the North Prince had the Eastern Newspaper Agency publish this letter, do you?”
Chu Yuqin remained silent and, seeing that she did not deny, Chu Qingli became indignantly vocal, “If that scoundrel dares to set his sights on you, Sister, I’ll fight him to the end!”
“Rest assured, Sister, I will definitely find a way to save you!”
Listening to Chu Qingli’s words, Chu Yuqin asked indifferently, “Qingli, tell me honestly, when you say it’s all for your sister, is it because you want to monopolize Chen’er all to yourself?”
Chu Qingli was momentarily stunned, panic rising within her heart. Ever since her affair with Lu Chen was discovered by Chu Yuqin, Chu Qingli had always been worried that Chu Yuqin would harbor such thoughts.
Chu Qingli hastily said, “I didn’t, everything I’ve done was to set you free, Sister.”
Chu Yuqin said coldly, “You speak prettily of my freedom.”
“After climbing into Chen’er’s bed, you’ve probably even forgotten your own name, let alone think of your sister. Do you take me for a fool?”
“I…” Chu Qingli faltered, not knowing how to explain.
Then, biting her teeth in determination, she blurted out the bargain she made with Lu Chen, “Sister, I really started it all to save you from the Prince’s Mansion. I agreed with the North Prince that as long as I served him a hundred times, he would let you leave the North Prince Mansion. But unexpectedly, he broke his promise. The number of times I’ve served him…”
Before Chu Qingli could finish, Chu Yuqin interrupted her, “What? You’ve secretly been with Chen’er over a hundred times doing that sort of thing behind my back?”
“Over a hundred times, and you still tell me you did it for me, Sister?”
“Qingli, do you believe your own lies?”
“I…” Chu Qingli froze once again.
She had been in the North Prince Mansion for a little over a year and had traded with Lu Chen a hundred times. Lu Chen never even visited some of his other consorts’ chambers that often.