Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 39

Qiu Luo had no objections to Madam Cheng’s arrangements and nodded in agreement.

Cheng Yu, however, had a feeling—her mother’s decision to have Erlang accompany them likely wasn’t a spur-of-the-moment whim.

Indeed, Madam Cheng had her own considerations. Once Cheng Yu and Qiu Luo had left, she turned to her head maid.

“Ah Mo, when Erlang returns, have him come see me. Tomorrow, you’ll accompany the dowry procession to the Cheng residence. Choose only the most capable people to go.”

Ah Mo gave her mistress a deep, meaningful look.

“I will never let the young miss suffer any humiliation.”

Madam Cheng smiled slightly, her mind firmly made up. It was time—time to sever all ties with that household for good.

She had never been a naïve woman. As the saying goes: merchants value profit.

Yes, she came from a merchant family and did value profit—but not at the cost of kinship. She simply understood gains and losses clearly and never let herself be taken advantage of.

She hadn’t fought Tang Concubine for affection because she knew that a man whose heart had changed could never be won back. And frankly, she had no desire to.

Now that she had established her own household, her daughter was her top priority. She would protect her—fiercely. No one would be allowed to mistreat Cheng Yu—not even her father.

—

The next day, Qiu Luo accompanied Cheng Yu to the Cheng residence.

Behind them followed Qiu Erlang, Ah Mo, and several others.

Nearly every notable figure in the county had received an invitation. After all, the Cheng family was the wealthiest household in the county—wealth equated to influence. With Father Cheng’s social standing, many had come to offer congratulations.

The Cheng residence was enormous. The front courtyard was filled with banquet tables and bustling guests.

Yet, the moment Cheng Yu stepped through the gates, the lively atmosphere faltered slightly.

News in business circles spread quickly. Anything left uncovered was soon common knowledge.

And Father Cheng and Madam Cheng hadn’t made any effort to conceal their divorce. Everyone knew that the eldest Miss Cheng had left home with her mother—taking only her mother’s dowry and none of the Cheng family’s estate.

Some called her foolish; others, haughtily noble.

Father Cheng stepped forward to break the awkward silence.

“Yu’er, you’re here. Come stand by your father.”

To his left were the Lu magistrate and his retinue. To his right, a conspicuously empty seat—clearly reserved for Cheng Yu.

But that seat was right next to Shen Yanding and the Shen family. The arrangement was… telling.

Cheng Yu offered a polite bow.

“No need to worry for me, Father. I’ll sit with Qiu Luo.”

With that, she scanned the room and strode toward a table in a quiet corner, signaling for Qiu Luo, Erlang, and the others to follow.

Father Cheng’s brow darkened as he watched her sit herself in the corner. His once-obedient daughter had grown up—and grown defiant.

Was this still the sweet, well-mannered child he remembered? Thinking back, it seemed that ever since Tang Concubine got pregnant, Cheng Yu had become more distant.

She’d probably feared the birth of a son who would compete with her for inheritance.

Though Tang Concubine had only given birth to a girl, he was confident—raise the child properly under his care, and she’d grow into the perfect daughter: compliant, quiet, easier than Cheng Yu.

Besides, if Tang could get pregnant once, she could do it again. Unlike Madam Cheng, who couldn’t bear another child after Cheng Yu. He was still virile—he would eventually have a son.

A disobedient daughter, no matter how capable, was useless.

With that thought, Father Cheng hardened his heart. He met Shen Yanding’s gaze and gave a subtle nod.

Concubine Tang, still in her postpartum month, was not fit to greet guests, so only the wet nurse brought out the baby for a brief showing.

After receiving the guests’ congratulations, Father Cheng raised his cup and stood.

“I thank you all for your presence today. I, Cheng, am deeply honored. Today, aside from my daughter’s full-month celebration, there’s another joyful announcement: the Cheng and Shen families will soon be joined in marriage. I hope you’ll all join us again for the wedding banquet.”

The crowd froze, glancing between the Shen family and Cheng Yu in the corner.

The Cheng family marrying into the Shen family?

Aside from Cheng Yu, the only other Cheng daughter was the infant just carried out—and the only eligible bachelor in the Shen family was Shen Yanding. His younger brother was only three years old!

But Cheng Yu was already engaged. And Shen Yanding was set to marry Lu Magistrate’s daughter, Lu Jiaojiao. So, it couldn’t be either of them…

Had Father Cheng arranged a betrothal between the infant daughter and a child from the Shen family?

The answer soon became clear.

Lu Magistrate rose and addressed the room:

“That’s right. This official has learned that Miss Cheng Yu is a woman of both talent and virtue and has mutual affection with Shen Yanding. As such, I’ve made an exception and agreed to let both Cheng Yu and Jiaojiao marry into the Shen family—as equal wives.”

Stunned silence.

What did he just say?

Lu Jiaojiao’s face turned ashen. Her heart twisted painfully, but looking at her father’s approving expression and Shen Yanding’s barely concealed joy, she said nothing.

She only wanted the young man she loved to be happy. It was she who had pleaded with her father—what use was regret now?

Magistrate Lu sat down again, looking uncomfortable. His daughter’s begging had worn him down. The Shen family’s generous bribes had tempted him. And now the county’s wealthiest household was offering allegiance.

It was a win-win. A political alliance. Why resist?

He had already given up on his lovesick daughter. Better to maximize gains.

Now all eyes darted—Magistrate Lu, Shen Yanding, Lu Jiaojiao, Cheng Yu, Father Cheng…

What a scene.

Even Qiu Luo couldn’t help but mutter:

“This circle really is a mess.”

But as messy as it was—it wouldn’t drag her down.

Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a hand rested on her shoulder.

Cheng Yu stood up and said coldly,

“Father must have had too much to drink. Lord Lu, surely you jest. I am already betrothed—how could a woman marry twice? Please, don’t make such jokes.”

The crowd’s expressions instantly lit up. All eyes turned to Father Cheng and Magistrate Lu.

Here comes the drama.

Magistrate Lu frowned but said nothing more, clearly pushing the fallout onto Father Cheng.

If it worked—great. If not—well, it wouldn’t hurt his daughter.

He was done talking.

Father Cheng scowled at Cheng Yu.

“You and Qiu Luo—your engagement was never approved by me. Marriage must follow the will of the parents and the guidance of a matchmaker. Yu’er, don’t act rashly and earn yourself a reputation for unfilial conduct.”

A direct threat. In the current dynasty, filial piety was sacred. A daughter branded unfilial would lose any chance at passing the imperial exams.

Cheng Yu stared at her father, chilled to the bone.

“…I am unfilial, then?”

“Unfilial?” a lazy voice cut in.

“What fatherly authority? They’re divorced. And didn’t Cousin Cheng leave with Aunt Cheng? In my eyes, it’s Mother who counts, not Father.”

Before Cheng Yu could finish speaking, Qiu Erlang stood up with a grin.

There was no way he’d let Cheng Yu take that kind of slander. That rotten old man, daring to call it “parental authority” when he’d already cast his wife aside?

Aunt Cheng had guessed right. This was a trap—a banquet with hidden knives.

“Erlang…” Qiu Luo looked at her younger brother, concerned, and quickly stood as well. The three of them now stood side by side—facing Father Cheng.

Father Cheng glared at the room.

“Who dares speak such nonsense? Guards! Throw him out!”

Bang! Qiu Erlang flipped the table.

In a flash, Ah Mo and the servants from their side surrounded them protectively.

“Cut the crap! Sister Cheng Yu is my sister’s betrothed—this was decided by Aunt Cheng herself. It’s a mother’s command, and Sister Cheng obeys because she’s filial! And you? You’re just a decrepit old man who was thrown out! You think you can force your way now?

Let everyone here judge who’s right. And if they don’t dare speak, I’ll go shout it in the streets! Go ahead—kill me. But if you lay a finger on me, I’ll be in the capital tomorrow filing a grievance! Let’s see how a concubine-favoring, wife-abandoning old geezer like you explains ‘parental authority’ to the court!”

Last night, Madam Cheng had been clear:

“Don’t hold back. If Father Cheng wants to lose face, let him. Make a scene if needed—say it was all my idea. I’ll back you up.”

It was Qiu Erlang’s first time carrying such weight, and now his blood was pumping. He wanted to flip every table and stir as much trouble as possible—exactly what Madam Cheng had instructed.

The bigger the scene, the harder to clean up. All the better.

Father Cheng looked at the furious figures standing at the overturned table, his face dark as thunder.

“This is treasonous! Lord Lu, I ask you to uphold justice!”

So many people watching—he couldn’t order violence. But there was someone here who could take action…