Transmigrated into a Historical GL Novel as the Scumbag Heroine - Chapter 48

The silent main hall was heavy with tension. All three pairs of eyes—those of Shen Yanding, his father, and Magistrate Lu—were fixed on Lu Jiaojiao, waiting for her to speak.

The Shen men hoped she would take the blame and shield Shen Yanding from the fallout.

Magistrate Lu, on the other hand, waited for his daughter to carry out their plan—to sever ties cleanly with the troublesome Shen family.

Each of them, for different reasons, held their breath in anticipation.

A faint glimmer of tears welled up in Lu Jiaojiao’s eyes as she looked at Shen Yanding and said, “Father said I could take the blame for you. But to protect your future, it’s best that we… divorce first.”

Even as she said this, a sliver of hope clung to her heart—hope that this man might reject the idea of separation. If he refused, she would endure her father’s fury.

But Shen Yanding shattered that last bit of hope with his own lips: “Divorce first—very well. Father-in-law is truly farsighted.”

Divorce? Perfect. Not only would it allow all blame to be placed on Lu Jiaojiao, he could also wash his hands of the entire mess. Most importantly, he could finally rid himself of this woman.

A perfect outcome.

While Shen Yanding was quietly thrilled, Shen Senior was more cautious. He turned to Magistrate Lu. “Brother Lu, must the children go as far as divorce?”

He feared the magistrate’s suggestion wasn’t mere formality—that he truly wished to end the marriage. Without that bond, Lu Jiaojiao’s affection alone might not be enough for Shen Yanding’s safety.

But Magistrate Lu was determined. Seeing that his daughter wasn’t backing down, he said coldly to the Shen men, “The truth doesn’t matter. Jiaojiao taking the blame is fine—but the divorce is non-negotiable.

Otherwise, I refuse to cooperate.”

Plainly put, if his daughter wasn’t divorced from Shen Yanding, they could clean up their own mess.

To Shen Senior, this was unreasonable.

But to Shen Yanding, it was exactly what he wanted. Sensing Magistrate Lu’s firm stance, he hurried to respond, “Please rest assured, Father-in-law. I’ll write the divorce papers at once. Once this matter is resolved, I’ll bring Jiaojiao back home.”

He fully understood Magistrate Lu’s intentions—to sever all ties, whether with Wang the adviser or with Lu Jiaojiao. For Shen Yanding, this was convenient all around.

A win-win.

Seeing his son’s quick agreement, Shen Senior could tell what he was thinking. After a pause, he added, “Divorce is acceptable, but I must ask Brother Lu to provide a written guarantee. Please forgive me.”

It was all for his son’s sake. Shen Senior couldn’t rest easy relying only on Lu Jiaojiao’s verbal promise.

Magistrate Lu, prepared for this, agreed readily. “No problem. I’m not one to go back on my word.”

Shen Senior pushed further. “And please, Brother Lu, write the guarantee in your own hand.”

He didn’t trust anything written solely by Lu Jiaojiao. As the county magistrate, Lu’s word carried weight and accountability.

Magistrate Lu agreed without hesitation.

The document clearly stated that Lu Jiaojiao accepted blame for the incident involving Adviser Wang. In exchange, the Shen family would issue the divorce. If they reneged, the divorce would be void.

Once both documents were signed by all parties—including both Shen men—Magistrate Lu took his daughter and left.

Back at their residence, Magistrate Lu’s first act was to have the divorce papers stamped with the official county seal. Not even the emperor could overturn it now.

Lu Jiaojiao looked stricken. “Father… writing that guarantee gives them leverage over us. And now we have to take responsibility for Uncle’s involvement…”

She had dragged her family down.

Magistrate Lu let out a cold laugh. “Leverage? Whose leverage? That letter only proves Shen Yanding’s guilt.”

He looked down at the two documents—each in duplicate, signed by both sides. The evidence was airtight.

“But aren’t we going back on our word?” Lu Jiaojiao asked, uncertain.

Her father gazed at her tenderly and said, “Yes, we are. So, what if we lose some face? I’d rather sacrifice my dignity than see you waste your life married to a heartless man.”

“Father…” Lu Jiaojiao burst into tears. She was overwhelmed with regret.

Why had she been so obsessed with marrying Shen Yanding? That man never truly cared for her. Her father had done everything for her, and yet she had disregarded his warnings—nearly destroying the family.

She had already dragged her uncle down because of Shen Yanding.

Magistrate Lu patted her shoulder and sighed. “Don’t cry. My daughter is talented and beautiful. Leaving such a selfish man is a blessing. From now on, focus on your studies. I may have no future left in office, but our family’s hopes lie with you.”

“I understand.” Lu Jiaojiao nodded firmly.

That night, a team of constables arrived at the city gate, bearing a summons from the Prefect. They took Shen Yanding from his home.

Soon after, having heard Shen Yanding’s attempt to deflect blame, the constables split into two teams—one of them went to fetch Lu Jiaojiao.

The next day, Prefect Liu opened court. The hall was crowded with spectators. Magistrate Lu and Qiu Luo were both present.

As the victim, Cheng Yu sat above on the bench.

Adviser Wang, already resigned to his fate, knelt before the bench, his statement written and ready. No matter what Shen Yanding said, his career was over.

Naturally, Shen Yanding denied everything. “Your Excellency, I know nothing of this. I merely visited my uncle at my wife’s request…”

After giving his prepared defense, Shen Yanding lifted his chin proudly, glancing at Lu Jiaojiao.

Prefect Liu struck the gavel. “Lu Jiaojiao, is what Shen Yanding said true? Speak!”

The court fell silent.

Adviser Wang, disillusioned, glared at Shen Yanding’s lies and had no faith left in his sentimental niece. He had already lost everything, and now even his brother-in-law’s daughter was hopeless.

Lu Jiaojiao looked up—her gaze drifted to Cheng Yu.

That radiant woman sat upright like a noble magnolia, dignified and pure. Once, they had been equals. Now, they were worlds apart.

No—she would not belittle herself so easily.

Lu Jiaojiao clenched her fingers and turned away from Shen Yanding’s feigned affection. “What Shen Yanding said…”

He visibly relaxed, almost smiling, certain she would back him up.

“…is utter nonsense. I know nothing of it.”

Gasps filled the courtroom.

Shen Yanding panicked. “Jiaojiao, you must be confused! Think again! You gave me that box of gold. You wrote a letter for your uncle. You were jealous of Cheng Yu and wanted to harm her—”

Lu Jiaojiao couldn’t bear it any longer. She cut him off and pulled a letter from her sleeve. “Enough. Your Excellency, please read this.”

Thank heavens her father had been so cautious. That so-called guarantee letter was now hard evidence—solid proof.

So, what if they broke their word? So, what if they’d set up Shen Yanding?

He deserved every bit of it.

Lu Jiaojiao recalled how she had waited so long for their wedding night—only to be used and discarded the next morning. Her heart turned icy cold.

The man she had loved so deeply—was shameless, selfish, deceitful.

After their wedding, he had insisted she give up her studies and stay confined to the household. And now? What a joke it had all been.

Prefect Liu raised a brow as he examined the letter. He glanced at Magistrate Lu in the front row—a man who was clever, and ruthlessly strategic.

With everything now clear, Prefect Liu issued judgment on the spot.

Adviser Wang: thirty lashes and three years of hard labor.

Shen Yanding: stripped of his title, sentenced to three years of labor, and permanently barred from future civil service.

His career was over.

Shen Yanding’s eyes widened in disbelief. Losing control, he screamed at Lu Jiaojiao, “You wicked woman! You dare betray me—I’ll kill you—!”

Only now did he realize how completely the Lu family had outmaneuvered him. Both he and his father had underestimated them.

“Enough! Take him away!” the Prefect ordered.

Lu Jiaojiao was released in court. She rose but did not go to her father. Instead, she walked toward Cheng Yu.

Cheng Yu met her gaze with calm composure.

Lu Jiaojiao lowered her head and bowed deeply. She remained there, silent and still.

After a pause, Cheng Yu said softly, “Miss Lu, your talent is exceptional. You have a bright future ahead.”

Lu Jiaojiao stiffened, then slowly stood. As she turned away, tears blurred her vision.

She knew—Cheng Yu had forgiven her. Forgiven her past jealousy and cruelty.

Shen Yanding had said one thing that was true: she was not Cheng Yu’s equal—not in generosity, not in willpower, not in integrity.

She had been so wrong.

But she would never make the same mistake again.

“Father,” she said clearly, “I want to stay in the prefectural city and prepare for the exam over the next three years.”

Her mind had never been clearer. Cheng Yu was right—she had a future worth pursuing. She could no longer afford to waste herself on a man.

Magistrate Lu beamed with pride. “Good. Very good!”

He said it three times, knowing his daughter had truly awakened—and believing that she would now reclaim her path.

As the crowd dispersed, Cheng Yu turned to Qiu Luo. “Let’s go home. Mother must be waiting anxiously for us to try on the wedding robes.”

Qiu Luo smiled. “Alright, let’s go.”

Trailing a step behind, Qiu Erlang leaned over and whispered, “Sis, why did that Lu Jiaojiao bow to Sister Cheng for so long?”

She didn’t even lift her head until Cheng Yu spoke.

Qiu Luo thought of the past and smiled. “Maybe… she finally understood something.” More accurately, it was repentance.

Lu Jiaojiao and Cheng Yu were once equally dazzling. Cheng Yu had always seen things clearly—but Lu Jiaojiao hadn’t. She’d chased after Shen Yanding and made terrible mistakes. Still, it wasn’t too late to learn.

None of them needed to revolve around a man. A woman should have her own future. Marriage and motherhood weren’t her only destiny. The world was bigger than the back courtyard.

Qiu Erlang scratched his head. “Sis, I don’t get what you’re saying.”

What was all this about understanding and reflection?

Qiu Luo glanced at Cheng Yu and shook her head. “It’s alright. Forget it.”

But Cheng Yu spoke up. “Erlang, just remember this: if your wife has her own dreams, as long as they’re lawful and reasonable, support her. Don’t hold her back.”

“What if I do?”

Qiu Luo shot him a glare. “Then you’ll end up like Shen Yanding—in prison.”