My Fulang is a Delicate Flower Chapter 26 Part 4

Ji Taoyu gave him a cold look. "Otherwise, how will you explain this to your superiors?"  

You Lingxiao’s heart skipped a beat. Ji Taoyu’s words seemed pointed, did he know about the Xue family?  

"Ah Yu, it’s all my fault for exposing you to slander. If you’re willing, let’s forget the past and still get married."  

"No need. Sun niangzi (You's mother) never liked me to begin with. If you defy your elders, wouldn’t that make you unfilial? Even if you could bear that, how could you give up the in-laws who could advance your career? The You family is too lofty, our Ji family wouldn’t dare climb so high."  

After a few more sarcastic remarks, Ji Taoyu saw no point in continuing. "I’ll take my leave now."  

"Ah Yu!"  

You Lingxiao was stunned by the sudden change in the once-gentle young ger's attitude. Struggling to process it, he hurried after Ji Taoyu. "It’s not what you think!"  

" You Juren, have some dignity. I can’t afford more gossip. From now on, it’s best if we don’t interact."  

Ji Taoyu quickly walked away, leaving You Lingxiao behind. Frowning, he mulled over their conversation, searching for any suspicious details. Lost in thought, he nearly collided with someone who had appeared out of nowhere.  

"You scared me!"  

Looking up, Ji Taoyu saw it was Huo Shu and let out a breath.  

"You Lingxiao didn’t frighten you, but I did?"  

Ji Taoyu pressed his lips together. Sometimes, despite Huo Shu’s imposing stature, he could be surprisingly petty.  

"That’s not what I meant."  

Huo Shu didn’t press further, moving on. "How?"  

Ji Taoyu shook his head in disappointment. "He’s tight-lipped. I couldn’t get anything out of him. And since I haven’t heard the rumors firsthand, it’s hard to judge."  

"It’s normal that you couldn’t find clues. If he’s behind this, he’s cunning enough not to slip up so easily."  

Even so, Ji Taoyu felt deflated. "Then what do we do?"  

"Don’t worry. We’ll find a way."  

Just then, Huo Shu’s expression sharpened. "Who’s there?!"  

Ji Taoyu instinctively flinched, only to spot the ger of the Yu family lurking in the nearby grove - either eavesdropping or simply passing through but too afraid of Huo Shu to approach. The slightest movement had given him away.  

Yu Xia was indeed terrified of Huo Shu. Caught, he shrank back before timidly stepping forward, avoiding Huo Shu’s gaze and whispering to Ji Taoyu, "I… I have something to tell you."  

Ji Taoyu was puzzled. Since Yu Sunshi (Yu's mother) had brought Yu Xia to apologize after the drowning incident, he hadn’t seen him. Why seek him out now?  

He glanced at Huo Shu, who showed no objection. With Huo Shu here, Yu Xia wouldn’t dare try anything.  

"Go ahead."  

Yu Xia eyed Huo Shu but, seeing he wouldn’t leave, gave up. "The whole village is talking about you and Cousin. Do you… know?"  

Ji Taoyu nodded.  

"A few days ago, I saw Widow Wang from Jiangou village sneaking into the You house, more than once."  

Yu Xia lowered his voice. "She’s the biggest gossip in the village, always stirring up drama. She has quarreled with half the families here, her reputation is terrible."  

"Auntie has always been proud, even when times were hard. She’d only cozy up to respectable families, she’d never associate with someone like that."  

Yu Xia hung his head. "I wronged you before. No amount of apologies can make up for it. Consider this my atonement."  

With that, Yu Xia scurried away.  

Ji Taoyu’s frown deepened as he watched him disappear down the village path.  

His mouth went dry, his throat tight. He couldn’t believe the You family would stoop so low, not just cutting ties but actively ruining his reputation.  

The two families had gone from in-laws to strangers. Though it wasn’t ideal, their past bond had been genuine. Yet now, not only had the You family tore down the bridge after crossing the river, they were actively harming him, harming the Ji family.  

[过河拆桥 (guò hé chāi qiáo): lit. tear down the bridge after crossing the river; fig. abandon those who helped you after achieving success]

Even if, as Huo Shu said, You Lingxiao was acting out of jealousy, why resort to destroying him?  

Ji Taoyu’s legs felt weak. Huo Shu steadied him with a hand on his sleeve. "Is he certain it’s the You family?"  

Ji Taoyu’s eyes reddened as he nodded.  

"Sun niangzi is exactly as Xia described, she is too proud to mingle with someone like Widow Wang. With You Lingxiao now a juren, she’d never lower herself to that level."  

"Widow Wang’s husband was a thug who died in the city. Her son followed in his footsteps, bullying villagers. In the past, when Sun niangzi's reputation was poor, Widow Wang was among those who gossiped about her. Sun niangzi loathes her, she’d never associate with her now that You Lingxiao has succeeded."  

Gossips like Widow Wang were universally despised yet secretly indulged, villagers loved hearing scandal but wouldn’t dirty their own hands.  

If someone wanted to spread rumors, she was the perfect pawn. But the flip side? Such people were just as likely to betray their employers.  

Huo Shu’s expression darkened. "Now that we know who started this, we just need to confront Widow Wang and force her to confess. That’ll clear your name."  

Ji Taoyu bit his lip. "But she won’t admit it easily. Her family has no shame, they’re practically bandits. We might end up bitten instead."  

"You think a thug would dare bite me? People like me specialize in dealing with scum."  

Huo Shu glanced at Ji Taoyu. "Go home. Leave the rest to me. Within two days, I’ll make sure the You family restores your reputation."