Chapter 201: Chapter 201 The Exposure of the Incident Chapter 201: Chapter 201 The Exposure of the Incident As soon as she returned to the Zhong Family residence and entered the living room, Zhong Niangyao sensed that the atmosphere seemed off.

She looked around and immediately spotted the reason.

Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong were seated in the main seats, with Old Sir Zhong’s expression severe and his lips trembling slightly, clearly furious. Old Madam Zhong’s complexion was no better. Her lips were tightly pursed, and anger filled her eyes, but amid that anger, there was a faint hint of worry.

Sitting opposite them were Zhong Mingyu and Zhong Mengxuan. Zhong Mingyu’s head was lowered, lost in thought, while Zhong Mengxuan’s face was pale without a trace of color. Yet, even now, she sat there with her head held high, a trace of defiance in her posture.

Seeing such a lineup, what else could Zhong Niangyao not understand? It must be that Zhong Mengxuan’s affair had been exposed.

The appearance of Zhong Niangyao softened the faces of Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong slightly. However, when their gaze fell on Zhong Mingyu and Zhong Mengxuan, it turned cold again.

Zhong Mengxuan had also noticed the presence of Zhong Niangyao. She bit her lip, feeling a bit embarrassed. But soon, her expression changed to one of arrogance.

In her view, although she couldn’t marry Lu Chenran, she had already received the promise from Eldest Mrs. Lu and could stay by Lu Chenran’s side. Therefore, she already considered herself half a member of the Lu Family. Zhong Niangyao was merely connected to Third Young Master Lu, nowhere near her status.

However, she didn’t want to see Zhong Niangyao at the moment. Having just suffered a miscarriage, she didn’t want anyone to see her in such a state, especially Zhong Niangyao.

Seeing the looks that Zhong Mengxuan occasionally sent her way, Zhong Niangyao couldn’t help but feel somewhat speechless. After greeting everyone, she planned to leave the living room and head upstairs directly.

After all, this matter had nothing to do with her. And since nobody from the senior branch of the family was present, she knew that Old Sir did not intend to make this public. Thus, it was best to act as if she knew nothing.

“Yaoyao, come here for a second.”

Old Sir Zhong called out to Zhong Niangyao, who was about to leave. “Sit down over here! You should listen to this issue too.”

Zhong Niangyao paused, obviously not expecting Old Sir Zhong to involve her as well.

“Grandfather!” Zhong Mengxuan exclaimed in a tone filled with disapproval, “This has nothing to do with her. She doesn’t need to stay.”

Her attitude even held a hint of forcefulness; she did not want Zhong Niangyao to stay. Most importantly, she did not want Zhong Niangyao to witness her shame.

“Zhong Mengxuan, are you trying to challenge me?” Old Sir Zhong gave Zhong Mengxuan a cold look, “Do you think that just because you’re now associated with Lu Chenran, you can disregard me, is that it?”

With just a few simple words, Zhong Mengxuan’s heart skipped a beat, and she quickly spoke, “Grandfather, I didn’t mean that, I just–”
Old Sir Zhong did not even look at Zhong Mengxuan again, instead pointing to a spot not far from him, “Yaoyao, sit down first.”

Zhong Niangyao, though she did not want to get involved, stayed as Old Sir Zhong had spoken. It would be better for her to be there to handle the situation quickly if Old Sir Zhong and Old Madam Zhong were aggravated.

Zhong Mingyu also did not want Zhong Niangyao to stay, but seeing Old Sir Zhong’s displeased expression, he did not dare to bring it up again.

However, regarding this matter, he did not feel that his daughter was in the wrong. It is natural for one to aim high and water to flow downwards. Wasn’t it better for her to connect with the wealthy Lu Family, rather than marrying just anyone?

Of course, it was indeed regrettable that she could not marry Lu Chenran.

After Zhong Niangyao took her seat, Old Sir Zhong’s icy and sharp gaze landed on Zhong Mengxuan, “Zhong Mengxuan, do you remember the words I once said to you?”

“Grandfather, I am not wrong,” Zhong Mengxuan remained resolute, “I like Chenran, and I want to be by his side. Even if it’s without any official status, I don’t mind.”

“Ridiculous,” Old Madam Zhong spoke up, scolding directly, “Listen to what you’re saying. A fine girl from a decent family, why would you set your sights on a man who is betrothed to another? Now that he’s about to be married, you are still so deluded that you want to be his mistress?”

If possible, she truly wished she could pry open Zhong Mengxuan’s head to see what was inside. Of all the wealthy heirs available, she chose to become the mistress of a man out of a desire to climb the social ladder. She didn’t consider what kind of future awaited a mistress!

“Grandma, why must you speak so unpleasantly!” Zhong Mengxuan bit her teeth, quite indignant, “What I like is Chenran the person, and I don’t care about status. Moreover, I believe that he will not treat me unfairly in the future.”

“He won’t treat you unfairly? Look at your current sorry state!” Old Sir Zhong pounded the table, then almost pointed at Zhong Mengxuan’s nose as he berated her, “You’ve just lost his child. If he truly cared for you, why would he let you have an abortion?”

“Does he not know how much an abortion can harm your body? He’s already treating you this way now, and you still have hopes for the future?”

Hearing Old Sir Zhong mention her miscarriage, Zhong Mengxuan’s complexion instantly turned even paler. She bit her lip so hard she nearly drew blood.

She wanted to retort, but at that moment, she could not muster any words of rebuttal.

“Old Second, you’re her father, what do you think?”

Old Sir Zhong stopped paying attention to Zhong Mengxuan and turned his gaze to Zhong Mingyu, “Your daughter now wants to follow a man without any formal ties, as a father, are you willing to watch this happen?”

“Dad, such a thing, I naturally do not approve,” Zhong Mingyu quickly spoke up, “But now that things have come to this point, it’s not something that can be changed just because I disapprove.”

“Right now, Mengxuan is set on staying by Lu Chenran’s side, and no matter what I say, she won’t listen. Moreover, Lu Chenran also has no intention of breaking up with Mengxuan. With both of them like this, there is nothing I can do.”

“And, if because of this matter we offend Lu Chenran, it wouldn’t be a good thing for the Zhong Family.”

He naturally could not say that he knew all about Zhong Mengxuan’s situation and even approved of it. If he truly said that, the first person his father would not spare would be him. Therefore, he had no choice but to lie through his teeth now.