Chapter Twelve: Let You Remain Forever at the Pinnacle of the World

Lin Fang wore a troubled expression, clearly intimidated by the eldest member of the family. "Uncle, Aunt, Ling Zheng, Empress, we really don’t know. Who can tell what crazy idea Ling Feng has? It’s impossible to guess."

“Mom, Second Aunt, things have reached this point, there’s no need for you to argue anymore. My second brother-in-law, such a noble son-in-law, wouldn’t speak carelessly. Maybe in their village, all the houses are roofed with gemstones. Perhaps he’s right and the necklace is indeed fake. Why don’t we just ask the person who gifted the jewelry?” Chu Empress raised her proud chin, her words laced with sarcasm.

Upon hearing this, many who didn’t know Ling Feng’s background couldn’t help but sneer inwardly, some even spat on the ground in disdain.

A poor live-in son-in-law daring to accuse the jewelry association of selling fake goods—calling him self-destructive was an understatement; he was digging his own grave.

Seeing everyone’s reaction, Chu Empress felt deeply satisfied!

Just moments ago, they had basked in the envy of the crowd, enjoying the attention and admiration. Suddenly, they were told that the gemstone necklace gifted by Fang Jingmei might be fake, and it had already been exposed. What was worse, the one who exposed it was Ling Feng, the infamous wastrel from Chu Biyue’s family. The mere thought of Chu Biyue’s face made her furious, so she hurried over with Fang Jingmei and the other guests.

Chu Empress turned her sharp tongue to Fang Jingmei, “President Fang, please don’t take offense. My second sister is unlucky—she married a country bumpkin as a son-in-law, life is hard, and her mind isn’t quite right. Seeing how our Ling Zheng is so successful, buying us such a grand house, and you and Chairman Ma gifting such expensive presents, she can’t take it psychologically, so she sent her useless husband to stir up trouble. Ah, what misfortune in our family.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd shifted their scornful gazes from Ling Feng to Chu Biyue.

“Empress, you should watch what you say. When did I ever tell Ling Feng to do anything? Besides, maybe Ling Feng didn’t mean that at all. Don’t take things out of context and mislead President Fang,” Chu Biyue hurriedly shot Ling Feng a look, urging him to seize the opportunity to step back. As long as he didn’t admit anything, Chu Empress would be powerless, and the matter could be muddled over.

“This necklace is indeed fake. I guarantee it with my character!” Ling Feng declared.

“You…”

Chu Biyue clenched her fists, nearly wishing she could hammer Ling Feng to death.

“What nonsense, your character!”

“Damn, you still claim to have character? You should look in the mirror! When has our Chu family ever treated you as a person? Don’t elevate yourself. I bet your ancestors were all paupers, never even seen a gemstone, let alone pretend to know about them,” sneered Chu Qiang, son of the third elder of the Chu family.

“That’s right. Your family is just jealous, jealous that ours is better in every way. Otherwise, how would a pauper like you know if a gemstone is real or fake? You’re clearly just causing trouble. Tell us, who put you up to this?” Liu Xiangyun glanced angrily at Lin Fang, her implication unmistakable.

Lin Fang was angered as well. “Aunt, you’re out of line. Are you implying I put him up to it? Besides, Ling Feng may be our son-in-law, but he and Biyue have no feelings, and they’re not really husband and wife. They’ll divorce sooner or later. I can’t be bothered with him.”

“And Aunt, let me tell you, today you disregard family feelings and push us like this; you’d better leave yourself a way out. With Biyue’s beauty, if she finds a golden husband even better than Ling Zheng, I’ll make sure to slap you hard!”

Damn, so even being a son-in-law, this guy is despised.

Lin Fang’s words made everyone look at Ling Feng with even more contempt. Each person thought, this guy’s life is truly miserable. If it were them, they’d have killed themselves already, but he shamelessly goes on living—a real oddity.

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“Ha, impossible. Not even in ten generations.”

“Biyue is a maid compared to Empress. I refuse to believe it. Our Ling Zheng is already at the top, the entire Jiangzhou has no one better. Even the presidents of the three major associations came to gift him presents. Second Aunt, keep dreaming,” Liu Xiangyun laughed until she nearly fainted.

Hearing this, Lin Fang first gritted her teeth in anger, then wilted. Liu Xiangyun as a son-in-law was too powerful—she would be crushed underfoot for the rest of her life.

Yet she was still unwilling, secretly vowing to help her daughter find a husband even grander than Ling Zheng. Ling Zheng might be the king of Jiangzhou, but the world outside is vast.

Chu Biyue blushed, quickly tugging at Ling Feng’s sleeve, “Ling Feng, apologize to President Fang, then let’s go home. I’m not feeling well.”

In truth, until now, Chu Biyue didn’t believe Ling Feng would do such a thing. She thought he must have been provoked, lost his reason. But she understood Ling Feng, because the eldest uncle’s family was truly ruthless. She just wanted to take Ling Feng away quickly.

“Why should I apologize? The necklace is fake. Ask President Fang herself—can she swear it’s real?”

“You…” Chu Biyue was furious, disappointed by Ling Feng’s obstinacy. No one likes someone who acts out of place and pretends to be someone they’re not, especially not at a time like this. Even the faint goodwill she once felt for him was gone.

But in Fang Jingmei’s eyes, a flicker of panic appeared, quickly replaced by a mocking smile. “Young man, you say my jewelry is fake—what proof do you have? You have nothing but words… Our Jiangzhou Jewelry Association is known for its good reputation and integrity. Slandering us damages our name, and the consequences will be severe!”

Ling Feng was about to speak when Chu Biyue interrupted angrily, “Ling Feng, please, stop talking. You know nothing about jewelry. Apologize now. I know you’re just joking.”

“He’s a pauper—what does he know about jewelry? If you can’t speak wisely, don’t speak. Now we’ve all lost face because of him,” Chu Yaoyu trembled with rage.

“I’m sorry, Biyue, I’m not joking. President Fang’s necklace is fake,” Ling Feng said darkly, shaking his head. He wanted to see, in the face of universal condemnation, how Chu Biyue would treat him. Three years of muddled life, now he needed to know his wife’s true feelings.

Fang Jingmei raised a slender, pale finger and spoke gravely, “Young man, I’ll say this one last time, and only because of Mr. Ling’s reputation. Otherwise, you’d be dead already. Our jewelry association is honest and fair, genuine goods for all, rich or poor. I don’t know your motive for slandering us, but today I’ll give you a chance to explain yourself.”

“If you can prove the jewelry is fake, I guarantee I’ll give you all my assets, even myself. But if you’re here just to make trouble, our association will demand justice. Believe me, in my hands, you won’t even have a chance to escape.” Her gaze turned fierce, her tone sharp.

Fang Jingmei’s subordinates began cursing:

“Who the hell is this idiot?”

“Look at you, pauper. How could you even see such high-class jewelry?”

“President Fang, should we deal with this fool?”

Ling Feng silently noted the faces of those who cursed him, then smiled at Fang Jingmei. He had observed her trembling when she lied, proof that her own troubles were not trivial.

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“President Fang, if I’m not mistaken, isn’t your association about to go bankrupt?”

“Ling Feng, shut up!” Chu Biyue cried out in terror, sensing that things were about to spiral out of control.

“Damn it, if you want to die, don’t drag us down with you!” Chu Yaoyu shouted, eyes glaring.

Fang Jingmei’s delicate body trembled, stepping back half a pace, but then she suddenly smiled, her beautiful lips curling upward. “Actually, I don’t want to kill you at all. But you’ve successfully angered me. Your stupidity is intolerable. I now declare, I’ll make sure your family never knows peace…”

Chu Yaoyu shouted, “Are you satisfied now?”

Chu Dongmei couldn’t help but cry out, “You idiot, pretending at everything—you’ve ruined us!”

“I said we shouldn’t have brought him. Biyue, are you and your husband happy now?” Chu Yaoyu yelled hoarsely.

“Get out!” Qian Zuwen pointed at the door, cursing, “You disgraceful thing! If I don’t slap you, what use are you?”

“Brother-in-law, watch your words. Is this something you should say?” Chu Biyue, pale and furious, suddenly spread her arms and stood in front of Ling Feng, shielding him from Qian Zuwen. “Qian Zuwen, I warn you—if you touch my husband, I’ll fight you!”

Seeing Chu Biyue’s determination, like an enraged lioness, Qian Zuwen was so intimidated by her aura he involuntarily stepped back two paces.

“Biyue, are you crazy? You yell at me for that wastrel? I’m your brother-in-law!” Qian Zuwen stared at her in fear.

Husband!

What a powerful word!

For that word, the Battle Emperor’s heart trembled fiercely.

Biyue, when I was condemned by all, you stood up for me, you acknowledged me. From now on, I will devote my life to you, love you, protect you, cherish you. I will tear down this world and give it to you, so you may always stand on the summit of life!

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