The City’s Strongest Son-in-law Chapter 3 - 3 3 No Right to Dream

Su Changfeng remained standing, observing Tang Qiulu, whose eyes welled with tears, a faint trace of blood appearing on his left cheek.

“Was that intentional?!”

Tang Qiulu shot a fierce glare at Su Changfeng, her lip trembling as a single tear escaped and traced a path down her cheek. “Why did I ever believe you!”

Tang Qiulu had always possessed a resilient spirit, rarely revealing vulnerability in public, even when life presented its harsh challenges.

However, on this particular day, her pride had been thoroughly humiliated.

A deep sigh escaped Su Changfeng’s lips. “I am truly sorry.”

He harbored no resentment towards Tang Qiulu for her perceived heartlessness, nor did he feel any anger.

Reflecting on the past three years, enduring constant humiliation and mockery, hadn’t Tang Qiulu also shouldered a significant burden?

While the malice directed at Su Changfeng was openly displayed, the barbs aimed at Tang Qiulu were concealed, each one laced with venom.

The root of all this suffering was the simple fact that Tang Qiulu had been compelled to marry him.

“Don’t apologize to me; you should offer that apology to Tang Xiangdong.”

With a tightened lip, Tang Qiulu lowered her gaze, a mixture of shame and fury overwhelming her, wishing she could simply vanish into thin air.

If Su Changfeng hadn’t been so insistent on maintaining his composure, how could the situation have escalated to this point?

The relatives were initially eager to witness the spectacle of her and Su Changfeng’s misfortunes, and wasn’t this just creating an opportunity for them to mock her further?

Acknowledging Tang Qiulu’s words, Su Changfeng nodded and approached Tang Xiangdong, speaking softly. “I apologize.”

“So now you admit you were wrong?”

A chuckle rumbled from Tang Xiangdong as he leaned in close to Su Changfeng’s ear. “Here’s a valuable piece of advice: before you attempt to assert yourself in the future, take a moment to assess your own position. What if everything you said were true? Even if the Old Madam saw through it, she would undoubtedly side with me. Do you understand?”

His words struck a chord deep within Su Changfeng, yet the grim reality of the situation remained undeniable.

This brief turmoil of truth and falsehood swiftly subsided.

Before long, the guests reassembled in small groups, shifting their conversations to other matters, and no one paid Su Changfeng any further attention.

A man of no consequence, forever relegated to the fringes, devoid of influence or dignity – what worth was there in observing him?

That is, except for Tang Qiulu.

A sense of calm gradually settled over her as she began to realize that she might have misjudged the situation earlier.

She was well aware of Su Changfeng’s character; despite his apparent timidity, he had never been known to lie.

During the preceding events, the Old Madam’s protective stance had been remarkably evident, a crucial detail she had overlooked due to her agitated emotional state.

Recalling Tang Xiangdong’s smug expression afterward, Tang Qiulu’s brow furrowed in distaste.

Could it be that she had indeed wronged Su Changfeng?

“I shouldn’t have struck you.”

After considerable reflection, Tang Qiulu approached Su Changfeng once more, her voice quiet. “My actions were impulsive. If you require any form of compensation, please do not hesitate to ask.”

“There is no need.”

Su Changfeng gently touched his cheek, where the minor wounds had already begun to scab over.

“Why is there no need? I do not wish to be indebted to you; it was my mistake, and I will bear the consequences. Please consider this carefully, lest we find ourselves unable to settle our accounts when the time for divorce comes.”

Tang Qiulu’s gaze was resolute as she spoke these words before turning to depart.

Indebted to neither… Could that be?

Su Changfeng suddenly stepped forward, posing a question. “Do you wish to see a transformed Su Changfeng?”

Tang Qiulu did not look back, a wry smile gracing her delicate features. “Stop speaking nonsense. As long as you remain within the Tang Family, you will be subjected to constant suppression. If you truly possessed any capability, why would you have endured three years of mockery in vain?”

…

As the hour for lunch drew near, and guests were settling around the dining table, a servant suddenly hurried into the hall, whispering something into Old Madam Tang’s ear.

Su Changfeng, engrossed in his meal with his head bowed, paid no attention to the events unfolding at the main table.

His designated seating was in a remote corner, alongside a group of servants, far removed from Old Madam Tang’s vicinity. Yet, he distinctly heard the Old Madam’s voice, laced with astonishment, exclaim, “What did you say? Someone has sent gifts to the estate?”

Given that it was the Tang Family’s annual feast, it was highly irregular for any outsiders to attend. Furthermore, considering the Tang Family’s esteemed position among the noble houses, it seemed improbable that anyone would deliberately seek to curry favor at this particular gathering.

Old Madam Tang, perplexed, inquired further, “Did the visitor provide their name?”

“Yes, the individual stated they are from the Su Family.”

The servant appeared bewildered. “It seems there is no Su Family among the prominent families of Hai City…”

In terms of any existing connection, the only person present in the hall bearing the surname Su was none other than Su Changfeng himself.

However, no one would link this event to him, nor did anyone spare him a glance.

…

“A pair of gold bracelets, a set of gold earrings, a necklace adorned with pearls and agates, a Jade Ruyi…

The Dragon and Phoenix, Golden Jade Filling the Hall——”

The envoy delivering the gifts stood within the hall, his voice reciting the extensive list. It took more than three minutes to complete the reading.

The members of the Tang Family exchanged significant glances. With each item announced, their astonishment grew. When the envoy declared “888,800 in cash,” their jaws nearly unhinged, hitting the floor.

Piled high, stacks of bright red bills formed a pyramid that rivaled a person's height, their sheer volume blinding. The Tang Family, being merely a second-tier force among Hai City's prominent clans, had never before witnessed such a spectacle.

This immense display of wealth, this ostentatious presentation, undeniably signaled a marriage proposal!

“Sir, please wait!”

Observing the envoy, who had concluded his recitation of the gift list and was preparing to depart, Old Madam Tang eagerly rose from her seat. Forgetting her cane entirely, she hurried forward, her voice trembling with excitement, “May I inquire as to the identity of your master?

Such extravagant gifts…

Which young lady of the Tang Family has captured their attention?”

Old Madam Tang’s inquiry sent ripples of excitement through several unwed young women present at the family banquet.

Even though the prospective groom hadn't made an appearance, the sheer volume of gifts, occupying nearly half the room, was undeniable proof that the suitor hailed from an exceptionally prominent family—one whose wealth far eclipsed that of the Tang Family!

To secure a marriage into such a distinguished lineage as a wife would be akin to ascending to the heavens in a single leap!

Beyond the promise of lifelong glory and immense riches, it meant that even one's parents and siblings would attain a position of supreme influence within the family, wielding absolute authority!

“I am unaware of such details,”

The envoy, facing the eager gazes of the assembled crowd, simply shook his head. “I am merely a messenger.

All the items have been presented. I shall take my leave.”

With that, he vanished from their sight as swiftly as a sudden gust of wind, leaving behind an atmosphere thick with suspense and rampant speculation.

“Hmph, these gifts are undoubtedly meant for me.”

After a brief, stunned silence, a voluptuous woman, adorned in flamboyant makeup, spoke first. “After all, I am recognized as the number one beauty within the Tang Family.”

“Ha! Such a bold claim! The main protagonist hasn’t even appeared yet, and you’re already preening.”

“Precisely! It’s far from certain who these honors are intended for!”

“Tch, noble young masters have long grown weary of women as manipulative as you!

It’s those like me, pure and innocent, who stand a better chance!”

Following these initial exchanges, several women, seemingly united by a facade of sisterhood, shed their pretense. Their smiles turned into sneers as they began to mock one another.

Were it not for the presence of the elders at this family gathering, they would undoubtedly have been engaged in a furious hair-pulling brawl.

“What’s the point of all this squabbling? Everyone holds a potential claim.”

Tang Xiangdong narrowed his eyes, casting a deliberate glance towards another table occupied by Tang Qiulu. A condescending smirk played on his lips as he deliberately raised his voice, “Of course, this excludes certain individuals.

How pitiful, lacking even the qualification to harbor such dreams!”

Tang Xiangdong’s pronouncement was met with an immediate eruption of laughter throughout the hall…