Chapter 26: A Ghost Marriage?
◎Kill this man for insulting your sister!◎
With the clinic under construction, the magistrate personally attended the ceremony and donated a sum of money in the name of the government office.
The Mu family clinic was already popular before it even opened. Mu Ming sighed; he wished he had opened a clinic earlier to treat difficult illnesses.
He felt a sense of change; if he had done this earlier, his Jiaojiao could have received timely treatment.
“Our child… is so unfortunate.”
“Sigh, the child’s mother is bedridden and needs medicine every day. We can barely afford food.”
Those affected by the leprosy outbreak complained, hoping for relief, but the magistrate was indifferent and ordered his men to drive away the gossips, wanting to resolve the matter quickly.
The clinic’s location in the town had initially been different; the magistrate had insisted on a change, making it a landmark building.
With the crown prince’s personal attention, the Mu family seemed significant.
Nangong Xuan also offered assistance with his personal guards. The man who usually didn’t care about killings was unusually kind and quickly befriended Mu Yun and Mu Huan.
“Young Master Xuan, you’re so kind. My brothers and I are incredibly fortunate to meet you.”
Mu Huan, having reformed, showed signs of maturity. His inherent Mu family character made him eager to make friends.
Nangong Xuan rarely made friends, but he genuinely considered them friends; after all, they would be his future brothers-in-law.
The popularity of his sister brought joy to the Mu family.
But some weren’t happy.
Qin Feng Hang, in white hemp clothing, emerged from the crowd, appearing more mournful than the Mu family.
“You don’t deserve to be Jiaojiao’s family!”
He was in mourning for his beloved cousin.
Nangong Xuan narrowed his handsome eyes; the somewhat feminine crown prince had charming features.
He hadn’t expected such a lovesick fool to act the clown; Mu Jiaojiao’s life was certainly interesting.
Mu Yun, holding little regard for his cousin, sneered, “What were you doing earlier? When Jiaojiao was in trouble, why didn’t your family help?”
Wasn’t he an official in the provincial capital?
Saving someone shouldn’t be difficult!
But Qin Feng Hang was afraid. He had wanted to be a hero, but the thought of leprosy had scared him off.
He now regretted it, wearing mourning clothes for her.
He had other intentions – a ghost marriage with Mu Jiaojiao.
It wasn’t a real ghost marriage; he aimed to use it to attach himself to the Mu family, marry another woman without delay, and get rid of Chen Xing’er.
Three birds with one stone.
Chen Xing’er’s pregnancy had been a major headache. Even with his connections, if she gave birth, he couldn’t avoid acknowledging the child.
He felt unlucky; he had been unscathed before, but now this had happened, surely Chen family’s ugly daughter’s fault.
“Cousin, leprosy is highly contagious. I did it for the people; I had to make a sacrifice!” He spoke righteously, but his frivolous demeanor made him look comical.
Mu Ming, who had been inside, heard the commotion and came out, seeing his flippant nephew.
He disliked his wife’s nephew but usually kept his mouth shut. Seeing him try to connect himself to his daughter, he became enraged.
“Feng Hang, what are you doing in that attire? Let’s talk inside.”
This was the clinic he was establishing to help the people; his nephew’s disruptive behavior would cause trouble.
“Uncle, I’m heartbroken about Jiaojiao. She died so young, so I want to give her a title and let her enter my Qin family’s ancestral hall.”
Qin Feng Hang, initially standing, knelt to embrace Mu Ming’s legs to feign grief, but Mu Ming dodged him.
As the head of the Mu family, although not as influential as others, he was a man of integrity. His daughter was of the Mu family; he never considered letting her enter the Qin family.
Madam Mu had already hurt him deeply, and now this nephew. His anger flared.
Nangong Xuan, intrigued, approached with his fan, observing the man’s appearance; his sickly look didn’t indicate great devotion.
He spoke softly, “Young Master, what do you mean?”
Several circles of onlookers had gathered, even the county officials. They didn’t know what to do; all were captivated by the scene.
Qin Feng Hang enjoyed the attention and squeezed out crocodile tears, “I want to marry my cousin; Mu Jiaojiao will be my wife.”
To prove his sincerity, he pulled back his white mourning clothes, revealing a bright red wedding gown underneath.
Everyone was shocked. Could he do this?
Many uninformed onlookers were moved. Young women dying before marriage couldn’t enter the ancestral hall, so a ghost marriage was the best option.
But this man willingly married her; it was truly touching.
Nangong Xuan smiled subtly, wanting to see how this played out and Mu Ming’s reaction.
Enraged, Mu Ming grabbed a wooden stick and gave it to Mu Huan and Mu Yun, then found a thicker one, saying, “Beat him! He insulted your sister, beat him to death!”
Qin Feng Hang was struck twice before he could react. He hadn’t expected such a quick attack.
Nangong Xuan subtly smiled; the Mu family, though powerless, cherished their daughter, allowing her to live so brilliantly.
The crown prince also bent down and picked up a stick, joining in; he had nothing better to do.
Seeing the crown prince join in, his guards restrained the Qin family servants who wanted to help. Qin Feng Hang was beaten like a pig, squealing.
The onlookers did nothing, as it didn’t concern them.
Chen Xing’er couldn’t stand it anymore. She rushed in, holding her belly, revealing a false pregnancy bump.
Although it was a fake pregnancy, she had prepared the false bump to force the Qin family’s hand, but she heard about his intended ghost marriage.
She was furious and came to catch him in the act. How could a dead woman overshadow her?
After hearing about Mu Jiaojiao contracting leprosy and dying, she was relieved and thought her marriage to the Qin family was secure, but Qin Feng Hang’s actions shocked her.
She regretted it; she should have settled with her cousin earlier. Before he succeeded, she could control him. Zhan Qiyu would have been devoted to her.
But now she had no way back, so she rushed to protect Qin Feng Hang.
A pregnant woman appeared; no one dared to hit him again.
The Mu family had vented their anger and didn’t want to kill anyone. They dropped the sticks.
Even though no one hit him, Qin Feng Hang cried out, clutching his groin. The crown prince had targeted his most vulnerable spot.
“You’ll all pay! I’ll have my father kill you!”
Qin Feng Hang’s mouth was bleeding, but his tone was strong, making Chen Xing’er afraid to look at him.
“Qin Lang, don’t worry, I’m here, they won’t dare hit you again.”
The even more devoted woman’s arrival increased the spectacle.
The seemingly devoted young master also got another woman pregnant, explaining why they beat him up.
Qin Feng Hang, somewhat moved by Chen Xing’er’s arrival, had almost been beaten to death and vowed to do anything for his savior.
Chen Xing’er, with her belly, tearfully pleaded, “Don’t beat my Qin Lang. He only felt pity for my poor sister. I’ll persuade him not to do this again.”
Her tearful eyes met Nangong Xuan’s gaze, making her heart skip a beat.
What a handsome man; different from her cousin’s beauty. His eyes held countless emotions, captivating her.
But now she relied on Qin Feng Hang and continued to plead, fearing her unborn child would be fatherless.
Nangong Xuan’s gaze was sharp. Although he had naturally charming eyes, his cruelty was different. He knew the bump was fake.
It was something played out in the palace; it was so ostentatious.
Mu Ming was at a loss for words when Nangong Xuan readily stepped forward, saying to the bruised Qin Feng Hang, “So, ghost marriage or father to this young lady’s unborn child?”
His eyes narrowed, adding, “For a ghost marriage, two dead people would be more appropriate.”
Qin Feng Hang was in excruciating pain, especially in his most vulnerable area; he was severely injured and needed treatment.
Seeing Chen Xing’er protecting him, he gritted his teeth, “I was mistaken before. Xing’er and I are a match made in heaven.”
Nangong Xuan was satisfied and smirked, “I’ll name your unborn child. Luo (Basket).”
After Chen Xing’er helped him to the clinic, she looked at the noble young man with complex emotions, her heart pounding.
Luckily, Qin Feng Hang didn’t think much of it; he gritted his teeth, allowing his servants to carry him away for treatment.
The onlookers dispersed.
But when Mu Jiaojiao heard about it that night, her expression was peculiar. “Luo? Qin Luo?”
___________
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