"Is that true? No wonder Young Master Yan's complexion is so bad!"
"The Lu family only has him as a sole heir. If Mrs. Lu can't bear children, he's indeed useless!"
"Someone said long ago that their facial features didn't match, and it wouldn't end well. It seems they were right!"
After some hindsight joiners chimed in, they said with great conviction.
"Heh, I knew it. How could Su He be worthy of Lu Yanbei!"
"What true love! If she can't have children, no amount of love is useful. They'll divorce sooner or later!"
"This is going to be good!"
The women gathered together, chatting and laughing, gloating over misfortunes.
When the news of Lu Yanbei and Su He's marriage was announced, they had all nearly cried their eyes out. Who wouldn't want to be Mrs. Lu? Yet, it was taken by Su He, a second-hand woman of no renown!
They were quite indignant!
In terms of family background, appearance, or education, which of them was inferior to her? Yet, Lu Yanbei ignored them and chose Su He!
Thinking about it made them angry.
"Marriage alliances require matching social status! Your Su family is just nouveau riche, not even fit to carry Lu family's shoes!"
"She can't have children yet occupies the position of Mrs. Lu. Isn't she afraid of divine retribution!"
As they spoke, their words became more excessive, to the point where even bystanders couldn't stand it.
"Oh, where is that stench coming from? Do you smell it?" Gu Yuheng deliberately raised his voice and said loudly. He fanned his nose with his hand as if he could truly smell something foul.
Seeing that it was him, the women who had been gossiping behind backs immediately shut their mouths.
Everyone in their circle knew that Lu Yanbei had a few close friends, and Gu Yuheng was one of them. If their recent words reached Lu Yanbei's ears, their lives would likely be difficult from then on.
Whether Su He could have children was one matter, but Lu family's reputation was another. For the sake of Lu family's honor, Lu Yanbei would not want this matter to be spread so widely.
"Young Master Gu, what are you saying? Where does it stink? I don't smell anything." A girl in a white evening gown changed her expression and pretended to be familiar as she greeted him.
Gu Yuheng, however, pinched his nose at that moment and waved at her. "Hey, don't come any closer! The closer you get, the stronger the smell!"
She was one of those who had spoken ill of Su He behind her back.
Gu Yuheng would not let her off the hook.
Disliked by Gu Yuheng, the others also retreated a few steps, as if the person had really stepped in something foul.
The girl's face turned pale with anger. "Gu Yuheng, what nonsense are you spouting!"
"Isn't it? You're spewing rumors left and right. Others have no grievances with you, yet you slander them behind their backs. Do you think no one knows your intentions?"
"Exactly!" Lei Ting also stepped forward to support. "Who Brother Yan marries is not for you to dictate."
"You! You guys!" The girl hissed in embarrassment and rage.
It was clear that they had heard her words and were deliberately provoking her.
"Am I wrong? Su He can't have children yet occupies the position of Mrs. Lu. Does she want the Lu family to have no heir?" In her anger, some words blurted out uncontrollably.
"Shut up!" Gu Yuheng was so angry he wanted to hit her. "You speak without knowing anything! You twist baseless rumors into facts with just a few words? Slander carries responsibility!"
"If Young Master Yan truly cared about her, why wouldn't he bring her along?" the girl said self-righteously.
"Sister-in-law doesn't care for these kinds of events! Whether she comes or not, what's it to you!" Gu Yuheng was so angry his lungs were about to explode. These women were truly bored.
"My Brother Yan and Sister-in-law are doing great! Don't spread rumors!" Lei Ting was equally indignant.
He Shu Fan, who had remained silent, also chimed in. "Precisely because he cares, he won't force her to do things she dislikes."
"Heh, I never thought Su He had such methods to make you all speak for her! What benefits did she give you?" The girl didn't want to admit defeat easily and shifted the fire to them.
"Methods? She doesn't need those!" Lu Yanbei, who had been talking to someone from afar, appeared behind them at some point.
Everyone immediately made way and watched the unfolding scene.
Seeing Lu Yanbei, a hint of unease flashed across the girl's face. She hadn't expected the usually aloof Lu Yanbei to personally inquire about such matters. Didn't he disdain gossip before?
"Brother Yan!" Lei Ting and the others immediately surrounded him when he approached. "These people were badmouthing Sister-in-law behind your back, and we caught them red-handed!"
Gu Yuheng said, seeking credit.
Lu Yanbei cast a grateful glance at them, then turned to the women who had lowered their heads, his gaze becoming sharp and imposing once more. "My Lu family's domestic affairs are not for you to question."
"If I hear another word about my wife, I won't hesitate to pay a visit to your elders and ask them how they educated their children!"
The women who had been arrogant and distorted the truth moments ago were now as timid as quails under Lu Yanbei's pressure, wishing they could burrow into a hole, lest Lu Yanbei fixate on them.
Lu Yanbei gave them a warning glance and turned to leave.
Gu Yuheng and the others quickly followed, trying to appease him.
"Those people are just foul-mouthed. Don't take it to heart!"
"Yes, we know perfectly well what you and Sister-in-law are like!"
"Sister-in-law is a very good person. She can cook, paint, published her own book, and held an art exhibition. She's much more capable than these gossips!"
The three followers were afraid he would get too angry and praised all of Su He's virtues.
Finally, Gu Yuheng couldn't help but add, "By the way, why haven't we seen Sister-in-law lately? Is she really sick?"
Lei Ting and He Shu Fan wished they could gag his mouth.
Did this guy know how to speak or not!
Lu Yanbei stopped in the corridor. "She is indeed feeling a bit unwell, but it's nothing serious."
"What exactly happened to Sister-in-law?" Lei Ting asked.
He was the youngest of the four and the most guileless.
Lu Yanbei lowered his eyes, a smile curving his lips. "I'm going to be a father!"
The scene went silent for three seconds.
Then, Gu Yuheng's loud voice exclaimed, "My God, did I hear that right? Brother Yan, you really... Sister-in-law is pregnant?"
Lu Yanbei grunted. "I'll invite you over sometime."
"That's great!" Gu Yuheng grinned like a Maitreya Buddha. "So, I'm going to be a godfather?"
"Godfather? I haven't agreed to that!" Lu Yanbei didn't want to share his little daughter with anyone.
Yes, Lu Yanbei stubbornly believed that Su He was carrying a daughter.