Chapter 83: Indistinguishable Between Male and Female, Love Hard to Sever

Shangqing County, Xiahe Village.

Leaving aside Lu Jin’s helplessness, Shen Yanxi’s heart had already sunk into darkness. She sat in silence, saying not a word. As a daughter of a distinguished family, she should never behave so rudely nor be so petty, but this time, she was truly enraged.

Upon waking from her faint, her maid had told her that during her unconsciousness, her husband had recited the tale of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai to her, and even played the Butterfly Lovers melody. At the time, she had been deeply moved.

But seeing today’s scene, what a true Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai!

It wasn’t just a story told of someone else; it was his own story whispered beside her. All the talk of lost memories—that was nothing but lies. And now, Zhu Yingtai doesn’t even come. She had been utterly fooled.

The maids serving behind her also wore sour expressions. How could the young master treat the lady so? This was humiliation beyond measure.

Lu Jin, with his tingling nerves, had no idea that such coincidences had sparked Shen Yanxi’s complete distrust of him. She even suspected that the reason he asked her to call him Nanqing was for some ulterior motive—wasn’t it always Nanqing this and Nanqing that?

Lu Jin had wondered if he might truly be a man, but no matter how he looked, he could find no evidence. His skin was as fair as jade, no Adam’s apple, his chest small only because it was bound. Did she think he was ignorant?

The only distinguishing feature was a somewhat unique voice, neutral enough that without seeing the face, one could mistake him for either gender. But with Wu You’s appearance, how could he possibly be a man?

“Don’t rush, let me explain,” Lu Jin said, forcing himself to address the matter calmly.

“Please speak, Nanqing. I am listening respectfully,” Wu You had recovered, and lifted the tea to her lips.

“My aunt sits above, my wife is at my side, and there are things I must clarify. Please don’t take offense. I have forgotten everything from before. Whatever relationship we may have had, I am now married, my household harmonious. From now on there can be no possibility between us. If Wu Miss has any requests, within my ability, I will do my best to fulfill them.”

Lu Jin had considered first asking Wu You to explain the history between them, but Shen Yanxi’s small hand trembled in his grasp—he couldn’t wait any longer. He had to make things clear, at least to reassure Shen Yanxi. No matter what, he stood by her.

He had no intention of accepting this burden. Though he had lived in this world for several months, his overall mindset, especially regarding emotions, was still shaped by modern thinking. This hellish scene felt like being roasted over a fire.

He had no idea what the future would bring, but for now, he hadn’t even considered a life surrounded by wives and concubines. What he felt was simply the shame of a man caught with a mistress by his rightful wife.

If he felt nothing for Shen Yanxi, perhaps he would act like a scoundrel, but the truth was, he couldn’t let her go, nor bear to see her hurt.

Wu You, hearing this, set down her cup, and tears streamed down her face.

“What about our child?”

Lu Jin felt every vein in his brain explode into fireworks—there was a child? But that child wasn’t his! This was an ethical conundrum he couldn’t begin to unravel.

His aunt was stunned, torn between pity for Shen Yanxi’s sorrow and the revelation of a child—wasn’t that her own grandchild? She fretted, unable to settle her feelings.

“If Wu Miss is willing, the child can be entrusted to my husband and me. We will treat him as our own, never neglecting him. If Wu Miss cannot bear to part, we will not abandon him either, and will grant any request. If my husband has other thoughts—” spoke Shen Yanxi.

Lu Jin had just firmly chosen her, giving her some comfort. She didn’t know what other sordid past he might have, but as his wife, she must speak up, or the Shen family’s daughter would lose utterly.

“I have no other thoughts. Everything will be as my wife wishes,” Lu Jin hastily interrupted. How could such gentle lips utter cruel words?

“My poor child…” Wu You wept, tears falling like broken pearls.

Lu Jin’s heart was in chaos. What was this, but a disaster falling from the sky? He could never accept it, offering only moral support at most.

But his aunt could not accept it, and for the first time blamed Lu Jin. That was your child, my grandchild, the firstborn of the Lu family—how could you be so heartless?

“My son, that child—”

“Aunt, don’t worry. Things will be resolved. If it truly is a child of our Lu family, I will not shirk responsibility. But anything else is impossible.”

“How could you be so cold, Lu? We pledged ourselves beneath the moon, vowed to be together for life. I ignored all gossip, followed you without matchmaker or formal betrothal, and now, with a child, this is what I find…” Wu You sobbed uncontrollably.

Lu Jin wished he could faint on the spot. How could the original Lu Jin be so reckless? Now he was gone—what was he to do?

“What does Wu Miss truly wish for? Please speak plainly…” Shen Yanxi, seeing Lu Jin on the verge of collapse, felt a trace of pity.

“I just want Lu to be with me.”

“Absolutely impossible!” Lu Jin and Shen Yanxi replied in unison.

Lu Jin would never compromise on this. This was the original Lu Jin’s mess. And this woman, despite her exquisite beauty, didn’t seem the virtuous sort to him—who else would so disregard decorum?

Hearing Lu Jin’s resolute response, Shen Yanxi felt some relief. Whether or not she was Zhu Yingtai, Lu Jin’s choice was unwavering. She could always settle accounts later.

“Oh, I never expected Nanqing to find such a lovely wife, and with such deep affection! I truly envy you!” Wu You wiped her tears.

Everyone: “……” Was this person mad? Why was she now performing?

“Aunt, Nanqing, sister-in-law, and little sister, please listen to me. Wu You is from Wu County, under Suzhou Prefecture in Jiangdong Province. Since childhood, I have been a man with a woman’s appearance…”

Everyone: “……” Who are you trying to fool?

Wu You saw their disbelief and smiled bitterly, continuing:

“Because of my looks, I have suffered much misunderstanding and injustice since childhood. My family treated me well, but always raised me as a daughter, so I developed a girl’s temperament. When I grew up and traveled, my unusual appearance brought much bullying. Two years ago, I journeyed along Lanjiang and met Nanqing by chance in Shangqing. We became fast friends. Nanqing didn’t mind my appearance and treated me sincerely. But today Nanqing’s nature has changed greatly…” As Wu You spoke, her mood darkened.

Everyone was dumbfounded. Lu Jin and Shen Yanxi exchanged looks of disbelief. Did he look like a man? He was clearly a woman!

Yet his words were so convincing, they didn’t know whether to believe him or not.

Lu Jin’s thoughts ran wild. If this were true, could he have survived safely to adulthood? Weren’t ancient people notorious for such tastes? Was the original Lu Jin unusually fond of such things?

And how did this affect him? He was himself, not the original Lu Jin, a normal man.

“Then why did you claim to have a child with my brother?” While everyone else was stunned, Lu Caiwei listened intently.

“I saw Nanqing insist I was a woman, so I played along, partly to see how he would respond, partly to test the feelings between Nanqing and sister-in-law. A perfect match, rare in this world! I can only admire from afar!”

Such smooth words, but impossible to believe!

As everyone reeled from shock, Wu You stood, clapped lightly, brushed her sleeves, and bowed:

“Since Nanqing has forgotten everything and changed so much, Wu You will no longer disturb you. Farewell!” With that, she departed. Yet as she turned, tears fell again.

She came full of hope, never expecting this outcome.

Lu Jin could not let her leave and rose to follow, only to be tugged back by Shen Yanxi: “Let it be.”

Shen Yanxi didn’t believe any of it. How could such a person exist? Whether man or woman no longer mattered—pursuing it further would only embarrass everyone.

Lu Jin would obey Shen Yanxi in most matters, but not this one.

If she left, he would wear this label forever—who would believe she was a man and he was innocent?

And if she really was telling the truth about the child, how could he let her go? That was a Lu family child; he couldn’t be so selfish. Besides, though he refused to be responsible for further emotional entanglement, he couldn’t shirk moral duty.

And there was the smallest possibility: if she really was a man, Lu Jin could not let him go—he could not harm a good person out of uncertainty. How could he find peace afterward?

If he didn’t resolve this, it would become a demon in his heart.

Though he knew the coming conversation would be awkward, awkwardness was better than regret. Whether man or woman, whatever the feelings, Lu Jin resolved to do his best to make amends.

Ignoring Shen Yanxi’s protests, Lu Jin hurried out and soon caught up with Wu You.

“Yuran, wait. You know I’ve lost my memory, not a single fragment remains. Can you tell me the truth?” Lu Jin looked at Wu You’s tear-stained face, pretending not to notice.

“Nanqing, what do you want from me?” Wu You asked, crying again.

Lu Jin’s head was about to explode. How could someone like this claim to be a man?

“If you truly are a woman, and if there was affection between us, please tell me. No matter what, I will do my best to make amends.”

“If you truly are a man, please tell me. I cannot hurt you out of uncertainty.”

“I told you I am a man, but you don’t believe me. How else can I prove it?” Wu You was desperate.

“……” That was the most awkward part—how could it be proven, when nothing showed on the surface?

“Yuran, now that the others can’t hear us, tell me the truth first, then I’ll find a way. How about that?” Lu Jin’s tone was sincere.

“I am truly a man!”

Lu Jin: “……”