"I didn't expect the physician Lu's husband to be so forward and shameless."
"If it weren't for that, how could someone as good as Physician Lu marry an impure man? I wonder what methods he used to seduce Physician Lu."
Although Zheng Yu had clarified in the county office that day it was her and Shen Xuan, not another woman, and people dared not gossip about the town mayor, such things still couldn't stop the wagging tongues of the public.
Before the day was even over, people were already discussing it on the street. The common folk loved to gossip about such things. Whether they were true or false, one person would tell ten, and ten would tell a hundred, with some even adding embellishments.
Perhaps it was only through this way that they could feel a sense of existence. In front of outsiders, they acted as if they knew everything and spoke with certainty, adding fuel to the rumors they heard from others, all while looking proud.
As the rumors spread, they eventually reached Shen Xuan's father, Li Ning.
"The way Physician Lu's husband is now is all because of his father."
"What are you talking about? Tell us quickly." The person's eyes lit up as they stared at the woman speaking.
People, after so many years, were always interested in such groundless rumors.
"Why do you think Shen Xuan isn't favored in his household?"
"I heard that Shen Xuan's father had an affair with a servant. The man and woman stayed in a room together for a night, and then the master of the Shen family discovered it."
The person paused, speaking with feigned mystery, "I heard they were found with their clothes disheveled at the time."
"However, even so, the Shen family master did not dislike Shen Xuan's father, but merely placed him in the most remote courtyard."
"The Shen family master is truly benevolent. If my husband dared to do such a thing, I would report him to the authorities and send him to the army camp as a military prostitute to satisfy his desires. I wouldn't want such a lewd person."
"Yes, yes, truly benevolent."
As soon as the person finished speaking, several people nearby quickly agreed. It was clear that they were led by the woman in the middle, agreeing with her repeatedly.
"Hold on, I haven't finished. Don't be in a hurry, it is said that..."
"It is said that Shen Xuan is not the Shen family master's biological son, but that of the servant!" A woman next to them, impatient that the speaker was too slow, directly interrupted and continued, "Why are you being so mysterious? This matter has long been spread!"
As soon as these words fell, a commotion erupted around them.
"Truly, like father, like son."
"The Shen family master is truly a great benefactor. To raise a son who is not his own to such an age, if it were me, I would have strangled him long ago!"
"..."
"This is too much! I'm going to confront them!" Wu Shao slammed the table and stood up, about to walk out.
"Come back here!" Lu Yu sharply ordered, "What are you going to do? Fight with them? And then we'll have to rescue you?"
Scolded by Lu Yu, Wu Shao felt that Lu Yu was indeed right. Deflated, he sat back in his chair, gnashing his teeth in anger.
"Good deeds never go out of the house, but bad deeds travel a thousand miles."
Hearing Wu Shao muttering beside him, Lu Yu glared at her, "This matter is completely fabricated. What bad deeds? If nothing happened, how can it be called a bad deed?"
Gu Yitong walked over, patted Wu Shao's shoulder, and fanned herself, saying helplessly, "You should focus on your studies first."
Wu Shao realized he had said the wrong thing, scratched his head, and blushed as he apologized to Lu Yu and Shen Xuan.
"It's alright, don't blame her." Shen Xuan indicated he was fine, walked to Lu Yu's side, and gently held her hand.
Lu Yu usually didn't show anger, but when it came to Shen Xuan, she lost her composure.
Lu Yu turned to look at Shen Xuan's reddened eyes, knowing he was suffering inwardly and didn't want to worry everyone. She squeezed his hand back, giving him warmth and strength.
"This matter is clearly orchestrated. Someone deliberately spread rumors, otherwise, it wouldn't have spread throughout the entire town in less than half a day," Zheng Yu said, frowning deeply as she pondered the whole situation.
"I'm going back now to control the rumors and then interrogate the person we caught today. I don't believe we can't find the mastermind," Zheng Yu said, standing up to leave.
"She won't talk, and it will be useless for you to go. You won't get any results just by questioning."
Speaking of this, Lu Yu saw that Zheng Yu seemed to have an idea and quickly added, "You absolutely must not use torture. You are the newly appointed town mayor, and many people are watching your position. You absolutely cannot make a mistake at this time."
Lu Yu walked closer to Zheng Yu, patted her shoulder, and gestured for her to sit down.
"Moreover, today you rescued Wu Shao from the county office. The public will surely believe you are on our side. If you step forward to suppress the rumors again at this time, the public will be even more convinced that these things are true."
"Then what should we do? Nothing works, nothing is allowed. Are we just going to stand by and watch Shilang be slandered?" Wu Shao sat in his chair, watching them discuss, feeling anxious.
The few people fell silent. Rumors were the hardest thing to control. No one wanted to know the truth; they just followed the trend and spread the gossip.
Furthermore, once rumors appeared, they would never disappear. Even if they were clarified, there would always be people who didn't believe or people who were unaware who continued to spread these words.
The truth was not important to the public at all. This was just their after-meal conversation. They just needed a topic to discuss. The actual facts had nothing to do with them.
The ones who were always hurt were the ones caught in the rumors.
"Since they say Shen Xuan is not the Shen family master's biological son, then we will prove it to everyone. Tomorrow, we will do a blood test to confirm paternity and speak with facts," Gu Yitong, who had been silent all along, slammed the table and stood up, shaking the fan in front of her chest.
"That's a good idea! Master, tomorrow we will do it this way."
"Alright, tomorrow I will be responsible for leading the people to the entrance of the Shen mansion so they can witness it with their own eyes," Zheng Yu also agreed with the plan, nodding her head.
Only Lu Yu frowned beside them, not answering.
"Wife, let's do it this way. I believe my father."
Shen Xuan saw that Lu Yu was silent and thought she was worried that he wasn't his mother's biological son. He turned around, stood in front of Lu Yu, his eyes full of determination.
"No, I do not agree with this method." Lu Yu remained silent for a long time before refusing the suggestion.
"Wife, I..."
"I will not agree no matter who says it. This matter is settled." Lu Yu frowned, her face tense.
Shen Xuan's lips moved, as if he wanted to try to persuade her again, but in the end, he did not speak.
Lu Yu sensed Shen Xuan's disappointment and squeezed his hand again, "I will think of other ways. I cannot risk your reputation."
Hearing Lu Yu say this, Shen Xuan felt a little wronged. Didn't she believe his father?
Shen Xuan blinked hard, holding back the tears in his eyes, and did not look up, only looking at his toes.