Chapter 173

Chapter 173

Lu Mingzhu titled this novel "Tianjiao."

Leng Rushuang, a prodigy of her time.

A battle between righteousness and wickedness, a tale of vengeance and loyalty.

"It could also be called 'Jianghu Chronicles.' Which name do you think is better?" Lu Mingzhu asked Xie Junyao.

Xie Junyao replied without hesitation, "I choose 'Jianghu Chronicles.' It's more accessible and instantly conveys it's a martial arts story."

Lu Mingzhu agreed with his suggestion.

"Alright, it will be called 'Jianghu Chronicles.'" Lu Mingzhu also felt that this name was more fitting for the era, as being too attention-grabbing or overly elegant wouldn't be appropriate.

She began writing that same afternoon.

Writing horizontally from left to right boosted her speed considerably, and she finished the first chapter in less than three hours.

Around six thousand words, a well-balanced length.

Born into a martial arts family in a world where strength is everything, Leng Rushuang, born with blocked meridians and unable to train in martial arts, faced bullying from the start.

Despite being the legitimate daughter of the main family, her status fell below that of a skilled illegitimate daughter from a branch family.

Her peers nearly drowned her in a water vat, while her siblings and cousins watched, relishing the spectacle and the thrill of humiliating the main family's daughter. No one stepped forward to save her.

On the verge of death, Leng Rushuang's mother stormed in, saved her, and then ruthlessly beat everyone present.

However, this incident caused her parents' status within the clan to plummet and led to the cancellation of her engagement to the Martial Alliance Leader's son.

The chapter ended abruptly here.

Xie Junyao was hooked, "Mingzhu, you sure know how to leave readers wanting more."

He wished he hadn't read it so soon.

Unlike the refined, deep, and subtle "Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles," "Jianghu Chronicles" was more daring and edgy.

The characters in "Jianghu Chronicles" were also more charismatic, exuding unmatched charm.

Lu Mingzhu laughed, "It's just how I write."

This keeps readers hooked, eager for the next chapter, much like a TV show ending on a cliffhanger.

"Won't writing two novels at once wear you out?" Xie Junyao calculated the time she would need to maintain daily serialization, "At least six hours daily."

Lu Mingzhu waved it off, "It's manageable. I work out in the morning, shower, have breakfast, and then start with 'Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles.' In the afternoons, I work on 'Jianghu Chronicles,' and evenings are for reviews or short stories."

Either way, she wasn't leaving Hong Kong anytime soon.

A storm had scared everyone.

Hearing her busy schedule, Xie Junyao exclaimed, "What about us? No time for dates?"

Lu Mingzhu kissed him, "We still see each other every morning and night."

Up at five for a run!

When Lu Mingzhu is feeling lazy, she’s the ultimate couch potato, wasting time, but when it comes to self-discipline, she’s extremely disciplined.

In the following days, she stuck to her word.

Fortunately, Xie Junyao returned to his busy work schedule and had to contact photographers to take photos of the birthday party for memories. Otherwise, he would have felt neglected.

Liao Wanru and Ming Yue brought a tailor to Lu Mingzhu's house on the same day to take her measurements for custom-made clothes. She barely had time to greet them, which shows how focused she was.

Thankfully, Lu Mingzhu remembered her manners and immediately came downstairs upon hearing them.

Liao Wanru asked with concern, "Feeling better?"

"It was nothing serious," Lu Mingzhu spun around in front of her and Ming Yue to show off, "There's no need to make too many clothes. I’d never get through them all, even if I changed outfits multiple times a day."

She doesn’t toss clothes or shoes after one wear.

Liao Wanru smiled and said, "Picked out your outfit for the day yet? Do you want me and A Yue to help you pick? You’ll need different outfits for greeting guests, the stage, dancing, toasting, and farewells."

Lu Mingzhu was astonished, "It’s not like I’m getting married!"

Does it really need to be this over-the-top?

Five outfits with five sets of jewelry? Really?

Ming Yue laughed, "You’re my grandpa’s goddaughter, a Lu family heiress, and the future lady of the Xie household. Of course, you can't lose the grandeur you deserve. Let me tell you, people love to gossip and won’t hesitate to talk trash behind your back. They might even spill the beans to tabloid reporters. If you only wear one or two outfits and skip the jewelry, they’ll definitely whisper that you’re not that special because you look too plain."

"People love to kick others when they’re down and suck up to those on top. Some folks get a kick out of putting others down behind their backs," Liao Wanru understood this very well and brought the topic back, "Mingzhu, you’ve got to wear red that day. Pick a red dress for the cake-cutting on stage, and a cheongsam for the banquet."

That’s two outfits, so just pick three more.

Lu Mingzhu had to take them to her dressing room after the tailor took her measurements and opened the wardrobe full of dresses.

Even without shopping, brands send her the latest seasonal clothes right on schedule, including dresses, everyday clothes, shoes, and accessories, all custom-made for her.

He Yun, Lu's father, and Xie Junyao all have this habit.

It’s packed, so some stuff’s been moved to other rooms. She’s planning to buy a mansion just for her wardrobe.

He Yun’s got her a dressing room too, filled with unworn clothes and accessories, updated every season, with the old stuff stored elsewhere.

While selecting dresses, Lu's father sent two boxes of jewelry.

There were also blank invitations for her to send to people.

Xu the Butler said the jewelry was for Lu Mingzhu’s outfits—two diamond sets, one yellow and one pink, flawless and almost like store treasures.

Not to be outdone, He Yun sent conch pearls and green jadeite, perfect for Chinese dresses.

After selecting five sets of clothes, Lu Mingzhu was exhausted.

It felt more tiring than writing a novel!

After receiving the payment for a 60,000-word manuscript from Hong Kong Daily, Lu Mingzhu sped up and sent another 60,000-word manuscript five days before her birthday, and also sent a 60,000-word Jianghu Chronicles to Ming Pao Daily, without appearing in person.

It will definitely catch up with the release!

Thinking of The Swordsman, Lu Mingzhu first went to Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store to find Lu Changgen, handed him a drawing, and asked him to help find craftsmen to custom-make twelve gold rings of different sizes.

They are adjustable and can be used to connect ring-shaped objects.

The original body only wanted the imperial green bracelet she herself collected, but

Lu Mingzhu wanted to give her more.

After all, her mother lived with her.

If she lived prosperously, her mother would live well too.

Therefore, Lu Mingzhu suddenly thought of a brilliant idea: using gold clasps to connect the bracelet, ring, necklace, and crown into one piece. Wouldn't that make it one item?

Gold could also be sold for money!

Last time, the letter and photos inside the hollow ball were successfully smuggled along with the crown, which greatly boosted Lu Mingzhu's confidence.

Lu Changgen didn't know what Lu Mingzhu planned to use it for, but he readily agreed, "It's not difficult to make. I'll send it to you in a few days."

"Thank you, Seventh Brother." Lu Mingzhu then went to the film company to find Wang Tao, taking the invitation along.

Wang Tao quickly welcomed her into his office.

"I was just about to call you and Mr. Ming. The first part of 'The Blade' is now complete. Which day would be best for its release? We need to place advertisements in the newspapers to attract audiences."

Lu Mingzhu was delighted.

Since Wang Tao mentioned it, she didn't have to ask.

"How about a full release on the 20th of this month?" Lu Mingzhu decided to follow Xie Junyao's suggestion.

The eighth day of the fourth lunar month, a good day.

Wang Tao nodded with a smile, "No problem, let's set it for the eighth day of the fourth month. Isn't that your twentieth birthday? Choosing this day for the premiere indeed holds great commemorative significance."

"How do you know?" Lu Mingzhu wondered.

"There are few in Hong Kong who don’t know," Wang Tao thought of the time he accompanied his wife shopping, "Birthday gift items are flying off the shelves. Many wealthy families personally go to import shops to select jewelry, watches, perfumes, handbags, cosmetics, all in high demand. Even barber shops and tailor shops are seeing a lot more business, reportedly gearing up for the banquet."

Lu Mingzhu was at a loss for words, "Is it really that exaggerated?"

Wang Tao laughed, "Not to mention, Mingzhu Diamond Jewelry Store is thriving. Many affluent women and socialites are busy outfitting themselves, including me and my wife."

Lu Mingzhu sighed, "I’m sorry to have caused you such expense."

Since he had already received the invitation, she didn't need to hand out the one in her bag.

Wang Tao said, "It's an honor."

Getting an invite to Lu Mingzhu’s birthday bash is a big deal, something most people can only dream of.

Early on the 20th, after arranging the premiere of "The Swordsman," Wang Tao was ready to head out early when he saw Xia Lin approaching, presenting a gift with both hands, "I heard today is Miss Lu's birthday, could you please help me deliver this birthday gift?"

Without an invitation, she was out of luck.

There were also rich businessmen and young bachelors pursuing her, inviting her to be their companion, but Xia Lin had turned over a new leaf and declined their offers.

Knowing Xia Lin’s recent turnaround, Wang Tao didn’t say no.

Carrying the gift, he walked out of the company and heard the newsboy's call, "New newspaper out, Ming Pao Daily, Zhi Wei, author of 'The Swordsman' and 'Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles,' has a new work published in Ming Pao Daily, come and buy!"

"Selling newspapers! Selling newspapers! The author of 'Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles' has a new work 'Jianghu Chronicles' serialized in Ming Pao Daily!"

"Ming Pao Daily! Ming Pao Daily! First edition, unique layout, offering a fresh way to read! For the first three days, just five cents for a packed newspaper!"

"Come get your paper! After *Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles*, another masterpiece is here! *Jianghu Chronicles* is absolutely riveting."

A passerby stopped him, "Is this Zhi Wei’s latest?"

The newsboy nodded eagerly, "Yes, sir, Zhi Wei’s new work is *Jianghu Chronicles*, published in Ming Pao Daily, which also includes pieces by many renowned writers. It’s on sale for the first three days, just five cents a copy."

"I’ll take two." The man handed over a dime.

The newsboy took the money and promptly handed him two copies, "How about *Hong Kong Daily*? *Kunlun Swordsman Chronicles* has reached an even more thrilling part!"

"We’re already subscribed." The man took *Ming Pao Daily* and continued on his way, reading as he walked.

Wang Tao realized that Zhi Wei was Lu Mingzhu, so Ming Pao Daily must be connected to her, right? Otherwise, how could they have convinced her to write a new novel for the paper? The name was hers, after all.

"I’ll take twenty." Wang Tao pulled out the money.

When he got them, he was struck by the layout. It was indeed different from previous newspapers, with the headlines and text laid out horizontally, from left to right.

Wang Tao kept one copy for himself and sent the rest to the company, distributing them to the managers, "Zhi Wei’s new work is out—check it out first. We’ll aim to adapt all her works into films."

After giving instructions, he headed home to get ready for the evening banquet with his wife.

He wore a suit, and she wore a cheongsam.

Though the couple came from a good family, had solid educations, and each had a job, they weren’t in the same league as the wealthy families and had no interest in competing. He wore a Rolex, and she paired a pearl necklace with earrings. They hailed a rickshaw.

When they first arrived in Hong Kong, they couldn’t afford a whole building and had to live near their workplace, so they rented. It wasn’t until Xie Junyao and Wang Bohui introduced stratified sales that they poured their savings into a thousand-square-foot flat, finally having their own home.

As for a car, they could afford one now, but there was nowhere to park it, so they saved the money and bought another floor.

When they reached Peak Road, the rickshaw had to stop.

"Too many people and cars ahead, sir, madam." The rickshaw driver strained to see what was going on, but all he could make out were rows of bodyguards directing the crowd into the gate.

This was the He family mansion!

No one stepped out of line, everyone careful with their words and actions. Even Wang Zhongzhao, who had always wanted to find a good match for his daughter, didn’t dare bring Mo Shuxian and Wang Xiuyi.

The invitation was for him and his wife, and Mo Shuxian wasn’t his wife—she was his concubine.

Wang Bohui let out a sigh of relief when he saw him alone.

All four brothers had received invitations, and none were absent. Only Mrs. Zhang, still recovering from a fracture, missed the banquet, so she sent her eldest son and daughter-in-law with a gift for Lu Mingzhu.

Lu Mingzhu wore a red satin dress with a phoenix embroidery and a stand-up collar, while Xie Junyao, in a blue suit and matching tie, greeted guests at the door.

Xie Junyao looked exceptionally handsome in his blue suit.

As for jewelry, Lu Mingzhu wore the green jadeite gifted by He Yun while welcoming guests.

Though she often acted casually with family, she knew how to carry herself on important occasions. Her radiant face remained poised, exuding elegance and grace.

Her sincere words and impeccable manners made the guests feel at ease yet left no room for underestimation.

Truly, she was a vision of beauty and grace.

Xie Junyao's looks are unmatched in Hong Kong, and she is no less impressive, even having a really magnetic charm that has caught the eyes of several young men accompanying their elders.

Wang Tao stepped forward with his wife, "Miss Lu, happy birthday."

"Thank you, thank you very much for taking the time to attend my birthday party amidst your busy schedules," Lu Mingzhu said, accepting the invitation and birthday gifts with both hands. She invited them in, then handed the items to the housekeeper and servants behind her, who were already managing a mountain of gifts.

Since Wang Tao and his wife had brought two birthday gifts, Lu Mingzhu took an extra glance and noticed that one of them bore Xia Lin's name and a congratulatory message, exquisitely packaged.

Before Lu Mingzhu could look closer, she saw Mr. Ye, Lu Pingan's grandfather, getting out of the car with Secretary Dong.

Lu Mingzhu was momentarily stunned.

Did Lu's father or He Yun invite him?