Chapter 4: The Countryside Marriage Agreement

Chapter 4: The Countryside Marriage Agreement

Lu Mingchao initially thought that upon arriving in this time and space, she would toss and turn, unable to fall asleep.

Unexpectedly, she had underestimated herself.

The next morning.

The morning mist slowly dispersed, and the winter sun shone faintly.

The cold wind suddenly stopped, revealing a rare clear and cloudless sunny day.

As soon as the door opened, Lu Mingchao saw the two bodyguards waiting at the door.

"Little sister, here, a meat bun."

Lu Lei's smile stretched wide across his face, revealing his bright white teeth.

Lu Mingchao took the bun in a daze and bit into it under the watchful eyes of her father and brother.

"Chaochao, the weather is nice today, shall we head home?"

Lu Fu gazed at Lu Mingchao, who was obediently eating the meat bun, feeling both sorrowful and guilty, and couldn't help but want to gently pat her on the head.

However, his outstretched hand slowly fell back down.

Seeing this, she leaned her head toward him.

Having supported his family through many hardships, Lu Fu's eyes turned red.

"Father, is it far?"

Leaning on the railing and chewing on the bun, Lu Mingchao asked curiously.

Even though the weather was nice, it was already winter. Walking for a long distance could be deadly if it was too far.

Father Lu instantly understood the concern in Lu Mingchao's question and replied with a smile, "Our donkey cart is being looked after by the staff at the teahouse outside the city. Once we leave the city, we'll return by donkey cart."

Relieved, Lu Mingchao let out a breath.

As soon as they left the inn, the warm sunlight enveloped them.

Lu Lei took the bundle and occasionally stole glances at Lu Mingchao.

His little sister was really something.

In the sunlight, she looked like she was glowing.

"Brother, watch the road."

Lu Mingchao's voice, filled with laughter, teased.

Lu Lei's rough face instantly turned red with embarrassment, his arms and legs moving in unison awkwardly.

"You're a grown man, and you still need Chaochao to worry about you?" Father Lu patted Lu Lei on the back of the neck, a mix of exasperation and affection in his voice.

Lu Lei wasn't upset; he just smiled with simplicity.

The smile on Lu Mingchao's lips slowly deepened. This life had more promise than she had expected.

As the vendors on the bustling street called out tirelessly, the three of them soon left the capital city at the foot of the imperial palace.

As soon as Lu Mingchao left the city, a servant boy hurried to the Yongning Marquis family to deliver the message.

Upon receiving the news, the Yongning Marquis and his wife felt relieved but also somewhat dazed.

"Is she really gone?" the Yongning Marquis’s wife murmured to herself.

After all, they had raised her as their own daughter for over a decade; even a pet would have formed some bond over time.

"Mingchao is young and headstrong; why didn't you try to reason with her more?"

"In such a large estate, can we really not afford one more mouth to feed?"

The Yongning Marquis's voice carried undeniable dissatisfaction and anger.

Even in a capital city teeming with talented scholars and beauties, Lu Mingchao's appearance was considered outstanding, not to mention her talent.

Without the duke's family's heir, there were still plenty of others vying to marry her, which would bring additional support to the marquis estate.

The Yongning Marquis’s wife's expression darkened, her fleeting reluctance like the thin snow on the courtyard's branches, melting away as soon as the sun appeared.

"Lu Mingchao was only fixated on her marriage to Gu Huai and had long harbored resentment towards us."

"If you had suggested changing the betrothal, she would have threatened to bang her head against the wall, causing chaos between the marquis estate and the duke's family. If we had really kept her, who knows what trouble she might have stirred up?"

"A scandal involving two women competing for one man would be enough to ruin your reputation in court."

"It's quieter now that she's gone."

"The marquis estate isn't lacking in women who are both talented and beautiful; Lu Mingchao's value is not irreplaceable."

After years of sharing a bed, the Yongning Marquis’s wife knew that her husband was not the type to overflow with fatherly affection.

His anger stemmed from feeling that raising Lu Mingchao for so many years had been a waste.

Sitting stiffly in the carved chair, Lu Minghui's slender fingers twisted her sleeves, her long lashes fluttering as her eyes glistened with unshed tears. When she looked up again, her eyes were red, tears glistening like broken moonlight, her face filled with guilt and remorse. Choking on her words, she said, "Father, Mother, the only reason I sought out my birth parents was to stay by your sides. I never wanted to compete with Mingchao for anything. Perhaps we should bring her back?"

"Over the years, it has been Mingchao who has been filial to you both; I am grateful for that."

"The betrothal was originally between Mingchao and the heir of the duke's family, so everything should be returned to its rightful owner."

"Father, Mother, I just want to make you happy."

If Lu Mingchao had been there to hear these words, she would have exaggeratedly said, "Yes, yes, you're here to join the family, not to break it apart."

Everyone returning to their rightful place, Lu Mingchao would have no objections, but she refused to tolerate passive-aggressive remarks or veiled insults.

Upon hearing this, the Yongning Marquis and his wife stopped arguing.

There was no need to hesitate about the importance of biological versus non-biological children.

What they should feel guilty about was towards Minghui, not Lu Mingchao.

The Yongning Marquis’s wife quickly took Lu Minghui's hand and comforted her, "Minghui, she has occupied your place for so many years and enjoyed a good life that she could never have had. It is the marquis estate that has done her a favor."

"These things were always yours by right; returning them to you is only restoring what belongs to you."

"My dear child, it's commendable that after all the hardships you've endured, you remain so kind-hearted."

Yongning Marquis Madam paused for a moment, then turned to address Yongning Marquis, "My Lord, it’s truly remarkable how bloodlines shape a person.

"Despite growing up in a humble farming household, she speaks appropriately, is courteous, filial, and kind-hearted."

"Don't you agree?"

Yongning Marquis subtly sized up Lu Minghui.

Although her appearance wasn't as striking as Mingchao's, she was still quite charming after being tidied up.

Her demeanor was a bit reserved and modest, but with wealth, that wasn't a big issue.

The most important thing was that she was his own flesh and blood.

Since Lu Mingchao had already left, they couldn’t afford to let Minghui feel distant or alienated.

With that thought, a warm smile spread across Yongning Marquis’s face, "Minghui, what your mother said is right."

"Your daughter will definitely be filial to you," Lu Minghui said, her eyes full of affection.

Meanwhile, back at the Yongning Marquis family, as they enjoyed a moment of familial warmth and unity, Lu Mingchao was riding in a rickety, drafty donkey cart, jostling along the road.

Lu Mingchao, wrapped in a thick cloak, barely felt the biting winter cold, swaying with the cart and dozing off.

Perhaps it was the cart hitting a stone, the jolt startled her awake. With no more drowsiness, she rested her cheek and zoned out, suddenly recalling what Yongning Marquis Madam had said about the marriage proposal. Without hesitation, she asked directly, "Father, I heard from my foster mother that you've arranged a marriage for me?"

Would he be unattractive and uncouth, or a widower with children?

No matter how she viewed it, Father Lu didn’t seem like the type to force his daughter into a terrible situation.

The moment she spoke, Father Lu, who was driving the donkey cart, froze, looking as panicked as a child caught in the wrong.

Lu Mingchao narrowed her eyes, her gaze sharpening, confirming that the marriage proposal was indeed real.

However, instead of getting angry immediately, she patiently waited for Father Lu's response.

"Chaochao, you don't need to accept this marriage. I'll handle it when I return."