Chapter 17: A Thorn in the Throat

Chapter 17: A Thorn in the Throat

Gu Huai felt inexplicably agitated, his thin lips slightly parted in disbelief, as the phrase "Lu Mingchao is gone" echoed repeatedly in his mind.

"Did she leave any message before she left?" Gu Huai's hand clenched into a fist, his neatly trimmed nails digging into his palm. He took a deep breath, trying to calm down.

He had merely ignored Lu Mingchao for a few days, and she had left.

Wasn't she being a little too impulsive?

Yongning Marquis Madam pretended to wipe her slightly reddened eyes with a handkerchief. "She said that the Marquis family had raised her and wished me and Minghui a life of peace and joy, and also wished you and Minghui a harmonious marriage."

A cold light flickered in Gu Huai's eyes, filled with sarcasm.

Should he feel smug that Lu Mingchao still remembered him and left a few parting words?

Lu Mingchao, as arrogant and self-righteous as ever.

It was clear that the engagement between him and Lu Mingchao was obtained through her relentless pursuit, using every trick in the book. Yet now she casually wished him and Lu Minghui a harmonious marriage.

Yongning Marquis Madam's voice carried a hint of sob. "She said, 'Minghui also tried to persuade me, saying that as long as I was willing to stay in the Marquis family, the position of the eldest miss and the engagement wouldn't be disputed.'"

"But I insisted on returning to the countryside to be with my biological parents and fulfill my filial duties, threatening to bang my head against the wall again if not allowed. My heart felt like a piece was torn out."

"Faced with my resolute attitude, the Marquis and I had to make concessions."

"Considering the hardships in the countryside, and that she had been pampered since childhood, we specially prepared some money for her to support herself, hoping her life would be easier."

With a few words, the label of being willful, spoiled, and ungrateful was firmly placed on Lu Mingchao's head.

Yongning Marquis Madam's emotions were not entirely an act.

However, her concern was minimal, and her anger was abundant.

She could not stand Lu Mingchao defying her and not following her arrangements.

If Lu Mingchao had obediently stayed in the Marquis family, there would have been no need to provoke such a strong emotional response from Gu Huai.

Gu Huai sneered coldly, a knot tightening in his chest, and spoke with icy words. "A chip off the old block. The Marquis family need not be sad."

"Leaving the Marquis family is Lu Mingchao's own misfortune; she will regret it sooner or later."

"You and the Marquis have done all you could for her."

"I will inform my parents of this truthfully."

Gu Huai wasn't sure why he had to go to such lengths to disparage Lu Mingchao in front of Yongning Marquis Madam.

After all, he used to despise the despicable act of gossiping behind someone's back the most.

But at this moment, it felt like only by speaking out could his heart find some relief.

"No parent would resent a daughter they raised," Yongning Marquis Madam tentatively asked, "Then what about the engagement between the Duke's family and the Yongning Marquis family?"

"This matter, please discuss with my mother," Gu Huai dismissed impatiently.

Satisfied with the response, Yongning Marquis Madam's mouth, hidden by the handkerchief, subtly curled upwards.

As long as Gu Huai did not strongly oppose the engagement being transferred to Minghui, she could easily arrange this marriage, ensuring Minghui became the future matriarch of the Duke's family.

"Aunt, I’ve got plans with a few friends, so I’ll be taking my leave. I’ll come by another time."

Gu Huai rose, bowed his head, and gave a salute.

He couldn’t bear to stay in the Yongning Marquis family any longer.

Yongning Marquis Madam nodded with a smile.

With her permission, Gu Huai left swiftly, as if the wind was at his back.

"Mother, what does Young Master Gu mean?"

"Is he still thinking about Mingchao? Should we bring Mingchao back?"

"I missed over a decade with Young Master Gu; perhaps we are truly not destined to be together. Some things cannot be forced."

Lu Minghui’s perfectly arched eyebrows were furrowed, her eyes red and brimming with unshed tears. She looked composed and kind, like a fragile morning dewdrop, exuding a quiet grace and compassion.

Yongning Marquis Madam, half-pitying and half-exasperated, gently tapped Lu Minghui’s forehead. "I don’t want to hear such foolish talk in the future."

"Over the past years, Gu Huai has always been cold and indifferent towards Lu Mingchao, rarely considering her dignity in front of others."

"His unusual reaction just now was just a mix of habit, pride, and a need for control."

"For a moment, he couldn’t bear the fact that someone who used to follow him around quietly left."

"Let me tell you something that’s true even if it sounds harsh: men often long for what they can’t have or what they’ve lost."

Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even considered marrying Lu Mingchao off as a concubine to the Duke’s family if nothing else worked out.

"But to say he cares that much? Not really. It won’t shake your position as the future mistress of the Duke's family."

Lu Minghui’s beautiful eyes filled with tears, unsure whether to believe or doubt. "Thank you for your guidance, Mother."

Yongning Marquis Madam smiled and continued, "Minghui, don’t let Gu Huai find out about Mingchao’s engagement in the countryside, no matter what."

"Once Mingchao’s marriage to the hunter is a done deal, it won’t matter what Gu Huai thinks."

Lu Minghui nodded obediently.

……

Hurrying out of the Yongning Marquis family, Gu Huai felt as if a heavy weight was pressing on his chest, a foul breath stuck in his throat, neither swallowed nor expelled, which only added to his irritation and frustration.

On closer inspection, his soft palms were already marked with fingernail scratches.

"Send someone to find out when Lu Mingchao left the capital and where she’s gone."

"Get me the confirmed information as soon as possible."

As he stepped on the stool to get into the carriage, Gu Huai muttered in a dull voice.

The servant boy looked puzzled. "Young Master?"

This was a rare sight—never before had he imagined the Young Master would take such an interest in Miss Lu’s whereabouts.

Gu Huai glanced down at the servant boy from his height. "Hmm?"

The servant boy quickly bowed his head and nodded.

Meanwhile, far away in Changxi Village, Lu Mingchao couldn't stop sneezing, one after another without pause, her nose red and looking quite pitiful.

Lu Mingchao was quite dumbfounded. It couldn’t be that bad, could it?

She had been full of energy despite the cold wind, but after sleeping at home for one night, she fell ill?

Rubbing her still itchy nose, Lu Mingchao felt rather helpless.

"Chaochao, how about we see a village healer?"

Yunniang put down her work, full of concern.

Xie Yan, who had been chopping wood, also stopped his actions, his eyes intently fixed on Lu Mingchao.

She looked down and smiled, her voice soft and sweet, "Mother, I’ve got some cold medicine in my bag. I’ll feel better after I take it, no need to find a doctor."

Her voice was just loud enough to be heard across the yard.

"Do you need to boil it?" Yunniang asked gently while checking her temperature with her hand.

Lu Mingchao shook her head. "Just a bowl of hot water will do."

After holding her breath and swallowing the bitter granules, her nose stopped itching, her ears cooled down, and the sneezing finally stopped.

Lu Mingchao’s small face showed a lot of confusion.

"The problem disappeared like smoke."