Chapter 26: You’re Not Marrying My Brother Anymore?

Chapter 26: You're Not Marrying My Brother Anymore?

Gu Zhen pushed open the carriage window, lifted the curtain, and looked towards a staggering woman with a large basket on her back at the entrance of the village.

The moment Gu Zhen thought of Lu Mingchao staying here and becoming just like the woman, a sense of urgency surged within her.

Had she known this would happen, she would have bought a courtyard in the capital to ensure Lu Mingchao lived comfortably.

If Lu Mingchao were to live a miserable life, wouldn't that make her, a long-time defeated subordinate of Lu Mingchao, even more unpresentable?

Well, this was a matter of her dignity and pride.

A fragrant aroma hit her face, and the woman stopped, leaning against the roadside, examining the extravagant carriage with wide-eyed surprise, her gaze finally focusing on the innocent and smiling face.

Looking for Lu Mingchao?

Another noble from the capital?

"If you're looking for that genuine Lu family girl who swapped places with Lu Miao to marry a hunter, just go straight ahead and turn right."

"That girl is fierce and never takes any losses."

Gu Zhen was startled, her innocent apricot eyes filled with disbelief, her mouth slightly open, eyelashes fluttering rapidly.

A substitute bride?

Lu Mingchao?

She's fierce and never takes any losses?

How did these words connect with Lu Mingchao?

"That must be her."

"Thank you, auntie."

Gu Zhen, lost in thought, lowered the curtain, a sense of mission surging within her. She tightly gripped the hand of the maid beside her. "Ah Qiu, I must rescue Lu Mingchao from this mess."

Ah Qiu's expression was extremely complicated, recalling Bu Yan's repeated warnings, fearing that this trip might not go smoothly.

Lu Mingchao, the Lu girl, was getting married, and the groom was not Young Master.

"Miss is right." Ah Qiu suppressed her worries and panic, sincerely agreeing.

Gu Zhen noticed Ah Qiu's trembling hand and became suspicious. "Ah Qiu, why are you shaking?"

"Too shocked." Ah Qiu said half-truthfully.

Gu Zhen didn't suspect anything unusual.

The carriage wheel rolled over the yellow dirt road and stopped in front of a tiled house plastered with red double happiness characters.

Outside the carriage, the guard whispered, "Miss, we've arrived."

Gu Zhen jumped off the carriage, seeing the red lanterns swaying gently in the night breeze.

Is she really getting married?

Gu Zhen, ignoring the rundown and cramped yard, immediately began knocking on the door and calling out.

"Lu Mingchao, Lu Mingchao."

In Gu Zhen's highly active mind, she had already pictured Lu Mingchao being forced, threatened, beaten, and left bruised.

The more she thought about it, the harder Gu Zhen pounded on the door.

The dust and debris on the old wooden door fell down, choking her into a coughing fit.

The door finally opened.

"Hand over Lu Mingchao if you know what's good for you!" Gu Zhen demanded, her eyes meeting those of a young man dressed elegantly and looking as cool and picturesque as a painting.

The moonlight was dim, and the night wind, like mist, gently brushed the tree branches.

The person before her was a vibrant presence amidst the desolation.

He’s truly handsome.

However, no matter how good-looking he was, it wouldn't shake her determination to save Lu Mingchao.

"Who are you?" Lu Yao asked, one hand propped on the wooden door and his brow slightly furrowed.

Gu Zhen put her hands on her hips, stood tall, and said, "Listen well, I am Gu Zhen, Lu Mingchao's best friend."

Gu Zhen?

Lu Yao's eyes flickered, and he immediately understood the identity of the visitor.

Finally wrapped in her coat, Lu Mingchao pushed open the door and stood under the eaves where the lanterns swayed. She gently parted her rosy lips and, mimicking the original owner's manner from memory, said, "Zhenzhen?"

What is Gu Zhen doing here?

This person really can’t be left unmentioned.

She had hoped Gu Zhen would cause trouble for Lu Minghui in the capital, but instead, she had traveled a long way to Changxi Village in this cold winter.

Hearing the familiar voice, Gu Zhen's almond-shaped eyes sparkled as she squeezed past Lu Yao and darted inside.

"Lu Mingchao!"

Seeing that Lu Mingchao was unharmed, Gu Zhen let out a sigh of relief.

Once inside, Gu Zhen examined Lu Mingchao closely.

Her eyes were clear, like spring water and stars—steady and pure—with a smile that spread like a leaf falling into spring water, creating gentle ripples.

"Why are you here now?" Lu Mingchao asked, puzzled.

Gu Zhen bit her lip, her voice cold and firm, "If I hadn’t come, you’d be the hunter’s wife by now."

Lu Mingchao touched her nose; even if she came, she was still about to become the hunter’s wife.

"Could it be that news of my marriage has already spread in the capital?" Lu Mingchao joked.

Gu Zhen rolled her eyes. "No way!"

"Lu Minghui kept the engagement in the countryside under tight wraps—nothing got out."

"I was afraid that you, being injured, would live too miserably and make me look bad, so I came to the countryside to visit you. But just as I arrived at the entrance of Changxi Village, I heard the news that you were going to marry a hunter as a substitute bride."

"Are you stupid? Lu Minghui has taken your marriage contract and is discussing marriage with my brother. Why should you marry a hunter on her behalf?"

Gu Zhen was fuming with righteous anger, her face flushed red.

Lu Mingchao frowned slightly. Since Lu Minghui had deliberately hidden her past, she wouldn't mention Changxi Village. How did Gu Zhen find out?

"How did you know I came to Changxi Village?"

"Bu Yan said he just happened to hear it while picking up a paperweight outside," Gu Zhen blurted out.

Lu Mingchao smiled. What a coincidence.

Was Lu Minghui not good enough for Gu Huai?

"Since you're here, if you're not in a hurry to leave, stay for a day and see me off at my wedding."

Gu Zhen: ...

"Lu Mingchao, if you're being forced, just blink."

Lu Mingchao laughed. "Don't jump to conclusions."

"My parents treat me well. I'm honoring the marriage agreement willingly."

"Impossible!" Gu Zhen refuted without thinking. "A hunter!"

"Hunters aren't all big and burly, with fierce faces full of rugged features. Your taste has always been for handsome young men."

"Don't lie to me."

"Lu Mingchao, even though you're no longer the legitimate daughter of the Yongning Marquis family, you still need to live your life properly and not give up on life."

Gu Zhen was unusually verbose, earnestly advising.

Lu Mingchao felt a headache coming on. "Zhenzhen, I'm really doing this willingly."

"Besides, Xie Yan is not like what you said."

"Come on, let me introduce you to my family."

Without waiting for her response, Lu Mingchao led Gu Zhen towards the neighboring room.

Gu Zhen's apricot eyes widened, filled with exasperation.

"Dad, Mom, this is Gu Zhen, from the Duke's family, and she's Gu Huai's younger sister."

"Gu Zhen, these are my parents, my eldest brother, second brother, and youngest brother."

"I haven't suffered any grievances, and they haven't forced me to do anything."

"I'm fine, they're fine, and Xie Yan is also fine."

Lu Mingchao's expression was sincere and earnest, without any reluctance.

Gu Zhen was mesmerized. This family just kept getting better-looking one by one.

Stay calm, stay calm!

Gu Zhen greeted everyone politely and, leaning close to Lu Mingchao's ear, whispered, "Didn't you swear you'd only marry my brother in this life?"

"Even though I don't think my brother is a great match for you either, it's still better than marrying a hunter."

"After all, you're Lu Mingchao."

Lu Mingchao gently patted Gu Zhen's hand, her expression calm and her voice steady, "Those were just the ramblings of an immature mind, nothing to take seriously."

"Her brother is really trash."