Chapter 28: Private Conversation at Night

Chapter 28: Private Conversation at Night

She chose to overlook Ah Qiu and Bu Yan's private communications, but that didn't mean Ah Qiu could act presumptuously in front of her.

Ah Qiu felt a chill in her heart.

On one side was Miss's icy expression, and on the other side was the request from the Young Master conveyed by Bu Yan.

Caught in the middle, she was in a dilemma.

"Miss."

Thinking of the benefits promised by the Young Master, her inner balance gradually tipped. She summoned her courage, "Young Master and Miss Lu have long-standing ties. If, on this joyous occasion, Miss Lu could receive Young Master's sincere blessings, it would undoubtedly make up for some regrets and add much luster to Miss Lu's wedding."

Gu Zhen's brows furrowed slightly, and a deep coldness showed in her eyes, like the biting cold wind that suddenly descends on a winter night, sending chills down one's spine.

Make up for regrets?

Add luster?

Are you sure it won’t bring bad luck?

Gu Zhen saw right through Ah Qiu’s scheming.

"Lu Mingchao has family and me. How could there be any regrets in this wedding?"

"Ah Qiu, when we return to the capital, you can go and serve at the Xi Mountain Courtyard. This humble servant can't keep a great Buddha like you by her side."

She had given Ah Qiu a chance.

Under Gu Zhen's cold gaze, Ah Qiu's face turned pale, and she left the room, unsettled.

"Lu Mingchao, I apologize for letting you see this spectacle." Gu Zhen's tone was a bit unnatural.

Lu Mingchao smiled, "Is this even considered a joke?"

"To each their own. All I see is how beautiful and kind-hearted Zhenzhen is, helping others achieve their dreams."

A smile returned to Gu Zhen's face, and she raised her eyebrows, "Smooth talk. If you had been like this earlier, we wouldn't have been at odds for so many years."

As they talked, Gu Zhen yawned.

Even though the Duke's family carriage was comfortable, they still had a long journey ahead.

Lu Mingchao took Gu Zhen back to her own room.

Gu Zhen looked around again, her eyes finally landing on the plain, worn-out wooden bed. She sighed softly, "Lu Mingchao, maybe you should still return to the capital with me."

"I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of. As long as I have food, you won’t go hungry."

Lu Mingchao: ...

"I think you're confused from being tired. You should sleep first."

Lu Mingchao gently pushed Gu Zhen.

Gu Zhen lay on the bed, feeling emotional.

She hated being outshone by Lu Mingchao, but she never wanted her to end up in such a sorry state.

If Lu Mingchao only had a decade or so of prosperity, she would have been more accommodating and not argued over every little thing.

A flood of random thoughts surged like a river, drowning out any hope of sleep.

Moreover, she really couldn't get used to the cold, damp room.

For a moment, Gu Zhen was frighteningly alert.

Shivering, Gu Zhen squeezed under the same quilt as Lu Mingchao, her cold feet secretly resting on Lu Mingchao's calf, letting out a satisfied sigh.

Lu Mingchao didn't pay attention to Gu Zhen's little movements.

Tomorrow, when she woke up, she'd be getting married. There's no way she wouldn't be nervous.

Gu Zhen, tightly pressed against Lu Mingchao, her voice trembling slightly, said, "Mingchao, let's have a chat."

Lu Mingchao turned to look, the thin, faint moonlight in the room making Gu Zhen's face appear hazy, difficult to see clearly.

"Okay."

Gu Zhen took the opportunity to hold Lu Mingchao's soft, white hand. "Let me tell you what's been going on at the Yongning Marquis household."

In the darkness, Lu Mingchao blinked.

Actually, she wanted to hear about Lu Minghui’s situation.

"Yongning Marquis Madam went to great lengths to invite an old nanny from the Empress's side to be Lu Minghui's tutor."

"Lu Minghui is cramming to learn the etiquette of a young lady while attending various 'Snow-Treading Plum-Searching' banquets, presenting herself as the fiancée of the Young Master."

Sadly, very few people truly appreciate her.

"Her eyes are too cluttered and muddled."

Lu Mingchao, half-closed eyes, casually said, "Your brother sees something in her."

The book clearly wrote about the true daughter of the Yongning Marquis household and the Young Master of the Duke's family overcoming all difficulties to marry and grow old together.

"Maybe Lu Minghui is your brother's destined match."

Gu Zhen, with a look of disgust, said, "I originally thought my brother would take this opportunity to call off the engagement, but instead, he allowed Yongning Marquis Madam and my mother to exchange their birthdates and tokens, acknowledging Lu Minghui."

"My brother must have some kind of eye problem without knowing it."

"I always feel that Lu Minghui will single-handedly stir up trouble between the Yongning Marquis household and the Duke's family."

It was intuition.

Her unreasonable yet sharp intuition.

Lu Mingchao lightly said, "Maybe she's just trouble."

"Not maybe! Definitely!" Gu Zhen emphasized firmly.

Lu Mingchao had to admit, Gu Zhen's intuition was quite accurate.

She should really consider becoming a fortune-teller.

"As for Yongning Marquis Madam, whenever there's a banquet or a performance, she would raise her finger, wave her handkerchief, tears in her eyes, lamenting in a pitiful voice how she had raised Gu Zhen with great effort for over ten years, hoping that Gu Zhen would continue to be the second miss of the marquis's family, but Gu Zhen, ungrateful, only acknowledged her biological mother."

"When Yongning Marquis Madam cried, Lu Minghui followed suit, looking as pitiful as a delicate pear blossom. It’s really true that blood runs thicker than water."

"To be honest, her crying was quite impressive, even more dramatic and well-rehearsed than professional actors on stage."

"I can see through the exaggerated acting of this mother and daughter, but there are so many gullible women in the capital's high society who still pretend to take them seriously and fawn over them."

"It’s good that you’re in Changxi Village, far away from the capital. At least you’re free from all the drama."

"I’m not really willing to leave the manor to socialize anymore."

Gu Zhen’s voice was filled with resentment, her disgust barely concealed.

"It’s good to stay away from Lu Minghui and be more careful," Lu Mingchao lightly advised, her voice tinged with faint drowsiness.

Lu Minghui had no qualms about hurting others.

Gu Zhen nodded, and gradually, the room fell into silence.

……

Ah Qiu lay awake in the hastily prepared room, tossing and turning, sighing heavily, her brows furrowed in worry. She then got up, wrapped her clothes tightly, lit the candle, and began writing furiously.

As the personal maid to the young miss, she was naturally somewhat literate.

Since she had already aroused the young miss’s suspicion and dislike, she needed to secure the support of the Young Master.

Eventually, the Duke’s family would be under the control of the Young Master.

Even if she couldn’t stop tomorrow’s wedding, she had to send the message back as soon as possible, letting the Young Master see where she stood.

Ah Qiu briefly summarized the wedding details and Lu Mingchao’s stance, then sealed it in an envelope. She leaned against the doorframe, checking both ways to ensure all the rooms were dark, before quietly knocking on the guards' door.

In the silent night, even the faintest knock was more distinct than in broad daylight.

Already awake, Lu Yao’s ears perked up, and he sat upright.

His movement roused the sleeping Lu Lei.

"How dare you! That’s an affront to decency!" Lu Lei angrily exclaimed.