Chapter 197: Prince Duan’s Invitation

Chapter 197: Invitation from Prince Duan

Magistrate Xu of Changhe County staged a threat and intimidation, once again pushing the case of Sun Zhiye murdering his younger brother into the spotlight.

The new wave of rumors was enough to tie the hands of the mastermind behind the scenes and also enough to bring about Sun Zhiye's downfall.

The sensational rumors spread with the wind and reached the ears of Prince Duan, who was far away in Xiangyun County.

Prince Duan, having been idle for a while, decided to make a move and arrived with his entourage.

Changxi Village.

Lu Mingchao snapped off a plum blossom branch and arranged it in the window vase.

Magistrate Xu's self-staged threat and intimidation completely cut off Sun Zhiye's path to survival.

No matter how minor a county official may be, they are still an official.

Threatening and intimidating a county official is a blatant disregard for the Daqian law.

"The news from the capital has arrived."

A small gray pigeon alighted on Shu Yuan's arm.

Lu Mingchao skimmed the note and was taken aback.

"Breaking off the engagement?"

Gu Huai actually wanted to dissolve the engagement with Lu Minghui?

The Duke's household was resolute, and the Yongning Marquis household was unable to resist. The dissolution of the engagement had already become a foregone conclusion.

Had she been reading a fake book?

It was supposed to be that the true daughter and the Duke's heir would overcome all obstacles, form a good relationship, and grow old together.

Could it be that without the meddling of a vicious female supporting character, the relationship between the male and female leads would not progress at all?

Xie Yan stood behind Lu Mingchao, tall and poised, his eyes downcast, deep in thought.

"Does the Duke also agree that Gu Huai is untrustworthy and capricious?" Lu Mingchao lightly traced her fingers along the plum blossom branch, clearly puzzled.

Xie Yan said in a deep voice, "Presumably, Gu Huai has gotten hold of Lu Minghui's secrets, and the Yongning Marquis household has no choice but to swallow their pride and endure in silence."

"Although Lu Minghui's style and methods exhibit ruthlessness, her schemes are actually superficial. She succeeded repeatedly in the past because the Lu family considered blood ties, which made Lu Yao hesitate and unable to fight back with full strength when he counterattacked."

"Now that Lu Minghui has gained power, she will vent her viciousness with even less restraint. It would be easy for Gu Huai, who wants to break off the engagement, to catch her mistakes."

"Simply killing the Lanxi Courtyard servants could ruin Lu Minghui's reputation. To make a bolder guess, it wouldn't be surprising if Chuanbo, eager to save his master, took Lu Minghui's secrets and defected to Gu Huai."

"One wants to save his master, and the other wants to break off the engagement. They immediately found common ground."

Lu Mingchao's eyes flickered.

She considered that perhaps the details of the matter were as Xie Yan had described.

To be honest, if it weren't for Gu Huai and Lu Minghui causing her trouble, she wouldn't care whether the two were deeply in love or couldn't stand each other.

Especially given Lu Minghui's erratic mental state, she might blame the dissolution of the engagement on her and lash out like a mad dog.

She perfectly embodies the role of the villainess.

Lu Mingchao collected her thoughts and murmured, "This marriage is not something Gu Huai can just back out of. Lu Minghui will cling to him like a leech."

"Just wait and see—this grand drama is only just beginning."

"Prince Duan is renowned as the virtuous prince. Knowing that a noble openly flouts Daqian’s laws and manipulates officials’ judgments, will he tolerate it or investigate thoroughly?"

"The stage in Changhe County is ready for Prince Duan, and it's time for him to step onto the stage and complete the play."

With a creak, the plum blossom branch broke in Lu Mingchao's palm.

She’s spent so long paving the way and setting up this grand stage. The actors must deliver the lines she wants to hear, and the moment the curtain falls, it must be the scene she wishes to see.

Whether Prince Duan’s virtuous reputation is genuine or not, it doesn’t matter!

Under the cloak of virtue, actions must align with the persona!

Shu Yuan glanced around, then silently bowed his head.

Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan are a match made in heaven.

The family’s blood feud and the former Emperor Jingxiang’s lingering resentment—only a mistress like Lu Mingchao can navigate the sea of blood and emerge onto a path of splendor.

...

When Prince Duan arrived in Changhe, he didn’t head straight to the county office to inquire about Sun Zhiye's case of fratricide. Instead, he sent his attendants to gather information and gauge public opinion in the streets, alleys, teahouses, and taverns.

"Lu Mingchao?"

A young man with a jade-inlaid hair tie, clad in a cloud-patterned brocade robe adorned with golden cloud embroidery on the cuffs and a vermilion-and-white jade belt, looked dashing and refined.

Prince Duan listened to his attendant’s report with a playful expression.

"Lu Mingchao from the Yongning Marquis’s residence in the capital, who swore to marry only Heir Gu?"

He’s known as the benevolent and virtuous prince, while Gu Huai is called the gentleman of orchids.

Though he’s never met Lu Mingchao, his interactions with Gu Huai have made her name familiar to him.

In the capital, it’s common knowledge that Gu Huai’s attitude toward Lu Mingchao is icy, and he makes no effort to conceal his disdain. But what is the actual situation?

Gu Huai cares without realizing it.

He once joked that if Gu Huai truly disliked Lu Mingchao, he could petition to take her as a concubine.

Hearing this, Gu Huai coldly warned him to watch his words and stormed off.

The attendant nodded, "Exactly."

Hearing this, Prince Duan grew even more intrigued.

Lu Mingchao, who swore to marry only Gu Huai, ended up wedding a mountain hunter.

Maybe he should kill the hunter and bring Lu Mingchao into his household. Gu Huai’s expression would be quite interesting.

"Give the order—I want to meet Lu Mingchao."

"Escort her here properly."

"Remember, the family should stick together."

Gu Huai was busy scheming and lobbying in the capital, doing everything he could to get out of the city and pulling out all the stops to end the engagement.

As for Lu Mingchao, she not only married a mountain hunter but also became a stepmother.

Who knows how Gu Huai would react if he saw it for himself?

Well, he just loved seeing Gu Huai's expression change dramatically.

Prince Duan's attendants were incredibly efficient. As dusk approached, they surrounded the Xie family's courtyard, mindful of the word 'please,' they knocked on the gate with utmost seriousness.

By the candlelight, Xie Yan stroked his bow and arrow, whispering, "Eight people, judging by their footsteps and breathing, they're likely skilled martial artists."

After a moment's thought, he said slowly, "They can be taken out."

Lu Mingchao restrained the murderous Xie Yan. "It wouldn't hurt to hear what they want."

The gate opened, and the attendant said bluntly, "Our master invites you."

Lu Mingchao discreetly observed the visitor, and her pupils narrowed when she saw the jade plaque at his waist.

"Prince Duan?"

The attendant clasped his hands. "Miss Lu is sharp-eyed."

"Please."

Lu Mingchao frowned slightly.

What is Prince Duan thinking!

Xie Yan's gaze was icy and intense.

He flexed his fingers slightly, and the dagger in his sleeve slid silently into his palm.

He knew Prince Duan was unpredictable and didn't play by the rules.

Suddenly, Lu Mingchao turned her head and gave Xie Yan a comforting smile.

"Since Prince Duan invites, how could I, a common woman, refuse?"

The attendant added, "The prince invites Miss Lu and her whole family."

Lu Mingchao: Prince Duan must be out of his mind.

Is he planning to take out our whole family?

I've never heard of Prince Duan being bloodthirsty before!

"Prince Duan's kindness, we naturally comply."

There was no option to refuse.

Even if Xie Yan could take down all of Prince Duan's attendants, what then?

Prince Duan said the whole family, so it must be the whole family, not one less.

The grumbling Shu Yuan was also ushered onto the carriage.

"To be used by this prince."