Chapter 199: Do You Want Sun Zhiye Dead?

Chapter 199: Do You Want Sun Zhiye Dead?

Lu Mingchao's eyes darkened inch by inch, and a faint, obscure smile appeared at the corner of her lips. "I’m just an ordinary woman with no grand ambitions. My shops barely keep food on the table. Why would someone like Prince Duan even notice me?"

Prince Duan lowered his gaze, scrutinizing her, and let out a soft chuckle. His friendly, laid-back attitude turned cold and commanding, resembling the biting night wind.

"Lu Mingchao, let’s cut to the chase."

"Before the winter has even passed, you’ve already defeated the renowned Jade String Gentleman of Changhe County. You’re always one step ahead, and no matter how your opponent moves, you remain undefeated."

"I have a premonition that, given time, Chaofu Trading Co. will become the top trading company in Daqian, and Lu Mingchao could become as rich as a country."

Lu Mingchao's expression remained unchanged. She gracefully performed a bow, her tone calm and unruffled. "I’m just a simple person who values my life and fears death. I don’t have the will or the means to get caught up in power struggles. I hope Your Highness Prince Duan will understand."

"Lu Mingchao, am I being too generous with you?" Prince Duan's expression suddenly turned stern, and a strong, oppressive aura emanated from him.

"I am the emperor’s eldest son, the Prince Duan personally appointed by His Majesty. Squashing you would be as easy as squashing a bug."

Lu Mingchao looked up at him. "Would you really do that, Your Highness?"

Prince Duan's imposing authority faltered for a moment, and then he exhaled a heavy breath. "Why wouldn’t I?"

"Everyone knows Your Highness is a man of virtue," Lu Mingchao said ambiguously.

Prince Duan sneered coldly, his gaze as sharp as two knives piercing her. "Don’t think I don’t see you mocking me for chasing fame! Are you sure you won’t work for me?"

Lu Mingchao pursed her lips and said helplessly, "Your Highness Prince Duan has traveled far and wide, and you must deeply understand that a small boat can only handle calm waters. If it hits rough seas, it’ll be smashed to bits in an instant."

"My Chaofu is just a flimsy little boat. It’s no match for Your Highness’s warship in the fight for power."

"I beg Your Highness to let me off the hook."

Lu Mingchao knew exactly what Chaofu Trading Co. was worth.

Prince Duan’s offer was either a test or just a whim, far from being a matter of necessity.

Prince Duan slightly closed his eyes, then reopened them, his previously angry and cold expression completely restrained. "You really are full of surprises!"

"Fine, since we’ve met, I’ll back off."

"You don’t have to work for me, but I hope your Chaofu Trading Co. will not be confined to one city, one place, one industry. It should thrive everywhere, spreading far and wide."

"Even in the sandstorm-filled north or the bug-infested, disease-ridden south!"

"In less than three months, you've taken Changhe County. I expect good news by next spring."

Lu Mingchao slightly lowered her gaze.

The disease-ridden south must be Prince Duan’s real target.

According to the records of the Southern Region Scroll, things sometimes fall from the sky, starting small and growing to the size of wheels before scattering.

Those who are struck by them fall ill, and it is called the miasma mother.

The mountains and rivers of the southern regions are densely clustered and difficult to disperse, hence the frequent occurrence of miasma.

Those who get sick often end up with swollen stomachs full of parasites.

Legend has it that gathering a hundred insects can create a poison to harm people. In hot and humid regions, poisonous insects thrive, and it’s not just the families in Lingnan known for their cruelty.

Throughout history, many have been exiled to Lingnan.

Day after day, year after year, few have survived unscathed or lived long lives.

His Highness Prince Duan is concerned about the Chu Clan, exiled to Lingnan by the emperor, but his status forces him to tread carefully, unable to show any concern for them.

Upon closer thought, Prince Duan's situation is like a flower in a mirror or the moon on water—illusory.

It seems splendid, but in truth, it’s like a hundred boats racing to leap through the dragon gate.

Has anyone in a thousand years seen a carp turn into a dragon?

No.

Those who fail to leap end up as fish on the chopping block, food for others.

The current emperor is Prince Duan’s biggest obstacle and threat.

At this thought, Lu Mingchao’s heart steadied.

She raised her brows and said softly, 'What Your Highness said is also my wish, but in this world, not all wishes are granted.'

Lu Mingchao’s voice was as light as dust on the wind.

Seeing Prince Duan’s expression shift, she quickly added, 'I’ll do my best!'

Just then, Prince Duan’s attendant returned and whispered in his ear.

Lu Mingchao discreetly watched Prince Duan’s expression.

It seemed like disappointment, yet also relief.

Prince Duan waved his hand, and the attendant bowed before leaving.

'Lu Mingchao, if I were to take you in as a concubine, would you agree?'

Prince Duan’s words were startling.

Lu Mingchao frowned, 'Is this another recruitment tactic?'

Prince Duan paused, then laughed heartily, 'I’m not so desperate as to sell myself for talent.'

'It’s just a voice in my heart telling me I should do this.'

'Your Highness,' Lu Mingchao’s mouth twitched, 'I steer clear of superstitions about ghosts and gods.'

Prince Duan said, 'I hope you’re as composed in front of Gu Huai.'

Lu Mingchao: …

Lu Mingchao, unwilling to dwell on Gu Huai, changed the subject: 'Hearing Your Highness speak of the miasma-filled lands, I recalled a remedy for malaria I once stumbled upon, though I’ve never tried it.'

'If it works, perhaps we could set up clinics in the miasma regions to help the people.'

This could also mean expanding Chaofu Trading Co. into Lingnan.

Prince Duan’s fingers twitched, and his heartbeat quickened. Lingnan’s lands are deep in mountains, dense in forests, shrouded in fog, and thick with frost. Miasma clings like a shadow, and even the locals fear it, relying on witchcraft and hit-or-miss herbal remedies.

"If the remedy in Mr. Lu's hands truly cures miasma, it would undoubtedly be a significant contribution to the local community."

Among the Chu Clan exiled to Lingnan, the elderly, weak, women, and children suffered heavy losses. No one knew how he felt when he received those heart-wrenching, tear-soaked letters.

If Lu Mingchao's remedy could protect the Chu Clan in Lingnan, he was willing to become a silent guardian for Chaofu Trading Co.

Lu Mingchao's eyes gleamed, "Once the matter in Changhe County is settled, I will arrange for someone to go to Lingnan as soon as possible."

Hearing this, Prince Duan's expression showed a bit more genuine human emotion, no longer pretending benevolence like an empty porcelain figure.

"Do you want Sun Zhiye dead?" Prince Duan asked bluntly.

Lu Mingchao replied straightforwardly, "A life for a life, it's only fair."

"I’m not the King of Hell who spares lives."

"It is the laws of nature and the Daqian legal code that demand Sun Zhiye's death."

Prince Duan's expression was inscrutable, "Don't you know that often, the laws of nature can be twisted, and many people are above the law."

"I know," Lu Mingchao said crisply, "With His Highness Prince Duan here, no matter how many evildoers and scoundrels there are in Changhe County, they won’t escape His Highness’s reach."

"Will His Highness Prince Duan deal with this fairly?"

Prince Duan raised an eyebrow, "Even to maintain the title of a benevolent and virtuous prince, I must deal with this fairly."

He knew that the Emperor was wary of his reputation for benevolence and virtue.

But he had no other choice!

"Chapter 200: Seamless Cooperation"