Chapter 214: Empress Dowager Xie’s Person

Chapter 214: Empress Dowager Xie's Agent

Lu Mingchao's heart was in turmoil, as if all her secrets were laid bare.

"Lu Mingchao."

Lu Mingchao masked her shock and spoke with conviction.

She was Lu Mingchao, and no one could doubt her identity.

The scrutiny in Patriarch Xu's eyes was like a finely woven net, trapping anyone caught within it.

"Lu Mingchao of the Yongning Marquis's family and Gu Huai of the Duke's family are fated to be entangled in a life-and-death marital bond."

"But, you and Gu Huai are like drawing water with a bamboo basket—futile and unrequited."

Lu Mingchao's nails dug into her palm, yet she remained composed. "Patriarch Xu, you yourself declared that I am a variable."

"Perhaps, Lu Minghui is also a variable that influenced everything."

"If she had not uncovered the mystery of her identity and gone to the capital to claim her heritage, then I would have been betrothed to Gu Huai, destined to be a couple for life, fulfilling the life-and-death entanglement you mentioned, and thus would never have met, known, or been with Xie Yan."

"Patriarch Xu, doesn't that make sense?"

Lu Mingchao's heart felt like it was in turmoil, restless and uneasy.

Even an amateur Taoist priest had such divine insight.

Leaving no room for escape!

The prediction was accurate.

In the book she read, Lu Mingchao was destined to marry Gu Huai, only to end up dying in the streets, her body never found.

In the other version that Lu Minghui knew, it was much the same—Lu Mingchao and Gu Huai's tragic love story, marrying first and falling in love later, growing old together.

Wasn't that exactly what Patriarch Xu had foretold—a life-and-death entanglement?

Patriarch Xu was partially convinced, pondering for a moment.

"It makes sense, but it's still a bit odd."

Lu Mingchao shrugged. "Overthinking won't solve anything."

"Now, I am married to Xie Yan, and Xie Yan and Huaiqian's fates are intertwined with mine, inseparable."

"Isn't it better that Gu Huai and I are like drawing water with a bamboo basket—futile and unrequited?"

"Instead of giving me a hard time, Patriarch Xu, why not be upfront with me?"

Patriarch Xu closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he had returned to his kind and benevolent demeanor, as if the previous confrontation had never happened.

Lu Mingchao's heart was still on edge, not daring to relax in the slightest.

"What you say makes sense," Patriarch Xu sighed softly.

"The way Xie Yan looks at you—with respect, love, pity, and an overwhelming sense of inferiority—clearly shows that he is deeply in love and cannot free himself."

"Did you save Xie Yan's life?"

All of a sudden, Patriarch Xu felt a wave of resentment.

It was somewhat like a mother-in-law becoming more and more dissatisfied with her daughter-in-law.

Lu Mingchao blinked, "Could it be that I actually saved Xie Yan's life?"

Though she had only skimmed the original book without going into detail, if Xie Yan's character held any significant weight in the plot, she should have some impression of him.

This could only mean that Xie Yan's original fate wasn't even as a villain, just cannon fodder.

Patriarch Xu was confused, his white eyebrows knitting more tightly.

Lu Mingchao felt uneasy, 'Are you related to Xie Yan?'

Patriarch Xu, "No."

What kind of question is that!

Lu Mingchao gritted her teeth, 'Then why are you butting in and meddling, picking at things like this?'

Patriarch Xu: ...

Noticing Patriarch Xu was still not convinced, Lu Mingchao went on, "Or do you fancy Xie Yan as a son-in-law, wanting to marry off a daughter of the Runan Xu Clan to him, and think I'm taking her spot?"

Actually, she wanted to say 'hogging the toilet and not using it.'

But since she was speaking to the patriarch of the Runan Xu Clan, she thought it best to keep her language more polite.

Patriarch Xu shot back without hesitation, 'I have no such intentions, don't slander me!'

Lu Mingchao pouted, 'Right, you don't.'

'Then you have even less reason to nitpick.'

'Patriarch Xu, I don't think I'm unworthy of Xie Yan, nor do I believe I'd be his weakness or flaw.'

'Xie Yan wouldn't think I'm unworthy of him either.'

'So, your resentment is pointless.'

Lu Mingchao's voice was crisp and cool, like the scent of plum blossoms on a cold breeze.

Patriarch Xu had to admit that this Lu Mingchao was second to none.

He sighed deeply, his tone playful, 'Of course, Xie Yan wouldn't think you're unworthy of him; he's convinced he's the one who's unworthy of you.'

Lu Mingchao lowered her gaze, smiling silently.

The first reaction to liking someone is feeling inferior.

And when that affection is returned, the inferiority fades away.

"Xie Yan, he's the fourth son of the Xie family from the Xinguo Duke's Mansion, raised in the northern frontier, isn't he?"

Patriarch Xu got back to the main topic.

Lu Mingchao blinked, 'Oh, so I really married into a prestigious family.'

Patriarch Xu's mouth twitched, 'Stop putting on an act, it's too over the top.'

"In the early years, Empress Dowager Xie did a life-saving favor for my wife and children, and I once made a vow that as long as I live, the Runan Xu Clan will serve Empress Dowager Xie."

"So, you need not doubt my hidden ulterior motives."

"Back then, it was the Runan Xu Clan who secretly assisted Empress Dowager Xie in planning a fire to protect Crown Prince Xiao Heng, and then sent the still young prince out of the palace."

"After that, Xie Yan was well aware of the details."

Patriarch Xu was confessing, and also handing over leverage to Lu Mingchao.

Committing arson to deceive the emperor and save the crown prince was a crime punishable by the extermination of nine clans.

Only by holding each other's leverage could they attempt to build trust.

This principle, Patriarch Xu understood, and so did Lu Mingchao.

"May I ask, Patriarch, how should I judge the truth of your words?"

Patriarch Xu took off the ring that had lost its luster from his finger, "Give this ring to Xie Yan, and the truth will be immediately clear."

Lu Mingchao frowned, "Why doesn't the Patriarch speak to Xie Yan directly?"

"I am not sure if Xie Yan's choice will align with Empress Dowager Xie's wishes," Patriarch Xu admitted frankly.

Empress Dowager Xie.

Lu Mingchao's heart sank at the thought.

Yes, Xie Yan's aunt is in the towering palace city.

It's also somewhat ironic, after the current emperor killed his nephew to seize the throne, he, having been raised by Emperor Wencheng, overcame all objections and still honored Emperor Wencheng's empress, Xie, as the Empress Dowager, residing in Changning Palace.

Therefore, the matter of revenge is not something Xie Yan can simply stop at will.

In the palace, there is also an Empress Dowager Xie who has lost her son and has to feign ignorance while smiling at her enemy.

Empress Dowager Xie will not permit Xie Yan to stop.

Huaiqian is both Empress Dowager Xie's hope for revenge and Xie Yan's talisman.

Understanding the connections, Lu Mingchao felt an inexplicable sense of despondency.

"Empress Dowager Xie hopes that Xie Yan can once again take up the mantle of the Xie family, lead thousands of troops to restore order, eliminate the traitors, uncover the truth behind the former Emperor Jingxiang's sudden death, restore the century-old honor of the Xinguo Duke's Mansion, and support the former Emperor's son, Xiao Heng, in ascending the throne."

"Isn't that how it should be?"

Lu Mingchao asked knowingly.

Patriarch Xu said in a deep voice, "Isn't that how it should be?"

"The Xie family has served the country loyally for three generations, guarding the borders with remarkable military achievements, but because of Prince Kang's selfish desires, they were branded with the infamous name of treason and rebellion, dying without a burial place."

"Xie Yan is a son of the Xie family, he should have the Xie family's loyal soul, hot blood, and proud bones!"

"Or is it that Xie Yan is indulging in the gentle countryside and has forgotten the blood feud."

Wild grass grows endlessly across the wasteland.