Chapter 215: Wild Grass on the Wasteland Grows Endlessly

Chapter 215: Wild Grass Thrives Endlessly on the Plain

The atmosphere in the flower hall instantly froze, and time seemed to stretch on agonizingly slow.

Lu Mingchao took a few slow breaths, her eyes cold and her expression teasing. "A cozy retreat?"

"Does Patriarch Xu believe that Xie Yan has been living in fear and disgrace for the past three years?"

"Since Patriarch Xu is so righteous and fearless, why didn't he take decisive action to take Xiao Heng to the Runan Xu Clan when everyone was in panic and danger, using the survival of the family to protect him alone?"

"Instead, he entrusted the heavy burden to Xie Yan, who rushed back to the capital from the north, allowing Xie Yan to disguise himself as a refugee and face the perils of fleeing with Xiao Heng?"

"What he has done is no less than what anyone else has done."

"His life has been just as difficult as anyone else's."

"Loyalty? Passion? Pride? His top concern every day, from closing his eyes at night to opening them in the morning, is to escape capture, erase his tracks, and survive."

Huaiqian remembers the despair and difficulty of fleeing for his life, so he empathizes with A Yan's hardships.

What about others?

They question and doubt whether A Yan has been putting in the effort all these years.

Hasn't Xie Yan been trying?

A prodigy and young general, his family was destroyed overnight, and he plummeted from grace. He had no time to grieve; he had to focus on survival.

"Patriarch Xu, I respect you as an elder and thank you for your mediation with the Chu Family, but I do not wish for you to comment on A Yan's choices and decisions with a patronizing tone."

Lu Mingchao was not hysterical, nor did she raise her voice.

From beginning to end, she spoke calmly throughout.

Yet, Patriarch Xu felt an inexplicable pressure.

Patriarch Xu's eyes instantly turned icy.

He raised his gaze, looking directly at Lu Mingchao. Though his smile appeared gentle, it was chilling.

His white eyebrows raised slightly, adding to his stern demeanor.

Lu Mingchao wasn't just warning and refuting him; she was making her position clear.

In their cooperation, Xie Yan would not be coerced or faced with baseless criticism.

The Runan Xu Clan's attempt to dominate Xie Yan based on past favors and new goodwill in times of need was nothing but wishful thinking.

This was what Lu Mingchao wanted to convey to him.

For a moment, Patriarch Xu's heart seemed to stop, his gaze fixed on the youthful and striking face before him.

Lu Mingchao, truly fearless!

But what gave Lu Mingchao her confidence?

Empty bravado is arrogance and conceit!

Did Lu Mingchao think that Chaofu Trading Co., having replaced Sun Ji to become the new powerhouse of Changhe County, could sit back and relax, thinking everything was settled?

Or is it that Lu Mingchao believes that with the backing of Prince Duan, Xiao Fei, she can take on anyone who stands in her way?

Patriarch Xu's old eyes slowly moved.

Honestly, after learning about Lu Mingchao's actions, he was both impressed and appreciative.

She wasn't one to suffer in silence, nor was she a reckless hothead. She planned every step carefully but still kept her kindness, and every move she made was brilliant.

But she was too much of a free spirit.

At the same time, Xie Yan also placed too much importance on her.

Could Empress Dowager Xie really stand having someone like this by Xie Yan's side?

Patriarch Xu's eyes darkened as he wrestled with conflicting thoughts.

Since he'd already found Xie Yan and Crown Prince Heng, it made sense to tell Empress Dowager Xie.

Patriarch Xu sighed softly and muttered, "Is it Prince Duan's backing that gives you confidence?"

"I've heard from Qingxing that Prince Duan holds you in high regard."

He could understand Prince Duan's appreciation for Lu Mingchao.

Lu Mingchao might look like a delicate, noble flower.

But in reality, she's like wild grass on the plains—tough, unyielding, and spreading wherever she goes.

Even without support, she'd push herself to grow.

With support, she could rise to great heights and maybe even hold up the sky.

And for Xie Yan, meeting Lu Mingchao was like a dead tree in the mountains coming back to life in spring.

The wind rustled the curtains.

Lu Mingchao smiled and said, "Patriarch Xu, you can call it support or help, but don't call it confidence."

"In this world, who'd just hand over their trump card?"

Patriarch Xu wanted to stay as steady as a mountain.

But below the mountain, there were raging waves that could swallow and crush it at any moment.

"I've misspoken."

"Lu Mingchao, I can only cover Xie Yan's tracks for three months at most."

Patriarch Xu thought that even after years of self-cultivation, he still tended to play it safe, always keeping an escape route.

Lu Mingchao's eyes flickered, unsure of Patriarch Xu's intentions.

Patriarch Xu lowered his voice and explained, "Empress Dowager Xie might not want Xie Si Lang's partner to stand out too much."

Especially after what happened with the former Emperor Jingxiang and Shu Yuan, Empress Dowager Xie had become more rigid, unable to tolerate even a hint of defiance from those close to her.

Lu Mingchao frowned and said, "Thanks for the advice, Patriarch Xu."

Does Empress Dowager Xie prefer women who are gentle, respectful, quiet, and obedient to their husbands?

What a bummer!

Patriarch Xu did not detect a trace of panic or nervousness in Lu Mingchao's expression.

Ah, the woes of old age.

Maybe young folks these days are bold and fearless, thriving under pressure.

"Now, can you deliver the ring for me?"

Lu Mingchao complied gracefully. "How could I say no to you, sir?"

Patriarch Xu: Lu Mingchao must have mastered the art of changing faces.

Yongning Marquis is a real chameleon, always going with the flow.

But Lu Mingchao's approach is different.

"What if Yongning Marquis and his wife use their years of raising you to guilt you into respecting them when you're successful?"

Lu Mingchao looked down, thinking, 'This conversation is all over the place.'

"Don’t worry, Patriarch Xu, Yongning Marquis Madam and Lu Minghui will hand me the leverage themselves."

"Everyone knows I tried to stay by threatening to kill myself, but the Madam didn’t budge."

"When I left, the Madam 'generously' handed me a hundred taels."

"I thought it was a parting gift, but it was just to cover Lu Minghui's dowry."

"A child only owes filial piety to a kind mother."

Patriarch Xu blinked, confused. "A hundred taels?"

"After all those years, she only gave you a hundred taels as a goodbye?"

"Since when has the Madam been so cheap?"

"It was to end Lu Minghui's engagement and save her reputation."

Patriarch Xu clicked his tongue lightly. "Maybe you just didn’t win her over?"

"After fifteen years, she sent you off with a measly hundred taels when you were hurt."

"When I get back to Runan, I’ll have to tell the family about this 'generous' hundred taels."

"So, what happened to the hundred taels?"

"I donated it to the temple as an offering."

Patriarch Xu smiled wider. "Good, very good."

Winter gave way to spring. *Note: A tael is a traditional unit of weight used in China, often associated with silver currency.*