Chapter 221: Gu Huai Seeks Reconciliation

Chapter 221: Gu Huai Seeks Reconciliation

Gu Huai was seething with anger.

Yet, amidst his fury, a sharp pang of pain pierced his heart, pricking his tender heart and filling him with anxiety and jealousy.

He couldn’t understand.

How could his years of affection with A Chao be so easily overshadowed by a mere hunter?

“A Chao!”

The spring breeze swept through the window, gently rustling the robes of those it caressed.

Half of Gu Huai's face was cloaked in shadow, his furrowed brows betraying a deep gloom.

“Do you resent me?”

Hearing this, Lu Mingchao shot a cold glance at Gu Huai, then coolly pulled up a chair and took a seat.

Having come this far, there was no need for pretense or formalities.

Lu Mingchao tenderly rubbed her slightly throbbing abdomen, leisurely observing Gu Huai.

She truly wanted to hear what Gu Huai had to say—words he believed were profound but were actually shallow.

Could such a stance truly evoke sympathy?

Unfortunately, she wasn’t buying into the whole prodigal son narrative.

Gu Huai stepped closer to Lu Mingchao, his shadow looming over her.

“A Chao, it’s good to have resentment.”

“After the procedure, let’s act as if nothing happened. I’ll take you back to the capital and ensure you live in luxury.”

Gu Huai's tone was measured, as though he had endured much and was making a grand gesture. His voice dripping with condescending charity that was impossible to overlook.

Lu Mingchao let out a soft, mocking chuckle.

She was here to watch Gu Huai’s show, not to be part of it.

Admittedly, Gu Huai’s face was strikingly handsome. A nobleman raised in wealth and power, his arrogance and nobility untouched by hardship. Just looking at his face, one couldn’t deny its appeal.

“Gu Huai, you play your part so convincingly, I almost feel pity.”

“This act of enduring humiliation and feigning deep affection—are you trying to claim you’re not indifferent to me?”

“In the capital, after years of pursuit, you remained aloof, coldly observing my unrequited affection. You allowed young masters and ladies to mock and ridicule me, and calmly believed it was my own fault for bringing shame upon myself.”

“After the coming-of-age ceremony, when the two families discussed the wedding date, you kept postponing, clearly stating you had no intention to marry me, finding me as irritating as a fishbone, only because it was hard to defy the elders’ orders.”

“Princess Qingyu, on a whim, wanted to verify your words, ordered the princess’s consort to take liberties with me, and you said I was flirtatious and didn’t know how to keep myself pure.”

“When Lu Minghui was recognized by her ancestors, I ordered the maid to bring a token to ask for your help, begging you to firmly choose me once, to help me stay in the Yongning Marquis’s residence.”

"What did you say?"

Lu Mingchao's smile grew even more mocking. "You said, 'It's just fate, I can't meddle in the Marquis's family matters,' and you even warned me to keep quiet and avoid causing a scene."

"In desperation, I tried to kill myself by hitting a wall and almost died, but you never came to see me."

"Didn't you know I was raised in luxury, never leaving the capital or facing any hardship?"

"Whether I lived or died didn't matter to you."

"Gu Huai, did I say anything that wasn't true?"

"Now that I've realized I care for someone else, you call me fickle and indecisive, which is both ridiculous and disgusting."

"Do you think I should just shamelessly give you my heart, only to be scorned, treated coldly, and then trampled into the dirt?"

"Heir Gu, don't you think that's too much?"

"And you talk about taking me back to the capital to live in luxury. Am I crazy or stupid to not be Xie Yan's lawful wife but your secret mistress?"

"Gu Huai, be honest, can't you stand to see me happy?"

After saying her piece, the anger in Lu Mingchao's heart finally eased.

She had wanted to yell at Gu Huai for a long time.

He's just awful!

Now that he feels he's lost control, he pretends to regret what he did.

Gu Huai narrowed his eyes, deep and unreadable, filled with pain.

"A Chao, I know you're mad and bitter."

"It was my slow, late realization that hurt you."

As he spoke, Gu Huai knelt down to meet Lu Mingchao's eyes.

"A Chao, we grew up together; how could I not care about you? It was my arrogance that blinded me."

"I remember you dislike incense, tea with a strong astringent taste, overly sweet pastries..."

Lu Mingchao slightly furrowed her brow.

The original host's preferences were indeed no different from hers.

Tsk, transmigrating into a book is quite a skill.

However, Gu Huai is indeed flexible.

She thought Gu Huai would grab her by the neck, red-eyed, and stage a scene of forced love where escape was impossible.

Wasting all the strategies and plans she had prepared.

Lu Mingchao sighed inwardly, feeling quite regretful.

"Heir Gu," Lu Mingchao interrupted Gu Huai's endless speech, "when I woke up after trying to kill myself, I felt like I had already died once."

"If Heir Gu cannot forget old feelings, then burn paper offerings for the dead Lu Mingchao."

"Lu Mingchao!" Gu Huai, having been spoiled and fawned over since childhood, had limited patience.

He raised his hand and clenched Lu Mingchao's wrist.

Leaning over her, he looked down with slightly reddened eyes, not showing vulnerability but an undeniable dominance and intimidation.

Lu Mingchao felt a searing pain around her wrist.

"Are you out of your mind?" Lu Mingchao raised her delicate eyebrows.

Gu Huai increased his grip, gritting his teeth, "A Chao, I'll say this one last time: get rid of the child and come back to the capital with me. I will ensure your parents and brothers live in luxury and comfort."

He didn't want to hear Lu Mingchao dredge up old grievances.

Over the past few months, during late-night reflections, he often thought that if he hadn't repeatedly postponed the wedding, Lu Mingchao would already be his wife.

In his mind, she would have been his alone for a lifetime.

She would have put him above her own life!

That's how it was supposed to be.

That's how it was meant to be.

The disparity, resentment, and unwillingness twisted into an obsession.

No matter the cost, he had to take Lu Mingchao back to the capital.

Even as a mistress, Lu Mingchao would be the most prestigious one.

Lu Mingchao looked directly at Gu Huai, "Is that a threat?"

"Then be my guest."

He would ensure her parents and brothers lived in luxury and comfort?

Take his words with a grain of salt.

What Gu Huai really meant was that if she didn't yield, her parents and brothers would end up in poverty and misery.

"And you're hurting me."

Gu Huai instinctively loosened his grip, sighing in defeat, "A Chao, stop being stubborn."

"After you tried to kill yourself by hitting the wall, I didn't ignore or neglect you."

"I instructed Zhenzhen to take the imperial-grade wound ointment to the Yongning Marquis's residence. If you don't believe me, you can ask Zhenzhen or the servants of Lanxi Courtyard."

Lu Mingchao rubbed her wrist, her eyes flickering. Scoundrels rarely do anything decent before they repent.

Could Gu Huai be a scoundrel who still does decent things?

"Born to mooch off others."