Chapter 222: Born to Love Soft Rice

Chapter 222: Born to Love Eating Soft Rice

Lu Mingchao remained skeptical.

Seeing a slight change in Lu Mingchao's expression, Gu Huai felt a surge of joy.

“A Chao, are you really going to abandon the years of feelings we shared?”

Lu Mingchao replied in a deep voice, “It’s not about feelings; it’s my own dark past.”

“If Heir Gu called me here just to dwell on the past, then we have little to talk about.”

Gu Huai said, “A Chao, do you really think I’m powerless against you?”

Lu Mingchao: Please, spare me the melodrama.

At that moment, Magistrate Xu hurried under the eaves, out of breath.

“Envoy Gu, Xie Yan, Mr. Lu’s husband, wishes to see you.”

Under the eaves.

Magistrate Xu was on edge.

On one side was Xie Yan, on the other was Gu Huai.

On one side was his father’s orders, on the other was the power of the Duke’s family.

He was truly torn!

But owing a favor to Xie Yan and Lu Mingchao, he mustered the courage to deliver the message.

Gu Huai’s expression darkened, his chest swelling with rage and a flicker of jealousy.

Xie Yan.

Xie Yan.

What a fitting name.

His fingers dug into his palms, his fists clenched so tight they trembled.

Especially seeing the ease in Lu Mingchao's expression only fueled his jealousy.

“A Chao, Magistrate Xu clearly has a soft spot for you and that hunter.”

The words struck Magistrate Xu like a blow.

Magistrate Xu’s scalp prickled with unease.

“Let him in,” Gu Huai barked.

Soon, a tall, poised figure approached with purpose.

His steps were quick but confident.

Gu Huai froze, his anger momentarily eclipsed by shock.

This is Xie Yan?

Clad in a dark, cloud-patterned martial outfit, he looked both handsome and severe.

A somewhat sinister scar beneath his eye made him appear even sharper and more unapproachable.

He was neither crude nor ugly as he had imagined.

He had never given Xie Yan much thought before.

Seeing him today made him realize he had misjudged him.

Gu Huai lowered his voice, "Is A Chao bewitched by Xie Yan's looks?"

His tone slightly drawn out, reminiscent of a lover's tender whisper.

Lu Mingchao: He guessed it right.

She truly embodied the saying that attraction starts with looks and deepens with character.

Gu Huai narrowed his dark eyes, his gaze turning curious and teasing.

His A Chao was still the same when it came to being swayed by good looks.

Years ago, A Chao had taken a liking to him at first sight and then relentlessly pursued him for a marriage contract.

"A Chao, he dares to come looking for you, quite bold."

"But being with you isn't just about having courage."

Lu Mingchao had had enough of Gu Huai's crazy talk.

People like Gu Huai naturally believed that everything in the world was about whether they wanted it or not, not about whether it was reasonable or possible.

They say low intelligence is contagious, and so is madness.

"Commoner Xie Yan pays his respects to Imperial Envoy Gu."

Xie Yan bowed.

Lu Mingchao glanced up and noticed a faint sheen of sweat on Xie Yan's forehead, his breathing somewhat irregular.

Gu Huai stayed silent, his penetrating gaze fixed on Xie Yan.

After a long pause, Gu Huai sat upright in the main seat and spoke casually, "Shouldn't you perform a kowtow when meeting this Imperial Envoy?"

"Or is it that a hunter from the mountains is too uncouth to know proper etiquette?"

"Kneel down, place your hands on the ground, and touch your head to the ground."

Xie Yan raised his eyes, his voice calm, "As per the Daqian law, kowtowing is mandated when meeting a superior, showing gratitude, during sacrifices, confessing guilt, apologizing, or during weddings and funerals."

"His Majesty designated you as the Imperial Envoy to inspect Yicheng, presumably not to let you abuse your power."

Gu Huai was momentarily at a loss for words, finding Xie Yan even more loathsome.

Lu Mingchao stood up and took her place beside Xie Yan.

Their eyes met, a warm current passing between them.

Gu Huai thought, 'Disgusting!'

It's quite irritating to see.

His *A Chao* is flirting with another man right in front of him.

Xie Yan glanced at Lu Mingchao's reddened wrist, his eyes dark and menacing.

Lu Mingchao blinked, silently reassuring Xie Yan.

Xie Yan slightly closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, they were clear and composed, unruffled.

"Your Excellency, I understand that the Imperial Commissioner is interested in understanding the situation of Chaofu Trading. After my wife became pregnant, I temporarily took over Chaofu Trading, concerned that there might be oversights due to her prolonged absence. Therefore, I took the liberty of coming uninvited, please forgive my intrusion."

Xie Yan's tone was very calm, as if Gu Huai was just another Imperial Commissioner, and there was no entanglement or enmity between them.

Lu Mingchao let out a small sigh of relief.

Gu Huai took a sip of the cold tea, his heart grew cold.

Phoenix Single Bush tea, once *A Chao*'s favorite.

Fragrant and smooth.

I'd rather be a guest at Phoenix Tea Mountain than a drunken fairy among apricot blossoms.

But, since *A Chao* came here, she hasn't taken a sip of tea, nor has she noticed the mismatched sachet at his waist.

He had only left *A Chao* for a few short months.

With a soft sigh, he murmured, "The swift rise of Chaofu Trading is remarkable."

"I specifically invited *A Chao* here, not just for the affairs of Chaofu Trading, but to check on her recent situation and well-being."

"I have known *A Chao* since childhood, we were close and shared a deep bond. Given our long separation and reunion, it's only fitting to personally visit to express my concern, otherwise I would be uneasy."

Lu Mingchao: ...

These words meant to sow discord are both sly and despicable.

If Xie Yan didn't know the full story and was the jealous type, Gu Huai's little scheme would have succeeded.

Gu Huai looked at Xie Yan with a half-smile, trying to spot any signs of anger, jealousy, or suspicion beneath Xie Yan's calm demeanor.

But Gu Huai was disappointed.

He couldn't read the emotion in Xie Yan's clear, handsome eyes.

"Since we are old friends, it's only right to have a small gathering after a long separation."

"Now that we've met, I hope Your Excellency feels reassured?"

Xie Yan gently supported Lu Mingchao's waist with his hand.

Lu Mingchao leaned on Xie Yan's palm.

Warm and comforting, very soothing.

Since she became pregnant, she often felt back pain.

Gu Huai's eyes were fixed on Xie Yan's hand on Lu Mingchao's waist, his nails deeply embedded in his palm, barely controlling himself from losing his composure.

"Please, have a seat."

Gu Huai spoke each word deliberately.

Xie Yan bowed his head, "Thank you, Your Excellency, for considering that my wife should not stand for long."

Then, he helped Lu Mingchao sit down on a nearby armchair.

Gu Huai: (Jealousy!)

Gu Huai picked up the teacup and took another sip of tea, suppressing the jealousy burning within him. "Xie Yan, as a husband, you should take responsibility for supporting your family. Do you think it's appropriate to rely on A Chao to support you?"

Xie Yan feigned shyness and smiled. "This commoner was born with delicate health, so I'm only suited to eat the soft rice provided by my wife."

"Your Excellency, are you curious about what it feels like to eat soft rice?"

"With your family background, I'm afraid you'll never get the chance in this lifetime."

Lu Mingchao: (Speechless...)

Gu Huai: ...

Gu Huai was furious. "Is this something to be proud of? Why are you so proud and smug?"

Xie Yan looked affectionately at Lu Mingchao, then slowly said, "My wife is willing to let me eat soft rice, which shows she loves and values me, and doesn't look down on me for having nothing and achieving nothing."

"To have a devoted partner, to grow old together without parting—isn't that something to be proud of?"

"Xie Yan has no grand ambitions in this life, only the wish that my wife will provide me with soft rice for a lifetime."

"Neither soft nor hard tactics work on him."