Chapter 223: Neither Soft Nor Hard

Chapter 223: Unfazed by Threats or Flattery

As soon as the words were spoken, not only was Gu Huai dumbfounded, but even Lu Mingchao couldn't suppress a shiver of disgust.

Was Xie Yan really about to proudly embrace the role of a shameless freeloader?

Gu Huai laughed bitterly, his anger barely contained. "Xie Yan, if you had any shred of dignity, you should stay far away from Lu Mingchao."

"Imperial Commissioner Your Excellency, you may rule over everything under the sun, but you can't stop a commoner from living off soft rice, can you?" Xie Yan's lips curled into a smile, his expression tender and affectionate. "I know my place; without my wife, there would be no soft rice to eat."

"Your Excellency, depriving a man of his livelihood is as cruel as desecrating his ancestors' graves."

"Such despicable acts are surely beneath someone of Your Excellency's stature."

Gu Huai tightly gripped his teacup with his slender fingers, his fingertips lightly tracing the patterns on the cup's surface, struggling to keep his anger in check, putting on a show of respect and sincerity.

He had imagined that Xie Yan, a hunter by birth who had never seen the world, would endure the humiliation, kowtowing and groveling for forgiveness.

He had also imagined that Xie Yan, driven by his pride, would be filled with righteous indignation, cursing and causing a scene.

At the very least, A Chao would see Xie Yan's true colors.

But he had never expected Xie Yan to take such an approach, completely blindsiding him.

To his attempts at stirring up trouble, Xie Yan turned a blind eye.

To his disdain and contempt, Xie Yan seemed to thrive on it.

Gu Huai couldn't help but wonder if A Chao's eyes were blind, choosing such a shameless freeloader.

What a stain on the Xie name!

Gu Huai took a deep breath, forcing himself to adopt a demeanor of respect and earnestness. "Xie Yan, this Imperial Commissioner offers you a chance to make something of yourself and achieve greatness. How about it?"

"If you wish, this Imperial Commissioner will personally recommend you for an official position, mentor you for a few years, and by then, you will surely be able to establish yourself in the officialdom, with power, wealth, and a life of luxury at your fingertips."

"All you need to do is choose to divorce A Chao and let her live the life she was meant to have."

Gu Huai's original plan was to use a mix of threats and bribes.

He refused to believe that there truly existed a man who would willingly live off another's wealth, enduring the mockery and disdain of others.

Had he not seen, throughout history, countless poor scholars who, upon achieving success, eagerly abandoned their hardworking wives who had managed the household and served their in-laws?

Who would have thought that Xie Yan would dismiss the offer without a second thought.

"Imperial Commissioner Your Excellency, this commoner has had enough of the hardships and toil of hunting for a living. Now, I only wish to enjoy the comfort of living off my wife's wealth."

"There's no need for Your Excellency to concern yourself with this commoner's family affairs."

Gu Huai stiffly turned his head to face Lu Mingchao. "A Chao, are you really willing to support a scarred freeloader?"

"People change. Aren't you afraid that one day he might scheme for your wealth and harm your life?"

Lu Mingchao nodded seriously. "As long as he loves and respects me now, who can say what will happen in the future? At worst, it would be a case of poor judgment."

Gu Huai detected the underlying meaning in Lu Mingchao's words, his expression turning grim.

"Does Imperial Commissioner Gu have anything else to say?"

"If there is nothing else, my husband and I will take our leave first."

A shadow of disappointment passed through Gu Huai's eyes.

There was nothing, yet a thousand words lodged in his throat, unspoken.

He didn’t need A Chao to tell him about the pain of missing him.

He didn’t need A Chao to confess, apologize, or beg for mercy.

All he wanted was for A Chao to reach out and agree to go back to the capital with him.

But A Chao's eyes, clear as autumn water, no longer reflected his figure.

When Gu Huai stayed silent, Lu Mingchao stood, bowed, and left with Xie Yan, hand in hand.

Don’t ever say that late affection is as worthless as grass.

What grows back after a wildfire and spring breeze isn’t so worthless.

Gu Huai watched the retreating figures of Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan, a surge of envy rising in his heart like a bubbling spring.

Spring sunlight streamed down, and dust motes floated in the air. A breeze stirred the tassels by the window, making them sway gently.

The warm breeze and sunlight softened their figures, making them look gentle and enchanting.

If the graceful, smiling woman hadn’t been A Chao, he might have genuinely called them a perfect match.

But there was no escaping it.

It was A Chao, after all.

The same A Chao who’d chased after him, calling him 'Brother Gu Huai' a thousand times.

Gu Huai rubbed the sachet at his waist, the bright sunlight briefly blinding him. When he looked again, Lu Mingchao was gone.

At that moment, Gu Huai felt utterly defeated and lost.

He couldn’t stop thinking about Lu Mingchao’s piercing question.

After years together, A Chao burned like fire, while he remained cold and unyielding as ice.

Had he been wrong?

As the heir to a first-rank duke, what was wrong with a little pride?

It wasn’t his fault, after all.

If not for the true and false heiresses fiasco, A Chao would still be chasing after him as passionately as before.

Never mind. Let A Chao have her little fit.

The pressing issue was to end the pregnancy. If it went on any longer, it would hurt A Chao.

A cold, ruthless glint filled Gu Huai’s eyes, brimming with murderous intent.

This intent was not solely directed at the fetus in Lu Mingchao's womb.

"Magistrate Xu," Gu Huai abruptly pulled the sachet from his waist and tucked it back into his wide sleeve.

Magistrate Xu: If he doesn’t go to hell, then who will?

Magistrate Xu lifted his robe and stepped over the threshold, his tone fawning and flattering, vividly portraying the image of a two-faced opportunist. "Your Excellency, please command as you see fit."

Gu Huai sneered, "This Imperial Commissioner wouldn’t dare to order Magistrate Xu around."

"I wonder what favors Xie Yan promised Magistrate Xu to make him so cautious and attentive."

Magistrate Xu’s palms grew clammy.

Here it comes, the settling of scores after the harvest.

Since he can’t vent his anger on Lu Mingchao, he’s taking it out on me.

Am I just some pawn in this messy love triangle?

Magistrate Xu's head sank lower and lower, trembling as he said, "Your Excellency, please be discerning. This humble official has no inappropriate connections with Xie Yan."

If only I hadn’t fought so fiercely with my third brother for this position.

"Is that so?" Gu Huai replied with a smirk.

Magistrate Xu hurriedly replied, "Every word is true."

Gu Huai said indifferently, "Magistrate Xu, you will forget everything you’ve seen and heard today."

Magistrate Xu forced out a sentence, "This humble official knows nothing."

Round one: Heir Gu versus Xie the hunter—total defeat.

"You’re quite sharp," Gu Huai said, raising an eyebrow. "Where is Sun Zhiye?"

Magistrate Xu frowned, "Your Excellency is familiar with Sun Zhiye?"

Gu Huai said casually, "Is that surprising?"

"As the Imperial Commissioner here to inspect, I naturally had to familiarize myself with Changhe’s major events beforehand."

"Not surprising, not surprising," Magistrate Xu agreed. "Your Excellency’s diligence and dedication are a true blessing for the people."

"Sun Zhiye is being held in the county jail, awaiting his execution date."

Outwardly agreeing, inwardly suspicious.

Could it be that the noble from the capital who vouched for Sun Zhiye was Heir Gu?

No, why would Heir Gu protect his rival in love?

When the officers searched Sun’s residence, they discovered a portrait of Lu Mingchao hidden in a secret compartment in the Fuguang Courtyard study.

At that moment, he was utterly shocked and immediately ordered it all to be burned.

Everyone of importance in Changhe knows that Sun Zhiye and Lu Mingchao are sworn enemies, locked in a life-and-death struggle.

In the end, he realized that Sun Zhiye was both battling to the death and still yearning for Lu Mingchao.

Kindred spirits in this world of suffering.