Chapter 224: Fellow Sufferers in the World

Chapter 224: Kindred Spirits in Adversity

No wonder he kept losing battles, ending up completely defeated.

Could Heir Gu still be considering defying public sentiment to rescue Sun Zhiye?

No, the case was personally tried by His Highness Prince Duan, with the people of Changhe observing the entire process. There must be no further complications.

Considering this, Magistrate Xu remarked casually, "To be frank, Your Excellency, Sun Zhiye's actions are quite peculiar. Perhaps he harbors a deep-seated hatred for Mr. Lu, evidenced by his collection of Mr. Lu's portraits in his study."

Magistrate Xu's tone was laced with deep confusion and bewilderment.

Gu Huai turned serious and demanded, "Explain clearly."

Magistrate Xu recounted the discovery of the portraits calmly and methodically.

As Gu Huai's expression darkened further, Magistrate Xu felt a sense of relief.

Gu Huai's fingers curled slightly, tapping the desk in a rhythmic pattern, "Magistrate Xu, have two jugs of wine prepared."

...

"A Yan, weren't you supposed to be handling business today?" Lu Mingchao gently took Xie Yan's arm, her smile radiant.

With Gu Huai out of sight, she felt the sky was bluer, the flowers more fragrant, and the breeze lighter.

Xie Yan slowed his pace, walking side by side, "After hearing the news, I couldn't help but worry."

Lu Mingchao blinked, teasing, "What is A Yan worried about?"

"Nothing feels certain." Xie Yan halted, looking down at Lu Mingchao, his voice laced with unease.

Mingchao's history with Gu Huai was something he could never share. He hadn't even seen Mingchao's passionate and naive side.

Moreover, he feared that Gu Huai, in his rage and madness, might harm Mingchao.

Gu Huai, who could recklessly break off an engagement, present auspicious signs to the emperor, and send women out of the capital to take up posts, was likely not in his right mind.

Lu Mingchao reached up to soothe Xie Yan's furrowed brow, "A Yan, before coming here, I made extensive preparations."

"Since Chaofu Bookstore was established, we've been continuously supplying free writing materials to the poor students copying inside."

"In this matter, I did have my own small schemes, not entirely honorable, but I first captured the young students' fearless and upright hearts."

"If I were to disappear for an extended period, someone would rally the students who had benefited from Chaofu Bookstore to come and pay their respects to the visiting Imperial Commissioner."

"No one in the world would dare to easily offend the scholarly community."

"To provoke them would be like stirring up a hornet's nest."

"The mouths and pens of scholars are the sharpest knives."

"Each cut is bloodless, yet each is fatal."

"Even though Gu Huai comes from the Duke's family, he dare not underestimate the power of scholars."

"A Yan, from the moment I knew of your blood feud and decided to marry you, I resolved never to be your weakness."

Xie Yan gazed at Lu Mingchao, murmuring softly, "With a wife like this, what more could a husband ask for."

His Mingchao, a true female Zhuge Liang.

He didn’t need or want a beautiful, delicate wife or concubine; he only wished to have Mingchao as his lifelong companion.

"Mingchao, stop saying you’re not honorable enough."

"It’s well known that all your actions are aboveboard tactics, and you’ve never done anything evil that would harm your conscience."

"It’s only natural to look out for yourself while helping others."

"Otherwise, wouldn’t you just be a saint with no worldly desires?"

With those words, Lu Mingchao’s face brightened with a smile.

In this world, there’s no such thing as perfect goodness.

Xie Yan took Lu Mingchao's hand and continued walking forward. "I saw you holding your stomach when I came in—are you feeling okay?"

Lu Mingchao relaxed her brows. "Just the usual back pain and soreness—typical after pregnancy."

"I’ll give you a massage when we get back," Xie Yan said gently.

Lu Mingchao asked, "What about work?"

"According to the plan, you should be wrapping up the jewelry shop deal in Yicheng."

After all, the gold and jade pieces in the Space Supermarket are just gathering dust.

"Yun Zheng’s got it covered."

"He’s sharp and persuasive—it’ll be fine."

Both of them silently avoided bringing up Gu Huai.

"Mingchao, Shu Yuan and I are thinking about having Lu Yao study under Master Yu."

Xie Yan hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.

Lu Mingchao glanced sideways. "Is it really that simple to become Master Yu’s disciple?"

To be blunt, being a genius is just the bare minimum to meet Master Yu—he’s never short of genius disciples.

Xie Yan pursed his lips, carefully choosing his words. "Lu Yao’s won the Shou Zhan Pavilion debate competition three months in a row. He’s well-known, and his knowledge is deep and solid. Plus, Shu Yuan was once Master Yu’s star pupil. With Shu Yuan’s help, playing to his strengths and sealing the deal won’t be an issue."

"It’s worth a shot—there’s still a good chance."

"Yu in the south and Zhuang in the north—they’re the leading scholars of the world."

"Master Zhuang died years ago, leaving Master Yu as the sole torchbearer of the sages."

"If Lu Yao can impress Master Yu and become his disciple, it’d be like having an extra layer of protection. Master Yu is fiercely protective—anyone trying to mess with Lu Yao would have to think twice."

"In fact, if Shu Yuan had insisted on not entering the palace back then, Master Yu and the Shu family could have protected him."

Lu Mingchao understood the underlying meaning.

"Are you worried Gu Huai might go after the Lu family?"

Xie Yan nodded, then shook his head. "Not just Gu Huai."

"A tree that towers above the forest will be felled by the wind."

"Scholars with talent but no family background or support are the first to suffer."

Lu Mingchao furrowed her brows, knowing that Xie Yan's words were spot-on.

Still, it was uncertain whether Lu Yao had that kind of luck.

"Then let's persuade Lu Yao to give it a try."

Take a gamble—perhaps an Alto could turn into an Audi, a Baojun into a BMW. (Note: This metaphor refers to upgrading from budget cars to luxury brands, symbolizing a dramatic improvement in one’s circumstances.)

Here, Lu Mingchao and Xie Yan came to an agreement.

Meanwhile, Gu Huai brought two jugs of wine to the prison.

Magistrate Xu was baffled: ???

Was this about lamenting lost paths or chance encounters with strangers?

Or kindred spirits who need no prior acquaintance to bond?

After a round of drinks, could they really form a genuine connection?

Magistrate Xu wanted to follow and investigate, but Gu Huai gave him a cold glare, freezing him in place.

His tenure as a magistrate was one frustration after another.

"Sun Zhiye?"

The prison was dark and damp, and the beauty of spring seemed unwilling to grace this place.

Sun Zhiye held a sharp stone, etching into the wall with a focused and serene expression.

At the sound of the voice, he looked up.

The visitor was young and handsome, exuding an innate nobility, as if he belonged in a grand hall far removed from the harsh realities of the world.

Such a person should not be in a place like this.

Sun Zhiye frowned, racking his brain, but found no trace of this person.

Gu Huai did not rush to speak, studying Sun Zhiye carefully.

He was indeed a notable figure, but fate had not been kind to him.

"Heir Gu?" Sun Zhiye ventured cautiously.

Gu Huai shook the wine bottle in his hand and said in a deep voice, "Good guess. How about a drink?"

Sun Zhiye was filled with nothing but confusion, not relief or joy.

Even if Heir Gu came in person, he couldn’t get him out of this mess.

So, it was better not to hold any expectations and take it in stride.

But what could have brought Heir Gu here?

A meeting of rivals...