Chapter 235: Waiting for Your Return

Chapter 235: Waiting for Your Return

Qin Wanrou, being a concubine's daughter, benefits from having a favored aunt.

Knowing Qin Wanrou's feelings for Lu Minghua, she worked hard to bring them together.

Lu Minghui exploited Lu Minghua's gentlemanly demeanor, scheming to make Qin Wanrou and Lu Minghua intimate. A gentleman like Lu Minghua, guided by morality and conscience, would never overlook such a situation and would surely take responsibility.

However, Lu Minghui, new to such schemes, didn't dare to falsely accuse Qin Wanrou of losing her virtue at the Qin family's plum blossom banquet, which would ruin both her reputation and the Qin family's name.

It was you who turned the situation to your advantage, adding the final spark to this matter.

You vented your anger and thwarted Lu Minghui's little scheme.

Though Qin Wanrou secured her engagement to Lu Minghua, her reputation was ruined, and she wouldn't thank Lu Minghui, nor would she, as planned, use the Qin family's influence to pressure you into honoring the marriage contract.

The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind it.

You are the only one who benefits.

If Lu Minghua knew the truth, he would likely be deeply ashamed to call you a friend.

The tea soaked Gu Huai's brocade robe, the tea leaves clinging to the edge, teetering. Then, the teacup, like a runaway wheel, rolled across the bluestone pavement, each step accompanied by a crisp shattering sound, until it shattered completely.

Gu Huai's hand in his sleeve twitched slightly, his long eyelashes fluttering, not turning around, his voice muffled, "Lu Minghua and I cut ties long ago."

After returning from the academy, Lu Minghua blamed Gu Huai for his cold-heartedness, for standing by while Lu Mingchao was isolated and helpless, thus ending their friendship.

In the past six months, he and Lu Minghua had met only three times.

Once to cut ties.

Once when Lu Minghua visited Zhenzhen.

Once at the Qin family's plum blossom banquet.

Lu Mingchao raised his voice, "It's Lu Minghua's luck."

Gu Huai sneered, "A Chao, since we reunited, this is the most emotional you've been."

"You care about your bond with Lu Minghua, so why have you abandoned me?"

Lu Mingchao said, "Gu Huai, heart for heart."

"He is a gentleman; you are not."

Gu Huai frowned, his voice as heavy as the pre-storm sky, "He won't know the truth."

"A Chao, since you care so much about him, why don't I return to the capital, apologize, and mend our friendship?"

"As you said, he's a gentleman."

"A gentleman is strict with himself and lenient with others."

Yunniang muttered, "Are the capital's nobles so shameless?"

Even thicker-skinned than the farmers from Changxi Village.

Lu Mingchao's voice carried a chill, "He is a gentleman, believing in the inherent goodness of people, but that doesn't mean he is foolish enough not to reflect after being schemed against."

"Gu Huai, do you really think he knows nothing?"

Gu Huai's body swayed slightly as if blown by the wind, his already somber voice growing even hoarser. "What's done is done. What does it matter if he knows?"

"I think he must be looking forward to seeing you on his wedding day."

"A Chao, take care."

From now on, he no longer needed to be soft-hearted.

Gu Huai strode away with purpose, and Bu Yan bowed his head, cupping his hands in a hurried salute before following.

"Bu Yan."

After silently walking through the long alley outside the Xie residence, Gu Huai stopped, his voice as cold as the frost of late autumn and early winter. "Give the order. Proceed as planned."

Bu Yan was startled, his head jerking up abruptly.

"Young Master, please reconsider."

Gu Huai shot Bu Yan a cold glance. "At this point, what is there left to hesitate about?"

"Bu Yan, you should know very well whose side you're on!"

"Even if I can't take Lu Mingchao away, I will definitely rid her of the child in her womb and cripple her support."

"Only when she loses her backing will she become as docile as before."

He admitted that the current Lu Mingchao was exceptionally talented, no less than any man.

But she was full of thorns, pricking him painfully.

He would rather Lu Mingchao remain the delicate and fragile Lu Mingchao of the past.

"Young Master," Bu Yan hesitated, wanting to say more.

Gu Huai's expression remained cold and unyielding.

The Duke's estate, standing firm for three generations, had the confidence to act as it pleased without overstepping imperial authority.

...

"Chao Chao, that man is so sneaky and wicked. Could he be plotting something behind the scenes?" Yunniang asked worriedly as she helped Lu Mingchao catch her breath.

Lu Mingchao replied firmly, "He will."

The Gu Huai of the past might not have, but the current Gu Huai definitely would.

"Mother, don't be afraid."

Gu Huai's schemes would only target her and her relatives.

Who would emerge victorious was still unknown.

Shu Yuan, having changed his appearance, drove with Lu Yao to visit Headmaster Yu at Baopu Academy.

No matter how far Gu Huai's reach extended, it couldn't stretch to Baopu Academy.

Lu Lei secretly carried a prescription for curing miasma poison to oversee the medical clinic in Lingnan. With Prince Duan's influence providing cover, Gu Huai would never be able to trace his whereabouts.

Gu Huai is almost certain to target the child in her womb.

A fierce glint flashed in Mingchao's eyes.

"A Yan, in the next few days, make sure Mi Yuan keeps a close eye on my parents' comings and goings."

"If you have time, personally pick up Huaiqian from school."

Xie Yan nodded in agreement, "Mingchao, I will handle it well."

Unexpectedly, several days passed without incident.

The calm before the storm brings not peace, but a heavy, oppressive feeling.

Another night fell.

The urgent knocking on the door jolted the drowsy Mingchao awake.

Xie Yan, hastily throwing on his clothes, rushed out the door.

Moments later, he returned, his face grim and frightening.

"Mingchao, Shu Yuan's school is on fire."

"The dry weather and strong winds have fueled the fire, which spread quickly, affecting many homes in Changxi Village."

"The old scholar filling in for Shu Yuan had his legs crushed when the building collapsed."

"People are furious. Since Shu Yuan isn't here, I need to go."

"I'll take Yun Zheng and leave the rest with you, in case it's a diversion."

Mingchao grabbed Xie Yan's sleeve, "You can't go alone."

"If you only take Yun Zheng, the people in the shadows will make you their target."

"You'll be a dead man."

"A Yan, the Duke's residence, which has stood for generations, is not to be underestimated."

"The Wu Xing Shen family is a powerful clan, and they have no shortage of guards who can fight off ten men."

"If you go alone, Gu Huai's men won't hesitate to kill you."

"Take half the men with you, get the fire under control, and keep casualties to a minimum."

"I'll take care of everything here."

The people of Changxi Village are innocent.

She never imagined Gu Huai would strike at the school in Changxi Village.

How ruthless! How mad!

Xie Yan's eyes were dark, filled with endless worry.

He knew Mingchao was Gu Huai's true target.

The fire in Changxi Village, which lit up half the sky, demanded immediate action.

Lu Mingchao sighed softly, brushed the plum blossom mark on her forehead, and vanished instantly, reappearing a moment later.

"A Yan, I am capable of defending myself."

"Even if I am captured, I will remain unharmed."

Xie Yan drew a deep breath, pulling Lu Mingchao into a tight embrace. "Mingchao, I..."

Lu Mingchao patted Xie Yan's back. "You must go."

"It is the height of folly to burden oneself with the misdeeds of others."

"I'll be waiting for your return."

Or perhaps, await your return to fetch me.

Parting.