Chapter 236: Farewell

Chapter 236: Farewell

As soon as Xie Yan left, the room fell silent.

Leaning against the window, Lu Mingchao felt the night breeze carrying the scent of spring rush in eagerly.

Clad in light clothing, she gently twirled a peach blossom branch from a long-necked vase.

She knew full well that Xie Yan couldn’t afford to give his all.

The forces he had built over the years were best kept unchanged, ready to adapt to any situation.

Otherwise, arousing Gu Huai’s suspicion would be the least of their problems; the real threat was the exposure of their identities.

"Uncle Chen."

"Mi Yuan."

Lu Mingchao called out in a clear voice.

From the shadows by the lotus pond, two figures slowly emerged.

"Pass the order: no one is to act rashly."

Uncle Chen, though he looked old and lame, was actually highly skilled in martial arts, wielding a large sword with impressive skill. He was an unassuming butler, but also a battle-hardened soldier.

Uncle Chen’s presence meant Xie Yan hadn’t taken any of the troops he’d gathered, instead sending only half of the Shadow Guard to secretly protect him, leaving the rest of the forces entirely in her hands.

Uncle Chen, puzzled, bowed with clasped hands. "Young Madam, before the young master left, he ordered this old servant and Commander Mi to guard the residence like a fortress. No matter how skilled Gu Huai’s men are, they won’t be able to break in."

"Uncle Chen, behind Gu Huai are the Duke’s estate and the Wu Xing Shen family. If we make these two noble clans retreat in defeat, Gu Huai will inevitably start speculating," Lu Mingchao said, lowering her gaze, her voice deep and steady.

"When Gu Huai returns to the capital to curry favor with the Emperor, even one malicious remark could spell disaster."

Lu Mingchao’s voice was calm and clear, radiating composure and rationality.

Mi Yuan couldn’t help but glance at her again.

Even with a storm brewing, she remained unshaken.

The Crown Prince was fortunate to have been raised under the mistress’s guidance.

The Yongning Marquis estate, spineless and unprincipled as it was, had actually done something good for once.

"What about the mistress’s protection?" Mi Yuan asked, bowing his head.

Lu Mingchao chuckled, her expression brimming with bold confidence. "The capital is a den of dragons and tigers, but I’ll brave it anyway."

Since the Yongning Marquis Madam and Lu Minghui were putting on a show of maternal affection and sisterly bond, she might as well go along with it and fulfill their good intentions.

Uncle Chen pursed his lips, unsure whether to speak.

Lu Mingchao raised an eyebrow. "It's fine."

"I will leave a letter for A Yan."

Her A Yan, who excelled in music, chess, calligraphy, painting, archery, and horsemanship, deserved to shine brilliantly, not remain unnoticed as her shadow.

Additionally, she had a vague feeling that Empress Dowager Xie, far within the palace walls, was fully aware of A Yan's movements.

Rather than waiting for Empress Dowager Xie to exert pressure, it would be better for A Yan to take action.

"You may leave."

Uncle Chen sighed deeply, chose not to argue.

Lu Mingchao closed the window, the candlelight flickering as she dipped her brush into the inkwell and began to write.

She had thought she could complete the letter in a single sitting, but in reality, she found herself carefully considering each word.

After a long while, Lu Mingchao placed the letter in a wooden box at the corner of the desk, her fingertips gently tracing the patterns on the box, a faint smile playing on her lips.

Then, she gathered some commonly used anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and fever-reducing medications from the Space Supermarket, clearly marking their usage and dosage before neatly arranging them in a solid wooden box.

On the battlefield, swords and arrows know no mercy.

Many perish due to untreated wounds and infections.

Enduring as long as she can, once she establishes herself in the capital, she can openly expand her business to the northern frontier.

Chaofu Trading would also be A Yan's support.

After much deliberation, Lu Mingchao also moved several boxes of nutritious compressed biscuits from the warehouse, stacking them in a large wooden box.

It's better to be prepared, just in case.

Deep in thought, she frowned and decided to leave a private seal for Xie Yan.

With her private seal, he could easily access the silver deposited in Chaofu Trading Co. from major banks across the country.

She had two such private seals altogether.

Then, she prepared and set aside some items for the elders and children at home.

Outside the window, she heard faint footsteps.

Looking up, she saw the window paper torn, and a wisp of smoke curling in.

Lu Mingchao covered her mouth and nose, pulled the window open, and locked eyes with a black-clad figure under the eaves.

With a snap, the incense stick fell to the ground.

Lu Mingchao picked up a teacup from the wooden table by the window and doused the incense.

The black-clad figure's eyes flashed with hostility, lifting his hand to attack Lu Mingchao.

"Lu Mingchao shouted, 'Stop!'"

Lu Mingchao drew a kitchen knife from her wide sleeve, its blade gleaming with a sharp, cold light, effortlessly pressing it against the black-clad figure's neck.

"If your hand moves, so will my knife."

"Don't the guards of noble families understand the principle of diplomacy before violence?"

"You're here to take me away. I won't resist, so don't use force."

"Otherwise, you might as well end up a headless ghost."

Lu Mingchao's gaze swept over the black-clad guards on guard around the courtyard.

A quick count showed there were dozens of them.

Dozens of highly skilled individuals armed with swords and spears, capable of slaughtering an entire village without breaking a sweat.

Gu Huai must really think the world of her.

Lu Mingchao leisurely walked out of the room, glancing at the somewhat stunned black-clad guard. "So, are we leaving or what?"

Black-clad guard: This is going suspiciously well.

Lu Mingchao: If I weren’t cooperative, wouldn’t I just be inviting trouble?

"I’m not riding a horse."

Lu Mingchao was as calm and composed as if she were going to receive an award.

"I want a carriage, and it better be comfortable."

The leader of the black-clad figures was at a loss for words, muttering, "We don't have one."

Lu Mingchao blinked. "If you don’t have one, can’t you just steal one? Isn’t that your specialty?"

"From the looks of it, you’re not exactly the upright and honorable type."

"You can kidnap people, but stealing a carriage is too much for you?"

"Do you think I’m not worth it, or is it the carriage you’re underestimating?"

The black-clad guard sighed and looked up at the sky.

Who could explain why this sharp-tongued, crazy woman was worth the Heir’s trouble?

The black-clad guard gestured to the people behind him.

Half an hour later, a fancy carriage stopped at the entrance of the alley.

As Lu Mingchao climbed into the carriage, she quipped, "I knew you were born thieves, but you’re being too humble."

"Don’t be modest. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. You’re not exactly saints yourselves."

Black-clad guard: Gorgeous, but she just won’t stop talking.

Maybe the Heir has a thing for being yelled at and insulted.

As the carriage curtain lifted, Gu Huai’s faintly smiling face appeared.

Lu Mingchao’s face dropped. "Shouldn’t you be on your way to the capital, following orders?"

"Oh~" Lu Mingchao drawled, "So you’re pretending to obey while secretly scheming against the emperor."

"Heir Gu, always living up to his reputation. Truly admirable."

Gu Huai grabbed Lu Mingchao’s sleeve. She fell onto the cushion, shielding her belly, and tossed the kitchen knife, which just happened to land on Gu Huai’s fancy boot.

Well, well.

She can't be blamed for this.

A pained gasp escaped,

Lu Mingchao watched with interest as the blood stained the auspicious cloud motifs on the shoe's surface red.

Hmm, the white clouds have transformed into a sky ablaze with fiery clouds.

It’s quite fitting, really.

No matter how fiercely the fire rages in Changxi Village, it likely pales in comparison to the crimson of Gu Huai's blood.

"Lu Mingchao!" he bellowed.

Gu Huai grimaced in pain, each word forced out through clenched teeth.

Lu Mingchao shrugged her shoulders, revealing an innocent smile, "Heir Gu, you’re the one who yanked me without so much as a heads-up."

"Caught off guard, I slipped up—my apologies, truly."

In the grand scheme, love is but a trivial thing.