Chapter 243: Gu Huai’s Constant Frustrations

Chapter 243: Gu Huai's Constant Frustrations

Lu Miao perfectly inherited the traits of the Marquis's family, which is why she has always been at odds with their family since childhood.

Some traits are truly inborn.

"But..." Yunniang was as anxious as an ant on a hot griddle.

Lu Chunsheng patted Yunniang's hand and shook his head, "If you go, A Chao will inevitably feel restricted."

The anxious Yunniang didn't quite grasp Lu Chunsheng's meaning, but seeing his meaningful look, she swallowed her questions.

"You're hurt; you need to be extra careful," Lu Chunsheng said gently, looking at the pale Xie Yan.

A surge of guilt overwhelmed Yunniang when she suddenly realized that in her haste, she had overlooked Xie Yan's injuries.

Xie Yan nodded in agreement.

"Do you and Mingchao have a plan?" After much hesitation, Lu Chunsheng finally asked.

Xie Yan was surprised by Lu Chunsheng's keenness and replied honestly, "Yes."

Quiet and unpretentious, honest and straightforward—these were the traits Lu Chunsheng most remembered about him.

Lu Chunsheng sighed again, "It's good to have a plan, very good indeed."

"Children will find their own paths."

...

Several days passed unnoticed.

Lu Mingchao gazed at the grand city gate and allowed herself a moment of relief.

Along the way, Gu Huai's sneaky schemes were relentless, as if he wouldn't stop until he made her miscarry.

Poisoning, spooking the horse, causing slips, and arranging accidents...

Lu Mingchao couldn't help but wonder where the once honorable Heir of the Duke of Zhenguo had picked up such underhanded, dirty tricks.

Wouldn't this drive the elderly, bedridden Patriarch Gu to his grave?

After all, the ancestors of the Duke of Zhenguo's family had earned their status through military prowess.

They fought on the battlefield, shedding blood and sweat, engaging in fierce, hard-fought battles.

Even with his flaws, Gu Huai's father was steadfast in defending the borders and driving out invaders. How could Gu Huai's generation end up so disappointing?

"Heir Gu, my lady, Princess Lerong County, wishes to speak with Madam Xie."

The carriage was halted by a maid dressed impeccably and groomed to perfection.

Gu Huai glanced up at the opulent and spacious carriage outside the city gate, adorned with the emblem of the Yongming Grand Princess's estate.

Princess Lerong County?

Gu Huai was baffled. When had A Chao gotten to know Princess Lerong County?

It was common knowledge in the capital that the Duke of Zhenguo's family and the Yongming Grand Princess's family were like oil and water.

Princess Lerong County is the only daughter of Princess Pingning, pampered and indulged, with a domineering and arrogant personality.

In the past, A Chao, to please her mother, kept a clear distance from Princess Lerong County, as if they were on opposite ends of the spectrum.

Now, Princess Lerong County has personally come to the city gate at the right time to pick up A Chao, saving her face and supporting her.

Is Lu Mingchao determined to oppose the Duke's household?

While Heir Gu hesitated, Princess Lerong County lifted the carriage curtain, jumped down decisively, and then reached out to help a woman dressed simply and elegantly, with a calm and refined demeanor.

The second daughter of Censor Ming's, Ming Zhou.

"What, does Princess Lerong County need your permission to invite Lu Mingchao for a gathering?"

Princess Lerong County raised her chin slightly, asking in a commanding tone.

"Heir Gu, if you have so much free time, perhaps the chamber pots in the Duke's household don't need servants to clean them; you can just lick them clean."

Ming Zhou, slightly behind Princess Lerong County, cleared her throat softly.

Princess Lerong County pursed her lips, reluctantly saying, "What Princess Lerong County means is that Heir Gu is considerate of his servants and compassionate towards the weak."

"Lu Mingchao, hurry up and get down!"

Princess Lerong County found it unnecessary to even glance at Heir Gu again, yelling at the carriage at the end of the procession.

Lu Mingchao glared at the bodyguard maid blocking the carriage curtain, directly opened the window, and stuck her head out, "Princess Lerong County, Second Sister Ming, save me! There's a servant here who bullies her master!"

Princess Lerong County let out a cold snort, pulled the soft whip from her waist, and strode over. The sound of the whip cutting through the air echoed as it struck sharply through the carriage curtain.

The bodyguard maid flinched in pain but dared not speak.

"Hop down."

Lu Mingchao: What?

"Princess Lerong County, I, a common woman, can't do that!"

Only then did Princess Lerong County notice Lu Mingchao's belly and shot a meaningful glance to the maid behind her.

The maid understood, hurriedly placing a small stool.

"Troublesome!" Princess Lerong County pulled Lu Mingchao, grumbling but still helping.

As they passed Heir Gu's carriage, Princess Lerong County smiled insincerely, "Heir Gu, your sister-in-law, this county princess is taking her away."

"Once we've had enough fun, I'll personally send her back to the Yongning Marquis's household."

"No need for Heir Gu to worry."

With that, she turned and left without another word.

Ming Zhou smiled gently but distantly, curtsying slightly, "Heir Gu, please forgive Princess Lerong County's straightforward and candid nature; she means no harm."

Heir Gu forced a stiff smile, "Then call it crude and barbaric."

Ming Zhou's face turned cold, "Heir Gu, please watch your words."

"Wishing Heir Gu a joyous wedding and a loving marriage."

Ming Zhou bowed again, then turned and returned to the exceptionally luxurious and spacious carriage.

Inside the carriage, Princess Lerong County looked her up and down, exclaiming in surprise, "Lu Mingchao, didn't Lu Minghui say you went back to some remote backwater to suffer and toil? How come after half a year, your complexion looks even fairer and smoother?"

Lu Mingchao: ...

In the original owner's memory, it was only said that Princess Lerong County was straightforward and unpretentious, but not this blunt.

In front of everyone, she mocked Gu Huai for being a bootlicker.

Now she was touching her face all over, looking like a creepy old pervert.

"The countryside is beautiful, with clear waters and lush mountains, and the feng shui is nourishing."

Lu Mingchao really wanted to slap away Princess Lerong County's hand that was causing trouble on her face.

So, she shot Ming Zhou a pleading look.

"Princess."

As soon as Ming Zhou spoke, it was clear he had sway.

Princess Lerong County reluctantly withdrew her hand and continued seriously, "Did you really marry a widowed, rough hunter with three kids who looks rough and unkempt?"

Lu Mingchao: That’s a tough question to answer.

Princess Lerong County took Lu Mingchao's silence as confirmation and patted her shoulder in disappointment, "Lu Mingchao, you’ve really hit rock bottom."

"Although you've had eye disease since childhood and blindly fell for the irresponsible Gu Huai, at least Gu Huai has a prominent family background and looks decent."

"Lu Mingchao, you’ve really hit rock bottom."

Lu Mingchao felt as though Princess Lerong County's words were arrows, each one striking her heart.

"Princess, has anyone ever mentioned..."

Princess Lerong County interrupted without hesitation, "No!"

"Everyone says I’m adorable and irresistible."

Ming Zhou covered his mouth with a handkerchief, smiling gently, "A Chao, what are your plans now that you’ve returned to the capital?"

Lu Mingchao blinked, looking innocent, "Isn’t it said that Yongning Marquis Madam misses me, the disowned fake daughter?"

"Of course, I’ll fulfill my filial duties under Yongning Marquis Madam’s care to show my devotion."

Princess Lerong County's mouth twitched, "You actually believe that?"

"Lu Mingchao, is there something rotten clogging your brain?"

"By the way, is it true that when you left the mansion injured, Yongning Marquis Madam only gave you a measly hundred taels?"