Chapter 244: Subordinates Passing the Ming Road

Chapter 244: Subordinates Coming into the Open

"Yes," Lu Mingchao said with a sincere expression.

Princess Lerong County's eyes widened in disbelief, "And you still believe in Yongning Marquis Madam's so-called maternal love, yearning for you day and night?"

"Yongning Marquis Madam and Lu Minghui are just deceiving ghosts."

"I know," Lu Mingchao raised her eyebrows, her voice softening, full of temptation, "Don't you think it's thrilling and exciting to tear off the masks with your own hands?"

Princess Lerong County choked, clicking her tongue. "So that's how you are."

"Indeed, how could Ming Zhou's confidant be simple-minded?"

Then, she stroked her soft whip, eager to try, "Do you need me to pass you the whip?"

Princess Lerong County was a tyrant in the capital city, the soft whip around her waist part of Yongming Grand Princess's dowry, truly a royal artifact, and there was no scoundrel she dared not whip.

"With one lash, the concept of 'filial piety' would crush me like a towering mountain," Lu Mingchao said with a smile in her eyes, pretending to be resentful.

"After all, Yongning Marquis and his wife only show me superficial affection."

"If given the chance, nine out of ten times they would grind me into dust, paving the way for Lu Minghui to become a noble lady."

Princess Lerong County scratched her head, impatiently saying, "It's all so complicated."

"However, you are willing to turn over a new leaf, leaving Gu Huai and choosing me, which shows you have foresight and wisdom. For Ming Zhou's sake, I will let bygones be bygones."

Lu Mingchao smiled, very cooperatively clasping her hands. "Your Highness is magnanimous; I admire you greatly."

Princess Lerong County is truly a remarkable person!

Willful yet free-spirited,

Fiery yet sincere,

Like the wind blowing across the wilderness—reckless and unrestrained.

Princess Lerong County proudly lifted her chin. "Of course."

"My parents said that even though I am a woman, I can still hold up the household."

The smile in Lu Mingchao's eyes couldn't help but grow more intense.

Only a girl raised in unreserved love could have such confidence and arrogance.

Back then, Princess Pingning's reputation was tarnished by Gu Huai's mother, and she had no choice but to marry a poor scholar under the guidance of Yongming Grand Princess.

That poor scholar is now a high-ranking official in the imperial court.

But his feelings for Princess Pingning have remained unchanged for more than a decade.

Princess Lerong County is their only child.

There is no tale of a poor scholar passing the imperial exams, becoming the top scholar, abandoning his wife to marry a noblewoman, nor is there any plot of a phoenix man reaching the pinnacle of power and then burning bridges.

Only the mutual affection and companionship that flows like a gentle stream.

Thus, Princess Pingning can be said to have lost the east but gained the west.

Suddenly, Lady Lerong stretched out her hand and waved it in front of Lu Mingchao, baring her teeth and waving her claws. "Lu Mingchao, can you stop looking at me with such an overly maternal gaze?"

"It's creepy."

Lu Mingchao: ...

If possible, silence is golden for Lady Lerong.

"Let's get back to the topic," Mingzhao gently clapped her hands.

Lady Lerong straightened up abruptly, her eyes fixed ahead, no longer showing the capriciousness from before.

Lu Mingchao: One thing overcomes another.

If it doesn't work, it means the match is wrong.

Mingzhao continued softly, "Aochao, you are with child, and should be cautious in all things."

"The Yongning Marquis Manor is a den of wolves and tigers. The Marquis of Yongning is cold and unfeeling, his wife shallow and selfish, and Lu Minghui pretentious and insincere. It is truly not a good place."

"If you—"

"Sister Mingzhao." Lu Mingchao shook her head, stopping Mingzhao from continuing. "The Yongning Marquis's wife and Lu Minghui first trampled on me to gain a reputation for kindness, then unjustly labeled me as shameless and a harbinger of disaster. If I remain indifferent, wouldn't it make me appear weak and timid?"

"To receive without reciprocating is impolite."

"I am not a living bodhisattva who saves all beings."

"Rest assured, even if the Yongning Marquis Manor is truly a den of wolves and tigers, I might still be able to catch the wolves and fight the tigers."

Ming Zhou's beautiful eyes shimmered with rippling water-like waves, carrying a subtle nostalgia that Lu Mingchao couldn't quite grasp.

Sometimes, all it took to break the atmosphere was for Princess Lerong County to speak.

"Ming Zhou, could you please not look at Lu Mingchao with the eyes of someone looking at a corpse?"

"It's even creepier."

As she spoke, she glanced around, as if something was secretly spying on them.

Ming Zhou furrowed her brows, feeling utterly speechless.

Meanwhile, Lu Mingchao, unusually, found Princess Lerong County's description quite accurate.

Hmm, it gave her the creeps.

Ming Zhou's expression returned to normal, as if the emotions that had just leaked out were merely an illusion, and she said seriously, "How can you venture into a den of wolves all by yourself? Why don't I and Princess Lerong each send some maids and attendants to accompany you into the Yongning Marquis's residence and serve by your side?"

"This way, the Marquis's wife and Lu Minghui wouldn't dare to make any rash moves."

Lu Mingchao lifted the carriage curtain and pointed at the people on both sides of the long street selling themselves to bury their deceased fathers, saying with a grave tone, "How could I be alone?"

Princess Lerong County leaned out, her willow-like brows slightly furrowed, "There are always people selling themselves to bury their fathers on Xiangqi Street, but today there seem to be an unusually large number."

Ming Zhou, understanding the underlying meaning, asked, "Are they trustworthy?"

Lu Mingchao nodded, "They are trustworthy."

A Yan's people were, of course, trustworthy.

"Princess Lerong, Sister Mingzhou, the spring sunshine is lovely, and the breeze is just right. Shall we go for a walk?" Lu Mingchao suggested with a smile.

Princess Lerong craned her neck, looking up at the sky, grumbling, "Lu Mingchao, this isn't bright—it's gloomy."

"I've heard of calling a deer a horse, but never clouds the sun."

Mingzhou decided, "Then let's go for a walk."

Princess Lerong: ...

No love lost; as soon as Lu Mingchao shows up, she's no longer Mingzhou's top pick.

Princess Lerong complains the most but is the first to hop off the carriage.

Then she stood there, hands on hips, smirking back at Mingzhou and Lu Mingchao.

Lu Mingchao scanned the rows of people kneeling, selling themselves to bury their fathers. Her gaze fell on a girl with delicate features and a slender frame. "What’s your name? What are you good at?"

"Liu Yue, I’m... quite skilled with a knife," Liu Yue hesitated, frowning.

Princess Lerong stroked her smooth chin, assessing thoughtfully, "She could make a good cook."

Lu Mingchao's eyes gleamed.

Perhaps, this 'knife skill' might not mean cooking.

Otherwise, why would Liu Yue be so hesitant and tongue-tied?

Quite skilled with a knife—does it mean a knife that kills in one blow?

"How much would it cost to buy her?"

She must choose someone skilled in martial arts by her side; otherwise, A Yan wouldn’t feel at ease.

Anyway, take this chance to make it official.

Liu Yue blinked. "Whatever the noble thinks is fair?"

Princess Lerong bared her teeth. "That's not very reliable, is it?"

"Lu Mingchao, you should pick someone else. If you lack a cook skilled with a knife, I can ask my grandmother to give you a chef who can cook for the emperor."

Seeing this, Liu Yue hurriedly said, "Five taels—no, three taels—or even one tael would do."

She was willing to follow the madam as a little maid.

The more Princess Lerong listened, the less convinced she was.

"Ten taels," Lu Mingchao suddenly spoke. "I'll give you ten taels. Once you've sorted out your affairs, come to the Yongning Marquis's residence to see me."

Liu Yue replied, "I can come with you right now."

Princess Lerong was utterly confused, scratching her head, pointing to the words on the wooden board, and sincerely asked, "Aren't you going to bury your father?"

Liu Yue: Awkward! It's not that she's not smart—she's just thrilled. Standing out, she feels proud, truly proud.

Yongning Marquis Madam regretted it.