Chapter 264: Settling Accounts

Chapter 264: Reckoning

Chun Hua moved forward with slightly unsteady steps, her movements graceful as she executed a perfect bow with surprising grace and said softly, "Chun Hua thanks the Court Physician."

The Court Physician's gaze shifted, the flickering candlelight casting a warm glow over Chun Hua's shoulders, accentuating her gentle beauty, smooth as jade.

She wasn't classically beautiful, but her presence was pleasing to the eye.

Though her legs were impaired, her bow was as elegant as a painting.

Compared to the legitimate daughter of the Marquis's household cowering in the corner, she carried a grace that seemed innate.

With such poise and beauty, she could easily have been the wife of a petty official.

A pity.

Her difficulty in walking and the sickly pallor about her did not bode well for longevity.

The Court Physician nodded. "You're too kind."

She took Chun Hua's pulse, then carefully examined her tongue, her frown deepening as her pity was nearly palpable.

This wasn't just bad health—it was a death sentence.

The world was harsh, especially toward women.

Few men could accept a wife with a sickly constitution who was unable to bear children.

Suppressing the emotions in her eyes, the Court Physician gave her diagnosis matter-of-factly.

Princess Lerong County suddenly felt she had been too lenient in striking Lu Minghui.

"Lanxi Courtyard truly is a den of vipers," she added.

"Who would dare commit these outrages behind their master's back?"

"Chun Hua, tell me who harmed you."

"Speak, and I'll make sure they pay for this," she proposed.

Chun Hua's gaze swept over everyone in the room, flinching visibly when her eyes met Lu Minghui's, her fear and hesitation rendering her speechless.

Lu Minghui glared with poisonous intensity as her mind raced.

The reputation of being ruthless, vindictive, and intolerant must never tarnish her name.

With the wedding date approaching, no scandal could be allowed.

Thus, someone had to take the blame for her.

Xia Chan was the perfect scapegoat.

"If it was the servants of Lanxi Courtyard who committed these crimes, let us assemble them all and confront them openly," she suggested.

"That would be the most just and accurate way," she added.

"What does Your Highness think?"

Lu Minghui inhaled sharply and cautiously put forth her suggestion.

She believed Lu Mingchao was the only one who could overpower her.

Losing to Lu Mingchao was only natural.

After all, Lu Mingchao was brilliant and quick-witted.

In her previous life, even someone as noble and proud as Gu Huai had been talked into swearing an oath by Lu Mingchao to forsake all others and stay faithful till death—let alone her.

But she never imagined she’d lose not just to the clever but also to the brash Princess Lerong County.

What noblewoman in the capital lashes out with a whip over a petty quarrel?

Lu Mingchao fought with wit, not strength.

Lu Minghui crushed skill with sheer force.

The Yongning Marquis Madam, lost in despair, suddenly perked up, as if a drowning person had grasped the last lifeline.

"Minghui makes a fair point."

Princess Lerong County sneered, "Lowly servants survive by groveling to their masters."

"Very well—since it’s the Marquis’s household matter, let the Marquis Madam have her way." She then shifted her tone and continued,

"Not even the fairest judge can untangle family squabbles. I won’t meddle further."

"If I’ve offended, the Marquis needn’t forgive me."

"I keep my promises. I’ll head to the palace now and beg for punishment."

The Yongning Marquis paled and hurriedly said, "The Princess is young, righteous, and speaks plainly. How could I resent her?"

"The night is late. The Princess should return and rest well."

"Give my respects to your noble parents. The Yongning Marquis Manor would never slight the Yongming Grand Princess or Princess Pingning."

Princess Lerong County shook her head. "I don’t lie."

"Goodbye. Don’t bother escorting me."

"A Chao, take care."

"Qufeng Mountain’s flowers are blooming wildly, painting the hills in color."

"If I’m not too battered to move, I’ll visit you tomorrow afternoon and invite you to admire Qufeng Mountain’s scenery together."

After a brief thought, Princess Lerong County handed over an identity token. "This token is from Princess Pingning’s estate. If you ever feel unwell, instruct Qing Tang to use it to summon a royal physician."

Then, she rose slightly on her toes, pressed her lips to Lu Mingchao’s ear, and whispered, "Ask Amber if he has any lookalike brothers."

Lu Mingchao blinked in confusion.

Amber?

Recalling Amber’s strikingly ambiguous beauty, her eyes widened slightly as she stared at Princess Lerong County in disbelief.

Was she after Amber’s pretty face?

Princess Lerong County crossed her arms, defiant.

So what!

A slight twitch crossed Lu Mingchao’s lips.

Now, Amber’s public identity was Lu Mingchao’s personal maid.

Even if Princess Pingning is open-minded, she probably wouldn’t accept Princess Lerong County falling for the brother of a maid.

Princess Lerong County met Lu Mingchao’s gaze without shame.

As the only daughter in the household, her grandmother, father, and mother had never raised her with the rules for proper young ladies.

She’d known since childhood she was meant to take a husband into her family.

Her mother is Princess Pingning, and her father comes from humble scholar stock.

With power, status, and identity, picking a husband came down to whether she fancied him.

As for the rest, it didn’t matter.

She had everything anyway.

She just liked Amber’s face.

She hadn’t expected that Amber, once cleaned up, would be so strikingly good-looking.

Lu Mingchao gave in with a sigh.

Princess Lerong County flashed a smile. "Relax, Mother already approved."

Ming Zhou walked off arm-in-arm with Princess Lerong County.

The Court Physician looked around, picked up her medicine box, and said, "My Lord, My Lady, I’ll take my leave."

In the Biluo Courtyard, three sighs echoed one after another.

Then, silence filled the room.

Lu Mingchao waved Chun Hua over and turned to leave for the Longcui Courtyard.

"Stop!" The Yongning Marchioness’s eyes burned red as she shouted, her voice ragged. "Lu Mingchao, you stop right there."

Lu Mingchao turned back, smiling innocently. "What wisdom does the Marchioness wish to impart?"

The Marchioness gnashed her teeth. "You lived fifteen years in Minghui’s luxury and received the finest upbringing, which is why you’re so knowledgeable, famous for your brilliance, and exceptionally intelligent."

"But all of this should have been Minghui’s. You owe her. I don’t ask you to repay her, only that you don’t bite the hand that fed you."

"If you still cherish the fifteen years of nurturing, just help Minghui this once and get the Marquis household through this mess."

"Mother," Lu Minghua frowned to stop her.

Lu Mingchao’s lashes dipped, hiding her eyes.

"Marchioness."

The night wind swept through the hall, her voice cool and distant, almost ghostly.

"I did indeed live fifteen years in Minghui’s luxury."

"I won't bother with high-sounding excuses about how none of this was my intention or how it was all just twists of misfortune."

"That would sound hypocritical."

"May I ask the Yongning Marquis's wife, how much money would it take to cut all ties from these past fifteen years? To make you feel I owe Lu Minghui nothing?"

"If we're settling accounts, let's settle them clearly."

"For fifteen years, I've toiled through winter and summer, risen early and retired late, without slacking for a single day—almost to the point of hanging my hair from the beams or stabbing my thigh to stay awake. I learned everything you and the Marquis wished me to learn, befriended everyone you wished me to befriend."

"No personal joys, no personal sorrows."

"Honestly, the benefits I've secured for the Yongning Marquis's estate have justified its investment in me."

"Ever since I saved the old master of the Duke's household and became betrothed to Gu Huai, leveraging that advantage, how much has the Marquis's estate profited? You and the Marquis know full well."

The Yongning Marquis felt regret.