Chapter 273: Thinking About a Man

Chapter 273: Scheming for a Man

Meanwhile, Lu Minghui's name spread across the capital in an entirely different manner.

After the court session, Yongning Marquis staggered back in a daze, his face ashen.

The Duke hesitated for a long while before finally stepping forward. "I owe your household a debt today."

"Your title remains intact—only a temporary dismissal from office."

"This shows His Majesty still favors Marquis Lu."

Yongning Marquis stiffened, forcing a stiff smile. "I appreciate your kindness, Duke."

Unable to bear the sight, the Duke sighed. "Had it not been for that scandal of the swapped daughters, I would have been overjoyed to join our families through marriage, deepening ties."

"I’ve known Mingchao since she was a child. Outwardly gentle yet inwardly strong, obedient and graceful—she treated that scoundrel Gu Huai well too."

"Yet, life is unpredictable. What a shame."

"Be well."

Those light words of regret struck Yongning Marquis like two heavy hammers to the chest, flooding him with boundless pain and remorse.

More than just a shame.

Yongning Marquis felt as though he had let his household’s prosperity slip away.

The Duke and his wife adored Mingchao, and while Gu Huai's attitude was lukewarm, he had never shown open rejection, nor had he ever mentioned calling off the engagement.

Had Mingchao married Gu Huai, the Duke's household would’ve backed Ming Hua, and they would have surely arranged a match for Ming Hua and Qin Fuxi.

With Grand Tutor Qin and the Duke ensuring Ming Hua's success, Yongning Marquis would have had no doubt his household would’ve thrived.

One misstep led to another.

Agitated, Yongning Marquis returned to his estate and subconsciously made his way to Lanxi Courtyard.

Through the carved lattice window, he clearly saw Lu Minghui's face twisted in smug triumph. "Mother, doesn’t this prove your daughter has the potential to be empress?"

Yongning Marquis' pupils constricted.

"Absolutely not!" He kicked the door open and struck that gloating face with a resounding slap.

Her name was already mud, yet she dared to daydream!

Empress?

Did she intend to stir up trouble in His Majesty’s harem?

Did Yongning Marquis' household have the weight to endure Lu Minghui’s recklessness—or His Majesty’s wrath?

Lu Minghui clutched her cheek, seething but not daring to speak.

Yongning Marquis swung again—this time striking Yongning Marquis Madam across the face.

"You idiot!"

"You stupid woman!"

"Shortsighted and brainless!"

The Marchioness of Yongning's ears rang as she shrieked hysterically, "My lord, what in heaven’s name are you doing?!"

"What am I doing?" The Marquis of Yongning snarled in rage. "Why did you hide Lu Minghui's plot against Ming Hua and Qin Wanrou from me?"

Had he known, he would have come up with a plan long ago.

After Cheng Yan laid it out plain as day in court, he wouldn’t have been left looking like a fool!

The Marchioness flinched, her bravado crumbling as she stuttered nervously, "My lord, y-you knew?"

"Not just me—every official of the fifth rank and above knows. In less than an hour, the whole city will be gossiping about it!" The Marquis of Yongning panted heavily, his glare icy enough to freeze blood.

"The eldest daughter of the Yongning household plotting to harm her own brother—what a damn disgrace."

The Marchioness recoiled like she’d been struck. "How could this be?"

"At court, Cheng Yan spoke with absolute certainty, and everyone heard it clearly."

"Do you truly intend to stand by and watch Lu Minghui burn this house to the ground?" The Marquis of Yongning seethed, seeing red.

"Anyone with eyes knows Cheng Yan may seem like an insignificant fifth-rank official, but in truth, he has the Emperor’s ear."

"Every word he speaks, every action he takes, is by the Emperor’s will."

The Marquis of Yongning cast a disgusted glance at Lu Minghui. "Had I known, I should have had her thrown out on her backside the day she returned!"

"Speak! Why did she suddenly mention becoming empress?"

"Don’t you dare hide anything!"

"Otherwise, if I uncover the truth myself, you may as well request a divorce."

"The Yongning household has no need for a clueless lady of the house."

The Marchioness dropped her eyes, guilt flashing across her face.

"I dare not conceal it from you, my lord. It was from a newly printed tale from *Dream of Three Lifetimes* in the capital—a story of a peasant girl who rose to become a virtuous empress."

"Bring it here." Suspicious yet curious, the Marquis of Yongning extended his hand.

Lu Minghui hastily handed over the novel, its pages still smelling of fresh ink.

The Marquis skimmed with a sneer. "Pure fantasy."

Did she truly believe the court officials and noble families would stand idle, allowing a peasant girl to ascend as empress and rule the nation?

"Stop filling your head with such nonsense. You’re already foolish—keep this up, and you’ll become a fool who gets too big for her britches."

"Ambitions as high as the heavens, yet a fate as thin as paper!"

The Marquis of Yongning ripped the book apart like kindling.

"Before I left for the palace, didn’t I order you to deal with her properly?"

"You didn’t even—"

Yongning Marquis Madam explained, "She's already been punished."

"Punish her again!" Yongning Marquis commanded coldly.

"The charge of deceiving the throne is something no one can bear!"

"My Lord, she really has been punished," Yongning Marquis Madam's voice trembled.

"Punish her again!"

Thirty lashes would make even a strong man grit his teeth in pain.

How could Lu Minghui, a delicate woman, still have the leisure to read storybooks?

Lanxi Courtyard was once again in chaos.

Lu Minghui's screams, like a stuck pig, echoed through the entire marquisate.

Startled, the birds in the bamboo grove of Longcui Courtyard flapped their wings and soared high, their small eyes darting around as they surveyed their surroundings.

Lu Mingchao held a golden pair of scissors, trimming the overly lush branches of flowers in a white porcelain vase.

*Click*—the branch fell onto the table.

Lu Mingchao said with a light laugh, "It seems Yongning Marquis had a rather difficult morning court session."

She had thought that the Emperor, upon learning of Yongning Marquis's swift and decisive handling of the matter, would only offer a mild rebuke.

She wondered how Princess Lerong County was doing.

Oh, that's right—she still hadn't fulfilled Princess Lerong County's request.

"Amber, Amber."

"Madam, Amber is here."

"Do you have a brother who resembles you?"

"This maid has a twin brother."

"Then, does he need a wife?"

...

Princess Lerong County: What the...?

Her?

She was perfectly fine.

After all, she was the granddaughter of the Yongming Grand Princess.

How could the Emperor and Empress let her keep kneeling outside the palace gates in disgrace?

While Yongning Marquis was still under constant censure by Censor Ming, she was already in the Empress's palace, enjoying delicate pastries, sipping fragrant tea, and tasting some choice tribute fruits from various regions.

Once she'd eaten her fill, she lounged about, waiting for the Emperor to finish morning court.

Of course, she was also waiting for her grandmother and mother to come collect her.

After all, lashing out with a whip at the eldest daughter of the Yongning Marquis’ household in the dead of night, right there at the Yongning Marquis’ residence and before the Marquis himself, was indeed far too arrogant and domineering.

Even if there were reasons behind it, she still had to endure a stern lecture.

Hopefully, she wouldn’t be grounded.

As for punishments like copying *Admonitions for Women* or *Women’s Precepts*—

No matter—she had someone to ghostwrite for her anyway.

As long as she wasn’t banned from going out!

She still wanted to invite Mingzhou and Lu Mingchao to Qufeng Mountain to admire the vibrant mountain blossoms.

Ah, she wondered if Lu Mingchao had gotten the scoop for her yet!

Princess Lerong County and Lu Mingchao were close in age—there was no reason Lu Mingchao was already carrying a child while she stayed single.

The Empress, weariness shadowing her eyes, noticed Princess Lerong County frowning and mustered her energy to ask gently, “What is Lerong thinking about?”

Lerong blurted out, “I’m thinking about handsome men.”

The Empress fell silent.

The Emperor’s thoughts…