Chapter 281: Revealing the Cards

Chapter 281: Showing One's Hand

After studying her intently for some time, Yongming Grand Princess asked in a deep voice.

Lu Mingchao allowed herself to be examined and replied calmly, "A Xie who's a hunter."

"Your Highness surely knows my experiences after leaving the capital, seeing everything with perfect clarity."

"I took the place of the Marquis’s eldest daughter to fulfill a rural marriage contract, marrying a hunter who fled famine and settled in Changxi Village."

Princess Lerong County, born of nobility, was the apple of Yongming Grand Princess’s eye.

The Grand Princess would undoubtedly investigate everyone around Princess Lerong County thoroughly to guard against those with ulterior motives.

"It is true that you married a hunter," Yongming Grand Princess said slowly. "But that hunter never misses his shot, can fight tigers and wolves barehanded, and moves through the wilderness unafraid."

"I truly cannot fathom why someone with such exceptional skills would willingly remain unknown, buried in a desolate countryside."

"If he'd enlisted, he would have earned distinction in no time."

"Your Highness flatters him," Lu Mingchao lowered her head. "He had children who needed care."

"Even if he had ambitions to achieve greatness, it would have been difficult to pursue them."

"Now, reunited with his elder brother after many years apart, and with my parents helping to care for his family, I believe he will pursue his ambitions."

Yongming Grand Princess held her gaze fixedly on Lu Mingchao.

"His real elder brother?"

"So he claims," Lu Mingchao answered ambiguously.

Yongming Grand Princess clenched the armrest of her chair.

How could he have a real elder brother?

The first, second, and third sons of the Xie family were all dead.

Especially the second son—his head had been hung high on a flagpole, left for crows and birds to peck at.

She knew the fourth son of the Xie family, Duke of Xin, had been raised in the northern frontier—a well-kept secret.

But she was Emperor Wencheng's blood sister, Emperor Jingxiang's aunt—how could she not know such a secret?

Had she gotten the wrong person?

Yongming Grand Princess composed herself.

No, she couldn’t have.

Without cause, Empress Dowager Xie of Changning Palace wouldn’t have sent her a secret letter, tasking her to protect Lu Mingchao with all her might.

The words "with all her might" spoke volumes.

After that palace coup, Empress Dowager Xie's heart had grown as cold as perpetual ice—she would never be moved by just anyone.

Once, Empress Dowager Xie had addressed her as 'elder sister' along with Emperor Wencheng.

Now, hatred was the only thing keeping her going.

Piercingly cold and lonely.

At this thought, Yongming Grand Princess stopped probing and relaxed her expression. "Does your husband treat you well?"

"Very well."

"I heard he has two sons and a daughter. Have they been treated well?"

"A-Yan treats them just as well."

"Do you mind your husband's children?"

"If I minded, I wouldn’t have married him. To be frank, Grand Princess, he gave me the chance to break off the engagement."

"You’re from a marquis’s family. Why marry a hunter?"

"He’s good-looking."

Yongming Grand Princess paused, then her smile deepened slightly. "In that way, you’re a bit like County Princess Le Rong."

Everyone in the Xie family was exceptionally attractive.

Xie sons were in high demand.

Xie daughters had suitors lining up.

That was the Xie family back then.

Lu Mingchao smiled. "County Princess Le Rong is open-hearted and true. Being compared to her is an honor."

"Your husband’s eldest son—is his name Huaiqian?"

"Yes."

"Is he studying yet? What is his temperament like?"

"He enrolled in Qingyun Academy at the beginning of the year. As for his nature—it depends on who you ask."

"If your husband’s children ever visit the capital, could you bring them to meet me?"

"If the chance comes, certainly."

Yongming Grand Princess shifted in her seat, her smile fading. "You grew up in the capital. Do you remember the Duke of Xinguo’s family, charged with treason?"

"The Emperor showed mercy and spared Old Master Xie."

Lu Mingchao nodded. "I remember."

"Except for Old Master Xie, the whole Xie clan was wiped out."

"No one was spared."

"Not exactly." Yongming Grand Princess said slowly.

"Years later, His Majesty, troubled by dreams of the past, believes the punishment went too far and wishes to find any survivors of the Duke of Xinguo’s household."

Lu Mingchao smirked and shot back, "His Majesty issued the decree, and the imperial guards carried out the massacre. How could anyone have survived?"

"If there were survivors, wouldn’t that mean the imperial guards were useless?"

Yongming Grand Princess didn't argue, only continued, "His Majesty believes there are survivors from the old case."

"Moreover, I happen to have learned a piece of news. Before the tragedy occurred, Xie Sanlang had a casual affair with a lover."

"After Xie Sanlang was beheaded, that lover discovered she was carrying a child conceived after his death."

Lu Mingchao's brow twitched slightly, her face showing just the right amount of confusion. "The Duke Xin'guo's household had strict house rules—no sexual relationships before marriage, let alone casual affairs."

"This news will spread everywhere before long," Yongming Grand Princess said meaningfully.

"Is that so?" Lu Mingchao sighed softly. "Who knows if it's a blessing or a curse."

Yongming Grand Princess said solemnly, "If His Majesty says it's a blessing, then it is a blessing."

Lu Mingchao replied respectfully, "Your guidance is wise."

"I understand."

So, just how much does Yongming Grand Princess know?

She could tell that Yongming Grand Princess was warning her.

His Majesty is laying a trap.

Using the questionable claim of a posthumous child of Xie Sanlang as bait.

Whether it catches a descendant of the Xie family or someone who remembers the old connections to the Xie family, the bait will have served its purpose.

"By the way, I heard rumors that if the child's identity is confirmed, His Majesty intends to take Xie Sanlang's posthumous child into the palace to accompany Empress Dowager Xie."

Lu Mingchao frowned.

Take into the palace?

How?

Publicly as an honor, but secretly castrated?

She didn’t believe the current emperor was one for mercy.

The bloodshed after the palace coup lasted for months, with deaths too numerous to count.

"I am getting old and increasingly prone to rambling," Yongming Grand Princess rubbed her temples, resuming her kindly demeanor.

"No wonder Empress Dowager Xie specifically asked me to watch over you. You truly are likable."

"County Princess Le Rong mentioned she was taken with the appearance of a maid by your side."

"Was it the one who presented gifts earlier?"

Yongming Grand Princess smoothly transitioned to a new topic.

Lu Mingchao replied softly, "Yes, Your Highness."

"Her name is Amber."

"Indeed, she is very beautiful," Yongming Grand Princess affirmed.

"Does she have any brothers who look like her and are willing to become a live-in son-in-law?"

Lu Mingchao felt her head spinning.

"Her twin brother is a disciple of Great Scholar Yan Ji."

Yongming Grand Princess blinked slowly, as if she'd misheard.

Originally, she had only wanted to find a pretty but worthless rock.

Never did she expect it to be a priceless gem.

Her granddaughter had an eye for talent!

Could someone chosen by that old fox Yan Ji be ordinary?

After all, Shu Yuan was the last one Yan Ji picked.

Only, Headmaster Yu had snatched him up first.

Later, Shu Yuan became a palace eunuch. Headmaster Yu publicly denounced Shu Yuan and severed ties with him. Upon hearing this, Yan Ji came out of retirement to debate doctrine with Headmaster Yu.

Their subject? Shu Yuan's fate!

Mutual benefit.