Chapter 284: Toad? Golden Toad!

Chapter 284: A Toad? A Golden Toad!

Zhong Yujin's face instantly fell.

"Grandmother, the Second Prince went too."

Zhong Yujin pointed at Lu Mingchao, adaptable as needed.

Lu Mingchao: ???

Wait, why call her "Aunt" now?

Are we that close?

Lu Mingchao took a deep breath and recited a rote apology, "Your Highness, in my youth, I was blinded by folly and caused much ridicule. In hindsight, I am mortified and wish the ground would swallow me."

Might as well dig a mansion with my toes!

The Grand Princess soothed her, "You are wise and decisive, with a mind of depth. The garish debauchery of the *Spring and Autumn Pavilion* could never cloud your judgment."

"Since you are with child, stay seated."

Then, she immediately reached out and grabbed Zhong Yujin's ear. "When did you go to the *Spring and Autumn Pavilion*?"

"Who suggested it?"

These spoiled brats lived lives full of reckless escapades—she couldn’t guard against them all.

Zhong Yujin mumbled meekly, "The autumn before last."

"The Second Prince suggested it."

"Xiao Fu?" The Grand Princess's brows instantly furrowed tightly.

A year and a half ago.

Back then, Xiao Fu hadn’t even come of age yet.

"Zhong! Yu! Jin!"

"Have you forgotten my warnings?"

Xiao Fu is bad news!

Even as a child, he was obsessed with drink and debauchery—and worse, he always had some sadistic tricks up his sleeve.

Does he think she doesn’t know that mutilated corpses are regularly hauled out of his palace?

"Grandmother, it was Gu Huai and Lu Mingchao who egged me on," Zhong Yujin hurriedly said.

Lu Mingchao looked baffled.

Why was she being roped into this again?

"If provocation makes you go, then why don’t you go lick—" *Dog shit!* (Biting back her words, mindful of propriety.)

Princess Lerong County muttered thoughtfully, “Dog shit.”

Zhong Yujin retorted, “Grandmother, being so crude and brash, Le Rong will probably never marry in this lifetime.”

Yongming Grand Princess and Princess Lerong County spoke simultaneously.

“If she can't marry, I'll arrange for her to marry you.”

“I’ve never intended to marry in this lifetime!”

Zhong Yujin waved his hands desperately, “Grandmother, spare your grandson.”

“If you force me to marry Le Rong, I'll shave my head and become a monk.”

Princess Lerong County fell into an unusual silence.

Her hedonistic cousin, expert in all things frivolous, would rather become a monk than marry her—let alone the star pupil of Great Scholar Yan Ji.

Was she really that terrible?

For a moment, Princess Lerong County fell into a spiral of self-doubt.

Yongming Grand Princess gave Zhong Yujin a light push. “Go to the study and kneel and copy the letters your father sent home in the past.”

Those letters contained yearning for his mother and earnest advice for Yu Jin.

Zhong Yujin glanced at the silent Princess Lerong County, guilt gnawing at him, and shuffled toward the door of the flower hall, glancing back repeatedly.

Just as he was about to step over the threshold, he blurted, “Cousin, I just don’t want to marry you—it doesn’t mean I dislike you.”

“Even though you always hit me with your whip, I’d still be willing to take care of you forever.”

Lu Mingchao’s eyelid twitched uncontrollably.

Was this supposed to be comfort or pouring salt on the wound?

“Leave now!” Yongming Grand Princess said sternly.

Zhong Yujin slipped away like a greased weasel.

Yongming Grand Princess took Princess Lerong County’s hand and said gently, “Le Rong, don’t sell yourself short.”

“I casually asked Mr. Lu about the amber twin brothers.”

“I was about to praise you.”

“No surprise for someone raised in privilege—your taste is truly great.”

“One glance, one pick, and you chose Yan Ji’s disciple.”

Princess Lerong County blinked in confusion. “Grandmother, you don’t think I’m a toad lusting after a swan’s flesh, getting above myself?”

“What toad? Nonsense, you’re a golden toad,” Yongming Grand Princess chuckled.

“I plan to write to Yan Ji and ask if his disciple would be willing to marry into our house.”

“Grandmother, don’t ask,” Princess Lerong County cut her off.

“I’m Father’s only child—I won’t marry outside [the family].”

"He is a disciple of Great Scholar Yan Ji, meant to shine, not to be labeled as a mere live-in husband and subjected to baseless accusations and scornful gazes from those mediocre yet self-important nobodies."

"Grandmother, I don’t want him anymore."

County Princess Le Rong stood firm.

If she wouldn’t budge, she shouldn’t expect the other party to give in either.

It wasn’t fair.

The Grand Princess frowned. "Are you truly decided?"

Le Rong gave an immediate nod.

No matter what she felt inside, she couldn’t let her grandmother send that letter.

Her grandmother and Great Scholar Yan Ji were old acquaintances, and with the added weight of her status as a grand princess, a single letter from her could move mountains.

The Grand Princess pondered for a moment. "Very well."

A Yan Ji-chosen disciple was a once-in-a-lifetime catch.

It seemed she would need to have a serious discussion with the Pingning couple about Le Rong’s marriage situation.

The likelihood of finding a total package: smart, capable, and easy on the eyes willing to marry into their family was next to none.

"Come, take a look at the pearls Mr. Lu has brought," The Grand Princess pivoted effortlessly.

"This pale pink one was made for you."

Le Rong was captivated. "Mingchao, where’d you score such large, flawless pearls? They could rival those rare treasures from coastal counties, presented as tribute to the imperial family."

"Glad they hit the mark," Lu Mingchao smiled.

"I love them," Le Rong bobbed her head eagerly.

Her gaze inadvertently fell upon the crystal-clear cups in the brocade box, and she got an idea. She tugged gently at The Grand Princess’s hand. "Grandmother, Lu Mingchao has just arrived and already given such generous gifts. You can’t skimp on your return gifts."

"With your gifts in hand, the people of Yongning Marquis’s household will think twice before messing with her."

The Grand Princess played dumb. "I’ve heard the Empress’s rewards have already been distributed, including Empress Dowager Xie’s ivory-carved mirage screen."

"That’s different," Le Rong whined sweetly.

After the palace coup, Empress Dowager Xie’s clout wasn’t what it used to be.

"How about I gift a pair of golden and jade Ruyi scepters?"

"They can serve as both a return gift and a belated wedding present."

The Grand Princess smiled.

Her gifts had to hit the sweet spot—neither too much nor too little.

She wanted to protect Lu Mingchao without tipping her hand.

Unaware of the underlying circumstances, Le Rong sulked. "Grandmother, how about giving Mingchao a carriage from the Grand Princess’s estate? Wouldn’t that be better?"

The Grand Princess replied, "That’s your business."

"Thank you, Grandmother." Princess Lerong County said with a bright smile.

"Grandmother, I'll take Mingchao to admire the flowers now."

Yongming Grand Princess hastily reminded, "Take it easy."

"Take care of Mr. Lu's health."

That was Xie family blood.

So many of the Xie family had perished, and Empress Dowager Xie was on the verge of madness.

If anything were to happen to the child in Lu Mingchao's womb, no one could predict how viciously Empress Dowager Xie might retaliate.

For now, all she could do was hope that the young crown prince from back then was capable enough to bear the burden of Daqian's future.

"Delay the wedding."