Chapter 288: The Rake Among Rakes

Chapter 288: The Worst of the Rakes

Before they knew it, several days had passed.

The grand opening day of the capital’s Chaofu Treasure Pavilion arrived.

Thanks to Princess Lerong County’s relentless promotion, even before its doors opened to the public, the Treasure Pavilion had already caused a stir within and beyond the capital.

There were goblets as crystal-clear as the starlit sky.

There were pearls, each one perfectly round, smooth, and uniform.

...

It could be said that Princess Lerong County was the ultimate hype-woman.

In just a few short days, she had all of Shangjing’s nobility buzzing with excitement over the Chaofu Treasure Pavilion.

Even noblewomen who scorned Lu Mingchao’s background and circumstances, and disdained associating with her, were still burning with curiosity.

As for those familiar with Lu Mingchao, they arrived early to witness the grand opening.

Gu Zhen and Princess Lerong County were locked in a feud, their mutual loathing palpable.

When their eyes met, sparks flew.

They scoffed, crossed their arms, and indignantly turned away.

Ming Zhou and Lu Mingchao exchanged a resigned sigh.

"Mingchao, if Princess Lerong County and Gu Zhen fell into the river, who would you save first?"

Princess Lerong County, full of herself, posed the classic dilemma.

Lu Mingchao: "..."

Lu Mingchao sighed weakly, "Uh, hello? I’m pregnant."

Princess Lerong County froze for a moment before shooting back, "If you had a hundred taels, would you give them to me or Gu Zhen?"

Lu Mingchao: "Nice try—I’m loaded."

"Lu Mingchao! Haven’t I been good to you? Is it so hard to make a choice?" Princess Lerong County fumed, hands planted on her hips.

"Nothing good ever came from that cesspit," Lu Mingchao replied.

In Princess Lerong County’s eyes, the Duke’s household was a den of snakes.

The Duke was faithless, Gu Shen stole her man, Gu Huai was shameless—how could Gu Zhen possibly remain untainted?

"She once saved my life," Lu Mingchao said quietly.

"Back when I bashed my head into a wall in a suicide attempt and lay unconscious from blood loss, it was she who brought royal healing salve to the mansion and tended to me."

Though the original owner had died, and it was she who had awakened in that body, she could not deny Gu Zhen’s kindness.

"When I was driven out of the Marquis’s estate and returned to Changxi Village, she’s the one who trudged through snowdrifts to bring supplies and visit me in the countryside."

"Alone in unfamiliar territory, it was she who instructed the magistrate of Changhe County to look out for me."

"County Princess Lerong, Zhen Zhen's truly kind."

Gu Zhen lightly sniffed. "Well, at least you've got some decency."

County Princess Lerong fidgeted with her riding crop, muttering in disbelief, "You? A good person? Really?"

After grumbling for a moment, she suddenly gave Gu Zhen a stiff bow.

"Gu Zhen, I spoke out of line. I deeply apologize."

"This was my fault, but I still can't stand your family."

Gu Zhen refused to back down, retorting, "Right back at you."

"I saved Lu Mingchao, not to earn your favor. Don't get ahead of yourself."

County Princess Lerong laughed in anger. "With my standing? Please."

"Lately, I’ve heard that since the new year, Duke’s Madam has been taking you to various banquets, polishing your perfect image."

"The picture of grace, virtue, nobility, talent, and beauty."

"Now who's putting on airs?"

"After all that picking and choosing, layering on so much gold, you settled on the good-for-nothing playboy from Chengyang Marquis’s household."

"About to be engaged, aren't we?"

"Have you asked how many times my whip has struck that worthless fool?"

"You may be a good person, but you’re blind!"

County Princess Lerong fought fair, keeping to the truth.

Gu Zhen, both furious and anxious, felt her eyes redden.

Especially upon hearing about the match, tears instantly spilled from her eyes.

County Princess Lerong: ...

"Arguing's fine, but tears? That's low." Flustered, County Princess Lerong used a handkerchief to wipe Gu Zhen’s tears.

"Not that I'm judging, but crying when you can’t win an argument is just shameless. Lucky for you, you’re a woman—otherwise, I’d have taught you a lesson with my whip long ago."

"Stop crying."

"Alright, alright, I'll lay off, okay?"

"Now I look like some bully picking on you."

"Gu Zhen, are you setting me up here? I still remember clearly how you used to push people around."

"Zhen Zhen, are you upset about the match?" Lu Mingchao asked softly.

Gu Zhen hiccuped, fighting back tears.

Her eyes and nose had gone all red.

"My eyes were just too dry, so I was just fake crying."

Princess Lerong County: ???

"Gu Zhen, are you out of your mind?"

"On the day Chaofu Treasure Pavilion opens, you’re here crying away Mingchao’s luck. Can you take responsibility for that?"

"It’s a sign of wealth pouring in like water," Gu Zhen retorted stubbornly.

As the two were about to snap at each other again, Lu Mingchao and Ming Zhou each pulled one aside.

"Lu Mingchao, why are you pulling Gu Zhen and not me?" Princess Lerong County snapped.

Lu Mingchao massaged her forehead in exasperation.

Who else? Of course, because Ming Zhou rarely interacted with Gu Zhen.

At this moment, Lu Mingchao gained new respect for men with multiple wives.

And here she was, struggling with just two jealous women.

"Isn’t this the one and only Pearl of the Capital, Lu Mingchao?"

A dramatic, singsong voice came to Lu Mingchao’s rescue.

Lu Mingchao felt like she’d been spared.

Who knew sarcasm could be music to her ears?

"Miss Xiang," Lu Mingchao greeted with a radiant smile, her voice dripping with sincerity.

Xiang Rongyue was stunned.

Had Lu Mingchao not noticed her sarcastic jab?

Should she try harder?

Xiang Rongyue put on airs, glanced at Lu Mingchao, and coughed lightly. "Well, well, look who it is. The Pearl of the Capital has picked up bootlicking."

"Wow, someone’s put on weight already."

"Days apart, and the Xiang family’s young lady has gotten real snippy," Gu Zhen said coldly, touching up her makeup as she stepped around the floral screen.

Princess Lerong County raised an eyebrow. "Guests deserve respect, Gu Zhen. Must you be so rude?"

Do we even need to stick around?

So this was how high-society ladies behaved in private.

Then Princess Lerong County continued, "Xiang Rongyue, you got the cash for this place?"

"If you do, I’ll wait on you myself."

"If not, quit yapping."

Gu Zhen’s lip curled.

How elegantly put!

Xiang Rongyue first cast a wary glance at the soft whip hanging from Princess Lerong County’s waist, then looked at Gu Zhen standing beside Lu Mingchao.

After weighing her options, she decided to target Gu Zhen.

"Gu Zhen, the Dowager of Chengyang Marquisate most disapproves of women of the household being seen in public. If word gets back to her that you're lowering yourself by associating with merchants, we'll see how you explain that."

"Miss Xiang, are you connected to the Chengyang Marquisate?" Lu Mingchao asked with an innocent expression.

"If not, how would you know so much about their family matters?"

Ming Zhou, standing in the shadows, matter-of-factly explained, "A Chao, have you forgotten? Miss Xiang was betrothed to Pei Jian."

"Though no one knows why, it didn't work out."

Anger flashed across Xiang Rongyue’s face. "Don’t drag that good-for-nothing Pei Jian into this!"

"Now, it’s Gu Zhen who’s engaged to Pei Jian."

Lu Mingchao was stunned.

Pei Jian?

The Chengyang Marquisate is teeming with playboys, but even when Princess Lerong County mentioned Gu Zhen’s marriage, she never imagined the Duchess would choose Pei Jian.

The biggest playboy of them all.

How reassuring.