Chapter 289: Feeling Very Secure

Chapter 289: Safe and Sound

Like a thunderbolt out of nowhere, Lu Mingchao’s lips parted slightly, her mind buzzing like fireworks exploding in her head, leaving a deafening roar reverberating in her skull.

Pei Jian!

Pei Jian was strikingly handsome—tall and slender, with a face as flawless as jade. His charm was intoxicating—like aged wine, utterly mesmerizing.

Backed by his noble family, Pei Jian had always gotten his way.

But even the devil trips over his own tail.

Every woman he charmed would receive a white jade carved pendant from him as a sign of shared affection.

Each time he gifted one, Pei Jian would urge the recipient to keep it hidden, never to be flaunted carelessly.

But, caught up in youthful vanity, some couldn’t help but secretly show it off.

And once they did, they’d realize—those pendants were a dime a dozen.

Even if word was quickly suppressed, rumors still spread.

Put simply, Pei Jian was the worst playboy of them all.

What on earth had The Duchess seen in him after such meticulous selection?

His debauchery?

No wonder Gu Zhen broke down at the thought of marriage.

"If Miss Xiang just came to pick a fight, I’m afraid I cannot indulge you. You may as well leave."

"Treasure Pavilion is here for business, not bickering."

Lu Mingchao stepped forward, shielding Gu Zhen behind her.

Xiang Rongyue scoffed. "Only if there’s something I actually want."

"Lu Mingchao, I want you to personally attend to me."

Lu Mingchao squeezed Gu Zhen’s hand reassuringly, then cast a glance at Ming Zhou.

Ming Zhou nodded and escorted Gu Zhen back to the private room of Treasure Pavilion.

Turning back to Xiang Rongyue, Lu Mingchao said, "Very well. Please, come inside."

"If Miss Xiang walks out empty-handed, it would hardly do justice to the Xiang family’s reputation for amassing gold and jade."

Xiang Rongyue sneered. "The Capital’s so-called ‘Pearl’—what a letdown."

Lu Mingchao used to outshine every noblewoman in the capital.

Princess Lerong parroted Xiang Rongyue’s sneer. "The Xiang family’s ‘treasure’? Just as disappointing."

Xiang Rongyue’s childhood name was ‘Baozhu’ (Precious Pearl).

"My grandmother herself praised Treasure Pavilion’s wares as rare treasures you won’t find anywhere else."

"Xiang Family's Jewel, don’t act so arrogant when you’re just being cheap, only to call the Treasure Pavilion ordinary."

Facing Princess Lerong County, Xiang Rongyue had to tread carefully.

If she weren’t, the princess would make her with her soft whip.

Thus, this time, Xiang Rongyue picked on Lu Mingchao again.

"How shameless, hiding behind Princess Lerong County!"

Lu Mingchao smiled, batting her eyes and putting on a sweet voice, "Why doesn’t Miss Xiang hide behind Princess Lerong County? Or do you just not *want* to?"

"Or is it because you look down on her?"

"Or perhaps you just don’t like it?"

"No shame in it—feels downright safe."

"But, Miss Xiang, you won’t get the chance to try it."

"Your Highness, you must protect this humble girl and also safeguard the Treasure Pavilion for me, so no one can throw their family’s weight around."

The princess’s heart turned to mush.

She had never noticed before how sweet and soft Lu Mingchao’s voice could be.

Unconsciously, the princess straightened up proudly.

"Xiang Rongyue, if you *dare* stir trouble, I’ll flay you alive."

"After flaying you, I’ll tie you up, drag you behind my horse into the palace, and let you meet your dear Auntie Consort Xiang in person."

"Hmph, Like aunt, like niece—both rotten."

"You bully the weak and rely on your status, and your dear Auntie Consort Xiang is no better."

Xiang Rongyue panicked and spat back:

"Who bullies harder than *you*?"

Instead of getting angry, Princess Lerong County proudly lifted her chin. "Exactly!"

"As long as you know."

"Knowing you can’t compare to me, yet still jumping around—do you know what that’s called?"

"A total clown!" Lu Mingchao chimed in innocently at the perfect moment.

Xiang Rongyue waved her arms like a madwoman. "Lu Mingchao, I’ll rip your lying mouth off!"

"Xiang Rongyue!" The princess barked.

She raised her hand, flashing the emperor’s own dragon-patterned jade pendant in her palm.

"This princess *owns* power—deal with it!"

"What’re you gonna do?"

"Lu Mingchao just runs her shop—what’s her crime? You started with your backhanded crap the *second* your foot hit the ground."

"Lu Mingchao met you with a smile, but you only grew more aggressive."

"What, is the Xiang family something special?"

Xiang Rongyue’s eyes narrowed, freezing mid-step.

She gaped at the dragon-patterned jade pendant in Princess Lerong County's palm, frowning in confusion.

"Since when was it a jade pendant?"

Xiang Rongyue blurted out.

Princess Lerong County scoffed, lying without batting an eye: "His Majesty favors me as his younger kin, afraid some fools wouldn’t recognize Emperor Wencheng's old tokens, so he specially bestowed this dragon-patterned jade pendant to replace the dark gold token, ensuring my safety."

"This pendant carries His Majesty’s authority."

"Are you putting on such a show because you want to snatch the pendant, smash it, and then deny everything?"

"Go on, take it."

Princess Lerong County pretended to shove it into Xiang Rongyue's hand.

Xiang Rongyue recoiled, then dropped to her knees, seething.

This wasn’t just a saying.

A moment later, Princess Lerong County raised her hand slightly. "You may rise."

"Still planning to buy?"

Xiang Rongyue's eyes reddened. "You’ve gone too far."

Then, covering her face, she bolted out in tears.

Princess Lerong County and Lu Mingchao exchanged a glance before muttering, "Was she crying because we pushed her too hard?"

Lu Mingchao shook her head. "She cried because she couldn’t bully *us*."

"Makes sense." Princess Lerong County nodded solemnly.

After giving orders to the Treasure Pavilion’s shopkeeper and staff, Lu Mingchao followed Princess Lerong County to a private chamber.

There, Gu Zhen was collapsed over the desk, sobbing.

"Zhen Zhen, what’s wrong?" Lu Mingchao stood behind Gu Zhen, bending slightly to pat her back gently, her voice soft.

"Zhen Zhen, you helped me once—let me return the favor."

Princess Lerong County watched Gu Zhen with concern, though she couldn’t help but gaze adoringly at Lu Mingchao.

She loved how Lu Mingchao’s voice softened, sweet as dawn’s first dewdrops.

Gu Zhen raised her tear-streaked face, hiccuping. "My mother claims Pei Jian is a *good man*."

At this, Lu Mingchao and the others fell into stunned silence.

If Pei Jian’s a ‘good man,’ then Daqian has no bad ones left.

Ming Zhou frowned. "Since the marriage negotiation between Xiang Rongyue and Pei Jian fell through, Pei Jian seems to have actually kept to himself."

"Have any of you heard about Pei Jian's womanizing ways lately?"

"Just because a rake reforms, does he cease to be a rake?" Gu Zhen retorted.

"I've seen Pei Jian gallivanting around town with courtesan beauties more than once, even caught him exchanging intimate whispers with women, watching as he slid a white jade carved pendant into a woman's décolletage."

"I can't willingly marry such a man."

"Nor can I bring myself to be a proper wife raising his children for someone like him."

"But Mother insists that sowing youthful wild oats in men is no great fault, and that after experiencing the temptations of the world, they become more reliable and steady upon turning back."

Lu Mingchao blinked.

So this absurd reasoning has persisted since ancient times, passed down through the ages.

Isn't this just whitewashing a scoundrel?

"I begged Mother, but she told me to stop being unreasonable."

"Haven't we met before?"