Chapter 290: Have We Met Before?

Chapter 290 Have We Met Before

"Yan, since ancient times, marriage has been a matter of parental orders and matchmaker's words."

"Tch." Princess Lerong County couldn't help but scoff coldly.

What right did Gu Shen—of all people—have to speak of marriage being a matter of parental orders and matchmaker's words?

The icy scoff instantly chilled the room.

Everyone present knew of the feuds and tangled history of the previous generation.

Gu Shen snatching the betrothal was one thing, but she also spread slanderous rumors about Princess Pingning, smearing her name.

It was only natural for Princess Lerong County to feel indignant on behalf of her mother.

Gu Zhen turned beet red.

Stuck between them, Lu Mingchao pursed her lips. "It’s not set in stone yet. The betrothal gifts haven’t been exchanged, nor has it been formally announced to the public. There’s still room to maneuver."

"Zhen Zhen, the real authority lies with your father in the Duke’s residence. Why not make your wishes known to him?"

"In his youth, the Duke rode through battlefields, defending the land and bringing peace to the people, earning legendary glory. Surely, he wouldn’t..."

Under Princess Lerong County’s dagger-like glare, Lu Mingchao silently swallowed the words "surely he wouldn’t be so blind and unjust."

Gu Zhen let out a bitter chuckle and shook her head. "Father left it entirely up to Mother."

Lu Mingchao snapped in frustration, "Then go plead with Gu Huai."

After all, the Duke and his wife valued Gu Huai more.

Gu Huai was the heir, shouldering the future of the Duke’s residence.

His suggestions would hold some sway in the household.

Gu Zhen clammed up.

How could she explain to Lu Mingchao that after pointing at Gu Huai’s nose and shouting, "No wonder Lu Mingchao didn’t want you," she and Gu Huai had become at each other’s throats and refused to speak to each other?

Ming Zhou cut in calmly, "From my personal understanding of the Duke’s Madam, she is not someone power-hungry, treating her children as mere objects."

"If she chose Pei Jian from the Chengyang Marquis’s household, it must be because the marquis’s family offered enough to win her over."

"However, what exactly that sincerity is remains unknown."

"Mother does not understand daughter, daughter does not understand mother."

"Miss Gu, why not have a heart-to-heart talk with your mother?"

Gu Zhen kept sneaking glances at Lu Mingchao before blurting out, "But I already have someone I love."

"No matter what sincerity the Chengyang Marquis’s household offers, I won’t marry Pei Jian."

Lu Mingchao’s jaw dropped.

"I love Mingchao’s older brother."

"Lu Minghua?" Ming Zhou gaped.

If it's Lu Minghua, it wouldn’t be hard to understand.

Lu Minghua is a cultured gentleman, graceful as an orchid, with both virtue and talent.

Apart from that scandal at the flower-viewing banquet, Lu Minghua himself is beyond reproach.

"No, no." Gu Zhen hastily waved her hands.

"It's Mingchao's blood brother, Lu Yao."

"Mingchao, could you write him a letter for me?"

"As long as he has even the slightest affection for me, if he takes one step toward me, I'll cover the rest."

All three sets of eyes simultaneously fixed on Lu Mingchao's face.

Lu Mingchao was worn out.

"I can write and ask, but don't get your hopes up too much."

"Second Brother has no mind for romance, much less marriage."

She believed Lu Yao's dislike for the Duke’s estate was second only to his dislike for Lu Minghui.

This wasn’t just ‘don’t get your hopes up’—it was better not to hope at all.

"Just asking would mean everything."

"At least I’d know, no regrets."

Gu Zhen held Lu Mingchao's hand, eyes still wet but smiling.

For some reason, Lu Mingchao thought of Wei Tang.

That bold but measured girl.

Gotta admit, Lu Yao sure attracts quality admirers.

However, she genuinely didn't understand Gu Zhen's undying crush on Lu Yao.

Could it be... because of his face?

I mean, that day, when Lu Yao had the Duke’s maids and guards cornered in the room, he didn’t mince words.

Princess Lerong County blurted out, "Is your second brother a lay disciple of Buddhism?"

Lu Mingchao burst out laughing. "He's a scholar."

"The kind of scholar who's useless as they come."

Gu Zhen corrected, "The kind of scholar whom Heaven hasn’t failed, leaving him in the mortal world to witness peace."

Lu Mingchao sneered to herself.

Talk about rose-colored glasses.

Lu Yao's ideal career path was to be a trailblazing troublemaker.

Princess Lerong County scratched her head. "So your second brother’s that good-looking?"

"What's he like compared to amber?"

Lu Mingchao replied flatly, "Just a regular face—two eyes, a nose, and a mouth."

"Mingchao's second brother is an otherworldly beauty," Gu Zhen said with nostalgia in her eyes.

Princess Lerong County concluded plainly, "So he's the cold, distant type."

"No, the sharp-tongued type," Lu Mingchao corrected sternly.

Princess Lerong County frowned and took two steps back. "Then forget it. I can't handle the sass."

"Zhen Zhen, be honest—are you hung up on my brother's looks?" Lu Mingchao asked seriously.

Gu Zhen nodded, then shook her head. "He's a gentleman."

Lu Mingchao: Silence was her default response.

After some idle chatter, Gu Zhen's expression gradually softened.

And Lu Mingchao finally got to enjoy gossiping with her girlfriends again.

Would’ve been perfect if the topic hadn’t revolved around Lu Yao.

Gu Zhen had limited time outside the manor, so Lu Mingchao made sure she left on time before gulping down cup after cup of tea.

Thank God—no more playing referee.

Gu Zhen and Princess Lerong County could be in perfect harmony one moment and ready to claw each other’s eyes out the next.

It was exhausting.

"Mingchao, I’m heading downstairs to take a look."

"You said before that whatever I like, I can take," Princess Lerong County declared imperiously.

Lu Mingchao waved a tired hand. "Take whatever, I don’t care."

Pleased, the princess skipped out.

Ming Zhou said gently, "A Chao, after what went down with you and Gu Huai, I think it's best if your brother steers clear of any mess with Gu Zhen."

"I understand your concern, Sister Ming Zhou," Lu Mingchao murmured, leaning against Ming Zhou's shoulder.

She felt a weird connection with Ming Zhou.

From their very first meeting, she had sensed a strange sense of déjà vu.

As if time had looped them back together again.

Not because of any past self or old ties between them, but simply because of Ming Zhou herself.

"Zhen Zhen wants the truth, not a resolution."

"She saved me once. Out of duty and gratitude, I can’t just walk away."

Breathing in Ming Zhou's soft scent, Lu Mingchao yawned drowsily as sleep crept over her thoughts.

A pause. Before her eyes closed, her voice faded.

"Sister Ming Zhou, have we met somewhere before?"

Ming Zhou's heart quivered repeatedly.

Ming Zhou sat rigidly in silence.

Had they met somewhere before?

Maybe they had.

She had met the young A Chao.

Back then, A Chao appeared obedient on the surface but was full of endless wild ideas inside.

Later, her A Chao changed.

And she could never get her A Chao back.

During those years, it was as if she held a boiled seed, naively hoping for it to take root and sprout.

But then, when all hope was gone, a new chance appeared.

Miraculously, the seed sprouted after all.

A Chao left the noble estate and opened the Treasure Pavilion in Changhe County.

Inside the Treasure Pavilion, she saw the things A Chao had described in her youth.

When the revolving music box from Changhe’s Zhaofu Treasure Pavilion reached the capital, she secretly traveled to Changhe and spotted A Chao from afar.

It was A Chao—yet not quite the A Chao she knew.

Her A Chao said she owned a Zhaozhaofu.

Know thy enemy and know thyself.