Chapter 291: Know Yourself and Your Enemy

Chapter 291: Know Yourself and Your Enemy

The sun set and rose, rose and set, in an endless cycle.

Zhaofu Treasure Pavilion stood out in the capital city with its novelty and exquisiteness, establishing its unique position among the elite establishments of the upper echelons.

Guests flooded in ceaselessly, earning mountains of silver daily.

Merchants and officials sought to share in the profits. Knowing Lu Mingchao was the adopted daughter of the marquis' household, they hoped to enlist Yongning Marquis as an intermediary.

However, the emperor had ordered Yongning Marquis to confine himself to reflect on his faults, leaving their plans unfulfilled.

Yet, none of this applied to the influential Grand Tutor Qin.

One day, Lu Mingchao received an invitation from Mrs. Qin to attend the Winding Stream Banquet.

This invitation was highly exclusive—households below the fourth rank couldn’t even lay hands on it.

Lu Mingchao gazed at her growing belly that was becoming more noticeable and sighed helplessly.

"If My Lady is unwilling, you may claim illness and decline," Qing Tang suggested softly as she prepared soothing incense.

Lu Mingchao shook her head. "I can avoid it today, but not forever."

"Qing Tang, go call Liu Yue over."

Qing Tang picked up a handkerchief, wiped the powder from her fingers, and left.

Before long, the door curtain was lifted.

Liu Yue strode in briskly, her forehead dotted with fine beads of sweat, her voice light and cheerful.

"My Lady."

It was clear without guessing that Liu Yue had been practicing with her dao in the courtyard.

Lu Mingchao said measuredly, "First, go bathe and change."

"I’ll write a letter for you to deliver to Yongming Grand Princess’s residence."

Liu Yue agreed without hesitation.

Lu Mingchao intended to allocate thirty percent of Zhaofu Treasure Pavilion’s profits to establish a charitable institution—supporting orphans, relieving the poor, respecting the elderly, and caring for the sick.

She understood well that directly channeling such a vast sum into the imperial treasury might easily win the emperor’s favor.

However, her A Yan and Huaiqian bore the heavy responsibility of redressing wrongs and clearing names. If they took action someday, the treasury’s silver would become arrows aimed at A Yan.

Thus, it was better to use the wealth directly for the people.

If this matter was reported to the emperor by Yongming Grand Princess in person, Lu Mingchao would have a justifiable reason to refuse Grand Tutor Qin with the emperor's knowledge.

"Qing Tang, is there still no news from Nanny Wang?" Lu Mingchao asked quietly, fanning herself with a round fan.

Meanwhile, Qing Tang lowered her brows. "My Lady, Advisor Xu has gathered some information."

"The Yongning Marquis Madam ordered her brother's son to make haste to Wanxing and Beiba counties within Yicheng prefecture."

"Could Nanny Wang have been hidden in Yicheng by the Marquess?"

Lu Mingchao pondered for a moment. "No."

"The House of Yongning has no influence established in Yicheng."

Changhe belongs to Yicheng.

Within the Marquis's household, the only person connected to Yicheng is Lu Minghui.

And Lu Minghui is either reborn or has awakened memories of her past life. Moreover, she diverges sharply from the original story that Lu Mingchao had skimmed through.

Thus, Lu Minghui's recollections center on Yicheng, not the capital.

Wanxing, Beiba...

Will these two counties suffer some calamity, natural or man-made?

Lu Mingchao's heart raced with apprehension, but she remained composed as she briskly ordered, "Have Xu Xun arrange for people to visit Wanxing and Beiba as well. Pay particular attention to any unusual weather or inflammatory talk among commoners."

"Additionally, tighten surveillance on Chengchan Temple."

"Document all activities of Lu Minghui and submit triweekly reports."

"Go now."

Lu Mingchao stood by the window, gazing at the blossoming flowers in the courtyard, her mind wandering farther afield.

Did Lu Minghui willingly call off the betrothal because of what was about to happen in Wanxing and Beiba?

If Lu Minghui has discarded Gu Huai, who is her better choice?

A prince?

Or perhaps the imperial sovereign, who usurped the throne after murdering his nephew?

Suddenly, Lu Mingchao recalled the imperial selection scheduled for the eleventh of August this autumn.

All unmarried individuals above the age of thirteen were subject to selection.

The imperial selection was meant to choose consorts for the emperor.

It could also arrange marriages for princes and imperial relatives.

The Marquess and Lu Minghui were scheming toward the imperial selection.

With her betrothal dissolved and the backing of the House of Yongning, Lu Minghui was assured a place among the candidates.

The challenge lay in Lu Minghui's notorious standing.

What could more swiftly restore her image than that of a celestial maiden touched by the gods and gifted with foresight?

If paired with an auspicious fate, Lu Minghui's ascension into the imperial house would be inevitable.

With only a few months left until the selection, Lu Mingchao had to maintain relentless surveillance on the Marquess and Lu Minghui.

Did they think they could leap into the imperial stratosphere with this opportunity?

*She would not allow it!*

A shadow passed over Lu Mingchao's icy gaze.

Since they were already at odds, she could no longer afford to give Lu Minghui any chance to make waves.

Before Lu Yao arrived in the capital to exact his revenge, she would continue to keep Lu Minghui confined at Chengchan Temple!

What selection?

Even a royal pardon wouldn’t allow her to leave.

Lu Mingchao let out a breath and adjusted the dangling crabapple hairpin in her bun. "I heard that after sending Lu Minghui away, the Yongning Marquis Madam has been gaunt and lethargic all day, like she's ill. As her adopted daughter, it wouldn't be right for me to show no concern."

"I'll go with you, Madam," Dan Zhu said softly.

"Good."

With Dan Zhu supporting her, Lu Mingchao walked toward Zhilan Courtyard.

Zhilan Courtyard.

The idle Yongning Marquis sat cross-legged on the divan, staring at the chessboard before him, playing against himself with both hands.

The Yongning Marquis Madam reclined lazily on a rocking chair by the window, eyes half-closed in feigned sleep.

The two were perfectly at ease, even evoking a hint of their young love.

"Marquis, Madam, Miss Mingchao has come to pay her respects."

The Yongning Marquis was startled, snapping his head up and accidentally scattering the pieces with his sleeve. "Who’s here?"

The Yongning Marquis Madam's relaxed manner vanished, opening her eyes to reveal mistrust and distaste.

"It’s Miss Mingchao."

The maid standing under the eaves repeated respectfully.

The Yongning Marquis didn't bother to fix the chessboard. Instead, he lowered his voice and sharply warned his wife, "Don't start anything."

Yongning Marquis Madam: ???

One moment, she had been enjoying their domestic peace.

The next, she was being warned not to stir up trouble?

The Yongning Marquis continued, "Let her in."

"Marquis, Madam." Lu Mingchao dipped in a curtsy.

The Yongning Marquis Madam acknowledged her with a tepid nod.

The Yongning Marquis smiled. "We’re family—no need for formalities. Please, sit."

"Have you come today because you’ve encountered a sticky situation that requires my intervention?"

Though he couldn’t leave the marquis’s residence, his letters could.

Lu Mingchao sat down and replied softly, "There’s no urgent business."

"The Grand Tutor's Lady has sent an invitation, inviting me to the Winding Stream Banquet."

"The Qin family and the House of Yongning Marquis are related by marriage. Now that the Marquis is in seclusion and the Marchioness is unwell, I thought to come and ask if there are any gifts you'd like me to deliver on your behalf."

"Winding Stream Banquet?"

"When?"

The Marchioness of Yongning knitted her brows.

Lu Mingchao said, "In three days."

The Marchioness of Yongning was puzzled: "This year's Winding Stream Banquet has been scheduled so much earlier?"

The Winding Stream Banquet at Grand Tutor Qin's residence has been held for three consecutive years.

It has always been on the sixth day of the sixth lunar month without exception.

But now, it's not even May yet.

"Perhaps Grand Tutor Qin and Mrs. Qin have other considerations." The Yongning Marquis showed little concern.

The Marchioness of Yongning pondered briefly: "Let Xiushu accompany you with the gifts."

Xiushu was a first-class maid in Zhilan Courtyard, having served the Marchioness of Yongning for many years.

Lu Mingchao acknowledged nonchalantly.

"This year's Winding Stream Banquet, His Highness Prince Duan and the Second Prince are both on the guest list."

She was testing.