Chapter 140 The Young Husband Who Is Treated with Indifference

Lu Jinlan shrugged. "Isn't that the same principle? I'll make him fall in love with me as a person, whether I'm Lu Er or Lu Jinlan."

Yan Wuxin scoffed, "Aren't you afraid he'll discover you've completely fooled him, and in the end, whether you're Lu Er or Lu Jinlan, he'll hate you?"

Lu Jinlan said confidently, "When have men ever hated me? They only love me to death."

“That’s true,” Yan Wuxin thought for a moment and added, “except for You Shun.”

Lu Jinlan thought about it and agreed, "No normal man would hate me. You Shun is abnormal; he must have some kind of problem."

The two laughed heartily. Lu Jinlan said, "Let's go. After we finish our discussion, come with me to treat Tieshu's injuries. We still have a lot to do."

*

Ji Yun Tieshu's heart has been quite unsettled these past few days; logically, she should be happy.

The arrival of a shrewd and capable leader has given the alliance a glimmer of hope in what was once a hopeless situation. According to Ji Yunyao, the leaders, who usually held differing opinions, now obey the leader's every command, and the alliance is united, showing signs of prosperity.

With her younger brother now having someone to rely on for life, her mother was relieved. Under the leader's treatment, her leg also improved day by day.

But she always felt that something was wrong; it all seemed too coincidental, as if someone had meticulously planned it.

Everything happened at such a perfect time; was it fate or human intervention?

If it was caused by human intervention, that would be terrifying.

Ji Yun Tieshu couldn't help but think: If Lu Er's initial rescue of her brother was due to luck or a fluke, and her subsequent infiltration of the alliance was also a matter of taking advantage of the situation, then her rescue of me, followed by her overwhelming victory in the alliance leader battle to seize the position, could only be attributed to her exceptional abilities.

In just seven or eight days, everyone in the alliance has come to respect and admire her.

Who exactly is she? She possesses both healing and unfathomable powers. She can win people's hearts and turn the tide in times of crisis.

The last person to amaze Ji Yun Tieshu was the current emperor. She firmly believed that with Lu Jinlan's literary and military talents, he would surely become the greatest ruler in history. Even when she was paralyzed in bed, this thought never changed.

It was inevitable that the policies of the newly established dynasty would be imperfect. Although she had suddenly encountered misfortune and was filled with despair, she still retained a sliver of clarity in her mind.

Her personal misfortune should not be entirely blamed on the court, much less on the emperor. Therefore, she consistently opposed Ji Yunyao's rebellion.

But at that time, she had no choice. When the doctor announced that she would be bedridden for life, not only did she suffer a mental breakdown, but Ji Yunyao also lost his mind.

The misfortunes suffered by a daughter are always magnified in the mother's pain. Ji Yunyao would rather lie there herself in exchange for her daughter's recovery.

They were all blinded by fate, which led them to take a desperate gamble and incite a rebellion.

Ji Yun Tieshu always believed that there was absolutely no chance of success in this matter, and that everyone would be annihilated by the imperial court sooner or later; it was only a matter of time.

But now that Lu Er has arrived, things seem to be a little different.

A person who could rival the emperor had actually become a rebel. Could it be that the fate of the Hua Kingdom had truly run its course, and thus an evil star had descended from the heavens to lead them in rebellion against the court?

Ji Yun Tieshu couldn't help but worry about the country and its people. If this Lu Er really had the ability to stir up trouble, it would be a good thing for the family, but not necessarily for the country.

Where did she come from? I've never heard of her before, and there's that red centipede... I think I've seen it in some book...

*

That day, after treating Ji Yun Tieshu's leg, Lu Jinlan examined her affected area.

"Those accumulated black toxins should all be gone, and the skin on your leg has returned to normal. However, you've been bedridden for a long time and injured your leg, so your muscles and tendons need to readjust. With proper training, you'll be able to walk as freely as you did before the accident in less than three months."

Ji Yun Tieshu struggled to sit up on his knees. "Thank you for your life-saving grace, Alliance Leader."

Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "From Yuanzhen's perspective, I should call you 'elder sister.' We're family, no need to be so polite."

As she spoke, she put Nianli into the cage, but then she saw Ji Yun Tieshu staring at her cage, seemingly wanting to say something but then stopping herself.

Ji Yun Yuanzhen and Yan Wuxin were both present at the time, so Ji Yun Tieshu said to Yuanzhen, "I haven't seen my sword in a long time. Go and get it for your sister."

Yuan Zhen laughed and said, "You've just been able to get out of bed, so don't rush to practice swordsmanship. We agreed that you can take a look at it once it's here, and you can practice after your leg is completely healed."

Ji Yun Tieshu nodded, and after Yuan Zhen left, she said, "Since the Alliance Leader says we are family, I will humbly accept this honor. I have a few questions for the Alliance Leader, and I hope you will not take offense."

A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Jinlan's eyes. She exchanged a glance with Yan Wuxin, then smiled and said, "Feel free to ask."

Ji Yun Tieshu said, "Rumors are circulating that the Emperor Consort of Jiang Kingdom is having an affair with the current Emperor. Has the Alliance Leader heard of this?"

Lu Jinlan frowned. "Of course I've heard about the things that were all the rage a few years ago. But as they've been passed around, there seems to be no evidence; it's probably just speculation."

Ji Yun Tieshu nodded. "I used to think so too."

Lu Jinlan looked up, "You don't think that way anymore?"

Ji Yun Tieshu remained silent for a moment, then took out an old book from under his pillow. "Alliance Leader, please take a look. This book records that Chi Li, the Holy Man of the Demon Clan, was exceptionally gifted. Even as a child, he was able to feed poison with his own body. The poisonous creature he fed with his body was a red centipede."

Lu Jinlan took it and looked at it. She didn't know who wrote the book, but it even had illustrations.

Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "Oh, this red centipede looks a lot like my poisonous centipede."

Yan Wuxin leaned closer for a look, his feelings complicated, and said in a dry voice, "Does it look like it? To me... not really. Don't all centipedes look like that?"

Lu Jinlan shook her head, "No, this one is the same size as mine. Luckily, I had mine with me, otherwise I would have thought it had been stolen by the Meizu people."

The two laughed heartily, but Ji Yun Tieshu still remained doubtful, "Couldn't it be the same one?"

"The same one?" Lu Jinlan rubbed his temples and laughed. "How could the poisonous creature fed on the body of the Demon Clan Saint be on me?"

Ji Yun Tieshu said, “There is a possibility. Perhaps the rumors are true. The Holy Man of the Enchantress gave his beloved pet, the Red Centipede, to his lover. You, this poisonous centipede, are the Holy Man’s Red Centipede. You are not Lu Er, you are the current Emperor, Lu Jinlan.”

The room was silent. Lu Jinlan sat in a chair, gently turning the pages of a book, a playful smile on her lips. She said calmly, "If I were Lu Jinlan, why would I come here?"

Ji Yun Tieshu shook his head. "I don't know, but that's not surprising. The Emperor doesn't like to follow the rules and prefers to do things unexpectedly."

Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "You two siblings are really interesting. Neither of you has ever met Lu Jinlan, but you both think you know her very well."

Ji Yun Tieshu retorted, "Am I wrong?"

Lu Jinlan shook her head, and Yan Wuxin chuckled dryly, "Don't be ridiculous. If she were the Emperor, why would I be a notorious bandit? I'd have secured an official position long ago. If she's Lu Jinlan, then who am I?"

Ji Yun Tieshu looked at her and said firmly, "If I'm not mistaken, you are the Grand Commandant of the current dynasty, Yan Wuxin."

Yan Wuxin's smile froze on his face. "You're quite bold in your guesses."

Lu Jinlan looked at Ji Yuntieshu, "It seems that if I cannot provide evidence to prove that I am not Lu Jinlan, you will be convinced of your own deduction. Unfortunately, you are wrong."

“The Red Centipede of the Enchantress Saint is raised by him, while mine is raised by my family. He only has that Red Centipede, but I have more than just the Poisonous Centipede.”

As Lu Jinlan spoke, she took out another hollowed-out gold cage from behind her waist. When she opened it, a green scorpion crawled onto the back of her hand, poking its head out and pausing to observe.

Lu Jinlan asked with a smile, "You don't actually think that this scorpion was also a gift from the Holy Man, do you?"

Ji Yun Tieshu was stunned, looking puzzled.

She thought about it all night and finally figured it out, feeling that only this conclusion could explain all the coincidences.

But when Lu Jinlan revealed the scorpion, she was stunned.

Where did this book come from that says the Holy Man only has red centipedes and no blue scorpions?

Moreover, the red centipede is already one of the most venomous creatures in the world; if he had already given it to him, why would he need to give him the green scorpion as well?

If the Lu Er before me is truly Lu Jinlan, why would a dignified emperor carry such poison on her?

In fact, Lu Jinlan really didn't want to bring so many poisonous creatures. But Chi Cheng kept pestering her, insisting that she bring them along.

She also said that since she named her brother's red centipede Nianli and kept it by her side, she should also name his green scorpion Niancheng and keep it by her side as well.

Lu Jinlan couldn't resist his soft and gentle pleas, so she took it with her. She never expected to use it now.

Seeing Ji Yun Tieshu standing there in a daze, Lu Jinlan continued, "You lie in bed all day long, so it's inevitable that you'll feel bored and overthink things, and you'll be unaware of what's happening outside."

"Sixth Brother learned reliable information from the foot of the mountain yesterday that Lu Jinlan has left the capital and is on his way to Yaozhou. He passed Xing County yesterday."

Ji Yun Tieshu was startled again, "Really?"

Yan Wuxin hurriedly replied, "Of course it's true. This was heard by Lao Liu himself while following Zhang Siyuan's trusted officers. How could it be false?"

Ji Yun Tieshu was caught off guard by the constant stream of new situations and couldn't help but doubt himself.

Could it be that I've been lying in bed for too long and I'm getting paranoid?

She hurriedly said, "Leader, I'm sorry, I..."

Lu Jinlan smiled and patted her shoulder, "I'm new here, so it's understandable that everyone is a little worried. It's reasonable for you to have some doubts, and I won't take it to heart."

Ji Yun Tieshu said apologetically, "Alliance Leader, you are very magnanimous, but I cannot help but blame myself. You have just taken over the position of Alliance Leader, and there are many complicated matters and difficulties in each one. I know this even if you don't say it. If anyone doubts you, I should defend you, instead of harboring suspicions and making things difficult for you."

Lu Jinlan smiled and said, "It's nothing to worry about. Since we're family, we shouldn't fuss over such trivial matters. You should rest well, and we won't bother you any longer. Tomorrow, I'm going down the mountain. If my negotiations with the government don't go smoothly, I'll invite Lu Jinlan up the mountain another day so you can see the real Lu Jinlan with your own eyes."

Lu Jinlan and Yan Wuxin strode away, and Ji Yun Tieshu couldn't help but feel admiration, secretly sighing: "Truly the leader of the alliance, with such a magnanimous and elegant demeanor. Even after such an offense, she did not fly into a rage or utter harsh words; such composure is beyond the reach of ordinary people."

*

As the two left, Yan Wuxin breathed a sigh of relief. "This Ji Yun Tieshu is truly different from those roughnecks. She was able to connect the rumors in the streets with just the clue of the red centipede, and she actually guessed it."

Lu Jinlan said, "She deliberately sent Yuanzhen away before she spoke. This person is meticulous and thoughtful. If she is employed by the court in the future, she will definitely be a talent for governing the country. If Ruzhen hadn't happened to reveal the news of the emperor's departure from the capital, I'm afraid we wouldn't have been able to fool her so easily."

Yan Wuxin said with lingering fear, "When you took out the green scorpion, it really startled me. Although it clears the venomous centipede of suspicion as not being a red centipede, aren't you afraid that the book will also mention that the Holy Man's younger brother was pregnant and kept a green scorpion?"

Lu Jinlan smiled. "While you were talking to her, I quickly flipped through that book. It's called 'A Study of the Holy Man of the Enchantress Clan.' Chi Cheng isn't a holy man, so there's no record of him in it at all. Besides, the book was written ten years ago, before Chi Cheng had even been fed poisonous creatures."

Yan Wuxin suddenly stopped, looked around, clasped his hands, and exclaimed from the bottom of his heart, "I submit."

Lu Jinlan smiled and took her hand. "Let's go."

*

Lu Jinlan had already written a letter to negotiate with the government, and after everyone read it, they all said it was well written.

Xu Lin, in particular, praised it highly, saying, "It is truly a masterpiece of writing, well-reasoned and supported by evidence, with passionate and stirring prose. If this letter were to circulate among scholars, it would surely be regarded as a model of writing!"

Ji Yunliu was stunned and muttered, "Old Xu, that's enough. Why are you flattering the emperor like this? I never knew you loved to fawn over people like this before."

Xu Lin glared at her, thinking to herself: You don't know anything! I'm not flattering anyone, I'm flattering the emperor. My career depends on the emperor's every whim. Do you think I'm some kind of idiot?

After discussing how to descend the mountain the next day, everyone went back to prepare.

Ji Yunyuan came over to deliver some snacks and happened to overhear a few words. He then stood there in deep thought for a long time.

Lu Jinlan caught a glimpse of a garment peeking out from the doorway and asked, "Who's there?"

“It’s me.” Yuan Zhen hurriedly came in. “I made some snacks, please have a taste.”

Lu Jinlan sipped her hot tea and ate some snacks, while Yuan Zhen, standing beside her, couldn't help but ask softly, "Are you going down the mountain tomorrow?"

"Mmm," Lu Jinlan mumbled, chewing on a pastry.

"There are so many government officials down the mountain, you must be very careful."

"I know."

Yuan Zhen thought for a moment, then said, "I happened to overhear a few words just now. If... if the government refuses to grant your demands in your letter, would you really abduct Lu Jinlan to the mountain?"

Lu Jinlan looked up at him and asked, "Are you worried about her, or about me?"

Yuan Zhen said anxiously, "Of course I'm worried about you. You are my wife, and I have no connection with her... It's just... but she is, after all, the Emperor. If you were to abduct her, wouldn't that throw the world into chaos?"

“As a man, I naturally don’t understand matters of state. But I’ve heard my sister say that the current emperor is a wise ruler. If you kidnap her and something happens to you, let’s not talk about what will happen to her, but about you.”

"You are a prodigy, skilled in both literature and martial arts, and should have become a capable minister in times of peace. Becoming a rebel was out of necessity. But what if you harm a wise ruler and leave a bad name in history? Wouldn't that be a greater loss than gain?"

Lu Jinlan put down the tea and snacks, wiped her hands, and took a few steps closer. "Things aren't settled yet, how do you know I've lost more than I gained?"

They were very close, their breaths mingling together, and Yuanzhen's face flushed slightly.

Those who hold the world in their hands can never hide their innate air of authority. Inadvertently, they exude an imposing presence that makes people afraid to look them directly in the eye.

Yuan Zhen avoided her sharp gaze and said in a low voice, "I don't know, I'm just afraid you'll suffer."

Lu Jinlan curled the corners of her lips. "You don't need to be afraid. I never suffer losses, and I certainly won't lose more than I gain. I not only want to have everything, but I also want to be absolutely certain of success."

Her gaze was firm, as if she was determined to succeed, so Yuanzhen stopped trying to persuade her.

Lu Jinlan dusted off his clothes. "As for history, there's even less need to care. History books are written by people, and people are bound to have their own selfish motives."

"The illustrious deeds and achievements of countless heroines have been distorted and obscured by historians. How can the merits and demerits of a thousand years be determined by the words of a single person?"

"Haven't you heard the saying? History is like a capricious wretch, easily mocked and swayed. If you are strong, he is weak; if you are weak, he is strong. I am the strong; when have I ever feared a capricious wretch?"

As she spoke, she pressed closer and closer, and Yuanzhen retreated step by step until her back was against the wall.

His cheeks burned, and he whispered, "What you said, though shocking, makes a lot of sense to me, except for that sentence..."

Which sentence?

"What kind of frivolous husband is this..."

Lu Jinlan raised an eyebrow. "Isn't that right? Your belt is undone, and you still say you're not letting people take advantage of you?"

Yuan Zhen looked down and saw that her belt had been ripped open at some point. In broad daylight, if anyone saw this, they would think he was being indecent.

He hurriedly tied his belt, his face flushed, and looked up to see that Lu Jinlan had already walked out the door and disappeared.

Yuan Zhen chased after him angrily, "Lu Er, you..."

Lu Jinlan, hiding behind the door, pulled the person back and pinned them against the door. Their eyes met, and their breathing gradually became heavy.

Looking into his dark eyes, which seemed to be both angry and amused yet were filled with a bewildered look, Lu Jinlan's heart stirred, and without saying a word, she kissed him.

-----------------------

Author's Note: Daily updates! I will update daily for a week! I clench my fist and swear it with all my might!