Lu Minghe choked, then retorted, "Your Highness, please don't make baseless accusations. When have I ever tarnished Cousin Zhao's... reputation?"
Xue Shen's expression was one of disdain: "You may not have it, but your mother... and those people in the Lu family, they certainly didn't?"
"If you can't even handle your own mother, you shouldn't bother with other people. It's just causing trouble for unrelated people."
Lu Minghe instinctively wanted to refute, but thinking of his mother's temperament, his rebuttal seemed weak and feeble. He recalled that his mother had often shown him portraits of women these days, which he had refused each time. Although his mother didn't say anything, her expression clearly showed her resentment.
Moreover, the King of Qin's words were clearly not unfounded.
He tensed his jaw, remained silent for a long time, and then said, "I will investigate what Your Highness has said when I return, and I will certainly not allow anyone to tarnish my cousin's reputation. But Your Highness keeps blaming me for failing my cousin; have you ever reflected on your own actions?"
Xue Shen said "Oh" with great interest: "Why should I reflect on myself?"
Seeing his mocking expression, Lu Minghe gritted his teeth and said, almost word by word, "The saying of 'washing tendons and marrow' can only fool the ignorant masses. I think everyone knows perfectly well how well Your Highness's legs are. Your Highness has been lying low for many years, and your ambitions are not small. You even used your own marriage as a bargaining chip to win over the Shen family. Do I need to spell this out?"
Back in Shenjiazhuang, he saw Zhaozhao and the King of Qin getting along intimately. Although he was in pain and distressed, he never thought of interfering.
He thought that as long as Zhaozhao was happy, and as long as the King of Qin treated Zhaozhao well, he could wait for her and protect her for the rest of his life, just watching her from afar, as an atonement for his past sins.
But what was the result?
Everything the King of Qin showed was a facade. His kindness towards Zhaozhao was nothing more than a means to bind the Shen family to himself.
The King of Qin was using Zhaozhao.
He had already wronged Zhaozhao once, and he could not bear to see her hurt a second time.
Recalling Zhao Zhao's sweet and joyful smile at that time, Lu Minghe felt as if his heart was being torn apart. With red eyes, he asked, word by word, "The King of Qin accused me of wronging my cousin, but how much sincerity did you have for her? My cousin was young and was deceived by you. She couldn't see through your tricks, but others aren't blind! Do you really think your uncle would be coerced by you?"
The smile on Xue Shen's face vanished completely.
He stared coldly at Lu Minghe, his gaze almost tearing him apart: "In your heart, is Zhaozhao such a stupid and easily manipulated person?"
Before Lu Minghe could refute, he chuckled and said, "It's a wonder that you and Zhaozhao grew up together, yet you've never understood her at all. No wonder her feelings for you are only so-so."
He was enraged, and every word he uttered was like a sharp blade, piercing Lu Minghe's heart.
"Whatever I want to achieve, I don't need to use the Shen family; I can do it all here." Xue Shen tapped his temple and sneered, "I understand that you follow the Crown Prince and have your reasons. But you should know that what I'm about to do, not even the current emperor or the Crown Prince can stop me."
If anyone else had said these words, it would have sounded arrogant. But when Xue Shen uttered them, they carried an air of confident mastery.
Lu Minghe didn't know him well, but he had heard of the deeds of Crown Prince Yuan Jin back then. Hearing his arrogant words suddenly, he was immediately shocked.
He stared at Xue Shen in shock for a long time before saying, "Your Highness has lofty ambitions and is doing something as serious as exterminating nine generations of your family. But your uncle only wants to guard the border, and your cousin is just a weak woman. If Your Highness truly loves your cousin, have you considered how much danger the Shen family and your cousin would be needlessly involved?"
Xue Shen retorted, "Do you think that only you can see what you're saying clearly, while Zhao Zhao can't?"
Lu Minghe stood his ground: "How could my cousin, who was deceived by you, understand the dangers of court intrigue!"
Hearing his confident tone, Xue Shen suddenly laughed, even looking at him with a hint of sympathy: "In your heart, is Zhaozhao just like that?"
He shook his head: "Your liking is too shallow and arrogant. You don't even want to take a serious look at her. In many things, Zhao Zhao is even more decisive and insightful than you. She has already guessed most of the pros and cons you mentioned without me having to point them out. She is the daughter raised by Shen Mingjiang. Although she is a little spoiled at times, she is never lacking in knowledge and courage."
“I dare to keep her by my side because she is willing to stay, and also because we are husband and wife. I believe she has the ability to protect herself, and I am even more confident that I can protect her.”
"As for you, Lu Minghe, aside from your verbal affection, have you ever protected her even slightly when she was in danger? You couldn't even convince your own mother to accept her, could you?"
Lu Minghe choked, his face flushed, he wanted to say something but couldn't, and could only stare blankly at Xue Shen.
Xue Shen said that Zhao Zhao knew about his plans and that she was in danger, but she still voluntarily stayed by his side and was willing to live and die with him.
A profound sense of absurdity welled up within Lu Minghe. It had only been a year since their marriage. How could that possibly compare to his decades-long childhood friendship with Zhaozhao?
He didn't believe it.
“That’s just your side of the story.” Lu Minghe shook his head repeatedly, gritting his teeth as he said, “If Your Highness is unwilling to let Zhaozhao go, then I can only protect her in my own way.”
Upon hearing this, Xue Shen's expression turned cold, his eyes filled with warning: "Lu Minghe, my repeated tolerance of you is not because I dare not touch you. It's just that I don't want Zhaozhao to feel guilty or sad because of this."
He slowly stood up and looked down at Lu Minghe: "But I have a bad temper. If you insist on being stubborn, don't blame me for being impolite."
Lu Minghe retorted sharply, "If I were afraid of death, I wouldn't have come today. I'll take my leave now, Your Highness, there's no need to see me off."
He gave a perfunctory bow, turned around and left.
Behind him, Xue Shen watched his retreating figure, his expression growing increasingly cold and somber.
After standing there for a moment, he did not immediately return to Tingmei Pavilion, but instead went to his study to summon the scout.
"Go and find out what's going on with that cousin from the Lu family that Xuanci mentioned."
Since Lu Zhaohe insists on being self-righteous and stubborn, then he shouldn't be surprised if he takes action.
The other party was, after all, Zhao Zhao's cousin, and they had grown up together since childhood. Although Zhao Zhao no longer had feelings for him, the bond they shared from growing up remained. Zhao Zhao was also the most soft-hearted. He couldn't kill Lu Minghe, otherwise Zhao Zhao might feel guilty and remorseful if she found out. However, it wasn't impossible for him to keep Lu Minghe from doing anything.
Xue Shen gave a cold laugh, stood quietly by the window for a moment, and only returned to Tingmei Pavilion after dissipating his fierce aura.
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