Chapter 57. He couldn't let go, not even if it meant death. ...
In that instant, all was silent.
The deafening drums and the guests' laughter seemed to be abruptly cut off by an invisible hand.
In the vast expanse of the world, only the sound of Lu Yuan's footsteps approaching remained.
The footsteps were exceptionally clear in the excessive silence, unhurried yet heavy, treading on everyone's hearts.
"Is Prime Minister Lu here to congratulate me on my marriage?" Song Yan asked with a smile.
Lu Yuan finally turned his gaze to him, a sharp coldness flashing across his unfathomable eyes, which then transformed into a faint smile on his lips.
"Of course. The Prince of Ning's residence is overjoyed, how could I not come?"
As he offered his congratulations, his gaze lingered on the beautiful figure adorned in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown.
Even through the heavy veil, Mingwu could still feel the scorching weight of that gaze, almost making her lose her balance.
She instinctively clenched the apple in her hand, a symbol of peace, until her fingertips turned slightly white from the force.
Lu Yuan took another step forward.
This step almost froze the already stagnant air.
All the guests held their breath and listened intently.
Everyone knows that Prime Minister Lu and Prince Ning are cousins.
Some time ago, rumors circulated that the two had fallen out over a woman...
Now it seems that it is indeed true.
Lu Yuan casually stroked the black jade thumb ring on his thumb with his fingertips, speaking as if it were nothing.
"I heard the bride's surname is Ming?"
Song Yan's expression remained unchanged, but his hand in his sleeve clenched slightly: "Prime Minister, you have misheard. My wife's surname is Yun, and she is the legitimate daughter of the Yun family."
"Is that so?"
Lu Yuan chuckled softly, but there was no hint of amusement in his eyes.
“Last time, it was my subordinate who disturbed you, Miss. I, Lu, will offer you a cup of tea instead of wine.”
These words caused an uproar in the room.
This is against etiquette.
Under the veil, Mingwu's heart tightened.
He deliberately brought up the last time, clearly hinting at his suspicions about her. No, it wasn't just suspicion anymore. He had clearly seen through her identity; he was pressing her relentlessly.
Xu Ming quickly brought over two cups of warm tea.
Lu Yuan calmly picked up a cup, gesturing for him to hand the other cup to Ming Wu.
Song Yan tried to step forward to stop him, but Xu Ming blocked him by stepping aside.
At this moment, Mingwu realized with absolute clarity that although the Ning Prince's Mansion was powerful, it was no different from throwing an egg against a rock in front of Prime Minister Lu, who held immense power in the court.
She had thought that her status as Princess Ning would make him think twice, but now it seemed how naive that idea was.
She took a deep breath and picked up her teacup.
Just as she raised her glass to drink, a sudden gust of wind blew over and abruptly lifted the veil covering her head.
Amidst the fluttering red silk ribbons.
Her delicate chin was revealed, along with her familiar lip shape and the eyes he had sketched countless times, now filled with panic, unexpectedly entering his field of vision.
That was enough. Just that one glance was enough for Lu Yuan to confirm it.
It really was her!
The person he had searched for so desperately throughout the capital, the person who had kept him up at night and caused him unbearable pain... was now wearing a bright red wedding dress and standing next to another man.
She's going to marry another man.
Don't even think about it!
His aura suddenly became violent, and his previous sickly and haggard appearance was replaced by a world-destroying ferocity.
He said no more.
With a single step, he was already close by, completely ignoring Song Yan who was blocking his way, and his right hand struck Ming Wu's wrist like lightning.
This grab was swift and ruthless, with an irresistible force, aiming to peel her away from this glaring red.
"Prime Minister Lu!"
Song Yan's expression changed drastically, and he immediately stepped in to stop him.
"Get out of my way!"
Lu Yuan's eyes blazed with crimson light, and he unleashed a backhand palm strike with the force of thunder, showing absolutely no mercy.
The palm strike was fierce, aimed directly at Song Yan's vital point.
To protect Mingwu, Song Yan had no choice but to take the blow head-on. The two forces collided, and he groaned, staggering back half a step, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his lips.
"Song Yan!"
Mingwu gasped in surprise and instinctively supported his staggering figure.
It was this call that completely shattered Lu Yuan's last shred of reason.
She dared to show such concern for another man right in front of him!
"Come with me!"
He reached out and grabbed Mingwu again, his tone commanding, obsessive, and possessive.
His five fingers gripped her wrist like iron clamps, the force so great that it made her frown.
Looking at this almost insane man, Mingwu finally understood.
Today, there's no escaping it.
A resolute look flashed across her face.
Suddenly raising her other hand, she pulled out the sharpest gold hairpin from her temple and stabbed it into Lu Yuan's chest without hesitation.
He didn't dodge.
The gold hairpin sank into flesh with a dull thud.
Blood gushed out instantly, staining the dark red robe with a dark red hue, more glaring than the wedding silks adorning the room.
The entire room fell silent!
The guests were terrified, and some accidentally knocked over their wine cups.
Lu Yuan stopped moving.
He glanced down at the gold hairpin on his chest, then looked up at Mingwu, who was equally stunned by his actions.
Those dark eyes held both raging fury and heart-wrenching pain.
It almost devoured people.
He chuckled softly, a bleak and insane laugh.
"You hurt me because of him?"
He seemed oblivious to the pain, letting the blood flow freely, his gaze fixed on her pale face.
"Okay, very good."
He slowly raised his hand, grasped the gold hairpin at his chest, yanked it out, and casually tossed it to the ground. The hairpin struck the bluestone floor with a piercing clang.
Then, he looked up, his sharp gaze sweeping over Song Yan and the festive atmosphere in the room.
"Someone come here!"
"Prince Ning, Song Yan, has colluded with rebels and harbors treacherous intentions! He is to be executed on the spot! Every single member of the Prince Ning's household must be killed!"
The command was given like a thunderclap!
The Xuanjia Guards drew their weapons with a swift motion, their cold gleam reflecting off the wedding candles in the hall, exuding a chilling aura!
The guests were terrified, their faces drained of color, and they scattered in panic. The sounds of shattering dishes, screams, and cries filled the air.
The entire wedding hall was in complete chaos.
"Lu Yuan! How dare you!" Song Yan's eyes were bloodshot.
"There is nothing in this world that I dare not do."
A cold smile curved Lu Yuan's lips, his eyes filled with a maniacal rage, like a trapped beast consumed by jealousy and utterly losing its reason.
A bloody battle was imminent.
"stop!"
Mingwu's shrill voice pierced the stagnant air.
She snatched the sword from the guard beside her, but instead of pointing it at anyone, she pressed the blade against her slender neck without hesitation!
"Awu!"
"Ming Wu!"
The two men exclaimed in surprise at the same time.
The sharp blade instantly pressed a bloody gash across her neck.
That glaring line of red spread across her fair skin, making one's heart tremble with fear.
She stared directly at Lu Yuan, her eyes filled with an unprecedented resolve.
"Lu Yuan, listen carefully."
"If Song Yan dies, I will immediately commit suicide and follow him in death."
“If you raze the Prince Ning’s mansion to the ground, I will use the ruins of this mansion as my tomb.”
"You're welcome to try—" she said, emphasizing each word, "and see if I dare!"
Every word was like a knife to the heart, shattering Lu Yuan's spirit and mind.
He looked at the glaring bloodstain under the blade, at her eyes that looked like she was ready to die, and all his violence, power and scheming crumbled at that moment.
He could overturn the world, but he couldn't bear losing her again.
The mere thought that she might disappear from this world forever filled him with a bone-deep fear that, like a venomous snake, coiled around his heart, suffocating him.
Power, status, and the fate of the nation all become as insignificant as dust at this moment.
He closed his eyes tremblingly, his lips moved several times, but he could only utter two broken syllables.
"You...you..."
"You...love him that much?"
The moment the words "I love him" left his lips, a mouthful of blood gushed out.
Song Yan's heart leaped into his throat. He knew better than anyone that Ming Wu had no feelings for him, but he still couldn't help but feel a sense of anticipation.
"yes."
One word made Song Yan's eyes burst with uncontrollable ecstasy.
One word shattered Lu Yuan's last hope.
His face paled visibly, as if all his strength had been drained away. He staggered back a step, only managing to stay upright thanks to Xu Ming's firm support.
Those hands that once held sway over the world now lay limply at his sides.
He lost.
Utter defeat.
"……good."
He closed his eyes and chuckled softly, his voice as light as a wisp of smoke.
"As you wish."
He raised his hand and waved with difficulty.
Upon receiving the order, the Xuanjia Guards sheathed their blades and retreated like a receding tide. Only silence remained in the hall, reflecting his shattered figure.
Song Yan quickly stepped forward and carefully took the knife from Ming Wu's hand.
"Wu'er, put the knife down, everything is alright now."
Lu Yuan opened his eyes and gave Ming Wu one last deep look.
His eyes were as complex as a surging undercurrent in the night, containing too much unspeakable pain, resentment, and... a trace of obsession that had never been extinguished.
"The ceremony...continue."
After he finished speaking, he looked at no one again.
With Xu Ming's help, he turned around and staggered toward an empty seat on the side.
He actually wants to stay and watch the ceremony?!
The wedding hall was eerily quiet; even the wind had stopped.
Lu Yuan sat at the head of the guest seats.
His back was ramrod straight, as if he were still the powerful Prime Minister Lu, only his knuckles, which were white from gripping the armrest too tightly.
The master of ceremonies glanced at Lu Yuan again and shouted in a trembling voice.
"The auspicious time has arrived! The newlyweds shall perform the wedding ceremony—"
Joy, too, tremblingly began to resound once more.
The ceremony continued in an eerie and oppressive atmosphere.
"First bow to Heaven and Earth."
"Bowing to the parents twice."
"Husband and wife bow to each other."
Song Yan held Ming Wu's hand tightly as the two stood facing each other.
Just as Mingwu bent down, she saw Lu Yuan's hand tremble slightly as he picked up the teacup, and the tea in the cup rippled outwards.
"The ceremony is complete—"
The moment the two words were uttered, the teacup in Lu Yuan's hand shattered.
Porcelain shards shattered and pierced his palm, blood dripping from between his fingers, but he seemed oblivious.
The master of ceremonies turned pale with fright, and almost sang off-key on the last note.
He held his breath and waited for a moment. Seeing that Lu Yuan made no further move, he finished reciting the congratulatory message in an almost inaudible whisper:
"Send...send them into the bridal chamber."
Mingwu was helped by the matchmaker and walked towards the backyard.
She could feel the gaze that seemed to burn her through, following her like a shadow.
It almost burned through her back.
Lu Yuan watched the red figure gradually disappear into the distance, finally vanishing at the end of the corridor.
Blood kept seeping from the corner of his lips, staining his dark clothes with dark marks.
In the vast wedding hall, no one dared to move, or even make a sound. Lu Xiang's condition was so bizarre that it made them feel as if they had returned to...
The year he used ruthless methods to purge the court.
"Prime Minister, your injuries... let's hurry back to the manor." Xu Ming's voice was already choked with sobs.
Lu Yuan ignored him, his gaze still fixed on the direction of the bridal chamber.
He slowly stood up, and Xu Ming thought he had finally listened to advice and was going back. But to his surprise, he walked straight towards the bridal chamber.
He can't let go.
Even death is not an option.
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