Zhao Mingmiao stood in the ancestral hall of the Third Prince's Mansion, staring blankly at the rusty sword lying across the memorial tablet.
That was the sword her father used when he fought on the battlefield. Lu Chuan searched for two years to retrieve it so that she would have a memento of it.
Her father was no longer the Third Prince; the current Third Prince was Zhao Xuanwei. The Third Prince's mansion would soon be demolished, and she would be moving elsewhere.
However, looking at what was in front of me, my thoughts couldn't help but drift away.
...
...
From a young age, Zhao Mingmiao believed that his uncle, Zhao Yiming, was a man of both courage and wisdom. Born into a chaotic world, he adapted to it. Without peace, he created it.
Her uncle was someone she looked up to. But she never imagined that he would be so ruthless as to kill his own brothers for the throne.
She had been frail since childhood. At that time, she left the capital to seek medical treatment in the legendary Peach Blossom Valley, while her father and his uncles raised an army in rebellion.
Her mother said that they could be reunited when she recovered. So she kept hoping, hoping to get better and reunite with her family.
But she never expected that this would be the outcome she was waiting for.
Her uncle died in battle, her aunt committed suicide, and both her parents died of poisoning. But her most admired uncle ascended the throne, becoming the supreme ruler overnight—Emperor Yuming.
She was only four years old at the time, and she couldn't accept the news, so she ran to her beloved uncle, Emperor Yuming, for protection.
Emperor Yuming was on the verge of ascending the throne and had no time to care about her. He only told her that he had been subjected to revenge. He was so bothered by her that he only posthumously conferred the title of Third Prince on her father and Third Princess on her mother, ordered them to be buried, and then hastily finished his business.
I don’t know whether to call her lucky or not. If Emperor Yuming hadn’t been busy ascending to the throne, he probably would have dealt with her too.
At that time, she was still young and unaware of the reason, but instead felt that he was helping her and was deeply grateful to Emperor Yuming. If she hadn't wanted to find some relics to keep as a memento, she wouldn't have found her father's letter after returning home.
As a child, she liked to hide things under her pillow, a habit known only to those close to her. The letter her father left for her was found in the pillow she usually slept under.
The letter stated that he had long anticipated Emperor Yuming's murderous intent, but with the world in chaos and suffering, he had no choice but to accompany him on the expedition to pacify the land. If anything were to happen to him, it would be Emperor Yuming's doing, and he hoped she would forgive his selfishness.
The last thing I said was, "Don't seek revenge, just live well."
She was shocked, followed by disbelief. She couldn't believe that the uncle she had called for so many years, the uncle who had treated her like his own daughter, had become her father's killer.
The days she spent being pampered by her parents are still vivid in her mind, but now all that remains is this piece of paper. And to survive, she has no choice but to burn this letter, leaving not a trace of it.
She hated it!
Father, your daughter is unfilial and cannot agree to your request.
Five-year-old Zhao Mingmiao, her eyes red, secretly resolved to make Emperor Yuming pay for his crimes in blood.
To exact revenge, she needed to live well and avoid becoming a thorn in Emperor Yuming's side. To avoid suspicion, she had to constantly take medicine to mask her physical condition, managing to survive by sheer luck.
Over the years, she had remained steadfast in her belief in revenge, never imagining that a gentle and refined young man could make her waver in her resolve and give rise to the absurd idea of spending her life with him.
It was a springtime flower banquet.
This Hundred Flowers Banquet was hosted by Princess Zhaoyang, the only daughter of Emperor Yuming, and invited the younger generation of the major families in the capital. Zhao Mingmiao was naturally among those invited.
She attended the banquet to seek revenge, and that's how she got to know her. Zhao Yang was a heartless man; upon hearing that she was the orphan of the deceased Third Prince, he was overcome with sympathy and befriended her.
She smiled outwardly, but secretly clenched her handkerchief tightly. What right did she have to pity her? If it weren't for her father, how could her parents have perished?
She wished they would all be buried with her!
A cold smile played on Zhao Mingmiao's eyes, but her face remained calm and serene. She thought she had disguised herself perfectly, but then she sensed a probing gaze.
She felt a chill run down her spine and quickly composed herself. She looked closer and saw that the person was somewhat unfamiliar, but very handsome, with a gentle warmth in their eyes and brows that didn't seem feigned.
She covered her mouth and coughed softly, "Cough cough...Who are you?"
"Your humble servant Lu Chuan greets the Princess." Lu Chuan put down his cup and bowed.
Zhao Mingmiao knew him; he was Lu Chuan, the son of Minister Lu, who was renowned in the capital for his early success.
"No need for formalities. So you are Commander Lu, I've long admired your name." She smiled faintly, pursing her lips. "I wonder if there's something on Commander Lu's mind, keeping an eye on Shanlai?"
Lu Chuan readily agreed, a gentle smile playing on his lips. "Your Highness is intelligent and graceful, and I couldn't help but linger a while longer. I apologize for my rudeness."
Zhao Mingmiao was taken aback, not expecting such an answer. She paused for a moment, then belatedly realized that she seemed to have been teased by the person in front of her.
She frowned slightly, seemingly surprised that the legendary Lu Chuan was actually a lecher. Feeling a little flustered, she said in an unpleasant tone, "Commander Lu is quite the joker. It's just a pity that Shan Lai doesn't understand romance. Commander, you should find another beauty."
After saying that, Zhao Mingmiao turned around without any hesitation, wanting to leave, but unsurprisingly, Lu Chuan called her back.
“Princess, please wait. I had no intention of offending you. I was simply captivated by your beauty and was momentarily lost in thought. I hope you will forgive me.”
Zhao Mingmiao wanted to reply with "That's already strange," but considering that this man was a minister highly regarded by Emperor Yuming, she didn't want to offend him. After all, she was already living on thin ice, and if she were to become enemies with him, Emperor Yuming would likely find it difficult to explain.
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