Chapter 198: For the King's Use
Prince Duan temporarily rested in a three-story house.
The house is low-key and exquisite, with a hot spring in the courtyard and clusters of flowers as bright as spring in March.
In the flower hall, Prince Duan was waving a folding fan in his hand, looking leisurely.
The hand that was gently waving the folding fan paused, and the expression on his face froze.
His slightly flustered eyes kept moving between Shu Yuan and Xie Huaiqian's cheeks.
Xiao Heng died and was burned to a pile of dry bones.
Shu Yuan, the great supervisor of Shu, also died, martyring himself for his master in full view of the public.
However, he could indeed detect a familiarity between the two people's eyebrows that could not be ignored.
Prince Duan suppressed his shock and pretended to be calm as he looked down at Xie Yan who was consciously protecting Lu Mingchao.
This face doesn't look familiar.
He is handsome and tall, and judging from his appearance, he is a good match for Lu Mingchao.
On Lu Mingchao's side, two young children were nestled, one on the left and one on the right.
The younger girl blinked her big, bright, moist eyes at him.
No, to be exact, I was looking at the steaming pastries on the table.
The older boy clutched Lu Mingchao's sleeve tightly, timid yet brave.
This family is truly a delight to the eyes.
"Miss Lu, it's been a long time."
Prince Duan closed his folding fan with a snap, smiling gently, without a trace of arrogance due to his high position and power.
Lu Mingchao bowed his head and said, "I have long heard of the virtue and reputation of His Royal Highness Prince Duan. Seeing him today, I can see that his reputation is indeed worthy of praise."
Prince Duan laughed and said, "The false reputation is over."
"Lu Mingchao, I know that you married a hunter because of an engagement, and I feel deeply saddened."
"You and this king have a long history. How about this king grant you a favor and allow you to divorce your husband and marry someone else?"
When Prince Duan said this, it was like poking a hornet's nest.
Xie Jingyi stared at the cakes eagerly, put her chubby little hands on her waist, and glared with her round eyes in a fierce manner.
Xie Ru'an even mustered up his courage, straightened his body and stood in front of Lu Mingchao.
Lu Mingchao rubbed Xie Ru'an's head soothingly, and said softly, "Thank you, Prince Duan, for your concern. It's just that a commoner's marriage is not bound by a marriage contract."
"The common woman sincerely wishes to marry the man who makes the tree and stay together till old age."
"He's very nice, I'm very happy."
Prince Duan's eyes were burning as he carefully discerned the truthfulness of Lu Mingchao's words.
"I vaguely heard someone say that after Miss Lu's background was revealed, she would rather hit her head against the wall and kill herself than stay in the Marquis' Mansion and continue her engagement with the son of the Duke of Zhenguo."
Lu Mingchao was not in a hurry. “I was young and ignorant, and mistook fish eyes for pearls.”
Prince Duan: He must remember this sentence and repeat it to Gu Huai!
"Xie Yan, do you think you are worthy of Miss Lu?" Prince Duan turned his attention to Xie Yan again.
Lu Mingchao was unhappy.
How rude!
Xie Yan said calmly, "Not worthy of her."
Prince Duan choked and twitched his lips. "If you are so self-aware, why don't you take the initiative to cancel the engagement?"
Xie Yan "My heart is toward the bright moon, and the bright moon shines upon me."
"Common people have common sense and worldly thoughts, not as good as His Royal Highness Prince Duan, who is bright and clear, free from dust and worldly affairs."
Lu Mingchao said eloquently, "Your Highness Prince Duan, I am not good at speaking. I have been dealing with ferocious beasts for many years. If my words have offended you, please forgive me."
Prince Duan sneered.
Forgiveness?
The couple seems to be following each other, maybe they want him to atone for his sins!
"Who is this?" Prince Duan pointed at Shu Yuan and asked casually.
Shu Yuan bowed his head, shivered, and said tremblingly, "I am Xie Sui, the eldest brother of Xie Yan, who was born of the same mother."
Prince Duan hinted at something, and asked in a long tone, "Xie Sui?"
"It is somewhat similar to an old acquaintance of mine."
Shu Yuan lowered his head even lower, his whole body revealing the restrained fear of someone who had never seen the world.
Seeing this, Prince Duan waved to his followers and whispered a few words.
Soon, the attendants were about to take Xie Yan and others out of the flower hall.
"Your Highness Prince Duan, what does this mean?" Lu Mingchao asked puzzled.
Prince Duan said calmly, "I have something to discuss with Miss Lu."
"Don't worry, I will not treat Miss Lu's family badly."
Xie Yan's gaze remained on Lu Mingchao the entire time. When he saw Lu Mingchao blink, he followed Prince Duan's entourage and left.
The night wind blows.
Lu Mingchao said in a deep voice, "Please speak clearly, Your Highness Prince Duan."
Prince Duan threw the folding fan aside and said, "You really don't care about Gu Huai anymore?"
"May I ask Your Highness Prince Duan, what is it about him that makes me consider him?" Lu Mingchao did not evade his gaze and responded directly to Prince Duan's scrutiny.
"To me, Prince Gu is nothing more than the willful behavior of a young man."
Prince Duan raised his eyebrows and said, "No matter how poor Gu Huai is, he is not comparable to the hunter, right?"
Lu Mingchao chuckled, "Your Highness Prince Duan is a royal relative, and the slightest movement or rumors in the capital will definitely be kept secret by your Highness."
"Your Highness must know how much criticism and slander I have received during the years I have been chasing after Prince Gu."
"I am tired of hearing about self-recommendation and shamelessness."
"From the beginning to the end, Prince Gu never spoke a fair word for me, nor did he defend me in front of others."
"When the true and false daughters were making a big fuss, he knew that I was isolated and helpless, and that I could stay in the Yongning Marquis's mansion with just one word from him, but he only felt that I was ashamed and turned a blind eye to my requests for help."
"After going through so much, if you don't turn back, the only way out is to be shattered to pieces."
"I don't want to be torn to pieces for such a cold-hearted person."
“It’s not worth it.”
"And the hunter that Your Highness calls unworthy will do his best to respect and protect me. Only when I meet him will I know what a good man is."
Prince Duan: "Gu Huai is not without affection for you."
Lu Mingchao said in a loud voice, "Your Highness Prince Duan has come all the way to the small Changhe County just to pay attention to the past affairs of this common woman and Prince Gu?"
"The past is dark, and I really don't want to talk about it again."
Prince Duan shook his head, but the scrutiny in his eyes had not dissipated.
"I am just curious."
"I'm curious about what kind of person can make Miss Lu let go of her obsession."
"Inviting Miss Lu to come here not only satisfies my curiosity, but also because I want to discuss things with her in detail."
"I want to get a piece of Miss Lu's Qizhen Pavilion."
Lu Mingchao was skeptical.
Don’t trust everything Prince Duan says.
"It is a blessing for me to be able to attract the attention of His Royal Highness Prince Duan."
"I just don't know how His Royal Highness Prince Duan wants to get a piece of the pie."
Prince Duan said calmly, "What does Lord Lu think?"
Prince Duan changed his address and no longer addressed her as Miss Lu.
Lu Mingchao was nervous, but she didn't show it on her face. "I have a small family and a small business, and I can't afford to be generous. However, if Your Highness Prince Duan is willing to invest, I will be happy to do so."
"Investment?" Prince Duan murmured, "It's a good idea."
"But, the king doesn't want to."
Lu Mingchao: ...
Crazy!
There is no one in the royal family who is not crazy.
Lu Mingchao controlled his emotions and said with a smile, "Your Highness Prince Duan, just speak frankly. Why bother teasing a common woman?"
Prince Duan said sternly, "Lu Mingchao, I want you to serve me!"
Do you want Sun Zhiye to die? 】