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Chapter 172: A United Front
Chapter 172: A United Front
Lu Yuan's murderous aura froze in an instant.
It wasn't surprising that he hadn't reacted; no matter how hard he racked his brains, he wouldn't have been able to guess that things would take such a bizarre turn.
Meng Qianqian, seeing that he hadn't moved, thought to herself that he was just like Baoshi; one sentence wasn't enough to placate him.
What was the next line?
"Be good, don't be angry anymore, okay?"
Pa!
On the roof, Yuzi Chuan's bow fell from his hand.
In the courtyard, Qing Shuang's soft sword cleaved the stone bench in two.
"Is Miss Baoshi here?" Hearing Meng Qianqian's voice, Cen, the steward, walked into the study with a smile on his face, covering his eyes, "I didn't see anything!"
Lu Yuan jumped to his feet, his face reddening as he glared at Meng Qianqian, unable to hold back anymore as he said, "Meng Xiaojiu!"
Meng Qianqian looked at him innocently, "Doesn't it work? Why are you harder to placate than Baoshi?"
Hearing Meng Qianqian's words, Lu Yuan felt his breath hitch in his throat, unable to go up or down.
His eyes still held a murderous glint, but his handsome face was flushed, making him seem less intimidating than usual.
Meng Qianqian felt like she had messed up. She thought carefully before saying, "If it doesn't work, should I try again?"
Lu Yuan: "......"
Lu Yuan turned his face away, his embarrassment getting the better of him as he walked away.
Meng Qianqian pondered, "Did I succeed in placating him, or did I fail?"
Meanwhile, after deciding to make a bet with Meng Qianqian, Princess Wanping immediately returned to her palace and summoned Chen Long to her side.
Looking at this tall and formidable man, always wearing a bamboo hat that hid his face, Princess Wanping's heart skipped a beat.
But it was only for a moment. Her heart belonged to Lu Yuan, and after so many years of longing, her feelings had evolved into something more than just romantic love; it had become an obsession.
She was determined to make Lu Yuan her man, no matter the cost.
She asked, "Chen Long, how is your relationship with the other twelve guards?"
Chen Long replied, "Not good, not bad."
This man, even when speaking, showed no emotion. He was like a cold-blooded killing machine. Although he was her bodyguard, the Duke had made it clear that she should not treat him like a servant.
Princess Wanping asked calmly, "What about Shen Hou?"
"Our relationship is okay."
"If I asked you to win him over, could you do it?"
"If he's not dead, I should be able to."
Princess Wanping's eyes lit up at the prospect, and she smiled, "He's dead, but his daughter is still alive."
Chen Long said, "I've never met his daughter, so I'm not familiar with her."
Princess Wanping's smile faded.
If Chen Long's approach didn't work, did she really have to go and beg Li Guifei for help?
In truth, 'winning them over' didn't mean getting them to risk their lives for her. She only needed their support on the day the bet came to an end.
A maid said, "Princess, this servant thinks that Meng Qianqian is deliberately making things difficult for you. She knows that you and Li Guifei don't get along—"
Princess Wanping scoffed, "So what if I don't get along with Li Guifei? Don't forget how she caused a ruckus in Changchun Palace. The grudge she holds against me is no less than the one she has with you."
Even though this was true, it was still humiliating for her to go and grovel to Li Guifei.
She was the daughter of the Emperor and the rightful Empress. How could she, the daughter of the Emperor, not even be given the respect due to her position by a mere concubine?
"Forget it. For Lu Lang, I'll endure this humiliation!"
Princess Wanping brought generous gifts and went to Changchun Palace that very night.
Li Guifei frowned, "What does she want now? Is she looking for another excuse to cause trouble for me?"
Wang, the head eunuch, said, "This servant doesn't think so."
Princess Wanping was the Emperor's most beloved daughter. Now that the Emperor had returned to the palace, Li Guifei had no choice but to receive her, even if she didn't want to.
Unusually, Princess Wanping was all smiles and seemed genuinely happy to see her.
However, her overly youthful appearance elicited a look of contempt from Li Guifei.
In terms of beauty, Princess Wanping couldn't compare to Li Guifei, who knew how to accentuate her beauty according to her age. She was a peerless beauty, far beyond the reach of ordinary women.
"Well, well, what brings Princess Wanping here?" Li Guifei said with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
Princess Wanping rolled her eyes in her mind and said with a fake smile, "Father has returned to the palace and asked me to get along with the Empress and Noble Consort. I visited the Empress the other day, so I thought I'd come and see the Noble Consort today."
Noble Consort Li raised her teacup and said with a smile, "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Princess Wanping."
Princess Wanping signaled to the maid with her eyes.
The maid walked forward with a box, which she opened to reveal a box full of South Sea pearls.
It is well known that these pearls are not ordinary and are usually only worn by the Emperor, Empress, and legitimate heirs.
Noble Consort Li remained calm and said, "This... doesn't seem appropriate. I am only a consort and am not qualified to wear these pearls."
Princess Wanping laughed and said, "But you are the mother of the Emperor and a role model for the world. You will become the Empress Dowager in the future, so what can't you wear?"
Her words struck a chord with Noble Consort Li.
However, Noble Consort Li was not one to be easily flattered.
With a faint smile, she said, "So, Princess Wanping, you have a request for me?"
Princess Wanping boldly said, "Yes, I do have a request. I want to borrow Lin Wan'er for a while."
Noble Consort Li: "I will not lend her to you."
Princess Wanping: "..."
After Princess Wanping left with her gift, Noble Consort Li's smile faded, and she coldly scoffed, "You think a few South Sea pearls can buy me over? Wait until I become the Empress Dowager, then I'll have all the South Sea pearls I desire."
...
After dinner, Meng Qianqian and Lu Yuan accompanied the Old Madam on a stroll in the garden. As they walked, the Old Madam started a game of hide-and-seek with Tan'er and Baoshui.
Having observed for a whole evening, Meng Qianqian felt that Tan'er's approach must have worked, as Lu Yuan no longer exuded murderous intent.
She smiled.
Lu Yuan glanced at her and knew what she was thinking, then coldly said, "Don't get too happy too soon. If you dare to lose me in this bet, I'll take your little life!"
Meng Qianqian raised her finger and vowed, "Little Nine swears to give it her all!"
Lu Yuan squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, "Give... it... her... all?"
Meng Qianqian whispered, "There's no guarantee of winning in gambling..."
Lu Yuan's sharp gaze pierced through her, wishing he could scrape off a certain little gambler.
"Ah, Grandmother, are you calling me?"
Meng Qianqian quickly made her escape.
A few more days passed, and it was finally Lu Lingxiao and Lin Wan'er's wedding day.
Given the current situation, Meng Qianqian was reluctant to attend.
However, since the Old Madam was Lu Lingxiao's great-grandmother, she had to go, or else who knew what rumors might spread.
Meng Qianqian considered it carefully and decided to accompany the Old Madam to the Lu family, while Lu Yuan didn't need to make this trip.
Upon hearing Meng Qianqian's plan, Lu Yuan's face darkened. "What? Am I that embarrassing to bring out?"
Meng Qianqian was taken aback and quickly explained, "That's not what I meant. I'm worried that someone at the banquet might be disrespectful to the Grand Marshal."
Lu Yuan turned his gaze towards the lone moon in the dome and coldly smiled. "You think I can't take a few pointers? When I had to beg for my life, crawling between people's legs and getting my head knocked for a mere bun to fill my stomach, you weren't even born yet."
Meng Qianqian's heart clenched tightly, "Grand Marshal..."
There was no trace of sadness on Lu Yuan's face, as if he were recounting someone else's story.
He spoke plainly, "Having my wife face the ridicule and slander alone while I stay comfortably at home—I can't do that, and I won't. If it's criticism we're facing, then we'll face it together."
With his hands clasped behind his back and his aura fully unleashed, he declared, "I want to see just how many fearless people there are tomorrow."
Tan'er, who had been playing hide-and-seek, suddenly stood up from behind the grass, her small fists under her chin and her eyes shining with green light.
"Wow! Grand Marshal, you're so cool! I love it! Can you kill people?"
Lu Yuan: "You can't kill."
Tan'er pouted, "Why not?"
"Because you're still young." Lu Yuan emphasized each word, "I, the Grand Marshal, will kill them personally."
Lu Lingxiao: Don't cause trouble at my wedding!!! What is this?!
Lu Yuan: Consider it your bad luck.
Should the Grand Marshal make a move? Give the newlyweds some encouragement!
(End of Chapter)
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