The Eldest Princess tightly gripped Emperor Yongchang’s hands, clutching them with all her strength, her face pale and trembling: “Royal Brother, I beg you. All these years I have never asked you for anything, but this time, I beg you—please protect my husband and Jintang!”
As she spoke, tears fell like rain.
Emperor Yongchang couldn’t help but feel uncomfortable at heart.
He said in a low voice, “Don’t worry. Since Mingan has returned, I will soon send people to bring them back.”
Not only was Lu Mingan in the outskirts of the capital, but his son was there too.
Although… although that child was simple-minded, he was still his own flesh and blood!
Liu Wangfei stood there dazed, her mind a complete mess. She subconsciously reached for the hairpin in her hair.
What hope did she have left?
It was clear that Emperor Yongchang would no longer take her side.
She had come back, not only failing to achieve revenge but even having her own lineage denied. She had become nothing more than a joke.
What did all the suffering she endured over the years count for?
Perhaps… perhaps it would be better to die together with Duke Chu.
If she died, she could meet her mother in the afterlife without shame.
Just as she was about to act, she suddenly heard the Eldest Princess sharply cry out: “No! We can’t wait! Royal Brother, I beg you to bring them back immediately. My husband has already sent word—he said someone is trying to harm him, that he has remembered who was behind the attempt on their lives back then! He specifically asked me to beg you to bring him back in secret!”
The people who tried to kill them!
At this, Emperor Yongchang’s expression changed drastically.
The identity of the ones who disguised themselves as bandits to attack Liu Wangfei and Lu Mingan, causing them to disappear for so many years, was still an unsolved mystery.
Previously, Qi Zhen had reported that Lu Mingan had lost his memory all these years and could not even recall his own identity, which was why he was never able to return.
But now… now Lu Mingan had remembered?
This… this was indeed a most urgent matter!
Duke Chu’s expression also changed as he lowered his head, hiding the murderous intent boiling in his eyes.
Lu Mingan actually remembered?!
Of course, he hadn’t been foolish enough to carry out the attack himself back then—that would have been too risky.
The one who actually arranged and executed the attack was Lu Minghui.
Now Lu Minghui was the Grand Marshal of the Five Armies Command, the Supreme Commander of all military forces under heaven—a true top general.
But back then, in Min, Lu Minghui had been thoroughly overshadowed by Lu Mingan.
Lu Mingan had been the princess consort, the Emperor’s brother-in-law, and someone the Emperor deeply trusted. He had been in charge of military deployments in Min and was the Chief Commander of Zhangzhou’s garrison at the time.
He had successfully driven off Japanese pirates and led naval training with outstanding results, gaining immense favor from Emperor Yongchang.
It was foreseeable that after Emperor Yongchang took the throne, Lu Mingan would have continued to rise.
The Lu family’s noble title would certainly have gone to Lu Mingan.
Lu Minghui would have spent his entire life living under his younger brother’s shadow.
So, when approached, Lu Minghui had agreed without hesitation.
But…
Although Lu Minghui had been the one to act, if Lu Mingan named him now, who could guarantee that Lu Minghui, in desperation, wouldn’t drag him down with him?
That would certainly cause endless trouble.
Duke Chu rapidly calculated his next steps.
At this moment, Emperor Yongchang, seeing the Eldest Princess sobbing so pitifully and feeling exhausted by the whole ordeal, waved his hand: “The matter of the mistress can wait. Duke Chu and Jiang Yanzhen, you are dismissed for now.”
Duke Chu couldn’t have wished for a better command. As soon as he left the palace, he summoned his trusted men and quietly issued orders.
Meanwhile, Liu Wangfei was staring strangely at the Eldest Princess.
She had traveled back with Lu Mingan and naturally knew that he had never lost his memory.
But now the Eldest Princess was saying this…
The Eldest Princess shot Liu Wangfei a meaningful glance.
On the other side, Qi Yuan had already met Lu Mingan.
With Xiao Yunting’s guarantee, the Eldest Princess’s token, and her own identity as Qi Zhen’s daughter, it wasn’t hard to gain Lu Mingan’s trust.
After hearing her explanation, Lu Mingan looked at her with a complicated expression and asked, “So, you’ve sold me out?”
By revealing that he had “regained his memory” in advance, she had basically ensured that those like Lu Minghui would now stop at nothing to kill him and eliminate all future threats.
Qi Yuan readily admitted it: “Apologies, Your Lordship. But after all these years of suffering, don’t you want a good, clean fight?”
She smiled and twirled the dagger in her hand: “What’s the point of waiting for the Emperor to grant you justice? As long as those people are still alive, there will be countless people pleading on their behalf, then a joint trial by the Three Bureaus, endless interventions and manipulations… In the end, who can guarantee they will truly face death?”
Justice—it must be seized by one’s own hand.
Vengeance—it must be taken by killing the enemy directly.
Lu Mingan looked deeply at Qi Yuan, strangely asking: “Are you really the daughter of Marquis Yongping?”
How could someone as cautious as Qi Zhen have a daughter who fought like a death god?
Qi Yuan smiled: “Without a doubt.”
Lu Mingan was a straightforward military man. Hearing this, he immediately ordered the guards left behind by Qi Zhen to settle Xiao Mo and Lu Jintang’s safety first.
Then he turned to Qi Yuan: “In that case, Miss Qi, you should keep your distance for now.”
At that moment, Xiao Yunting, who had just climbed in through the window, coughed awkwardly.
He stepped forward and cupped his hands: “Grand-Uncle, I’m Yunting!”
Lu Mingan gave him a long look and nodded: “Good child.”
Just as they were speaking, a faint sound suddenly came from outside.
The three of them, all extremely alert, moved simultaneously.
Xiao Yunting flipped directly to the window.
From the rooftop, the sharp sound of air being sliced rang out. Tiles came crashing down as several black-clad assassins descended from above, charging straight at Lu Mingan.
Lu Mingan was just about to warn Qi Yuan to be careful, assuming she was just a delicate woman.
But to his surprise, Qi Yuan planted one hand on the table, leapt into the air, and viciously kicked an attacker flying across the room.
…
That skill…
Before he could finish his shock, Qi Yuan had already caught up, and with one clean stroke, drove her dagger straight through the man’s heart.
Qi Yuan moved swiftly. After killing him, she immediately rushed at the remaining black-clad assassins.
Xiao Yunting was equally relentless, killing just as efficiently.
In comparison, Lu Mingan almost seemed a little idle.
Once they had dealt with the assassins, Lu Mingan asked: “That’s all?”
Xiao Yunting smiled meaningfully: “Of course not. We’re heading to the capital.”
Qi Yuan also smiled: “Yes, to the capital. When they see you’re still alive, they’ll panic and lash out recklessly. And then… we’ll send them all to their deaths.”
Lu Mingan’s expression turned oddly intrigued.
