"My younger brother remains unconscious at home, and my parents have both fallen ill from sheer distress. Our Lu family is eternally grateful for Prince Kang’s life-saving kindness, and we shall never forget it. Now that my brother is still under treatment in your residence, his fate uncertain, I dare not ask for more. I only beg to take my parents back home to seek medical care so they may survive. I implore Your Highness to show mercy and forgive our family’s abrupt departure. Please!"
Lu Yuanzhao’s words were earnest, each syllable dripping with anguish, drawing sympathetic glances from those around.
The Prince of Nanchang gripped his whip tightly, raising it high—only to freeze mid-air, unable to strike or retreat.
"Good heavens, look at this mess!"
A plump, well-dressed lady frowned, waving her silk handkerchief dismissively, her tone thick with disapproval.
"The Prince of Nanchang’s household is utterly unreasonable! At the very least, they should wait until Young Master Lu recovers before settling any disputes. Yet here they are, pressuring the Lu family to sweep everything under the rug while the young master lies unconscious and his parents are bedridden from fury. What disgraceful behavior!"
The crowd murmured in agreement, their whispers rising into a chorus of condemnation against the Prince of Nanchang.
"That eldest Lu son looks familiar—wasn’t he a candidate in this year’s imperial exams?"
"Thank goodness the family still has someone dependable. What a tragedy."
At this moment, Prince Kang finally hurried out, his gaze sweeping over the livid Prince of Nanchang before speaking with visible reluctance.
"Uncle, my residence is overwhelmed at the moment. You should return for now! If this escalates, it will only harm Shining’s standing further!"
The Prince of Nanchang looked up at his increasingly formidable royal nephew, his heart sinking as he recognized the veiled warning. Regret gnawed at him—he should never have lost his composure today. One misstep, and the game was lost. Swallowing his rage, he resolved to bide his time.
When Lu Chao opened his eyes, harsh sunlight streamed through the window lattice. The slightest movement revealed Xiao Zheng seated beside his bed.
"You’re awake? Are you in pain anywhere?" Xiao Zheng leaned forward the moment he stirred, concern etched across her face.
Lu Chao turned his head slightly, embarrassed by his disheveled state—uncombed hair, sleep still crusted in his eyes. Propping himself up, he cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Why are you the one watching over me?"
Xiao Zheng handed him water and signaled a maid to bring food.
"You needed constant care. Last night, Lu Yuanzhao and Liu Yao kept vigil. I sent them to rest this morning."
Lu Chao winced apologetically.
"Did I scare you? My apologies—this is just an old ailment. It flares up now and then."
Xiao Zheng’s expression darkened. She said nothing, refusing to meet his eyes, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
"Are you… mad at me?"
This was the first time Lu Chao had seen her furious. Uneasy, he stole glances at her, but Xiao Zheng acted as though she hadn’t heard him.
Lu Chao sighed inwardly. So close to perfection, yet foiled by this fragile body.
The room fell silent save for their breathing. Only when a maid tiptoed in with warm medicinal soup did the tension break. Lu Chao glanced at the servant, waving her away. Once alone, his eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Ow!"
He feigned a pained groan. Xiao Zheng whipped around, alarm flashing in her eyes.
"What’s wrong?"
Lu Chao frowned weakly at the soup, putting on a brave yet pitiful face.
"It’s nothing. Stay seated—I’ll manage."
Ninety-nine points for this performance!
Xiao Zheng studied him, clearly seeing through the act.
"If your right hand won’t cooperate, use the left. What’s the difficulty?" Her tone was cool, lips curling into a smirk.
"Master Lu fearlessly stormed the Prince of Nanchang’s estate, yet a bowl of medicinal soup has you stumped?"
Lu Chao shrunk like a scolded kitten. His left hand trembled as he lifted the spoon, clumsily spilling drops onto the quilt.
In the next instant, Xiao Zheng snatched the spoon from him. Stern-faced, she scooped up the soup and shoved it toward his mouth—her movements firm yet careful, as if wary of scalding him.
Lu Chao’s lips twitched, but before his grin could fully form, a glare from Xiao Zheng wiped it away. Chastened, he obediently swallowed, not daring another misstep.
Only then did Lu Chao truly take in Xiao Zheng’s appearance. Dark circles shadowed her eyes, her lips chapped and peeling, hair slightly tousled. Remembering her tear the night before, his heart ached. Clearly, she, like his brother and Liu Yao, hadn’t slept.
"I’m sorry for worrying you."
Xiao Zheng paused, meeting his gaze squarely.
"Do you love me?"
The question struck like thunder. Lu Chao choked on his soup, coughing violently as heat flooded his face, turning him scarlet.
When he looked up, Xiao Zheng’s eyes burned with unwavering intensity, demanding an answer. His pulse raced.
"Yes!"
Xiao Zheng exhaled, then continued, her voice low and raw.
"I was raised in the military camps—direct speech and decisive action are in my blood. Yet since meeting you, I’ve become hesitant, even to myself."
A trace of bitterness seeped into her words.
"Last night, I thought deeply. There’s something I must say plainly: I loved you from the first moment I saw you. But I feared telling you the truth—that I’m a woman. I thought you’d distance yourself, even despise me. When you learned the truth, I was relieved we could at least remain friends."
She hesitated, lowering her gaze as if steadying herself.
"I never imagined the Emperor would decree our marriage. You deserve a refined lady from a noble family, a brilliant future—not to be shackled to someone like me. I’d resolved that after the wedding, we’d live separately until the time came for divorce."
Lu Chao cut her off, joy surging beneath his earnest tone.
"What do you mean, ‘someone like you’? You’re bold, brilliant, skilled in martial arts, filial to elders, loyal to friends. Marrying you is the greatest blessing my ancestors could’ve bestowed!"
Xiao Zheng stared at him, whispering,
"And if the rumors about me… were true? Would you still—?"
Lu Chao met her eyes firmly, smiling.
Lu Chao gazed into Xiao Zheng's eyes and spoke slowly.
"The poison on your sleeve arrow was concocted by me. So when I saw that scar by your lips, I had an inkling of the truth. If I minded, why would I have sought you out from the very beginning?"
Xiao Zheng's eyes stung. She blinked hard, trying to suppress the surge of emotions rising in her chest. That stubborn display of strength only made Lu Chao's heart ache even more.
"It's alright. It's all in the past now. From here on out, I’ll protect you."
Lu Chao reached out and patted Xiao Zheng reassuringly, only for her to slap his hand away with a sharp smack. Xiao Zheng arched a delicate brow, her voice laced with reproach.
"Now that we’ve cleared the air, let’s talk about yesterday."
The smile on Lu Chao’s face froze instantly. Was he about to get scolded right after confessing?
"Do I look like some delicate, fragile maiden to you?" Xiao Zheng challenged.
"No…" Lu Chao shrunk slightly, muttering under his breath, "You’ve got strength and cunning to spare." The latter part was nearly swallowed, lest she hear it.
"So you think I lack the ability to uncover the truth myself?"
Xiao Zheng scoffed, crossing her arms and glaring down at him.
Lu Chao hastily waved his hands, feigning innocence.
"Wronged, General! I just… wanted to help speed things along. Look, once I recover, we can bring gifts and leave smoothly—doesn’t that sound reasonable? Hmm?"
He even batted his eyes, trying to lighten the mood.
"Hmm your head!"
Xiao Zheng smacked him on the forehead in frustration.
"With my skills, I could investigate another eight hundred times if I wanted! You—if you ever risk your life like that again, I’ll confiscate all your silver!"
"Alright, alright, I won’t dare next time."
Lu Chao rubbed his forehead, surrendering with a grin he couldn’t suppress.
Liu Yao and Lu Yuanyi watched from afar as Lu Chao endured the scolding, exchanging a silent glance.
