Chapter 54: Chapter 50: Handsome Man

Beneath the Imperial Palace.

Within the dungeons, agonized cries echoed from time to time.

A woman in a fiery-red pleated skirt, carrying an ornate red food box, arrived before a cell.

“Father Emperor, your son has been wronged!”

Inside sat a man in a purple Python Robe, looking utterly wretched. His lips were chapped, and he clutched his head helplessly, letting out a heart-wrenching scream. This was none other than the Eldest Prince, Lu Changfeng, who had been thrown into the Imperial Prison. In his current state, he resembled an old, abandoned dog, a truly miserable sight.

He looked up and saw the woman, a surprised look on his face. “What are you doing here?”

His expression quickly turned into a weak attempt at ferocity as he roared, “Have you come to laugh at me too?!”

Yang Yingchan looked at her husband and shook her head, explaining calmly, “You misunderstand, my lord. The Empress sent me with a message.”

A glimmer of hope appeared in Lu Changfeng’s eyes. He rushed to the iron bars of the cell door, his hands gripping them tightly. “What did Mother say?!”

“Confess your guilt honestly, find a scapegoat to take the blame as the main culprit, and the Holy Emperor might show mercy. You might receive the lenient punishment of exile.”

The hope in Lu Changfeng’s eyes was instantly extinguished. He roared, “How is that any different from death! I was framed! Someone conspired against me!”

“Hurry, go tell Mother that the Second Prince sent someone to frame me!”

He had spent three days and three nights in his cell, pondering why he had suffered such a devastating defeat. At last, he recalled someone—a person he had nearly overlooked.

Gongyang Hu.

If it weren’t for that man, he might not have been in such a rush to discuss the regency ceremony with the Cabinet. Instead, he would have listened to Elder Mr. Qi and waited patiently for the right moment. Perhaps then, everything would have been different.

Who wanted him dead the most?

It had to be the Second Prince!

That man was most likely sent by the Second Prince. Once Lu Changfeng figured this out, he was filled with a burning rage, wishing he could flay Gongyang Hu alive.

Lu Changfeng looked at Yang Yingchan and asked coldly, “I ask you, where is that Cyan-robed Scholar?”

Yang Yingchan replied placidly, “He’s gone.”

“He left the night of the coup at Prince Zhao’s Mansion. The Bright Lamp Bureau is looking for him now, but there’s no trace of him yet.”

Lu Changfeng was still not ready to give up. “He was once a member of Xiangnan Academy and the Confucian Temple! He must have left some trail!”

Yang Yingchan opened the food box, carefully arranging the dishes as she answered, “The Empress said she already had someone investigate. There’s no such person at Xiangnan Academy. It was a fake identity.”

“Furthermore, the Confucian Temple explained that he was expelled three years ago for heretical thinking, improper conduct, and sabotaging his fellow scholars’ careers. He didn’t leave voluntarily at all.”

Lu Changfeng’s fingers clenched into a fist, his knuckles turning white. Hearing one piece of bad news after another, he was seething with rage.

“Fine… Just fine!”

“Gongyang Hu, I hope you die a miserable death!”

“My lord, please eat. I made all of this myself.”

Yang Yingchan said softly, offering the food box to him.

Lu Changfeng swatted the box to the ground with a furious roar. “Eat what?! I am Prince Zhao, a man of immense prestige! How could I possibly be sent to some bitter, cold land to guard a border plagued by Demon Barriers!”

Yang Yingchan stared at the food scattered on the floor, her eyes dimming. She remained silent, taking out a handkerchief from her sleeve and carefully placing the dishes back into the food box.

“I still have a chance to turn this around! Mother’s influence isn’t great enough. If the Immortal Influences backing me step forward, Father Emperor will surely be lenient!”

“Hurry, go! Take a message to Mother! Tell her to save me!”

“I understand.”

Yang Yingchan nodded lightly, stood up, and gave a slight bow.

“Take care, my lord.”

Then she picked up the food box and left without looking back.

「…」

In the main courtyard of Qingzhu Hall.

Lu Mingyuan had been practicing with his saber in the courtyard, but he still couldn’t grasp the key principles. He stood in place, deep in thought.

’What is the tyranny Zhao Xuanwu spoke of?’

’Am I truly lacking in my state of mind?’

’But the Hidden Dragon trait gives me three times the comprehension.’

’Is this move really that hard to learn?’

After practicing for an Hour, Lu Mingyuan was still clueless. He plopped down on a stone chair in the courtyard, and Zi Yun poured him a cup of tea to quench his thirst.

As she poured, she said, “Your Highness, speaking of which, that middle-aged man from earlier looked a little familiar to me.”

“Oh? Zi Yun, you know him?”

Lu Mingyuan asked, surprised.

Zi Yun nodded. “I have an impression of him, from a single encounter. During my training in the palace, he was the one instructing the new recruits for the Imperial Guard. All of the Great Yan’s Generals, whether they were Officers or even the Commanding Captain, treated him with great respect.”

Hearing this, Lu Mingyuan found it rather strange.

’How could such a capable person have no reputation?’

’Zhao Xuanwu… I’ve never heard that name on any of the major factions’ expert rankings.’

He mulled it over for a moment, then decided to drop it.

’As long as he can teach me the saber, nothing else matters.’

“I’ve been training for days. It’s so stuffy. I’m going for a walk.”

Lu Mingyuan stood up and stretched, deciding to take a stroll.

His permitted area of activity had expanded considerably.

He could wander around the gardens and breathe in some fresh air. Constantly practicing in the courtyard was enough to make anyone feel cooped up and sick.

It was early spring, a time when all of nature was reawakening.

The once-bare branches were gradually beginning to sprout green buds.

Lu Mingyuan took Zi Yun through a grand path to a long, garden-lined corridor that led to the nearby Bihu Garden. The place was vast, featuring pavilions, waterside gazebos, rockeries, and a lake. It housed many Spiritual Birds, and the Spirit Deer kept there had eyes that gleamed with human-like intelligence, making it a tranquil sanctuary. Emperor Yong’an had originally built the garden on a whim to indulge his passion for hunting. Later, when he no longer had time for it, the garden was left unused and eventually became a place of scenic beauty.

Just then, a woman in a fiery-red pleated skirt, flanked by two Palace Maids, happened to pass before Lu Mingyuan, creating a beautiful scene.

He suddenly recalled that this elegant figure was no ordinary person, and he turned his head to stare at her.

Returning from the prison, Yang Yingchan noticed someone on the path looking at her and instinctively glanced over.

The moment their eyes met.

A jolt like an electric current shot up from Yang Yingchan’s heart and rushed to her mind, leaving her with a strange feeling.

She froze for a moment.

Meanwhile, a line of text appeared before Lu Mingyuan’s eyes.

[Azure Fate Grid – Fated to be Seductive, Refinement Level increased to 35%]

[Unlocked Life Chart Trait – handsome man (Basic Level)]

[handsome man (Basic Level): Your appearance is deeply favored by women, making you extremely charming. Your looks will not be affected by age.]

’Huh?’

Lu Mingyuan never imagined his Refinement Level could jump by ten percent with just a single glance.

And unlock such a heaven-defying trait, no less.

’What the hell is a handsome man?’

’My looks won’t be affected by age? Does that mean I don’t have to worry about getting old and can stay youthful forever?’

Lu Mingyuan continued to stare at her, his gaze unwavering.

Yang Yingchan felt embarrassed under his gaze and looked away, lowering her head as a rare blush crept onto her cheeks.

’This person is wearing a Python Robe. He must be a Prince,’ she thought.

“Lu Mingyuan greets you, Sister-in-law.”

Lu Mingyuan bowed to Yang Yingchan, not forgetting his manners.

She was his eldest brother’s official wife. Calling her “Sister-in-law” should be fine; addressing her as Princess Consort would be too formal.

“Mm.”

Yang Yingchan gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Only then did she realize that he was the Sixth Prince, Lu Mingyuan—the one who had been sent to the Cold Palace.

Her husband often cursed his name, so she had a strong impression of him.

’He’s just as rumored—a lecher. After all, who stares at someone so brazenly the first time they meet?’

Lu Mingyuan’s eyes darted about, and he asked with a smile, “Sister-in-law, what brings you to the Imperial Palace?”

Yang Yingchan seemed to want to avoid the topic, but she sighed and said, “It was the Holy Emperor’s will.”

“I see.”

Lu Mingyuan blinked and looked at the food box in her hand, asking curiously, “Who are you bringing food to, Sister-in-law?”

“It’s…” Yang Yingchan hesitated.

Just then, Lu Mingyuan rudely took the food box from her, opened it, and took a sniff. “Mm, smells delicious. Braised pig trotters, steamed sea bass, stewed chicken legs… such home-style dishes. These are all my favorites.”

Lu Mingyuan grinned. “Why is none of it touched? Did someone not want to eat? If they’re not eating, I might as well have it.”

Yang Yingchan was slightly taken aback by his words.

“Hey… wait, that’s…”

Yang Yingchan’s expression changed. She tried to stop him, but it was too late.

Lu Mingyuan had already torn off a piece of the chicken leg and taken a bite.

Seeing him eat with such relish,

Yang Yingchan felt a whirlwind of emotions and forced a smile.

“I made it myself. Is it really that good?”

A hint of surprise flashed in Lu Mingyuan’s eyes. “I never knew you could cook, Sister-in-law. Your skills are truly excellent. It tastes so different from the food in the palace.”

Yang Yingchan seemed to recall an unpleasant memory and shook her head. “I was just bored at home, so I decided to study it a little.”

Lu Mingyuan noticed her strange expression and guessed what might have happened. The corner of his mouth curved into a brilliant smile. “Sister-in-law, you wouldn’t mind if I came to your place for a free meal from time to time, would you? If I recall, Qingzhu Hall isn’t too far from your residence.”

Looking at his smiling face, Yang Yingchan found it inexplicably pleasant and, as if by some strange compulsion, nodded.

“As you wish. Just don’t blame me if my hall is a bit cold and lonely.”

“Don’t worry, my Qingzhu Hall is the same. You say it’s cold and lonely, but really, it’s just lacking people.”

Lu Mingyuan said with a grin.

Hearing this, Yang Yingchan nodded lightly.

Her own thoughts remained a mystery.

「…」

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