Chapter 79: Chapter 75: Sister-in-law, You Wouldn’t Want…

「In the morning.」

The seemingly peaceful Imperial Capital was, in fact, anything but.

The day before yesterday, the Cabinet had dispatched an Imperial Envoy to the Champion Marquis’s Mansion, only to be refused. It took three earnest visits, a thorough explanation of the stakes, and a Holy Decree from the Holy Emperor to finally persuade the Champion Marquis to act.

The Champion Marquis accepted the critical mission, taking the rewards prepared by the Ministry of Revenue and fifty thousand Qilin Guards with him to Beihai County to appease the Third Prince.

However, well into the morning, CLANGING sounds echoed from the main courtyard of Qingzhu Hall.

The maids, Hong Wan and Zi Yun, took turns sparring with Lu Mingyuan.

Zi Yun and Lu Mingyuan didn’t use any Martial Dao Primordial Qi, sparring purely with their Saber Techniques.

Hong Wan did the same, finding a Long Sword to parry his attacks.

Lu Mingyuan’s strength was divine. The Cross Saber in his hand seemed to carry immense weight, and a single, staggering blow sent a shock through both women’s arms.

Even without using Primordial Qi, his blows were still incredibly heavy.

For a Martial Artist in the Lower Seven Realms, the Prince’s physical strength had already been honed to near perfection.

Lu Mingyuan held his own against both of them, not at all at a disadvantage.

’This training is so satisfying,’ he thought, ’watching the stats on my panel slowly increase.’

[Luminous Green Fate Grid – Martial Fool, Refinement Level increased to 88%]

[Promoted Life Chart Trait: Martial Spirit (High-Level)]

[Martial Spirit (High-Level): With a heart devoted to the martial path, your Martial Dao cultivation speed is greatly increased, and your efficiency at cultivating Martial Arts is ten times its original rate.]

[Diligent saber practice has triggered the trait [Martial Spirit]. Progress increased tenfold!]

[Thunder Prison Saber Scripture – Blade Momentum Chapter (5000/5000)]

…

[Thunder Prison Saber Scripture – Blade Heart Chapter (0/10,000)]

His Saber Momentum had now reached Perfection, and he had begun cultivating the Saber Heart Chapter.

His [Martial Spirit] trait had increased his cultivation efficiency for Martial Arts from fivefold to tenfold.

Lu Mingyuan thrust his saber into the ground and stood tall. Taking a deep breath, he drew in Martial Dao Primordial Qi from all directions, which formed a thick layer of Gang Qi over his body.

Even without a saber in hand, he could project his Saber Astral at will.

With his Saber Momentum at Perfection, he could now hold his own against an ordinary Grandmaster. The outcome would be uncertain, but at least he had the qualifications to trade blows.

’One’s own strength is the only thing you can truly rely on.’

When he was done, Lu Mingyuan didn’t even bother to wipe away his sweat, simply using his Primordial Qi to evaporate it completely.

He then went to visit the adjacent hall, as was his custom. He was surprised to find that she had returned at some point without him knowing.

“Sister-in-law, when did you get back? I thought you’d run off with my big brother.”

Lu Mingyuan’s curiosity grew. He decided against trading veiled barbs and got straight to the point. “Are you really not going to run, Sister-in-law?”

Princess Consort Zhao, who had opened the door, was dressed in red. She asked calmly, “With the Bright Lamp Bureau watching, where could I possibly run?”

Lu Mingyuan smiled slightly. “Then it’s just as well you stay in the Harem and keep me company.”

This time, however, Yang Yingchan’s expression was not so pleasant. A cold smile touched her lips. “Your Highness is quite the schemer. So all these years, you truly were just playing the fool for everyone. Had I known, what would have been the point of it all?”

Lu Mingyuan’s hand left the hilt of his Saber. He gestured toward the Buddha Beads scattered on the table and said with a grin, “You think I’m using you?”

A flash of anger crossed the face of the usually gentle and regal Yang Yingchan. She bit her lip and said in a low voice, “Am I wrong?”

Yang Yingchan’s chest heaved. “You gave me those Buddha Beads with an ulterior motive! It was all to shatter your brother’s Daoxin! Now your goal is achieved. Your big brother is dead. He was killed by a Daoist’s sword after falling to the demonic path. According to the laws of Great Yan, he had to be executed on the spot.”

Lu Mingyuan put on an exaggerated expression of surprise. “Oh? Is that so?”

Hearing this, he couldn’t help but fall into thought.

“Stop acting. You’re terrible at it,” Yang Yingchan said coldly.

’I did know Lu Changfeng was dead,’ Lu Mingyuan thought, ’but I didn’t know the exact circumstances. Her reaction is giving me some clues.’

So he put on an air of nonchalance to probe her further. “And why would you think I’m the culprit, Sister-in-law?”

Yang Yingchan said coldly, “If not for that string of Buddha Beads, he wouldn’t have died.”

“Perhaps I should have never paid you any mind from the start.”

But Lu Mingyuan suddenly burst out laughing, his laughter wild and unrestrained.

“What are you laughing at?” Yang Yingchan asked, completely baffled.

Lu Mingyuan was no fool. He quickly pieced things together. From Princess Consort Zhao being summoned from the Imperial City to the death of the Eldest Prince, a certain someone’s shadow loomed over everything.

“Who told you to go see him off?”

“A brocade-robed agent from the Bright Lamp Bureau.”

“Was there a Holy Decree or any other official order?”

Yang Yingchan thought for a moment. “No, there wasn’t…”

Lu Mingyuan chuckled. “So, Sister-in-law, you just assumed I was the one who summoned you to stage this little drama? Am I really that capable?”

At this, Yang Yingchan gradually fell silent.

Once Lu Mingyuan had figured it all out, he gave Yang Yingchan a meaningful smile.

“I think you’re simply afraid of dying, Princess Consort.”

“Because, as far as I know, your relationship with my dear brother wasn’t that good. Are you truly angry and grieving for him?

I doubt it. Couldn’t you have considered that you were being used, Princess Consort? The reason you want to pin the blame on me is to prey on my affections, make me feel guilty, and thus ensure your own safety. But there’s really no need. As long as I’m here, your fortune, your status, your very life will be secure. In fact, you should be rejoicing.”

He had stopped calling her ’Sister-in-law’, his tone becoming much more forceful.

“You!”

Seeing that Lu Mingyuan had seen right through her, Yang Yingchan’s expression wavered.

’This Lu Mingyuan is far more cunning than I imagined.’

When she first heard the news of the Eldest Prince’s death, her initial reaction was shock. That was followed by panic—the fear that she would be implicated for having gone to see him off. Her subconscious reaction was to find someone to protect her.

“Aren’t you afraid the Holy Emperor will find out you’ve been plotting against me?”

Lu Mingyuan didn’t look at the scheming Princess Consort Zhao, his gaze fixed on the flowers outside the hall. He had a good idea now who had plotted against the Eldest Prince. He said calmly, “First, I didn’t plot against you. Are you even worth scheming against? Second, I suggest you recognize your place. You are in no position to question me, nor do you have the right to vent your anger at me.”

With that, he placed a large hand on her delicate shoulder.

Yang Yingchan’s expression changed. Her body trembled as she bit her lip. “Stop… I’m your sister-in-law!”

Lu Mingyuan’s hand slid down, caressing the exquisite curve of her back. He appeared to be taking advantage of her, yet his face was impassive, his heart as calm as still water. His tone, however, was soft and tinged with a smile.

“Don’t worry. This Prince will be sure to teach that pretty little mouth of yours how to play the flute. All the things my brother couldn’t do, all the things he was unable to do… I can.”

The two maids guarding Princess Consort Zhao at the door moved to intervene, but they were instantly restrained by two figures, one in red and one in purple.

It was Zi Yun and Hong Wan.

Hong Wan circulated her red Taoist Qi, casting the Taoist Sect’s Body Fixation Skill and immobilizing everyone in the hall with a stern look.

Her face was cold as she stared at Yang Yingchan.

One was a maid, as humble as dust; the other, a Princess Consort of the highest honor and fortune.

And yet, in the eyes of Hong Wan—the maid with the beauty mark by her eye—there was a hint of rivalry. She looked down on Yang Yingchan without a shred of reverence.

Even the gaze of the normally timid Zi Yun held little fear, remaining perfectly calm.

Seeing this, Yang Yingchan couldn’t help but frown.

’These two maids of Lu Mingyuan’s are certainly well-trained.’

’They revere him and him alone. Is no one else even worthy of their notice?’

’Just what is so captivating about this Sixth Prince?’

Lu Mingyuan stepped forward and gave Yang Yingchan’s backside a satisfying pat. He grinned. “Now do you understand? Without me, how will you possibly survive in the Harem?”

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll tell the Holy Emperor?” Yang Yingchan retorted stubbornly, though she still couldn’t move.

“Go on, tell him! I dare you. At worst, my Father Emperor will give me a scolding. But you? Will you be executed? Or will you be left to suffer endless torment in the Harem?”

’In truth,’ Lu Mingyuan thought, ’if Father Emperor wanted to intervene, he would have done so long ago. Why wait until now? This could only be a form of tacit approval.’

Lu Mingyuan leaned close to Yang Yingchan’s delicate ear and whispered:

“Sister-in-law, if you’re afraid of dying, you shouldn’t be making threats. You’d be better off submitting to me and enjoying your life of luxury.”

“You don’t want to spend the rest of your life under house arrest, never seeing your father again, do you?”

Hearing this, an incredibly complex emotion flickered in Yang Yingchan’s beautiful eyes.

Lu Mingyuan chuckled. “I’m not like my brother. You’ll come to understand that in time.”

“Think it over. Let me know when you’ve made up your mind.”

With those final words, he left with Zi Yun and Hong Wan.

Only then could Yang Yingchan move again. Her dark hair in disarray, she collapsed to the floor. She stared at Lu Mingyuan’s departing figure, her heart a storm of confusion, helplessness, fear, and even a hint of anticipation.

…

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