CHAPTER 1078: CHAPTER 221: ENEMIES MEET, FORCED MARRIAGE IN COURT (PART 2)

Lu Mingzhu swallowed and instinctively grabbed Lu Yuke’s arm, "Auntie, I’m scared."

Lu Yuke curled her lips into a cold smile and turned to walk out.

Lu Mingzhu followed closely behind, her eyes darting around to observe her surroundings. This place was truly large, with a classical charm, exuding an aura of authority everywhere.

Rumor had it that real estate prices in the Capital City were sky-high, especially for courtyard houses. A single brick from here could buy a two-bedroom apartment in their shabby county town, let alone such a grand estate, comparable to the mansions of royal relatives from TV shows. Moreover, she had particularly noticed upon arrival yesterday how close this place was to Tiananmen. How much money must this cost...

There were also many servants in the house; just by walking around, one could encounter a couple of them, giving her the illusion of a great prestigious household in feudal society.

She glanced at Lu Yuke walking ahead, as the passing servants respectfully greeted her, while Lu Yuke maintained an aloof demeanor, appearing particularly imposing.

Thinking about how she would soon become the mistress of this house and enjoy the same treatment as her aunt, she unconsciously straightened her back.

As they walked through the corridor, a figure suddenly emerged behind the Chuihua Gate, smelling heavily of alcohol and visibly drunk. Lu Mingzhu quickly covered her nose and stepped back.

"Oh, it’s Sister-in-law, hehe, greetings Sister-in-law..." The person spouted frivolous, reckless words.

Lu Yuke frowned slightly and looked coldly at the man who couldn’t even stand straight in front of her, "Lao Qi, today is Old Master’s birthday. The house is full of guests, and here you are, drunk. How can we, the Yan Family, hold our face?"

Seventh Master Yan? Yan Nangui?

Unable to resist, Lu Mingzhu glanced upwards and was instantly captivated.

The man standing before her looked to be 26 or 27 years old, his clothing quite casual, with a half-open collar revealing a large area of his seductive chest. His face was exceedingly handsome, as if intoxicated—his eyes clouded like mist, giving no hint of his intentions—yet in fleeting moments, sharpness flashed from his gaze, causing her heart to momentarily freeze.

The wind blew through the Plum Forest, scattering thin snowflakes imbued with a distant fragrance, yet it was far less remarkable than the spring glow between the man’s brows, resembling rouge mist, akin to fine wine, like crimson peach, casting a vibrant spring hue amidst the icy landscape.

Lu Mingzhu swallowed her saliva in admiration, so handsome... Compared to Yan Song’s masculinity, this man possessed a softer beauty, especially those languid eyes that seemed to capture one’s soul.

"Is there still face left for the Yan Family? Hahaha, haven’t I ruined it all? What face is there..." The man guffawed.

"Simply irrational." Lu Yuke coldly snorted, circumventing him to leave.

Lu Mingzhu secretly glanced at him, accidentally locking eyes with his enigmatic gaze, and froze for a moment, seeing Yan Nangui’s lips curl into a wicked smile as he reached out to touch Lu Mingzhu’s face: "Where did this little beauty come from? How come I’ve never seen you before."

Lu Mingzhu’s heart skipped wildly, momentarily forgetting to evade. Just when that hand was about to touch Lu Mingzhu’s face, it was abruptly seized by a hand.

Lu Yuke spoke coldly: "This is my niece’s granddaughter, by seniority, you should call her grandniece. Mingzhu, don’t you know to greet elders? Have I taught you etiquette only for it to be fed to the dogs?"

Lu Mingzhu hastily responded, "Granduncle, greetings."

The man dismissively pursed his lips, "Whatever, what granduncle, makes me sound decades older." With that, he swayed away, disappearing in the blink of an eye behind the Chuihua Gate.

Lu Yuke took out a handkerchief and wiped her hand, as if extremely disgusted by where she’d been touched: "Find someone to follow him, there are more female guests today, ensure he doesn’t cause trouble. This Lao Qi is becoming increasingly audacious."

Aunt Cui responded and went off to make arrangements.

Lu Yuke turned her head, catching sight of Lu Mingzhu gazing thoughtfully in the direction of the Chuihua Gate, her expression deepening as she spoke coldly: "From now on, avoid him when you see him, or you’ll suffer for it."

With that, she derisively curled her lips: "Judging by your looks, he probably wouldn’t be interested anyway, I was worrying too much."

Yan Lao Qi indeed had a penchant for beauty, but he only admired pretty women. Lu Mingzhu’s appearance was surely not to his standards.

Lu Mingzhu hung her head in defiance, yet obediently replied, "I understand."

The two of them headed towards Rongju Garden, and Lu Mingzhu’s mind still dwelled on Yan Nangui’s image. The outside world portrayed Yan Nangui as akin to a Devil, making her believe he’d be vulgar and aggressive, but unexpectedly he turned out to be quite attractive...