CHAPTER 477: CHAPTER 423: LU YUAN LOOKS LIKE HIM

The Crown Prince values emotions and loyalty. You can tell from how he takes care of Prince Ming; he’s always been someone who repays kindness.

Therefore, the Crown Prince’s attentiveness to that young man might suggest that he isn’t his biological son but rather the child of an old friend.

But if that old friend is a woman, then it’s an entirely different matter.

She could tolerate the Crown Prince raising ten or even eight children of old friends, or even illegitimate sons, but she absolutely wouldn’t allow the Crown Prince to keep another woman in his heart.

The Crown Prince’s heart must belong to her alone.

She wants to be the Crown Prince’s only woman.

To become the mistress of the Crown Prince Mansion, to be the future Empress of Great Liang.

She dusted off Lu Qi’s shoulder and said, "Rest easy as a Commandery Prince. Your father has your mother, and your mother won’t let anyone snatch your father away. Don’t forget, you also have all of Thousand Mechanism Pavilion behind you."

When she mentioned Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, she suddenly remembered something. "Mother was so delighted she almost forgot—tomorrow is Liuying’s day to visit Anji Hospital. As her fiancé and your father’s biological son, it’s only proper for you to accompany her."

Lu Qi asked, "Do I need to go to Thousand Mechanism Pavilion to pick her up?"

Dou Qingyi replied, "That’s unnecessary. Just head straight to Anji Hospital."

Lu Qi nodded, "Understood."

Dou Qingyi felt very pleased.

Her son listened to her words, and with her around to guide him, no one could shake his position.

On the other side, Lu Zhaoyan wanted to arrange a different courtyard for Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan clutched his chest. "So exhausted... Carrying the old man down the mountain... The old man was so heavy..."

"Cold ailments flared up..."

"Old injuries acted up..."

Lu Zhaoyan had never met someone so shameless.

Even the Hunting Eagle perched in the tree couldn’t bear to watch, covering its bird head with its wings while pondering how many pieces of dried meat this scandalous man deserved for his antics.

Lu Zhaoyan sighed helplessly and said to the maid, "Prepare a guest room for him."

"Yes."

The maid turned to Lu Yuan and said, "Young Master, please follow me."

The Crown Prince was gentle by nature but was unaccustomed to being disturbed, even Prince Ming, his own younger brother, resided in a separate courtyard.

Thus, the maid planned to assign Lu Yuan to a room farther away, but Lu Yuan pointed to the adjacent one and said, "I’ll stay here."

Lu Zhaoyan was about to refuse.

Lu Yuan continued, "I grew up sleeping in the stables, I’m afraid of the dark. Also, if you make me stay so far away, the servants might think I’m out of favor and treat me poorly behind my back."

Lu Zhaoyan found himself speechless.

"The first night, you’re already sleeping in my study—who would dare treat you poorly?"

Still, without experiencing such treatment, how could one say such things?

After freshening up, Lu Yuan immediately fell asleep.

Lu Zhaoyan headed to the study to finish reviewing the remaining memorials.

A figure darted past the large tree outside.

On the veranda, Ji Feng’s eyes flickered momentarily, but upon recognizing the visitor, he averted his gaze again.

Prince Ming didn’t use the front door; instead, he vaulted himself onto the windowsill. "My dear Imperial Brother, you still haven’t kicked that young man out yet?"

Lu Zhaoyan opened another memorial. "Did you visit Father Emperor in the palace?"

Prince Ming shook his folding fan, "No, I’ll go tomorrow."

Lu Zhaoyan resumed reading the memorials.

Prince Ming chuckled and asked, "Imperial Brother, that young man isn’t really your son, is he? Keeping him around—aren’t you worried your women and child might get jealous?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied, "If you’ve got nothing better to do, come help me review some of these memorials."

Prince Ming quickly declined, "Ah, ah, ah! No, no, no! I’ll just remain a carefree Prince—I want nothing to do with court affairs!"

Lu Zhaoyan made a mark on the memorial with his brush.

Prince Ming commented thoughtfully, "Imperial Brother, there’s something off about that young man—you’ve noticed it too, haven’t you? He entered the Crown Prince Mansion with a clear motive."

Lu Zhaoyan replied nonchalantly, "Over time, his intentions will naturally become apparent."

But after saying that, he realized the remark was too passive.

He wanted to offer an explanation, but Prince Ming was already staring intently at him.

"What are you looking at?"

Lu Zhaoyan asked.

Prince Ming hopped into the study through the window, leaned in close, and carefully scrutinized him.

Lu Zhaoyan closed his eyes briefly and asked, "What’s gotten into you now?"

Prince Ming used his hand to block the lower half of Lu Zhaoyan’s face, leaving only his brows and eyes visible. "Imperial Brother, that young man does resemble you a bit, doesn’t he?"

Lu Zhaoyan froze.

-

Before dawn, Lu Yuan woke from sleep.

Having spent years in the Capital City, he had developed a habit of rising early to read and practice martial arts, which became a prelude to attending court.

But at the Crown Prince Mansion, such practices were naturally inappropriate.

He sat cross-legged on his bed for a moment to meditate.

Once the time felt right, he left his room.

Lu Zhaoyan had already gone to attend court and had brought Prince Ming along to the palace.

"You didn’t go?"

Lu Yuan asked Ji Feng, who was standing guard on the veranda.

Ji Feng replied, "His Highness ordered me to stay here and protect you."

Lu Yuan asked in a lofty tone, "Does his son have a skilled guard like you watching over him too?"

Ji Feng answered truthfully, "No."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow.

Ji Feng bluntly added, "Commandery Prince isn’t as paranoid, always suspecting someone’s out to harm him."

Lu Yuan replied, "..."

Having carried Mr. Zi Wu down the mountain, Lu Yuan knew it would be at least three days before the elderly figure recovered from the ordeal. For now, Zi Wu remained physically incapacitated in his room.

Lu Yuan decided to pay a visit to the Yu Family.

He had entered the Crown Prince Mansion rather abruptly the other day, leaving no news of his whereabouts for two days. He had expected to be greeted by a warm and doting little sycophant upon his return.

Instead, the person’s courtyard was empty.

Chen Long, Ji Li, and Si Snake had also gone off somewhere.

The only one left was Yu Zichuan, sitting alone on the rooftop, polishing his bow.

"The Young Madam has gone to see Tan’er. She’s worried Tan’er isn’t adapting well to life in Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Lu Yuan clenched his fist.

Excellent.

His family status was now nonexistent.

"Everyone’s gone."

"Why didn’t you go?"

Lu Yuan asked Yu Zichuan.

Yu Zichuan was an honest child: "To watch your embarrassment."

Lu Yuan’s face darkened.

-

Through the Hunting Eagle, Meng Qianqian learned that Lu Yuan had settled into the Crown Prince Mansion, alleviating her worries for his safety. However, over at Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, Shangguan Ling had brought back news that Tan’er had fought with Gongsun Ziyu on day one.

Tan’er had won.

Gongsun Ziyu was so enraged he was practically steaming from every orifice.

This wasn’t the main issue; the significant point was that Gongsun Yanming and Shang Wuyou had met.

Tan’er didn’t know what the two had discussed.

But after returning to her courtyard, Shang Wuyou shut herself inside for an entire day and night without eating or drinking.

"I ate all the food! She didn’t take a single bite!"

This was Tan’er’s original statement.

Tan’er also had Shangguan Ling send a message to Meng Qianqian, informing her that today, Shang Wuyou would be accompanying the Gongsun Sisters to Anji Hospital to provide relief for the orphans there.

This presented an opportunity to meet Shang Wuyou and Tan’er.

Meng Qianqian set off early in the morning with Chen Long, Si Snake, and Ji Li.

Interestingly, as soon as they departed, they noticed "Wanted" posters for Chen Long plastered all over the streets.

Clearly, Shang Wuyou had informed Gongsun Yanming that Chen Long was the one who had abducted her.

"Brother."

Meng Qianqian looked toward Chen Long.

"Hmm."

Chen Long understood and promptly donned a mask.

Si Snake’s blue eyes and Ji Li’s white hair were far too conspicuous.

Meng Qianqian turned to Ji Li and said, "I’ll go to Anji Hospital with Chen Long. Ji Li, you should first gather information—find out if people from Miaojiang have arrived yet. Also, keep an eye on the ten major lords."

Ji Li asked Si Snake, "Snake, will you follow me?"

Si Snake thought for a moment, "Sure."

Ji Li was clearly hurt and exclaimed in exasperation, "What do you mean ’Sure’? Were you originally planning to follow her? Snake! Are we even best bros anymore?"

Chen Long: "Is there a possibility that Snake simply doesn’t want to get caught in your string of bad luck?"

Ji Li: "Shut up."

The four of them parted ways and went about their respective tasks.

Chen Long said, "I inquired about Anji Hospital—it isn’t used as a base by Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Meng Qianqian replied, "So, the ’Chosen One’ is truly providing relief to the common people."

Chen Long said, "Or maybe she’s just putting on a show."

Meng Qianqian smiled faintly. "Putting on a show isn’t a problem, as long as someone genuinely receives help. Incidentally, I’d like to meet this ’Chosen One,’ born bathed in multicolored light."