"Star Luo City is here!"
Bai Chenxiang's excited voice cut through Lu Yuan's brooding thoughts. He blinked hard, shook off the haze, and leaned toward the window. Outside, bustling streets sprawled endlessly, carriage wheels rattling amidst bright shop fronts and hawkers' cries. It was no less lively than Heaven Dou City, only rougher, louder, a city of warriors.
Though their carriage was the most luxurious type, the streets were wide enough, filled with ornate coaches from other nobles. In this empire of martial blood, prestige was shown not in decoration but in strength.
Lu Yuan tipped back his wine jar and cracked a grin. "Finally here! Let's head straight to the Zhu family estate."
"What?"
Zhu Zhuqing's gaze froze. Of all the things she expected him to say, returning directly to the Zhu family… was not one.
That place was not 'home' to her—it was a cage, a den of wolves. She had clawed her way out once; the thought of stepping back inside chilled her heart.
But Lu Yuan simply patted her shoulder, voice steady, confident. "Don't worry, little cat. With me here, no one will hurt you."
His casual assurance warmed her even as unease lingered. She knew she couldn't run from the Zhu family forever. Facing them was inevitable. The question was—could she endure it?
Zhu Family's Shadow
A turn of the carriage brought the Zhu estate into view. Towering structures rose nearly thirty meters high, lined along the broad avenue like silent stone giants. Each was emblazoned with the family crest, a mark that sprawled across nearly the entire street.
Lu Yuan chuckled between gulps of wine. "Kitty, your house sure is big."
Zhu Zhuqing's hands clenched, knuckles whitening. House? That word stabbed deep. This wasn't a home—it was the place she had run from, the lair of betrayal.
As the group stepped down, four Zhu family guards spotted them. Recognition lit their eyes at once.
"Isn't that Second Miss Zhu Zhuqing?"
"It really is her…"
"Didn't she run away recently? Why come back now?"
"If it were me, I'd never come back."
Whispers spread quickly as one guard bolted inside to inform the master of the house, Zhu Zhenyuan.
But instead of the patriarch, the first ones to appear were Davis and Zhu Zhuyun.
Davis Appears
The doors swung wide, laughter echoing across the courtyard. Davis strolled out, hand lazily wrapped around Zhu Zhuyun's waist. The Crown Prince of Star Luo had come to "visit" the Zhu family, ensuring their long-standing alliance remained tight.
But when his eyes locked upon Lu Yuan, the laughter died in his throat. His face blanched.
"You… Lu Yuan?!"
Memories slammed into his skull like a hammer. He remembered pain, humiliation, the crushing dominance of the "monster" who had tossed him aside like trash. Even now, his body trembled with the same suffocating fear.
Lu Yuan squinted at him through narrowed eyes. It took a moment before recognition lit.
"Oh, it's you! That little bastard I once sent flying!" he said, voice ringing loud for all the guards and servants to hear.
Davis's cheeks flushed blue with fury. To be insulted here, in public, in front of Zhu Zhuyun no less…
But what could he do? He couldn't beat Lu Yuan, not even scratch him. If he retaliated and got sent sprawling again, he'd be humiliated beyond repair.
Deep inside, however, another thought flashed—and with it, unexpected delight.
Wait… Why is Zhu Zhuqing with Lu Yuan?
Could it be? Could she have ended things with Dai Mubai completely? If that useless brother of his had really been cuckolded, humiliated before the whole clan…
Davis's lips twitched. The pain of seeing Lu Yuan was now mingled with strange joy. Wasn't this great? If Dai Mubai lost Zhu Zhuqing, he'd lose his qualification for the throne. And that left only Davis.
Crown Prince Davis wanted to laugh—but controlled himself, just barely.
Night Visit
That night, shadows fell over the Zhu family estate.
Creeping through the corridors, Davis halted at a guestroom door. He clenched his fists, exhaled, and pushed inside.
Immediately, a blade of cold sword light met his nose, so sharp he nearly lost control of his bladder.
"D-Don't fight! I came to talk!"
Lu Yuan leaned forward, sword in hand, murderous eyes half-hidden by drunken fog. "You come without wine? Not worth my time. Maybe I should just cut you down right here."
Davis's heart pounded. His words tumbled out in a panic: "If you're here to dissolve Zhu Zhuqing's engagement to my useless brother—I'll help you! I swear!"
"…Huh?" Lu Yuan blinked.
"Please, take the sword away first!" Davis begged, sweat dripping. "I'm serious. If you want to break Zhu Zhuqing's marriage tie, I can cooperate."
Lu Yuan tilted his head, then re-sheathed his sword with a snort. "You've got a bastard's mouth but at least you're useful."
Davis released the breath he had been holding. Truly, today he had brushed against death and returned.
"As long as Zhu Zhuqing is freed, I benefit too," Davis explained eagerly. "With Dai Mubai cut off, competition for the throne is over. He can never rule without a martial soul fusion partner. The royal family will never allow it. Once he's disqualified… only I remain! Let him be greened for all I care—hah, well done indeed!"
His grin was vicious. In his mind, Dai Mubai's downfall had already become reality.
"But careful," Davis added quickly, "the marriage isn't so easily broken. My father, Zhu Zhenyuan, and the royal court all must consent. That's no small hurdle."
"Zhu Zhenyuan?" Lu Yuan stretched his arms lazily. "If he disagrees, I'll just beat him until he changes his mind."
Davis nearly choked on air. Beat him?! Are you insane?! Zhu Zhenyuan is a Contra, the Zhu family patriarch!
But then he looked again at Lu Yuan—already deeply drunk, eyes confident beyond reason—and thought better of it. Arguing with lunatics never ended well, especially ones who could genuinely back up their madness with raw power.
"If you want to try, be my guest," Davis muttered under his breath. Either Lu Yuan succeeded, or he got beaten bloody. In both cases, Davis would be watching with satisfaction.
The Patriarch Returns
Two days later, Zhu Zhenyuan returned from his business trip. No sooner had his horse pulled into the estate than rumors buzzed through his ears.
"What? Lu Yuan? The Lu Yuan is here—with Zhu Zhuqing?"
The man's body froze. He had heard the boy's name countless times these past months. Genius soul master, prodigy of Heaven Dou Imperial Academy, disciple linked to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. He had even become a Soul King not long ago, at an age most couldn't dream of.
Such a one—sitting under his roof, calling on his second daughter? What madness was this?
He barely had time to collect himself before more gossip floated from the servants' quarters.
Rumors in the Courtyard
"Did you see how close Second Miss is with Lu Yuan?"
"Very! I was on night patrol and swore I saw her leaving his room."
"And during the day, he was so drunk he leaned right against her shoulder in full view—anyone could see it!"
"Pfft, Dai Mubai is finished. He's green for sure!"
"Serves him right! Left Second Miss behind, let her be chased down, didn't protect her once. Trash prince! If it were me, I'd kill that bastard for making her suffer."
"And now? She's with Lu Yuan, that monster genius. Who needs Dai Mubai when you've got him?"
The whispers spread like wildfire through the Zhu family corridors. Everyone knew it already: Second Miss Zhu Zhuqing had chosen Lu Yuan over Dai Mubai.
And in the shadows, Davis listened, lips quirking into cruel amusement.
Well done indeed.
--
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