"Aunt, you're not serious, are you?" Lu Yurong said impatiently.
Consort Jing said, "Young Lu, you can only listen and not speak. Don't cause trouble, especially not Head Chief Chu."
"Of course." Lu Guangdi said, "I'll shut my mouth and pretend I'm mute!"
"Alright." Consort Jing smiled and nodded. "Then you'll be Yurong's protector!"
Lu Guangdi fist saluted and said, "Don't worry, Consort. I'll definitely protect Miss Lu!"
Lu Yurong gave him a sidelong glance. "Protect me with your mediocre martial arts? I should be the one protecting you instead!"
Lu Guangdi's expression did not change.
Consort Jing said, "Yurong, you're going to bring a protector anyway. It doesn't matter if he goes alone."
"… Alright." Lu Yurong's bright eyes turned and she agreed.
Lu Guangdi was surprised. He did not expect Lu Yurong to agree so readily.
Consort Jing let out a sigh of relief and smiled.
She was also surprised that Lu Yurong agreed so quickly. She thought it would take a long time to persuade her.
—
On the evening of the second day, when the lanterns were lit, Chu Li arrived at the Verdant Cloud Brothel.
He came to the front of the mansion and presented the invitation.
A protector at the door brought him into a small courtyard. It was the Yuxue Courtyard.
He did not invite Mo Qingyu to the Clear Rain Courtyard. If he was alone, he would naturally look for Mo Qingyu. It was not appropriate for him to bring a friend to the Clear Rain Courtyard.
After Mo Qingyu retired, Miss Yuxue rose to prominence. She was the most beautiful woman in the Verdant Cloud Brothel. Not everyone could meet her, even if they had money.
Amidst the sound of the guzheng, he entered the Yuxue Courtyard. As soon as he stepped into the house, he saw King Ping sitting cross-legged in front of a low table. He was enjoying the sound of the guzheng with his eyes closed.
His back was straight and his aura was faintly discernible. It was obvious that he had not completely left the battlefield after such a long time. The demeanor of a soldier had already been integrated into his bones.
A petite lady was playing the guzheng with her head lowered. The sound of the guzheng was loud and clear. It was a completely different scene from her petite body.
When she heard the sound of footsteps, the petite girl raised her head and looked over, revealing a beautiful and moving face that was exquisite beyond compare. It made one sigh in admiration at the wonders of nature. It was actually able to gather all the beauty in a single person, creating such an exquisite beauty.
King Ping opened his eyes and nodded at him before closing his eyes to enjoy the music.
Chu Li nodded and sat in front of a low table next to King Ping. A delicate young maid served tea, fruits, and snacks were already placed on the table.
Chu Li said, "Give me a pot of wine and two cups."
"Yes," the delicate maidservant replied softly. She quickly brought in a silver pot of wine and two jasper cups.
Chu Li filled two jasper cups and handed one to King Ping.
King Ping opened his eyes and took the jade cup. Both of them downed the contents in one gulp.
The delicate maid sat next to Chu Li and filled their cups with the pot.
Chu Li asked, "How has His Royal Highness been lately?"
"It doesn't matter," King Ping said lightly.
Chu Li frowned. "His Royal Highness hasn't come out of it yet?"
King Ping shook his head and said calmly, "I'm leading a befuddled life now. I'm just living one day at a time."
Chu Li shook his head and smiled.
The sound of the zither rose abruptly, like a white crane soaring into the sky.
Chu Li took a sip of wine and did not say anything else.
Both of them focused on enjoying the sound of the zither while looking at Miss Yu Xue's mesmerizing face.
The sound of the zither slowly quieted down. Miss Yu Xue's fair fingers left the strings and the sound of the zither seemed to be lingering in the room.
Chu Li and King Ping did not speak as they were immersed in the aftertaste.
After a while, Chu Li broke the silence. "Has His Royal Highness heard about the crown prince?"
King Ping frowned at him.
Chu Li said, "It should be true."
"Father, you really can't wait!" King Ping sneered.
Miss Yu Xue was a little shocked. She looked at Chu Li and then at King Ping. She felt that she should not have listened to these words but did not know how to leave.
Chu Li glanced at her and smiled. "Miss Yu Xue, help us brew another pot of tea. A lady will be coming later."
"Yes." Miss Yu Xue secretly sighed in relief. She gracefully bowed and left.
Chu Li said, "Isn't His Royal Highness anxious?"
"There's no point in being anxious." King Ping put down the jasper wine cup and sighed. "Father has always been on Sixth Younger Brother's side. This time, he's taking advantage of the fact that I've released my military power to make Sixth Younger Brother the crown prince. He's not giving me anything to say."
Chu Li nodded.
King Ping said, "Now, if I say anything, everyone will attack me. Moreover, I can't stop Sixth Younger Brother from becoming the crown prince."
Chu Li sighed. "The time is not right. There's nothing I can do!"
"Exactly!" King Ping said calmly. "There's no rush. Let Sixth Younger Brother be happy for a while. Who knows what will happen in ten years!"
Chu Li smiled. "I'm relieved that His Royal Highness is so calm."
"Why did you call Lu Yurong over?" King Ping asked.
Chu Li said, "To calm His Royal Highness Jing's heart."
King Ping nodded.
As soon as they finished speaking, footsteps were heard from outside.
"Come in, Yurong," Chu Li said.
The door was pushed open and two people walked in slowly.
Lu Yurong was dressed in a snow-white gown and a large hat. A white veil hung down to cover her face. She also wore a white veil that completely covered her face. Lu Guangdi followed behind her.
Chu Li smiled. "I didn't expect Young Master Lu to join in the fun."
He looked at Lu Yurong. "Flower protector?"
"The Princess insisted that he come along. She said that the Verdant Cloud Brothel is not suitable for women to come alone." Lu Yurong shook her head.
She took off her hat and white veil, revealing her charming face. She was a head above Miss Yu Xue.
Lu Guangdi did not say a word as if he was mute. He walked to the corner and sat down.
Lu Yurong gave a fist salute to King Ping. "Greetings, His Royal Highness."
King Ping waved his hand. "Sit down and talk."
Lu Yurong glared at Chu Li and shook her head gently.
She originally wanted to use her ability to see through people's hearts to see through King Ping's mind.
Now it seemed like it was a waste of effort. King Ping was shrouded in a faint glow. This glow was emitted by Chu Li.
In this way, this meeting was for naught. He was fooled by Chu Li once again.
King Ping said, "Miss Lu, you're here to ask me what I think about the crown prince's position, right?"
"Yes." Lu Yurong nodded.
She thanked Miss Yu Xue who served tea and looked at King Ping. "Although Your Royal Highness has given up your military power, you still have an important influence in the military. The government offices in the Ministry of War follow Your Royal Highness' lead."
King Ping said, "I'm not interested in the crown prince. Tell King Jing not to worry."
"Thank you, Your Royal Highness." Lu Yurong gave a fist salute.
King Ping said, "If King Jing can promise me to lead the troops to attack the Zheng Dynasty in the future, I can promise to give up the fight for the throne!"
"Really?" Lu Yurong was stunned.
King Ping said, "I'm like a walking corpse now. My only thought is to avenge the Princess. I won't think about anything else!"
"… I'll report the truth." Lu Yurong said slowly, "If I agree directly, Your Royal Highness won't believe me."
"Let King Jing come and talk to me personally." King Ping said.
Lu Yurong smiled.
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