One Person's Mistake—How Could She Be Worthy of Me, Lu Chen

One Person's Mistake—How Could She Be Worthy of Me, Lu Chen

[Who in Great Qing dared discuss this forbidden subject!]

[Even the pro-war faction shunned this red line like snakes and scorpions, taking an attitude of firm approval toward peace negotiations.]

[Six years ago, aside from that Eighth Prince, who had knelt outside the palace gates for three days and three nights to beg for an imperial edict to request battle, nearly being deposed for it, yet winning the hearts of the people.]

[At that time, voices calling for war rose and fell throughout the court, heads rolled, blood flowed like rivers, the imperial capital was shrouded in a storm of blood and foul wind, and court and common realm alike trembled in fear.]

[Today, Xie Lingxuan had spoken it out openly and honorably.]

[That imperial uncle also closed his eyes slightly and let out a long sigh.]

["Ah... the eldest daughter of the Xie Clan."]

[This emperor was famed for his magnanimity. Even when facing a minister's abuse, he would only smile calmly and say, "Using others as a mirror can set one's virtue straight."]

[However, regarding the matter of going south for peace negotiations, there was an uncrossable bottom line. Anyone who dared make trouble over this matter or oppose it would surely invite the wrath of the Son of Heaven, with guilt spreading far and wide.]

[From then on, no officials in court sang the praises of the Lu Family Army, and no generals spoke up for them.]

[Newly appointed censors, seeking to show their talent, all submitted memorials remonstrating on the topic of the Lu Family Army. The emperor, however, remained utterly unruffled by the matter, and even advised them to be broad-minded and not become overly entangled in the affairs of the Lu Family.]

[Yet every one of those who remonstrated was demoted in the open and promoted in the dark.]

[This was the emperor's heart.]

[If not for the Son of Heaven's secret permission, who would dare refuse this Young Guardian of the Lu Family even a little face?]

[Today, it had been laid bare by this eldest daughter of the Xie Clan, and no one dared make another sound.]

[The empress's eyes, like a cold pool, swept lightly over Xie Lingxuan as she said with majestic coldness, "Xie Lingxuan, you actually dare spit out such words so wantonly before Us."]

["Disaster comes from the mouth. Do you know how hard-won the Xie Clan's current standing is?"]

["And how much effort your father spent!"]

["Truly arrogant enough!"]

[The young master from the chancellor's household stood to one side. Hearing the empress's words, helplessness filled his eyes as he murmured, "Xie Lingxuan, Xie Lingxuan, why must you do this?"]

[The empress was the mother of the nation. Her every word, her speech, had already nailed the coffin shut on this matter, leaving no room for doubt.]

[Su Yue's eyes were already filled with tears. Her cousin was truly far too reckless.]

[Xie Lingxuan stood in the middle of the hall and spoke no more.]

[She was silent for a moment, then finally spoke slowly. "If words from the bottom of one's heart cannot be spoken, then let it be that I, Xie Lingxuan alone, know my mistake."]

[However, Princess Consort of Han Zhou Jinyu had no intention of letting the matter end here.]

[She gently stroked the sleeve of her cloud-black garment and said with a brilliant smile:]

["One person's mistake? Aren't those words spoken a little too lightly?"]

["This palace remembers that the Xie Clan's daughter and the Young Guardian once had a betrothal agreement?"]

[Her words struck at the heart.]

[If Xie Lingxuan's words just now were not enough to place the Xie Clan on the road to death, then if they truly became entangled with the Lu Family, the consequences would be unimaginable.]

[They might even implicate the Lu Family.]

[Xie Lingxuan was finally moved. She stared fixedly at Zhou Jinyu and said with resolve, "What Xie Lingxuan said has nothing to do with anyone else."]

[However, Princess Consort of Han ignored her and instead cast her gaze toward you.]

[She smiled brilliantly and said, "Young Guardian, do you think this matter is merely Miss Xie's fault alone, or is there some other hidden truth?"]

["Or perhaps, Young Guardian, are you the same as Miss Xie, believing that His Majesty's past act of going south for peace negotiations was wrong?"]

[The moment these words emerged, the entire hall fell silent.]

[Six years ago, when the Lu Family Army was at its peak, the Lu Family Army led by Lu Chen, Grand Marshal of the northern armies, swept aside all before them and shook the four directions with their might.]

[Even the current sage sovereign had never asked this question directly and without restraint to his face.]

[Yet times had changed. The Lu Family Army had long since become passing clouds and smoke, and you, the former Young Guardian, had become a mere Daoist priest.]

[Matters of the past were raised again in the present morning, resurfacing once more at this moment.]

[Everyone held their breath, expecting you to give a clear answer.]

[Her Majesty the empress also raised her head at this moment and fixed her gaze on you, her eyes flashing with a light of expectation.]

[This was a question that even the current emperor had never asked directly.]

[Once, in the dead of night, His Majesty had asked and answered himself alone by his pillow, "Going south for peace negotiations—Young Guardian Lu, do you ultimately think it was right or wrong?" However, the current emperor had never once mentioned it to Lu Chen face-to-face.]

[You merely smiled.]

[You looked toward everyone, and your mind had already formed its calculations. You had a reputation for knowing people; to you, everyone's thoughts were like a bright mirror.]

[And so... you decided.]

1. If you agree with going south for peace negotiations, you can win Zhou Jinyu's favor, but Xie Lingxuan's situation may become even more difficult.

2. If you oppose going south for peace negotiations, you yourself will also encounter other trouble, Zhou Jinyu's favor will be halved, and Xie Lingxuan's crisis will still not be resolved.

3. Bitterly scold Xie Lingxuan; she can extricate herself from this crisis.

4. Praise Zhou Jinyu; she will fall for you.

5. Praise Xie Lingxuan; her favor toward you will increase, and she will fall into a desperate strait, a certain-death situation.

6. Personally participate. (1/3)

The light curtain above the cauldron flowed, and five options slowly appeared.

Yu Ke was somewhat surprised.

In the past, such options had only been three or four, yet at this moment, new variables had unexpectedly been added.

Yu Ke knew very well that behind every option lay countless strands of cause and effect, like a butterfly effect where pulling one hair moved the whole body, exerting an immeasurable influence on the subsequent situation.

Every choice concerned something momentous.

He focused his mind and held his breath, carefully weighing every possibility in his heart, and finally determined that saving Xie Lingxuan was the best strategy.

In the end, he placed his choice on 3. Bitterly scold Xie Lingxuan; she can extricate herself from this crisis.

The first and second options were clearly not wise choices. If he chose them, the Xie Clan woman would still remain in crisis, and might even draw in more unnecessary trouble.

Look again!

The fourth option.

4. Praise Zhou Jinyu; she will fall for you.

When Yu Ke saw this option, all he could say was that the Second Prince's head was a little green.

The fifth option.

5. Praise Xie Lingxuan; her favor toward you will increase, and she will fall into a desperate strait, a certain-death situation.

Yu Ke could not help roasting it:

"If she's already gone, what damn use is favor!"

In this ten-year simulation of Celestial Reincarnation, he had come only to seek the Dao, and did not wish to be burdened by the court's disputes.

Yu Ke directly chose 3. Bitterly scold Xie Lingxuan; she can extricate herself from this crisis.

Following your choice.

[You lightly raised your eyes and cast them toward that woman named Xie Lingxuan. She seemed to have been speaking up for you all along, protecting your dignity.]

[The corner of your mouth lifted slightly, carrying a trace of disdain, as you said softly, "It was nothing but a paper betrothal. How could a dog daughter of the Xie Clan be worthy of me, Lu Chen?"]

["A great man lives between heaven and earth; why should he worry about having no wife!"]

[You continued coldly, "A woman like her actually dares discuss affairs of state. Has she ever known how much grain and fodder there is in the army?"]

[The moment these words emerged, even Zhou Jinyu at the side froze, and a hint of a smile immediately appeared on her face.]

[However, the atmosphere in the hall instantly changed, and the sound of discussion surged up like the tide.]

[Someone said in dissatisfaction, "Young Guardian's words are rather too harsh."]

[The eldest daughter of the Xie Clan had originally stepped forward for you, yet she was met with such cold words from you, making people sigh.]

[Su Yue's face was also filled with anger. Her cousin had done so much for you, Lu Chen, yet she was humiliated by you like this.]

[For a moment, it instead provoked sympathy. Even the empress's brows drew together slightly, as if she felt displeased by your words.]

[Only Xie Lingxuan looked toward you once more.]

[Her gaze was complicated.]

A little rushed. I'll revise the sentences later.

Tomorrow I'm getting on the expressway. Tomorrow is Tuesday, please, please keep following the updates.

Thank you, esteemed readers, for the data. I bow in thanks.