FRGNM -Chapter 207 Making a Fool of Oneself

Damn it—she was being completely fooled!

Ling Ruoxi’s lips twitched. She wanted nothing more than to slap that woman twice. How could there be so many self-important women like this—so convinced that any man would naturally fall for them? The moment she heard that Luo Mingyu’s parents were deceased, she showed her disgust. The instant she learned he was immensely wealthy, connected with ministers of various nations, she clung to him like sticky plaster—talking as if she herself were some priceless treasure.

Ling Ruoxi snorted coldly, yet still kept a smile on her face. She clasped her hands and said with a laugh, “Miss, surely you’re joking. The Crown Prince of Duanyun Kingdom is naturally His Highness Nangong Mo—now known as Murong Mo. He and my young master once shared a life-and-death bond, and between them there was a relationship that words cannot quite explain. In Duanyun Kingdom, aside from the Crown Prince himself, even if General Lie Yun were to arrive with his twelve guardians, he would still have to salute my young master.”

After all, Nangong Mo’s affairs were known throughout the land. She herself only knew a few high-ranking court officials, and in a flash of inspiration, she conveniently steered the topic toward the very man she wanted to investigate—Lie Yun.

Jiang Xue let out a light “oh,” coughed softly, and said gently, “So the young master’s status is that exalted. I was presumptuous. Young master, won’t you invite me aboard to sit for a while? I see your complexion isn’t very good—perhaps you have something weighing on your mind?”

“Mm,” Luo Mingyu replied coldly, offering nothing more.

Ling Ruoxi raised her brows and said, “In that case, miss, please come over—but be careful. There’s some distance between the boats. Don’t slip and hurt yourself.”

“Of course not. Thank you,” Jiang Xue said with a faint smile, perfectly displaying the elegance of a noble lady. Her embroidered shoe stepped onto the boat; she placed her left foot down first to steady herself before slowly lifting her other foot.

However, the man leaning against the boat flashed a cold glint in his eyes. He deliberately straightened and leaned heavily back against the carved wooden railing. How could such a small boat withstand Luo Mingyu’s deliberate movement? Instantly, its balance shifted and tilted to one side.

Jiang Xue, just as she stepped onto the boat, leaned forward. The sudden tilt made her face change color. Knocked by the rebound force, she fell straight into the lake with a loud splash.

“Help!” The delicate young lady plunged into the water, instantly drawing countless gazes—most of them mocking. The Jiang family’s miss had rushed over first, only to end up like this.

Even the boatman panicked, quickly extending a pole for Jiang Xue to grab. Only after exerting all his strength did he manage to haul her out of the water.

“Cough—cough—!”

She gasped and coughed nonstop. Her pink garments were completely soaked, her hair ornaments askew. She looked more like a beggar than a noble lady, her eyes brimming with tears as she stared at the two people in the boat.

That sorry, bedraggled appearance bore no trace of her earlier arrogance—only foolishness remained.

“Hum—” A zither rang out.

Ahead on the lake, a small boat appeared before everyone’s eyes. A woman in a spotless white gown sat cross-legged at the bow, both hands resting on the strings, gently plucking them. Her long lashes trembled slightly as she slowly raised her head, her gaze locking onto the people before her.

The music was like a heavenly melody, drifting across the water and instantly capturing the attention of countless men. She sat there calmly, fingers lightly flicking the strings. As the final note faded, a voice as clear as an oriole’s call rang out, bringing everyone back to their senses.

“Good heavens, isn’t that Miss Qian?”

“The woman known as the number one female general of the imperial city? Even she’s here!”
“What? A female general? How come I’ve never heard of her?”

“How long have you even been in the capital? Qian Yi grew up guarding the borders with her father—bandits and rebels all feared her. Who would have thought her zither playing would be this mesmerizing? Compared to that Jiang family miss, it’s like heaven and earth!”

“That’s right—Miss Qian was the first woman ever to be granted the title of County Princess…”

The chatter spread as gazes settled on Qian Yi. The man leaning against the boat stood up and strode out of the cabin, not sparing Jiang Xue a single glance. “Miss, you are…?”

“Qian Yi. Was the tune just now played by you?” A sharp glint flashed in her dark eyes. The woman at the bow rose slowly, holding her guqin, and smiled coldly. “Do you not remember what piece you just played? Marching into Battle and Slaying the Enemy—a tune that signifies rebellion. How do you explain that?”

“Miss Qian, you must be mistaken. I merely played a tune at random. If you find it inappropriate, I have nothing to say,” Luo Mingyu replied lightly. The corner of his lips lifted as he turned to look at the little one in the boat, raising a brow at her.

Ling Ruoxi immediately understood and stepped forward, clasping her hands with a smile. “Miss Qian, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. My young master often improvises; even I heard that tune for the first time just now. Miss Qian must have come here out of concern for the state, thinking we might make some sort of move. To make up for the misunderstanding, my young master wishes to invite you to dine together at Chunfeng Pavilion.”

Then she turned to the drenched woman. “Miss Jiang, we’re truly sorry. If you don’t mind, please come along as well.”

“What? Chunfeng Pavilion—the restaurant known as the best in the imperial city? That… that requires a reservation. Right now…”
Jiang Xue froze. She had thought she’d already humiliated herself enough—never expected these people to show no disdain at all.

Ling Ruoxi simply smiled. “For my young master, it’s only Chunfeng Pavilion—no reservation needed. Miss Qian, would that be acceptable?”

“Hmph. You’d better not be playing any tricks.” Qian Yi was far less difficult than expected. Having lived in military camps for years, her temperament was rather masculine—though it wasn’t obvious at first glance. “Just in time—I’m hungry. Let’s go together.”

Chunfeng Pavilion was the most prestigious establishment in Duanyun Kingdom’s imperial city—lodging and dining combined, and the largest business in the capital. Even its name was unique.

The building was designed in a spiraling structure, so when the breeze blew, wind could be felt from all directions, giving the sensation of being carried along by it. Bells hung around the building, chiming pleasantly with the lightest breeze—audible across several streets. The gentle wind felt like spring awakening, free and soothing.

Chunfeng Pavilion—like a single night of spring wind drifting past.

Seated as honored guests, Jiang Xue had already changed into dry clothes. Yet she now looked more like Qian Yi’s maid than a noble young lady. As for Qian Yi, she was calm and decisive, needing no explanations. Perhaps it had been a long time since she’d been here—she ordered more than a dozen dishes before finally sitting down.

“This meal will probably make you bleed.” Holding a teacup and sipping Tieguanyin, Qian Yi spoke bluntly. “The bill will be at least fifty thousand taels of silver.”

Luo Mingyu spread his sleeves slightly and smiled faintly. “As long as Miss Qian is appeased, even another fifty thousand would be nothing. To me, money is merely an external possession.”

“Oh?” Qian Yi slowly turned her teacup, looking indifferently at the man across from her. “From your flute playing, Young Master Luo, it seems you’re not from around here—an outsider?”

Jiang Xue, completely sidelined and unable to join the conversation, quickly spoke up upon hearing Qian Yi’s question. “Young Master Luo is a man of status. Though his parents have passed away, he is extremely wealthy, ranking among the foremost on the continent. In every nation he knows officials of second rank and above, and—”

“I didn’t ask you. Why are you butting in?” Qian Yi slammed her teacup down, sharp light flashing in her eyes. She hated nothing more than women who prattled on endlessly. Leaning back in her chair with arms crossed, she said, “In that case, Young Master Luo can certainly afford this meal. But I’m curious—what country are you from, and what brings you to the imperial city?”

Being scolded by another woman in front of the man she liked made Jiang Xue’s face turn ugly. Her hands clenched tightly, yet she forced a smile. “Miss Qian, Young Master Luo came to Duanyun Kingdom at the Crown Prince’s invitation. I—”

“I told you to shut up! Don’t you understand human speech?” Qian Yi roared. If Luo Mingyu hadn’t been present, she would have slapped her already. This meddlesome woman—she was testing the man, and this woman kept interrupting.

Jiang Xue froze. As a sheltered noblewoman, she had never faced such domineering force. Trembling, she immediately shut her mouth, bit her lip, and cast a pitiful look toward Luo Mingyu.

Serves her right!

Standing nearby, Ling Ruoxi nearly clapped in applause. White lotus types like this needed a good slap in the face—otherwise they really thought they were something special, arrogant beyond measure.

With a soft laugh, Luo Mingyu said gently, “Miss Jiang, did that scare you? Women from the battlefield are like this—unacquainted with gentleness. Don’t be afraid…”

As he spoke, he reached out and lightly patted Jiang Xue’s back.

Then he lifted his head to meet Qian Yi’s gaze and said calmly, “Miss Qian is correct. I came here at the Crown Prince’s invitation to celebrate the Supreme Emperor’s birthday. As for what country I’m from—may I choose not to answer? Traveling the world, I’ve long forgotten which country I truly belong to.”

A trace of sorrow spread across his face as he sighed softly.

Had she hurt him?

Qian Yi didn’t understand men’s hearts. She scratched her head, looking at Luo Mingyu in confusion.

Ling Ruoxi, standing nearby, sighed and said, “Miss Qian, my young master lost both his parents shortly after birth. To rebuild his family, he left home, sold everything, and started from nothing—traveling across the entire continent. I suppose… perhaps every inch of land is his homeland now.”