FRGNM -Chapter 208 Gathering Information

“So that’s how it is. Many thanks, Brother Ling. Young Master Luo, please forgive my abruptness. But tell me—have you entered the Lotus Pool to choose a woman you fancy?” Qian Yi asked, a glint of interest flashing in her eyes.

She was not a sheltered lady from the inner chambers, the kind who would grow shy and tongue-tied.

The teacup in Luo Mingyu’s hand trembled slightly. He looked up at the person opposite him and nodded. “That’s right. I’m here to find my future wife.”

“Good.” Qian Yi said frankly. “I see that Young Master Luo moves lightly, makes no sound when he walks, and understands formations and battlefield killing music. You must have lived on the battlefield before and studied martial arts. Three days from now, I, Qian Yi, will hold a martial contest to choose a husband—no Dou Qi allowed, victory decided by bare fists alone. If you’re interested, you may participate. If you win, you’ll be my husband!”

She didn’t harbor any ill feelings toward Luo Mingyu. She simply felt that the man before her carried an unfathomable air.

Unlike those love-struck girls who only cared about looks, she valued men who were both cultured and skilled in combat. What she liked was someone she could defeat—or who could defeat her—in martial arts. Regardless of appearance, she was willing to gamble once.

That said, Luo Mingyu’s stunningly handsome face truly did make her eyes light up—but that was only a first impression. Whether he was soft fruit or not would be known after a test.

“No!” Jiang Xue immediately grew anxious, her face flushing red. She had finally set her sights on this man—how could she let him slip away so easily? Besides, he was wealthy and knew many officials at court!

He had power, money, talent, and looks—top-tier in every way. If he fell into the hands of this mannish woman, who knew how many women would cry themselves to sleep!

“Hehe.” Luo Mingyu chuckled softly. “I’ll definitely visit and see Miss Qian’s martial contest.” He tilted his head toward Jiang Xue and nodded slightly. “Miss Jiang, I also hope you’ll take good care of yourself. Don’t catch a cold.”

As he spoke, he hooked his right hand, gently pulling up her slipping outer robe, tucking her loose hair behind her ear. That gentle smile pierced Jiang Xue’s heart like Cupid’s arrow, leaving her staring blankly at him.

Wasn’t this exactly the kind of gentle man that young women adored?

With a whoosh, Jiang Xue’s face turned completely red. She deliberately avoided Luo Mingyu’s gaze, yet couldn’t help glancing up now and then to steal a look at the domineering man.

Seeing all this, Qian Yi didn’t mind at all. Resting her chin on one hand as if watching a show, she turned her gaze to Ling Ruoxi standing nearby. “This Brother Ling looks rather thin and delicate, with a hint of femininity. Could it be that Young Master Luo is hiding a beauty in a golden house and brought a lady here?”

“Miss Qian,” Ling Ruoxi said, clasping her hands casually, her tone turning unpleasant, “I’ve always been in poor health, but I am truly a man. If you don’t believe me, I can remove my clothes for your inspection, just to preserve my young master’s reputation.”

From a man’s perspective, being mistaken for a woman was never pleasant.

Still, Qian Yi truly had sharp eyes. Ling Ruoxi had prepared thoroughly, yet Qian Yi still sensed her true gender. As expected of a woman who lived year-round in military camps—able to distinguish men from women at a glance.

Qian Yi merely smiled faintly without exposing the truth, leaning back in her chair as she waited.

“Young Master Luo, I…” Jiang Xue parted her lips, her face burning red. She gently placed a sachet on the table and said softly, “This is a gift from Xue’er. Please accept it.”

“It smells lovely,” Luo Mingyu said with a light smile, picking up the sachet. “Made from lotus petals, I presume? Blending the fragrance of lotus into various herbs, with a touch of spices added—pure and spotless, just like you, Miss.”

Truthfully, the mixed scent almost made him want to gag.

Anyone who truly understood lotus knew its fragrance was very faint. Even dried and placed into a sachet, it rarely carried much scent. That was why no one used lotus petals for sachets; instead, they chose flowers like wintersweet. This sachet was far too pungent.

If Jiang Xue weren’t here, he would have tossed it away immediately.

“Thank you for the compliment, Young Master,” Jiang Xue said shyly. “Lotus itself has no scent—I added some fragrance, that’s why it smells so strong. So… does that mean you’ve accepted my sachet?”

A glint flashed in Luo Mingyu’s eyes. Leaning back in his armchair, resting his chin on one hand, he said with a half-smile, “Miss Jiang, we’ve only met once. Are you really entrusting your entire future to me so easily?”

“Do you… not wish to?” Jiang Xue looked up in surprise, forcing a bitter smile. With Qian Yi here, how could she possibly compete? That woman was both learned and skilled in martial arts—even if she was too masculine, her striking beauty made up for it.

Shaking his head lightly, Luo Mingyu smiled. “I still don’t know your family background. Besides… you must also be aware of the current situation in Duanyun Kingdom, yes?”

A flash of cold light burst from Qian Yi’s eyes. She straightened up, watching Luo Mingyu warily.

Jiang Xue looked at him in confusion, not understanding his meaning.

Leaning back, Luo Mingyu ignored Qian Yi’s gaze and tapped the table lightly. “Although I came to the capital at the Crown Prince’s request to celebrate the Supreme Emperor’s birthday, anyone with sense knows this birthday celebration isn’t simple. The current emperor has strayed from the righteous path, indulging daily in the harem. The Crown Prince is the best candidate to succeed him. It’s said that when the Crown Prince first entered Duanyun Kingdom, he was merely the eldest imperial grandson, far from today’s status. It was the current Supreme Emperor who promoted him and named him Crown Prince, with clear intent to pass on the throne.”

“But what does this have to do with us?” Jiang Xue asked, completely lost. Wasn’t this supposed to be matchmaking? Why had it turned into court politics?

Qian Yi, however, understood perfectly. Her hands clenched tightly inside her sleeves as she waited for the man’s conclusion.

With a faint smile, Luo Mingyu said indulgently, “Xue’er, if you don’t understand, just listen on—you’ll get it. Miss Qian, I believe you already understand, don’t you?”

He continued lazily, “Nowadays, who in court truly values this suddenly appearing Crown Prince—especially one born of a princess abroad and left behind in another country? Duanyun’s court officials are divided into two factions: one supports the current Crown Prince, while the other aligns with General Lieyun, the most influential minister at court.”

“During my travels, I heard that General Lieyun is a fierce general of Duanyun Kingdom, unmatched in military strategy—capable of winning with fewer troops, even sitting as an equal to the current emperor. Over decades, some officials have come to support him. Publicly, General Lieyun claims it’s merely personal loyalty, but those of us on the outside know better. The drunkard’s interest is not in the wine. Now that the world is split in two, my stance should be clear—I support the Crown Prince.”

Sharp light flashed in Luo Mingyu’s eyes, though his posture remained relaxed.

Even if Jiang Xue were foolish, she could now understand. Her face turned pale, her hands clenched tightly as she stared nervously at him.

Turning to the petite woman beside him, Luo Mingyu smiled faintly. “So, my marriage naturally cannot be with the daughter of my enemy. Xue’er, if your father supports the Crown Prince, I’ll immediately go to your home to marry you. In the future, not only second-rank officials of Duanyun Kingdom, but even the great nations of the continent would have to salute you with three bows and nine kneelings.”

“I…” Jiang Xue’s expression darkened. Just as Luo Mingyu said, her father truly supported Lieyun. Convincing him otherwise would be nearly impossible. What was she supposed to do?

She couldn’t possibly miss out on a man who seemed like a god descended from the heavens.

Soft laughter echoed in the private room as the waiter pushed the door open, served the dishes, exchanged a few polite words, and left.

Staring at the table full of food, Jiang Xue found she couldn’t eat. Only after forcing herself to take a few bites did she regain some appetite and hurriedly picked up more food.

“Xiao Ling, sit down and eat too,” Luo Mingyu said casually, pulling out a chair and grabbing Ling Ruoxi’s wrist, forcing her to sit. “At home or outside, we’re brothers. No need for formalities. I, Luo Mingyu, am not someone obsessed with appearances. If you treat me sincerely, I’ll return it without reservation.”

Ling Ruoxi twitched at the corner of her mouth. She had never seen Luo Mingyu be this cheesy—goosebumps rose all over her body. Smiling lightly, she said, “Yes, Young Master. Please enjoy the meal.”

After wiping her mouth, Qian Yi stood up indifferently. “Young Master Luo, you’ll come to the martial contest in three days, right?” With that, she turned and left.

Jiang Xue, however, shamelessly stayed behind. After eating until she was about seventy percent full, she looked pitifully at Luo Mingyu. “Young Master Luo, I… I’ll definitely persuade my father to support the Crown Prince when I return home. Please… please wait for me. Is that okay?”

“At most three days,” Luo Mingyu replied softly. “It’s not even necessary for your father to support His Highness. It’s just that… this time in Duanyun Kingdom, I’m bound to the Crown Prince. If I marry you, General Lieyun’s people may target you. Unfortunately, I don’t yet know which officials support Lieyun. When the time comes, you must stay close to me—I’ll protect you.”

Genuine light shone in his eyes as he lifted Jiang Xue’s chin, gazing at her “deeply.”

In that instant, Jiang Xue’s face flushed red again. She answered softly. So this man truly cared about her… she…