TGCFNM -Chapter 436 Fireworks!

“Bang!”

A dazzling firework exploded, the pale golden light spreading like the tail of a phoenix before gradually fading away.

Immediately after, another cluster of fireworks burst open, like flowers suddenly blooming in midair, layer upon layer, illuminating the sky in an instant.

The Wan family seemed to have endless wealth, setting off one firework after another, drawing the gaze of countless onlookers.

At that moment, Chu Ling widened her eyes in disbelief, staring at a certain spot.

She saw Chu Rou, dressed in full regalia!

Chu Rou wore a floor-length crimson Begonia gown and a set of ruby head ornaments, with a touch of red painted on her forehead.

She walked slowly, a delicate string of ruby beads barely visible around her pale wrist, and small, exquisite red beads swinging lightly by her ears.

By itself, this outfit was both grand and charming, making Chu Rou’s face appear even more breathtakingly beautiful.

The strange thing was—this was the exact outfit that the original book’s female lead, Chu Yue, had worn. And now it was appearing exactly the same on Chu Rou.

It wasn’t just Chu Ling who noticed; the other spectators watching the fireworks also saw her.

Chu Rou boldly walked onto the bridge, lifting her skirt lightly, smiling kindly at the crowd, then descended along the arched bridge toward the opposite side.

Wan Sanjin poked Chu Ling’s arm in a daze, lowering his voice: “Isn’t the Chu family still… locked up? She’s acting so openly—won’t that be a problem?”

Chu Ling: “…Probably a problem.”

Wan Sanjin let out a soft hiss, the features behind his pig mask twisting slightly. “Has she gone mad?”

Chu Ling could only pin her hopes on Young Master Xiao for now: “Maybe she’s helping Young Master Xiao, so someone will cover for her. Also, the more conspicuous she is, the less people will think she’s actually Chu Rou of the Chu family.”

Hope…

Su He looked at the two of them. “If you’re so worried, why not follow her and see?”

Chu Ling and Wan Sanjin both looked at him, then nodded.

So Zhang Dong and Xiao Hua stayed behind, preventing Uncle Hong from wandering off and getting lost. The other three, wearing pig masks, blended into the crowd. Under the brilliant fireworks, they followed the direction Chu Rou had gone.

Chu Rou then boarded a boat and stood on the deck.

A gentle breeze caressed her, her garments fluttering—a true portrait of a beauty under the moonlight.

But very few people paid attention. After all, the fireworks from the Wan family were far more impressive and ongoing, showing just how wealthy the Wan family truly was.

Wan Sanjin also arranged a boat from the Wan family. The three of them hid in the cabin and followed the first boat forward.

After a while, Chu Rou stopped and boarded an even larger ship. Standing at the side was none other than Young Master Xiao.

Chu Ling and the others couldn’t follow any closer and had to act like other small boats, pretending to admire the scenery while drifting nearby.

Chu Ling glanced at Bai Su.

After testing the distance, Bai Su maneuvered her small boat closer to the large ship, observing Chu Rou and Xiao Lengjue as they spoke.

“I told you, His Majesty will definitely grant you and Sun Yingshou a marriage. She will be your rightful empress, and the one you hold in the highest regard. She’s a good person and will treat everyone with kindness and generosity.”

There was love in Chu Rou’s eyes—she truly loved Xiao Lengjue.

Xiao Lengjue smiled faintly. “So everything you said was true. In the end, did you marry me?”

Chu Rou’s cheeks flushed slightly, and she nodded shyly. “It’s just that my elder sister was somewhat unhappy… she even… hurt me, hurt many others, and you… hurt her too.”

Xiao Lengjue thought of Chu Yue, whom he had only seen a few times in childhood, and turned his head indifferently.

He had no feelings for her; they never spoke after growing up. Besides, he had heard she was foolish, unable to play the zither, play chess, paint, or write. Compared to that mad third young lady, she probably only surpassed her in being sane.

Seeing Xiao Lengjue’s expression, Chu Rou felt a bit reassured. “Originally, this lantern festival was arranged by Chu Yue after using your achievements to save the Chu family. It was also meant to show loyalty to His Majesty.”

Xiao Lengjue sneered coldly. “Then her scheme was a miscalculation.”

“After the blessing lantern festival, some of the younger generation of the Chu family caused trouble, but now they won’t. The Chu family is still imprisoned…”

Chu Rou carefully glanced at Xiao Lengjue’s expression, then lowered her gaze with a sad tone. “After I was adopted at six, I really wanted to repay them properly.”

“At the time, you were supposedly sent to be raised as a lady on the estate,” Xiao Lengjue said coldly. “But in reality, you were adopted intentionally, so that in the future, you could die in place of Chu Yue.”

“Yes… they said they were treating me well, yet they could never truly accept me,” Chu Rou whispered.

She still remembered that day when Chu Yue called her over, asking her to get close to Deputy General Ge. Because Deputy General Ge liked her, just approaching him would reveal how many horses and soldiers they had, allowing Chu Yue to conquer him with minimal forces.

Chu Yue even said that Deputy General Ge was a good man—honest and loyal, though from another faction—and promised that after everything was done, they would arrange a marriage.

But she didn’t want it. She absolutely, utterly didn’t want it!

Why should she marry that rough brute? The one she loved had always been the honorable Heir Xiao. Yet because of Chu Yue’s command, she had to marry him, since in Chu Yue’s eyes, she and Deputy General Ge were the ones who “matched.” She was unworthy of Heir Xiao.

But no one expected things to change so quickly.

Because the third Miss Chu, whom Chu Yue had shot, seemed to have a special status, the empress position originally meant for Chu Yue went to Sun Yingshou instead. This gave her the chance to enter the palace, accompany Chu Yue, and get close to Xiao Lengjue.

In this life, there is no Chu Yue—only Chu Rou.

She would surely accompany Xiao Lengjue in the palace, and the Chu family would never see freedom again!

“Do you hate the Chu family?” Xiao Lengjue suddenly asked.

Chu Rou opened her mouth, then let out a bitter laugh. “I both hate and can’t let go… After all, although their kindness was self-serving, it was still care and protection I had never experienced.”

“Don’t worry. Once my grand plan succeeds, I’ll arrange for Chu Yue to marry far away to Dayuan in your place. That will be your revenge,” Xiao Lengjue said.

Chu Rou’s face lit up, and she quickly lowered her gaze, whispering, “Thank you for your concern… Actually, sending Chu Yue far away is better. If she remained in the harem, who knows how many innocent children she’d kill out of jealousy.”

Xiao Lengjue’s eyes darkened. One more or one fewer in the harem didn’t matter—but anyone who harmed his heirs could not remain.

“By the way, the Nangong family still has concerns, and His Majesty hasn’t yielded either. Perhaps Nangong Rong is scheming behind the scenes; he cannot be allowed to remain,” Chu Rou’s expression grew cold. “Also, with the sudden resignation from the Shangguan family, the harem would be short one consort, so we need someone from the Xuanyuan family. To gain the full support of the great families, a consort from Xuanyuan must also be appointed.”

“With the support of the great families and Grand Tutor Sun’s influence over scholars across the realm, the heir might ascend smoothly without drawing swords,” Xiao Lengjue smiled in satisfaction, gesturing for Chu Rou to enter the cabin.

Suppressing her excitement, Chu Rou stepped slowly and followed him in.