Chapter 1029: First Miss is Gone

Editor: Henyee Translations

“Don’t pretend. I know exactly what you’re thinking.” Dong Dengyu glared at Dong Denglin, wishing he could kill him with a sword.

Dong Denglin remained calm, “Have you eaten, Brother? If you don’t mind, join us for a meal.”

Xuan Louze watched the two, thinking that the Second Prince was much more composed than the First Prince. In the struggle for power, someone with the First Prince’s temperament would suffer greatly, no wonder he was losing.

The most laughable thing was that the First Prince didn’t even realize this, which was just exasperating.

Dong Dengyu, wanting to compete with Xuan Louze, naturally sat down. He seated himself next to Xuan Louze, “Is the food to your liking? If not, we can order something else.”

Xuan Louze put down his chopsticks, “Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I’ve had enough. You two enjoy yourselves.”

Dong Dengyu’s rage flared up, “Xuan Louze, what do you mean by this? I’m lowering myself to please you, and you don’t appreciate it!”

Xuan Louze ignored him and waved to Dong Denglin before walking out.

“Stop right there!” Dong Dengyu hated being ignored the most. Xuan Louze’s actions were equivalent to rubbing his face in the dirt, and he couldn’t stand it.

Dealing with someone so unaware of their position was the worst. Xuan Louze simply flew away.

Dong Dengyu fumed, “Xuan Louze, you’ll pay for this!”

Dong Denglin continued eating, uninterested in dealing with Dong Dengyu. With Chen’an essentially under his control, he had nothing to fear from Dong Dengyu. Keeping him around was just a distraction.

Dong Dengyu pointed at Dong Denglin, finally cooling down a bit. “Did Xuan Louze agree to your terms?”

Dong Denglin remained calm, “What exactly are you referring to, Brother?”

“Don’t play dumb. Just tell me.” Dong Dengyu was desperate, hating Dong Denglin’s evasiveness.

“Just as you suspected,” Dong Denglin replied nonchalantly.

Dong Dengyu slammed his hand on the table, “Damn it!”

“Brother, be gentle. If you break it, you’ll have to pay.” Dong Denglin looked at Dong Dengyu’s hand, kindly reminding him.

But his words felt like a slap in the face, as Dong Dengyu’s funds were nearly depleted. His face turned red with anger, and he stormed out, “Dong Denglin, I won’t let you get away with this!”n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Dong Denglin continued eating as if nothing had happened, a mocking smile playing on his lips.

…

Meanwhile, as Xuan Louze returned home, he encountered Chen’an’s envoy from Xia Sang Kingdom—Xia Yuncheng.

Xuan Louze recognized Xia Yuncheng, but Xia Yuncheng did not recognize him, so there was no reaction from him.

Xuan Louze thought to himself that Xia Yuncheng had quickly started participating in politics. His first task was to recruit the Xuan family to Xia Sang Kingdom, a successful move that would bolster his reputation. This showed that Xia Yuncheng was more capable than he had imagined.

Accompanying Xia Yuncheng was his senior brother, Li Yuanliang.

The head of the Xuan family personally welcomed the Xia Sang Kingdom envoy into the mansion, casting a warning glance at Xuan Louze.

Xuan Louze didn’t mind this time. He walked into the mansion with his arms crossed, thinking that if the family head knew Xia Yuncheng was his ally, his reaction would be quite amusing.

Once inside, Xuan Louze noticed many unfamiliar faces. These people were likely here to witness the ceremony.

The Xuan family was indeed influential, with many prominent families attending the succession ceremony. No wonder Xia Sang Kingdom was eager to recruit them. He would do the same if he were in their position.

Back in the Fu Dong Courtyard, Zeng Huo brought tea. “A lot of people arrived today.”

“I noticed. What do you want to say?” Xuan Louze sipped his tea.

“If we killed them all, would the Xuan family become a target?” Zeng Huo casually suggested.

Xuan Louze paused. He was now sure the Xuan family harbored treacherous intentions, but he needed evidence. If he had proof, killing them would be a good option. “Your suggestion is interesting. I’ll consider it.”

Zeng Huo withdrew.

Xuan Louze drank his tea, waiting for nightfall.

A while later, Xuan Loufei came to the Fu Dong Courtyard. “Xuan Louze, I need to talk to you.”

Xuan Louze glanced at Xuan Loufei indifferently, not responding. He disliked her self-righteous attitude.

Surprisingly, Xuan Loufei didn’t get angry. “Xuan Dong’er is with our cousin in the palace. Go bring her back.”

“What if I don’t?” Xuan Louze knew there was a catch. Why take the risk? Though it wasn’t much of a risk for him.

“Cousin said if you go, she’ll give you Grandfather’s sword.” Xuan Loufei tried to entice him.

Grandfather’s sword? Could it be something taken from the Nalan family? Xuan Louze was curious. “Fine, I’ll go, but you have to come with me.”

“I have to handle things at home. You can go alone. You’ve been there before.” Xuan Loufei didn’t want to go.

“If you don’t go, isn’t this a trap for me?” Xuan Louze deliberately provoked her.

Xuan Loufei felt guilty under his gaze. “It’s just fetching our cousin. How could it be a trap?”

“Then let’s go together.” Xuan Louze dragged Xuan Loufei along.

Unable to shake him off, Xuan Loufei had no choice but to follow.

…

As soon as they stepped out, a runaway carriage hurtled toward them, seemingly aimed at Xuan Louze. The timing of this accident was too coincidental.

Xuan Loufei was walking beside him. Just as she thought the carriage would hit Xuan Louze, he swapped their positions, ensuring Xuan Loufei faced the horses head-on.

Xuan Loufei’s eyes widened in terror. Pain exploded in her chest as she was knocked down, the carriage wheels running over her, spilling blood. It was horrifying.

Realizing what had happened, Xuan Loufei let out a blood-curdling scream, “Ah—”

Xuan Louze covered his ears. “You’re too loud. My ears hurt.”

Xuan Loufei stared in disbelief. Was this human? She was injured and should be calling for help, but he was complaining about her screaming?

The Xuan family guards had already run to get help.

Xuan Loufei’s father, Fifth Master Xuan, came out with a group. Seeing Xuan Louze, he wanted to scold him but was stopped by Xuan Louze’s expression. He opened his mouth but closed it again.

“Quickly, take miss inside.”

Carefully, they carried Xuan Loufei into the mansion. Her dignity as a noble lady was gone, and she might even end up disabled.

Xuan Louze followed them in, going to call Xuan Loulan. “Big Sister is injured. Second Sister, come with me to the palace to fetch Second Cousin?”

Xuan Loulan was fuming that Xuan Louze didn’t help Xuan Loufei. Hearing his request, her anger flared. “Can’t you go yourself?”