Favoring a Hidden Mistress? Engagement Broken-Chapter 150 - 120

Jiangnan, Qingzhou City.

Lu Ziyuan came to Qingzhou this time on orders to investigate a case, passing through in plain sight, hence his whereabouts were not hidden in the slightest.

The God of Killing descended, and coming here as an imperial envoy, naturally sent the officials of Qingzhou into a panic. If one has a clean heart, there’s no fear of casting a shadow, but in the world of officials, who dares say they are completely untainted?

In short, everyone hopes the case will be concluded quickly, so they can send away this towering figure.

On the first day he arrived in Qingzhou, local officials moved swiftly, eagerly welcoming him with courteous hospitality.

And as for Lu Ziyuan, unlike the past where he often shouted and threatened, this time he was much more civilized, at least on the surface, granting face to Qingzhou City’s various officials.

Facing invitations from all sides, although he wasn’t accepting them all, he didn’t refuse coldly and show no courtesy. He occasionally attended banquets, and after a few months, he managed to retain some face with a few notable officials in Qingzhou City.

As for what might be happening secretly, no one knew, and no one would naively let their guard down.

After all, Lu Ziyuan had numerous advisors and countless family retainers, and plenty of people at his disposal. No one could comprehend his full plans. In just two years in office, more than a couple dozen high-ranking officials had died at his hands, thus earning the title of God of Killing.

It was close to the end of the year; Lu Ziyuan had been in Qingzhou for almost three months. This southern city, usually warm year-round, was now in its coldest period, with a chill seeping into the bones.

Yet, indoors, several windows were wide open. Lu Ziyuan sat by his desk, holding the Seal, pressing his private stamp onto a letter.

Footsteps sounded outside, as Mingjian came in with a gilded invitation card, bowing to pay respects, "Princely Heir, this is a card sent by Chen Wen, inviting you to Guangyue Building tonight for a gathering, saying it is a farewell banquet for you."

Tomorrow was the day they would set off back to the Capital. This corruption case involving the relief silver had been resolved on the surface, with more than ten officials arrested, already a case big enough to shake the court and society.

Lu Ziyuan bringing it back to the Capital would surely grant him a great merit.

It seemed to be a situation where everyone was quite happy.

Now that this God of Killing was about to leave, Governor Chen Wen was naturally overjoyed to see him off.

Lu Ziyuan’s actions did not pause, and when the seal was in place, he dried the ink and folded the letter, saying, "Send it back to the Capital City."

Mingjian received the letter, respectfully agreeing, and then anxiously wondered, "Will you go to Guangyue Building tonight?"

"Why not," Lu Ziyuan said, "Don’t worry, even if Chen Wen has his suspicions, unless he is certain that his own death is inevitable, he wouldn’t dare make a move on me."

Once he makes a move, whether he can take Lu Ziyuan’s life is uncertain; even if he does fall here, things will only escalate.

Although the Great Khan Dynasty shows signs of decline, quelling such internal troubles is almost child’s play.

...

Jiangnan is prosperous, even though early in the year it experienced chaos, with countless disaster victims, the hardships mostly fell upon the commoners, while the wealthy and noble families continued their revelry and indulgence.

In Qingzhou City, places of pleasure were everywhere, and Guangyue Building was the largest brothel in the city.

Lu Ziyuan, arrived in the moonlight to attend the banquet, barely stepping inside before two awaiting officials ushered him to the second floor.

Compared to the Northern Land, Southern girls were more enchanting and graceful, with beauties of every kind. Tonight, to bid farewell to Lu Ziyuan, almost all notable beauties in Qingzhou City were gathered here, serving the officials.

After Lu Ziyuan was seated, Governor Chen clapped his hands, and a dozen graceful, light-footed dancing girls entered to perform.

The lead dancer wore a splendid dance dress, with a thin veil covering her face, her slender waist swayed gently, revealing little besides the occasional suggestive hints of her curves accompanying her movements.

Compared to the dancers wearing only light veils beside her, she was more unique.

As the music ended, the lead dancer with a light sweat on her forehead gracefully bowed before Lu Ziyuan, delicately removed the veil beside her ear, revealing a strikingly beautiful face, and said with a breathy voice, "Xi’er greets Mr. Lu."

Her breath was sweet, her voice like a songbird, her demeanor enchanting and lovely, without the common vulgarity typical of a brothel, more like a sheltered girl from a noble family.

Lu Ziyuan, holding a wine cup, paused slightly before setting it down. The girl, perceptive, lightly raised her arms and took the pitcher to fill his cup, raising her lips in a gentle smile, "Xi’er has long heard of Mr. Lu’s fame while in the boudoir, today is fortunate to meet you, I toast Mr. Lu."

The wide sleeves of her dance attire revealed her skin as she raised the cup above her head, exposing her snow-white arms, with a bright birthmark on the inside of her right elbow particularly prominent.

Lu Ziyuan’s gaze casually swept over, and his brows raised slightly as Governor Chen commented, "My young daughter has long admired Mr. Lu, today insisted on coming, if you do not find it offensive..."

"Oh?" Lu Ziyuan seemed slightly surprised, "Is she Mr. Chen’s daughter?"

"Indeed," Mr. Chen stroked his beard and smiled, "To be frank, her mother has some connection with you, might as well let her explain."

Lu Ziyuan nodded, indifferent.

Chen Xixi, who was holding her aching arm, softly said, "My mother is from Marquis Qu Mansion, the sister of Marchioness Xuanping."

Lu Ziyuan’s fingertip, lightly tapping the desk, paused.

The daughter born of a girl from Marquis Qu Mansion, by relation, is Mrs. Zheng’s niece, Wanwan’s cousin.

How could she come to a place like this to dance?

However, recalling that Chen Wen indeed had a concubine from Marquis Qu Mansion, but due to her mother’s lowly status, she wasn’t even included in the family genealogy, Zheng Family did not acknowledge this daughter.

Unexpectedly, after entering Chen Wen’s backyard, she bore a daughter, who was now being given away.

Lu Ziyuan had seen many given daughters, but in this kind of situation, it was still the first time.

His lips curled slightly; he finally glanced seriously at the girl bowing on the ground, but in that instant, his gaze froze.

When Chen Wen saw this, he laughed and said, "Mr. Lu, do you feel a sense of familiarity? It’s not uncommon for nieces to resemble their aunts."

Nieces resembling aunts is not uncommon; but Xie Wanqing’s daughter resembling her mother is even more so.

Taking this into account, those quick to react at the table already understood.

It turns out Mr. Chen’s daughter resembles this God of Killing’s former fiancée.

Hence, this act of presenting daughters at the brothel.

After a few months, the story of Lu Ziyuan, rushing back to the Capital as fast as he could at night, pleading in the bridal room for his fiancée, had spread throughout the Great Khan Dynasty.

Who doesn’t know of his unfulfilled pursuit?

This was incredibly fitting, a direct remedy.

Everyone’s attention was focused on this moment.

The smile on Lu Ziyuan’s lips vanished; he said expressionlessly, "Raise your head."

His tone was low, and Chen Xixi’s body trembled; she slowly raised her face.