Chapter 120 - 31: The Slacker Princess Refuses to Be Cannon Fodder

Luoyang: "Sanlang, I’m sorry. Listen to me, the reason I left was because my identity was about to be revealed. Jiang Xiong seems to know that someone is targeting him secretly and has already started investigating within the court. Sanlang, I left for your sake. Once my identity is discovered, you would be treated as an accomplice to the rebels and sentenced to death!"

"Luoyang, you always have an excuse! You left when I needed you most, and now you’ve come back for what?!"

Little Buding mimicked the tone perfectly, even capturing the vivid mannerisms, but he added too much of a Mary Sue flavor, making Murong Dun sound like an abandoned woman. Jiang Lai worried that he would say "I won’t listen, I won’t listen" next.

"I came back to explain everything clearly!"

"Then explain what that document was about? Why did the contents change? Do you know how disappointed Father was in me at that time?"

"I’m still investigating this matter. This is precisely why I had to leave. Someone must have discovered my presence and tampered with things behind the scenes, intending to catch us off guard. I suspect that person might be Jiang Ling, or it could be Jiang Lai."

Murong Dun quickly and firmly denied this.

"It can’t be Jiang Lai! What nonsense are you spouting?!"

At this moment, Jiang Lai sighed and nodded, indicating, it’s me, I’m the one who did it, and I didn’t waste my effort copying it twice with two types of ink.

"Am I talking nonsense? Sanlang, do you still deny that you’ve already changed your heart?"

"Luoyang, I don’t want to hear your explanations anymore. I’m just a useless commoner now; I can’t help you with anything. You should go. Don’t bother looking for me again."

Luoyang’s voice shook slightly, filled with pain and unwillingness.

"Have you forgotten your promise to me? We’ve known each other for over ten years, and it can’t compare to the half a year you’ve spent with Jiang Lai! Murong Dun, do you really want to betray me?"

The man hesitated.

He had been so resolute before, but after seeing Luoyang again, he couldn’t help but soften.

However, even so, he chose Jiang Lai.

He couldn’t deceive her any longer.

"It’s my fault for betraying you. If I could make amends, I would give you my life, but Luoyang, I no longer love you."

After this, Luoyang fell silent for a long time, and after a while, Little Buding started to cry with a whimper.

"Why are you acting up?"

"I’m broadcasting a live commentary."

After shedding a few tears, Luoyang stubbornly wiped them away, looking at Murong Dun with some resentment in her eyes.

"I don’t want your life; I want you to live, and live with guilt for a lifetime!"

"Aluo..."

"Don’t call me! I wish you and Jiang Lai a long and accursed life together!"

When she mentioned the curse, Little Buding visibly became excited.

"Jiang Lai, she’s cursing you!"

"It’s none of my business. She can only curse Murong Dun... But she was actually right; Murong Dun probably won’t have children in this lifetime."

"Indeed, she’s quite a fierce female protagonist."

Jiang Lai raised an eyebrow nonchalantly.

"Did you see where Luoyang went?"

"Hmm, within five kilometers, no problem. The place where she’s hiding isn’t far from you."

When Murong Dun returned, she continued to feign sleep; he didn’t get into bed but stared out the window, sleepless through the night.

It seemed there were still lingering feelings.

Jiang Lai was such a good person, she couldn’t bear to see the male and female protagonists tearing each other apart, so the next day she wrote an anonymous letter and sent it to Jiang Xiong, revealing Luoyang’s hiding place.

Relying on Luoyang to increase the Heartbeat Value was hopeless. Since she was of no use, it was better to deal with her quickly.

To prevent her from thinking all day long about how to harm herself.

Early the next morning, Jiang Lai heard from Qin Feng that the rebel’s daughter Luoyang had been captured. She had been hiding as a personal maid in the household of the Minister of Personnel’s son. Nobody knew who leaked the information, maybe it was the minister’s rival who secretly reported it to Your Majesty, and the noble circles started talking again about Luoyang’s escapades.

The son of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, Han Zhao, was truly a prodigy in the Capital Circle, renowned for his martial prowess and the accolades of a perfect archer. He had received a plaque personally inscribed by Your Majesty, bestowing him the praise of "the most exceptional under the heaven."

Besides that, Han Zhao was also famous for his remarkable appearance, distinguished and refined. Countless high-born young ladies were infatuated and crazy about him. It was rumored that the daughter most cherished by Prime Minister Wen once almost resorted to taking poison out of desperation to marry him. Yet, Han Zhao remained unattached, focusing solely on his martial pursuits.

But now it’s said that he harbored the rebel’s daughter Luoyang, making everyone wonder who on earth Luoyang could be to make a man like Han Zhao risk everything for her.

He should have occupied a high position with a promising future, but now entangled with words like "treason," made the naturally suspicious and paranoid Emperor furious. After capturing Luoyang, he locked her in the underground water prison for harsh interrogation, while the Vice Minister of Personnel was demoted by three ranks for this incident. Han Zhao was also arrested, ending up in the same underground water prison as Luoyang.

The news spread quickly; even Murong Dun, who had long ceased to concern himself with court affairs, heard about it.

No longer a Prince, Murong Dun was anxious, feeling as if being grilled alive, secretly inquiring about the matter from Jiang Lai.

"I heard she had been hiding there for a long time, and Han Zhao was deeply infatuated with her, even when the imperial guards were at their doorstep, he wouldn’t let her go. Alas... truly a couple of beautiful talents, what a pity."

Jiang Lai sighed while eating, seemingly oblivious to Murong Dun’s half-pale face.

The man forced himself to appear calm, clenching his fists, and continued to ask.

"Then how did she get caught?"

"I heard that Han’s household was entertaining guests when their arch-enemy recognized the disguised Luoyang. How exactly, I’m not sure. You know, Luoyang was actually masquerading as Han Zhao’s personal maid, serving by his side. She was quite clever to come up with such a method, but pity Han Zhao’s betrothed fiancée. Before they even married, her fiancé already had his heart set on someone else..."

This touched the deep-seated guilt and unease within Murong Dun, making him instinctively grab Jiang Lai’s hand and utter inexplicably.

"Couples are united as one; it’s Luoyang who’s too scheming."

"Oh, is that so? But I think the man is even worse. He talks upright, but in his heart, he doesn’t want to let go of the benefits on both sides. In the end, he pretends to be so deeply in love and righteous, receiving praise aplenty. I think it’s disgusting."

Jiang Lai spoke lightly, like a heavy hammer striking Murong Dun’s heart.

He was slightly flustered and, after a long silence, asked another question.

"Then what does Your Majesty plan to do with those two?"

"According to my father, the Emperor detests treason and rebellion more than anything. He, himself, was recently accused of treason. Fortunately, Your Majesty, wise and discerning, dealt with the true conspirator with wild ambitions."