LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 10 - Are You Interested in Me?
[Your policy debate greatly pleased Emperor Zheng, who ordered you to remain in the court to discuss state affairs.]
After the court session ended, Lu Ping stepped out of the grand hall, where the bright sun was already high in the sky.
The sunlight was almost blinding.
The officials who had been berating Lu Ping for harboring ulterior motives moments ago now had nothing but friendly smiles on their faces.
[The officials praised your recent policy debate and extended their goodwill toward you.]
Lu Ping, fully aware of the influence these officials wielded in the court, reciprocated their compliments, using the background information he had on their lives to navigate the conversation skillfully.
As he turned his head, he noticed the Chu Marquis, Luo Yingci, staring at him from a distance.
“Greetings, Princess.”
Lu Ping bid farewell to the officials and walked over to Luo Yingci.
The Chu Marquis, Luo Yingci, spoke in a cold voice, “Sir, please accompany me to the marquis’ residence for a discussion.”
‘A discussion?’
‘Wasn’t she always disdainful of scholars?’
And judging by the cold, indifferent expression on Luo Yingci’s face, it didn’t seem like she was genuinely inviting him.
“Princess, please speak plainly,” Lu Ping said calmly, his gaze sharp and perceptive.
Luo Yingci was slightly taken aback, impressed by how quickly Lu Ping discerned that the invitation wasn’t her idea.
But that was fine; since Lu Ping had already brought it up, there was no need for her to beat around the bush.
“My uncle asked me to invite you. It wasn’t my idea.”
‘Her uncle? Was she referring to Li Wenfu?’
‘So, that old fox was close to Luo Yingci too?’
‘Clever, very clever!’
Compared to Luo Jinxuan, the Chu Marquis, Luo Yingci, was less skilled in political maneuvering and easier to control.
But Luo Jinxuan was deeply loved by the emperor, so even Li Wenfu wouldn’t dare ignore her.
Thus, he played the role of a kind, loving elder toward Luo Jinxuan while maintaining a good relationship with Luo Yingci.
It was the classic case of not putting all your eggs in one basket.
And the best part was that Li Wenfu was the uncle of both, so no one could accuse him of favoritism.
But why didn’t Li Wenfu have Luo Jinxuan invite Lu Ping? Why did he send the straightforward Luo Yingci instead?
Lu Ping suddenly slapped his forehead.
‘How stupid of me.’
Li Wenfu had spies all over Luoyang, so he must have known about the encounter between Lu Ping and Luo Jinxuan when Lu Ping first entered the palace.
Today, Luo Jinxuan had publicly shown her favor toward Lu Ping in court, even asking the emperor to appoint Lu Ping to help her manage the Han Marquisate.
It was hard not to suspect that Luo Jinxuan and Lu Ping knew each other from before.
Li Wenfu, having watched Luo Jinxuan grow up, undoubtedly knew that she despised betrayal.
Now, by having Luo Yingci invite Lu Ping, Li Wenfu was sowing discord. Once Luo Jinxuan heard about this, she would inevitably resent Lu Ping.
Today’s policy debate had already made Li Wenfu feel threatened, so naturally, he didn’t want to see Lu Ping being used by the Han Marquis.
A clever and subtle way to drive a wedge.
Lu Ping had no desire to have any conflict with Luo Jinxuan.
So, going to the Chu Marquis’s residence was out of the question.
But how could he refuse?
If he blatantly disrespected Li Wenfu right after entering the court, his future steps would undoubtedly be fraught with difficulties.
Lu Ping quickly opened the simulation panel, hoping to send a quick message to Luo Jinxuan.
He needed help.
“Sir, why are you hesitating? Are you going or not?” Luo Yingci’s interruption snapped Lu Ping back to reality, causing him to only send the word “help” to Luo Jinxuan.
Lu Ping sighed, “Princess, there’s no need to rush, I…”
…
After court, Luo Jinxuan didn’t return to her residence immediately.
In the previous simulations, due to various reasons, she and Lu Ping hadn’t interacted much, only exchanging a few messages through the simulation panel.
But now, Lu Ping was close at hand, as if Heaven had shown its favor.
Now they could finally continue their previous relationship… no, plan their grand strategy.
But Luo Jinxuan didn’t want to appear too eager. After all, she was a royal princess.
If she made the first move and Lu Ping accepted, that would be fine, but if he refused, where would that leave her dignity?
Yet, she had been waiting at the palace gates for a long time, and still, there was no sign of Lu Ping.
Luo Jinxuan started to wonder, “Could he have left through another gate?”
‘How bold!’
‘I’m waiting here for him, and he just leaves without a word?’
But then she shook her head.
No, that’s unlikely.
Judging from the last two simulations, it was clear that Lu Ping was inclined toward her. He must be eager to see her too!
But why hadn’t he come to find her yet?
Just as Luo Jinxuan’s thoughts were running wild, the simulation panel suddenly lit up.
Lu Ping: “Help.”
Luo Jinxuan frowned slightly.
‘Help? What for?’
“Minister Kuai, have you seen Lu Ping?” Luo Jinxuan asked, stopping an official who had just left the palace.
The man respectfully saluted Luo Jinxuan, “Greetings, Han Marquis.”
“At ease,” Luo Jinxuan replied.
The man answered, “I just saw Sir Lu chatting happily with the Chu Marquis outside the hall.”
Luo Jinxuan nodded and waved him away.
“Lu Ping made a great impression in court today. Could Yingci be regretting sending him into the palace and is now trying to win him over?”
Luo Jinxuan seemed to understand the meaning behind Lu Ping’s “help” and ordered her entourage to wait outside the palace as she re-entered.
…
Just as Lu Ping was figuring out how to politely decline Li Wenfu’s invitation, a familiar voice called from behind.
Soft, like rain after a long drought.
“Sir, didn’t you say you would come to my residence after court to discuss state affairs?”
Luo Jinxuan’s gaze was fixed on Luo Yingci, who stood opposite Lu Ping.
Luo Yingci remained silent, raising an eyebrow at Lu Ping.
Lu Ping quickly responded, “Yes, yes, I almost forgot.”
“I promised the Han Marquis I would visit her residence, so I’ll have to decline the invitation from Sir Li.”
In one sentence, Lu Ping revealed to Luo Jinxuan that Li Wenfu had sent Luo Yingci to invite him.
With memories of the previous two simulations, how could Luo Jinxuan not be aware of Li Wenfu’s true nature?
She immediately displayed her authority as a royal princess, “Chu Marquis, please convey to Uncle that I’ve already invited Sir Lu. If he wishes to discuss state affairs with Sir Lu, he can come to my residence directly.”
“Yes, sister,” Luo Yingci, who had always shown great respect to her elder sister, nodded and left.
“Han Marquis!”
Everyone else had dispersed, and Lu Ping, having prepared himself emotionally, greeted Luo Jinxuan with a heartfelt salutation.
Luo Jinxuan, blushing slightly, turned her head away and coughed lightly, “Let’s talk inside the carriage!”
The carriage of the Han Marquis was indeed spacious and comfortable.
“Han Marquis! My dear Han Marquis!”
As soon as Luo Jinxuan sat down inside, Lu Ping rushed over, throwing himself into her arms, feigning sorrow, and passionately declaring his admiration for her and his determination to help her ascend to the throne.
Luo Jinxuan showed a hint of annoyance but didn’t push Lu Ping away, instead, she lowered her voice and asked, “Do you also remember what happened before?”
Lu Ping stopped his act and looked up at Luo Jinxuan.
What did she mean by “also remember”?
Did that mean Luo Jinxuan retained her memories from the previous two simulations as well?
That would make things much simpler.
All the effort Lu Ping had put into the last two simulations hadn’t been in vain.
“Are you interested in me?”
So direct—Lu Ping wasn’t prepared for that.
He instinctively nodded but then quickly shook his head vigorously, “I wouldn’t dare.”
Although their relationship had grown closer over the past two simulations, it hadn’t yet reached the point of sharing a bed.
Besides, Luo Jinxuan was a believer in the way of the king, and even though they had interacted twice, that didn’t mean she would immediately accept Lu Ping, who hadn’t yet achieved anything significant.