You Were Supposed to Simulate Fate, But You Ended Up Running Away With All the Heroines

Luo Jinxuan found it difficult to maintain her composure. Why couldn’t she refuse? Wasn’t she supposed to be in charge?

“Fine,” Luo Jinxuan accepted the situation and convinced herself. 

‘It’s not that I want to stay,’ she thought. ‘The system just won’t let me leave.’

Suddenly, small lights appeared along the riverbank, resembling stars scattered across the Milky Way. In no time, the entire river surface was covered in these lights. Seeing the self-satisfied look on Lu Ping’s face, Luo Jinxuan pouted and said, “Using something as cliché as river lanterns to win my favor, really…”

Lu Ping remained silent, simply gazing upward. Given the current production capabilities of Great Jing, arranging such a large number of river lanterns in a short time was already a significant effort. But if you thought he was just trying to create a romantic atmosphere, you’d be mistaken.

“Rise!” A sudden burst of firelight appeared on the riverbank. Around a massive bonfire, dozens of bare-chested strongmen wielded drumsticks, pounding heavily on war drums.

Boom, boom, boom.

The river lanterns, which had been floating gently on the water, suddenly rose into the air, twisting like a dragon, as if they had come to life and ascended to the sky. The drums echoed, and the flames danced, creating an effect akin to a dragon’s low growl.

The citizens of the city, hearing the commotion, rushed outside to witness this unprecedented spectacle. “May Great Jing prosper for eternity!”

Luo Jinxuan’s eyes gleamed with admiration. While it wasn’t particularly romantic, it was certainly awe-inspiring. “How did you manage this?” she asked.

Lu Ping, feigning mystery, replied, “Does the Princess really want to know?”

“No,” Luo Jinxuan responded haughtily, turning her head away. 

‘You can tell me if you want but don’t expect me to beg you for it.’

Lu Ping glanced around, then leaned closer to Luo Jinxuan, whispering, “Come closer, so no one else can hear.”

Luo Jinxuan instinctively moved closer, only to feel a sudden wetness on her cheek. “You… How dare you!” she exclaimed, realizing what had just happened. She tried to push Lu Ping away, but he quickly wrapped his arms around her.

“Daring is the least of it,” Lu Ping murmured, silencing her protest with a kiss. Luo Jinxuan’s body stiffened, her raised arms slowly dropping as the boat rocked gently beneath them, causing her to grip Lu Ping’s arm for balance.

…

Lu Ping was on cloud nine. After finally sharing an intimate moment with the Princess, he felt a deep sense of satisfaction. When he returned to court, however, he received some troubling news from the Emperor.

The Emperor first inquired about the recent boat outing. Lu Ping tried to deflect, explaining that the “flying dragon” was merely a superficial trick. 

The Emperor, seeing through his evasion, directly addressed the rumors spreading among the people about Lu Ping and the Princess’s relationship. Lu Ping remained silent, tacitly admitting the truth.

The Emperor assured him that he wasn’t opposed to their relationship, but there were rules to consider. Everyone knew the Emperor had no sons, meaning the throne would eventually be passed to one of the five Princesses. If Lu Ping married Luo Jinxuan, he would have to relinquish his position in court, as the husband of the Princess would be barred from government affairs, just like how the Empress was forbidden from meddling in state matters.

Lu Ping realized he had been too hasty. It wasn’t that he was power-hungry, but the current balance in the court relied heavily on his presence. If he stepped down, chaos would likely ensue. But marrying the Princess had always been his goal, and one shouldn’t stray from their original intentions.

After much consideration, Lu Ping decided to postpone the marriage. He needed to ensure the court’s stability before taking that step. He remembered the three thousand disciples he had gathered during his time teaching and spreading knowledge. 

While most of them were average, there were still a few who had the potential to take on significant roles. Most importantly, these disciples were completely loyal to Lu Ping.

After all, Lu Ping, known as the Dao Ancestor, was practically a deity in their eyes.

He began the process of gradually introducing them into the court. Even if he were to step down in the future, the court would still be under his influence.

[You recommended more than ten talented individuals to the Emperor, who then appointed them to various positions based on their abilities. Two of your disciples joined the Nine Ministers, while several others assumed key roles, significantly impacting the balance of power within the court. Your control over the court has greatly increased.]

With everything in place, Lu Ping decided to take a break and visit the Princess’s residence. “What the fuck!…” Lu Ping was caught off guard. There was no joyful reunion, no passionate embrace; instead, he blurted out a curse. “Has my Princess gained weight?” he wondered, noticing Luo Jinxuan’s slightly rounded belly.

Luo Jinxuan’s expression was calm, almost indifferent, as she addressed him. “The Grand Preceptor actually has time to visit me today?” 

Lu Ping cleared his throat, trying to mask his discomfort, and gestured for her attendants to leave the room. As soon as they were alone, Luo Jinxuan punched him lightly in the chest.

Lu Ping caught her hand and asked, “Why would the Princess strike me for no reason?” Luo Jinxuan glanced down at her belly, her face showing a mix of frustration and vulnerability. Lu Ping followed her gaze, his brows furrowing as he slowly realized the situation. “Is this…”

Luo Jinxuan nodded emphatically. “Well, damn,” Lu Ping muttered, his mind racing. Could it be that the waters of the Luo river had such a potent effect? One moment of carelessness, and here they were.

This was serious. While getting married and having children was a natural part of life, and Lu Ping had always planned for a big family, this wasn’t the right time. 

In the strict confines of the royal court, an unmarried princess with a child was a scandal of the highest order. Even if the Emperor had tacitly approved of their relationship, discovering that Luo Jinxuan was pregnant before marriage would be seen as a disgrace to the royal family, a crime punishable by death. And death might not be enough.

“What should we do?” Lu Ping asked.

“If my father finds out, all our years of planning will be for nothing,” Luo Jinxuan replied, her concern focused on their long-term goals rather than the immediate danger. “So, what do you suggest we do?” she asked.

Luo Jinxuan looked at Lu Ping with a mix of confusion and disappointment. He was asking her what to do? She had hoped that Lu Ping would take responsibility, but instead, he was seeking her guidance. ‘Men’, she thought bitterly.

“Just leave,” she said coldly. “I’ll handle this myself.”

[You had a disagreement with the Princess, parting on bad terms. Your intimacy has decreased.]