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

“It’s not that I don’t care,” Luo Jinlan explained, “but I can’t do anything about it. I don’t know how to wage war. If Uncle really is planning a rebellion, Father won’t just sit back and do nothing. The whole of Yan will be engulfed in war. I’d better hide for now and return once the fighting is over.”

It seemed like Luo Jinlan’s intelligence was suddenly working, but not completely.

“What if Li Wenfu succeeds in his rebellion?” Lu Ping asked.

“If Uncle really does seize power, well, he’s still my uncle, right? He shouldn’t do anything to me,” Luo Jinlan replied dismissively. “Father is too stubborn. The Jing Dynasty is vast. If Uncle wants something, he could just give it to him. Why push Uncle to the point where he has to secretly plot a rebellion? After all, we’re family.”

Hold up!

Lu Ping felt that, as the Grand Preceptor, he had a responsibility to stop Luo Jinlan’s nonsense.

This wasn’t just a matter of understanding; this was a matter of principles.

What did she mean by, “Just give him what he wants?”

Did she not understand that this was a feudal monarchy? Did she have any idea how sacred royal authority was to the emperor?

“Yan Marquis, I just remembered that I need to give some instructions to my subordinates. Please, rest early,” Lu Ping said, cutting the conversation short.

All that effort, and it felt like he was just complicating things. It would’ve been better if he hadn’t come at all.

…

But Lu Ping underestimated Luo Jinlan.

She mulled over the things Lu Ping had said.

‘Why did he tell me all this?’

‘What does royal authority have to do with me?’

‘I’ve never wanted to seize power, and even if I did, I have two elder sisters. It’s not like it would ever be my turn.’

‘So why did Lu Ping talk to me instead of the Han Marquis or the Chu Marquis?’

And then she recalled the part where Lu Ping mentioned being worried about her getting hurt.

Luo Jinlan’s face flushed with a mix of shyness and realization. “Since you’re so concerned about me, I’ll do as you say.”

And so, without Lu Ping’s knowledge, Luo Jinlan ordered all of Li Wenfu’s associates, including Strategist Ji, to be sent back to Luoyang.

After sending them off, she gleefully ran to Lu Ping to show off her accomplishment.

“I followed your advice and sent all of Uncle’s people packing!”

Looking at the expectant gaze in Luo Jinlan’s eyes, Lu Ping was at a loss for how to praise her. All he could do was force a smile and give her a thumbs-up.

‘Amazing!’

Sending them directly back, doesn’t that basically tell Li Wenfu outright that Lu Ping has meddled in Yan?

Li Wenfu’s collusion with the Di barbarians to stir up trouble in Yan was already something that could be anticipated.

Lu Ping had already set up several measures, intending to use the situation to his advantage and completely eradicate the Di barbarians.

But now, Luo Jinlan had startled the snake, cutting off Li Wenfu’s plan to disrupt Yan.

Who knew what Li Wenfu might plot next?

Lu Ping’s first thought was of the Han Marquis.

Li Wenfu would surely anticipate that Lu Ping would report the situation in Yan to the emperor upon his return to court. To protect himself, Li Wenfu might accelerate his plans against the Han Marquis.

If the scandal of the Han Marquis’s secret pregnancy leaked, the emperor might prioritize that over investigating the rebellion.

After all, the rebellion had been quelled and could be dealt with later.

But the reputation of the royal family was at stake, and the emperor would undoubtedly conduct a thorough investigation into the Han Marquis’s situation.

“Has the Han Marquis arrived in Lingzhou yet?” Lu Ping asked as he sent a message to Luo Jinxuan.

But a long time passed with no response from Luo Jinxuan.

As Lu Ping began to panic, fearing his plans had failed again, a reply finally came.

“I just took a nap. The bumpy road these past few days has made me nauseous. I’ve been feeling really unwell.”

Lu Ping was about to suggest she eat something sour to help with the nausea, but before he could send the message, Luo Jinxuan added more.

“Yingci found some sour fruits for me along the way. I feel much better after eating them, so don’t worry.”

“The Chu Marquis knows?” Lu Ping’s heart skipped a beat.

As expected of someone skilled in martial arts, her sharp eyes didn’t miss a thing!

“She probably suspects it, but I’ve already told her not to say anything. She shouldn’t tell anyone,” Luo Jinxuan replied.

‘Naive!’

Lu Ping couldn’t help but think how naive she was.

Just because you told her not to say anything, you think she’ll keep quiet?

Don’t forget, if the Han Marquis falls, the Chu Marquis becomes the Jing Dynasty’s first in line to the throne!

Of course, the Chu Marquis, Luo Yingci, wasn’t ambitious.

But what if Li Wenfu got involved and started brainwashing her with talk of royal duty and honor?

Given Luo Yingci’s straightforward nature, she might not cause trouble herself, but she could still inadvertently spill everything she knew to Li Wenfu!

Once Li Wenfu learned of Luo Jinxuan’s pregnancy, he wouldn’t even need to push for action. Simply spreading the news would be enough to ruin her.

Lu Ping quickly pulled up Luo Yingci’s character profile, hesitated, and then sent her a message.

“I hope your journey to Lingzhou with the Han Marquis has been pleasant?”

Luo Yingci’s reply was just as slow as Luo Jinxuan’s. Night had fallen by the time Lu Ping received a response.

But she didn’t answer his question. Instead, she asked something entirely different.

“Lu Ping, I have something I need help with. Could you give me some advice?”

Lu Ping wasn’t sure what she was up to. Considering she had looked down on him before, why would she now be seeking his counsel? Keeping it brief, he replied, “Sure.”

It seemed she was gathering her thoughts because it took her a while before she responded.

“According to Jing law, how should a princess be dealt with if she’s caught in an illicit affair and becomes pregnant out of wedlock?”

A cold sweat broke out on Lu Ping’s forehead. “Matters of the royal family are not something I dare comment on.”

Luo Yingci responded, “Speak plainly. I promise to keep it confidential.”

Lu Ping wiped the sweat from his brow.

Based on her wording, she likely hadn’t figured out it was him.

In other words, she suspected Luo Jinxuan was pregnant but didn’t know who the father was.

If she knew, she wouldn’t be asking him for advice.

Lu Ping replied, “According to Jing law, dishonoring the royal family warrants the death penalty, and three generations of the offender’s family would be executed.”

“I was asking what happens if a princess is pregnant out of wedlock!”

“Her title would be stripped, and she’d be demoted to a commoner.”

“I see. You must not speak a word of this to anyone, or I will have you torn to pieces!”

Lu Ping felt slightly relieved.

Since Luo Yingci was adamant about keeping it quiet, it meant she was trying to hide Luo Jinxuan’s pregnancy.

At least for now, Luo Jinxuan was safe.

But what about in a few days? What if Li Wenfu asked and Luo Yingci accidentally let something slip?

“Never mind, my wife’s safety comes first!”

Lu Ping sent for Lu Heng, instructing him to stay in Yan to manage the aftermath while he rushed to Lingzhou, hoping to find a way to keep Luo Yingci silent.

But he hadn’t anticipated that the Di barbarians, who had previously been in hiding, would suddenly make a move.

Yes, the Di barbarians had fled when they had five thousand rebels backing them, but now that those rebels had surrendered, the Di barbarians were attacking again.

It didn’t make any sense.

It seemed that Li Wenfu had gotten wind of what was happening and was trying to keep Lu Ping tied down in Yan!

“Li Wenfu, you’ve pushed me too far!” Lu Ping muttered through gritted teeth.