LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 24 - How Could She Still Be Chaste?
Lu Ping, weary from his journey, stepped into the hall. His expression showed some fatigue, but upon seeing Luo Jinxuan, he forced a smile and gave her a reassuring look.
Li Wenfu was momentarily stunned by Lu Ping’s sudden appearance but quickly regained his composure.
With the old lady here, what could Lu Ping possibly do to turn the situation around?
Lu Ping had decided to rush to Lingzhou upon hearing that Emperor Zheng had ordered Li Wenfu to verify if the Han Marquis was pregnant. Knowing Li Wenfu well, he was certain that Li Wenfu would not pass up this golden opportunity. He wouldn’t simply ask Luo Jinxuan a few questions and then leave.
Luckily, he made it in time.
Seeing that Madam Li was about to lead Luo Jinxuan away, Lu Ping asked, “Where are you taking her?”
Luo Jinxuan quickly replied, “Uncle said he wanted Grandmother to verify my purity…”
“Grandmother?”
Lu Ping cast a sideways glance at Li Wenfu.
Li Wenfu, calm and composed, bowed slightly and said, “Grand Preceptor Lu, it has been a long time.”
Lu Ping had no interest in dealing with Li Wenfu and instead quickly searched the simulation panel for information about this Madam Li.
[Madam Li, former royal in-law, deceased Grand Marshal Li Gang’s wife. Learned and talented, she compiled thirteen volumes of history and authored ‘Precepts for Women’ as a moral guide for women, having a far-reaching impact.]
The description was quite positive, but Lu Ping had no idea what she was like in person.
Lu Ping said, “May I speak with Madam Li privately?”
Given her status, Lu Ping’s title as Grand Preceptor might not hold much sway over her. But since she had the power to decide Luo Jinxuan’s fate, he had no choice but to try to persuade her.
Unexpectedly, Madam Li shot Lu Ping a glance of disdain.
Lu Ping’s heart sank.
This was Li Wenfu’s own mother!
Everyone knew that he and Li Wenfu didn’t get along, and Madam Li had likely heard about it as well.
Who knows how many bad things Li Wenfu had said about him to his mother?
He never expected things to go awry because of an old woman!
Was this simulation destined to fail again?
Madam Li said coldly, “Whatever you have to say can wait until I’ve finished examining Xuan’er!”
Seeing his mother’s stern attitude, Li Wenfu felt a wave of satisfaction.
Lu Ping, however, was still making a last-ditch effort. “Madam Li, the Han Marquis came to Lingzhou to recuperate. Why not wait until her health has improved a bit…”
Madam Li narrowed her eyes and said meaningfully, “As the Grand Preceptor, you should be more dignified. Your anxiety could make others suspect that there’s something unspeakable between you and Xuan’er!”
This old lady had quite a sharp tongue!
She had directly shut Lu Ping down.
Realizing he had shown too much anxiety, Lu Ping glanced guiltily at Luo Yingci standing nearby.
As they watched Madam Li lead Luo Jinxuan into the inner chamber, each person was lost in their own thoughts.
Lu Ping’s heart was in his throat, clearly counting down the seconds.
Li Wenfu, on the other hand, was brimming with confidence, barely able to suppress a grin.
Luo Yingci, reminded by Madam Li’s earlier words, was now suspiciously eyeing Lu Ping.
“No, I can’t just sit here and wait for disaster!”
Lu Ping steeled himself and prepared to rush into the inner chamber.
But Luo Yingci raised an arm to block him. “Could it be that this really has something to do with you?”
“I… Chu Marquis, allow me to explain later!”
Li Wenfu took a step forward and said, “How dare you! The Han Marquis is inside undergoing an examination. Grand Preceptor, are you planning to force your way in and ruin her reputation?”
At this point, Li Wenfu had no reason to hold back.
As long as Madam Li verified that Luo Jinxuan had lost her chastity, she would lose her right to inherit the throne!
Even if Lu Ping had nothing to do with the child in Luo Jinxuan’s belly, the mere implication would be enough to implicate him.
After years of being suppressed by Lu Ping, Li Wenfu finally had the chance to revel in his triumph, and his ferocity was now on full display.
Lu Ping ignored Li Wenfu and pinned his hopes on Luo Yingci, who was blocking his way. “Do you realize that stopping me today could plunge Great Jing into endless disaster?”
If Li Wenfu’s scheme succeeded and Luo Jinxuan lost her claim to the throne, allowing the court to fall back into Li Wenfu’s hands, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to call it a catastrophe.
However, even after hearing Lu Ping’s words, Luo Yingci still showed no intention of letting him pass. The hesitation on his face lasted only a few seconds.
“Guards! Anyone who obstructs me, take them down!”
With no other option, Lu Ping had to resort to force.
Several guards Lu Ping had brought from Yan State stormed into the hall. Having never seen Li Wenfu or Luo Yingci before, they immediately surrounded the two.
Luo Yingci sneered at Lu Ping, his grip on his sword visibly tightening.
Li Wenfu tried to maintain his composure, shouting, “How dare you! Do you know who I am?”
The guards looked to Lu Ping for guidance.
Lu Ping impatiently waved his hand, “Take them all away!”
Just as Luo Yingci was about to clash with the guards, Madam Li’s voice rang out from the inner chamber.
“What is all this commotion?”
Madam Li emerged from behind the screen, holding Luo Jinxuan’s hand, and gave Lu Ping a meaningful smile.
Lu Ping frowned, looking past Madam Li to Luo Jinxuan.
Luo Jinxuan, however, kept her head down, saying nothing.
“Was it discovered?”
Li Wenfu could no longer hide his excitement and rushed over to Madam Li. “Mother, did you verify it?”
Lu Ping began to consider whether he should act decisively.
It was because he hadn’t been ruthless enough before that Li Wenfu now dared to confront him like this.
You insulting me is a small matter, but trying to harm Luo Jinxuan, my Han Marquis—if that’s the case, I won’t hesitate to take a few lives!
Throughout history, has anyone who accomplished great things not had blood on their hands?
After mentally preparing himself, Lu Ping’s guilt lessened considerably. He raised his hand, ready to give the order.
“She’s been examined. Xuan’er is still chaste!”
“Men! Arrest them all… Wait, what did you say?”
Lu Ping’s eyes widened in disbelief.
Li Wenfu was even more shocked, his jaw nearly dropping. He repeatedly asked, “Did you not examine her carefully? How could she still be chaste?”
Although it was unclear why Madam Li was covering for Luo Jinxuan, Lu Ping felt temporarily relieved and turned to Li Wenfu.
“What’s the matter, Li Youqing? Are you disappointed to hear that the Han Marquis is still chaste?”
Lu Ping radiated absolute authority, pressing closer to Li Wenfu with each step. “Or do you wish for the royal family to be shamed?”
Li Wenfu, perhaps driven by the intense emotions of the moment, suddenly found the courage and shoved Lu Ping aside. He approached Luo Jinxuan, his eyes nearly bulging out of their sockets. “Impossible! The court physicians clearly said you were three months pregnant!”
Madam Li shielded Luo Jinxuan behind her and gently said, “Didn’t I already explain? Xuan’er’s filial piety moved the heavens, and they specially granted the Luo family an heir…”
“Mother! You’re my mother!”
Li Wenfu waved his arms wildly. “How could you believe such nonsense? She must have used some trick to deceive you, I…”
Slap!
Madam Li slapped Li Wenfu across the face. “Grand Preceptor Lu, my son seems to be under some evil influence. Please have your men take him away and find a shaman to examine him.”
Lu Ping readily agreed, and with a wave of his hand, two guards dragged Li Wenfu out.
“Xuan’er, Yingci, you both leave as well. I imagine Grand Preceptor Lu has some words for your grandmother.”
Madam Li spoke calmly and unhurriedly.
Lu Ping managed an awkward smile as he watched Luo Jinxuan and Luo Yingci depart.
“Why did Madam help me?”
Considering the life-and-death situation Madam Li had just concealed for him and Luo Jinxuan, Lu Ping knew he would be ungrateful if he wasn’t more forthright.
Madam Li still spoke with a tone that indicated she didn’t particularly like Lu Ping. “You give me too much credit, Grand Preceptor. This old woman has no connection with you, so how could I be helping you?”
“Well…”
Before Lu Ping could finish, Madam Li interrupted, “I know very well what kind of person my son is. I’ve advised him many times, but he’s too stubborn. Today, I hid the truth for Xuan’er only for the sake of Great Jing’s stability, so there’s no need to thank me.”
Lu Ping couldn’t help but admire her after hearing this. “Madam’s righteousness! It truly humbles me, Lu Ping!”