Early the next morning, just as dawn was breaking.
Luo Qingwu deliberately rose early, washed up briefly, and headed straight for the main courtyard.
As she reached the courtyard gate, she happened to run into Luo Yuandao, who was about to leave.
Luo Yuandao was dressed in his official robes, his expression stern. The moment he saw this daughter who had just been brought back from the countryside, his brows instantly furrowed into a deep crease.
“Why are you here so early in the morning instead of staying in your own courtyard learning the rules?”
Luo Yuandao waved his sleeve in disgust. “Distinguished guests often visit the mansion. If your uncultured manner offends anyone, can you bear the responsibility?”
As he spoke, he looked Luo Qingwu up and down again, his brows tightening even further. “Look at the way you’re standing—there’s not a trace of a proper young lady’s demeanor. Didn’t your mother hire a governess to teach you etiquette and rules?”
The sudden barrage of scolding stirred an inexplicable sense of bitterness and grievance in Luo Qingwu’s heart, and her eyes involuntarily reddened slightly.
Was this… the lingering emotions of the original body?
Luo Qingwu sneered inwardly.
Grievance? What is there to grieve?
A father who treats his daughter as nothing more than a pawn, even capable of ruthlessly killing his son-in-law for the sake of profit, isn’t worth a single tear.
But since the tears were already welling up, wouldn’t it be a waste not to make use of them?
Luo Qingwu instantly lowered her eyelids, her voice tinged with a sob. “The governess taught me… but I’m clumsy and truly couldn’t learn.”
She sniffled, her pitiful act flawlessly natural. “After all, I’ve been adrift since childhood, struggling just to avoid starving or freezing to death. How could I compare to Sister Jin’er, who has lived in luxury since birth and received careful guidance from her parents? Naturally, she is well-educated and excels in everything.”
These words seemed like self-blame on the surface but were actually dripping with sarcasm.
However, Luo Yuandao didn’t catch on at all, thinking she was merely playing the victim. He impatiently cut her off. “Since you know you’re not as good as Jin’er, you should work even harder to learn! The Lin family will soon come to propose marriage. If you disgrace Luojia then, I will not go easy on you!”
With that, he turned to leave.
“Father!”
Luo Qingwu suddenly raised her voice, stepping forward to block his path, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes.
She lowered her voice, leaning in mysteriously. “I have something to say… about General Lin. I don’t know if I should mention it…”
Luo Yuandao paused, narrowing his eyes. “Lin Lang? What about him?”
Luo Qingwu glanced around, making sure no one was nearby, before speaking in an extremely fearful tone. “Last night… out of curiosity about what my future husband looks like, I sneaked over to the general’s mansion to catch a glimpse from afar.”
Luo Yuandao was about to angrily scold her for her shamelessness when her next words abruptly silenced him.
“But outside the wall, I faintly heard General Lin raging! He was questioning his subordinates… asking if the assassins who tried to kill him this time were sent by you, Father!”
“What did you say?!”
Luo Yuandao’s pupils contracted sharply, his face instantly darkening like water, a murderous aura emanating from him.
“What did you hear? Speak clearly!”
Luo Qingwu shrank back in fear at his expression, stammering, “I… I heard General Lin say that Father, you are about to be promoted, and you’re afraid he holds leverage over you, so you want to silence him! He also said… he also said that marrying your daughter off to him is just a pretense, meant to lower his guard so you can strike again!”
Luo Yuandao’s heart sank heavily.
Damn it!
Could it be that someone from Jingcheng is deliberately trying to drive a wedge between him and Lin Lang?
In the past, a military man like Lin Lang would never have believed it. But just at this critical moment… and he truly did harbor murderous intentions toward Lin Lang!
If Lin Lang really believed it and became wary, or even retaliated…
Lin Lang held military power in Beishuo and knew many of his private dealings. If they turned against each other, the consequences would be unimaginable!
A flash of ruthlessness crossed Luo Yuandao’s eyes.
Since suspicion had already been raised, he could no longer be left alive!
He had to act quickly!
But… as Luo Qingwu had said, Lin Lang was already on guard. Acting now would not only be much more difficult but would also confirm his suspicions. If he failed, it would be a fight to the death.
Seeing Luo Yuandao’s uncertain expression, Luo Qingwu knew the timing was right.
She promptly put on a look of considering the bigger picture and tentatively whispered, “Father, I naturally don’t believe you would do such a thing. It must be someone trying to sow discord! But General Lin is furious right now and probably won’t listen to explanations.”
“What should we do then?” Luo Yuandao, feeling agitated, instinctively asked.
“The one who tied the bell must untie it.”
Luo Qingwu’s eyes gleamed as she guided him step by step: “The reason General Lin suspects you is simply because you changed the marriage arrangement at this critical moment. He thinks you’re about to be promoted and look down on him, treating your own daughter as a pawn to discard to him—a sign that you’re burning bridges.”
“What if… we could make him feel that Father, you not only don’t look down on him but value him even more?”
Luo Yuandao frowned. “How do we make him feel that way?”
“It’s simple!”
Luo Qingwu clapped her hands, speaking with conviction. “Father, think about it. I am the true Luojia legitimate daughter, my status is inherently more honorable than Jin’er’s. If, when you marry me off, you show no neglect but instead give me the utmost respect, with a dowry even more generous than what was originally planned for Jin’er…”
She paused, observing Luo Yuandao’s expression, then added more weight to her words: “Wouldn’t General Lin feel that Father is marrying your true treasured daughter to him? Wouldn’t that prove Father’s regard and sincerity toward him?”
“As long as his suspicions are dispelled, once I marry him, I will be the best spy Father can plant in the general’s mansion!”
Luo Qingwu leaned closer, her gaze growing meaningful. “At that time, as his wife, I can help you keep a close watch on him, win him over, and even… help you find an opportunity to eliminate certain threats without shedding blood.”
Luo Yuandao suddenly looked at this daughter, whom he had ignored since bringing her back to the mansion.
Her words were clear, logical, and struck at the heart of the matter.
Not only had she analyzed the situation for him, but she had also provided a way to break the deadlock.
Although this girl was clearly and subtly asking for benefits and a dowry for herself, her thinking… was far more cunning than Luo Jin’er’s.
If she could truly placate Lin Lang, this deal wouldn’t be a loss.
After all, the dowry is fixed, but people are flexible. Once he establishes himself in Jingcheng, whether Lin Lang lives or dies would be entirely up to him?
After pondering for a moment, Luo Yuandao finally relaxed his furrowed brow, his gaze softening slightly. “I didn’t expect you to have some insight.”
“You’re right. When a daughter of Luojia marries, she naturally cannot appear shabby. Although Lin Lang’s injury has nothing to do with me, since he suspects me, even if I explain, he would never believe it. To avoid unnecessary complications, we must play this act to the fullest.”