Chapter 58: Born Bad

Upon returning to the Gu residence, Tingzheng hurried all the way to Gu Xingwan’s boudoir, her careless rush nearly knocking over a vase.

Her flushed, breathless face was beaming with joy.

"My lady, this servant has personally delivered the letter to the Heir of the Lu family. You have no idea how lively the Lu estate is today; the entire household is busy preparing the betrothal gifts for you. This servant has never witnessed such a magnificent spectacle in all her life. It’s truly like setting off firecrackers in a chamber pot—an absolute eye-opener."

Gu Xingwan was reclining gracefully on a chaise longue, her slender body and jade-like limbs exuding an exquisite softness.

She asked with a sweet smile, "Well, the Heir didn't disappoint you, did he?"

Tingzheng picked up a cup of tea, her cheeks tinged with a rosy blush as she nodded shyly:

"My lady has such wonderful taste. The Heir is truly a dragon among men. Not only is he strikingly handsome and ethereal, but his personality is also nothing like the rumors outside. Instead, he is gentle and considerate, and he even rewarded this servant with a tael of silver. Only..."

"Only what?"

"Only... this servant heard people say that if a husband is too handsome, one must worry about him straying and misbehaving outside."

As if Lu Lan had ever behaved himself!

Gu Xingwan laughed offhandedly, "Well, if my husband were too ugly, I wouldn't want to behave myself either."

"Oh, my lady, what are you saying!"

Gu Xingwan rose leisurely. Lu Lan had not broken his word, which meant there would be no major issues with the marriage.

"My lady, you can now rest easy and wait for the Lu family to send the betrothal gifts."

Despite these words, Gu Xingwan felt a lingering sense of heaviness in her chest.

What was the reason?

She rose slowly, recalling the events concerning Lu Lan from the original novel.

Lu Lan’s only catastrophe would occur a few years later, when the original owner framed him, fabricating evidence of treason that ultimately led to the execution of his entire clan.

However, there were two exceptions within the Lu family.

One was Lu Lan, who was imprisoned in the dungeons and tortured by the original owner for twenty years.

And the other was Lu Lan’s half-brother, Lu Zhongwang.

Lu Zhongwang was spared the death penalty precisely because, among the fabricated evidence of Lu Lan's treason, he was the one who provided two rebellious poems.

The first was titled *On Chrysanthemums, Failing the Imperial Examination*:

*When autumn returns on the ninth day of the ninth month,*
*After my flowers bloom, a hundred flowers will perish.*
*The soaring fragrance will permeate Shengjing,*
*And the entire city will be clad in golden armor.*

The entire poem was fraught with boundless murderous intent, and the ambition of treason was glaringly obvious.

The other poem, *Lines on Chrysanthemums*, was even more audacious:

*The rustling western wind plants the courtyard full,*
*With chilly buds and cold fragrance that butterflies shun.*
*If in years to come I become the Green Emperor,*
*I will have them bloom alongside the peach blossoms.*

Had it not been for the two rebellious poems provided by Lu Zhongwang, even with the original owner’s lofty status as empress, overturning the Duke of Yu's Manor would not have been so easy.

Gu Xingwan sighed inwardly, "Lu Zhongwang, this brother cannot be kept around for long!"

"What did you say, my lady?"

"Nothing!"

Gu Xingwan was lost in thought. Tingzheng squatted beside her and muttered:

"My lady, when I was at the gates of the Lu estate, I ran into those two bitches, Jian Aozhu and Haitang. Haitang even slapped me across the face. But seeing the look of utter astonishment on their faces when confronted with the grandeur of the Lu family, this servant found it immensely satisfying."

Jian Aozhu?

Gu Xingwan could not afford to forget her greatest nemesis.

She was the destined female protagonist, equipped with a powerful system.

She needed to act and lay out her plans immediately, and by no means allow her to develop unchecked.

"What were they doing at the gates of the Duke of Yu's Manor?"

"What else could they be doing? Their jealousy flared up, unable to bear seeing someone else live better than them. Who knows how bitterly they must be envying you behind your back!"

It was hardly mere envy; it was sheer scheming.

Unlike the original owner's descent into darkness, Jian Aozhu was born a villain, her belly full of malice bred right in the womb.

She had no idea how the original owner had ever become bosom friends with such a poisonous scorpion, though by the start of the novel, she and Jian Aozhu already shared a deep bond.

Gu Xingwan’s gaze flickered as a person suddenly came to mind:

"Tingzheng, go to the Dragon Gate Escort Agency first thing tomorrow morning and ask them to track someone down for you."