1733 Secret n 1


    It dawned on Lu Jiming that he had once been engaged to Gu Chaoyan!


    If the saying was true, and if he hadn’t broken off the engagement and married Gu Chaoyan, then it would have been him sitting on the throne today, not Lord Huai!


    After all, he was the first one engaged to her, and Lord Huai only became engaged to her because of his own decision to break off the engagement.


    These thoughts flooded Lu Jiming’s mind, causing him to furrow his brow and experience a throbbing headache. A sense of unease washed over him.


    Examining the life he now led, Lu Jiming realized it was far from desirable. Duke Changning’s Mansion had been devoid of guests for over two years, and thepanionship of the young masters who used to be by his side had vanished. He no longer dared to venture outside the confines of Duke Changning’s Mansion, and even the servants who served him no longer feared him but instead openly mocked him.


    This was not the life he was meant to live. His mother had even suggested finding a bride in another province. However, he was unwilling to abandon his current life.


    If he had been the one on the throne today, Gu Chaoyan’s beauty would have made her a suitable wife, far surpassing the women in the capital. Furthermore, he could have married many other women who would have been at his disposal.


    Regret overwhelmed him as he realized the magnitude of his actions.


    Lu Jiming crouched down, clutching his head tightly, desperately trying to alleviate his own anguish.


    He had beenpletely oblivious to the existence and significance of the Phoenix Girl.


    Had he known, he would never have broken off the engagement.


    Gu Ruxue…


    It was Gu Ruxue who had constantly vilified Gu Chaoyan and schemed to make him marry her instead.


    He needed to confront her about this!


    Just as Lu Jiming was about to turn around, Madame Duke Changning grabbed hold of him. Her expression was filled with calction, regret, and disbelief. “Jiming, it was our mistake! We should never have blindly trusted the Second Lady like na?ve fools. Even if her motherter became the legal wife, she will always be the daughter of a concubine as long as the lineal daughter is alive. She is nothing!”


    ” “…”


    “Did you hear that? Gu Chaoyan is the Phoenix Girl! You should have been the King!” Madame Duke Changning sobbed, her breathing heavy and erratic.


    Lu Jiming was consumed by worry.


    Gu Ruxue had poisoned his and his mother’s minds against Gu Chaoyan, leading him to make a resolute decision.


    When Gu Chaoyan’s beauty blossomed, he had desired to take her as a concubine, but her mother had intervened and prevented it.


    Now she was crying…


    “Why are you crying?” Lu Jiming demanded, his dissatisfaction evident.


    The entire family began to argue amongst themselves.


    Onlookers assumed they were outsiders who were unaware of the significance of the Phoenix Girl, so they forgave the family and kindly exined the importance of showing respect to the Phoenix Girl.


    However, the argument triggered memories for some elderly individuals who had seen this family before.


    One of them pointed at them and said, “They are from Duke Changning’s Mansion! They broke off the engagement with the Elder Miss and mistreated her!”