Chapter 9: I Want to Retire

When Lanyu heard Lanyan Rou's words, her expression changed. Prince Yi was the most beloved among the emperor's many sons, and he had been raised under the empress's care. Since the empress had no children of her own, she cherished Prince Yi like a treasure.

Could it be that she had gone mad from a serious blow, to say such things?

"Rou'er, are you saying... that you want to annul the engagement with Prince Yi?" Lanyu tentatively asked.

Among the onlookers, apart from Lanyu's shock, Sujin also couldn't believe her ears. She knew very well how deeply her mistress loved Prince Yi. If not, she wouldn't have attempted suicide when she heard about Prince Yi's premarital affair.

What had gotten into her mistress to say such things? Looking at her mistress's demeanor, it didn't seem like she was lying. What was she thinking?

Upon reflection, Prince Yi's actions, which had nearly cost her mistress her life, proved that he was unworthy of her.

As Sujin pondered, Lanyan Rou's clear eyes glanced at Lanyu and said, "Prime Minister, you heard me right. I do want to annul the engagement. Prime Minister, I do not fancy Prince Yi, and he does not fancy me. Forcing us together will not lead to happiness, and it goes against the late empress's wishes. It is also disrespectful and unfilial to the late empress. I am going to the General's Manor of Huwei now, hoping to annul the engagement with Prince Yi. I also wish Prince Yi and Miss Qin happiness. I hope Prime Minister can facilitate this and prepare a horse for me."

Upon hearing this, Lanyu furrowed his brows slightly and angrily said, "Throughout history, a woman's marriage has always been arranged by her parents and matchmakers. How can you act so recklessly? Moreover, your engagement with Prince Yi was arranged by the late empress. Even if Prince Yi was at fault, we, as high-ranking officials, cannot act recklessly!"

Upon hearing this, Lanyan Rou seemed to have anticipated Lanyu's response. She raised the corners of her mouth in a cold, mocking smile. Although Lanyu had close ties to the current empress and the Duke of Liangguo, his own efforts were also essential. However, over the years, he had been ingratiating himself and had still become a loyal dog of the royal family.

"Prime Minister, you are indeed loyal to the court. Even after being slapped on the left cheek, you offer the right cheek. You would rather bring shame to the Lanyu family's ancestors than not curry favor with the royal power. You truly live up to your reputation as a man of benevolence, righteousness, and morality!"

Lanyan Rou's eyes were full of disdain, and her words were full of sarcasm. She glanced coldly at Lanyu, causing his face to stiffen, as if he had been thrown into an ice hole in the dead of winter, his face flushed with shame.

Jun Mo's lips curled slightly, and she looked at Lanyan Rou with a smile that was not quite a smile. Although she spoke little, her words cut to the heart, exposing Lanyu's true nature. Just now, Lanyu had been preaching about benevolence and righteousness, placing filial piety above all else. But now, her words revealed him to be a hypocrite.

If Lanyu did not comply, once the truth came out, he would never be able to hold his head high in the country of Shangyun.

"Rou'er is right, Prime Minister. You should think twice before acting!" Jun Mo chimed in, clearly enjoying the spectacle and even affectionately calling her "Rou'er."

Lanyu's lips twitched slightly, and a glint of cunning flashed in his eyes. With so many guests present, he had already lost face. If he continued to insist, he would be seen as a man who sold his daughter for glory.

Seeing Lanyu's lack of response, Jun Mo smiled coldly and put her finger to her mouth, whistling. In no time, a majestic white horse galloped into the backyard of the Prime Minister's residence.

Lanyan Rou glanced at the white horse and felt that it was a rare breed, much like its owner.

"Rou'er, ride my Bai Guang," Jun Mo said, walking up to Lanyan Rou and handing her the reins with a slight smile.

Without hesitation, Lanyan Rou took the reins from Jun Mo and leaped onto the horse's back, displaying a skillful and practiced movement that was far from the demeanor of a sheltered young lady, but more like a seasoned female warrior.

Dressed in red, she fluttered in the wind, resembling a blooming spider lily. With a kick of her feet, Bai Guang shot forward like a bolt of lightning, and she, trailing behind, seemed like a cluster of blooming spider lilies.

Relying on her memory, Lanyan Rou soon arrived outside the General's Manor of Huwei. As she looked at the two wedding processions, she narrowed her eyes.

Today, Qin Muxue was marrying Yuwencè, the second young master of the Yuwen family. However, Mo Chenyi had to meddle and compete with Yuwencè for her hand, rejecting his own beautiful wife and trying to take Qin Muxue for himself.

Lanyan Rou spotted Mo Chenyi sitting on his horse, and with a faintly furrowed brow, she couldn't help but sneer inwardly: Such a heartless man had caused her death, and now he wanted to take a beauty home. Today, she would show him how formidable she could be!