Chapter 603: 540 mutations, his tone is really cold
"You tell me, have you really stopped liking Lu Xiaoer, or are you intentionally provoking her with that Princess from country M?"
Zhongli Wuzhi rarely saw Zhongli Yuting take his affairs so seriously.
Compared to his older brother, Zhongli Heng, he resembled Zhongli Yuting more, both in appearance and personality.
Although his father is currently the head of the Zhongli Family, Zhongli Wuzhi had heard many rumors about Zhongli Yuting.
His father, in his youth, was also reckless and had countless romantic affairs.
He remained silent and did not speak.
"What exactly is the situation with you and this Princess of M country... How far has it gone?"
Zhongli Yuting asked again.
"The King has already agreed to my marriage with Chinian."
His eyes immediately narrowed, "I must have heard wrong, you have already met her father? Zhongli Wuzhi, when did you become so capable!"
"It was Chinian’s brother who brought the news back to the Royal Family. A couple of days ago, her brother told us that the King had agreed, but due to the current political situation in country M, the wedding details might need to be simplified."
"Wedding..."
Zhongli Yuting felt a suffocation in his chest, unable to release it; he took a small step forward, leaning close to Zhongli Wuzhi’s ear,
"Is the Seventh Princess already pregnant?"
"..." Zhongli Wuzhi was taken aback.
"It really is a pregnancy—"
"Dad, it’s not like that."
"Since it’s not a pregnancy, why make such a hasty decision? You and Xiaoer have been together for over half a year, and I haven’t heard you discuss marriage. How long have you known this Princess Chinian?"
Zhongli Yuting really couldn’t understand.
"I have decided on her, isn’t that enough?"
"You have decided on her?"
Zhongli Yuting looked at Zhongli Wuzhi, staring intently for several seconds, then poked Zhongli Wuzhi’s chest with his forefinger,
"Fine, since you say so, let it be. You’re already grown up, whatever decision you make, you should be responsible for it."
"...Thank you for understanding, Dad."
Zhongli Wuzhi clenched his fists.
"I haven’t understood you."
Zhongli Yuting said, "You may leave now."
"Tonight, Chinian will stay at our house, is that okay?" Zhongli Wuzhi asked again.
Zhongli Wuzhi’s expression made it seem as though Zhongli Wuzhi was utterly obsessed, and he did not even want to save him.
"If it’s inconvenient, I will take Chinian to stay in a hotel, and I will bring her over when the birthday celebration starts tomorrow."
"...Stay at home, have Housekeeper Fang prepare a guest room for her."
"Thank you, Dad."
Zhongli Wuzhi responded and then retreated without saying more.
In the current situation, Zhongli Wuzhi still audaciously claimed that their breakup was initiated by Lu Xiaoer.
What kind of person is this Princess Chinian from country M after all?
Zhongli Yutin stood on the balcony, watching as Zhongli Wuzhi led her through the backyard towards the guest room.
She looked delicate and charmingly beautiful indeed.
She appeared shy and timid, not at all like someone who could manipulate men at her will.
Hands clasped behind his back, he remembered the temper Lu Yonghuai had thrown at him over the phone, clearly as if Zhongli Wuzhi had done Lu Xiaoer wrong...
"Old Fang, come to the study."
Zhongli Yutin called the housekeeper.
Housekeeper Fang hurriedly put down his work and went upstairs into the study, seeing Zhongli Yutin on the balcony, seemingly heavy with thoughts,
"Master, did you need something?"
"Has there been any news from the Lu family lately?"
Zhongli Yuting asked Housekeeper Fang, who also was quite a well-informed person in Anlin City.
He knew all the other elite families’ butlers and servants.
Therefore, some household details unknown to the family heads were clear to these servants.
Housekeeper Fang was not expecting Zhongli Yutin to suddenly ask this and hesitated for a while...
Zhongli Yuting turned around,
"What’s the matter? Did something really happen to the Lu family?"
"Master, recently, Miss Lu Xiaoer of the Lu family fell seriously ill."
"Fell seriously ill? What illness?"
"A cold and fever, it’s said to have been caused by some shock... but she has recovered now."
That was all Housekeeper Fang knew.
"I see..."
"Master, the young master was very close to Miss Lu Xiaoer, but why did he suddenly bring a foreign princess back today?"
"..."
"Master, has the young master broken up with Miss Lu Xiaoer? Is that why Miss Lu Xiaoer got sick?"
"All right, you may go now."
"Yes, Master."
The study door opened and then closed.
Zhongli Yuting had a sleepless night.
It was certain that Lu Yonghuai would no longer be attending his birthday celebration tomorrow.
However, after the birthday was over, he thought it was still necessary to personally visit the Lu family.
————
The next morning, Chinian got up early.
She wore loose clothes and jogged in the Zhongli Family’s backyard to exercise.
Zhongli Wuzhi and Zhongli Yuting had always had the habit of training in the morning, so they ran into each other early.
Seeing Zhongli Yuting from afar, Princess Chinian immediately bowed deeply to greet him.
Zhongli Yuting nodded slightly but did not react much beyond that, clearly unimpressed by Zhongli Wuzhi’s demeanor.
Princess Chinian, sensing Zhongli Yuting’s feigned indifference, didn’t feel too upset.
She was full of vigor and energy.
Besides, Zhongli Wuzhi was always by her side.
"Did elder brother not come home last night?" Zhongli Wuzhi asked Zhongli Yuting.
"He said he would be back this morning, so he should be here any minute now."
Zhongli Yuting was swinging his arms and stretching his legs as he responded.
While they were talking, the sound of a car came from the gate. Zhongli Wuzhi looked out and saw Zhongli Heng hurriedly running over.
"Dad, Ah Zhi, I’m back."
Zhongli Heng, who resembled Lady Zhongli more in appearance, was unsurprised to see Princess Chinian—evidently, he had already known that Zhongli Wuzhi brought home the princess from M country.
"Hello, Princess Chinian, I am Ah Zhi’s brother, and it’s an honor to meet you."
Zhongli Heng extended his hand.
Princess Chinian quickly stepped forward to shake it.
"Wuzhi, you really are... impressive, bringing home the Seventh Princess of M country."
Zhongli Heng spoke casually, though his words seemed to carry a hint of teasing.
Zhongli Wuzhi didn’t seem to mind,
"Elder brother, didn’t your wife come back with you?"
"I came from afar; your sister-in-law is on her way and should be here soon."
"Elder brother, your relationship with your wife still seems so strong, truly enviable."
"If you could also focus on finding someone and sticking to them, instead of always flitting from one to another, I believe with your good looks, finding a good woman to settle down with wouldn’t be difficult."
Zhongli Heng spoke with a light smile, then quickly added,
"I’m sorry, Princess Chinian, my brother was indeed quite a playboy before, but I believe this time, since he brought you home, he will definitely be devoted to you."
Princess Chinian pursed her lips and nodded with a smile.
"However, I’m really curious; my brother usually acts so carefree, I really didn’t expect him to win Princess Chinian’s favor. Princess Chinian, what exactly did you see in my brother, haha..."
Zhongli Heng teased as he asked.
Princess Chinian licked her lips, intending to use sign language, but then realized none of them understood it.
She took out her phone, intending to type and communicate, but Zhongli Heng didn’t give her the chance, suddenly saying,
"Ah, I’m sorry, I forgot, Princess Chinian... can’t speak."
"..." Princess Chinian’s expression stiffened slightly.
Zhongli Heng showed a face full of regret and apology,
"However, I believe that not being able to speak hasn’t affected the relationship between Ah Zhi and the princess; so, brother, let me give you my blessings first."
Zhongli Heng laughed heartily.
Zhongli Wuzhi knew Zhongli Heng had come to sabotage him.
"Ah Heng, hurry and go get things ready; guests should start arriving around ten. It doesn’t matter how you brothers bicker at home; don’t embarrass me in front of others."
Zhongli Yuting reminded him.
"Yes, Father."
Zhongli Heng responded as such.
However, a rebellious sharpness shone in his thick brows and large eyes.
He inherently had hostility towards Zhongli Wuzhi.
After their morning training, Zhongli Wuzhi and Princess Chinian took a walk together.
—Your father and your brother don’t seem to like me very much.
Princess Chinian finally got to express her thoughts to Zhongli Wuzhi.
"Whether they like you or not isn’t that important. After all, even if we get married, we won’t be living with them."
Zhongli Wuzhi walked casually with his hands behind his back.
Walking beside him, Princess Chinian always felt that Zhongli Wuzhi was somewhat different from before.
—But if they don’t like me, could it affect you? I feel... your elder brother seems to have some complaints about you...
She asked worriedly.
Zhongli Wuzhi suddenly laughed,
"Xiao Qi, you really observe people very closely."
"..."
She couldn’t tell whether his words were a compliment or a critique.
She licked her lips and quickly grabbed Zhongli Wuzhi’s arm...
Zhongli Wuzhi stopped walking.
—Last night, did your father’s talk shake your resolve?
"You’re overthinking it."
—Or was it your elder brother just now...
Princess Chinian took a deep breath, seemingly suppressing intense frustrations before she looked up directly at him,
—Do you think that my inability to speak embarrasses you?
"Chinian, I haven’t said anything such; why are you having so many thoughts?"
Zhongli Wuzhi looked at her, puzzled.
—But your expression was off.
Zhongli Wuzhi stared at her, "Chinian, we are going to get married, right?"
—Of course, my brother has already spoken to our father about it, and besides, you are willing.
"Then you should get used to me, my tone when I speak, my fickle nature, and the expression I have right now."
"..."
His tone... was indeed cold.