The Confrontation

Yuan Wei smiled politely and bowed slightly to Lu Xian. He said, "Thank you for your kindness, your highness. I'm here to see my daughter, Lady Yuan Xi. How is she doing?"

Lu Xian returned the smile and said, "She's doing much better, thanks to the doctor's care and the medicine provided. She's resting in her room right now. Would you like to see her?"

Yuan Wei nodded eagerly. He said, "Yes, please. I've been worried sick about her since I heard about the attack. Who did this to her? Do you have any clues?"

Lu Xian frowned and shook his head. He said, "No, not yet. But I've sent my men to investigate and find the culprits. I won't let them get away with this. They will pay for harming my fiancée."

Yuan Wei clenched his fists and gritted his teeth. He said, "Good. I hope you catch them soon and make them suffer. They deserve no mercy for hurting my daughter."

Lu Xian nodded solemnly. He said, "I agree. Come, let me take you to her room."

He led Yuan Wei out of the study and towards Yuan Xi's room. They walked in silence, each one hiding their true thoughts and feelings.

Yuan Wei, with his hidden agenda, felt a sense of satisfaction. He had orchestrated the attack on his daughter's carriage, hoping to use her as a hostage against the prince. He had planned to frame Prince Zhang, his rival and Lu Xian's enemy, by leaving behind false clues.

But his plan had gone awry, leaving his daughter severely injured instead. He had received Xian Lu's letter informing him of the incident and inviting him to visit his daughter at the mansion.

Yuan Wei had decided to play the concerned father, pretending to be grateful and caring. His aim was to gain Lu Xian's trust and sympathy, all while searching for an opportunity to rescue his daughter.

He cared little for his daughter's well-being or happiness. She was merely a pawn in his game of ambition and power. He despised Lu Xian for being the emperor's favorite son and the most influential prince. The engagement between Lu Xian and his daughter only fueled his resentment, leaving him wondering about the Emperor's intentions when issuing the decree.

He wished for Lu Xian's demise, thinking it would secure his own path to power.

Yet, he concealed his hatred behind a façade of courtesy and civility.

Unbeknownst to Yuan Wei, Lu Xian harbored suspicions about his visit. Aware of Yuan Wei's leadership of the rebel faction opposing the Emperor, Lu Xian believed him to be the mastermind behind various plots to overthrow the royal family and seize the throne. He saw Yuan Wei as his enemy.

Lu Xian wasn't convinced that Yuan Wei genuinely cared for his daughter. He perceived Yuan Wei's actions as driven solely by personal ambition and power, seeing his daughter as a mere pawn to be used.

Though he suspected Yuan Wei's involvement in the carriage attack, he lacked conclusive proof. He extended an invitation to Yuan Wei, inviting him to visit his daughter at the mansion, aiming to test him and expose any inconsistencies in his words or actions.

Lu Xian's concern for his fiancée's well-being was overshadowed by his doubt and wariness. He maintained a distance, unsure whether she could be trusted, considering her potential involvement in her father's schemes.

Yuan Xi's survival was essential to Lu Xian's plans, as she could provide him with an advantage in their complex game.

Both adversaries were engaged in a dangerous dance of deception and manipulation, waiting for the opportune moment to reveal the truth and confirm their suspicions.

Unbeknownst to them, another player lurked in the shadows, with their own motives and agenda to disrupt their carefully laid plans.