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Chapter 18
On the way to the palace, Lu Feng rode on horseback while Jiang Wanrou sat in a warm carriage, holding Lu Huaiyi in her arms. She softly instructed her son on how to speak and act in the palace, emphasizing caution and proper etiquette.
“Mother, I understand,” Lu Huaiyi replied, his cheeks rosy as he wriggled out of her embrace. Though his mother was warm and comforting, he was already five years old and could no longer rely on her like a toddler.
Jiang Wanrou tapped his little forehead and teased, “You ungrateful child! Who am I doing all this for, huh? And you—you’re in cahoots with your father to trick me!”
She was referring to the incident in which Lu Huaiyi met the Emperor. As her son grew older, Jiang Wanrou knew he was developing his own thoughts and independence, which she understood. Still, such a significant matter shouldn’t have been kept from her. Jiang Wanrou felt like her loving, motherly heart had been hurt into pieces.
Lu Huaiyi lowered his head in embarrassment. Despite his young age, he was quite clever and had kept more than one secret from Jiang Wanrou. For example, he disliked eating meat and would quietly dispose of the meat broth his mother sent him. Or when his father secretly trained him to draw a bow, resulting in red and swollen wrists, he would tell his mother he had accidentally slept on them wrong. He understood his mother cared deeply for him, but his father had told him that he was a man who would one day stand tall and bring glory to the family name.
Though his body was frail, he was determined to prove himself, so that in the future, he could support his mother.
Jiang Wanrou felt powerless against him. She couldn’t bring herself to scold or punish him. Lu Huaiyi, being smart, wrapped his arms around her waist and flattered her, saying, “Mother, you look so beautiful today—more beautiful than the heavenly fairy queens.”
Jiang Wanrou laughed despite herself, thinking that karma truly existed. She had managed to anger his father earlier that morning, and now the payback was immediate—her son was giving her trouble. Truly, he was her child.
However, though Lu Huaiyi’s words carried an obvious hint of flattery, he wasn’t entirely wrong.
Today, Jiang Wanrou wore a crimson begonia-patterned gown with gold embellishments, paired with an upper jacket adorned with subtle patterns embroidered in golden thread on the collar and sleeves. Every movement sparkled elegantly. The layered begonia flowers at the hem of her dress, meticulously intertwined with gold threads, shimmered and swayed as she walked, creating a stunning effect.
She intentionally avoided wearing bright red and peony patterns, choosing an outfit that would neither outshine the royal consorts nor make her fade into obscurity. Her complexion was remarkably fair, and the contrast of crimson robes and golden hairpins made her appear radiant, almost glowing.
Despite toning down her attire, Jiang Wanrou still drew numerous glances when she entered the imperial hall to pay respects to the Emperor.
“Rise,” the Emperor’s voice, though not loud, carried immense authority and power, striking like thunder.
Jiang Wanrou’s heart was filled with unease. Who wouldn’t feel intimidated by the reigning Emperor? He was none other than the founding ruler himself! Back when the previous dynasty’s Emperor proved inept and corrupt, various lords rose in rebellion. The Emperor, then the Prince of Youzhou, first vanquished Prince Lu and then crushed Prince Chen, leading a formidable army that swept across the land, conquering the capital and seizing the throne. Over two decades, he transformed a fractured nation into a realm of peace and prosperity, with wealth flourishing and its people thriving.
A single man had ended an era of chaos. The Emperor was hailed as a mighty ruler in turbulent times, known for his swift and decisive actions as well as his compassionate heart. His achievements were immortalized in history, praised for his monumental impact on the nation.
The gaze from above was oppressive, and Jiang Wanrou dared not lift her head. At that moment, Lu Feng took her hand and guided her to their seats. His hands were large, the thin layer of calluses on them once a source of more pain than pleasure for her. Yet, in this moment, they brought her a sense of comfort. She lowered her head, smiled softly at him, and let her fingers gently brush against his palm.
Soft and slightly ticklish.
Lu Feng’s expression eased slightly, and he murmured, “Behave yourself.”
There were times he truly couldn’t understand his wife. She seemed weak, yet there was an undeniable resilience in her, no less than any man’s. She seemed timid, yet she had the audacity to try to tease him in such a setting—how remarkable!
He released her hand. He couldn’t deny that this side of her, lively and spirited, didn’t bother him. Not that she had been unpleasant before—it was just that she had been too proper. Her ever-measured smiles, always dignified and virtuous, were like plain water: admirable but utterly uninspiring.
Now, however, though occasionally defiant, she was undeniably interesting. It was like a vivid, lifelike painting of a beauty suddenly coming to life, transforming from a lovely yet lifeless depiction into something real and vibrant.
Unaware of the thoughts running through Lu Feng’s mind, Jiang Wanrou remained oblivious to the unjust assumptions he was making about her. If she knew, she would surely cry out in protest—how could she dare to be unruly? If she hadn’t been pushed to the brink recently, she wouldn’t have acted so impulsively.
Perhaps even Jiang Wanrou herself hadn’t noticed how her temperament had grown under years of privilege and comfort—it had become a touch stronger and bolder than before.
She was a woman highly attuned to her circumstances. When she first married into the family, carrying the infamous reputation of “climbing into her brother-in-law’s bed,” she was universally disliked and left isolated without support. She had no choice but to bow her head and navigate her new life cautiously. Back then, Lu Feng had undergone a drastic change in personality. If she had dared to display her “interesting” side to him during that period, she wouldn’t have lived to see the outcome.
Now, she had become more refined and far less hesitant—earlier this morning, she had irritated Lu Feng to the point of storming off, and now she sought his protection without a shred of embarrassment.
As she watched Lu Huaiyi being called forward to stand before the Emperor, she leaned over and asked quietly, “Husband, will Huaiyi be all right?”
Lu Feng shot her a sidelong glance and smirked. “He’s braver than you.”
Jiang Wanrou found little enjoyment in her meal. The Emperor’s family banquet was far less relaxed than the ones in the harem, where the guests were all women—graceful and conversational, adept at keeping the atmosphere lively by discussing clothing or jewelry. Here, the domain belonged to men. Apart from a few titled princes who had brought their wives and grandsons, the younger royal sons were all alone, not even accompanied by a single servant.
The conversations revolved around topics like the spring imperial examination, Jiangnan’s water bandits, and “rebels.” For Jiang Wanrou, attending such an occasion for the first time was overwhelming. Even the royal daughters-in-law adorned in their First-Rank consort attire maintained a quiet, ornamental presence, focusing on decorum rather than participation. She glanced around but didn’t spot Princess Consort Gong, which left her slightly disappointed.
Jiang Wanrou had chosen to wear a pair of red agate earrings today—a deliberate decision meant to probe.
Lu Feng wasn’t a man indulgent in physical beauty, so she wasn’t worried if the earrings had belonged to someone else. What truly concerned her was whether they had any connection to Jiang Wanxue. Years ago, Jiang Wanxue, still a young girl, had nearly been kidnapped during the Lantern Festival but was rescued by the Duke’s eldest son. The two had met during their youth and shared a close bond. When Lu Feng handled the Gong case, Jiang Wanrou had noticed how particularly attentive he was to it.
In those crucial days when the case was concluded, the usually composed man showed rare expressions of joy. While outsiders might not have noticed, Jiang Wanrou, as his wife, could perceive it. His mood had been excellent.
How much of this was due to public duty, and how much was driven by private sentiment?
Jiang Wanrou dared not dwell too deeply on the matter. Given their awkward positions, she wouldn’t be foolish enough to confront Lu Feng directly, waving the earrings and demanding explanations, stirring trouble for no reason. Instead, her cautious nature favored slow, calculated testing and observation.
Unfortunately, her choice of earrings didn’t seem to have caught Lu Feng’s attention today. Once Huaiyi had safely returned to her side, Jiang Wanrou finally felt reassured and casually fiddled with her earrings.
After several subtle attempts, Lu Feng finally noticed, frowning slightly as he asked, “Are your ears itchy?”
Jiang Wanrou: “…”
The Emperor was engaged in discussions with several princes and was paying no attention to their side of the room. In a low voice, Jiang Wanrou remarked, “It seems like someone is missing from today’s banquet.”
Before the banquet began, the Emperor had made it clear—this was a “family banquet,” intended for fathers and sons, with no distinction between ruler and subjects. Although Prince Gong had been stripped of his title and relegated to a commoner, familial bonds could not be severed. Countless lives had been lost as a result of his treasonous acts, but the Emperor had spared his life, which spoke volumes.
Jiang Wanrou had expected Prince Gong to attend with his family today. Perhaps seeing his son in such a miserable state might soften the Emperor’s heart. She had no intention of adding insult to injury. She merely wanted to determine if Jiang Wanxue would be present and use her earrings as a subtle test. Were Lu Feng and Jiang Wanxue now strangers to each other, or was there still some lingering connection?
If she could uncover the truth, she could plan her next steps accordingly.
Lu Feng glanced at her and remarked cryptically, “You seem to have plenty of idle thoughts.”
Feeling disheartened, Jiang Wanrou chose not to speak further.
After her initial panic, Jiang Wanrou gradually understood what Lu Feng meant when he told her, “No need to prepare.” It truly required nothing from her—the Emperor didn’t spare her a single glance. Not that he specifically disregarded her as a minister’s wife; he equally paid no attention to the other princess consorts. His focus remained solely on discussing matters like the water bandits in Jiangnan with the princes. For Jiang Wanrou, this meant she could quietly listen in while caring for Lu Huaiyi, making the situation less unbearable than she had initially feared.
Still, she couldn’t help but quietly criticize in her mind—what exactly was the Emperor thinking, placing Lu Feng among the princes and royal sons like this? She had heard that Lu Feng had grown up by the Emperor’s side, but such favor seemed excessive.
…
Jiang Wanrou thought the banquet would end without incident. However, as the guests were dispersing, a pale-faced eunuch approached with small, hurried steps and announced that the Emperor had summoned Lady Lu to the Wenhua Hall.
Jiang Wanrou’s heart skipped a beat. Lu Feng quickly intervened, replying, “I’ll go. She stays outside.”
“But since it is His Majesty’s command, this humble servant ought to accept the decree and express gratitude—”
“Oh! Then I shall escort Lady Lu to wait at Donghua Gate for the Master?” the eunuch interjected, sounding both surprised and hesitant.
Jiang Wanrou and the eunuch spoke simultaneously, both momentarily startled. Jiang Wanrou hadn’t expected Lu Feng to so easily “defy the decree,” while the eunuch hadn’t anticipated anyone questioning the Commander’s decisions.
Lu Feng decisively ended the discussion and said to Jiang Wanrou, “Take Huaiyi and wait at Donghua Gate.”
After a pause, his voice softened, offering reassurance: “There’s no need to be alarmed. I’ll handle everything.”
Jiang Wanrou looked at the man before her, a wave of complex emotions rising in her heart. She curtsied deeply and said, “This humble servant takes her leave.”
Following the eunuch, she made her way to Donghua Gate. Meanwhile, Lu Feng walked straight toward Wenhua Hall, efficiently lifting the hem of his robe and kneeling with one leg despite his condition. “Your servant pays respects to His Majesty!” he announced.
The Emperor, visibly displeased, threw aside a memorial and barked, “You reckless fool! With that leg of yours, you dare kneel?”
He turned to the attendants and scolded, “Why are you standing there like statues? Bring a seat for Commander Lu!”
The Emperor glared at Lu Feng with dissatisfaction and added, “What is this reluctance? You won’t even let me to take a look?”
Lu Feng rose and sat in the chair, saying, “My wife is timid and fears offending Your Majesty’s presence.”
“What is there to fear? I won’t eat her,” the Emperor grumbled disapprovingly.
At nearly fifty years old, the reigning Emperor had streaks of gray in his hair. His towering figure, broad forehead, and sharp eagle-like nose, combined with his fierce tiger eyes, exuded an unyielding authority and a natural air of dominance.
This legendary ruler, celebrated for his martial prowess on horseback and his administrative wisdom in penning policies, showed a rare gentleness only when he looked at Lu Feng.
The Emperor complained to Lu Feng, “You’ve kept her hidden in the manor all these years, and now you finally let her out? I can’t even see her once?”
“You’re an impudent boy.”
Though his words were chastising, they carried a tone of familiarity and closeness—not the typical language of an Emperor to a subject, but rather of a kind elder rebuking a younger family member.
Lu Feng did not reply, and the Emperor, unbothered, continued in a heartfelt tone, “She’s quite beautiful, although a bit enchanting. As they say, ‘Beauty is the grave of heroes.’ Junchi, you must never allow yourself to be ensnared by her charm.”
“If she dares to lure you into indulging in domesticity, I won’t forgive her!” the Emperor declared.
Lu Feng’s expression twitched slightly as he reminded the Emperor, “Madam Jiang is my wife.”
The duty of mutual affection between a husband and wife was a natural part of life. Their relationship was legitimate and proper—how could it be described as seduction?
But the Emperor was the Emperor, and sometimes reason didn’t factor into his judgments.
He scoffed, “That wife of yours, back then… never mind. You’re upset; I’ll stop talking.”
In the past, Lu Feng had shielded Jiang Wanrou for her own good. The Emperor held a bias against her, first because of her tarnished reputation when she married in. Second, though they had been married for many years, she had only borne one child, Lu Huaiyi, and he was frail and sickly. Third, she completely controlled the inner household, and after all these years, there wasn’t even a single concubine in the Lu family.
For the Emperor, who had a harem filled with countless beauties and over a dozen children, no matter how well Jiang Wanrou handled her other responsibilities, her failure to bear more children was an unforgivable flaw in his eyes—a sin she couldn’t escape.
Lu Feng helplessly defended his wife, “This is not her fault.”
The court had secretly provided her with contraception—it was no wonder she couldn’t conceive.
The Emperor let out a light sigh, his authoritative face revealing a trace of weariness. “Junchi, so many years have passed, all grudges and conflicts should be over. Look at the sons in Prince Cheng’s household—how sturdy they are.”
“You have only Huaiyi under your knee; it’s too lonely.”
“The past?” Lu Feng repeated these two words, lifting his gaze to meet the Emperor’s.
“How can it be the past? My eldest son is still dependent on medicinal treatments, and I’ve become a cripple. Your Majesty, tell me—how can I let it go?”
“He is now paying for his actions,” the Emperor said, his eyes filled with sorrow. “He is ruined; isn’t that enough?”
“It’s not enough,” Lu Feng replied calmly. “My leg is broken, and his legs are still intact. It’s not fair.”
Suddenly, he smiled and looked at the Emperor, his tone almost accusatory, “Is it because he is your son?”
“Being the Emperor’s son—how fortunate,” he added bitterly.
The room fell silent. The attendants in Wenhua Hall dropped to their knees in shock at Lu Feng’s borderline treasonous words. Yet, the Emperor neither became angry nor spoke.
Upon closer inspection, the once imposing figure of the Emperor seated on the dragon throne seemed hunched. His towering presence no longer carried the same invincibility.
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