It was almost midnight when Li Jing returned to the mansion.

Xiao Yuan and Commander Zuo followed Li Jing on the left and right.

Eunuch Yu, the gatekeeper, came forward attentively and said a few words intentionally or unintentionally: “This afternoon, Commander Lu led the heads of four farms to see the Huángzi fēi. From what I see, the four heads all looked like martial artists…”

Li Jing paused and glanced at Eunuch Yu.

The cool breeze blew, and the lanterns under the eaves swayed slightly, and the slightly dim light was also swayed. It fell on Li Jing’s handsome face with an unpredictable expression.

Eunuch Yu’s heart skipped a beat.

Li Jing said lightly: “What the Huángzi fēi wants to do and who she wants to see is her business. She doesn’t need to report to me.”

Eunuch Yu broke out in cold sweat on his forehead and bent his waist a little lower: “Your Highness is right. It’s all because of me who talked too much! I deserve to be beaten!” As he spoke, he slapped himself twice.

Li Jing’s voice slowed down a bit: “As the gatekeeper, it is your duty to pay attention to the people entering the mansion. What’s wrong with that? I don’t mean to blame you. But you don’t have to report to me in the future.”

Eunuch Yu responded in a low voice and dared not say anything more.

Xiaoyuan and Commander Zuo looked at each other silently and said nothing.

In fact, this was really not a big deal. Lu Mingyu was already the mistress of the Second Prince’s Mansion, so it was natural for her to summon several farm heads.

As for the martial arts masters mentioned by Eunuch Yu, the stewards who accompanied the Lu family were all terribly fierce! What was so strange about that!

The most important thing was that their Master didn’t mind at all. They had nothing to say.

…

Li Jing walked back to the bedroom.

Lu Mingyu had already bathed, wearing a soft middle dress, holding a book, and reading.

Her black hair hung on her shoulders, smooth as satin. The soft undergarment covered her graceful curves, revealing her fair neck and a small section of white and tender skin on her chest…

Li Jing felt a little dry in the mouth, blood rushing through his body, and heat rushing down.

Lu Mingyu heard the footsteps but did not get up to greet her. She just looked up and glanced at him: “Did you drink too much again tonight?”

Li Jing laughed softly: “No. I only drank three cups and didn’t drink anymore.”

Tonight, a civil official hosted a banquet and invited Li Jing to the banquet. At the banquet, they did not talk about political affairs, but only about the teachings of Confucius and Mencius. Li Jing’s alcohol tolerance was not good, and no one dared to persuade him to drink.

As Li Jing spoke, he leaned forward to kiss her face.

The hot lips fell on her cheek, which was a little itchy.

Lu Mingyu’s face flushed. She stretched out her hand to push Li Jing away, and glared at him: “You smell of alcohol, go take a shower and change clothes before coming back.”

Everyone at the banquet drank, and Li Jing did not drink much, but he was also stained with alcohol.

Li Jing showered and changed clothes as quickly as possible, then returned to the dormitory. Without saying a word, he hurriedly got on the bed. His eager look made Lu Mingyu laugh.

Soon, the laughter was swallowed up by the greedy and hot lips.

After a long time, the tent calmed down.

Li Jing contentedly held Lu Mingyu in his arms, their bodies pressed against each other, comforting the hunger in his heart.

Lu Mingyu was also used to such intimacy and leaning against each other, she whispered, “This afternoon, I summoned four village heads into the mansion. Why don’t you ask me why I suddenly summoned them?”

Li Jing smiled silently, “If you want to talk, I don’t have to ask. If you don’t want to talk, you won’t open your mouth even if I ask.”

Lu Mingyu couldn’t help laughing, “Is this considered Jiang Taigong fishing?” ^[1]“Jiang Taigong fishing” is a reference to an ancient Chinese story about Jiang Ziya, also known as Jiang Taigong, a strategist and advisor to the Zhou dynasty. According to legend, Jiang … Continue reading

Li Jing also laughed, “In fact, when I returned to the mansion in the evening, Eunuch Yu told me about this. He also reminded me that the four village heads were all martial artists. I have already reprimanded him.”

Lu Mingyu said casually, “This is his responsibility. If he felt it was inappropriate but didn’t report it to you, he was derelict of duty.”

After a pause, she continued, “My father is a military general, leading soldiers in battles year-round. In warfare, casualties are inevitable. Some children lost their parents and were left with no one to care for them, so my father provided them with food and education, teaching them to read and practice martial arts.”

“Over the past ten years, we have accumulated a lot and now have two thousand people. My father divided them into four farms. On the surface, they are tenant farmers, but in fact, they are all brave and capable soldiers.”

“This is all the military force that the Lu family can mobilize in secret.”

“When I got married, my father gave them all to me. Today I summoned the four farm heads to the mansion, one to meet them, and second, to ask about the daily training of these secret guards.”

These matters don’t need to be concealed; concealing them wouldn’t work anyway.

Li Jing smiled and nodded: “Father-in-law really loves you. He gave you all the family fortune he has accumulated for so many years.”

Lu Mingyu raised his eyes and looked at Li Jing: “These secret guards only obey my orders.”

Li Jing smiled and hummed: “This is your dowry. It is up to you how you want to use it and when you want to use it.”

Lu Mingyu looked at Li Jing steadily. After a long while, she asked in a low voice: “Li Jing, do you really not mind?”

Li Jing and Lu Mingyu looked at each other: “If I say I don’t mind at all, you will definitely not believe it. In the past, you gave all the secret guards to Li Hao. Li Hao was like a tiger with wings after getting the Lu’s secret guards. But Li Hao betrayed you in the end.”

“I’m different from him. He wants you, and he also wants Lu’s military strength.”

“What I wanted from the beginning to the end, only you.” ^[2]the greenest flag her Sun Jae

Those black eyes locked her gaze tightly.

At this moment, even a heart as solid as a rock was shaking.

Lu Mingyu looked away first and whispered, “Thank you for your trust.”

Li Jing smiled slightly and hugged her tightly in his arms.

He believed in her, but she didn’t trust him enough.

It didn’t matter. They were husband and wife, and he had a lifetime to wait for her to slowly let go of her heart.

…

Time flew, and another five days had passed.

Lu Mingyu has been married for a month, and she and Li Jing discussed going back to the Lu Mansion to stay for a few days.

Li Jing immediately said, “I will go back with you to stay for a while.”

Lu Mingyu’s heart warmed, but she said, “If the Royal Mother knew about this, I’m afraid she would not be very happy.”

Li Jing’s identity was different after all. Every move and every word attracted attention. They had been married for a month, and she didn’t know who spread rumors outside, that Li Jing was afraid of his wife.

Li Jing smiled and said, “The Royal Mother is not a chicken-hearted person. I am close to the Yue ^[3]in-law’s family, she must be happy. You don’t have to worry about this. I will tell my Royal Mother when I enter the palace.”

This was also the smartest thing about Li Jing.

No matter what the matter was, he would go and talk to Empress Qiao. This would also prevent the mother-in-law and daughter-in-law from confronting each other head-on and making both of them unhappy.

Li Jing went to Jiaofang Hall that day and talked about it with Empress Qiao.

Empress Qiao was a little reluctant at first, but when she heard that Li Jing said he was very close to his father-in-law and jiù xiōng^[4]brother-in-law, she was very happy and said with a smile: “King Xingyang is a famous general of the Wei Dynasty, and Lu Fei is also a leader among the younger generation of generals. Don’t forget to ask them for advice when you stay at the Lu family for a while.”

(End of this chapter)