Chapter 137

This was nearly an open challenge to Empress Lu.

Nianxi could almost hear the collective gasp of astonishment from everyone in the hall. She had met Duke Fu several times before. The last time, out of kindness, he had escorted her through the heavy snow. Their interactions were always proper, and he had always addressed her as “Miss Wen.”

This was the first time he called her “Nianxi.”

In the entire hall, he exuded calmness that came from a life untouched by turmoil. A usually gentle and composed person suddenly revealed a hint of sharpness, leaving everyone caught off guard.

The hall fell into silence.

Lu Wensheng was helping her out of the predicament.

He said, “Come to me.”

Like the moon in the sky, offering her a thread of support from above.

But Nianxi couldn’t take that step forward. Because in that support, there wasn’t only Lu Wensheng’s goodwill; it would also bring rumors, speculation, ambiguity, and acceptance.

She did not like it.

Just as she despised King Jing’s arrogance, treating women as mere playthings to trample upon at will. This was not how she wanted to express herself.

However, she still felt gratitude toward Duke Fu.

Across the hall filled with people, she raised her eyes and looked over. Their gazes met, and under Lu Wensheng’s thick lashes was a pair of gentle, smiling eyes. Beside him was Lu Huai, full of anxious urgency, urging him on.

The father and son both looked at Nianxi.

Nianxi bowed respectfully to him. Then she took a step forward, still intending to follow her initial plan, so her direction remained toward Empress Lu.

However, before she could take another step, Xiao Xun erupted in anger, his expression dark, his face filled with gloom.

“What is Duke Fu trying to do?” He stood before Nianxi, turning his head to look at Lu Wensheng. A mocking smile played on his lips, his eyes half-narrowed, reflecting a flash of ruthless light. “Are you also trying to oppose me?”

Lu Wensheng, however, had already understood her intentions the moment Nianxi bowed respectfully to him.

She rejected him.

It was quite unexpected. However, beyond the surprise, there might also have been feelings of disappointment and sadness intertwined. But such emotions had been distant from him for many years, and for a moment, he found them difficult to discern.

Still waters ran deep; shedding the frivolity of youth, the essence of Lu Wensheng now was one of solemnity and tranquility.

Unlike Xiao Heng, who masked his panic with irritation, Lu Wensheng never easily revealed his inner feelings. Joy, anger, love, and hate were all perfectly concealed behind a refined and gentle demeanor. In everything he did, he had always been cautious and meticulous. However, there were certain matters—and certain people—that defied careful planning, dictated only by his present state of mind and his unwavering resolve to not let her suffer.

He offered a faint smile, his unhurried and steady voice echoing across the grand hall, brushing against everyone’s hearts. With composure and strength, he said: “What does His Highness think?”

This marked an open confrontation between nephew and uncle.

Xiao Xun’s expression darkened immediately. His uncle, in front of everyone, not only refused to support him but also deliberately stepped in to humiliate him!

“Xun’er!” Empress Lu exclaimed in shock. Gone was the elegance she had displayed earlier, as serene as a chrysanthemum. Rising from her throne, she looked at Xiao Xun in the hall and gently shook her head.

Do not escalate matters further.

Empress Lu understood her brother well. Lu Wensheng appeared to be gentle and harmonious, handling matters with care, but beneath it all was a streak of stubbornness and unyielding resolve.

Earlier, when Xiao Xun came to her, expressing his intention to take Wen Nianxi as a concubine, she hesitated. She knew that Wensheng harbored a subtle, almost imperceptible fondness for this girl.

However, the daughter of the Grand Coordinator of Shaanxi Province, Fang Yueheng, was soon to marry Wensheng as his wife. The Shaanxi Province oversaw the military power of the entire region east of the Yellow River, which greatly benefited Xun’er’s grand ambitions.

Because of this, Empress Lu, after much deliberation, granted Xiao Xun’s request.

Although seemingly delicate, women could sometimes be a potent tool in dealing with men. She couldn’t allow Wen Nianxi to remain a threat. Besides, since Xun’er fancied her, giving her to him wouldn’t be a bad idea. But she never expected her usually steady and mature brother to openly defend Wen Nianxi in front of Miss Fang.

What a troublemaker!

Still, now was not the time to deal with her.

“It must be the wine from earlier during the banquet,” Empress Lu exhaled, softening her expression, and smiled, trying to mediate: “How is it that the two of you, always so close as uncle and nephew, are now quarreling seriously?”

She turned the tense confrontation between the two into a trivial argument.

At this moment, an understanding lady stepped in to smooth things over. “Since Her Majesty the Empress is hosting the banquet, the wine must be top-notch. Even I indulged in a few extra cups and now feel quite tipsy.”

“Exactly, this Jade Spring Wine is much stronger than the fruit wines we usually drink.”

The lively chatter momentarily brushed over and effectively buried the earlier matter of King Jing’s attempt to take Nianxi as a concubine, leaving it unmentioned forcibly.

The atmosphere gradually became more convivial.

However, Consort Shu did not let things go easily. She had long disliked King Jing and couldn’t resist taking a jab. With a sly smile, she remarked: “All of you claim to be drunk, yet I don’t see anyone heading outside, picking out a handsome young gentleman, and forcefully dragging him back?”

“What an injustice—it seems the wine is getting all the blame.”

The previously lively chatter among the noble ladies suddenly fell silent.

Consort Shu, who was highly favored by the Emperor and held a position almost equal to that of Empress Lu in the palace, made a sarcastic remark. With her speaking up, no one else dared to voice an opinion.

The atmosphere once again grew tense.

Empress Lu’s expression was as cold as water. These infuriating matters had disrupted her grand birthday banquet!

“Consort Shu, have you also had too much to drink? Speaking such nonsense!”

Consort Shu, however, was unfazed. With a dismissive attitude, she responded, “Her Majesty’s lesson is well-received.”

This nearly made Empress Lu faint with anger.

Meanwhile, as Lu Wensheng and Xiao Xun had their confrontation, Lu Huai had already rushed over to Nianxi’s side. Though not very tall, he exuded a strong, manly energy. Grabbing Nianxi’s hand, he lifted his head and bared his teeth at King Jing in defiance.

At home, their dog, Da Huang, bared its teeth fiercely every time, often scaring the young maids into screams. Lu Xiaoqi thought he and his father were like their Da Huang, protecting Nianxi.

Scare King Jing to death!

Grr—

Xiao Xun simply wanted to take a woman to warm his bed, but it led to a series of troubles. Time and again, he was thwarted. Now, after being mocked by Consort Shu in public, his patience had completely run out. The flood of rage in his heart, which sought to destroy everything, broke its dam. His eyes reddened, and his expression turned sinister as he spun around to grab Wen Nianxi. He refused to believe it—how could a king of his rank fail to handle a mere woman?

When he ripped apart her skirts, let’s see if she still had the face to live with dignity. Let’s see if his dear uncle would remain infatuated and unchanged—

Wanting to compete with him for a woman.

Who would have thought that when Xiao Xun turned around, he would grab at nothing but air?

Nianxi had already pulled Lu Huai back when Consort Shu first spoke. Xiao Xun missed his target, only to end up grabbing the hand of Miss Liu, the daughter of the Imperial Censor, who had been watching the drama unfold nearby.

Miss Liu let out a terrified scream and, not caring about decorum, flailed her hands as if swatting away something dirty, hitting wildly at the person in front of her.

The scene descended into chaos.

Meanwhile, Xiao Nanxi decided to stir up even more trouble, shouting, “King Jing is killing someone! King Jing is trying to kill someone!”

In an instant, the grand hall became even more disorderly, with pandemonium breaking out all around.

The women present couldn’t help but scorn King Jing’s character. First, he disrespected his own consort, and then he tried to forcefully take the legitimate daughter of an official. Simply outrageous!

Moved by a shared sense of indignation, they couldn’t bear to stay at the banquet any longer, rising one after another to head outside the hall.