“Don’t be angry with Imperial Elder Sister.”

In another guest room, Li Jing spoke softly to Lu Mingyu, “She’s not a bad person at heart, just spoiled by the Imperial Mother. She always has to have her way and make everyone yield to her. Otherwise, she won’t feel satisfied.”

“Before we got married, she murmured a few times in front of me, but I didn’t pay attention. After we got married, on the day of the tea ceremony, she spoke provocatively, and even the Imperial Mother didn’t take her side. So, she’s been holding this grudge and wants to challenge you.”

“So, tonight she provoked first with her words.”

It must be said that Li Jing knew his sister very well. After thinking for a moment, he guessed the whole story.

Lu Mingyu raised her eyes and looked at Li Jing: “It doesn’t matter. Anyway, I’m not the one who suffered.”

Li Jing: “…”

That was true.

Even though Hui’an Gōngzhǔ was shouting so much, everyone just gave in to her. In fact, she had neither a palace nor any powerful means. It was purely about oppressing people based on their status.

In terms of means, Lu Mingyu could take care of three Hui’an Gōngzhǔ alone.

“Li Jing, are you feeling a little unhappy?”

Lu Mingyu gazed at Li Jing and said calmly, “Since our marriage, I haven’t backed down, whether facing the Imperial Grandmother or the Imperial Mother. Instead, I’ve been assertive and uncompromising. If you stand by my side, it means hurting the hearts of both your grandmother and mother. And now, because of me, it’s causing concerns with Imperial Elder Sister.”

“If I truly love you, I should consider you in everything, yield to you…”

“Just like I did for Li Hao before.”

Li Jing unexpectedly took over the conversation, “For him, willingly giving way. Step by step, retreating to the corner, without receiving any gratitude or appreciation from anyone. Taken for granted, which completely chilled your heart. The two of you as a couple also drifted apart.”

The unexpected words revealed the scars in Lu Mingyu’s heart.

No matter how tenacious Lu Mingyu was, she still felt heartbroken.

Anger flashed in her eyes: “Li Jing!”

Li Jing did not shut up in time like usual.

He reached out and held Lu Mingyu’s shoulders, his voice solemn: “Lu Mingyu, you are my wife. From the day I married you, you and I have been as one. Your honor and disgrace are my honor and disgrace.” 

“I’ve said it before, I will protect you and not let you suffer any grievances.”

 “I don’t blame you if you don’t believe me. The scars you suffered in your previous life will always be there. It’s not that you don’t want to believe me, you can’t trust all men. You have to use your own means to protect yourself. You have to be fierce and unparalleled.” ^[1]what a green flag!!!!

“Only by doing this can you feel safe.”

“It’s up to you. Time will be my witness. One day, you will believe me.”

Li Jing’s face remained as usual, but his trembling hands betrayed him. It showed that his mood was by no means as calm as he appeared on the surface.

Lu Mingyu’s heart was like a whirlwind.

She blinked and realized that her eyes were already wet.

She turned her head to the side.

Li Jing’s voice rang in her ears: “Xiaoyu, do whatever you want. I am your husband and will always stand behind you.”

After a long time, Lu Mingyu hummed.

Li Jing didn’t talk anymore and stretched out his hand to take Lu Mingyu into his arms.

There seemed to be some moisture on the chest.

He did not bow his head, nor did he say any more words of comfort.

Lu Mingyu was not a weak woman waiting for a man to support her. On the contrary, she had a tough temperament and sharp methods, lacking a bit of softness. She was also very proud and strong and did not want to show her wounds in front of others.

She was a person who refused to even cry.

He didn’t know how long it took, but Lu Mingyu in his arms finally calmed down: “We have been out for a long time, so let’s go back! So as not to delay the start of the banquet.”

Li Jing then smiled and nodded.

…

After Lu Mingyu tidied up for a while, she and Li Jing returned to the dining room as if nothing had happened.

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ and Fùmǎ Wu came a step earlier. However, Hui’an Gōngzhǔ did not sit in the women’s seat. Instead, she went to the men’s seat and sat next to Fùmǎ Wu.

Li Jing sat next to Lu Mingyu and said with a smile to the Eldest Huángzi fēi and Jing’an Gōngzhǔ whose expressions were subtly different: “Dàsǎo, Second sister, you won’t mind if I take this seat, right?” 

The Eldest Huángzi fēi reflexively smiled and said, “Of course not, feel free to sit.”

Hui’an Gōngzhǔ and Lu Mingyu had better not sit together, lest everyone lose their meal tonight.

Jing’an Gōngzhǔ said in a soft voice: “Speaking of it, I haven’t been so close to my second brother in several years.”

Jing’an Gōngzhǔ was the most loved child of Emperor Yongjia. In addition to the love brought by Concubine Meng, she was quiet and gentle. Her temperament was also a very important reason why her father loved her the most.

Who didn’t like charming and adorable young girls?

Even Li Jing couldn’t be unhappy with Jing’an Gōngzhǔ.

Li Jing smiled at Jing’an Gōngzhǔ: “When you have free time in the future, come to my house to play more.”

Jing’an Gōngzhǔ pursed her lips and smiled, revealing two rows of thin teeth: “Okay. I’ll be able to ask my second sister-in-law for more advice then. I also want to learn. Learn how to squeeze a tea cup and make handprints on table.”

Everyone: “…”

Jing’an Gōngzhǔjoked casually, and Lu Mingyu certainly wouldn’t lack such grace. He smiled and replied, “I’ve always had strong physical strength. I used to break things around me when I was young. To control my strength, I practiced hard for several years. If Second Imperial Sister is interested, just come to me. I’ll teach you.”

Jing’an Gōngzhǔ smiled and thanked her: “Then I’ll thank my Second sister-in-law first.”

The Eldest Huángzi fēi also laughed and said, “Actually, I have been practicing boxing for a few days since I was a child. However, those tricks are not worth mentioning in front of the Second Dìmèi. “

Lu Mingyu smiled, “As Huángzi fēi, we manage the inner household affairs daily, serve and respect our elders, and take care of our husbands. In the future, we will also bear and raise children. Whether our skills are good or not doesn’t matter much. I’ve only been married for a short time and still have much to learn. I should seek advice from my Eldest sister-in-law more in the future.”

All in all, the atmosphere was extremely harmonious.

At the other table, they were also chatting and laughing. Fùmǎ Wu was truly admirable and commendable. He sacrificed himself to coax the difficult and irritable Hui’an Gōngzhǔinto smilingly.

There was no further disturbance until the banquet was over.

As the host, Li Hao couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. After the banquet was over, he personally escorted everyone to the main entrance.

The First Prince’s Mansion and the Second Prince’s Mansion were not far away, within walking distance. The Fourth Prince, Jing’an Gōngzhǔ, and the Fifth Prince returned to the palace together. Hui’an Gōngzhǔ’s Mansion was a little further away, so she had to take a carriage back to the mansion.

The whole time, Hui’an Gōngzhǔ didn’t even look at Li Jing.

At this time, Li Jing stepped forward and wanted to talk to Hui’an Gōngzhǔ. Hui’an Gōngzhǔ glanced at Li Jing and said: “You’d better accompany your wife. Your Elder Sister is not of importance.”

After that, she got on the carriage.

Li Jing was disappointed, smiled helplessly, and said goodbye to Fùmǎ Wu.

…

(End of chapter)