Chapter 49

Most families prepare such items for their newborn children. Wealthy families prepare gold and jade, while ordinary families make copper locks and even wooden plaques are used. The intention is to protect the child and ensure their safety year after year.

Lu Minghua didn’t have one.

When Madam Qin was pregnant, she prepared two long-life gold locks. But after Lu Mingxi’s lock was lost, Madam Qin took hers and gave it to her. Madam Qin even said that Lu Minghua was healthy and blessed, so she didn’t need it. If it was given to her sister, it might bring her some good fortune.

Lu Minghua didn’t know before whether Lu Mingxi could borrow her good fortune, and she doesn’t want to know now. She only regrets losing her long-life lock, which she had always cherished. Now, thinking about it, falling into Lu Mingxi’s hands probably didn’t end well.

But now, someone has given her his lock.

Gently rubbing the jade plaque, Lu Minghua unconsciously smiled.

Yunshan.

This mountain got its name because it is shrouded in mist all day as if clouds are born from it. People at that time named it Yunshan.

In the previous dynasty, someone discovered that soaking in the hot springs here was beneficial to the body, making it a place coveted by noble families.

Yan Yuanhua naturally had one, and as a prince, his hot spring occupied one of the best springs in Yunshan, with a luxurious palace above it.

But this had nothing to do with him now. To hide his identity and avoid scaring away his beloved, he specifically ordered a secluded courtyard in a remote corner of Yunshan. Although it was still rare, such places could be obtained by families with some power, so Minghua didn’t suspect anything.

There were houses built above the hot spring, with layers of curtains inside. Yan Yuanhua sat by the hot spring with his eyes closed, the warm water enveloping his body. The coldness that had seeped into his bones since winter finally seemed to be dispelled.

He couldn’t help but let out a sigh.

“Your Highness, Prince Changping accidentally fell, and the doctor said his legs are broken,” Zhao Shiyi reported in a low voice from outside the screen.

“Mm.”

“The Emperor has sent a message requesting your return to the capital regarding the matter of the Beiyi entering the capital.”

Yan Yuanhua frowned slightly, remained silent for a moment, and finally agreed. He had no desire to involve himself in politics, but the one on the throne was his brother, born of the same mother. After four years on the throne, the political situation was starting to stabilize, but it was far from steady. They needed to support each other at this crucial time, and he couldn’t shirk his responsibilities.

“Yes.”

After responding, Zhao Shiyi retreated. Yan Yuanhua, having soaked long enough, got up and dressed himself.

Finally, he picked up the cherished pouch, tied it to his waist, gently rubbed it for a moment, and couldn’t help but smile again.

The weather has been nice these past two days. Winter weather is often gloomy, but these have been rare sunny days.

Outside, the small town was bustling. Although the small courtyard was secluded, the distant sounds of the hustle and bustle could still be faintly heard.

Lu Minghua had been living in the mountains for a long time, away from such bustling scenes. At first, she didn’t feel much, but later, she wanted to go and see. Seeing the nice weather, she took her maids and went out.

Tea houses, restaurants, silk shops, and cosmetic shops were all there. She walked through them one by one, and in high spirits, she even picked out some scented powders and cosmetics.

“See what you like. You can pick some too,” Lu Minghua said with a smile, seeing her maids looking around.

“Thank you, Miss,” Xiao Chun and the others said happily. They had been on the mountain for a long time, and even when they returned to the capital, it was in a hurry. They hadn’t bought such things for a long time.

The owner of the cosmetic shop was a woman in her thirties. Although there were wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, she was still gorgeous, with a charm that young girls lacked.

She personally brought tea, lazily leaned on the counter, and handed it to her, saying, “Miss, you have a kind heart.”

“Thank you; you’re too kind,” Lu Minghua said with a smile. She took the tea but did not intend to drink it, only holding it in her hand.

“My surname is Zhong. If you don’t mind, you can call me Madam Zhong.”

“Madam Zhong, my surname is Lu,” Lu Minghua said gently, not used to the woman’s inexplicable enthusiasm.

“So, it’s Miss Lu,” Madam Zhong said with a smile. Just then, new customers arrived, and she went to greet them with the same enthusiasm and generosity.

Lu Minghua then realized that this was the shopkeeper’s nature. She mainly saw the dignified and reserved demeanor of ladies and young misses, and even the shopkeepers in the capital were courteous and respectful. It seemed she had been too sheltered.

The maids were still selecting items, and the warmth from the teacup spread in her hand. Suddenly, she heard someone call “Minghua,” and Lu Minghua instinctively looked towards the door.

She saw Wei Yuntai standing beside Madam Sun, looking straight at her.

What an unfortunate coincidence.

Lu Minghua frowned inwardly but nodded slightly and turned her head back, pretending not to see.

The maids stopped selecting items, hurriedly brought over what they had previously chosen, and waited for the shopkeeper to tally the bill. Standing firmly by their young lady’s side, they vigilantly watched the group from the Marquis of Ningguo’s residence.

Madam Sun was also momentarily stunned upon seeing Lu Minghua. It had only been a little over half a year, yet it seemed like everything had changed.

Seeing her cold and indifferent demeanor, Madam Sun instinctively frowned. But thinking about the information the nannies had gathered, she couldn’t get angry.

Lu Mingxi was malicious, but ultimately, it was Yuntai who was foolish, marrying someone and then treating them like that.

Madam Sun knew well that sometimes, the heart’s torment was far worse than physical beatings, just like how she now treated Lu Mingxi.

Thinking this, she glanced at Wei Yuntai beside her, only to see him staring blankly at Lu Minghua, looking completely lost. She was startled and immediately frowned.

“Yuntai,” Madam Sun called.

Wei Yuntai finally looked at Madam Sun, but he was still distracted, unable to stop glancing at Lu Minghua.

Cursing inwardly, Madam Sun wanted to send him away to avoid further embarrassment. She said, “I left something in the carriage. Can you fetch it for me?”

She mentioned something but didn’t specify what.

Wei Yuntai immediately understood her intention. After a moment of silence, he agreed. But once he stepped outside, he didn’t leave. Instead, he stood quietly by the door, listening to the sounds inside.

The street was bustling, but the voice from the small shop behind him was so clear. Every night in his dreams, he could hear it. The person he had long forgotten was now deeply etched in his heart through these nightly torments.

“Minghua, it’s been a long time,” Madam Sun greeted her.

“It has been some time. How have you been, Madam?” Lu Minghua didn’t hold much resentment towards Madam Sun. She was just an ordinary mother.

Her son was disobedient, insisting on marrying a woman she didn’t like. If she were genuinely malicious, she would have found ways to torment her long ago. Instead, she merely kept her distance, at most allowing Sun Miaotong to slight her.

Madam Sun was naturally not doing well. That woman was playing her son, and if word got out, they would become a laughingstock. In such a situation, how could she be well?

But she couldn’t say that. Instead, she had to pretend everything was fine in front of Lu Minghua. She hadn’t forgotten the mocking look in Lu Minghua’s eyes when they divorced. She would probably laugh herself to death if she knew about the current situation.

“Not bad. Minghua, I heard you’ve been living in a remote courtyard on the mountain. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

“Yunshan has hot springs. I thought it would be comfortable to spend the winter here,” Lu Minghua replied with a smile.

Although the Wen’an Earl’s Mansion had declined, it still had hot springs in Yunshan.

Madam Sun thought this instinctively and smiled, “Then it’s not far. If you have time, you can come to my place for a chat and catch up.”

“Thank you, Madam, but that’s not necessary.” After some polite conversation, the shopkeeper finally finished calculating the bill. Lu Minghua didn’t have much to say to Madam Sun. Seeing her maids had gathered their things, she nodded and promptly took her leave.

Madam Sun didn’t insist on keeping her, but as Lu Minghua was about to leave, she couldn’t help but glance at her.

If they hadn’t divorced…

There are no regrets in life. This thought had just surfaced when she suppressed it, not daring to think deeply.

“Minghua.” Lu Minghua had just stepped out and walked a few steps when she saw Wei Yuntai. She instinctively frowned.

Hadn’t he left? Why was he still here?

She didn’t want to see Wei Yuntai or deal with him, so she pretended not to see him.

In the cold winter, Lu Minghua walked in a warm yellow dress. Wei Yuntai called out to her, but she didn’t even glance at him and walked away directly. He had many things he wanted to say to her. He wanted to tell her he had seen through Lu Mingxi’s schemes, that he had wronged her, and that he wanted to seek her forgiveness. But she had long despised him to the point where she didn’t even want to speak to him.

The sunlight, which seemed especially warm in winter, fell on him, but Wei Yuntai felt a bone-chilling cold. He stood there in a daze for a moment, then suddenly turned around, wanting to chase after her, but in the vast sea of people, he couldn’t find Lu Minghua’s figure.

“Miss, why don’t you see what Mr. Wei wants to say?” Xiao Chun asked, glancing at the forlorn figure leaving, feeling satisfied seeing his haggard and thin appearance.

Seeing his guilty and remorseful look towards her young lady, Xiao Chun wanted to hear what he had to say, but her young lady clearly didn’t think the same.

“Listen to what he has to say, and then what?” Lu Minghua asked.

Xiao Chun looked at her, puzzled.

Lu Minghua didn’t speak. Did Wei Yuntai’s torment to this extent mean he was sorry for her? Not necessarily. Even now, Wei Yuntai only wanted to apologize to her to make himself feel better.

But why should she make him feel better? She didn’t want to.

A pleasant outing was half ruined by encountering Wei Yuntai.

Not wanting to see him again, Lu Minghua stayed at the teahouse for a while before returning to her small courtyard. Who knew, as soon as she entered, she saw Yuan Ji’an.

“Hey, put that down quickly.” Seeing the yellow dumpling in his hand, Lu Minghua hurriedly called out.

Yan Yuanhua was holding Ping An, about to greet her, but seeing her not even glance at him and only care about the annoying cat, he snorted lightly, regretting for the umpteenth time choosing it because it was lively.

He should have chosen a well-behaved one!

He casually tossed Ping An, which flipped in the air and landed lightly, quickly running to Lu Minghua’s skirt.

“Why are you fighting with it again?” Lu Minghua bent down to pick it up, gently stroking it and looked at Yan Yuanhua reproachfully.

“It scratched me,” Yan Yuanhua said with a hint of grievance, extending his hand to show several red marks on his fair hand.

“Oh.” Lu Minghua was startled. She quickly stepped forward to check, and seeing no broken skin, she sighed in relief. “It’s okay. How do you feel now?”

“It hurts a bit, but it’s no big deal,” Yan Yuanhua pretended to be indifferent as he withdrew his hand.

“How can you scratch people? You can’t do that,” Lu Minghua frowned slightly, scolding Ping An in her arms.

Poor little Ping An couldn’t speak, only meowing a few times, unable to reveal the fact that this hateful man had just mocked it as ‘fatty.’

“Don’t always hold it,” Yan Yuanhua said disapprovingly, reaching out to take the cat from Lu Minghua’s arms again.

Lu Minghua reached out, wanting to take it back.

Yan Yuanhua’s hand movement changed, and instead of throwing it away, he bent down and placed it on the ground.

The once tiny kitten had grown significantly in just a few months, gaining at least five or six pounds. Yet, it still nestled in Minghua’s arms, making her carry it around.

“It’s so heavy, it will tire you out,” Yan Yuanhua said as he stood up.

Ping An didn’t leave, continuing to stay by Lu Minghua’s side, occasionally glancing at Yan Yuanhua with a look that suggested it wanted to pounce on him.

Lu Minghua couldn’t help but feel helpless. This person and the cat had never gotten along. Whenever they were together, Ping An always wanted to scratch Yuan Ji’an. Yuan Ji’an said it was because Ping An still remembered being taken away by him.

She thought it was impossible. How could such a small cat hold a grudge?

“Mama, bring some medicine. Young Master Yuan has been scratched,” Lu Minghua said, still instinctively calling him Young Master Yuan in front of others.

Yuan Ji’an was a bit dissatisfied. After Mama Li responded and left, he leaned in and said, “You called me Young Master Yuan again.”

“I like it when you call me Ji’an,” he added before Lu Minghua could respond.

Lu Minghua’s face felt a bit warm. He was standing too close, so she leaned slightly to the other side and whispered, “Mama is here.”

“Can’t you call me that with Mama around?” Yan Yuanhua insisted.

Of course, she could, but Lu Minghua felt embarrassed.

Seeing the hint of disappointment in Yan Yuanhua’s eyes, she smiled and teased, “You’re putting on that look again. Fine, fine, I’ll call you Ji’an next time, okay?”

Yan Yuanhua immediately smiled.

“Miss, Ping An needs to be disciplined. It’s getting more mischievous,” Mama Li said as she brought the medicine, still nagging.

The cat’s claws had been trimmed, so it usually couldn’t scratch people. But Yan Yuanhua still had red marks, indicating how hard it had scratched.

Lu Minghua took the medicine and, as if she hadn’t heard, carefully applied it to Yan Yuanhua.

Her jade-like fingers picked up the light brown ointment, which she spread and gently massaged in. Yan Yuanhua leaned back in the chair, his gaze entirely on Lu Minghua’s serious face. In this situation, even if he had been in pain, it would have felt like a heavenly blessing.

“All done,” Lu Minghua finally finished applying the ointment, sighed in relief, and looked up, meeting his eyes.

He always looked at her like this, but she could never get used to it. Her breath caught, and she lowered her eyes, a faint blush spreading across her face.

“Minghua, there’s something at home. I need to return to the capital for four or five days,” Yan Yuanhua said softly, trying to hide his reluctance.

The Beiyi had already submitted their national letter and were waiting outside the Zhenbei Pass, ready to enter once the Emperor gave the order. This matter was of great importance, and the Emperor had called him back to discuss it in detail.

This was a significant matter, and he couldn’t shirk it. He had to return. It was also a good opportunity for him to think of a way to get his mother’s approval.

Hearing this, Lu Minghua was momentarily stunned. She instinctively looked at Yan Yuanhua, meeting his eyes. Her eyelashes fluttered, but she didn’t look away this time. Her smile faded slightly, and she said, “If there’s something important, then go back.”

“I don’t feel at ease with you living here. You should move to Yunshan,” Yan Yuanhua suggested again.

“Here’s the property deed. I know you mind, so I’ll sell the courtyard to you. Is that okay?” Seeing Lu Minghua about to speak, he quickly took out a property deed and handed it to her.

Yan Yuanhua felt helpless. How many people in the world, like him, want to give something to their beloved and still have to accept money for it?

“This—” Lu Minghua’s refusal suddenly became difficult to say. She had said she minded, and now Yan Yuanhua had come up with a solution. If she refused again, it would indeed seem a bit distant.

“Alright.” After a while, she finally agreed and asked with a smile about the price.

Yan Yuanhua had already inquired and quoted the lowest price for the neighboring courtyard to Lu Minghua.

“It’s too low,” Lu Minghua immediately recognized. She had previously inquired, and this price was likely the lowest for a courtyard in Yunshan. It would also require some personal connections.

“I only feel it’s high. Minghua, are you still going to be polite with me?” Yan Yuanhua said with a smile, but his eyes were sincere.

At the mention of politeness, Lu Minghua remembered what Yan Yuanhua had once told her, that good friends don’t need to be polite. And what was the result?

She couldn’t help but laugh.

Yan Yuanhua was puzzled by her laughter and looked at her with confusion.

Returning a look that said she wouldn’t tell him, Lu Minghua said nothing more and had someone bring the silver notes to him.

“Thank you for the reward, Minghua,” Yan Yuanhua joked, pretending to bow.

“You’re welcome, you may leave,” Lu Minghua immediately played along.

Yan Yuanhua then became serious, pretending not to hear the words “you may leave.”

Lu Minghua couldn’t help but laugh.

“I specifically chose the neighboring courtyard. After I leave, I’ll leave Zhao Shiyi behind. If you need anything, go to him. Don’t be polite with me,” Yan Yuanhua said seriously after a moment of joking.

“It’s best to find him often, so I won’t worry about you while I’m in the capital,” he added, still concerned.

“Alright, alright, there’s no need to worry so much,” Lu Minghua said warmly, trying to comfort him.

“I can’t be at ease if I can’t see you,” Yan Yuanhua sighed.

Lu Minghua felt a bit embarrassed as if he were treating her like a child. But seeing Yan Yuanhua’s expression, her heart softened. Suddenly, she felt a twinge of sadness about their impending separation.

The next day, Lu Minghua moved to the other courtyard, and in the afternoon, she saw Yan Yuanhua off.

On the same day, Wei Yuntai received news that Cui Zhi had been sent back to the capital.

Yunshan was filled with nobles and spies, making it a complicated place. He thought the Marquis’s residence was safer, and without further searching for Lu Minghua, he returned to the capital.

Meanwhile, Yan Yuanhua casually tossed aside a note, his brows relaxing a bit. With him not in Yunshan, he would have to find a way to make Wei Yuntai leave. Otherwise, if he found Minghua, it would only trouble her. This way, he didn’t have to think of another solution.

Unaware of the turmoil behind the scenes, Lu Minghua was admiring the camellia with its crimson petals that seemed to glow faintly. She silently praised it, understanding why it was called “Zhaojin.”

Looking at it this way, if she didn’t know it was a real flower, she might have thought it was made of the finest brocade. In the evening, she soaked in the hot spring again and had a good night’s sleep.

In the capital, the Taiji Hall was brightly lit. Yan Yuanhua and the current Emperor talked for a long time, listening to the concubines outside, bringing soup and snacks one after another. Yan Yuanhua teased his brother.

“Don’t look at me,” the Emperor glanced at him and said, “What are you thinking about with that Lu woman? I don’t dare tell Mother, afraid she’ll worry. Let me be clear: If you want to marry her as your wife, that’s absolutely impossible.”

His brother, the current Prince Rui, a prince of high status, could not marry a divorced woman.

“Of course, I want to marry her as my wife,” Yan Yuanhua said confidently, without a hint of hesitation or doubt.

Seeing this, the Emperor’s heart sank.

Yan Yuanhua’s current demeanor suddenly reminded him of four years ago when he insisted on going to the border. He immediately understood that his brother had indeed made up his mind. If he couldn’t persuade him four years ago, what about now?

“But she is a divorced woman,” the Emperor frowned.

“So what?” Yan Yuanhua didn’t care.

“How is that not a problem?” The Emperor looked helplessly at his brother. “With your status, you can find any noblewoman you want. Such a woman is really beneath you—”

“Brother!” Yan Yuanhua couldn’t stand hearing his brother say this. He didn’t call him “Your Majesty,” but reverted to the childhood term. “Minghua was unfortunate to meet the wrong person. It’s not her fault. Her divorce is not her fault either. The fault lies with those people.”

“I only regret meeting her too late, unable to protect her peace and happiness. I don’t want to hear such words from others, let alone from you. Why should a young woman bear the sins of others?”

“Brother, she is the love of my life.”

Yan Yuanhua finished in one breath, staring intently at the Emperor, his expression open yet stubborn.

“You, you,” the Emperor sighed helplessly, pointing at his brother.

Yan Yuanhua said nothing.

The Emperor knew this look well. It meant his brother had decided and didn’t want to waste words. As brothers, they understood each other’s thoughts with just a look. It seemed he couldn’t persuade his brother.

“Four years ago, you threatened to sneak off to the border if I didn’t let you go. What about now?” The Emperor, still unwilling to give up, tried one last time.

“I’ve already agreed with Minghua. If the family doesn’t agree, I’ll take her to Jingzhou,” Yan Yuanhua said proudly.

His fiefdom, where he had the final say.

“You—” Understanding his meaning, the Emperor became angry and threw a book at him.

“Brat!” he cursed.

For a woman, he was willing to abandon his mother and brother.

“Why are you angry, brother? I’m not even angry that you disapprove of my beloved,” Yan Yuanhua said, looking more upset than his brother. “Why can’t I marry the woman I love?”

“Is it more important for me to marry a noblewoman you approve of or the one who makes me happy?” he asked indignantly.

The Emperor was at a loss for words.

After a moment, he sighed, “You always have a way with words.”

“Am I wrong?”

No, but it wasn’t in line with tradition. It was always about parental orders and matchmakers’ words, not about whether a noblewoman or a beloved was more important.

The Emperor couldn’t argue, finally saying in frustration, “Fine, fine, I won’t interfere. You’ll have to figure out how to deal with Mother.”

“Thank you, brother,” Yan Yuanhua said with a smile.

“You’re being unreasonable,” the Emperor said, still unhappy that his brother was defying him for a woman.

But seeing him so happy, he thought, let it be. It was a blessing that he had returned safely from the border. It was just a woman, after all. Let him be happy.

Yan Yuanhua kept smiling, knowing that convincing his brother was half the battle won.

In the palace, the brothers were at odds. At the Marquis of Ningguo’s residence, the flickering lights cast shadows in the dim study. Wei Yuntai looked at Cui Zhi kneeling before him, her face pale, clutching her chest, a trickle of blood at the corner of her mouth.

“Miss has always been jealous of the third miss.”

“Miss learned from Miss Sun that Madam Marquis didn’t want to marry a frail woman into the family.”

“Miss ordered me to bribe Yuan’an to say that the owner of the wooden plaque was the third miss and then leave the capital far away.”

“After the third miss got married, Miss deliberately revealed that the owner of the wooden plaque was her.”

“Madam Marquis would insist on not letting me in. Wei Yuntai might not oppose Madam Marquis for me, but Lu Minghua is healthy. For her son’s sake, Madam Marquis might step back. And Wei Yuntai, being proud, would be even more obsessed with me if he found out he was deceived. Every time he saw Lu Minghua, he would think of me more. Over time, he would marry me.” Cui Zhi recited these words expressionlessly, saying, “These are Miss’s exact words.”

Her hands trembled in her sleeves, but she had to clearly explain everything to Wei Yuntai. Those people had said that as long as she told the truth, her husband and children would be safe.

As long as she obeyed.

Every word hit Wei Yuntai’s thoughts. His heart churned, and he couldn’t hold back the blood any longer, vomiting it out.