Chapter 60

When it came to the Empress Dowager, no one dared to be careless. Soon, the Emperor received the news.

He pondered for a moment and decided to wait.

The Empress Dowager was hesitating, and if he went to her now, he might be blamed. After thinking it over, he went to the Empress’s Kunning Palace in the evening, dismissed the palace attendants, and asked the Empress to subtly mention to the Empress Dowager about elders making decisions, unhappy marriages, and the resulting resentful couples.

The Empress was puzzled, but, having been with him for many years, she understood and agreed without asking further. She knew that if the Emperor was being so indirect, she couldn’t directly approach the Empress Dowager either. Instead, she found a palace attendant to relay the message.

With these roundabout arrangements, by the time the Empress Dowager realized something was amiss, she had already heard about the private affairs of at least three households.

Most of these stories involved breaking up couples and arranging marriages that led to unhappy unions. She was both amused and saddened. For the sake of a woman, her youngest son had gone to great lengths, even involving his elder brother.

As the twelfth lunar month began, the New Year approached.

Madam Yuan was busy preparing for the New Year, and after attending the banquet, Lu Minghua wanted to return to the villa but was stopped by Madam Yuan.

“With the New Year approaching, why stay in that cold, empty place? Stay home for the New Year, and if you still want to go afterward, you can,” Madam Yuan said, giving her some tasks to keep her busy and prevent idle thoughts.

Lu Minghua had no choice but to comply, staying busy all day but never losing her smile.

The thirteenth day of the twelfth lunar month was the day Lu Minghua and Yuan Ji’an had agreed to meet. In the morning, she sat at her dressing table, lost in thought for a long time, feeling anxious and accidentally breaking a few strands of hair.

“Ah.” Regretfully looking at the strands of hair tangled in the wooden comb, Lu Minghua gently removed them and placed them in her palm.

Outside, Mama Li, thinking she was still asleep, heard the noise and came in, quickly arranging for someone to help her wash and dress.

Seeing Lu Minghua like this, she only smiled and said, “Miss, it seems you haven’t seen Young Master Yuan for a long time.” It’s no wonder she was so absent-minded.

“Not that long, just over ten days,” Lu Minghua retorted, but she couldn’t help thinking that it indeed felt like a long time.

After washing and dressing, she accompanied Madam Yuan for breakfast. Lu Minghua mentioned wanting to go out for a walk, and Madam Yuan readily agreed. She even asked the accountant to give her a 500 tael silver note, telling her to buy whatever she liked and to send someone to the mansion if it wasn’t enough.

“That’s more than enough, Mother. I don’t need that much,” Lu Minghua said with a light laugh. A meal at a regular restaurant only cost two taels of silver. She didn’t need that much money unless she was buying something substantial.

“A girl can never have enough things. Buy any clothes or jewelry you like. Our family isn’t short of money,” Madam Yuan said. Although the Wen’an Earl’s residence had declined, the current Earl hadn’t taken office and had no say in the court; however, with generations of family connections and ancestral property, they were indeed not short of money. Not to mention, when Lu Minghua got married a few years ago, most of her dowry came from the main house.

“Thank you, Mother,” Lu Minghua said warmly, thanking her before leaving.

Having forgotten earlier, Madam Yuan quickly sent someone to remind her to wear her cloak as it was cold outside.

In the corridor, the cold wind hit Lu Minghua’s face, but she felt as if it were spring.

The carriage left the mansion and headed towards the restaurant.

As she got off the carriage, a gust of wind blew, lifting Lu Minghua’s cloak.

Today was icy, and the sky was overcast, with no sunlight visible. Only a few pedestrians were on the road, and it looked like it might snow.

Lu Minghua never liked such weather. She glanced at the sky, feeling a bit gloomy.

The shop assistant standing outside was about to come over when Zhao Shiyi appeared instantly.

“Miss Lu, Master is waiting for you on the second floor. Let me lead the way,” he said with a nod and a smile.

“Thank you, Steward Zhao.”

As they spoke, they went upstairs. As soon as Zhao Shiyi raised his hand, the door to the elegant room opened automatically. Lu Minghua looked up and saw Yuan Ji’an smiling at her.

“Ji’an,” she called out instinctively, her face breaking into a smile.

“Minghua, come in quickly.” There seemed to be a cold wind blowing on the corridor, ruffling Lu Minghua’s hair. Yan Yuanhua quickly stepped aside to let her in.

Inside, the maids stayed outside the door.

As soon as Lu Minghua sat down, Yan Yuanhua poured a cup of hot tea and handed it to her. She reached out to take it, and the warmth spread from her fingertips throughout her body, making her sigh with relief.

“It’s too cold outside today. If I had known, I would have arranged to meet yesterday.” Yesterday, there was still some sunshine, but who knew the weather would change so quickly?

“Don’t people always say, ‘If only I had known’?” Lu Minghua smiled at him, her heart stirring.

“Minghua, it’s been fourteen days since we last met.”

“Why do you keep track of these things?” she asked. Last time, too, he had started by mentioning how long it had been since they last met.

“Of course, it’s because I think of you every day, unlike you, who doesn’t miss me at all,” Yan Yuanhua said, sitting across from her at the small round table. Sitting across from her like this was much better than sitting next door. He could see every expression and smile on Minghua’s face.

“If you say that, then I won’t write letters anymore.”

“No, I was wrong. Minghua, you clearly miss me too,” Yan Yuanhua quickly said, his smile growing even brighter.

When he had said that earlier, Lu Minghua was unhappy. Now, hearing this, she felt only a mix of embarrassment and annoyance. She regretted bringing it up.

“Didn’t you say you had something to discuss?” she asked, looking away to avoid seeing the smugness in Yuan Ji’an’s eyes.

Yan Yuanhua fell silent for a moment, feeling unexpectedly nervous. He didn’t speak, and Lu Minghua’s heart sank, her smile fading unconsciously.

“Minghua, my surname is not Yuan; my real surname is Yan, from the Yan Kingdom,” Yan Yuanhua finally said, steadying his heart.

Her fingers trembled, and the teacup fell onto the round table with a ‘clang.’

Tea splashed, wetting Lu Minghua’s sleeve.

“Minghua, I’m very sorry for not being honest with you.” Yan Yuanhua’s heart tightened, and his eyes never left Lu Minghua’s expression, capturing every detail.

Lu Minghua felt completely stunned, unable to think clearly. Yan? The royal surname? He was of royal descent? Who exactly was he?

Her mind was in turmoil, but she managed to maintain her composure. She removed the teacup and used a handkerchief to wipe away the spilled tea, gradually regaining some clarity.

“Your name?” Lu Minghua asked, dazed, wanting to know the most crucial question.

“Yan Yuanhua.”

Her hand paused, and Lu Minghua slowly withdrew it, looking up at Yan Yuanhua.

“Prince Rui?”

Yan Yuanhua nodded.

Closing her eyes abruptly, Lu Minghua wished it were all just a dream—

The man she loved was Prince Rui, the Emperor’s most trusted brother. Even storybooks wouldn’t dare write such a plot. But the pain in her clenched palm told her it was all real. What should she do now?

Her long-standing habit of not dwelling on sorrow kicked in, and she immediately began to think about the practical implications. She was the adopted daughter of an earl, while Yan Yuanhua was a prince, a legitimate royal.

Such a person, his wife would be a noble lady from a prestigious family, if not the daughter of a high-ranking official. No matter what, it wouldn’t be her turn. She didn’t need anyone to tell her; she felt unworthy herself. It wasn’t that she wasn’t good enough, but that’s how society was. What would the Empress Dowager think? What would the Emperor think? Even if they got married, what would she face in the future?

Thinking quickly, Lu Minghua steadied her emotions and looked at Yan Yuanhua.

“Your Highness, previously I was ignorant—” She wanted to say that their relationship should end here.

“Impossible, don’t even think about it.” Yan Yuanhua knew too well what her calm and composed expression meant. He interrupted her, not allowing her to say it.

Lu Minghua was speechless.

“Minghua, don’t give up on me, please? Give me a chance to marry you and take care of you. Trust me, I will solve those problems,” Yan Yuanhua stood up hastily, knocking over the stool. He didn’t care and walked to Lu Minghua’s side, kneeling on one knee, looking at her with a plea.

Lu Minghua wanted to believe him, but it was too difficult. It was like an insurmountable barrier. She didn’t want to face a family that didn’t like her or deal with those intrigues. She was really tired.

She closed her eyes, and crystal tears fell from the corners.

Yan Yuanhua’s heart ached.

“Your Highness,”

“Call me Ji’an, Minghua, call me Ji’an, that’s my courtesy name.” Her voice was too calm, so calm that it made Yan Yuanhua panic.

“Your Highness, our statuses are worlds apart. Minghua has no desire to climb the social ladder. In this life, I only want a small fortune and a peaceful life,” Lu Minghua felt as if her heart was being torn apart, but she remained calm, so calm that there was no trace of emotion.

“Then I’ll stay with you at the villa, and everything will be just like before, Minghua,”

“Your Highness, don’t joke,” Lu Minghua forced a smile and finally looked directly at Yan Yuanhua, saying, “Your Highness, let’s pretend none of this ever happened.”

She didn’t want to blame him for getting involved with her. After all, he had always been good to her in the past. But she couldn’t help but resent, if only she had known…

“Impossible.”

“Your Highness, I should go back,” Lu Minghua said softly, standing up slowly. Apart from her fading smile, nothing else was visible.

But Yan Yuanhua remembered that she had once been so composed, yet cried after drinking.

“Minghua, I will accept whether you resent or hate me. But don’t do this to yourself, don’t hold it in,” he said, holding her arm to prevent her from leaving, full of worry.

Lu Minghua’s eyes stung, and she almost couldn’t hold back her tears.

“Thank you, Your Highness. Please let go. I need to leave,” she said, using all her strength to pull her hand back.

With such force, Yan Yuanhua quickly let go. Seeing Lu Minghua heading towards the door, he hurriedly stepped in front to block her.

Lu Minghua had to stop and look up at him.

“Minghua, I won’t let you go. If you leave, does that mean you won’t see me again?” Yan Yuanhua refused to move aside.

Lu Minghua felt so distressed that she almost didn’t want to breathe, only wanting to find a place where no one could see her and be alone.

But he wouldn’t give up, persistently refusing to let go.

“Move aside,” she said, tears finally falling uncontrollably. She choked up and stepped forward, trying to push Yan Yuanhua away.

“Minghua,” seeing her tears, Yan Yuanhua felt relieved. He let Lu Minghua pull at him, remaining as steady as a mountain, unmoving.

“Why are you so annoying? Move aside, I want to leave.” Lu Minghua had never felt so annoyed with Yan Yuanhua, but no matter how much she messed up his clothes, he didn’t move, just looking at her intently.

“Move aside!”

“I hate you.”

“Yan Yuanhua!”

“Why did you provoke me in the first place? Why…” Lu Minghua, at her wit’s end, cried uncontrollably, finally voicing her thoughts.

“Minghua, I love you,” Yan Yuanhua simply said.

Lu Minghua’s words stopped abruptly. She knew his love was genuine, and his feelings for her were real.

It was she who was afraid and retreated.

“Minghua, don’t give up on me.” As she fell silent, Yan Yuanhua reached out, pulling her into his arms, and spoke of his plans, “Trust me, I’ve already spoken to my brother. If you’re unhappy, I’ll request to go to Jingzhou, my fiefdom. There, no one can make you unhappy. Trust me.”

But with the Empress Dowager in the palace, even Jingzhou wouldn’t be safe. She could send people there at any time. Now, in the heat of the moment, Yan Yuanhua might defy the Empress Dowager for her, but what about later? How long could this affection last?

Lu Minghua didn’t want to gamble on that.

“Let me think about it,” she finally said after a thousand words.

“I need to go home and think it over. Right now, facing you, I can’t think of anything. Please move aside.”

Even though Yan Yuanhua knew Lu Minghua might be making an excuse to get him to move, he had no choice but to step aside—

He couldn’t keep blocking her there.

Lu Minghua left, and the maids quickly approached, looking at her with confusion. They had heard most of the conversation through the door but couldn’t understand what had happened or why they had argued.

“Let’s go,” Lu Minghua said, her expression calm, as she walked downstairs without looking back.

As the carriage gently swayed, the restaurant was left behind.

After a while, Lu Minghua couldn’t resist lifting the curtain to look back at the restaurant. In the distance, she seemed to see a figure standing behind the second-floor window. She let the curtain fall, feeling as if all her strength had left her. Leaning softly against the carriage wall, she did not want to move at all.

“Follow her,” Ning Yunchan, who had received the news, said with interest, watching the fleeting figure behind the curtain.

The carriage turned and quietly followed.

The person following Ning Yunchan was shocked. The Heir had instructed them to watch Ning Yunchan and Lu Mingxi, but why was Ning Yunchan following Lu Minghua? He might not be able to tell the difference between Lu Minghua and Lu Mingxi, but he recognized the maids. Could he have mistaken them? What should he do? He didn’t know what to do and quickly sent a message back to Wei Yuntai.

At the restaurant, Yan Yuanhua watched the carriage disappear into the distance, his frown deepening. He was unable to think of a solution.

Outside, Zhao Shiyi came in and asked if he was going back. Yan Yuanhua declined and asked for wine, drinking it. The wine was good, each cup burning as it went down, but his eyes remained clear. His wife would only be Minghua, no matter how long it took. If not now, then slowly. He had plenty of time to make her willing.

Yan Yuanhua had already made up his mind.

“Your Highness, Ning Yunchan has intercepted Miss Lu’s carriage,” Zhao Shiyi said hurriedly as he entered.

‘Crack’

Yan Yuanhua accidentally crushed the wine cup, the shards cutting his palm, blood oozing out. He threw the pieces aside, blood splattering on the ground.

“He’s courting death,” he said, his face darker than ever, striding out.