Chapter 68

“It will take a long time. I regret it now. I should have set it for January,” Yan Yuanhua said softly, looking at Lu Minghua.

Her heartbeat was steady but clear, and a strange warmth spread from her heart, warming her whole body.

“January won’t do,” she said, her eyes bright and dazzling. “My wedding can’t be too simple.”

Yan Yuanhua rarely saw her smile so brightly and was a bit mesmerized. “Yes, Minghua is right,” he said, a bit dazed.

Lu Minghua took his hand and walked forward, smiling. “I want the curtains in the room to be made of Xiayun brocade, with crystals instead of pearls.”

“The paintings on the beams shouldn’t be of auspicious clouds and good fortune but of blooming flowers.”

“The windows should be large…” She shared all her past dreams of a home, dreams she had as a young girl. Unfortunately, no one could fulfill them back then, and now she was too tired to care.

However, Lu Minghua was willing to share them with Yan Yuanhua now.

Yan Yuanhua agreed to everything, regardless of how unconventional her requests were. What rules in this world could bind him?

Unknowingly, they reached the magnolia tree. Lu Minghua stopped, gently touched the tree, and smiled at Yan Yuanhua. “Let’s plant the magnolia in the courtyard and the crabapple in front of the window. When we open the window, we’ll see a tree full of flowers.”

“Whatever you say,” Yan Yuanhua’s voice was soft, calm, and gentle, yet so focused and sincere.

Lu Minghua’s heart skipped a beat. She held his hand and couldn’t help but smile at him.

Because of this conversation, they both had smiles on their faces until they left the Eastern Palace.

“Your Highness, Miss Lu,” a gentle voice called from afar.

Lu Minghua looked up and saw Tuo Ba Rou, her eyebrows twitching.

“Your Highness, I have something to discuss with you. May I speak with you privately?” Tuo Ba Rou approached, her affectionate eyes falling on Yan Yuanhua.

“I have nothing to say to you,” Yan Yuanhua said without looking at her, his attention still on Lu Minghua.

“Your Highness,” Tuo Ba Rou instinctively stepped forward as he was about to leave.

Yan Yuanhua raised his hand, and the guards immediately stepped forward to block her.

“Minghua, let’s go,” he said, holding Lu Minghua’s hand.

They hadn’t walked far when they saw Wei Yuntai.

As usual, Lu Minghua ignored him and walked past with Yan Yuanhua as if they had never known each other.

Wei Yuntai swallowed his words, staring blankly at their departing figures.

Lu Minghua had found her place, protected by Prince Rui, with no worries for the rest of her life. His guilt should have dissipated, and he should only need to offer his blessings. But why did he still feel so sad?

He remembered the past, when Lu Minghua, newly married, wore a red dress and smiled at him. Red was bright and bold, but it only seemed gentle on her. Now, that gentle person wouldn’t even look at him.

The music and dance continued in Qingde Hall. After lunch, the emperor and the Empress Dowager left, but the banquet would continue until late at night.

Lu Minghua had planned to sit with her parents, but Yan Yuanhua pulled her along to follow the Empress Dowager. They spent the afternoon at Shoukang Palace, and near evening, Yan Yuanhua finally took Lu Minghua back to the mansion.

“That rascal, now he remembers to use me,” the Empress Dowager laughed after they left.

Yan Yuanhua’s actions were to show everyone her attitude towards Lu Minghua. In the past, she thought he was clueless, never looking at women. But now, it seemed he just didn’t care.

Now, he seemed quite strategic.

“The Prince saw you were happy, Empress Dowager. I noticed Miss Lu wanted to leave earlier, but the Prince kept looking at you and comforting Miss Lu to wait a bit longer,” the maid said, recalling Empress Dowager’s smile while talking to Lu Minghua.

“Happy?” The Empress Dowager was taken aback. She hadn’t realized it, but she had indeed been very happy chatting with Lu Minghua.

The maid nodded and said, “It’s rare to see you this happy.”

Not to mention during the late emperor’s time, even now, with countless concubines in the harem, the Empress Dowager only showed special attention to the Empress and her son, the Crown Prince. She treated all other children equally. There was never a time for such laughter and conversation.

“Lu Minghua is indeed meticulous and considerate,” the Empress Dowager said after a while, smiling lightly.

The children of her eldest son were of great importance. If she showed them any special attention, it would cause speculation. So, she kept her distance, knowing that as long as the current emperor was in power, she would remain the esteemed Empress Dowager. However, her youngest son didn’t require such caution.

At the Wen’an Earl’s residence, the steward hurried to greet them as soon as the carriage stopped. He saw His Highness get off the carriage first and quickly led everyone to bow. Then, he saw His Highness extend his hand.

Lu Minghua lifted the curtain and stepped out, smiling lightly as she took his hand and got off the carriage with his support.

“Rise,” Yan Yuanhua said casually, not letting go of her hand as he led her into the residence.

Lu Minghua pulled her hand back, giving him a reproachful look. It was one thing to hold hands in the palace where no one could see, but this was their residence. What would people think?

“Alright, it’s getting late. You should go back,” she said, starting to send him off. There was still some evening glow when they left the palace, but now it was completely dark.

“Alright, I’ll come to see you tomorrow,” Yan Yuanhua said, reluctantly leaving.

Watching the carriage gradually disappear, Yan Yuanhua lifted the curtain for one last look. Lu Minghua smiled and then returned to the residence.

“Miss,” the steward said nervously, “Second Master and Madam came to the residence this morning to congratulate you on becoming Princess Rui. They’ve been waiting all day and haven’t left.”

He felt helpless. The first day of the new year was a time for family reunions, not for visiting others and staying all day without leaving. But they were legitimate relatives, the younger brother of their lord. They couldn’t just force them out.

Lu Minghua paused, frowning slightly.

The steward immediately became anxious.

“Let’s go see them,” Lu Minghua said. She and Lu Chengsong had always been able to lower themselves in such matters. If she didn’t see them today, they would come back tomorrow or the day after. It was better to deal with it now than be annoyed daily. After all, what he cared about were just those things.

“Minghua,” As soon as Lu Minghua entered the room, she heard Madam Qin’s slightly excited voice. She paused, feeling a mix of emotions.

In the past, Madam Qin always noticed her last, and her heart always focused on Lu Mingxi—she was sick, her health was poor, and she was unhappy.

At that time, Lu Minghua even thought that if she were the one who was sick, maybe Madam Qin would pay more attention to her. But that thought was too foolish, and Lu Minghua didn’t want to degrade herself like that.

Now, Madam Qin finally noticed her first, but Lu Minghua felt only calmness.

It was too late; she no longer cared.

“Father, Mother, I’m back,” Lu Minghua said, stepping forward and bowing.

Madam Qin was about to respond when she heard her sister-in-law, Madam Yuan, exclaim, causing her to stop. Her throat tightened as if something was blocking it.

Madam Yuan smiled and beckoned Lu Minghua over, saying, “How was your visit to the Empress Dowager’s palace? Why did it take so long?”

She was quite worried, unable to rest easy, and fearing that Minghua might be troubled by the Empress Dowager.

“The Empress Dowager is kind and kept me talking for a long time,” Lu Minghua said with a light smile to ease her worries. She then turned to Lu Chengsong and Madam Qin, smiling, “Uncle, Aunt, thank you for waiting.”

She was so calm and composed as if they were just ‘Uncle’ and ‘Aunt’ to her.

Lu Chengsong felt a chill in his heart. To him, such a great event should have made Lu Minghua either mock them, flaunt her success, or avoid them. But her calmness, without any waves, was the hardest to deal with.

“Minghua, you’re back. I heard yesterday that you were made Princess Rui. It’s such a great joy. Our Lu family has produced a princess. Your mother was so happy she burned incense and prayed all night. We came early today to congratulate you,” Lu Chengsong said, smiling as if he had forgotten everything he had done before.

Lu Minghua wasn’t surprised. In contrast, Lu Chengwen’s face was grim. When he heard about Lu Chengsong’s visit, he was already angry. Such entanglement, afraid others wouldn’t know his intentions, was truly disgraceful. He had tried to persuade Lu Chengsong to leave, but he seemed not to hear. Now, he was showing this face.

“Lu Chengsong, Minghua is my daughter,” Lu Chengwen said. “Remember, you are just her uncle.”

“Oh, brother, what are you saying? Even if you adopted her, Minghua is still me and Madam Qin’s biological daughter. Calling us father and mother is not too much,” Lu Chengsong said indifferently.

“Get out. Now you want to find Minghua? Where were you before?” Lu Chengwen shouted, pointing to the door.

“Brother, I was deceived by Lu Mingxi. I’m innocent. She said her sister always bullied her behind her back, and I believed her and helped her. But later, I found out those were all lies,” Lu Chengsong said, looking at Lu Minghua with a smile. “Minghua, you probably don’t know, but Lu Mingxi was taken as a concubine by Ning Yunchan from the Duke of An’s residence. Yesterday, she was sent away with him.”

“Don’t worry, she won’t be able to harm you anymore,” Lu Chengsong said, smiling with a hint of flattery.

Lu Minghua looked at Madam Qin first, seeing her pupils tremble and her face pale. But what surprised her was that this was all there was. She wasn’t worried, didn’t feel heartache, and didn’t look at her with any expectation.

Turning to look at Lu Chengsong, Lu Minghua couldn’t understand why there were fathers like him in the world. At this moment, she would rather he had some affection for Lu Mingxi, regardless of like or dislike, because that would make her feel that her biological father was still a person, not a beast who used his own daughter to curry favor with her.

“That is your biological daughter,” Lu Minghua murmured, looking at Lu Chengsong in disbelief. She had never understood, and still couldn’t believe, how there could be such a father in the world.

“I don’t have such a cruel daughter,” Lu Chengsong said righteously. “She is so vicious, always scheming. How can she still be considered a person? She’s worse than a beast.”

At that moment, Lu Minghua found it absurd. How laughable, a beast calling someone else a beast.

“Enough, Lu Chengsong. That is your biological daughter. Her current state is largely your responsibility. Poor upbringing, lack of discipline. A good child turned out like this, and you have the nerve to say these things?” Lu Chengwen shouted.

Lu Chengsong didn’t catch Lu Minghua’s meaning, but Lu Chengwen and Madam Yuan did. Seeing him like this, they felt heartache for Lu Minghua.

“Brother, you can’t say that. With the same upbringing, why is Minghua so well-mannered and educated? How can it be my fault?” Lu Chengsong said, feeling wronged.

Madam Yuan glanced at Madam Qin.

In a daze, Madam Qin should have missed this look, but she happened to look up and see Madam Yuan’s gaze. She was stunned, and the usually muddle-headed person suddenly understood Madam Yuan’s meaning.

Because of her, she was saying, Lu Mingxi ended up like this because of her.

She was stunned, unable to think of a rebuttal. These days, she had been thinking, if she hadn’t always put Lu Mingxi first, hadn’t been biased against Lu Minghua, what would have happened in the end?

Thinking about it, Madam Qin sadly admitted that Lu Mingxi’s current situation was all because of her. Because of her foolishness and favoritism, she let Lu Mingxi get used to being indulged in everything, believing that she could get whatever she wanted by using her frail health. But both she and Lu Mingxi forgot that in the small world of Sixian Courtyard, where they could make decisions, this was not a problem.

However, the Sixian Courtyard was too small. Outside, there was a much larger world. People wouldn’t tolerate her just because she was sick, nor would they pity her. Outside the Earl’s residence, Lu Mingxi was nothing.

Madam Qin felt breathless again. She looked at Lu Minghua, remembering countless times when she had seen a faintly mocking look in her calm eyes. She couldn’t help but wonder if Lu Minghua had realized this long ago, which was why she looked at her and Lu Mingxi that way. Unable to breathe, she clutched her chest, her face turning red, and collapsed into a chair.

Everyone in the room was shocked. Lu Chengwen, forgetting to scold Lu Chengsong, hurriedly called for a doctor.

Lu Chengsong, unconcerned, said it was an old ailment and showed no worry.

Those who noticed this were disheartened. This was his wife of several decades.

Lu Minghua wasn’t surprised, even recalling the previous rumors in the residence that when Madam Qin was ill, Lu Mingxi didn’t worry at all. It seemed they truly were father and daughter.

After a while, the doctor said Madam Qin’s condition was due to emotional distress and that she needed to find ways to relieve it.

Hearing this familiar term, Lu Minghua almost laughed. It used to be Lu Mingxi; now it was her.

After acupuncture and medication, it was already late, and it was time for dinner. The delay caused by these people made Lu Chengwen angrily drive them away. Lu Chengsong left reluctantly, but not before trying to speak to Lu Minghua.

Lu Minghua felt nauseated.

“Please don’t come again,” she said.

Her words were too polite, and Lu Chengsong didn’t take them seriously, still trying to joke. But when Lu Minghua looked up, her eyes were cold and devoid of any smile, startling him.

“Seeing you is not a pleasant thing. I hope you won’t appear in front of me again,” Lu Minghua said politely but firmly.

Lu Chengsong frowned.

“Otherwise, I’ll have to find a way to make sure your whole family leaves the capital,” Lu Minghua said with a light smile.

“You, I am your biological father! Aren’t you afraid of what people will say?” Lu Chengsong was shocked, not doubting Lu Minghua’s ability to do so.

“What’s the point of caring about others’ opinions if you’re not happy?” Lu Minghua said nonchalantly, finally dropping her smile and looking at Lu Chengsong blankly. “In any case, that’s how it is. Otherwise, you can go and join Lu Mingxi.”

“Aunt has always loved her, and so have you, Uncle. I suppose you’re willing. It’s just a pity for my half-brothers; they might never have a chance in their careers,” Lu Minghua said, knowing that Lu Chengsong had always dreamed of one of his sons becoming an official and had invested a lot in their upbringing.

As expected, Lu Chengsong’s face stiffened at her words, staring at Lu Minghua for a long moment.

Lu Minghua thought he would snort and leave, but after a while, he forced a smile and said, “Look at you, Minghua. If you don’t want to see me, I won’t appear in front of you. I’ll leave now, I’ll leave.”

With that, Lu Chengsong left quickly, without further entanglement.

Seeing his ability to bend and stretch, Lu Minghua felt a blockage in her heart, knowing he was still trying to use her name for his benefit.

Even if she knew, there was nothing she could do. She couldn’t go around telling people, “I don’t get along with my biological father, so don’t pay attention to him.”

“Minghua, you did the right thing. That’s how it should be,” Madam Yuan said with satisfaction.

Lu Chengwen also agreed with Lu Minghua, but he sighed quietly in his heart. No matter what, that was his younger brother. Although he was useless before, he was never like this. Lu Chengwen still had some feelings for him.

After sending the guests away, the family finally had dinner. Despite what had happened earlier, everyone was smiling, and they ate happily before going to rest.

On the other side, Lu Chengsong and his wife returned home. Compared to the Sixian Courtyard in the Earl’s residence, this house was undoubtedly much more spacious, but it was different. Many of the Earl’s residence regulations couldn’t be used in an ordinary house, and Lu Chengsong felt blocked every time he thought about it.

Today, he returned home angry and even more displeased, snorting all the way and not looking at Madam Qin, heading straight to Concubine Zhang’s place.

Madam Qin, who usually couldn’t help but look for him when he was not around, didn’t even glance at him today. She went straight back to her courtyard and to the Buddha hall.

The compassionate face of Guanyin above seemed to be saving all beings. She burned incense, knelt down, and recited sutras with her prayer beads, but her mind was blank, and she did not know what she was praying for.

Concubine Zhang busied herself, making Lu Chengsong comfortable. Seeing his anger dissipate, she finally relaxed. Knowing that today’s visit didn’t go well, she dared not ask more.

“Useless thing,” Concubine Zhang could hold back, but Lu Chengsong became angrier the more he thought about it and couldn’t help but say, “Madam Qin, that useless woman, doesn’t even care about her own daughter. Today, Lu Minghua didn’t even look at her.”

“What kind of mother is she?!” He slammed the table, making a loud noise and even breaking the teacup.

Concubine Zhang didn’t dare to make a sound, knowing exactly why. Madam Qin was weak and foolish, neglected by Lu Chengsong in the early years, and subconsciously went along with everything he wanted. He didn’t like the eldest daughter, so she ignored her too. Over time, she either got used to it or simply stopped caring about the eldest daughter.

Sometimes, Concubine Zhang found it laughable and disdainful that a mother could be so neglectful. But since it wasn’t her child, she didn’t interfere. Who would have thought that Lu Minghua would have such fortune today? If she had known, she would have treated her better from the start.

Now, it was too late for regrets.

---

On the second day of the new year, people with even the slightest connection to the Earl’s residence sent gifts. By the third day, families began visiting, making the Earl’s residence lively. Every day, there were guests.

Every day, unfamiliar aunts and sisters came to talk to her, and even Lu Minghua found it overwhelming.

Fortunately, Yan Yuanhua visited daily. She wondered how a prince had so much free time to visit her every day. Of course, she also suspected that the frequent visits were because people knew he would come.

The new year passed quickly, and before she knew it, it was already the eighth day.

On the eighth day, court resumed, and officials returned to their daily routines.

Early that morning, Yan Yuanhua took Lu Minghua out.

“Where are you taking me?” Lu Minghua asked curiously as the carriage moved.

The streets outside were bustling, and although it was still some time before the Lantern Festival, many families had already put up beautiful lanterns. Just looking at them made people look forward to the festival.

“To the government office, to watch a good show,” Yan Yuanhua said.

Lu Minghua lowered the curtain thoughtfully and asked, “Whose show?”

“Lu Chengsong’s,” Yan Yuanhua said confidently, watching Lu Minghua’s expression.

Although he knew she didn’t like her parents, he was still a bit worried that she might have lingering feelings.

“What?” Lu Minghua was surprised and asked, “What’s going on with him?”

“Do you remember the rumors about you in the capital last year?”

How could Lu Minghua forget? She nodded.

“My people happened to discover him chasing someone last year. They saved the person, who then revealed that they had spread rumors about you under Lu Mingxi’s orders. Later, they were chased out of the capital, and the mastermind behind it was Lu Chengsong.”

Yan Yuanhua feared that Lu Minghua might soften—

Though it was unlikely, he still told her everything.

“When was this?” Lu Minghua asked after thinking for a moment.

Yan Yuanhua gave the date, and seeing that she wasn’t angry or showing any other reaction, he felt relieved but curious about what she was thinking.

“What’s wrong?”

“I just remembered when Lu Mingxi helped Lu Yaoqi find a teacher last year. Normally, Lu Mingxi wouldn’t have agreed so easily. She would have made things difficult for Lu Chengsong. But strangely, she agreed right away. Now I think Lu Chengsong must have threatened her with this matter,” Lu Minghua said softly, not hiding anything.

She knew those two well enough to sense something was off, and now it made sense.

“So that’s it.” Yan Yuanhua wasn’t very interested in their affairs but was willing to listen to anything Lu Minghua said. He nodded in understanding and asked, “Why do you think that?”

Lu Minghua, still recalling, shook her head lightly with a hint of sarcasm. “To protect his wealth and status, he would stop at nothing. I guess that person must have had some leverage over Lu Mingxi, which he took away.” She looked at Yan Yuanhua, very certain.

“Minghua, you’re so smart. That’s right, but that person was clever too and secretly kept a piece of evidence,” Yan Yuanhua praised sincerely, smiling.

“I just know them well,” Lu Minghua said with a light smile, not taking it seriously.

Yan Yuanhua couldn’t take his eyes off her calm and smiling face.

As the court session had just started, there weren’t many people in front of the government office. The carriage slowly stopped across the street.

“Shall we go in and listen?” Yan Yuanhua asked.

“I don’t want to see him,” Lu Minghua refused.

“No need to see him. We’ll listen from behind the hall,” Yan Yuanhua said eagerly.

Lu Minghua was tempted but wondered if it would be inappropriate to go so abruptly.

“Don’t you want to hear what they say?” Yan Yuanhua’s words finally persuaded Lu Minghua. He led her and their entourage into the government office, where they were respectfully seated behind the hall.

The officer was about to ask why they were there when someone came in, saying there was a complaint. He hesitated, but Yan Yuanhua smiled and said, “Go ahead, judge it properly.”

A shiver ran down his spine, and he immediately guessed that this matter was related to the Prince. He quickly excused himself.

Sure enough, the complainant accused Lu Chengsong, the second master of the Wen’an Earl’s residence, of attempting to kill him and even presented evidence.

The man, lying down and crying, said he had narrowly escaped death and had been hiding for a year before finally understanding the reason and asking the magistrate to seek justice for him.

The officer believed half of it. The murder attempt was genuine, but Prince Rui likely orchestrated the evidence and reasons. However, he didn’t pursue it further and immediately ordered Lu Chengsong’s arrest. Watching the complaint, he was amazed at the situation. Lu Chengsong knew his younger daughter framed his elder daughter and ruined her reputation, and not only did he not intervene, but he also helped cover it up.

Such people existed, driven by profit, favoring the younger daughter because of her promising future.

The officer had seen many things, but Lu Chengsong’s bad luck and poor judgment were evident. The abandoned elder daughter became Princess Rui, while the younger daughter was discarded, leaving him with nothing.

Soon, Lu Chengsong was brought to the government office. Standing in the main hall, he was filled with confusion and disbelief, unable to comprehend what had happened.