Chapter 69

Seeing the person kneeling on the ground, Lu Chengsong knew today’s events were related to him, but no matter how he looked, he couldn’t recognize who it was. It wasn’t until he heard the magistrate read out the evidence that his mind buzzed, and he came to his senses.

Whenever the officer held court, common people would come to watch unless there were special circumstances, and today was no exception. As soon as the officer finished speaking, the crowd outside erupted in noise. Many couldn’t help but look at Lu Chengsong, surprised that someone who seemed so proper could do such things behind the scenes!

“The younger daughter schemed against the elder daughter, and he helped?”

“What kind of father is this?”

“His poor elder daughter.”

“Shh, quiet. Didn’t you hear the surname is Lu?”

“So what if it’s Lu?”

“Don’t you remember the rumors about the Ningguo Marquis’s residence in the capital last year?” The person spoke in a hushed tone, but everyone understood.

“You mean his elder daughter is Lu Minghua!” The crowd was shocked.

“Don’t talk nonsense. She’s the future Princess Rui!”

“So that’s it. I was wondering why the main branch adopted her. With a father like this, no wonder.”

The crowd’s discussions grew louder. Those who were confused now looked at Lu Chengsong with disdain and ridicule. Favoritism was one thing, but the younger daughter was vicious, and the elder daughter had such great fortune. He was truly blind.

“Your Excellency…” Lu Chengsong tried to defend himself, but the officer’s repeated evidence stunned him. He refused to give up and tried to argue, but with both witnesses and evidence, there was no room for his defense. After confirming he had no evidence to prove his innocence, he was convicted and dragged out of the hall. The specific punishment will be discussed later.

The entire process was swift and efficient, a rarity in recent years at the government office. The onlookers outside continued to discuss as they dispersed, eager to share today’s events with acquaintances.

Behind the hall, Lu Minghua listened to Lu Chengsong’s unwilling cries as he was dragged away, feeling dazed.

The person who had troubled her for years, who had tried every means to exploit her, who had made her life uneasy, was now dealt with?

“Minghua, aren’t you happy?” Yan Yuanhua asked, seeing her lost in thought.

“I…” Lu Minghua opened her mouth in confusion, then shook her head instinctively.

“That’s good,” Yan Yuanhua said, smiling.

Seeing him smile, Lu Minghua also smiled, blinking her eyes. She finally came back to her senses, and her smile grew brighter.

“I’m happy, very happy,” she murmured, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Yan Yuanhua with a radiant smile. “Ji’an, thank you.”

Thank you for helping me resolve these issues.

“A verbal thank you isn’t enough,” Yan Yuanhua said, turning to look at her with a smile. He regretted that they were sitting on high-backed chairs; if they were on round stools, he could sit closer to Minghua, or even get a hug.

“Then how do you want me to thank you?” Lu Minghua asked with a laugh, knowing he always had a way of making her feel less serious.

“Look, this pouch is old,” Yan Yuanhua said, lifting the pouch hanging from his waist. He felt a mix of reluctance to make her do these things and a desire to have her make more items.

Is that all? Lu Minghua laughed and agreed.

Yan Yuanhua immediately brightened up. He stood up and gestured, saying, “We’ve seen enough excitement. Let’s go. I heard Fushun Restaurant has a new chef who is good at southern cuisine. I’ve reserved a table. Shall we go try it?”

“Sure.” Lu Minghua raised her hand to take his, feeling an inexplicable sense of harmony.

It wasn’t until they left the building that she realized how naturally close she had become with Yan Yuanhua, without even knowing when it had happened.

After the officer finished the trial, he intended to meet the Prince in the back to discuss how to handle Lu Chengsong. However, he was stopped by the Prince’s guards. Shortly after, the two of them came out and left directly.

Feeling anxious, the officer saw the guard in front of him smile and lean in to whisper a few words. “Lu Chengsong is an ungrateful and poor father who constantly bothers Miss Lu. Our Prince has no other intentions and doesn’t want to trouble Miss Lu. We just hope you can make him understand. Is that alright?” Zhao Shiyi asked with a smile.

The officer naturally couldn’t say there was a problem, so he nodded and smiled, assuring Zhao Shiyi that everything would be fine.

There were plenty of ways to make people obedient in prison.

“And the sentence?” he asked tentatively.

For attempted murder, the sentence varied. It could be as long as ten years or as short as three. In Lu Chengsong’s case, since it was only for covering up rumors, the situation wasn’t too severe. Generally, three to four years would suffice.

“Naturally, it will be according to the law. For attempted murder, I believe it can be ten years, right?” Zhao Shiyi smiled.

The officer understood and nodded repeatedly.

Satisfied, Zhao Shiyi exchanged a few more pleasantries before catching up with the carriage.

In the dim prison, with the constant sounds of suffering around him, Lu Chengsong was pushed into the deepest part and a solitary cell. He stumbled and fell to the ground, turning to see the cell door being locked. He hurriedly rushed over, shouting, “Let me out! Let me out! Do you know who I am? I’m the biological father of Princess Rui—”

“Nonsense,” a guard said, hitting him in the mouth.

With a sharp pain in his lips and teeth, Lu Chengsong groaned, covering his mouth. He felt a metallic taste and, trembling, saw blood and two teeth in his hand.

The guard’s blow had knocked out his teeth.

“You, how dare you!” he said, pointing at the guard with a trembling hand, his speech unclear.

“Keep talking nonsense, and you won’t be able to speak again,” the guard said coldly, his eyes fierce, as if considering how to cut out his tongue.

Terrified, Lu Chengsong immediately shut his mouth.

“You’re in here, still dreaming, aren’t you? Think about it,” the guard laughed, his tone full of meaning, and walked away.

Lu Chengsong was left dumbfounded, thinking, “Think about what?”

Suddenly shivering, he sat against the wall, lost in thought. He couldn’t help but wonder why he ended up in this situation, but it wasn’t hard to guess.

The person spreading rumors was just an ordinary troublemaker in the capital. He couldn’t escape or gather evidence. The only one who could do this was…

Remembering the guard’s words, he shivered even more.

It was Lu Minghua! No, it was Prince Rui! He did this.

Yes, it must be him. He disliked Lu Chengsong bothering Lu Minghua, so he sent him here.

Lu Chengsong glanced around, feeling as if everyone in the cells was secretly watching him. The dim prison was unclear, with shadows moving in the weak light like hungry ghosts ready to take his life. He couldn’t help but shrink, wondering if someone had received Prince Rui’s order to take his life. Who could it be?

“Hey, how did you get in here?” someone in the neighboring cell rasped, knocking on the bars.

Lu Chengsong didn’t dare to speak, sitting there silently.

“Do you even need to ask? Anyone sent here must have been involved in some crime,” another person in a cell sneered.

“Just asking. We’re all idle anyway. Let’s see who gets out first,” the first person chuckled.

“Get out?” Lu Chengsong responded instinctively.

“What a dream. We’re all here, waiting for execution. Get out? Maybe in the next life,” he rasped, laughing. No one responded, and the silence was deathly.

Lu Chengsong was stunned. Execution?

“No, no, it must be a mistake, a mistake! At most, it’s attempted murder. How could it be an execution? Impossible, it won’t happen,” he muttered, but his heart grew cold thinking of the high and mighty Prince Rui.

“Didn’t kill anyone?”

The previously quiet cells around him suddenly became lively, with everyone pressing against the bars to look at Lu Chengsong.

“Must have offended someone important,” someone confirmed.

“Do you remember what happened to the last person who offended someone important?”

“Poisoned?”

“That was the one before last. The last one got sick and couldn’t move, and was bitten to death by rats. Hahaha, hahaha.”

The surrounding people burst into laughter.

Lu Chengsong turned pale, looking around in fear and confusion at the excited faces laughing at him. He felt that they were all mad!

They were all lunatics!!!

He buried his head in his arms, not daring to move or look.

Seeing him like this, the people around him lost interest, snorted, and returned to their business.

The guards kept an eye on the situation and started whispering among themselves.

“They said to scare him a bit, make him understand. But look at him. He’s so scared already. We don’t even need to do anything.”

“That’s perfect. It saves us from the trouble.”

“But he’s the biological father of Princess Rui. What if she blames us later?” someone worried.

“Blame? You’re overthinking it. Didn’t you hear? This guy is here because of Prince Rui,” one of them whispered, looking around. “I heard Prince Rui brought a woman here today, listening in the back hall.”

Hearing this, everyone understood. That woman must be the future Princess Rui. They immediately felt relieved. Since this person was sent here after the trial, there would be no problems in the future.

“So, you can’t do bad things, or who knows what kind of fate you’ll end up with,” someone concluded.

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The street was bustling. Lu Minghua lifted the curtain and looked out, seeing someone making lanterns by the roadside. She suddenly thought, “Maybe I could make one too.”

“What are you looking at?” Yan Yuanhua noticed her gaze and leaned over.

“Those lanterns. What do you think about me making one?” Lu Minghua said with interest.

“What kind?”

“Nothing too complicated. Just a four-sided one. I could paint something on it.”

“Plum blossoms,” Yan Yuanhua immediately said. “Then give it to me.”

Hearing this, Lu Minghua paused and looked at him, suddenly remembering a long-standing question. “You said when we first met, I had wintersweets with me. Why don’t I remember that?”

“How could you not remember?” Yan Yuanhua’s tone sounded shocked.

“Should I remember?” Lu Minghua asked hesitantly.

“It was last year when I led the army back to the capital,” Yan Yuanhua said eagerly. “You went out of the city, and there was a cluster of wintersweets at the city gate. You lifted the curtain to look and even picked a branch.”

“I still remember it now. You really don’t know?” Yan Yuanhua said, feeling a bit aggrieved.

Lu Minghua didn’t think it was a big deal, but his words made her feel a bit guilty—

Fortunately, she composed herself.

“Stop it. Don’t be like that,” she said, picking up the book in her hand to block Yan Yuanhua’s eyes below, smiling at him.

“At that time, you were wearing black armor. How could I have known it was you?” she said.

Yan Yuanhua blinked and smiled as he held Lu Minghua’s hand. Suddenly, he kissed her wrist.

“Ah!” Lu Minghua was startled, dropping the book in her hand. She quickly pulled her hand back, her eyes wide as she glared at Yan Yuanhua. “What are you doing?”

As she spoke, her face and wrist both turned a faint pink.

“I couldn’t help it,” Yan Yuanhua said innocently, looking at her shy and angry face, his heart itching.

Lu Minghua glared at him, about to say more when he leaned in. Instinctively, she raised her hand to stop him, feeling her face heat up.

A light kiss landed on her cheek.

“Minghua, don’t look at me like that. I can’t resist,” Yan Yuanhua’s slightly hoarse voice sounded in her ear.

How was she looking at him?

Lu Minghua huffed inwardly. It wasn’t her fault; it was his wolfish ambition, and now he just didn’t want to hold back anymore.

Not daring to look at him again, Lu Minghua threw a handkerchief at his face and turned away.

“Minghua,” Yan Yuanhua sat beside her, smiling.

Lu Minghua ignored him, feeling that he was really pushing his luck. She waited until the carriage stopped, then got out first and walked upstairs.

Yan Yuanhua followed her, smiling gently at her back.

Minghua, being able to get angry and pout like this, was wonderful.

Tuo Ba Rou watched from a distance, feeling a mix of emotions. It was hard to see them together, and when she finally did, Prince Rui was with Lu Minghua. She had something to say that couldn’t be overheard, putting her in a difficult position.

The delegation was preparing to return to Beiyi after the Lantern Festival. She only had a few days left. With this in mind, she gritted her teeth and, after a moment, went to the private room, only to be stopped by the guards.

“I have something to discuss with Prince Rui. Please inform him,” she said.

Zhao Shiyi looked her up and down, smiled, and said, “Our Prince is dining and doesn’t like to be disturbed. Please come back later.”

“Just a moment,” Tuo Ba Rou frowned.

“Please come back later,” Zhao Shiyi said firmly.

With no other choice, Tuo Ba Rou left and waited for another half an hour before returning.

Lu Minghua was drinking tea while Yan Yuanhua leisurely brewed more. His long, fair fingers played with the porcelain tea set, pouring the clear tea into his and Lu Minghua’s cup.

“I can’t drink anymore,” Lu Minghua said, putting down her cup helplessly. No matter how good the tea was, she couldn’t keep drinking it.

“Is my tea good?” Yan Yuanhua asked.

“It’s good,” she replied.

“Then I’ll make it for you every day,” Yan Yuanhua said, seizing the opportunity to discuss the future.

Lu Minghua was used to this and just smiled at him. She took the teacup and poured him a cup. She handed it to him and said, “You drink too.”

Yan Yuanhua happily accepted it, but then they heard the guards reporting from outside, and he became a bit impatient.

He was enjoying his time with Minghua and hated being interrupted. He immediately said he wouldn’t see anyone. Shortly after, Zhao Shiyi came in and said that the Beiyi Princess was waiting at the door and wouldn’t leave without seeing him.

This annoyed Yan Yuanhua, and he raised his eyebrows, saying, “Can’t you ask her to leave?”

Zhao Shiyi smiled awkwardly. After all, she was an envoy from Beiyi, and it was important for the two countries to maintain good relations. It wasn’t appropriate to be too harsh.

However, since he had spoken, it was fine.

“Why not see her and find out what she wants?” Lu Minghua suggested.

“Alright, let her in,” Yan Yuanhua said, his impatience gone, following Lu Minghua’s suggestion.

Zhao Shiyi glanced at the two of them, thinking that in the future, it might be better to approach Lu Minghua with matters. Given their Prince’s current state, he would surely be more accommodating.

Thus, Tuo Ba Rou was finally allowed in, but her maid was stopped outside.

“Tuo Ba Rou seeks the Prince’s help to seize the throne,” she said directly, not wasting any time after her previous failed attempts.

Lu Minghua looked at her in surprise. The throne?

Yan Yuanhua glanced at Tuo Ba Rou casually, still smiling at Lu Minghua, as if he didn’t care what she was saying.

“If I succeed, during my reign, I will pay tribute every year and always regard Great Yan as my sovereign.” Seeing his reaction, Tuo Ba Rou suppressed her anxiety and continued.

Since hearing about her ambition to seize the throne, Lu Minghua had been watching her. Hearing this, her eyebrows moved slightly, and her eyes brightened as she looked at Yan Yuanhua.

Seeing her curious and surprised expression, Yan Yuanhua found it amusing and glanced at Tuo Ba Rou.

“I will inform my brother. You can go back and wait,” he said calmly.

Relieved by this answer, Tuo Ba Rou bowed respectfully and left without further entanglement. The matter of changing the throne in a vassal state naturally required the current emperor’s decision. She sought out Yan Yuanhua because she was being watched too closely and had no chance to approach the emperor directly.

“Ji’an, will she become a queen?” Lu Minghua couldn’t help but ask after Tuo Ba Rou left.

In the thousands of years of Central Plains history, there had only been one empress. The world imposed many restrictions on women. Thinking about this, she was somewhat looking forward to seeing Tuo Ba Rou ascend to the throne.

“She will,” Yan Yuanhua smiled. A queen would be beneficial for Great Yan.

Her inherent weakness meant she would have to rely on Great Yan, ensuring that there would be no need to worry about Beiyi causing trouble for decades.

“Then, I hope she will be a good ruler,” Lu Minghua said with a light smile.

After spending half a day having fun, Lu Minghua returned to the Earl’s residence and was immediately summoned to the main courtyard. She had a feeling she knew why.

“Did you have a good time today?” To her surprise, Lu Chengwen and his wife didn’t mention Lu Chengsong. Instead, Madam Yuan beckoned her over.

Lu Minghua felt a bit uneasy. She could tell that Lu Chengwen still had some feelings for Lu Chengsong.

“It was alright. How are you and Mother? When did those relatives leave?” she asked with a light smile.

“Don’t mention them,” Madam Yuan said, feeling a bit troubled. She handed a booklet to Lu Minghua and said, “Take a look. This is the dowry I’ve prepared for you. See if there’s anything missing.”

Lu Minghua didn’t plan to look at it. She casually put it aside and smiled, “Father and Mother can decide.”

She didn’t care much, fully trusting them. Madam Yuan couldn’t help but smile. After chatting for a while, she let Lu Minghua go back to rest.

Lu Chengwen occasionally chimed in. After Lu Minghua left, he sighed.

“Why didn’t you say anything earlier?” Madam Yuan asked, knowing he couldn’t bring himself to speak but still smiling.

“What would I say? Why make things difficult for the child?” Lu Chengwen shook his head.

In the end, it wasn’t Lu Minghua’s fault. It was Lu Chengsong’s failure as a father. Who could he blame?

After leaving, Lu Minghua also breathed a sigh of relief. If Lu Chengwen had mentioned Lu Chengsong, she wouldn’t have known what to do. Release him would make her unhappy, but not releasing him might affect their relationship. Fortunately, he didn’t say anything in the end.

Back in her courtyard, Lu Minghua was lost in thought for a while. When she snapped out of it, she realized she had been thinking about Yan Yuanhua’s smiling face and blushed.

With nothing else to do, she decided to make a lantern.

The frame was easy to assemble, but she struggled with the lantern cover, trying many times before finally getting it right. After some consideration, she mixed some paint and lightly painted a wintersweets on it.

The pale yellow flowers bloomed on the branches. Feeling that one corner was too empty, she added a line of poetry:

“By the pond, seven plum trees are newly planted and will be inspected when they bloom. Do not fear the jealousy of the plum trees of Changzhou, this year they will bloom beautifully for you.”

Only for you.