Chapter 36: A Recently Betrothed Man is Terrifying

Chapter 36: A Recently Betrothed Man is Terrifying

The news of the Emperor's decree to marry Prince Wen Ruan, the sixth prince, and the young master of the Duke's Mansion spread like wildfire, and as expected, chaos erupted within the Duke's Mansion.

Everyone was talking about it in hushed whispers, their expressions animated, discussing the fate of the recently found young master and how he had managed to become so powerful, the danger that the sixth prince posed, and how he would now be part of the family. They also talked about how the Duke had punished the second lady of the household upon his return, speculating if she had played a role in these events...

In the main courtyard of the second branch, Lady Lu closed her eyes, realizing that she had miscalculated.

Her niece and daughter-in-law, Little Lu, replaced her tea with a fresh, hot cup. "We thought he was a pitiful orphan without any backing, and you, out of kindness, were willing to take care of him and pave a bright path for him. But who knew he wouldn't appreciate it and instead soared high like a phoenix..."

"The imperial court isn't an easy place to navigate, especially as a male consort. Leaving other issues aside, the matter of heirs is a significant problem. The sixth prince may be noble, but his temperament is unpredictable. It might not be a good branch to perch on, and whether he can rest peacefully there is uncertain. You don't need to worry too much."

Lady Lu glanced at her daughter-in-law and sighed. "What I'm worried about isn't that. The Duke's Mansion... we must fight for it. If we don't want to die, others must perish."

Her father-in-law, the previous Duke, had a legitimate wife before her, who bore him a legitimate eldest son—the current Duke. However, what did that matter? Her late mother-in-law died early, and wasn't it Lady Wang who took her place and became the new wife? Lady Wang gave birth to one son after another, securing the heart of the old Duke and managing the household with skill. What did it matter that the previous legitimate wife left behind a crown prince? Now, didn't he have nowhere to stand?

Was the current Duke truly incompetent? Perhaps not. He was also raised under strict tutelage and grew up gradually. But alone, he couldn't withstand the tide of the inner quarters and the front yard, the onslaught of Lady Wang and her sons. Even if he could inherit the title smoothly as the legitimate heir of the first branch, his descendants were few. His sons either died or were foolish, and he didn't have a single grandson. His eldest daughter-in-law couldn't bear a male heir, and even if someone in the house did give birth to a grandson, they would lose everything...

Lady Lu's husband was the eldest son of the second branch, the first son born to Lady Wang. Naturally, his stance aligned with hers. With Lady Wang's decades of management, the battlefield was already set this way. How could she not strive to seize the dukedom and secure it?

If she failed to do so, and if Wen Yu or Wen Ruan ascended to power, the future Duke's Mansion would never belong to them. There would be no place for them here. Being expelled would be a light punishment; death and loss of wealth were possibilities.

A life of wealth and stability never relied on luck but required strategy.

She wasn't overly concerned about Wen Yu. For years, she had groomed and flattered him, using various tactics to brainwash him into firmly believing that the position was impossible for him to attain. No matter how cunning he was, he would only strive in other directions. But Wen Ruan...

This child was too intelligent and perceptive, clearly unwilling to be swayed.

If she could exert some influence over his marriage, to soften him and win him over, it would be a good direction. If not, she could directly destroy him. But now... he stood behind a real prince. How could she destroy him?

She wasn't sure if Wen Ruan harbored any thoughts of inheriting the dukedom, but for him, as long as he wanted it, the opportunities would be far more abundant than for others.

If so, what about their second branch...

Fortunately, the betrothal was to a man, so there would be no issue of heirs.

"Let's take it step by step. Isn't there still Sister Ru in the mansion? She hasn't married yet."

A dark glint flashed across Lady Lu's eyes. After all, Lady Zhou was indeed foolish. Over the years, she hadn't made her biological daughter trust her more. Instead, she had grown closer to the second branch, using small favors and flattery to win her over. Indeed, such methods were effective against little girls... If she could use her marriage to her advantage, it might not be a bad boost.

Seeing Little Lu's reluctance, she slammed the teacup onto the table, creating a loud noise. "Don't forget who I'm doing this for. If you aren't ruthless, others will be ruthless towards you. Haven't you suffered enough from those hard days when you were ten!"

Little Lu's eyes reddened, and she knelt down, holding her skirt. "Your niece dares not forget. Your grace is unrepayable in this lifetime, and I will never forget who is close and who is distant!"

In the courtyard of the first branch, Lady Zhou was also stunned, completely bewildered. How could it be that just when she thought she had successfully 'lowered herself' to win over Wen Ruan, he ended up betrothed to the sixth prince?

Her mind was in turmoil. At one moment, she blamed the Sun family for being foolish and incapable of achieving anything. She shouldn't have sought out Sun Wencheng but should have approached Lady Liang instead. At another moment, she wondered how she hadn't noticed the signs that Wen Ruan had caught the sixth prince's eye. What exactly did he have that attracted the prince?

Regardless, her plan was shattered.

Did she... lose the opportunity to control Wen Ruan? Could she no longer rely on the soap formula?

"My poor Sister Ru..."

Lady Zhou regretted being too naive when she was young. How wonderful it would have been if she had learned to be smarter earlier? In her youth, full of vigor, she couldn't resist the second branch's provocation. Her second sister-in-law, also from the first branch, was too beautiful and outstanding, and she was determined to outshine her. Every day, she competed with her, failing to see through the second branch's sweet facade and bitter intentions. If she had known earlier...

Life had no 'if only'.

At her age, she would never regret her past, deny herself, or wallow in self-pity. She needed to find a new direction, seek the possibility of victory... Could she rely on Wen Yu, the illegitimate son she had raised for so many years?

When Prince Wen Ruan was escorted back to the mansion by the sixth prince, Duke Wen Lie personally greeted him at the gate.

Though he was in his sixties, the old man maintained a good figure. Even though his appearance had aged, one could still discern traces of his youthful charm, indicating that he must have been a handsome man in his prime. However, his temples were now speckled with white hair, and his eyes held a hint of turbidity, lacking the vigor of his youth. He appeared amiable and without much temper.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for returning my unworthy grandson to me..."

After exchanging pleasantries, he lectured Wen Ruan. "Now that your marriage is settled, you should settle down and avoid causing trouble outside. Do not defy the sixth prince. You must be kind, virtuous, understanding, and accommodating. Do you understand? Later, follow me. I have something to give you."

Seeing that Zhu Yan had no intention of entering as a guest and only exchanged a few words before bidding farewell, Wen Ruan parted ways with him and followed Wen Lie into the courtyard.

This was the first time Wen Ruan entered the largest main courtyard of the Duke's Mansion, where the Duke resided.

It was vast and splendid. Only a small portion of the space was used by Wen Lie for his daily activities, and the style of furnishings inside was completely different from the opulent and luxurious atmosphere outside.

Wen Ruan saw a painting, a depiction of filial piety, showing a loving father watching his playful child, who was still a child. He saw a delicately carved walnut, small enough to fit comfortably in a child's hand but slightly too small for an adult's grip. He saw a stack of old books with titles that weren't profound or difficult to read, easily available everywhere, yet they had been kept for many years.

The items placed in one's personal living space must be cherished or hold sentimental value.

He suddenly realized that his grandfather had experienced a rather pleasant childhood, filled with paternal affection and adoration. Perhaps he once harbored great ambitions but was abandoned. His mother passed away early, and a stepmother entered the picture, inevitably leading to a stepfather.

After reaching adulthood, he might have had a deep bond with his wife, leaving no room for a third person. Unfortunately, their marital destiny was shallow, and his wife left him with two sons, separating them. Alternatively, his marriage might not have been entirely satisfactory, but he couldn't choose anyone else...

To outsiders, his life hadn't been smooth sailing. As he grew older and realized he couldn't change his circumstances, he might have given up or come to terms with it, accepting his fate and becoming the person he was today.

"A-Ruan."

Wen Ruan turned around and met Wen Lie's eyes straight on. In the dimly lit room, the old man's eyes seemed less turbid, making it hard for him to discern their true nature.

Wen Lie handed him a small booklet, seemingly a private collection he had compiled. "The engagement with the imperial family was arranged by my father while he was still alive, during a drunken conversation. At that time, it wasn't specified who it would be, and the Emperor didn't express any opinion. I assumed the matter would be forgotten and never mentioned again. I never expected that there were elders in the palace who remembered it, and coincidentally, it was brought up again in recent days, leading to your engagement to the sixth prince."

"Now that the imperial decree has been issued, it cannot be changed. I have no further advice to give you, except for one sentence: Life is best when it is to your liking."

"If you only crave comfort and luxury, don't blame the sixth prince for being difficult to please. If you desire a loving relationship without suspicion, don't seek favors from the sixth prince. Treat him with sincerity. If... in short, everyone's life is the same. Eighty to ninety percent of our desires are unfulfilled. It's hard to obtain everything we wish for. It's better to let go and live freely and happily."

Wen Ruan respectfully accepted the small booklet. "Your grandson has learned from your wisdom."

This was his first meeting with the Duke, and unexpectedly, the man was... surprisingly candid. He was willing to reside in the Duke's Mansion and interact more with its inhabitants to uncover the identity of his enemy, the one who wanted him dead but seemed to harbor some reservations. So far, he hadn't found any leads, and the Duke didn't arouse suspicion.

What secrets did this Duke's Mansion hide?

In his previous visits to Sizhou, except for the first time he arrived, the other party's intent to kill didn't seem particularly strong. The encounter on Lai Peak Mountain was quite different; even with the Sixth Prince's skills, he had been poisoned while protecting him.

The other party might be running out of patience, and he needed to step up his efforts to catch them sooner rather than later.

Wen Lie: "Alright, go attend to your own matters. I have an old friend to meet, and I'll be leaving soon, with no set return date. Your wedding preparations will be handled by the elders. Since you're marrying a prince, you won't be lacking in what's due to you. Go with peace of mind."

Wen Ruan: ...

Although it was true that he had returned to the Duke's residence with the intention of finding opportunities to make some money, he never expected it to be like this.

Was the Duke referring to the dowry?

"Yes."

He quietly took his leave and returned to the small bamboo pavilion. Nanxing reported that the carriage they had lent out had now been returned, accompanied by a gift from the borrower.

After confirming that the gift wasn't overly heavy but carried ample sincerity, Wen Ruan temporarily put the matter out of his mind and prepared for his meeting with the Sixth Prince the next day.

While setting the engagement required time for all the necessary arrangements, he had to fulfill the agreement to meet immediately.

Wen Ruan circled around the room a few times, realizing there wasn't much to prepare. After all, his marriage to the Sixth Highness was based on an agreement, not genuine affection or a deep connection. It would be counterproductive to be too formal; why add unnecessary pressure? There was no need to overthink it.

With a calm heart, he faced the situation. The next morning, noticing the heat, and having forgotten to bring back his gossamer cloud silk clothes from the country house, he casually picked out a ramie robe and left.

Upon arriving at the Sixth Prince's residence, he felt a twinge of guilt. Was his unkempt appearance too casual?

The main gate of the Sixth Prince's mansion was open, and a red carpet was laid out—the kind used during weddings—stretching far into the compound.

Normally, people entering and exiting high-ranking households would use the side gates, with the main gate reserved for significant events. Wen Ruan quickly assessed the situation and, through the traces left by the removed threshold, realized that the main gate hadn't been opened in at least a year or two...

As he walked into the courtyard, he was greeted by a profusion of flowers, carefully cultivated and selected varieties of all colors—pink, white, yellow, and red, single and double petals intertwined. Delicate red lanterns hung from branches in various places, swaying gently. The light red silk curtains draped around were enchantingly soft. A small bridge crossed over a stream, and lazy koi fish swam about. From the cobblestone paths to the long corridors, it seemed as if there was a new scene every ten steps, with beauty everywhere.

Wen Ruan felt hesitant to step onto such a beautiful scene with his feet.

He and the Sixth Highness were merely betrothed by imperial decree and hadn't married yet. Had he come to the wrong place?

But the surroundings were truly beautiful, and unable to resist the temptation, he stepped forward, walking along the long corridor. Before he could fully appreciate the scenery, he spotted a figure at the corner. The Sixth Highness had arrived.

He was also wearing...a water-red robe.

Zhu Yan was handsome, usually solemn and unsmiling, with eyes that held a distant coldness, like the moon in the sky or snow atop a mountain, something one could only admire from afar, not dare to touch. Today, dressed in this water-red robe, his demeanor had gained a warm hue, making him seem less distant. He looked like a tree adorned with jade, handsome and elegant. He seemed suited for any style of clothing, especially the splendid and dazzling ones.

He looked exceptionally good.

It suited him well.

Zhu Yan approached with large strides. "It seems you're eager to see me."

Wen Ruan once again regretted his overly casual attire. He hadn't even bothered to dress up, which made him appear somewhat dismissive, as if he had woken up late, hastily washed his face, thrown on some clothes, and rushed over... If interpreted that way, he did indeed seem quite eager.

"Your Highness... Good day?"

Zhu Yan gave him a cursory glance, seemingly satisfied. "It appears you're comfortable being around me."

Very relaxed.

Wen Ruan: ...

Zhu Yan: "Follow me."

Given the heat of the day, he didn't lead Wen Ruan to the main hall of the residence. Instead, he took him to a waterside pavilion. The lake view in the prince's residence was excellent, and the pavilion was built in an ancient and elegant style, exuding charm. Most notably, there were no mosquitoes. Pale green silk curtains shielded the interior, where long tables, small couches, and cushions of various sizes were available for sitting or reclining. In front of the long table and small square table, there were tea, wine, fruits, incense burners shaped like animal feet, and tasteful flower arrangements—all necessities were provided.

"The residence of Your Highness is very beautiful, and this waterside pavilion is particularly comfortable." Especially when the lake breeze blew over, Wen Ruan felt so content that he wanted to close his eyes.

Zhu Yan: "Want to move in?"

Wen Ruan: ...

"Not really," he quickly changed the subject. "What does Your Highness usually enjoy doing in the residence?"

Zhu Yan: "Playing the pipa."

Only then did Wen Ruan notice the pipa, brazenly placed in a corner of the long pavilion.

...He shouldn't have asked.

Zhu Yan: "Want to listen?"

Wen Ruan shook his head. "Not really..."

"It's not shameful to admit your desires to your husband."

Zhu Yan retrieved the pipa on his own, placing his fingers on the strings and played a tune.

Wen Ruan: ...

He couldn't deny that the melody was beautiful, melodious and captivating, each note perfectly in sync. The Sixth Highness's finger techniques seemed quite proficient. His slender fingers plucked the pipa strings, sometimes fast, sometimes slow, occasionally caressing them gently, as if filled with tenderness, and at other times picking and strumming fiercely, creating sounds akin to wind and rain, with a resounding resonance. In his hands, the tune seemed not to be played on an instrument but from the heart, conveying a message to someone.

When the song ended,

Zhu Yan's large hand stopped the pipa strings. "Did you recognize the tune?"

Wen Ruan: ...

He knew it sounded beautiful, but how could he know what tune it was?

"In fact..." he slightly lowered his eyes, his long lashes falling like crow feathers, "I've never heard a pipa tune before."

Suddenly, Zhu Yan remembered the young man he had taken under his wing. Lost in childhood and raised in the countryside, he must have endured hardships unknown, honing himself into the resilient, wise, and capable person he was today, like a refined bamboo.

Treading a rugged path, preoccupied with worries, how could there be leisurely elegance to listen to or practice music, and where would the opportunity come from?

"It's good that you have a desire to learn, I can teach you."

"But it's really not necessary, Your Highness," Wen Ruan politely declined. "I don't have much talent in this field."

Zhu Yan's gaze inadvertently swept past the pavilion, addressing Wen Ruan: "This lute isn't suitable for you, wait a moment, I'll get another one for you."

Wen Ruan: "Really, no ne—"

Before he could finish, the Sixth Prince had already vanished.

...Could life be lived well under such circumstances?

Wen Ruan was highly skeptical.

Zhu Yan did not personally fetch the lute; after instructing Lan Tian, he turned to the front side courtyard himself, carefully removing his crimson outer robe upon entering and hanging it by the screen: "Did you find out?"

Shi Muyun shook his head: "Although Wu Fu has served in the Ministry of Justice for many years, with more than one wrongful case under his belt, his judgment is precise and his methods quite sophisticated. It's rare to see anyone dare to step forward regarding cases he's handled. In this major case of the missing weaver girl, we've only found this one witness, but he's tight-lipped, refusing to speak."

Zhu Yan noticed the blood on the ground: "Was the whip used?"

"Without torture, he wouldn't confess," Shi Muyun said somewhat proudly. "I now know that Wu Fu has gotten himself into deep trouble this time. The aggrieved party in this disappearance case is related to the Liang family. Given Lady Liang's temperament, she certainly won't let this go easily."

"Just that?" Zhu Yan frowned, somewhat disdainful.

Shi Muyun: "Didn't you say it was important, that any progress should be reported to you?"

Zhu Yan turned to leave: "Don't call me unless there's a significant breakthrough."

He took down the crimson outer robe from the screen, carefully shaking it open before redonning it. Exiting, he received the lute Lan Tian handed him and returned to the pavilion.

Wen Ruan was playing with the dog.

The black dog came over to play with him, somehow retrieving a thin wooden frisbee. He played along enthusiastically, throwing it for the dog to chase and catch, again and again. Though he didn't throw it into the water near the pavilion, the dog's movements still looked perilously exciting. Wen Ruan cheered and encouraged, thoroughly enjoying himself, and the dog even more so, its companion's bright and passionate mood driving it wild.

Seeing Zhu Yan return, Wen Ruan's eyes sparkled: "It's so smart, it seems to understand everything I say!"

Zhu Yan pushed away the approaching dog with disdain, his voice indifferent: "Mm."

Wen Ruan: "Can I know its name now?"

Zhu Yan: "...Shen Diao."

Diao... what god? Say it again, Sixth Prince! It was a good dog, why give it such a harmonious name! Even if you reversed it...

Wen Ruan pondered, Shen Diao, also seemed inappropriate.

Zhu Yan pointed at the frisbee in his hand: "It's very good at fetching things. Once it sees something, it never misses. It's an excellent hunting companion."

Wen Ruan: ...

So that was the meaning of 'diao'.

"Isn't it a bit too domineering?" It could easily lead to misunderstandings.

Zhu Yan: "That's why we usually call it by its nickname, Dao Dao."

Dao Dao.

That was much cuter.

Wen Ruan rubbed the dog's head: "Good Dao Dao, nice to meet you."

"Woof!" Dao Dao responded with enthusiastic licks.

Zhu Yan couldn't compete with the boy's and dog's enthusiasm for play. The newly fetched lute was cast aside like a rag, utterly useless.

He had no choice but to join in.

The two of them and the dog played for a while, the atmosphere reaching a peak when Zhu Yan caught sight of someone outside the pavilion again...

"Do you know what it likes to eat?"

Wen Ruan naturally shook his head: "No idea, should it be fed now?"

Zhu Yan: "I'll get something for you."

He left once more, giving Lan Tian another task, heading back to the front side courtyard, pushing through the door, removing his outer robe again, and hanging it up with care before proceeding inside.

Shi Muyun: ...

"What's wrong with you today?"

Zhu Yan glanced at him coolly, a hint of murderous intent mixed with something akin to boasting, rarely seen.

"The young master came over? He's in the mansion? I'll go greet—"

Shi Muyun moved to leave as realization dawned, but was stopped by Zhu Yan's outstretched hand.

"It's not for your sake he's here."

"You're not serious, so petty?"

"So, tell me, what did you find out?" Zhu Yan demonstrated just how petty he could be with action.

Shi Muyun: ...

Forget it, let the newly engaged man off the hook.

"It does indeed concern your young master, you should know Huo Xuning? A friend of your master's, they have business dealings and profit sharing," Shi Muyun said, "The fabric the Huo family introduced in the capital this time, the Resonant Cloud Silk, is both fine and expensive. It's rumored that to develop it, the Huo family has been improving their looms since two years ago. The new loom is faster and produces better cloth. What used to take a weaver three to five days can now be done in less than half a day with this loom. With the scale of their business, this loom spread into the capital this year. The machines weave quickly and well, and the weavers without them... couldn't keep up, could they? Competitors in the industry used this as an excuse to attack the Huo family for harming people and robbing weavers of their livelihoods. Coinciding with the frequent disappearances of weavers, suspected suicides due to inability to live on, the matter escalated and was brought before the Ministry of Justice."

The Huo family, the looms.

Zhu Yan recalled how Wen Ruan seemed to be hiding something but wasn't very good at it. Was it his doing?

"Continue, don't call me unless there's significant progress."

Zhu Yan turned to leave, carefully removing his blood-free infrared robe and putting it on properly. He then went out to find Lan Tian, seeking food for Dogzi.

After taking a few steps, he remembered another thing—

"If Wen Ruan asks about the bamboo soap, tell him you broke it."

Lan Tian: ...

Recalling the soap shreds from the box that the Sixth Prince had ordered to be kept well, he felt that it was so shattered, few would think it wasn't broken intentionally.

"The young master... is very clever."

Though he may not ask, if he did, being fobbed off like this, he would surely notice.

Zhu Yan's lips tightened slightly: "He won't ask. If he really does, just say it was an accident."

The Sixth Highness returned to the pavilion, seemingly calm and collected on the surface, but secretly in a state of chaos. Approaching Wen Ruan, he maintained a composed demeanor, his outer water robe swirling with cloud patterns, like a noble tree with orchids and jade.

"There, feed him."

He handed over the specially made dog food for Dao Dao.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Wen Ruan fed the dog alongside its owner, and the dog was ecstatic, eating heartily with a smacking sound.

"Your Highness... are you very busy?"

Zhu Yan paused for a moment while holding the bone biscuit stick, but it was so brief that it was unnoticeable: "Didn't I tell you, I have nothing to do today, I'm quite free."

Wen Ruan didn't want to embarrass the Sixth Highness, but—

"That person who called out to Your Highness outside the pavilion just now, came again."

He pointed with his slender white fingers.

Zhu Yan: ...