Chapter 18: Being the Emperor’s Son is Great…

Chapter 18: Being the Emperor's Son is Great...

On the way to the palace, Lu Feng rode on horseback, while Jiang Wanrou sat in the warm carriage with Lu Huaiyi in her arms, quietly teaching her son how to speak and act in the palace, stressing that every move should be careful and proper.

"Mother, I understand."

Lu Huaiyi's face flushed as he withdrew from his mother's embrace. Although his mother was fragrant and soft, he was already five years old and could no longer rely on her like a young child.

Jiang Wanrou tapped his little head, exasperated. "You little rascal, who am I doing this for, huh? And you, teaming up with your father to trick me."

She was referring to the matter of Lu Huaiyi meeting the emperor. Her son was growing up and had his own ideas, which she understood. But such a significant matter shouldn't have been kept from her. Jiang Wanrou felt her motherly heart was broken into pieces.

Lu Huaiyi lowered his head in embarrassment. Though he was young, he was sharp-witted and had kept more than one thing from Jiang Wanrou. For instance, he didn't like eating meat and would secretly pour out the meat broth his mother sent. Or when his father privately took him to practice archery, making his wrists swell, but he lied to his mother, saying he had accidentally pressed on them while sleeping. He knew his mother loved him, but his father had told him he was a young man who would one day stand tall and bring honor to the family.

Despite his frail body, he had to strive harder to one day support his mother.

Jiang Wanrou was at a loss. She couldn't scold or hit him, and Lu Huaiyi was clever, hugging her waist and sweet-talking her, "Ah, Mother, you look so beautiful today, even more beautiful than the fairies in heaven."

Jiang Wanrou couldn't help laughing, thinking that what goes around comes around. She had just angered his father that morning, and now she was reaping the consequences with her own son. Truly, like father, like son.

Though Lu Huaiyi's flattery was somewhat exaggerated, he wasn't entirely wrong.

Jiang Wanrou was wearing a stunning rose-red dress embroidered with golden begonia patterns. The collar and cuffs of her upper garment were adorned with golden thread, glittering with every move. The layered begonia flowers on her skirt, intricately embroidered with gold and silver threads, swayed gracefully as she walked.

She deliberately avoided bright red and peony patterns, making sure her outfit wouldn't outshine the princesses' palace gowns but also wouldn't make her appear dull. Her fair skin, highlighted by the red dress and golden hairpins, made her shine brightly.

Thus, even though Jiang Wanrou had toned down her appearance, when she entered the palace hall to greet the emperor, she still attracted many gazes.

"Rise."

The emperor's voice, though not loud, carried a commanding presence, like thunder.

Jiang Wanrou felt uneasy. Who wouldn't be afraid of the current emperor? He was the founding emperor! In the past, the previous dynasty's emperor was tyrannical, and various warlords rose in rebellion. At that time, the emperor, then the Prince of Youzhou, first defeated the Prince of Lu, then quelled the Prince of Chen, leading his powerful army to quickly capture the capital and take the throne. Over twenty years, he restored order to the war-torn land, bringing peace and wealth to the nation.

He alone ended an era of chaos. The world hailed him as a heroic ruler of turbulent times, wielding thunderous power with a benevolent heart, his achievements etched in history.

The emperor's gaze from above was intimidating, and Jiang Wanrou dared not look up. At that moment, Lu Feng took her hand, and they sat together.

His hand was large, the thin calluses that had once lingered on her body, causing more pain than pleasure, now made her feel safe. She looked at him and smiled, her fingers brushing his palm.

Soft, a little ticklish.

Lu Feng paused, then whispered, "Behave."

Sometimes, he truly couldn't understand his wife. She seemed delicate, yet there was a resilience in her that rivaled any man's. She appeared timid, yet she dared to deceive him and even tempt him in such a setting. Truly...

Lu Feng released her hand. He couldn't deny that this side of her was lively and spirited, and he didn't mind it. Before, she wasn't bad—she was too good, her smile as if measured with a ruler, dignified and virtuous, but as bland as plain water, leaving one uninterested.

Now, though occasionally unruly, she was more interesting. Like a vivid painting of a beautiful woman, once static, now suddenly coming to life.

Unaware of her husband's thoughts, Jiang Wanrou would have cried out in injustice if she knew. How could she dare to be unruly? If she hadn't been pushed to her limits recently, she wouldn't have acted so impulsively.

Perhaps Jiang Wanrou herself hadn't realized that years of living in comfort had made her temper grow more than just a little.

She was a woman who knew how to adapt. When she first married into the family, bearing the stigma of "climbing into her brother-in-law's bed," she was disliked by the entire household and left isolated. She had no choice but to keep her head down. Back then, Lu Feng's temperament had also changed drastically, and if she had dared to show her "interesting" side, she wouldn't have known how she died.

Now, having grown accustomed to luxury, she had just angered Lu Feng that morning and was now seeking his protection by brushing her hand against his, feeling no shame at all.

She watched as Huai Yi was called before the emperor and quietly asked, "Husband, can Huai Yi handle it?"

Lu Feng glanced at her and sneered, "He's braver than you."

Jiang Wanrou found the emperor's family banquet less comfortable than the gatherings in the inner palace, where it was all women, each skilled in social graces, and conversations about clothes and jewelry kept the atmosphere lively. Here, it was a man's domain. Apart from a few princes with their princesses and grandsons, the younger princes were all alone, without even a maid by their side.

They discussed the upcoming imperial examinations, the water bandits in the south, and something about "traitors." Not only was Jiang Wanrou attending such an occasion for the first time, but even the royal wives dressed in first-rank princess attire were all keeping their eyes down, acting as mere ornaments.

She scanned the room but didn't see the Princess of Gong, feeling slightly disappointed.

Today, on a whim, she had changed to a pair of red agate earrings, with a hint of testing.

Lu Feng was not a man indulgent in beauty, so she wasn't afraid the earrings belonged to someone else, but she feared they might be Jiang Wanxue's. Back when Jiang Wanxue was just a young girl, she was nearly abducted during the Lantern Festival and was saved by the eldest son of Duke Lu. They had known each other since childhood, growing up together. The case of Prince Gong was handled by Lu Feng, and Jiang Wanrou could sense that Lu Feng was particularly attentive to this case.

In the days when the case was settled, the usually composed man was unusually cheerful. Others might not notice, but she, as his wife, could tell he was in a good mood.

How much of it was for official business, and how much for personal feelings?

Jiang Wanrou dared not think too deeply. Given their awkward relationship, she wouldn't foolishly confront Lu Feng like some brainless woman, stirring up trouble where there was none. With her cautious nature, she preferred to probe slowly, taking her time.

Unfortunately, the earrings she had specially changed today didn't catch Lu Feng's attention. When Huai Yi returned safely to her side, Jiang Wanrou relaxed and idly played with her earrings.

After several attempts, Lu Feng finally noticed and frowned, "Is your ear itching?"

Jiang Wanrou: "..."

The emperor was speaking with several princes and didn't pay attention to them. Jiang Wanrou whispered, "It seems like someone is missing from today's banquet."

Before the banquet started, the emperor had said it was a "family banquet," with only fathers and sons present, no distinction between ruler and subject. Although Prince Gong had been demoted to a commoner, blood ties couldn't be severed. Many had been executed or had their families destroyed because of him, yet the emperor had spared his life, which spoke volumes.

At today's imperial family banquet, she had thought Prince Gong might bring his family. Perhaps the emperor, seeing his son's haggard appearance, might soften.

She didn't mean to kick someone when they were down; she just wanted to see Jiang Wanxue today and use the earrings to test the waters, to see what their current relationship was—whether they were like strangers or still connected.

Only then could she know how to respond.

Lu Feng glanced at her, his meaning unclear, "You have a lot of free time to worry about such things."

Jiang Wanrou felt she had overstepped and said no more.

Apart from the initial panic, Jiang Wanrou gradually understood what Lu Feng had meant when he told her "no need to prepare." Indeed, there was nothing for her to do. The emperor didn't even glance at her, not because he looked down on her as a minister's wife, but he didn't inquire about the other princesses either. He was busy discussing the water bandits in the south with the princes. She spent the whole time listening intently and taking care of Huai Yi, so it wasn't too unbearable.

Still, she couldn't help but wonder what the emperor was thinking, placing Lu Feng among the princes and royal sons. It was said that Lu Feng had grown up in the emperor's presence, but such favor seemed excessive.

...

Jiang Wanrou had thought the banquet would pass uneventfully, but after it ended, a pale-faced eunuch hurried over and said the emperor had summoned Lady Lu to the Wenhua Hall.

Jiang Wanrou was startled, but Lu Feng quickly responded, "I'll go. She stays outside."

"Since it's the emperor's summons, I should go to thank him—"

"Ah! Then this servant will escort the lady to the Donghua Gate to wait for the master?"

Jiang Wanrou and the eunuch spoke simultaneously, both slightly taken aback. Jiang Wanrou hadn't expected Lu Feng to "defy the emperor's order" so easily, and the eunuch hadn't expected anyone to question Commander Lu.

Lu Feng made the decision, saying to Jiang Wanrou, "You and Huai Yi go wait at the Donghua Gate."

He paused, his voice soothing, "Don't worry, I'll handle everything."

Jiang Wanrou looked at the man before her, a complex and indescribable emotion welling up in her heart. She curtsied, "This humble one takes her leave."

She followed the eunuch to Donghua Gate, while Lu Feng strode directly towards Wenhua Hall, briskly lifting the hem of his robe and kneeling on one knee: "Your servant pays his respects to Your Majesty!"

The emperor threw down a memorial in anger, "You fool, can your leg even handle kneeling?"

"What are you waiting for? Quickly fetch a seat for Commander Lu!"

The emperor glared at Lu Feng, displeased, "Is it so precious that you won’t let me see her?"

Lu Feng stood up and sat on the chair, saying, "My wife is shy and fears she might offend Your Majesty."

"What’s there to fear? I’m not going to bite her."

The emperor grumbled discontentedly. The emperor, nearing fifty, had streaks of gray at his temples. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a high forehead and an aquiline nose. His sharp, tiger-like eyes exuded an air of natural authority.

This legendary emperor, who could conquer on horseback and govern with his pen, showed a rare gentleness in his fierce eyes when looking at Lu Feng.

The emperor complained to Lu Feng, "You’ve kept her hidden in your mansion for years, and now that you finally let her out, I can’t even see her?"

"You brat, you’re being unreasonable."

Though his words were scolding, they were filled with affection, not like an emperor to his subject, but more like a kind elder to a disobedient junior.

Lu Feng did not respond, and the emperor was not angered, speaking earnestly, "She is quite beautiful, but a little too alluring. The beauty’s chamber is the hero’s downfall, Jun Chi. You must not be swayed by beauty."

"If she tempts you into neglecting your duties, I won’t spare her!"

Lu Feng's mouth twitched slightly, reminding the emperor, "Jiang is my wife."

The bond between husband and wife is natural; how can it be called temptation?

But the emperor is the emperor, and sometimes he is unreasonable.

He snorted coldly, "That wife of yours, back then... fine, fine, I can see you’re upset. I’ll stop."

Lu Feng had been shielding Jiang Wanrou for her own sake these past few years. The emperor was biased against her. First, her marriage was not honorable. Second, after years of marriage, she had only borne one child, Lu Huaiyi, who was sickly. Third, she managed the household so strictly that there were no concubines in the Lu mansion for years.

The emperor himself had a harem full of beauties and over a dozen children. No matter how well Jiang Wanrou excelled in other areas, her inability to bear children was unforgivable in the emperor’s eyes.

Lu Feng helplessly defended his wife, "This is not Lady Jiang's fault."

Given the palace’s secret contraceptive medicine, it’s a miracle she bore any child at all.

The emperor sighed lightly, his majestic face showing traces of vicissitude, "Jun Chi, so many years have passed. All grievances should be settled by now. Look at Prince Cheng’s sons today—how strong and healthy they are."

"With only Huai Yi as your heir, it’s too lonely."

"The past?"

Lu Feng murmured these two words, lifting his head to look at the emperor.

"How can it be in the past? My eldest son is still on constant medication, and I’ve been left a cripple. Your Majesty, tell me, how can it be past?"

"He has already faced the consequences of his actions,"

The emperor's eyes were filled with sorrow, "He’s been reduced to a cripple—isn’t that enough?"

"No, it’s not enough."

Lu Feng said indifferently, "My leg is broken, but his is still fine. That doesn't seem fair."

Suddenly, he smiled and looked at the emperor, asking in an almost accusatory tone, "Is it because he is your son?"

"Being the emperor's son is really good."

The room fell silent. The attendants in Wenhua Hall knelt on the ground because of Lu Feng's words, which could be considered overstepping. The emperor did not get angry, nor did he speak.

Upon closer inspection, the emperor's imposing figure on the dragon throne appeared somewhat stooped.