Chapter 46

Chapter 46

The Imperial City, Prince Hui’s Jade Star Palace.

When Lu Shenru arrived, Imperial Consort Lu Huairu was already waiting for him.

“Are we truly washing our hands of the matter concerning the Earl of Rongchang’s household?”

The Consort sat on an embroidered couch, her hands tucked into a white rabbit fur handwarmer. The room was warmed by a brazier as she asked.

Lu Shenru rubbed his hands near the brazier and snorted. “It seems Miss Yang has even sought out Your Highness.”

The Consort on the couch did not deny it. “After all, the two families are connected by marriage. Miss Yang is Second Brother’s maternal cousin, and those two who committed the crimes are also his maternal cousins. Even though Second Brother is no longer with us, we should still show some consideration—if only to spare Auntie further distress.”

At the mention of the late Second Master Lu, Lu Shenru fell silent for a few moments.

A faint crackling sound came from the burning charcoal in the brazier. Seeing her brother remain silent, Lu Huairu added,

“The Earl of Rongchang has achieved distinguished military service beyond the frontier. These days, I sense the Emperor seems quite hesitant. But Grand Secretary Dou and his faction, seeing that the Shao family cannot escape this time, have doggedly pursued the matter of the Earl of Rongchang’s household. The Emperor must be in a difficult position.”

The two cases had become entangled, and the outcome would inevitably be both sides suffering ruin.

For the people, these were both major cases that brought calamity upon the state and people. Severe punishment to maintain righteous governance and cleanse the court was the right course. But for the Emperor, both sides suffering heavy losses was also his loss—hardly a good thing.

Lu Shenru had initially intended to stay out of it, but hearing of the Emperor’s stance, he reconsidered.

“I can let the Dali Temple handle Shao Boju’s case impartially, adjudicating the case strictly on its own grounds without dragging in Shao Zun, the Shao family, or other members of Prince Yong’s faction. The rest will depend on Grand Secretary Dou.”

If he refrained from suppressing Prince Yong’s faction, and if Grand Secretary Dou understood his intent and spared the Earl of Rongchang’s household, perhaps the two could be given a hope of reprieve.

If both sides ceased hostilities, the Emperor would have a way to preserve imperial dignity.

Hearing this, Lu Huairu sighed in relief. “I don’t think Grand Secretary Dou necessarily wants to exterminate them root and branch. After all, with the Earl of Rongchang guarding the border, the Tatars dare not raid southward wantonly.”

But Lu Shenru disagreed. “Your Highness is overly compassionate. But we shouldn’t assume things will go smoothly. If Grand Secretary Dou had any regard for the contributions of us military officials who serve the court, he wouldn’t have wholeheartedly supported Prince Yong and opposed us. We and they have long been irreconcilable.”

At the mention of Prince Yong, Lu Huairu pressed her lips together and sighed softly.

When she first married the Emperor, then still Prince Yin, the child was only two or three years old, his birth mother, Lady Shao, having passed away shortly after his birth.

The then-Prince Yin’s consort, now the Empress, paid little attention to him, leaving him to the care of a wet nurse. But his wet nurse even abandoned him in the gardens during winter.

After much deliberation, she spoke to the Emperor and took him in as her own.

She raised him for many years—until the Crown Prince passed away, and he became Prince Yong, supported by courtiers. The Shao family flocked to his banner, as did those civil officials who had once advocated capitulation and opposed the Lu family.

He turned to stand against her, no longer calling her “Mother” in private as he had in his childhood...

Another faint crackle came from the brazier. Lu Huairu rested her cheek in her hand, staring blankly out the window.

“Your Highness, do not ponder this overmuch. Let bygones be bygones—it’s better to start anew.”

Lu Shenru’s words made Lu Huairu glance at him.

Let bygones be bygones and start anew?

She wanted to ask her brother something, but he clearly had no wish to elaborate and spoke instead.

“If Grand Secretary Dou and his faction refuse to relent, Your Highness should not intercede too fervently before the Emperor, lest you put him in a difficult position. That would only make things worse.”

The Consort understood. “If we cannot save them, then we must use this as a warning.”

She said it was time to make an example, to make these noble military families discipline their descendants. If they continued to run wild and commit crimes, no one could save them.

Yet Lu Huairu added, “But I fear some may not see it that way.”

They might not view the Lu family’s refusal to shield them as establishing authority, but rather as abandoning old allies for new ministers.

Thinking of this, the Consort asked him, “Have you decided to employ those officials of the Fu Party?”

On this point, Lu Shenru did not hesitate.

“The Fu Party may be somewhat principled, but if used effectively, they are far more capable than those under Grand Secretary Dou. Moreover, we are sorely in need of such upright and talented officials in court—this is an excellent opportunity. As for the rest...”

He smiled faintly.

“The Lu family’s treatment of others is well known. Whether new ministers or old allies, as long as they remain loyal to Prince Hui and the Lu family, I, Lu Shenru, will not treat them unfairly. Otherwise, they will be discarded without compunction.”

......

As Lu Shenru left the palace hall, he chanced upon Prince Hui returning from his studies. Perhaps having heard of his uncle’s arrival, the young prince hurried toward Yuxing Palace.

Spotting him from afar, the boy quickened his pace to a near-run.

The man immediately halted, his gaze softening with affection.

“Your Highness, don’t run—you might fall. This minister will not depart.”

Despite his words, the young prince swiftly made haste to his side.

Lu Shenru dismissed with a gesture the attending eunuchs and maids, then looked down at his nephew, who lifted his face upward and said,

“Uncle has not come these many days.”

He had indeed been busy lately—traveling between the capital and Baoding, handling these two cases, and with the year's end approaching, there had been a steady stream of visitors.

Straightening the boy’s robes, he noted his nephew had sprouted somewhat. But at only eight years old, he was still far from being the authoritative, self-reliant prince he would one day become.

Noticing the flute in the prince’s hand, Lu Shenru remembered his earlier promise.

“This minister has been remiss. I promised to teach Your Highness the flute but haven’t found the time.”

His eyes held apology, but the young prince waved his hands dismissively.

He said the Consort had hired two flute masters for him, and he was already learning. Blinking up at his looming uncle, he added,

“Mother Consort also said that since Uncle now has taken a wife, you have a family of your own. Any spare time should be passed in domesticity.”

This drew a chuckle from Lu Shenru. But then Prince Hui seemed to recall something and bade a palace servant fetch an item from his quarters.

When it was brought, he handed it to Lu Shenru.

The object was encased in a small winged-wood box. As Lu Shenru made to open it, Prince Hui stopped him. “It’s for Aunt. Please take it back and let her open it.”

The man paused, his gaze growing even gentler. “Very well.”

......

When Du Lingjing returned from Returning Forest Tower, she espied an exquisite winged-wood box placed on her desk. She turned to ask the two maids, Ying Bi and Xiang Yi, who had come in to assist her in changing.

“Was this sent by the Marquis?”

He sent her something nearly every day. At first, Qiu Lin reported each one, but there were simply too many. Eventually, Qiu Lin and the others simply stored them away for her, and sometimes she only discovered new additions when she happened to rummage through them.

However, things left on the desk on purpose were uncommon.

She asked, but the reply didn’t come from the maids.

The man walked in from outside. “His Highness Prince Hui asked me to bring this to you.”

Du Lingjing was startled. She wiped her hands before lifting the chicken-wing wood box.

“What is it?” she asked.

“I’m not sure either.”

She was even more surprised—was there something he didn’t know?

Seeing her astonished expression, the man looked helpless. “Does my lady believe her husband is omniscient?”

He added, “But if my lady demands omniscience, I’ll do my best.”

Du Lingjing stayed silent, yet he ran with it.

She pressed her lips together to stifle a laugh. Ignoring him, she opened the box.

Inside, there was another wooden case, even more exquisite, with a touch of Western flair.

Du Lingjing opened it further, and as soon as she did, music tinkled out as tiny carved figures spun delicately.

“What is this?”

Du Lingjing had never seen such a thing, but her husband actually knew.

“A music box? I heard Western missionaries once gifted His Majesty many exotic treasures. It seems His Highness acquired this and then gifted it to you.”

The tune was strange yet lovely, especially when she held the music box close to her ear.

“It’s clear and lovely,” she remarked.

But the Marquis hesitated at her words.

Du Lingjing thought of something and asked, “Since His Highness bestowed this marvelous gift upon me, ought I to thank him at the palace?”

The man snapped out of his thoughts and shook his head. “It’s nothing much. If you wish, you can prepare something for him another day.”

He paused briefly. “His Highness likes these little musical trinkets.”

Du Lingjing pondered. “Moving and musical? When I was young, an old friend of my father’s from Ju County once gave me a set of flower chimes made from seashells. They glittered in hues—from afar, a whisper of wind; up close, waves lapping endlessly in my ears.”

She had kept them in Mian Tower all this time. “Would His Highness like such a gift?”

If suitable, she could have someone fetch them from Qingzhou.

To her surprise, his eyes locked onto hers.

Lu Shenru knew exactly what she was talking about.

She’d loved those seashell chimes. On breezy summer days, she’d hang them by the window to hear wind and waves.

Gazing at her, he nearly said that those were treasures she had cherished for years, that she loved them so much she shouldn’t give them away—they could find something else.

But if he voiced that, she would surely be startled.

Instead, he said, “You’ve kept them so long—best not part with them. We can find something else.”

But she just smiled. “Why not? I loved them as a child—they’d suit His Highness well.”

She truly intended to give the seashell chimes to the prince, just as the prince had secretly prepared this music box for her.

Lu Shenru’s heart melted anew.

He truly had brought her home...

Silent, he just watched her.

Unsure if the chimes were fitting, Du Lingjing then heard him ask,

“How should we celebrate the New Year?”

Du Lingjing blinked in surprise. “What’s there to decide?”

Laughing, he drew her close.

Ying Bi, Xiang Yi, and Qiu Lin, mid-entry, scurried back out.

Their retreat flushed her cheeks, and as he held her close, she heard him say,

“This is your first New Year with me, here in the Marquis’s residence.”

This year was different. A year ago, she’d never have imagined this.

Her mind drifted—until he cut in.

“I only asked how you want to celebrate the New Year, not for you to think of other things.”

How did he always know?

She nearly asked how he always seemed to know what she was thinking.

But he preempted her: “Don’t.”

Du Lingjing: “...”

Was there anyone odder than him?

Well, since she couldn’t understand him anyway, she decided to leave.

She’d fetched books from Gui Lin Tower earlier. But he hoisted her onto the desk before she could escape.

He bent, lips grazing hers.

Gentle at first, then fierce as a storm. Soon, she was gasping.

The room was warm, eaves dripping melted snow onto banana leaves.

His advances grew fiercer, his grip tightened, hands firm at her waist.

Du Lingjing tensed; he husked against her lips, “What?”

Just the other day the matron had come to light incense, and today he wanted to do so again...

“My period has come,” she whispered.

This time it was the man's turn to stiffen slightly. He brushed his lips against hers lightly before withdrawing slightly.

His gaze fell on her lower abdomen.

Not pregnant then?

But that was fine too.

They had been married for less than half a year.

In truth, he couldn’t yet picture her bearing him a child...

No—a child that belonged to both of them.

It was like a dream.

He placed his palm over her abdomen. The heat from his hand penetrated through the thin undergarment.

“Does it hurt?” Du Lingjing heard him inquire.

The warmth from his palm transmitted through the thin fabric provided comforting warmth to her belly, yet there was an unspoken significance to this gesture between them.

Du Lingjing thought of the pills she had to take after each time and lowered her eyes.

She shook her head, saying it didn’t hurt, but she didn’t want to discuss the matter.

To her surprise, he spoke for her.

He said with a low chuckle, “No rush. There’s plenty of time.”

*

Despite the winter chill, the outer courtyard’s meeting hall in the Marquis of Yongding’s residence was abuzz with heated debate.

Lu Shenru intended to strongly support Lord Hong of the Fu Party, having him promoted directly to the rank of Vice Minister of Personnel, a third-rank position.

Feng Xiang’s father had been serving in Nanjing for ten years and was scheduled to return to the capital. Lu Shenru had already arranged for him the position of Commissioner of the Office of Transmission.

As for Feng Xiang’s uncle, the second son of the elder Feng, who had once been an ardent follower of Du’s New Policies, Lu Shenru appointed him as Chancellor of the Imperial Academy. Upon the current chancellor's retirement in half a year, the Feng family would take over. Though only a fourth-rank position, its influence would shape future generations of officials.

The Shao Boju case had exposed most of the Fu Party members. Many had been sidelined for years and were in conflict with Grand Secretary Dou and his faction. Previously, they preferred to remain marginalized or resign and return home than associate with the Lu family.

First, they didn’t wish to be embroiled in the succession dispute, and second, they were wary of trusting Marquis Lu, who was of noble birth.

But this time was different. Marquis Lu had become the late Grand Secretary Du's son-in-law and had even sacrificed the Earl of Rongchang’s estate to save the Fu Party members.

Some among the Fu Party even expressed willingness to offer their services.

The marquis’s advisors deliberated, planning to reinstate all these Fu Party members during the spring personnel adjustments next year.

The discussions were heated, but one position remained undecided.

“Mr. Liao Xu is a man of cabinet-level ability. Now that the marquis has saved him, if we can employ him, in time he may rival Grand Secretary Dou.”

When someone raised this point, another countered, “But Mr. Liao was once punished by the marquis. Even if he overlooks past offenses due to the rescue, he supports Prince Yong for the Eastern Palace, not Prince Hui. How can we employ him?”

Yet another dismissed this concern, “He’s taught in Baoding for years. His return to court now is entirely due to the marquis’s efforts. I say the marquis should employ him and let him reconsider his loyalties.”

He added that some in the Fu Party indeed leaned toward Prince Yong. “The marquis has married the lady and saved them—employing them is justified. The current political climate being what it is; they ought to reconsider whom to follow.”

His point was that the marquis should act decisively in employing talent.

Everyone voiced their opinions before turning to the man at the head of the table, awaiting his final decision.

But Lu Shenru merely rested his chin on his hand and gazed out of the hall, remaining silent for a while.

*

Meanwhile, when Du Lingjing went to visit Hu Tinglan, she happened to meet Mr. Liao.

She stepped forward to greet him and was about to ask how he had been lately when Mr. Liao abruptly excused himself, saying he had matters to attend to, and turned to leave.

Du Lingjing sensed something amiss and called after him, “Where are you going, sir? I heard your former residence in the capital was sold long ago. If your current lodgings are unsatisfactory, you may move to Clarification Ward.”

He had lived there before when he served beside her father.

But Mr. Liao waved her off. “No need to worry, Jing. I have matters to attend to—I must go.”

With that, he left. Du Lingjing found it odd and turned to Hu Tinglan. “What’s the matter with him?”

Hu Tinglan glanced at her.

Mr. Liao had just spoken to him about how the marquis’s advisors had approached them, mentioning the marquis’s intent to employ him.

But Mr. Liao was a man of uncompromising principles. He still believed Prince Yong, being the elder, was the more suitable heir, especially with the Emperor’s health uncertain in the coming years.

Yet if he served Marquis Lu, he would inevitably have to promote the marquis's agenda, conflicting with his own views.

Torn between these positions, and not wishing to put Jing in a difficult position between him and the marquis, Mr. Liao chose to say no more.

But Jing seemed unaware.

Hu Tinglan didn’t elaborate either, simply stating that Mr. Liao indeed had matters to attend to, sidestepping the matter.

With neither willing to speak further, Du Lingjing fell silent.

*

Days passed, and as the year’s end drew near, the entire marquis's household bustled with activity.

Du Lingjing didn’t know what plans the marquis had for the New Year, but it seemed a banquet like the Night Banquet at Shushi Pavilion was no longer grand enough for him.

She quietly waited to see his arrangements.

Yet when he returned, he mentioned that the palace banquet had been set for the eve of New Year’s Eve.

As Marchioness Lu, Du Lingjing had to attend.

But he cautioned her, “All the senior ladies of noble houses will be there.”

He said the Wei Duke's heir's wife and Miss Yang would also attend.

Once the New Year passed, the Emperor would rule on the case of the Yang family’s two young masters. She was becoming increasingly anxious.

He told his wife, “If she approaches you, pay no attention to her. Whatever she says, don’t listen. I have my own plans for this matter—ignore her.”

Last time, when Miss Yang encountered her carriage, she had shown no interest in speaking.

This time, at the palace banquet, would Miss Yang seek you out?

What could she possibly say that he didn't want her to hear?