Chapter 42

Chapter 42

The summer afternoon sun was always exceptionally scorching, with faint, occasional breezes drifting by. Cicadas screeched loudly from the trees.

After lunch, the maids lowered the mosquito nets, and the ice basin placed indoors gave off a refreshing coolness.

Lin Shuyun and Ying Ying lay on the bamboo mat inside the room, fanning themselves with folding fans, teasing Xiao Hei with jerky, with fruits and snacks the maids had prepared within arm’s reach.

It was truly a life of leisure and comfort.

"Princess Ding'an, I heard from the princess’s attendant that Yu Yu has returned to Linyang."

Hearing Ming Yue's report, Lin Shuyun sat up, turned to gently stroke the sleeping Ying Ying, and sighed softly, "What a poor child."

Ming Yue took the palm-leaf fan from Lin Shuyun's hand and fanned slowly, saying, "I heard that the prince has entrusted her to an old nanny in his hometown in Linyang and gave her some silver. As per your instructions, a trunk of everyday clothes was also bought. She shouldn’t have to worry about food and clothing."

Lin Shuyun shook her head: "A man’s wealth is his own ruin. This child is so young—if she dresses too well, she’ll attract envy. Make sure to have people look out for her now and then."

Ming Yue hummed in agreement, then nervously glanced around to ensure no one was nearby. She quickly took out a bowl of dark, bitter liquid medicine from a small food box beside her. The sour and bitter smell instantly filled the room.

"This is the contraceptive brew you asked me to find. I had it brewed discreetly at the clinic and brought it over."

As she spoke, Ming Yue’s eyes filled with sorrow, reddening as tears welled up.

Only then did Lin Shuyun realize that it had only been three short days since Zhou Siang had set her up.

With her heart at ease, time seemed to slow down considerably.

Lin Shuyun looked at the bitter decoction, took a deep breath, and downed it in one gulp.

Ming Yue hurriedly brought over a plate of candied fruits. "Princess Ding'an, have some to ease the bitterness."

Lin Shuyun took Ming Yue’s hand and said with a smile, "Don’t worry, I truly wasn’t taken advantage of."

Ming Yue nodded tearfully.

The afternoon flew by.

Lin Shuyun embroidered pouches, played with the children, and watched Xiao Hei run around the yard with a toy in its mouth. Glancing up, she saw that it was almost time to fetch Zhang'er from the imperial study.

At this thought, her heart tightened. On the way to the imperial study, she was afraid she might run into Lu Yu.

But then she reconsidered—what did it matter if they met? Since things were already out in the open, there was no need to avoid him anymore.

After all, they would go their separate ways, each following their own path.

Lin Shuyun dressed neatly, covering the red patches on her face with a veil. Just as she stepped out of the courtyard, she saw the heir’s wife hurrying over.

"Shu Yun, wait for me."

Lin Shuyun smiled and curtsied. "Sister-in-law, are you also going to fetch the children?"

After the summer recess, Lin'er, who was six months younger than Zhang'er, had also been sent to the imperial study.

If Lin Shuyun was worried her child would be bullied, her sister-in-law, the heir’s wife, was afraid Lin'er would pick a fight on his very first day.

The heir’s wife said with a tearful smile, "I’m going to check. If he hits some family’s treasured child, I’ll have to apologize."

Lin Shuyun reassured her, "It won’t happen, sister-in-law, don’t worry."

As the old saying goes, no one knows a child better than their parents.

As soon as Lin Shuyun’s carriage arrived at the imperial study’s entrance, a court maid hurried over. "Are you Princess Ding'an? Your young masters ganged up on another student today and are now being punished by standing in the courtyard."

The heir’s wife immediately grew restless, pushing up her sleeves as if ready to charge in. "I knew he’d cause trouble today."

"Which child did they hit?"

The maid hesitated for a moment before explaining, "It was a brawl. The tutor punished everyone..."

Before she could finish, the heir’s wife had already rushed into the courtyard, with Lin Shuyun quickly following.

The three children stood with their backs to the gate, holding thick books on their heads as they faced the red wall. Occasionally, whispers could be heard.

Lin'er snorted lightly. "We were careless this time. Next time, we’ll find somewhere out of sight to teach them a lesson."

Zhang'er advised, "No, no, we need to use strategy, not force."

A little boy with curly hair, hands on his hips, said, "No worries, this punishment is nothing. My dad makes me hold a horse-riding stance for an hour every day."

The heir’s wife stood behind her son with her arms crossed, giving a loud, deliberate cough.

The three children trembled, and the books on their heads clattered to the ground.

Lin'er swallowed hard, ducking his head as he stiffly turned around with a forced smile. "Mom, my beautiful mom, what brings you here?"

The heir’s wife immediately grabbed him by the ear. "Why do you always cause trouble for me?"

Lin'er snorted. "I had a righteous cause—it was a righteous fight."

Zhang'er reached out to protect Lin'er, looking pleadingly at Lin Shuyun. "Mom, it wasn’t our fault this time."

Lin Shuyun beckoned him over, using her silk handkerchief to wipe the dust from her son’s forehead. "Tell me, why did you fight?"

"Because they said we had no parents, so we beat them up to shut them up. My hair..."

Before the curly-haired boy could finish, gentle hands straightened the headband on his head, and a fragrant handkerchief wiped his forehead.

It felt as gentle as the mother he had always dreamed of.

Lin Shuyun had never seen such a delicate-looking boy—his hair slightly curly, his eyes like light amber in the sunlight.

"What’s your name?"

"I... I’m Jiang Ran. My father is Jiang Yi'an, the General of the Northern Campaign... I don’t have a mother, but we have a few horses at home..."

Lin Shuyun chuckled. "If you keep talking, you’ll give away your whole family’s secrets."

After learning the reason for the fight, the heir’s wife sighed helplessly. "Why are you so foolish? Your father never got found out when he fought."

Lin'er exclaimed, "Wow!" Then, waving his hand, he shouted, "Jiang Ran, we’ll take you home. Auntie has snacks in her carriage."

"No, no need. My father—"

Before Jiang Ran could finish, he seemed to spot someone at the gate, his eyes lighting up as he shouted, "Dad, I’m here!"

Lin Shuyun followed his gaze but before she could clearly see the newcomer, her sister-in-law murmured in surprise beside her.

"There’s actually such a handsome man at court..."

Lin Shuyun turned to look and saw a tall man with deep-set eyes and pronounced features walking slowly toward them.

The palace maids nearby were also blushing, giggling and whispering among themselves.

If her brother was dashing and well-featured, and Lu Yu was cold and aloof like an orchid, then Jiang Yi'an before them had sharply defined features, standing tall and straight—a handsome man at first glance.

Jiang Ran tugged him over and introduced, "This is... this is my father."

The Prince Consort's wife beamed with her brightest smile. "So the General is Jiang Ran's father. My father has praised you more than once."

Jiang Yi'an cupped his hands in salute. "How has the Old General been lately?"

"Thank you for your thoughtful inquiry, General."

Lin Shuyun noticed Jiang Yi'an looking at her, so she gave a slight curtsy and nodded in acknowledgment.

Meanwhile, at the rear gate of Wenyuan Pavilion in the distance,

Lu Yu, dressed in dark red official robes, gazed from afar, unable to suppress the bitterness churning in his heart.

No sooner had he dealt with that destitute widower than a general in his thirties who had yet to marry showed up?

If he wasn’t mistaken, he had also spotted a few widowers and divorced noblemen pretending to be devoted fathers picking up their children.

A minor official watched Grand Secretary Lu silently staring, not daring to make a sound.

After a long while, Lu Yu said softly, "Grand Secretary Lu, the Xiongnu tribe from Shuobei has submitted a memorial requesting a royal princess for marriage to foster alliance."

Lu Yu fell silent.

The army guarding the Shuobei border was precisely his father, Marquis of Xuanping Lu Yan's, old troops. Back then, Lu Yan had died in battle against the Xiongnu tribe.

Because of this, the emperor had released his mother, Shen Nuo, from the palace to return to the marquis’s residence to handle the funeral. However, the emperor had not expected Shen Nuo to be so deeply devoted to Lu Yan.

The moment Lu Yan’s black coffin was carried into the marquis’s residence, in front of everyone, Shen Nuo wept and threw herself against the coffin, committing suicide out of love.

The young Lu Yu stumbled to his mother’s side, crying out, "Mother, you can’t leave, you can’t go."

Overnight, Lu Yu lost both parents and became an orphan.

He knew he was not Lu Yan’s biological son, but the happiest time with his parents was when he was five years old, traveling with his mother to Shuobei to find his father.

The family sat together in a tent, sharing a fragrant roasted lamb leg. Father Lu Yan had a gentle smile, holding him on a tall horse to teach him archery and hunt rabbits.

In recent years, while stationed in Shuobei, he had clashed with the Xiongnu tribe several times. As the chieftain grew older, his sons appeared strong but were weak within, unfit for heavy responsibility.

How dare such a small barbarian tribe come to request a royal princess for marriage?

Lu Yu immediately drafted a response: "Rejected."

The next day,

As Lu Yu was preparing to go to the study to find Zhang’er, Eunuch Li from the emperor’s side arrived at Wenyuan Pavilion, smiling obsequiously. "Grand Secretary Lu, His Majesty is waiting for you at Linghua Pavilion."

Suspicion arose in his heart. He drew a silver ingot from his pouch and smiled lightly. "Do you know, sir, what His Majesty wishes to discuss?"

Eunuch Li stowed the silver away and replied with a smile, "This old servant heard it might be about the marriage alliance..."

The place Lu Yu loathed most in the entire palace was Linghua Pavilion—his mother had once been imprisoned there.

Yet the emperor remained nostalgically attached to it, putting on a show of deep affection that was truly laughable.

Lu Yu lowered his gaze, composed himself, and saw the emperor seated beside his mother’s old zither. He cupped his hands and saluted. "Your subject, Lu Yu, pays respects to Your Majesty."

The emperor smiled. "The tea Cheng Yu sent last time is all gone. I enjoyed it very much. Do you have any more stored away?"

A shadow crossed Lu Yu’s eyes, but he smiled faintly. "If Your Majesty likes it, your subject will naturally do his utmost to prepare it for you."

The emperor smiled, then remembered important business and said gravely, "Cheng Yu, you are still too young."

Lu Yu pretended not to understand. "Please enlighten me, Your Majesty."

"Marriage alliance is the fastest way to pacify these barbarians. One princess can stabilize the situation for ten years, giving my army ten more years to develop."

The emperor spoke coldly.

Lu Yu countered, "The barbarians in Shuobei are not what they were ten years ago. With a strong army, we can subdue them completely in less than a year."

"Bang—"

A sharp slam on the table shattered the room’s tranquility. The emperor said angrily, "The Xiongnu tribe is voluntarily submitting. Do you know how much silver and provisions a war would waste? Why go to the trouble when one princess can resolve it?"

"Today we cede five cities, tomorrow ten, and then we sleep peacefully for a night. But when we look around, the enemy troops are upon us again," Lu Yu said, bowing deeply. "Your subject can lead the troops to battle. Within a year, Shuobei will be pacified. I beg Your Majesty to reconsider."

"I am weary. Cheng Yu, go back and think it over carefully."

Watching his son leave, the emperor plucked the zither strings and murmured softly, "Nuo Nuo, our son is just like you—always knows how to anger me."

Then he lay down on the bed Shen Nuo had once slept on and ordered calmly, "Gather information on all unmarried women from families of third-rank officials and above in the capital. Do it discreetly. No one must know."

Eunuch Li bowed and replied, "This servant will see to it at once."

Lu Yu walked to the palace gate, glanced back at the red walls and glazed tiles, and the majestic imperial city towering at the capital’s heart.

The emperor would surely discuss this matter at the court assembly. There was still a chance for the ministers to overturn the emperor’s decision.

----

Five days later, before the grand court assembly.

Between Qinhua Gate and Anrui Gate lay a route all officials took to court. Eunuchs from the Internal Affairs Bureau ran many stalls there, specifically to address the ministers' breakfast needs.

The Minister of Rites, clutching two flatbreads, took two large strides and nudged his old friend. "Here, one for you. Why are you so cheerful you skipped breakfast today?"

Prince Ding raised his head, looking at his friend who had only three sons, and boasted, "Keep it for yourself. My daughter made sour soup dumplings this morning. I’ll have some after court."

The Minister of Rites bristled, snorting coldly. "You’re the only one with a daughter."

"Exactly. I have one, you don’t."

Prince Ding laughed heartily.

Lu Yu, standing behind them, overheard Prince Ding’s words. He lowered his gaze, pressed his lips together, his eyes filled with longing.

In the impoverished northwest, having a meal of dumplings was a rare treat.

When they had no money, Wanwan knew he liked sour food, so she often gathered wild vegetables with a neighbor auntie to make dumplings.

Later, when he taught archery at a security bureau to save some silver, Wanwan could buy mutton to make dumplings.

Their life was hard, but there was always hope.

A bitter gleam flashed in his eyes as he sighed softly in his heart, then strode forward without hesitation.

As three burly eunuchs cracked their whips before the grand hall, the deafening snaps echoed in the ears of the officials. The relayed cries reverberated in front of the Weiyang Palace.

"All officials—approach—the throne!"

The civil and military officials, arranged in orderly rows like geese in flight, knelt uniformly before the hall, their voices rising like a roaring tidal wave outside the palace: "We pay homage to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor!"

A wave of intense gratification washed over the Emperor’s heart.

Imperial power was supreme—he was the Mandate of Heaven.

"A few days ago, the Xiongnu tribe from the north expressed a desire for a marriage alliance with a princess of our court to show goodwill. What are your thoughts, my esteemed ministers?"

The Emperor’s fingers lightly tapped on a small booklet on the table as he spoke calmly.

Before Lu Yu could respond, General Jiang Yi'an, the Northern Expedition General, reported loudly, "Your Majesty, the Chanyu of the Xiongnu tribe is already over sixty, and his heirs are no threat. Our dynasty is capable of engaging in battle."

A civil official immediately retorted, "The Ministry of Revenue's funds are nearly depleted. Whether it’s the renovation of the ancestral temple or defending against coastal pirates in the southeast, we are already stretched thin."

The officials below buzzed with debate. The Emperor cast a disdainful glance at his ministers before turning to ask, "What does Lu Yu think?"

"I object to the marriage alliance, Your Majesty."

The Emperor nodded, then turned to the other side and asked his close confidant, "What about Prince Ding?"

"I... do not know."

When Prince Ding was still the Crown Prince of Ding, the old Prince Ding had taught him that the court had no need for a capable and powerful prince of a different surname. Only by remaining mediocre or incompetent could the Ding Manor survive and endure within the court.

Since childhood, he had followed the Emperor, from being fellow disciples to becoming close friends. He never displayed his abilities in front of the Emperor.

The Emperor was also aware of his incompetence and usually never consulted him on state affairs. His attendance at court meetings was merely a formality.

But today, the Emperor’s behavior was unusual. What came next struck Prince Ding like a thunderbolt, leaving him rooted to the spot.

"The centuries-old foundation passed down from our founding emperor must not be destroyed. After much deliberation, I have concluded that there are no princesses of suitable age in the court. Therefore, we shall select a woman from the imperial clan, bestow upon her the title of princess, grant her land, and elevate her family’s status. She will go to the north for the marriage alliance."

A military official immediately knelt and admonished, "Your Majesty, you must not!"

The Emperor coldly glanced at the prostrate officials and continued indifferently, "After careful consideration, among the imperial clan’s daughters, only Princess Ding'an is suitable. Although she is widowed, her lineage is noble. The northern tribes likely will not mind that she has been married before."

Prince Ding’s vision blackened, his head heavy as if he were about to faint. He staggered twice before collapsing to the ground with a thud, whether from collapse or striking the floor.

His voice choked, unable to form words.

At that moment, another heavy thud echoed from the opposite side.

Lu Yu’s booming voice carried a barely restrained tremor, "I oppose sending the princess for the marriage alliance. How can the century-old legacy of our dynasty be shouldered by a vulnerable woman?"

As if impervious to pain, Lu Yu slammed his forehead heavily against the floor tiles and declared loudly, "I am willing to lead troops to the north and annihilate the Xiongnu tribe."

The Emperor looked at the son he had placed high hopes on, his eyes filled with disappointment.

"Has Lord Lu taken leave of his senses? My father is the sovereign of this nation. As his subject, your duty is loyalty."

The Second Prince, watching Lu Yu’s humiliation, laughed inwardly. Was it so difficult to send a former love away for a marriage alliance?

By then, Prince Ding’s senses slowly cleared.

Kneeling on the ground, his body trembling, he wept bitterly, "Your Majesty, my daughter has been lost to the world, suffering for over a decade. She has not yet enjoyed a few good years—how can she be sent to that desolate, barbaric land for a marriage alliance?"

As he spoke, he continued kowtowing, tears streaming.

He never imagined that even his years of friendship with the Emperor could not outweigh the sacrifices demanded by imperial power.

What, then, was the point of all his years of caution and restraint?

His father had taught him to remain mediocre and incompetent, and he had passed this lesson on to his son.

His young Lin Shuyan wielded a silver spear with such skill that even seasoned generals praised him as a promising talent.

But because the Emperor had offhandedly commented, "The Crown Prince of Ding should focus more on his studies," Prince Ding, with tears in his eyes, had ordered Lin Shuyan’s arm broken, claiming it was a training accident.

That was his own son! All because he had lost his sister and wanted to train harder in martial arts, he had his arm broken by his own father.

His wife resented him for failing to find their daughter and wept bitterly, cursing him for breaking their son’s arm.

All his bitterness and regret, he could only bottle up.

Now, the Emperor was casually casting aside the House of Ding. What, then, was the meaning of all his years of forbearance and sacrifice?

A mere joke?

The Emperor coldly surveyed the crowd, ignoring Prince Ding’s incessant kowtowing, and said indifferently, "Court is dismissed."

Lu Yu knelt upright, but his fingers clenched his robe tightly, his eyes burning with rage as if ready to burn the palace to the ground.

He looked up at the high dragon throne, once foolishly hoping to ally with a young prince and help him ascend to the throne.

Now, he realized how naive he had been.

Even Prince Ding, who had grown up with the Emperor, could be used and cast aside so casually, let alone a relationship bound only by interests between ruler and subject.

He had already made many enemies in the court. No matter who ascended the throne, he would be the first target.

Let alone protecting himself—he could not even protect his loved ones, children, or friends.

He could no longer rely on anyone.

Since someone was destined to sit on the throne, why could it not be him?

Lu Yu’s lips pressed into a tight line. His legs numb, he stumbled upright, his eyes red.

Standing firmly in the center of the hall, he realized there was only one option remaining to save Wanwan.

Lu Yu turned to look at Prince Ding, who sat alone on the ground, slumped in despair.

Such was the nature of court officials—fearing that aiding Prince Ding would anger the Emperor, no one dared approach, leaving him isolated on the floor.

Lu Yu strode forward, but the moment his fingers touched Prince Ding’s arm, the latter jerked away violently.

"Get away!"

Prince Ding's forehead was already red; looking utterly dejected with red eyes, he supported himself as he staggered slowly out of the palace.

---

At Ding Mansion,

In the flower-adorned hall, Princess Consort Ding was sitting upright at the round table arranging flowers freshly picked that morning. She gently sniffed the fragrance, "Even though these flowers were damaged by Ying Ying's fawn, they still managed to grow so beautifully."

A maid held up a flower branch and replied with a smile, "The young mistress hasn’t been bringing her fawn to play in our courtyard lately."

Princess Consort Ding said helplessly, "The fawn hasn’t come these past couple of days, but now it’s been replaced by a black dog. I hope they won’t keep buying the child any more animals."

"By the way, where is the Prince…"

Princess Consort Ding noticed that the time was about right. As soon as she spoke, the sound of maids curtsying came from outside.

"Greetings, Your Highness."

Princess Consort Ding smiled and said to another maid, "Go quickly and boil the dumplings wrapped by the princess. The Prince is back."

With that, Princess Consort Ding went on arranging the flowers in a vase. "Your Highness, go wash your hands and eat. You woke up so early this morning, you must be hungry. Your daughter’s dumplings have been ready for a long time…"

Suddenly, the Princess Consort realized it was unusually silent today. She looked up, and the flowers in her hand instantly fell to the ground.

Prince Ding appeared haggard, his forehead already smeared with blood, his eyes filled with grief.

Princess Consort Ding, her eyes red, hurried over and asked, "Your Highness, what happened?"

Prince Ding tilted his head upward, and Princess Consort Ding quickly waved her hand, "Everyone, leave now. Close the doors of the flower hall."

With a creak, the doors closed inside. Prince Ding, who had been holding back his tears for so long, finally let them fall against the Princess Consort’s neck.

His voice choked up; he tried to speak for a long time but couldn’t get the words out.

The Princess Consort, tears streaming down her face, asked, "What is it? What’s wrong? You’re a grandfather now, why are you crying?"

"The Emperor... the Emperor wants to send our daughter to the lands of the barbarians for a marriage alliance."

The Princess Consort froze instantly, unable to speak a word. Tears immediately streamed down her face.

Prince Ding said hoarsely in despair, "That Khan is even older than my own father…"

The Princess Consort trembled as she spoke, "I’ll go appeal to the Imperial Consort, I’ll beg Princess Duanyang—can’t they not send my Yun Er away for marriage?"

"My Yun Er was so tiny when she was born. Why must she always suffer such great hardships?"

The Princess Consort was sobbing uncontrollably, her fingers icy cold and her whole body shaking.

Prince Ding shook his head tearfully, "The Emperor announced it in court. We are powerless to resist."

In the flower hall, the stagnant air was thick with grief and dead silence.

Suddenly,

A servant spoke softly outside the door, "Your Highnesses, Grand Secretary Lu is at the gate requesting to see you."

"Lu Yu," Prince Ding muttered the name quietly between his lips, a sarcastic smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. "Is there even a single good person left in that family?"

He shouted loudly, "I will not see him. Tell him to get lost."

Outside Ding Mansion,

The servant bowed and said with a smile, "I hope Grand Secretary Lu will be understanding. His Highness is unavailable to see you."

Lu Yu’s straight posture did not move; he stood right at the manor’s gate, his hoarse voice said in a low voice: "Fine. Then I will stand here and wait until the Prince agrees to see me."

Hearing the servant’s report,

The Princess Consort, her eyes red, gripped the Prince’s sleeve and said urgently, "Has he not lost his memory? Does he have a way to save Yun Er?"

Prince Ding lowered his gaze in thought. After a long while, he said gravely, "Invite Lord Lu to speak in the ancestral hall."

He brushed off his sleeves and, as he rose to open the door, turned back and said hoarsely, "Princess Consort, go fetch my bamboo walking stick for me."