Chapter 48

Chapter 48

This was the Iron-Red Pardon Certificate.

Lin Shuyun's heart pounded fiercely. Clutching the wooden box tightly, her eyes were fixed intently on Lu Yu.

The first Marquis of Xuanping had, in his youth, distinguished himself during Emperor Taizong's unification of the realm. His military exploits were legendary; he swept through armies and once saved Emperor Taizong's life amidst the chaos of battle, surrounded by heavy cavalry. In the early days of the dynasty, when Emperor Taizong was honoring his meritorious officials, he granted the Marquis of Xuanping this special Iron-Red Pardon Certificate in recognition of his immense contributions.

Beyond the vermilion ink inscriptions promising hereditary titles and nobility for the Marquis of Xuanping's descendants, its most crucial feature was the promise of pardons from death for his offspring.

“You are pardoned nine times from death; your descendants, women, and children three times. Treason is not pardoned, but all other offenses shall go unpunished.”

This artifact could only be inherited by the direct lineage of the Marquis of Xuanping's household, along with their wives and children. A few words on it guaranteed their safety for a lifetime.

In the vast capital, only a handful of families possessed such a rare honor from Emperor Taizong. Even Prince Ding's household, which also traced its origins to Emperor Taizong's era, did not enjoy such a privilege.

Every other noble family guarded, concealed, and revered such a hereditary heirloom as their most precious treasure.

Yet, Lu Yu had simply placed the Iron-Red Pardon Certificate, a legacy of the Marquis of Xuanping's household for a hundred years, directly into her hands.

Lin Shuyun's fingers trembled slightly. Clutching the wooden box to her chest, the moment she raised her head, she met Lu Yu's deep, intense gaze.

"Wanwan, this is my promise to you and the children."

Lu Yu's low voice resonated beside her ear.

Lin Shuyun parted her lips, about to speak, but Lu Yu had already bowed respectfully and departed from behind the screen.

She sat dazed in her chair, her eyes fixed blankly on a single spot, her thoughts scattering uncontrollably, momentarily lost in a reverie.

Was this a promise?

Zhang'er and Ying Ying were not publicly acknowledged as Lu Yu's biological children. If he were to change his mind one day, it was entirely possible for the children to be demoted from legitimate heirs to illegitimate ones.

This was not merely an iron certificate. Coupled with the piles of gold and jade presented today—one hundred and twelve betrothal gifts that the Master of Ceremonies had taken a full two hours to enumerate—

Lu Yu had already bestowed upon her the entirety of the Marquis of Xuanping's household, even offering Zhang'er the future position of heir apparent.

He had said, "This is the best I can give."

What she held was not just the Iron-Red Pardon Certificate, but the entire noble title of the Marquis of Xuanping's household. Indeed, there could be no betrothal gift more profound than this.

Lin Shuyun's heart felt as if it were caught in raging waves, surging emotions like a flood threatening to burst through the dams of her composure.

"My Lady, it is time for us to leave. The Prince and the Heir have gone to the betrothal banquet. We should return to the courtyard."

Ming Yue's soft call slowly brought Lin Shuyun back to her senses. Lifting her gaze, she realized everyone in the hall had already departed.

The moment she stood up, her arms felt numb. Carefully, she handed the box in her arms to Ming Yue, instructing, "Find a small lock and place this box in my room. No one is to touch it without permission."

"Yes, my lady."

Walking along the covered walkway, Lin Shuyun's eyes were vacant as she once again became lost in thought.

Was this a man's sense of guilt?

This question turned over and over in her mind, yet her thoughts were like a tangled mess, impossible to unravel.

Suddenly, a small figure collided with her.

"Mother, I missed you."

Zhang'er's face was etched with grievance, his eyes moist as if tears were about to fall at any moment.

Lin Shuyun bent down slightly, her fingers gently stroking Zhang'er's cheek, soothing him tenderly, "My little treasure, why are you about to shed tears again? Didn't we just see each other yesterday?"

Zhang'er twisted his body and threw himself into Lin Shuyun's arms. The little child's heart was filled with unease. He didn't understand why, but his nose kept tingling with a persistent ache.

His tears fell silently as he mumbled, "I just missed you. I wanted you to hold me."

"Zhang'er, tell Mother, what are you afraid of?"

The child, his thoughts exposed, lifted his tear-stained little face, his eyes brimming with tears as he said, "I heard Uncle and Little Uncle say they're afraid you'll be wronged after getting married. Zhang'er is scared. Zhang'er doesn't want Mother to be wronged."

Lin Shuyun's tears instantly streamed down. Her heart felt as if struck by a heavy hammer. She tightly pressed Zhang'er into her embrace, just as she had five years ago when she came to the capital from the northwest, always tying the young Zhang'er to her front.

Her fingers gently stroked Zhang'er's back, her voice choked but attempting to remain calm as she said, "It's alright. Mother won't be wronged. You've met Uncle Lu too. He will be good to you."

Zhang'er clung to Lin Shuyun's neck, crying softly, "I... I even made a pinky promise with him... made him promise to be good to you, not to bully Mother."

Lin Shuyun stroked Zhang'er's back, saying softly, "Is my Zhang'er so amazing already? Already acting like a grown-up now."

Zhang'er, tears in his eyes, nodded: "Before, they said a married daughter shouldn't live long at her grandfather's house. Zhang'er thought about studying hard, growing up to make something of myself, to take Mother and little sister to live a good life, so they can't gossip anymore."

Lin Shuyun's face was already streaked with tears. She knew Zhang'er carried many burdens in his heart, but she hadn't expected that this child, who grew up without a father, already wanted to become strong enough to fill that void.

She pulled out an embroidered handkerchief from her bosom, wiping away Zhang'er's falling tears. Looking at his utterly serious little face, she said slowly, "Zhang'er, Mother wants to tell you another truth today. The gossip others spread is just passing clouds. If we had to care about everyone's words, we wouldn't be able to live our lives."

"When you were in Mother's belly, I heard that a neighbor's newborn baby was missing a few fingers. Mother just thought, as long as my child is healthy and safe, happy and joyful, that's enough."

"No matter if my Zhang'er becomes a number one scholar, a great general, or a street vendor or porter in the future, as long as you become an upright person, Mother will be content."

"Zhang'er can get into some mischief like Lin'er, too. Don't overthink. The things you worry about are what adults need to consider. Do you understand?"

Zhang'er's face was full of childlike confusion, but he nodded heavily.

Lin Shuyun knew he had taken it to heart. She gently patted his head. "Let's go. We'll return to the courtyard to find your sister."

As soon as she finished speaking, Ying Ying was already standing at the gate of Wutong Courtyard, calling out to them with outstretched hands. The little girl held a pastry in her left hand, a cake clutched in her right, with Xiao Hei following quickly behind her.

She smilingly shoved the pastry into Zhang'er's hand: "Brother, eat cake."

Lin Shuyun looked closely—it was the celebratory pastries Lu Yu had sent over today, likely specially prepared for the children, shaped like little rabbits, little dogs, and other animals.

These animal-shaped wedding pastries were incredibly realistic and utterly adorable.

Ying Ying was completely oblivious. She stuffed cake into her mouth, the falling crumbs eagerly licked up by Xiao Hei.

Finally, lifting her face covered in pastry crumbs, she said with a smile, "This is sweet red bean paste, Ying Ying's favorite. Brother has mung bean paste."

The fillings were also flavors children loved.

Lu Yu had put careful thought into this. He hadn't omitted a single step despite the rushed wedding preparations, even making it better than expected.

Lin Shuyun lowered her gaze to the red lacquer wooden box in Ming Yue's hands, then turned to look at her son and daughter.

Since the marriage was settled, and the Iron-Red Pardon Certificate was in her hands, then in the days to come, she and Lu Yu would simply be going through the motions as husband and wife.

The sun set in the west, the sky gradually overtaken by the darkness of night.

Lin Shuyun had just finished dinner with her two children when an urgent call reached her ears.

"My Lady, this servant pays respects to the Lady!"

Hearing the hurried footsteps outside, Ming Yue quickly stepped out of the room and scolded sternly, "How can you be so rushed and unruly in the Lady's courtyard?"

The maid in charge of the flower hall (main reception room) patted the sweat from her forehead. "Please, Aunt, inform the Lady. The Heir and Crown Prince Lu have somehow gotten into a fight. The Prince and Princess Consort are not in the mansion, so we implore the Lady to think of a solution."

Ming Yue frowned and asked, "Wasn't the banquet at noon? Why is it still going on in the evening?"

The maid replied, "The other guests have already left, but the Heir kept drinking with Crown Prince Lu and couldn't be persuaded to stop. They seemed to be having a drinking contest, and we don’t know what they were discussing. They closed the doors and wouldn’t let us servants in. The sound of dishes shattering has been coming from inside."

Lin Shuyun heard everything clearly from inside the room. She sighed deeply, frowned a little, and said, "Let’s go, I’ll go take a look."

She hurried to the outside of the flower hall, where the doors were now wide open. The strong smell of alcohol instantly rushed into her nostrils. Frowning, she held her breath and stepped forward.

The round table in the flower hall was a mess. Lin Shuyan was sitting on the floor leaning against a pillar, while Lu Yu was slumped over the table.

Lin Shuyun waved her hand to dispel the unpleasant smell of alcohol and called out loudly, "Carry my brother back to his courtyard and have the kitchen staff prepare a sobering broth for him."

Hearing the familiar voice, Lin Shuyan slowly looked up. The moment he saw Shu Yun, tears streamed down his face again.

He sobbed, his speech stammered, "My dear Shu Yun... has suffered so much."

"...It pains me to think of her injured at the cliff. When Ying Ying was born, it was me, her eldest uncle, who held her first."

"And now... you’re taking her away... you unfaithful man."

Lin Shuyun roughly understood what they had been discussing. Frowning, she quickly called for the servants, "Hurry up and take the Heir away. Don’t let him talk nonsense anymore."

Lin Shuyun finally understood why Zhang'er was always shedding tears—he must have taken after his uncle, she thought.

As Lin Shuyan was carried away, he continued to cry and sob. After he left, the flower hall fell into silence.

She gazed at Lu Yu, who was still slumped over the table, and turned to instruct the maid, "Have the people from the Marquis of Xuanping's household come in and carry their Heir back home."

With that, Lin Shuyun turned and stepped out of the flower hall. Just as she reached the moon gate in the small garden, her wrist was suddenly grabbed tightly.

The smell of alcohol instantly enveloped her.

"Wanwan, can you please look at me?"

Lu Yu's voice, low and rough, slowly sounded, carrying a hint of barely detectable grievance.

Lin Shuyun stood frozen, unwilling to turn around, and said faintly, "It’s late. The Heir should return to his household."

"Wanwan, I was so happy today..." Lu Yu's voice slowly continued, "I moved my entire household... to marry you."

Feeling Lu Yu's grip tighten, Lin Shuyun slowly turned around and saw him standing tall under the moonlight.

It seemed he had been on the receiving end of her brother’s beating.

Lu Yu's dark red robe was slightly open, his golden crown slightly askew, but he was still strikingly handsome. His cheeks were flushed, and his narrow, long eyes seemed to gaze at her with a glistening emotion. His usual cold dignity had softened into something gentler.

Lin Shuyun's heart trembled slightly, but the words that escaped her lips shocked even herself.

"It’s not the first time the Heir has offered betrothal gifts, after all. Duke An's Mansion has also received your betrothal gifts."

Lin Shuyun had thought she had made peace with everything, her heart calm and undisturbed. But upon hearing Lu Yu's voice, her resentful and bitter tone spilled out uncontrollably.

Lu Yu slowly looked up, his lips pressed tightly together. After a long silence, he said hoarsely, "I'm sorry. It was my fault."

"You were engaged to someone else, yet at night you still sought intimacy with me, even asking me to be your concubine. Does the Heir still remember that?"

"...I remember." Lin Shuyun's words were like sharp blades piercing Lu Yu's heart. His eyes were already bloodshot, and he couldn't utter another word.

He remembered everything. During those five years in the northern frontier, the moment he closed his eyes, memories of the capital would replay uncontrollably in his mind.

At night, he would sit for long hours at his desk, lost in thought. During the day, he fought recklessly on the battlefield. If he could survive and return, it would be one thing; if he died, he could at least meet them, mother and son, by the Yellow Springs.

But now it was different. They were both alive, and he could still see them, protect them, and love them in this world.

Seeing Lin Shuyun about to turn and leave again, Lu Yu quickly stepped forward and grabbed her wrist, saying hoarsely, "Wanwan, can you still give me a chance?"

Lin Shuyun remained silent, but Lu Yu's churning emotions surged forth. As the alcohol rushed to his head, he stretched out his long arms and tightly embraced the treasure he thought he'd lost.

Just as he was about to speak, Lin Shuyun suddenly pushed him away, covering her mouth and leaning against the corridor railing as she retched dryly.

The smell of alcohol on Lu Yu was too strong, and Lin Shuyun had been holding it in for a long time.

The moment he hugged her, the nausea in her stomach rushed straight to her throat. The physical reaction made her eyes redden with tears. She slowly stood up and said in an aggrieved voice,

"Lu Yu, you truly disgust me."

Lu Yu's eyes instantly reddened, his heart feeling as if tightly bound by fine threads, making even breathing extraordinarily difficult.

Watching Lin Shuyun's retreating figure, he called out hoarsely, "In a few days, my grandmother will come to the capital from her hometown. She likely doesn’t have much time left. Can you bring the children to see her?"

Lin Shuyun paused, her voice muffled and unclear. "Of course. I will play my part as the wife of the Heir of the Marquis of Xuanping's household properly."

The wife of the Heir.

She didn’t even want to be his wife.

Lu Yu clenched his fists, staggering towards the gate. His deep eyes were filled with profound disappointment, and the corners of his lips curled into an uncontrollable, bitter smile.

Hearing Lu Yu's footsteps fading into the distance, Lin Shuyun stopped walking, leaned against a pillar, and slumped to the ground. Pressing a hand to her chest, her eyes instantly filled with tears.

She had always been gentle and soft-spoken, never uttering a harsh word to anyone. Yet, she had spat out such bitter words to Lu Yu.

She felt wronged, and she couldn’t help but bring up the past.

She knew propriety and shame—so how had she become this spiteful?

All of this was because of Lu Yu.

At this thought, Lin Shuyun tilted her head back and looked up at the bright moon in the sky, tears instantly falling to the ground.

----

The wedding date was set for the eighth day of the eighth month, barely ten days after the betrothal gifts were delivered.

Lin Shuyun sat upright in front of her dressing table, taking a fresh look at herself.

The woman in the mirror had her hair neatly arranged, eyes full of gentleness, and a face that, aside from the conspicuous red mark, was still soft and delicate. She slightly curved her lips into a smile, as warm and gentle as always.

She had originally felt uneasy about going to the Marquis of Xuanping's household today, but upon learning that Lu Yu had already set up his own household, she wouldn’t have to face the Marquise of Xuanping, which calmed her nerves somewhat.

Suddenly, the sound of children playing could be heard. The two children ran in holding hands.

Ying Ying chirped, "Mother, what's taking so long?"