Chapter 13 Decree

Chapter 13: The Imperial Decree

After finishing the discussion about the marriage arrangement, Wei Yan stayed a little while longer before leaving.

Lu Jiming tried to get up to see him off, but Wei Yan pressed him back onto the bed. "Rest, Xuping," Wei Yan said. "I'd like some time alone too." He didn't seem as reconciled to it as he had been during their earlier discussion.

After Wei Yan left, Lu Jiming sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the half-bowl of now-cold congee on the table, feeling unsettled.

When Wei Yan harbored ulterior motives toward him, Lu Jiming always wanted to hide. Yet now that Wei Yan genuinely didn't care, he actually felt upset.

No sooner had Wei Yan left the courtyard than Ning Jia and Lu Guanguan entered the room, asking Lu Jiming about the Crown Prince's purpose.

Lu Jiming shook his head, finding it hard to put into words, and simply said, "You'll know in a few days." With that, he lay back down on the bed to catch up on sleep.

Fate truly played tricks on people. Just last night, he had completely given up all thought of getting close to Wei Yan and decided on his future path. Today, he was forced to accept this sudden marriage arrangement, throwing all his plans into disarray.

Lu Jiming thought he indeed needed time to carefully consider what to do next.

For the next few days, Lu Jiming used illness as an excuse not to enter the palace. The imperial decree of marriage beat him to it, arriving at the Lu residence first.

After reading the decree, the eunuch delivering it immediately changed his expression, bowing obsequiously as he helped Lu Jiming up. "His Majesty, learning that you are alone in the capital, has already dispatched an envoy with all haste to your hometown to deliver the decree. In about four or five days, your esteemed father will receive the joyous news."

Lu Jiming's face remained impassive as he instructed Steward Yang to take the eunuch to rest, serve him tea, and reward him with some silver.

Once the eunuch left, Lu Guanguan couldn't hold back any longer and asked anxiously, "Young Master, what on earth is going on?"

Ning Jia, being more composed, only frowned. "The Crown Prince's visit the other day must have been about this."

Lu Jiming nodded.

"Then what will your father say?" Ning Jia asked with concern.

Lu Guanguan interjected, "This is for the position of Crown Princess. What can we do? Can we really defy the imperial decree and flee the marriage?"

Ning Jia pondered and said, "If you, Father, are truly unwilling, it's not impossible to escape. I know a way..."

Lu Jiming understood Ning Jia's meaning. If he was truly unwilling, he could return to the Liao state with her. After all, Ning Jia was a noble from Liao; although there were enemies pursuing her within the country, she also had relatives and friends who could offer protection.

But he hadn't been reborn in this life to leave his homeland.

"Don't worry," Lu Jiming said. "I am willing." Even if Wei Yan's intentions for the marriage were false, he himself was naturally willing.

Lu Guanguan, who always adapted quickly, became cheerful upon hearing Lu Jiming's agreement. "The Crown Prince is of such noble status, with such talent and looks. He is indeed a rare and excellent match. Young Master, you should be happier."

But as soon as he finished speaking, Lu Guanguan suddenly remembered something and his expression changed again. He cautiously added, "It's just... I wonder how Father will take it..."

The Lu family had always been strictly traditional. The entire clan had never had a tradition of male wives; men could only marry, not be married off. Daughters were raised in deep seclusion, learning needlework. Even reading and writing were taught exclusively by female tutors. Before marriage, they were not allowed to see any men outside the family.

A century ago, such rules wouldn't have been considered overly strict. But in today's world, where the strict separation between men and women had largely dissolved, and girls from other families could study alongside boys in academies, the Lu family's adherence to the old dynasty's rules seemed excessively rigid and unreasonable.

Just as Lu Jiming was about to speak, Lu Guanguan figured it out himself: "But with His Majesty's imperial decree, would the Lu family have the nerve to refuse?"

Lu Jiming: "..."

Lu Guanguan had said everything there was to say.

"Father..." Ning Jia wasn't as carefree as Lu Guanguan. Having grown up in the palace, she knew how little freedom one had there.

If the Crown Prince valued him and refrained from taking concubines, it might be bearable. But Lu Jiming and the Crown Prince had no affection for each other; they were merely bound by a marriage contract. Once the novelty wore off, what would become of Lu Jiming for the rest of his life?

Lu Jiming reached out and patted Ning Jia's head, smiling. "It's alright. We'll take one step at a time. Why worry about things that haven't happened yet? Or, if it really becomes unbearable, I still have you, don't I?"

Ning Jia nodded. "Whenever you are willing, Father, I will get you to a place where you can be free."

"Don't worry. Your father is getting married. Smile a little." Lu Jiming deliberately teased Ning Jia. Ning Jia reluctantly pulled the corners of her mouth into a slight smile.

Over the past few days, while thinking in his study, Lu Jiming had come to understand that even if some fate was pulling him forward, as long as he stayed true to himself and did not do anything against his conscience, he would definitely not repeat the mistakes of the past.

Many of the mistakes in his previous life, in the end, were made in a moment of poor judgment.

If Heaven insisted that he and Wei Yan remain entangled in this life, then Lu Jiming also believed that this life would not be the same as the last, where one mistake led to another.

He had simply been too anxious and confused recently, blinded by fear of the unknown.

Now that he had figured it out, he was no longer afraid. Heaven had given him an opportunity, and he intended to grasp it well.

"By the way, Jia'er, how are things with Yin Yuxie?" Ning Jia had been going out these past few days and should have been keeping an eye on Yin Yuxie.

Ning Jia said, "I've noticed that there seem to be other people following him as well."

Ning Jia's words completely took Lu Jiming by surprise. Why would others be following Yin Yuxie? What was their purpose? Who sent them? Yin Yuxie was just a young man; what was worth following him for?

Too many questions flooded Lu Jiming's mind at once. He knew clearly that these questions couldn't be answered quickly; they would require gradual investigation.

"Continue following him when you have time, but be careful not to be discovered by the other side. If you sense any danger, be sure to protect yourself," Lu Jiming instructed Ning Jia.

Ning Jia agreed. She wasn't afraid of any danger. The only downside to watching Yin Yuxie was that it was simply too tantalizing.

Ning Jia considered herself not particularly picky about food; as long as it filled her stomach, it was fine. Even so, she found herself craving the various unusual dishes Yin Yuxie was involved with.

Because of this, the evening meals at the Lu residence had been exceptionally sumptuous these past few days.

"This is from outside Chenglou. Young Master Yin tasted it once and immediately wrote a plaque for the restaurant. That's the signature dish of Pinluxuan, which Young Master Yin spent three days discussing with the chef to create," Ning Jia explained to Lu Jiming with a serious expression.

Lu Jiming was both amused and exasperated. He tried each dish and urged Ning Jia to eat more as well. He had just taken a few bites when Wei Yan, who had been absent for several days, visited again.

Seeing the table full of delicious food, Wei Yan was momentarily stunned and hesitantly asked, "Are you... celebrating?"

"No," Lu Jiming said, but he couldn't explain why there was a table full of dishes Yin Yuxie liked, so he changed his answer. "Well, yes. Isn't it a joyous occasion?"

Seeing this, Wei Yan couldn't help but break into a happy smile, though he tried to control himself to avoid appearing overly pleased in front of Lu Jiming. He simply sat down beside him.

A maid from the Lu residence promptly brought a bowl and chopsticks for Wei Yan. Wei Yan picked up the chopsticks and, not minding that Lu Jiming had already eaten from the dishes, helped himself to some food. "These aren't ordinary home-style dishes. I didn't expect Xuping to have such an interest in food as well."

Lu Jiming smiled. "Not at all. Just mention Young Master Yin's name, and novel dishes will be delivered."

Lu Jiming suddenly remembered how, in his previous life, when Yin Yuxie passed away, restaurants and taverns throughout the capital set up roadside memorials to mourn him. It was quite touching and showed their sense of loyalty.

What Lu Jiming didn't know was that Wei Yan was thinking the same thing at that moment and couldn't help but sigh. Since his rebirth, Wei Yan had ordered the Imperial Guard to monitor Yin Yuxie's every move, determined to save his life no matter what.

The two chatted about Yin Yuxie as they finished their meal. Afterwards, Lu Jiming took Wei Yan to his study.

Wei Yan casually flipped through the notes Lu Jiming had written on the desk and said, "Father's intention is for us to marry before the New Year. The State Preceptor has already selected an auspicious date: the seventeenth day of the tenth month. Time is tight. In a few days, palace attendants will come to take your measurements for the ceremonial robes."

Wei Yan's own wish was also to proceed as quickly as possible to avoid unforeseen complications. If possible, he wouldn't mind getting married today. Unfortunately, given their statuses, the wedding couldn't be arranged according to his whims; it required careful consideration and planning from all sides.

Lu Jiming acknowledged this. In matters like these, he originally had no say, so he didn't ask further questions.

"Your mother died of an illness a few years ago, and now your father has stepped down from his position and returned to Mingzhou, correct?" Wei Yan asked.

Lu Jiming nodded.

"Mingzhou is far away, and there are still many formalities with the traditional betrothal rituals (three letters and six etiquettes). Although it's just going through the motions, we cannot neglect them. I was thinking, what if we brought your father to the capital—it would be more convenient."

Lu Jiming looked at Wei Yan and said, "I need to return to my hometown to personally discuss with my father..."

"No!" Wei Yan's heart trembled as if a steel blade had stabbed through his lungs. He cut Lu Jiming off before he could finish speaking.

Returning to his hometown!

In his previous life, it was precisely because Lu Jiming returned to his hometown after his father's death, promising to return in three months, only to stay for three years.

Those three years became Wei Yan's nightmare, the period he most regretted and most wished he could go back to.

Now that the marriage contract is finalized, and Lu Jiming brings up going back home again—what exactly is he planning?

Wei Yan's eyes nearly reddened. Fearing Lu Jiming would notice his abnormality and catch on, he bottled up his emotions, trying to compose himself and speak as gently as possible. "The wedding date is coming up, and all the arrangements require your presence. Mingzhou is way down south—how could you possibly go back?"

Lu Jiming sensed the sudden shift in Wei Yan's emotions and even wondered if Wei Yan, like himself, had been reborn. Otherwise, why would he care so much about his return to his hometown?

But his suspicion quickly faded. Wei Yan's behavior these past days didn't seem like someone with memories of a past life. Moreover, if Wei Yan truly remembered his past life, why would he continue to entangle himself with him?

Wasn't being betrayed twice enough? Who would willingly walk into a trap again and again?

Wei Yan, afraid that Lu Jiming would grow suspicious, spoke first. "The State Preceptor told me that you cannot return to your hometown, or something unfortunate will happen."

The State Preceptor again... Lu Jiming grew increasingly curious about this State Preceptor. In his past life, this person had hardly interfered in any court affairs. Why was he now repeatedly meddling in Wei Yan's marriage?

Could this person truly possess unimaginable supernatural abilities?

However...

"Your Highness, no matter what, I must return to my hometown. Once I marry into the royal family, I will no longer be a member of the Lu family. There are some things I must do."

He needed to resolve his entanglements with the Lu family before the wedding, to completely free himself from those parasites clinging to his back.

He couldn't help but indulge in the hope that one day he could truly break free from the Lu family. On that day, perhaps he would have the slightest bit of selfishness to love Wei Yan recklessly.

Even if Wei Yan no longer loved him, it wouldn't matter. He could wait for him his entire life, just as Wei Yan had done for him in his past life.

Author's Note:

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State Preceptor: Good heavens, from beginning to end, I haven't said a single word...