Chapter 433: I'll Follow You to the Ends of the World

Half a month later, in an inconspicuous teahouse.

In the celadon teacup, the emerald green tea soup sways slightly.

Lu Jiangnian raised his hand to pour tea for the prince, and the water line drew a graceful arc in the air.

"Your Highness knows that the Emperor is waiting to catch you doing something wrong, so why would you risk this bad luck for me?"

His voice was soft, but every word was clear.

The prince smiled bitterly and rubbed the rim of the cup. The sunlight shone through the window, casting mottled shadows on his face. "We have known each other for many years. If I remain silent just to protect myself, those who follow me will be heartbroken."

He paused, and lowered his voice: "Besides, even if I don't plead for you, can the emperor take care of me a little more?"

Lu Jiangnian put down the teapot, and the porcelain made a crisp sound when it collided with each other.

"Your Highness," his eyes suddenly became sharp, "Don't you understand? The most dangerous person is never me."

The prince's pupils suddenly contracted and the teacup in his hand almost fell out of his hand.

Of course, he knew the deeper meaning of Lu Jiangnian's words—what his father feared most now was him, the crown prince.

"Father is old."

The prince's voice trembled a little, "It's like a wounded lone wolf that starts to bite every wolf around it, fearing that it will be replaced."

He recalled the historical records he had read the day before, which stated that the emperor had not visited the concubines in the harem for a long time. Even when his most favored wife, Madam Zhaohua, came to sleep with him, he was just there to chat with her.

"Last night, I dreamed that when I was a child, my father taught me how to ride a horse..."

The prince's voice choked, and the sunlight revealed the tears in the corners of his eyes. "My father really loved me at that time."

But after waking up from the dream, the person who was suffocating him in reality was none other than his father.

Lu Jiangnian suddenly stood up, his dark robe bringing up a breeze: "I have been busy with official duties these years, and it is rare for me to have some free time. It is a good opportunity for me to spend more time with my wife to appreciate flowers and drink tea."

He walked to the door and stopped again: "Your Highness, make the decision when necessary."

After saying this, he gently pushed the door open and left, leaving the prince alone staring at the half-cold tea.

Outside the private room, the cries of hawkers could be heard faintly, but they could no longer conceal the solemn atmosphere inside.

The prince looked at the falling leaves outside the window and suddenly felt that autumn in the capital had come earlier than in previous years.

-

The day after Liang Yuhua's "death", Mrs. Lu packed up her things and left the capital early in the morning.

This time she left so cleanly and neatly, which was beyond Yuan Wanru's expectation.

However, the people in the mansion no longer cared about Madam Lu.

"I heard that the emperor was here because of Miss Liang..."

"Yes, the crown prince's position has been taken away, the emperor must be very angry!"

"Hush! Keep your voice down!"

The news of Lu Jiangnian's dismissal was like a thunderclap, causing panic in the entire Lu Mansion.

Zhou Fang cursed all day long: "It's all because of this unlucky Zhou Jianming! He caused our Lu family to suffer such a disaster!"

When Yuan Wanru heard these gossips, she just sneered.

Outsiders had no idea that the real reason for the emperor's rage was not Liang Yuhua's death, but that the scheme he had carefully designed was broken, and he was taking it out on Lu Jiangnian out of shame and anger.

Lu Yuxiu originally wanted to make a fuss, but many of the Zhou family’s murder lawsuits were related to her.

Lu Jiangnian acted decisively and immediately ordered his men to escort her and Zhou Jianming back to Jiangnan for trial, where they were detained and sentenced by the local government.

"Jiang Nian,"

Wang Min came to Lingshuiju worriedly, "Why don't you ask your father to ask the emperor?"

Lu Jiangnian was pruning an orchid. Hearing this, he said without even looking up: "Don't worry, mother. I'm taking this opportunity to take a break."

He put down the scissors and said in a relaxed tone, "I have been busy with official duties these years and have not been able to spend time with you properly."

Wang Min was relieved to see that he looked normal. Before leaving, she reminded Yuan Wanru: "Wanru, you should pay more attention to Jiang Nian's mood during this period."

"Don't worry, mother. My husband is not a stubborn person. He will be fine."

After Yuan Wanru saw Wang Min off, she gently closed the door.

When I turned around, I saw Lu Jiangnian leaning on the couch by the window, holding a cup of tea in his hand. The sunlight shone through the window lattice, casting mottled light and shadow on his handsome face.

"Everyone outside says that you have suffered a great injustice," Yuan Wanru moved lightly and sat down beside him, "I am the only one who knows how relieved you are right now."

She reached out and brushed away the non-existent dust on his shoulders, her eyes full of smiles.

Lu Jiangnian stretched out his arms and embraced the person.

Yuan Wanru leaned against his chest and heard his steady heartbeat. "That's right."

He chuckled, his warm breath brushing against her hair, "This year, I spent my days in the other courtyard with my wife, and I was as happy as a god."

These days, since he doesn't have to go to court, he does all kinds of things at night, so much so that Yuan Wanru's legs go weak when she sees the bed.

I really wish I could let him go back to court.

Lu Jiangnian played with a strand of her hair with his slender fingers: "I was planning to resign, but now it's easier."

After a pause, he continued, "After we finish this matter, shall we go to southern Xinjiang to visit my mother-in-law?"

Yuan Wanru raised her face, with a gleam in her eyes: "Okay."

She suddenly remembered something and tugged at his sleeve. "Before we go to southern Xinjiang, shall we go back to Nanjiang County and stay there for a while? Grandmother wrote to me the other day, saying that she missed me."

"All up to you."

Lu Jiangnian pinched the tip of her nose lovingly.

Yuan Wanru's eyes lit up and she sat up with great interest: "Also, I want to go find my godfather and Tang Tai."

"They practice medicine to save people. I want to be a traveling doctor. It must be fun."

Tang Bo's name could no longer be mentioned, so he simply changed his name to "Tang Tai".

Lu Jiangnian looked doting and hugged her tighter: "Okay, I'll carry the medicine box for you then."

Yuan Wanru leaned in Lu Jiangnian's arms, her fingertips gently tracing the cloud patterns on his collar: "I also want to go to the south of the Yangtze River to see the misty rain, and go to the north of the border to enjoy the snowy plains..."

She raised her face, her eyes filled with tiny stars, "Do you think I'm too greedy?"

Lu Jiangnian smiled softly, and traced her delicate eyebrows with his slender fingers: "You can go anywhere."

He lowered his head and placed a kiss on her forehead, "It is my honor to be able to travel around the mountains and rivers with you."

Yuan Wanru smiled with her eyebrows curved, and suddenly straightened up: "I really want to set off now!"

Lu Jiangnian shook his head slowly, his eyes darkening: "Now is not the time."

These words made Yuan Wanru's smile gradually fade.

She looked out the window. Ever since Liang Yuhua's "death", the emperor not only did not withdraw the secret guards who were following her, but instead sent more people.

"It seems..."

She sighed softly, "The emperor is determined to keep a close eye on us."

Lu Jiangnian held her slightly cold hand, and gently rubbed her palm with his fingertips: "It's okay."

His tone was calm, yet it revealed an unquestionable firmness. "Let them watch."

Yuan Wanru leaned close to his ear and whispered, "How's that going?"

Lu Jiangnian hugged her waist tightly and whispered in her ear: "Everything is ready, only the east wind is missing, my lady, just wait patiently."

Yuan Wanru listened, looked at him, and then lazily lay in his arms: "Okay, according to my calculations, there should be news within three months."

Lu Jiangnian said proudly: "My wife is the best."

Three months later, everything was settled.