This is not possible

In the next few days, the court was shrouded in dark clouds.

With irrefutable evidence in hand, Lu Yu first dealt with a large number of officials under the Grand Tutor with thundering means, some were imprisoned, some were executed. For a moment, everyone was in danger, and officials of all ranks were reserved and honest, for fear of bringing bad luck to the Prime Minister.

After Bai Miaoke handed things over to Lu Yu and her brother Bai Yongsi, she plunged headfirst into the Bai family's business.

During the time she was away, Mr. Bai took care of a lot of things, but Bai Miaoke came back and of course couldn't bear to see the old man continue to work so hard, so she met with many shop owners for several days in a row, and had a large pile of account books to look at.

But she has more to do.

The several truckloads of goods she bought when she left Jiangnan were also delivered to the capital one after another.

Bai Miaoke first picked out some novel foods and sent them to the old man, and then asked the kitchen to prepare a table of authentic Jiangnan dishes according to the recipe she gave.

"Dad, would you like to try this?" Bai Miaoke said expectantly.

The old man had lived in Jiangnan for quite a while when he was young, so he was naturally knowledgeable. He praised the dish highly after taking a bite: "I haven't had such authentic Jiangnan food in many years!"

Bai Miaoke also had a hearty meal, and only after she had eaten and drunk her fill did she start talking about business with the old man.

"Dad, I brought back a lot of things from Jiangnan. I want to expand our family's business."

"What are they?" Mr. Bai asked curiously.

Bai Miaoke then took out a list and handed it to him, which clearly listed many things that were unique to Jiangnan but not common in Beijing, from cakes and snacks, flower ornaments and jewelry, pots and pans to furniture styles.

After Mr. Bai carefully read it, he looked at his daughter with appreciation: "This trip was not in vain. You put a lot of thought into it, didn't you?"

During the last period in Jiangnan, Bai Miaoke was busy with these things. Even the last few truckloads of things she bought were not just gifts for her friends, but also preparations for returning to Beijing to expand the Bai family's business.

Now that she has gained the old man's approval, Bai Miaoke is ready to show her skills.

First, the menu of dishes is sent to Lanyue Building, so that the chefs there can try to prepare the dishes first and then recommend them to the distinguished guests who come to the building for dinner.

Bai Miaoke thought she could see Xiao Heng at Lanyue Tower, but when she asked the shopkeeper, she found out that he had not been there for several days.

Bai Miaoke was a little confused, but this doubt was soon resolved.

Because she met Xiao Heng in Zuichunlou.

On this day, Bai Miaoke originally came to give some rouge, powder, pearl hairpins and jewelry to Mudan. She was the most popular courtesan in the building. If she wore these new styles brought back from Jiangnan, it would surely set off a trend in the capital.

When the time comes, let Jinyulou prepare some of the same jewelry and sell it in limited quantities. There is no need to worry about not making money.

Bai Miaoke came to Zuichunlou disguised as a man and went to Mudan's room as if she knew the place well.

Knocked on the door gently: "Sister Mudan, are you there?"

After a while, a voice came from inside the house: "Come in."

Bai Miaoke pushed the door open and saw Mudan with slightly disheveled hair and Xiao Heng sitting beside her, breathing slightly.

"My dear sister is back. I missed you so much~" Mudan walked up to her and took her arm.

Bai Miaoke looked around the two of them, put on an ambiguous smile, and teased, "Did I disturb you?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Xiao Heng's face blushed visibly, while Mudan just giggled, and her hesitant look made Bai Miaoke tremble with fear, let alone a man.

Xiao Heng stood up suddenly: "You guys chat, I have something to do and I'm leaving first."

Bai Miaoke waved her hands and watched him climb out the window in a panic.

"Tell me quickly what's going on with you?" Bai Miaoke asked as soon as the people left.

Mudan curled her lips and covered her mouth, saying three words lightly: "Got it!"

But when Bai Miaoke asked for details, she refused to say more.

Bai Miaoke had no choice but to talk about business and gave her a lot of things she brought back from Jiangnan, where Mudan had also been.

I am very familiar with the makeup and dressing there.

But she was still a little confused: "Are you sure I can make money with these things you gave me?"

"Of course you can. Don't worry. You will have a part to play when the time comes." Bai Miaoke assured, patting her chest.

After talking about business, Mudan asked, "I heard that you came back with the Prime Minister? What's going on between you two?"

"Well, I don't have time to think about these things now." Bai Miaoke said vaguely.

After returning to Beijing, Bai Miaoke stayed with her father all the time. The rest of the time she was busy looking at the account books, meeting with various shopkeepers, and listening to her brother talk about what was happening in the court. Lu Yu was also not idle at all.

What is he doing now? Bai Miaoke thought absentmindedly, and wanted to go and see him.

After leaving Zuichunlou, Bai Miaoke went home but saw Lu Yu in the front hall.

It has been a week since they returned to Beijing, and Lu Yu seems to have not changed much, except for the bruises on his eyes, which show his recent hard work.

He was talking to his brother in the front hall. Bai Miaoke greeted her brother first, then looked at Lu Yu and said, "How are you these days, Prime Minister?"

As if the iceberg had melted, Lu Yu's stern face softened a little, and he smiled, "Everything is fine."

Bai Yongsi's mouth twitched when he saw the interaction between the two. Even though Lu Yu was still staring at him, Bai Yongsi still felt that he could not let his sister be alone with him, so he sat here with his head held high.

Then he heard the Prime Minister say something that made his jaw drop.

"I have discussed with my parents and I can marry into your family." Lu Yu said this calmly.

Bai Miaoke widened her eyes in surprise. She had only been testing him before and had not expected that he would actually go back to discuss it with the Duke of Zhenguo and his wife.

Meeting his sincere and passionate gaze, Bai Miaoke didn't know what to say in response.

Bai Yongsi on the side finally couldn't sit still anymore, or perhaps he wanted to inform the old man, so he stood up and said goodbye, leaving the two of them alone.

There were only two people left, and Lu Yu asked again: "Are you willing?"

"Actually, you don't have to do this for me." Bai Miaoke found her voice and said softly.

Lu Yu frowned slightly, and his voice became a little deeper: "Ke'er, are you going to reject me?"

Bai Miaoke couldn't bear to see the beauty sad, so she immediately explained, "No, I just feel a little sorry."

"I will ask my mother to propose marriage tomorrow." Lu Yu held Bai Miaoke's hand tightly.

Bai Miaoke found it hard to refuse, so she just stared at his face in a daze, and felt that he had become more handsome after not seeing him for a few days.

Noticing her gaze, Lu Yu couldn't help but move closer. He smelled the faint scent of gardenia that he hadn't smelled for a long time and slowly closed his eyes.

When the golden wind and jade dew meet, it is better than countless things in the world.

The gardenia petals slowly bloomed and spread, falling all over Lu Yu's body.

In broad daylight, in the front hall of the Bai residence, Lu Yu whispered to dissuade someone who was becoming more and more presumptuous: "Ke'er, this is not okay."

Bai Miaoke turned a deaf ear to him and leaned lightly against him, listening to the man's gradually quickening breathing, her evil little hands still ready to move.

But her hands were soon grabbed and held firmly in the man's strong and warm arms. She could have struggled, but she didn't. Instead, she obediently relaxed her body and listened to his heartbeat like a drum.

Bai Miaoke chuckled and turned to look at Lu Yu.

He still looked like an indifferent immortal, only his unstable breathing, slightly red ears and the bulge under his folded hem revealed his crazy heartbeat at the moment.

Bai Miaoke stopped teasing him and waited quietly for his breathing to gradually calm down before asking:

"How's the work going? Is it going well?"

"Ma Hongzhe's minions have almost all been eliminated. Your Majesty will sentence him at the court meeting next week." Lu Yu replied.

"What about what happened back then?" Bai Miaoke asked tentatively.

"Make it public." Lu Yu only replied with four simple words, without mentioning the hard work and running around he had put in for this matter.

Lu Yu was already exhausted from tossing between the hesitant Majesty and those courtiers who had their own thoughts. Only when he held her in his arms did he feel his tense nerves gradually relax.

Bai Miaoke also saw his difficulty and hardship, so she stroked his slender fingers and whispered softly, "Thank you for your hard work."

Bai Miaoke also told him about her money-making plan, which made Lu Yu stunned. He couldn't help but ask, "Is this really possible?"

"Of course. Just wait to become the husband of the richest man in Beijing." Bai Miaoke's proud and arrogant expression came alive.

Lu Yu laughed: "It is my honor."

Bai Miaoke looked at his doting expression and thought of the recent rumors in the outside world.

Now the rumors are spreading that Lu Yu is a vicious and cruel person, who tortured and killed many officials, making the court a chaotic place. Some even say that Lu Yu deceived the emperor and killed loyal officials, because some officials in the court who were not aware of the situation wrote letters to impeach him, but they were all suppressed by His Majesty.

This matter fermented more and more.

But Bai Miaoke could never imagine how her obedient fiancé could be such a cruel and ruthless person. He was clearly a loyal minister with the world in his heart.

Thinking of this, she asked, "You've also heard the rumors about you, right? From being a dashing and charming top scholar to being despised by everyone, do you regret it?"

"No regrets. It's good that you know I'm not that kind of person." Lu Yu said indifferently.

"Besides, it's time to make the truth known to the public."

…

After leaving Bai Mansion, Lu Yu went home immediately and happened to run into the Duke of Zhenguo and his wife having dinner.

The two elders were very surprised to see their son come back.

Madam Lu asked, "Why did you come back so early today?"

Lu Yu first greeted the two elders respectfully, and then went straight to the point: "Mother, I hope you will go to the Bai Mansion to propose marriage tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Lu immediately put down her chopsticks and asked in surprise, "Xiao Ke agreed?"

Lu Yu nodded reservedly, with no expression on her face, but Mrs. Lu knew her son best as she was the one she raised, and she could see her son's joy and impatience at a glance.

Mr. Lu was also very happy and said, "You are quite capable, kid!"

Lu Yu lifted his robe, knelt on the ground and kowtowed deeply, saying: "I am an unfilial son. I have failed my father and mother who worked so hard to earn the military and title."

Madam Lu helped her son up and comforted him, "My son is capable, so it doesn't matter whether he has a title or not."

When Lu Yu first came home and said that he wanted to marry into the Bai family, the old couple were indeed shocked. But after hearing him say that Bai Miaoke had saved their son so many times along the way, they felt that marrying into the family was the right thing to do.

Everyone in the family is very open-minded. Mrs. Lu is only worried about one thing, that is, after the marriage is settled, the outside world may say something even more unpleasant. Can her son accept these strange looks?