It's strange, we're usually best friends who hang out together.
Jiayin is intelligent and calm, while the Third Princess is impulsive and reckless—completely different…
When the emperor saw that his son hadn't spoken for a while, he didn't know that he was lost in thought and thought that he was reluctant to give his opinion on his sister's marriage.
"Very well, I originally wanted to investigate the Lu family more thoroughly before making a decision. But now that your sister is determined to marry, and we need her to take some people with her, I might as well let her get married."
“Even if the Lu family has any ulterior motives, Lu Zong, now that he’s the imperial son-in-law, should restrain himself. Once your sister gives birth to the Lu family’s eldest grandson, not only will Lu Zong’s intentions be irrelevant, but the entire Lu family will have no reason to exist.”
"Father's wisdom and foresight are far beyond my reach," the Crown Prince said casually, adding, "No matter what, it's still unfair to my sister to marry so hastily. Father, please give her a larger dowry and have the Ministry of Rites make proper arrangements so that she can have a grand and glorious wedding."
"That's natural." The Emperor's mood was somewhat complicated. "I only have you two children."
If it weren't for my health... you wouldn't have to suffer such injustice.
The prince lowered his head, seemingly worried about his father's health, but there was no trace of sadness in his eyes.
In the royal family, there is no true affection; it's all about mutual exploitation.
A father who claims to love his children will never hesitate to use them when the time comes!
Even the willow trees lining the streets seemed listless in the afternoon in Xindu.
Occasionally a breeze blows, and the branches sway, but they offer no resistance, simply swaying their bodies to show that they are still alive.
In the Lu family study, Lu Zong, his face dark, slammed his teacup down, his voice trembling with anger.
"Fools! A bunch of fools! We ordered them to intercept the Northern Expeditionary Army's messages, but who sent them to assassinate the palace's people!"
Lu Feng also frowned, feeling extremely anxious.
He lowered his voice and urged his master.
“Your Highness, our men wouldn’t disobey orders; perhaps something went wrong. Besides, the Emperor has always trusted the Marquis of Xinting, so no one would have expected that he would send men to intercept the messenger from the Northern Expeditionary Army. It’s understandable that our men made a mistake.”
"Besides, now is not the time to pursue this matter. Let's think about how to deal with it."
"Our family has left too many traces in Jiangbei. It would be too easy for the Emperor to find out their origins."
Lu Zong remained silent, and in that instant, he suddenly felt a pang of regret.
They shouldn't have secretly moved people to Jiangbei without telling their families.
But he was truly unwilling to accept it...
Just then, someone from the front yard suddenly ran in to report.
"Your Highness, someone from the palace has arrived, carrying an imperial edict."
Lu Feng's face turned pale immediately.
Oh no, the Emperor is sure to punish us!
Lu Zong was also stunned, unsure of how to respond.
They mobilized troops without authorization, intercepted and killed royal guards, disrupted the situation in Jiangbei, and even destroyed military supplies...
Every single one of these cases, if investigated, would amount to a serious crime that would result in the confiscation of property and imprisonment!
Before they could even think of a solution, Steward Yi had already led his men into the courtyard.
It was a hot summer day, and the doors and windows of the study were all open.
Steward Yi spotted Lu Zong and his servant at a glance and said loudly, "Young Master, this old servant congratulates you."
Congratulations?!
Lu Zong and Lu Feng exchanged a glance, as if they had instantly returned from hell to the human world, yet they didn't know how they had escaped.
Lu Feng quickly rushed out and warmly greeted Manager Yi.
Lu Zong then forced a smile and bowed, saying, "It's so hot, I'm sorry to have troubled you to make this trip, Steward. But I wonder what brings you here?"
Manager Yi smiled, looking completely harmless.
He took out the imperial edict from his bosom and joked, "Allow this old servant to keep you in suspense for now. Your Highness, please prepare the incense table. You will know once you receive the edict."
Lu Zong could only nod, while Lu Feng wished he had eight hands, and in no time he had everything ready.
Everyone in the courtyard, whether master or servant, knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
Chief Steward Lu glanced at the mass of heads on the ground before unfolding the imperial edict and beginning to read it aloud…
In just over a dozen sentences, most of the text praised the Lu family's achievements, a small portion praised Lu Zong's handsome appearance, and the last part was the key.
The wedding will take place in five days, and the third princess will be married!
After Steward Yi finished speaking, Lu Zong did not look up for a long time.
Lu Feng knew his master's thoughts best, and at this moment, he felt extremely complicated.
From the Lu family's perspective, they had no intention of establishing themselves as kings. The crown prince marrying the third princess would make him a prince consort, ensuring him wealth and honor, and would also serve as the best link between the family and the royal family.
Personally, he had accompanied the Crown Prince in Kyoto for many years, witnessing his loneliness and longing, and feeling the pain in his heart.
Naturally, they hoped that the crown prince would get his wish, marry a girl he liked, and live happily ever after.
Therefore, he didn't stop the prince from mobilizing his family's secret agents to destroy military rations and feigning illness to avoid getting married; he even helped make arrangements.
Unfortunately, all the struggles were in vain in the face of absolute authority.
Now, with a single imperial decree, all previous efforts have been in vain; the crown prince still has to marry the third princess…
Compared to their earlier fears of having their homes ransacked and their families wiped out, this was a miraculous escape from a desperate situation, yet it didn't seem to bring them any joy.
Steward Yi coughed twice, offering a forced smile as he reminded him, "What? Is the young master so overjoyed that he forgot to accept the imperial decree? Or does he simply not want to..."
"No, no!" Lu Feng was the first to react, quickly helping his master to his feet and laughing, "The steward is joking. Of course, our young master is overjoyed. After all, the young master was unwell and had been taking medicine. He thought he wouldn't have this honor, but he never expected the Emperor to value him so highly."
At this moment, Lu Zong also came to his senses. No matter what he thought in his heart, he could only respectfully accept the imperial edict.
"Thank you, Steward. Please come inside and serve us some tea."
Chief Steward Yi waved his hand and said with a smile, "Your Highness is too kind. His Majesty is also concerned about Your Highness's health. However, Your Highness can now get up and walk around, which should be an improvement compared to before."
"I will return and speak to His Majesty; he will surely be pleased."
After saying that, he waved his hand behind him, and immediately a royal physician came forward with two eunuchs.
"These are the imperial physicians and eunuchs specially ordered by His Majesty to be prepared for the young master. They will be responsible for serving him these next few days and continuing to nourish and recuperate his body. His Majesty is hoping that after the young master and the princess get married, he can hold his grandson as soon as possible!"
The imperial physician was a stranger, and he looked very serious. He didn't stand on ceremony at this moment; he simply bowed and stepped aside.
The two young eunuchs, however, were particularly clever; they knelt down and kowtowed.
"This servant, Xiao Kuizi, is skilled in matching clothes and tying hair. If the young master has any orders, please feel free to use this servant."
"This servant, Xiao Guizi, is skilled at brewing tea. I will certainly serve the young master wholeheartedly from now on."
Seeing that his master remained silent, Lu Feng quickly smiled.
"Please rise, you two young eunuchs. From now on, we will serve the young master together and take good care of each other."
Ignoring Lu Zong's grim expression, Steward Yi bowed again and took his leave.
"Your Highness, the Emperor has been unable to leave this old servant's side for too long. This old servant will return to report now."
Two updates today!
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