Chapter 529: Luoyang Falls
"What are you talking about, Master?" Lu said, "Am I not facing you with my true face right now?"
Looking at Cui Wei, whose face was becoming increasingly tense and pale, Lu asked calmly and seriously, "But how does the master feel about me like this?"
She answered on her own: "I'm afraid it's not much better than Mrs. Zheng back then."
“No…” Cui Wei’s voice was like a straight line stretched to the extreme, with a slight tremor that could not be suppressed. There was sarcasm, anger, and the self-restraint after being exposed: “You are far more terrifying than Zheng…”
She had deceived him for more than ten years, and made him a fool who seemed to be manipulated by her... If this is not terrible, what is it? "Mrs. Zheng treats me with her true self, but the master thinks she is stubborn and hateful." Mrs. Lu said, "I serve him with gentle words, but the master thinks I am hypocritical and terrible--"
"So, the master wants to seek sincerity, but he cannot stand the slightest bit of unsatisfactory truth."
Hearing this, Cui Wei's eyes turned redder, and he suddenly raised his voice: "Enough... You keep talking about Zheng in every sentence, are you trying to speak up for her?"
"You have never seen how I get along with her. Why are you so sure that her death is my fault? Just because I don't have the same temperament as her, you want to put all the blame on me!"
This was the loudest and most intense thing he had said so far in the conversation. His entire body was filled with surging emotions, and his anger was evident in every part of his body.
But Mrs. Lu did not show any fear. She looked at Cui Wei quietly, and when she spoke again, she became even calmer.
"There are only a few people in this world who are born with similar temperaments. It's just that they are more cooperative with each other externally and more tolerant with each other internally."
"I don't know what Madam Zheng and the Master are like when they get along, but I know that even though I have tried my best to obey the Master's wishes, I still haven't seen the Master's management and tolerance of this marital relationship. The Master treats those who get along well with him like this, but how will the Master treat those who need to be adjusted?"
Cui Wei's trembling body froze in the wind and rain.
And Lu's calm voice continued: "All the women of the five noble families have known their fate since they were old enough to understand."
Mrs. Lu said, "We have been prepared to be wives of noble families for a long time. Therefore, I think none of them would not think about living a good life when they get married, but would rather torture their husbands."
With the examples of Dalang and Zheng Chao of the Zheng family, she believed that Madam Zheng might have more pride and self-esteem than ordinary women from aristocratic families. Such pride and self-esteem were indeed not good things for women from aristocratic families... But she also believed that such a woman, even if she could not obtain the secular love of a couple, must be very good at being a competent clan wife who respected her husband like a guest.
Unless her husband is dissatisfied with her pride and stubbornness and wants to break and erase all her ego and stubbornness.
Apart from this, Lu could not think of any other possible way to kill such a woman.
"The master has always suspected that Dalang would think that you killed his mother..." Mrs. Lu looked at Cui Wei steadily and said in a conclusive tone: "But in fact, Madam Zheng died because of the master's tyranny and ego. The master was not worthy of her, but he wanted to manipulate her and crush her--"
"...Lu!" Cui Wei suddenly became furious and raised his hand in rage.
Lu did not dodge.
But when he met her eyes, Cui Wei saw his own embarrassed look in those eyes, and his hand suddenly froze in mid-air.
Due to the anger and huge shock, tears almost appeared in his eyes.
"It's because Dalang doesn't know how to get along with his wife, and can't imagine the entanglement between them. Madam Zheng must have never said a word against his father in front of him. Therefore, Dalang has been tolerant and expectant of his father, the master, over the years—"
Lu's eyes finally showed a little resentment and pity: "My dear, you have received so much wrong love, but you have never thought about cherishing your blessings."
“Enough…” Cui Wei’s hand, which was frozen in mid-air, slowly clenched into a fist. His eyes also drooped stiffly along with his arm. He closed his eyes and said painfully, “I’ve said enough…”
Before he stepped into the pavilion, he had only attributed the problem to him and Lu. Seeing that Lu was so determined to leave, even though he did not think he was wrong, he could only try to think: Could it be that he, as a husband, had done such a bad job? So bad that his wife could leave him without hesitation.
Mrs. Lu gave him an answer, telling him clearly that he was a bad husband, both before and now.
Not only that, he is also a bad father, and even a bad eldest son...
The cold wind blew the rain obliquely into the pavilion, hitting Cui Wei's back and making him shiver.
For a moment, the pavilion fell silent and no one spoke.
This silence lasted for an unknown amount of time before Cui Wei finally heard Lu's voice again.
"After this farewell, the road ahead will be full of storms and turbulence, so you should take good care of yourself." Lu said, "Even if you are in trouble in the future, you should do your best to protect yourself and your family, and don't act on impulse... No matter what, you are Dalang's father, and Dalang will never leave you alone."
Upon hearing this, Cui Wei let out a desolate and sarcastic laugh.
Does she think that he is too incompetent and unable to protect himself, and will ultimately have to rely on the eldest son who was expelled from the clan for help?
He should have said something in retort, or at least made a sarcastic remark, but no words came out of his mouth.
Mrs. Lu bowed politely and said, "My lord, I'm leaving now."
Cui Wei closed his eyes and said in a voice so low that it could not be heard: "Just go..."
He wasn't even sure if Mrs. Lu had heard it, but he knew that no matter what he said, it would not affect her decision.
She dared to say these words to him today, which meant that she did not intend to leave any room for this relationship.
"Take care, my lord."
This last sound was carried by the wind and rain into Cui Wei's ears, sounding a little unreal.
Lu walked under the umbrella held by the maid without looking back.
The maid couldn't help but look back at the figure in the pavilion again and again.
Only when he could no longer be seen did the maid ask worriedly in a low voice: "Madam, will the master... be upset?"
What if the matter is investigated and the lady is blamed? "Don't worry." Mrs. Lu said, "He thinks that committing suicide is too embarrassing. Even if he is not afraid of death, he must be afraid of being embarrassed."
The maid breathed a sigh of relief and looked at her mistress with admiration: "Madam, you are really good at controlling the young master."
Mrs. Lu laughed and sighed, "Silly girl, if there is no need, who would be willing to control him?"
She couldn't help but think of what her mother had told her before she got married.
When her mother was alive, she was always described by others as a smart and tactful person.
After her mother inquired about Cui Wei's character and virtues, she told her not to try to change a man like this, and if she couldn't, she shouldn't try to go against him, as that would only bring trouble upon herself.
She asked her mother, what should she do? Her mother said, coax him, just like coaxing a child.
She was a little worried as she had no experience in coaxing children.
The mother smiled and said, "My son, you have never coaxed a child, but you have never teased a cat or a dog before. It's the same principle!"
She was amused by her mother and laughed so hard that her waist bent.
After marrying Cui Wei, she couldn't help laughing whenever she thought of her mother's words.
Influenced by her mother, she has an optimistic temperament and has always followed the principle of trying not to pin her joys and sorrows on others. Therefore, she has been quite happy during these years in the Cui family.
But that kind of joy can never be compared with the joy at this moment.
Mrs. Lu looked at the rain in front of her, and there was a more relaxed look in her smiling eyes.
As a woman from a noble family, she had made plans to live her whole life like this, but she never expected that there would be such an unexpected turn of events in her life.
Lu sighed, "God has been very kind to me."
The maid couldn't help but ask: "Madam, you have said all this to the master today. Do you plan to become husband and wife with him..." in the future?
"No one can predict what will happen in the future." Mrs. Lu said, "We are husband and wife, and since he asked me before we part, I don't need to hide it."
Whether she could wake him up by scolding him was not important. What was important was that she felt very happy.
Having said all these words, she did not feel any regret if there was no chance to see him again in the future.
Even if they meet again in the future, she has nothing to fear——
"If we meet again, you don't have to look at his face anymore, but my mood." Mrs. Lu sighed, "It can't be helped. My two sons are so ambitious."
Her second son also became the half-powerful ruler of Cui family in the future.
And her eldest son is Cui Jing.
If anyone has any problems in the future and wants to make trouble for her, she can just shake her hands and sigh: "Don't talk to a woman like me, just talk to my two good-for-nothing sons."
Thinking of that situation, Mrs. Lu was in such a good mood that she almost covered her mouth and laughed.
She lifted the hem of her skirt that was wet by the rain, walked lightly, and said with a smile, "Walk faster."
"Yes, ma'am!" The maid followed with an umbrella in hand and smiled, but her eyes were inexplicably sore.
The wind was strong and the rain was heavy, blowing the oil-paper umbrella askew. By the time Lu arrived at Cui Tang's courtyard, most of her clothes were wet.
"Mother, why did you come here in the rain!" As Cui Tang spoke, he met a pair of eyes filled with sparkling smiles.
That night, the mother and daughter slept in the same quilt and talked all night long.
The next day, Lu and Cui Tang left Anyifang.
Before leaving, Cui Tang went to say goodbye to his father, but he did not see his father. The servants only said that the master was not feeling well.
After getting into the carriage, Cui Tang couldn't help but ask, "...Mother, do you think father is very angry and doesn't want to see us anymore?"
"Why do you say that about your father? Is he such a petty person?" Mrs. Lu said angrily, "Can't he be too ashamed to face people?"
Cui Tang was silent for a moment, then nodded.
Her mother once said that there is no need to add unnecessary psychological burden to herself... Well, then she would just think that her father was ashamed.
Thinking of this, Cui Tang felt relaxed all over and took a last look in the direction of Anyifang through the car window.
After Lu's mother and daughter left, the Cui family began to secretly prepare for various matters, and no one cared about Cui Wei who stayed indoors.
On the fourth day after Lu left the capital, an urgent report that caused an uproar in the capital and even the whole world came from the direction of Luoyang.
"Report - Luoyang City was captured by Fanyang Army!"
At the morning court session, the prince's eyes suddenly widened, and the pearl hanging in front of his eyes shook violently.
Luoyang City was broken?!
How could it be so fast?! This was also the voice of the civil and military officials in the court.
The speed at which Luoyang fell to the rebels was beyond everyone's expectations.
As the eastern capital, the number of Luoyang defenders is much higher than that of other places. This time the emperor also promptly ordered various states to come to the rescue... Therefore, Luoyang's defensive strength is not weaker than Fanyang's army!
Logically speaking, if the troops were equal in strength, even if they were defeated, they could at least hold out for a month...
Others may not know, but Wei Shuyi knew that the emperor had planned to order the Jiangdu army to rush to support the suppression of the rebellion within this month...but no one expected that Luoyang would be captured by the Fanyang army in just ten days.
When they inquired about the details of the battle, they learned that most of the garrison troops from various states who rushed to help had surrendered and turned against Li Fu, the King of Fanyang...
The friendly forces that came to support suddenly turned against the enemy, which caused panic among the Luoyang defenders. Their morale plummeted, and they soon showed signs of defeat.
As all the officials were in an uproar and panic, Wei Shuyi's heart dropped straight down, as if it was accompanied by the whistling sound of the wind. A voice was clearly audible in the sound of the wind - is this fate? The prince's face was pale, and he was sweating profusely. He almost couldn't stand. There was a buzzing in his head, and two big words echoed over and over again: It's over, it's over, it's over.
And today, there are less than ten days left until his wedding.
While the capital was in turmoil over this, Prince Fanyang Li Fu had already entered the Luoyang Palace.
The chubby Prince of Fanyang, Li Fu, who was in his early thirties, had a short beard and wore the robes of a vassal prince. At this moment, he stood on the white marble steps, looking at the palace buildings, and said with emotion: "What Xu Zhengye failed to accomplish, I have accomplished today."
At the beginning, Xu Zhengye wanted to attack Luoyang, but was stopped and killed by Chang Suining on the banks of the Bian River.
"Your Highness is born into the royal family of Li. There is no need to belittle yourself and compare yourself with outsiders and traitors like Xu Zhengye." Duan Shiang, who was wearing armor and carrying a sword, reminded.
Li Fu laughed and nodded, "Yes, that's right!"
He turned around and placed a hand on Duan Shiang's shoulder, his eyes full of admiration and respect: "Shiang, I can get here thanks to your help! When I take over the capital, just tell me what you want!"
Duan Shiang smiled slightly, bowed his head and clasped his fists, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
After Li Fu said a few more words of promise, a palace servant soon came forward and bowed carefully, saying that fragrant soup and beautiful women had been prepared to serve the prince in his welcome ceremony.
Li Fu's eyes lit up slightly, he took two steps, then suddenly stopped, turned around and said, "Shiang, come with me!"
Duan Shiang said, "Your Highness, please go ahead. I still have some matters to deal with."
"Thank you for your hard work, Shiang!" Li Fu said, and then signaled the palace servant to lead the way.
Looking at Li Fu's back, who was eager to enjoy himself, a trace of contempt and disdain flashed in Duan Shiang's eyes.
(Ah, I didn’t write about Ningning today. I will write about her tomorrow.
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