Chapter 26. Ah Wu, let's have a child. ...
Lu Yuan's unfathomable eyes seemed to easily see through all his despicable and secret thoughts, leaving him nowhere to hide.
Lu Cang's heart sank suddenly, and his blood seemed to freeze instantly.
The elder brother noticed.
That secret, buried deep in his heart, tormented him day and night, was a shameful thought that grew within him towards his second sister-in-law, Mingwu.
At this moment, they were all as if they had been stripped naked and laid bare under Lu Yuan's cold gaze.
Shame, embarrassment...
A surge of blood rushed to the top of his head.
On what grounds?
Since her brother treats her coldly and doesn't cherish her, why can't he fight for her?
A near-mad idea sprouted from the deepest recesses of my mind.
Say it!
Right here, at this moment, in front of Mingwu, I will openly and fairly compete with my brother.
Lu Cang's back was taut like a fully drawn bow, his jawline tightened, and a resolute determination burning in his eyes.
He suddenly looked up, meeting Lu Yuan's two cold and sharp gazes, his chest heaving, about to speak.
His gaze, however, inadvertently swept over Mingwu, who stood beside the tall warhorse, petite and delicate.
She stood there, her slender figure wrapped in a plain dress.
Her face was so pale it was almost transparent, her lips were bloodless and slightly pursed, and her eyes, which always held a spring-like quality, were now lowered, her thick eyelashes trembling uneasily.
As fragile as a magnolia blossom about to fall from a branch.
It was as if a slightly stronger gust of wind could completely destroy her.
Lu Cang was deeply shaken.
It was like being doused with a bucket of ice water, instantly extinguishing all the heat.
He couldn't say.
If he were to say it now without thinking, where would that leave her?
She was a woman, the wife of her elder brother, and his second sister-in-law.
According to ethical principles, national laws, and family rules, if his despicable thoughts were exposed, it would be an irreversible disaster for her.
In this world, a woman's reputation and chastity are of utmost importance.
Let's not even talk about how furious my brother will be.
Just those ubiquitous, deadly rumors, criticisms, and condemnations...
How could she possibly afford it?
Just imagining those vile words being hurled at her was enough to break Lu Cang's heart and shatter his spirit.
The surging impulse was forcefully suppressed.
Lu Cang clenched his fists so tightly that his nails dug deep into his palms, causing a sharp pain, barely managing to maintain a sliver of clarity.
He abruptly lowered his head, avoiding Lu Yuan's scrutinizing gaze that seemed to pierce his soul, and used all his strength to try to make his voice sound steady and without any abnormality.
"Replying to my elder brother."
When the voice came out, it was indeed terribly dry and hoarse.
“I… was just passing by. Seeing that my second sister-in-law seemed to be going out, I… stopped to ask her a question.”
Each word seemed to be painstakingly ground out from between his burning teeth, carrying the stench of blood and searing his throat.
Lu Yuan's gaze lingered on Lu Cang for a moment, a hint of understanding flashing in his unfathomable eyes before disappearing.
They're quite sensible.
If he really dares to say it out loud, and then lays his hands on the person who belongs to him...
Even though they are blood relatives, he will make him know what it means to be worse than dead.
A murderous glint flashed in his eyes.
He no longer looked at Lu Cang, whose face was ashen, as if he were just an insignificant speck of dust on the roadside.
His gaze shifted to Mingwu, who had remained silent beside him. His sharp eyes softened strangely when they met her pale face.
Lu Yuan asked, "Is that so?"
His other hand, hidden in his dark wide sleeve, slowly caressed the love letter he had received yesterday, his fingertips gently stroking it in the sleeve pocket.
Without a second thought, he abandoned his political duties and rode his horse toward Lin'an.
But he quickly calmed down.
This letter doesn't seem to be written by her.
Although he had never paid attention to her handwriting; he didn't even know if she was literate...
But since she woke up, he could clearly see her aloofness and rejection towards him. How could someone like her possibly write such tender love poems?
really.
As soon as I stepped through the city gate, I received a message from the secret guards.
She wanted to escape.
Lu Yuan smiled slightly, looking down at Ming Wu like a confident hunter looking at someone trapped in a cage.
It is like a small, helpless animal struggling in vain.
Mingwu blinked hard, trying to squeeze out a tear, but it seemed as if she had already cried all her tears and couldn't squeeze any out.
Mingwu was anxious and afraid that Lu Yuan would notice, so she quickly lowered her head.
“Everything the Third Young Master said is true.”
Mingwu didn't see that when she said those words, the gentleness in Lu Yuan's eyes faded, and his face became terribly gloomy.
"I miss my mother dearly and wish to return to my parents' home as soon as possible. Just now, I happened to run into the Third Young Master passing by, and we exchanged a few words."
"Your Excellency, how could you... how could you be so suspicious of me?"
The air remained stagnant and suffocating.
Mingwu felt the gaze upon her growing heavier. She panicked; what was happening? Hadn't he just believed her?
Why is it that as soon as she opens her mouth...
Just then.
"Brother Cang".
A clear, slightly spoiled female voice abruptly broke the deathly silence.
Not far away, a richly decorated carriage slowly approached.
The carriage curtain was lifted, and a young girl dressed in a pale yellow brocade palace gown and adorned with exquisite pearl hairpins gracefully leaped down.
She was strikingly beautiful, with a proud and unconventional air about her.
It was Song Yuxuan.
She rushed to Lu Cang's side, seemingly oblivious to the strange atmosphere. She naturally reached out and took his stiff arm.
She pouted and shook herself playfully.
"Brother Cang, you've kept me waiting. Didn't we agree to meet here at the end of Yin hour and go boating in the western suburbs together? I've been standing at the alley entrance for almost half a quarter of an hour."
She complained in a soft voice, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Lu Yuan, who sat upright on his horse, exuding a chilling aura.
She froze, instinctively taking a half-step back.
But then, her face regained its innocent and carefree smile, and she curtsied to Lu Yuan.
"I hope my second cousin is well."
Then, she turned to Mingwu and waved with a bright smile.
"Sister-in-law, thank you for informing my third cousin. We'll be going now. If we linger any longer, the morning mist on the lake will dissipate, and the scenery won't be as beautiful."
Without waiting for a reply, she grabbed Lu Cang and pulled him toward the carriage.
Lu Cang's arm twitched slightly, instinctively trying to break free, but then he saw Song Yuxuan's meaningful glance.
All his strength vanished instantly, and he could only numbly let her pull him toward the carriage.
Just before getting on the bus, he couldn't help but turn back.
His gaze passed over Song Yuxuan and finally fell on Ming Wu.
That one glance contained so much.
There were unspoken feelings, deep worries, and unspeakable apologies... all of which ultimately turned into an overwhelming pain and despair.
Then, Song Yuxuan ruthlessly shoved him into the carriage.
Although Song Yuxuan's appearance and this "testimony" were far-fetched and deliberate, they unexpectedly provided a way out.
As the carriage rumbled away into the distance.
The suffocating pressure emanating from Lu Yuan receded like the tide.
The clouds in the east grew increasingly red, and suddenly, a streak of crimson appeared, from which a bright red halo leaped out.
The sun is coming out.
The rosy clouds spread out and blended with the misty morning air, creating a dazzling halo.
The light bathed her entire body.
Her forehead, the tip of her nose, and the graceful curve of her chin were all edged with an extremely thin layer of gold. As she slightly turned her head, the streaks of light floated like water across her exquisitely beautiful face.
The morning breeze lifted a strand of her hair by her ear.
Her hair danced and fluttered in the dazzling golden light, like flowing golden threads. And she, amidst this radiant splendor, slowly raised her eyes.
In an instant, everything in heaven and earth lost its color, even the rising sun dimmed.
Lu Yuan's heart skipped a beat without warning.
It was as if a wisp of extremely thin, extremely hot fire, following the glow of the sky, silently burrowed into the darkest, hardest depths of his heart.
He moved.
Her body suddenly leaned forward, and a strong, powerful hand precisely gripped Mingwu's slender wrist.
"ah!"
Caught off guard, Mingwu cried out in alarm. She felt a tremendous force pull her away from the ground.
The world spun around.
The next moment, she was lifted up by that powerful force and sat sideways on the back of the tall warhorse.
Right in front of Lu Yuan.
The rough saddle pressed against her, and pressed tightly against her back was the man's strong and broad chest.
Even through several layers of clothing, one could feel the steady, powerful heartbeat, and... the scalding body temperature that almost burned one.
“Since you are going back to the Ming family,” Lu Yuan’s deep, cold voice rang out above her head, “I will personally see you off, Madam.”
Before he finished speaking, he had already wrapped one arm around her waist, tightly gripped the reins, and squeezed the horse's belly with his legs.
The brown warhorse let out a high-pitched neigh, raised its front hooves, and charged forward like an arrow released from a bow.
"lady!"
Chun Nan, who was slumped on the ground, only had time to utter a shout before she watched helplessly as the black cloak billowed wildly in the golden light.
In the blink of an eye, it disappeared at the end of the alley.
-
In front of the Mingfu Gate.
The vermilion gate swung open, and Ming Chengye, the head of the Ming family, led the men of the mansion out in a panic. Beads of sweat still clung to his forehead, and he was panting heavily, clearly having run all the way there.
He looked up.
Lu Yuan sat upright on his tall horse.
He held the reins in one hand and wrapped the other hand around Mingwu's waist, holding her firmly in his arms.
The cloak behind him fluttered in the wind.
Like a heavy black cloud hanging over everyone's heads.
Ming Chengye was intimidated by Lu Yuan's imposing aura. His obese body trembled violently, and then his face flushed with excitement.
This was the first time this powerful son-in-law had visited the Prime Minister's residence since his daughter married into the family.
Does this mean... that the Prime Minister approves of the Ming family?
The thought that his Ming family could rely on the Prime Minister's powerful connections in the future was all he could do.
Ming Chengye, disregarding his disheveled clothes, knelt down with a thud, his forehead slamming heavily onto the bluestone slab.
"Your humble servant greets Your Excellency."
His voice trembled slightly, almost uncontrollably.
Although he held no real official position, he obtained the honorary title of Baron of the Founding Dynasty through donation, and referred to himself as "this humble subject," which was acceptable.
Behind him, a group of Ming family members, stewards, and servants knelt down in a rush. Everyone pressed their foreheads to the ground, holding their breath and not daring to even breathe loudly, for fear of disturbing the distinguished guest.
Lu Yuan looked down at the people kneeling on the ground without even glancing at them, and did not call them to rise for a long time.
Ming Chengye's forehead was covered in cold sweat, and his heart was pounding like a drum.
Could it be... that Mingwu has caused a terrible disaster in the Prime Minister's residence?
That wretched girl!
He was about to apologize in fear and trepidation.
Lu Yuan spoke: "Rise."
Ming Chengye felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He hurriedly got up, bowed very low, and spoke in an extremely obsequious tone.
"Your Excellency's presence is an honor to my humble abode. May I ask that you move to the main hall to rest?"
He carefully stepped aside to lead the way, his posture extremely humble.
Lu Yuan did not refuse. He picked up Ming Wu, dismounted, and did so swiftly.
Upon seeing this, Ming Chengye was overjoyed and almost burst out laughing. He hurriedly and loudly gave instructions to the steward.
"Quickly! Prepare the finest feast. Use the jade platters and gold cups treasured from the storeroom..."
-
The men wanted to talk business, so Mingwu was sent back to the courtyard prepared for her.
It was certainly not the secluded and desolate old house she lived in when she was still unmarried.
Rather, it was the Huayuan Courtyard that the Ming family specially built for her after she married into the Prime Minister's residence—no, more accurately, for the possibility of Lu Yuan's arrival.
This was Mingwu's first time visiting this courtyard.
Upon entering, the dazzling gold and splendor almost blinded me.
It was so gaudy, like a nouveau riche's warehouse, utterly devoid of elegance, only exuding a greedy, money-grubbing, and obsequious attitude.
The concubines, illegitimate daughters, and female relatives of the Ming family had already received the news and were waiting in the courtyard.
Upon seeing Mingwu enter, he hurriedly stepped forward to greet her, his respectful demeanor tinged with a cautious, prying gaze.
His attitude towards Mingwu was completely different from before.
However, they did not stay for long before being impatiently kicked out by the Lin family, who arrived shortly afterward.
Today, Mrs. Lin wore an extremely festive crimson peony brocade dress, and her face was full of exaggerated smiles.
She's very proud of herself now, because of her daughter Mingwu, she's arguably the most powerful among the sisters-in-law in the Ming family.
All of this was because she had arranged a good husband for her daughter.
She felt it was all her own doing.
Madam Lin seemed to have completely forgotten the unpleasantness between mother and daughter that day at the Prime Minister's residence.
He approached her affectionately, grabbed Mingwu's hand, and pressed her down onto a wooden chair covered with thick brocade cushions.
"Isn't Mother's method right?"
Lin leaned closer to Mingwu, lowered her voice, and couldn't hide her smugness.
"I knew it! Men, none of them can resist new and exciting things. Look, isn't the Prime Minister completely captivated by you? He even personally escorted you back to your parents' home."
This has never happened before.
Mingwu: "??"
Which eye of hers saw that Lu Yuan was infatuated with her? He sent her back to the Ming residence, clearly still suspicious and investigating her.
However, Mingwu did not refute it.
She knows the Lin family too well.
Once an argument starts, Lin can talk on and on, arguing and making a fuss until the end of time.
Having failed to escape today, she was exhausted both physically and mentally, and had no energy left to waste her breath on this.
I just want a moment of peace and quiet.
Lin, however, was completely oblivious to Mingwu's coldness and exhaustion. Still immersed in the excitement of her "successful plan," she launched into another long lecture.
"...Listen to your mother, when you get back you must work even harder. Serve the Prime Minister well and keep his heart firmly in your grasp."
"What good does a man get if his heart is with you? Your father's future, your brother's job, the reputation of our Ming family..."
"They're all counting on you, you absolutely can't..."
Madam Lin launched into another long speech, essentially telling Mingwu to be obedient, to win over the Prime Minister's heart, and to secure more benefits for the Ming family.
Finally, Lin quickly pulled a small wooden box, about the size of a palm, from her sleeve and stuffed it into Mingwu's hand without saying a word.
Mingwu immediately thought of the obscene erotic picture books that Lin had given her before, and the fragrance of pleasure...
His expression suddenly changed, as if he had been burned by hot coals, and he immediately wanted to throw this "hot potato" back.
"Mother, I don't want to."
Lin reacted swiftly, firmly pressing down on Mingwu's hand as she tried to break free. Her strength was astonishing, yet she still wore a smile on her face.
"Oh dear, look at you. You've been married for so long, and you're still so shy. Don't worry, don't worry. This time it's not like those things."
"Your mother is thinking about your long-term future. While the Prime Minister still has you in his heart, you should hurry up and have a child. Only with a legitimate son can you truly secure your position as the Prime Minister's wife."
"This is..."
"Mother!" Mingwu abruptly pulled her hand back, interrupting her abruptly, "Don't interfere in my affairs anymore."
The smile on Lin's face froze instantly, and then her expression turned somber.
"How can you talk like that, child? Your mother is only doing this for your own good, for the sake of this family..."
"Madam."
Just then, a maidservant announced from outside.
"The Prime Minister has arrived and is standing outside the courtyard. He says... please, Madam, depart immediately and return to the Prime Minister's residence together."
Lin's sullen face instantly transformed into a fawning smile, as if by magic. The speed was astonishing; the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes crinkled together.
She immediately turned to Mingwu, as if the unpleasantness from before had never happened, and urged her on impatiently.
"Go quickly, don't keep the Prime Minister waiting."
-
Back at the Prime Minister's residence.
The sound of hurried footsteps echoed on the bluestone path.
"lady!"
Chunnan ran from under the eaves, lifting the hem of her skirt.
She grabbed Mingwu's sleeve, her fingertips trembling slightly, and carefully examined her mistress from head to toe three times, finding nothing amiss.
He finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"You're going to scare me to death..."
She was genuinely afraid that the Prime Minister would harm the Madam.
Mingwu let her pull her along, her long eyelashes casting two faint shadows under her eyes.
"It was just a trip back to the Ming court."
"It's the Prime Minister..."
Chun Nan suddenly fell silent, her gaze passing over Ming Wu, and she saw Lu Yuan taking off his dark cloak and handing it to a servant.
The young maidservant hurriedly took half a step back, and almost tripped over the hem of her skirt as she bowed her head in greeting.
Mingwu did not turn around.
She gathered her wind-blown hair and walked straight into the inner room.
Chunnan jogged to catch up, only daring to ask further after they had turned the corner of the screen wall: "Was it the Prime Minister who accompanied you?"
"Um."
The response was as faint as a falling leaf drifting into a deep well.
Chunnan was about to ask again when she saw her mistress push open the carved lattice door, her slender figure silhouetted against the candlelight.
Inside the room, an incense burner emitted a calming fragrance.
Mingwu stood in front of the mirror, her pale face reflected in the bronze mirror.
Her eyes were pale blue, and her lips had been bitten so badly that there were several small scabs.
I didn't sleep much last night, and I was frightened again this morning. After going to the Ming residence, I still have to deal with my mother's nagging. Mingwu is really tired, physically tired, and mentally tired even more.
"Prepare some water."
She raised her hand and removed the jade hairpin from her hair, her black hair cascading down like a waterfall.
Chunnan quickly and efficiently helped Chunnan with her washing and grooming, hesitating to speak several times.
When the cotton handkerchief wiped Mingwu's side, Chunnan suddenly gasped.
Several menacing red finger marks were clearly visible on her snow-white skin, marks left by Lu Yuan's arm while she was on horseback.
"Madam, this..."
"It's alright."
Mingwu interrupted her, pulling her nightgown over to cover the marks.
She thought she would fall asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, but as soon as she lay down, it felt like countless tiny needles were pricking her mind.
Chunnan whispered outside the tent, "Go to the small kitchen to warm the ginseng soup, and then..." Her voice gradually faded into the distance, turning into a muffled murmur.
Half-asleep, a familiar scent of agarwood quietly approached, cold and aggressive.
Mingwu unconsciously furrowed her brows in her sleep.
His calloused fingertips brushed against her eyes, startling her eyelashes. The warmth lingered on her lips for a moment before he gently lifted the quilt.
She felt a little cold and subconsciously shrank back, but then touched the throbbing wound on her waist and couldn't help but hiss softly.
"woke up?"
A deep voice sounded outside the tent, startling Mingwu into opening her eyes.
The candlelight was dim, and through the thin gauze curtains, a tall figure cast a heavy shadow, completely enveloping her.
The next instant, a hand with distinct knuckles and pale skin reached into the tent and lifted the light veil.
Candlelight streamed in from behind him, gilding his features with a golden edge, but obscuring his eyes and brows in deeper shadows.
Why is he here?!
Mingwu was shocked, and her sleepiness vanished instantly.
"Prime Minister..."
She tried to get up, but a burning hot hand pressed her back down onto the pillow.
Lu Yuan sat down on the edge of the bed, the hem of his dark casual robe carrying the slight coolness of the night dew, brushing lightly against the back of her bare hand.
He held a small, lustrous white jade jar in his hand, and with his fingertips he lifted the lid, releasing a bitter medicinal fragrance that immediately filled the tent.
Chunnan said you're injured.
His voice was flat, but his gaze was fixed on her tightly drawn nightgown.
Why does Chunnan say everything?!
Just then, he suddenly reached out and touched the tie of her nightgown.
Mingwu was shocked and hurriedly tried to stop her.
"Don't move around, or you'll hurt yourself again."
Mingwu ignored him and continued to struggle. Even though the wound on her waist was being rubbed so badly that she gasped for breath, she still did not give up.
Lu Yuan sighed helplessly. Unable to stop her by force, he pointed a finger at her.
Mingwu felt like she couldn't move at all.
She stared at him in horror.
What did he do to her?!
Lu Yuan didn't explain, but simply pinched the ribbon and slowly pulled it away, the subtle friction sound amplified infinitely in the silence.
Immediately afterwards, cool fingertips, coated with ointment, suddenly touched her skin. The coolness of the ointment and the burning pain of the wound made her shiver.
"Mmm..." A broken moan escaped uncontrollably from between her tightly clenched lips.
She can speak now?
Mingwu looked up in a panic.
It crashed right into Lu Yuan's unfathomable black eyes.
He sat on the edge of the bed, leaning slightly forward, his broad shoulders almost blocking out all the light.
His deep-set features appeared even more austere under the interplay of light and shadow.
He lowered his eyes, his gaze fixed intently on the glaring red mark.
“I… myself…” Mingwu’s voice trembled.
"Don't move."
With my fingertips, coated with cool ointment, I pressed along the edge of the bruise, very slowly, in circles.
The force was neither too light nor too heavy.
But this made Mingwu's breathing become disordered.
Each time his fingertips touched her skin, it felt like a heavy pluck on the taut strings of her heart.
She wanted to curl up and escape.
His body was so limp that he couldn't muster any strength.
She even felt a longing to hug him.
Mingwu gritted her teeth, her hands gripping the bedding tightly, her nails almost digging into the soft velvet, her knuckles turning white from the force.
A deep sadness filled my heart.
Her body seemed unable to refuse him.
Time passed slowly. Outside the tent, a candle burned out, and the room suddenly became dark.
Finally, the movement of his fingertips stopped.
Mingwu breathed a sigh of relief.
Lu Yuan slowly raised his eyes, his deep gaze fixed directly on Ming Wu.
"Awu, how about having your brother work as a clerk in the Ministry of Revenue?"
Although the position of scribe was only a minor official of the seventh rank, it was a great favor to a merchant family like the Ming family.
Mingwu refused without even thinking.
“My elder brother is not cut out to be an official. Your Excellency need not make an exception for the Ming family.”
Putting aside the fact that my elder brother is barely literate and spends his days idly, if he were to enter officialdom, he would likely cause a great disaster.
Moreover, she had already decided to leave.
How could I possibly accept his favor?
Lu Yuan was slightly surprised. The women in the inner quarters always tried every means to secure benefits for their maternal families. His mother was no exception.
Unexpectedly, Mingwu was so intelligent and reasonable.
A hint of admiration flashed in Lu Yuan's eyes.
He leaned down, one hand resting on her ear, until they were so close that their noses almost touched, their breaths mingling together.
"Awu, let's have a child."
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