Chapter 170 A lot happened in the capital
During the month and a half that the eldest princess was away in Hebei Province providing disaster relief, many things happened in the capital.
The first thing is that the newly promoted Lord Su has become very close to the Lu family's Vice Minister Lu, who is on the verge of ruin.
In recent days, not only have people seen that Vice Minister Lu takes a detour to escort Lord Su back to his residence after court every day.
Some people even bumped into Minister Lu and Lord Su going to Ci'en Temple to offer incense.
The two were so intimate that they seemed to have pledged their lives to each other.
It is said that it was because Vice Minister Lu rescued Lord Su from bandits on his way back from a pilgrimage that he gained her favor.
As soon as the news spread, many officials in the court felt extremely envious.
You should know that this Lady Su is not only the first female official in our dynasty, with a beautiful appearance and outstanding talent, but also the eldest daughter of Prime Minister Su and a confidante of the Princess.
With her beauty, talent, illustrious family background, and promising future, which noble young man or high-ranking official in the capital wouldn't want to marry her?
Previously, everyone had only thought about it but dared not take action.
Unexpectedly, this Vice Minister Lu, with just a life-saving grace, so easily won over Lord Su's heart.
How can one not feel envious and regretful about such an easy and effortless situation?
"If I had known this would happen, I should have visited the temples outside the city more often!"
Many officials privately lamented this.
"That's right! If I had known that Lord Su liked this kind of person, I would have been willing to wait outside her mansion every day to 'rescue' her, let alone save her once!"
"Minister Lu's luck is truly the envy of everyone..."
The second thing is that the second young master of the Lin family ultimately couldn't overcome his injuries and passed away.
At the funeral, whether the Cui family wanted to ease tensions or prove their innocence, they specially sent people to deliver the funeral gifts.
Before the messenger could explain his purpose, the Lin family servants, their eyes red, threw the wreaths out of the mansion gate.
The servant who delivered the goods was also pinned to the ground and severely beaten, the commotion being heard throughout the entire street.
Those who came to pay their respects all clearly heard Minister Lin grit his teeth and say, "The Cui family's things have defiled my Lin family's land! From this day forward, my Lin family and the Cui family are sworn enemies, and we will fight to the death!"
Inside the mourning hall, candlelight flickered, and white banners swayed in the wind throughout the room.
Lin Xuean, dressed in plain white mourning clothes, stood quietly in front of the coffin.
There was no sadness in his eyes, only a blank stare, as if he were lost in thought.
This simple and elegant attire made her already beautiful face appear even more pure and charming.
Many people who came to pay their respects couldn't help but take a second look.
Until a slightly unsteady figure stepped into the mourning hall.
It is Du Cong.
He limped to the altar, leaning on an ebony cane, and solemnly bowed three times to the coffin.
Lin Xuesong, who was standing next to Lin Xuean, quickly stepped forward to greet her, and the words of their hushed conversation drifted over intermittently.
When Du Cong said, "Xuezhu and I are close friends. I am heartbroken to hear this terrible news," Lin Xue'an's empty eyes finally moved.
Lin Xuean suddenly remembered that although he had never seen Du Cong at the Princess's residence, he had vaguely heard that this Lord Du came from the Princess's residence and was considered one of the Princess's people.
Moreover, it's said that Lin Xuezhu was drinking with Du Cong on the day of her accident.
He then recalled that day when the eldest princess said she would help him teach Lin Xueyan a lesson.
So...did the eldest princess send Du Cong to beat her own second brother and then frame the Cui family?
He and Lin Xuezhu had never gotten along. Although Lin Xuezhu was his second brother, he had looked down on him since childhood and would often beat, scold, and humiliate him.
He had secretly hoped that this person would disappear from his sight.
But when his "wish" was actually fulfilled in such a cruel way, he felt no joy at all, but rather at a loss.
Just like back then, when the eldest princess killed Cui Jiulang and his group for her.
The candlelight in the mourning hall crackled and sparked, jolting Lin Xue'an back to reality.
Du Cong was about to leave, but before leaving, he gave Lin Xue'an a meaningful look, which made Lin Xue'an feel a chill down his spine.
The elegant rooms of Chunjinlou were filled with the gentle fragrance of incense.
Lu Lingfeng picked up the teapot and poured half a cup of tea for Su Qingci across from him, asking with a smile in his eyes, "Qingci, when do you plan to bring up our matter with Prime Minister Su?"
Su Qingci picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and then looked up at him.
She raised the corner of her eye slightly, her tone carrying a hint of casual teasing: "What, is Lu Lang so eager to see my father?"
Lu Lingfeng's ears burned slightly, and he said earnestly, "I just want to finalize our marriage as soon as possible."
"We've only known each other for two months, why the rush?"
Su Qingci put down her teacup and tapped her fingertips lightly on the table. "Besides, you are still in mourning. It would be inappropriate to talk about marriage at this time."
"I am even more afraid because there are still two years left in the mourning period."
Lu Lingfeng leaned forward, his voice tinged with genuine worry, "With your talent and beauty, how many people in the capital are eyeing you? If I don't settle things soon, and someone else snatches you away, I'll regret it for the rest of my life."
Upon hearing this, Su Qingci smiled faintly and said slowly, "What's the rush? If a golden hairpin falls into a well, what's meant to be yours will eventually be yours. Besides, my father's decision on my marriage isn't final. We have to wait for the Princess to return to the capital and report this matter to her for a decision."
"The Eldest Princess?" Lu Lingfeng's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly asked, "When will she be able to return to the capital?"
"It should be soon," Su Qingci mumbled, gazing at the snow outside the window.
Lu Lingfeng suddenly reached out and gently took her hand from the edge of the table. "Qingci, I really can't wait to marry you and bring you home. From now on, I'll draw your eyebrows for you every day in front of the mirror, and we'll talk by the west window at night."
Su Qingci looked down at their clasped hands and smiled faintly, "Lu Lang, what you wish for is also what I desire."
Lu Lingfeng finally breathed a sigh of relief, and the smile in his eyes became even more genuine.
After Lu Lingfeng escorted Su Qingci back to her residence, he went straight to Princess Yaoyang's residence.
In the side hall, Li Yuanshu leaned against the main seat of a soft couch covered with fox fur, looking languid.
Two strikingly handsome servants knelt on either side of her.
The boy on the left was carefully peeling chestnuts with a silver skewer and feeding them to Li Yuanshu.
The young man on her right lowered his head and massaged her calves with even pressure.
These two women were bought from Jiangnan at great expense. Although they were not as stunningly beautiful as Lin Xue'an, who was by Li Yuanzhao's side, they were still pleasing to the eye.
After listening to Lu Lingfeng's report, Li Yuanshu casually raised his eyes, his gaze sweeping over Lu's face, a playful smile playing on his lips.
"You haven't actually fallen for Su Qingci, have you? The way you're talking makes it sound like you're in a rush to marry her."
These words struck a chord with Lu Lingfeng's hidden thoughts.
His expression changed slightly, and he quickly defended himself: "Your Highness, please understand! I had no such intention! My words just now were only to gain Su Qingci's trust completely and make her lower her guard."
"Oh?" Li Yuanshu took a chestnut with her mouth and chewed it slowly. "However... I don't care whether you like her or not."
"As long as you do what I ask of you properly, I will not interfere whether you marry her or become her son-in-law."
Lu Lingfeng quickly cupped his hands in greeting, "Your Highness, I will certainly not forget your instructions."
“But…” Li Yuanshu’s tone suddenly changed, “You must not have any other ideas. Don’t forget, the evidence of your Lu family’s corruption and illegal activities is still in the hands of our Cui family.”
Lu Lingfeng's face instantly drained of color, and he hurriedly bowed and kowtowed, "Your humble servant dares not forget! I will certainly do my best in serving you and have no disloyalty whatsoever!"
Li Yuanshu then smiled with satisfaction, "Go down."
After everyone left, Li Yuanshu suddenly remembered that his elder sister was coming back.
She sat up abruptly and waved away two beautiful servants, saying, "Summon Cao Dongyang."
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