Chapter 230 The Empress Dowager's Wife
Xiao Yeming paused, then bowed deeply. When he raised his head, his face no longer held the coldness he usually displayed, but instead showed a hint of helplessness and solemnity that he only revealed in front of his closest friends: "Your Majesty is wise. I have caused quite a mess."
He stopped beating around the bush and said directly, "Yesterday, the Imperial Uncle came uninvited and brought his concubine to publicly humiliate Sister Lu... Madam Lu, as the host, I had no choice but to stop him. This matter has already offended the Imperial Uncle, but what's even more troublesome is..."
He paused slightly, his gaze fixed on Shu Heng: "Your Majesty knows of Lady Yunxiu. She left in anger because I defended Lady Lu. My concern is not for her personally, but for the fact that her return will surely alarm Her Highness the Grand Princess. I am fine with some personal blame, but Lady Lu is all alone in the capital. She has rendered meritorious service to the country. If, because of me, she suffers the wrath and retaliation of the Grand Princess and Yunxiu, how can I... find peace of mind? I also fear that I would betray Your Majesty's kindness in rewarding her merits and discourage righteous men throughout the land."
Shu Heng listened quietly, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the imperial desk.
He knew Xiao Yeming's nature well; if he hadn't truly cared, he would never have gone to such lengths to plan for a woman.
He was also well aware of the temperaments of his aunt and cousin.
After a moment, he stopped tapping and said calmly, "I understand."
He looked at Xiao Yeming, his eyes carrying a different meaning: "Yunxiu has been spoiled by her aunt, and her temperament is a bit arrogant. As for her aunt... I will find an opportunity to make her understand that Lu Zhaoruo is someone I have rewarded, and to touch her is to slap me in the face."
"Your Majesty, I thank you!"
This time, Xiao Yeming truly performed a grand salute.
A huge weight was lifted from his heart. With the Emperor's hint, the Grand Princess would at least have some reservations.
"Step down."
Shu Heng waved his hand.
After Xiao Yeming retreated to the door, he added as if casually, "Next time there are such 'family matters,' let me know in advance so that I can be prepared."
Xiao Yeming's back stiffened slightly, then he replied, "Yes."
As he turned to leave.
Shu Heng recalled Lu Zhaoruo's figure in the palace that day and suddenly called out to him, "Ye Ming."
His tone held a rare hint of inquiry, "That Lu Zhaoruo is not only exceptionally courageous, but also possesses a beautiful appearance and an extraordinary demeanor. You... are you interested in her?"
Xiao Yeming froze.
Shu Heng smiled slightly: "If you like it, I will grant your wish and arrange the marriage on a chosen day. If you don't like it..."
He paused, his voice brimming with unmistakable interest: "Such an extraordinary woman, I would like to summon her to the palace and appreciate her properly."
"I like it!"
Xiao Yeming blurted out, and before he could finish speaking, he had already knelt on one knee.
He raised his head, his eyes swirling with complex emotions, but he said firmly, "I beg Your Majesty... not to bestow this marriage upon me."
Shu Heng raised an eyebrow, his doubts deepening: "Why is that? You want to protect her, but you're unwilling to marry her?"
Xiao Yeming's Adam's apple bobbed, and he finally spoke with difficulty: "Because... back in Jizhou City, the woman whose purity was defiled by me... was her."
His voice was hoarse, filled with deep pain, "I am deeply sinful, how can I be worthy of her? To be able to protect her now is already a luxury."
The Imperial Study fell into a deathly silence.
Shu Heng gazed at his kneeling friend for a long time, finally letting out a soft sigh: "So that's how it is..."
After the court session.
Xiao Yeming did not rush back to his residence, but instead "coincidentally" encountered Duke Di, who was about to leave the palace.
"The Duke stays."
Xiao Yeming stepped forward and cupped his hands in greeting.
Duke Di stopped and said with a smile, "General Xiao doesn't look well today."
Xiao Yeming gave a bitter smile and said in a low voice, "I am truly at peace. Although there were reasons for yesterday's events, they have ultimately put Madam Lu in the eye of the storm. She is all alone in the capital. If she is punished because of me, how can I... live with myself? I am even more afraid of failing His Majesty's high regard for meritorious officials."
Duke Di was a man of great stature, and upon hearing this, he immediately understood the situation. He patted Xiao Yeming on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "Yeming, you did the right thing. His Majesty is wise and will make a fair judgment. As for minor storms, they cannot capsize the real ship."
Upon returning to the Xiao residence, he immediately summoned Wang Wu.
"Wang Wu, select a team of your most reliable brothers and, under the pretext of assisting in guarding the residence bestowed by His Majesty and preventing thieves from disturbing it, send them to the Lu residence immediately. Without my order, no one is allowed to enter and cause trouble."
His tone was resolute: "I entrust Madam Lu's safety to you."
"Your subordinate obeys!"
Wang Wu clasped his hands in acceptance of the order.
Xiao Yeming finally went to his mother Madam Xiao's courtyard.
As soon as I stepped into my mother's courtyard, I saw Madam Xiao practicing with the "Jingyun Spear" with great skill.
Her posture was steady, her steps were solid, and every movement revealed the precision and ruthlessness honed on the battlefield—the very foundation of marksmanship she had personally passed on to Lu Zhaoruo.
But she seemed to be trying to incorporate some of the lively and graceful dance moves that Lu Zhaoruo had added yesterday.
The result was completely out of place, even giving off a comical feeling of a military general trying to perform a whirling dance.
Xiao Yeming couldn't help but chuckle and coughed softly.
Upon hearing the noise, Madam Xiao stopped her movements. Instead of being angry, she slammed the gun on the ground and yelled at her son, "You brat, what are you laughing at! Didn't I dance well?"
She wiped her sweat, then chuckled to herself, saying with a mix of self-deprecation and immense pride, "How come this killing machine becomes both beautiful and terrifying in Zhao Ruo's hands? I'm trying to figure out her 'returning horse to catch the swallow' turn, but I just can't replicate it!"
Xiao Yeming rubbed his temples helplessly and said, "Mother, I have a favor to ask of you. I hope you will visit the Lu residence more often..."
Madam Xiao waved her hand to interrupt him: "Come on, do you need to come all the way here to explain? Just because Zhao Ruo performed this spear technique so well and made me look so proud, starting tomorrow, I'll go to the Lu residence every day! I'll call it 'improving my martial arts skills,' but actually I'll go to support her! I'll see who dares to bully the successor of my Xiao family's spear technique!"
She got more and more excited as she talked, and suddenly slapped her thigh: "How about this, I might as well pack my bags and move into the Lu residence! Anyway, that girl Zhaoruo is more to my liking than your taciturn son."
Xiao Yeming was speechless, choked by his mother's absurd words.
Madam Xiao didn't say anything more to him. She picked up her gun and said, "Alright, I'll go pack my things and head to the Lu residence now."
Following the instructions of the emperor's brother-in-law, Madam Han sent someone to the Lu residence to invite Madam Lu to come over for a "chance meeting".
Unexpectedly, the trusted nanny who was sent returned quickly and reported with a troubled expression: "Madam, the people at the Lu residence said that Madam Lu caught a cold after returning from the banquet yesterday and is currently resting in bed. It is really inconvenient for her to receive guests. We hope that you will understand."
Upon hearing this, Han knew that the "illness" was strange.
Fearing that the emperor's brother-in-law would blame her for not handling things well, she had no choice but to bite the bullet, prepare a gift for visiting the sick, and go to the Lu residence in person.
As soon as the carriage arrived at the street corner where the Lu residence was located, Madam Han immediately spotted Madam Xiao riding a horse and stopping in front of the Lu residence.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she immediately recalled the incident years ago when she was publicly reprimanded by Madam Xiao over a trivial conflict. A burning sense of shame and fear instantly welled up in her heart.
She quickly ordered the coachman to drive the carriage to a secluded spot and quietly lifted a corner of the curtain to peek out.
Madam Xiao nimbly jumped off the carriage, carrying the 'Jingyun Spear' on her shoulder, and swaggered into the door.
Seeing that Madam Xiao had gone inside, Madam Han dared not approach her now and risk offending her, so she had no choice but to wait patiently in the carriage.
Wait until she leaves before going in yourself.
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