Chapter 55 Chapter 55 Brother Ye Qian, Let’s Get Married
With a "bang", Prince Yong threw the teacup in his hand onto the table. The veins on the back of his hand bulged, and his lips were pressed into a straight line, showing that he was angry.
"What does Lu Changji want? He didn't even stop at asking me to kill my second uncle, and now he wants me to kill my eldest uncle. I don't think I need to live anymore. Let him drag me to the Meridian Gate and torture me to death!"
Lu Zhiyi strode over to Prince Yong, raised his arm to cover his mouth, and whispered, "What nonsense are you talking about? Lu Zhun and Lu Huo are both traitors. You are of royal blood, why are you always associating with them?"
She glanced at the door. Even though it was quiet outside, she was still afraid that someone might be listening through the window, so she lowered her voice even more: "Although Lu Huo's army is strong, he has no legitimate reason to fight, so he will never amount to anything.
Leading the troops to suppress the rebellion would, on the one hand, clear you of any connection with Lu Huo, and on the other hand, demonstrate your loyalty to His Majesty. This would be a good strategy."
"What a good plan!" Prince Yong was still indignant. "My son and I have taken the initiative to enter the palace, which is considered surrender.
We've put our lives in their hands, and they're just being relentless. Better to let me die quickly, rather than have a blunt knife cut into my flesh and make me feel miserable."
Lu Zhiyi was also very indignant, but when you are under someone's roof, you have to bow your head. What else can they do except listen to Yang Zhaoyue and Lu Changji?
She said to Prince Yong in a gentle voice, "Once Lu Huo is executed, the foundation of the Lu family will collapse. When that happens, my mother and I will no longer pose a threat to His Majesty, and I will ask the Queen Mother to let us leave the palace."
"Your maternal grandparents' home is in Sucheng, which is a thousand miles away from Bianjing, far away from disputes. Once we get to Sucheng, mother and I can live a peaceful life."
Lu Zhiyi had managed to convince Prince Yong this time, and he nodded, "We'll go far away, so even if we live a simple life, it won't matter."
Autumn is a cold and bleak season. Even if the sun is shining, it is still not as warm as summer.
Lu Changji has a light taste, and the chicken soup cooked in the small kitchen is never to his liking. Jiang Shu worked in the small kitchen for an hour and cooked a bowl of fragrant and delicious chicken soup.
She walked towards the main room carrying the chicken soup. The bowl of chicken soup was as thin as paper, and it burned Jiang Shu's palms red.
Jiang Shu moved the porcelain bowl from her left hand to her right hand, and then from her right hand to her left hand, moving it back and forth to relieve the heat.
When he was almost at the corridor, he saw the door opened and Prince Yong walked out with an angry face. Prince Yong glanced at Jiang Shu's red palm and took the porcelain bowl from her without saying a word.
He walked into the house holding the chicken soup in one hand and placed it steadily on the eight-immortals table. He did not care about Yang Zhaoyue's face and walked out of the room with the same angry and dark face.
Yang Zhaoyue was no longer surprised by Prince Yong's behavior, so she didn't mind. She said to Jiang Shu in a gentle voice, "Xue Ji is handling government affairs in the study. You should take a break first!"
Jiang Shu said "yes" and stood beside Yang Zhaoyue with her hands hanging down. Her body was tense, her eyes lowered, and she looked very restrained.
Yang Zhaoyue chuckled, pointed to the soft couch beside her, and said softly, "Where do you sit?"
Jiang Shu said "yes" again and sat down on the couch as she was told, her back straight, showing discomfort from head to toe.
Yang Zhaoyue felt somewhat helpless and asked, "Have you ever heard the rumors about Xue Ji and me? Are you always wary of me because of this?"
Jiang Shu nodded, then shook her head. She knew that Yang Zhaoyue and Lu Changji were engaged, but she didn't know anything else.
She is Lu Changji's sister-in-law. There are some things that others would discuss in private but would not say in front of Lu Changji's closest relatives.
Yang Zhaoyue ate a lychee and said calmly, "Everyone says that Xueji and I have a secret affair. It's because of her affair with me that Xueji wholeheartedly supports Run'er."
Yang Zhaoyue placed the bamboo skewers he had used to string lychees on the Eight Immortals table. He fixed his eyes on Jiang Shu and asked, word by word, "Madam, do you think these rumors are credible?"
Jiang Shu said it was unbelievable: "If the Queen really had an affair with Uncle, they should have avoided suspicion. How could they live in the same room openly?"
She seemed to have touched Yang Zhaoyue's heart. Yang Zhaoyue pursed her lips and smiled, saying loudly: "People are like this. They only believe what they want to believe. What kind of person is Xue Ji? He is extremely talented and arrogant. How could he be willing to secretly become my lover?"
"He doesn't support me, but the orthodoxy. Run'er is the crown prince appointed by the late emperor himself. He deserves to be respected by the people and rule the world.
Xue Ji is a supporter of the emperor, but others are narrow-minded and only remember that we were engaged, thus tarnishing his noble cause."
Since stepping into Fengzao Palace, Jiang Shu was certain that Lu Changji and Yang Zhaoyue had no affair. Even if a man and a woman who have had physical contact want to avoid suspicion, they are still intimate in the details.
As long as you observe carefully, you can always find out a thing or two.
Lu Changji and Yang Zhaoyue appear close on the surface, but in fact they are very tactful.
Jiang Shu looked at Yang Zhaoyue and said softly, "Your Majesty is like the bright moon, and your uncle is as dignified as a pine tree. I have never suspected that your Majesty and your uncle have an affair."
"I come from a humble background. Not to mention facing the Empress, even being in the same room with the Marquis's wife makes me tremble with fear and feel uncomfortable."
Yang Zhaoyue is the most noble woman in the world. Jiang Shu is used to being cautious. She can't figure out Yang Zhaoyue's temper and is afraid that she might make Yang Zhaoyue angry by mistake, so she is extremely cautious.
Yang Zhaoyue didn’t know whether what Jiang Shu said was true or not, but she didn’t mind even if Jiang Shu was lying.
She will not be able to leave the palace for the rest of her life, but Xue Ji's life still has countless possibilities.
Yang Zhaoyue said to Jiang Shu, "Once Lu's gang is cleaned up, I will grant you and Xue Ji a marriage."
Jiang Shu widened her eyes. What was her identity, and what was Lu Changji's identity? How could the two of them get married openly?
Yang Zhaoyue was able to see through everything and whispered to Jiang Shu, "People should live for themselves and the last thing they need to care about is other people's gossip.
Xue Ji is extremely powerful. Even if someone thinks that the marriage between my uncle and my sister-in-law is against human ethics, they would only dare to discuss it in private. How could they dare to speak nonsense in front of you?"
Yang Zhaoyue was only twenty-five years old, but she had already experienced everything in other people's lives: marriage, childbirth, and widowhood...
No matter how lively Fengzao Palace was, the quilts were still cold at night. The thing Yang Zhaoyue regretted most was that he did not enjoy himself in time.
If she could do it again, she would never stay alone in an empty room because of a momentary anger.
It doesn't matter if she can't start over. She is the empress dowager of the current dynasty and the face of the royal family. She cannot remarry, but once Run'er's foundation is stable, she will find a handsome man to keep her company.
She still has a long life ahead of her, and she can't treat herself badly.
Yang Zhaoyue's words were like a lamp, giving Jiang Shu an epiphany.
Born as a human being, just please yourself!
With Lu Changji around, Jiang Shu didn't have to fear what others said, but at this moment her heart was in turmoil. She didn't even know what kind of feelings she had for Lu Changji.
She opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but saw Yang Zhaoyue stand up and walk into the side room in soft shoes.
As the days passed, Lu Huo's rebellion was ill-founded, and morale was low. He was defeated by Prince Yong and captured alive within half a month. It is not known whether Lu Huo had planned this or his eldest son Lu Yan had deserted the battlefield. When Prince Yong defeated him, he searched the entire army but could find no trace of Lu Yan.
It was late at night and everyone was asleep. Jiang Shu opened her eyes drowsily and found the quilt on the bed was still tidy. Lu Changji had not returned to the room yet.
The new emperor was young, and most of the government affairs were handled by Lu Changji. He had not yet fully recovered, but was often busy all night long. Not to mention taking medicine, he might not even be able to have his three meals on time.
The weather was getting colder, and Jiang Shu was worried that Lu Changji would catch a cold, so she asked the palace maid to make a cup of ginseng tea, and she personally carried it to the study.
When I walked to the door of the study, I heard voices inside.
Yang Zhaoyue said, "Prince Yong was always brandishing swords and spears. I originally thought he was just brute force, but I didn't expect he was actually quite resourceful. In just half a month, he captured Lu Huo alive and won a resounding victory."
Lu Changji nodded. "Prince Yong is indeed a man of extraordinary wisdom in leading his troops in battle. I wonder how the Queen Mother plans to reward Prince Yong and his mother?"
Yang Zhaoyue never considered trivial matters. She said, "Today at noon, Concubine Lu came to pay her respects to me and said that she wanted to return to her hometown in Suzhou with Prince Yong after he returned."
Lu Changji asked, "Did the Queen Mother agree?"
Yang Zhaoyue remained noncommittal: "I agree."
The foundation of the Lu Party has collapsed, and whether Prince Yong is alive or dead will not endanger Shen Run's throne.
Lu Changji placed the tea in his hand on the table and said gently, "Prince Yong cannot return to Bianjing alive."
"What?" Yang Zhaoyue was a little surprised.
Jiang Shu's eyelashes trembled involuntarily and cold sweat broke out on her forehead.
Yang Zhaoyue's voice rose noticeably. "Prince Yong has no interest in government affairs and is a simple and honest person. Why not let him leave Bianjing and retire to Suzhou?"
Lu Changji said no, "If it weren't for the Queen Mother's mercy and sparing the lives of Prince Yong and his mother, the Lu Party wouldn't have been so resolute and would have almost revived and put us to death."
He always thinks about things in the long term more than ordinary people: "Lu Yan has escaped, and there is no guarantee that he will not make a comeback in the future. As long as Prince Yong is alive, there is hope for the Lu Party to revive. The Queen Mother should cut the grass and root it out, so that the Lu Party will never have the possibility of rising again."
When Yang Zhaoyue thought of Prince Yong, she always felt sorry for him. She opened her mouth and wanted to say something, but in the end, nothing came out.
She knew that Lu Changji was right.
Even if Prince Yong took the initiative to surrender to her, even if Prince Yong killed Lu Zhun and captured Lu Huo alive, he should not live in this world anymore.
His very existence is sin.
When he spoke again, Yang Zhaoyue's voice was a little hoarse: "Let's do as Xue Ji said. The Lu Party counterattacked and assassinated Prince Yong on his way back to the capital. Prince Yong was seriously injured and died."
The autumn wind whistled past, Jiang Shu shivered, and the ginseng tea in her hand fell to the ground.
The door opened, and at that moment, Jiang Shu saw murderous intent on Lu Changji's face.
Seeing that it was Jiang Shu outside, Lu Changji raised the corner of his lips and revealed a very gentle smile. He waved to Jiang Shu and said, "It's so late, why are you still awake? It's cold outside, come inside quickly!"
Jiang Shu's feet seemed to be nailed to the ground, her leg muscles were tense and she couldn't lift them up.
Lu Changji walked to Jiang Shu, not caring about Yang Zhaoyue's presence, bent down, picked her up, strode into the house, and carefully placed her on the chair next to the desk.
He held Jiang Shu's hand in his palm and asked in a low voice: "Your hands are so cold, are you frozen?"
His hands were strong and firm, and he placed them on hers, giving her a constant flow of warmth.
Jiang Shu's mind was a little confused. She didn't want to talk and didn't know what to say, so she just kept silent.
Lu Changji didn't force her. His eyes slid across her face and finally stopped on her embroidered shoes.
She was wearing a pair of lake-colored embroidered shoes, and most of the ginseng soup had seeped into her shoes, making the lake color a deeper layer.
Lu Changji pulled Jiang Shu's feet onto his thighs, reached out to take off Jiang Shu's embroidered shoes, and naturally stuffed Jiang Shu's feet into his undershirt.
Her feet were pressed against his skin, and although there was a layer of silk stockings between them, Jiang Shu could still feel the solid muscle texture on his lower abdomen.
Jiang Shu felt a little embarrassed and her toes curled up together.
Noticing her movements, Lu Changji chuckled, handed his tea to Jiang Shu, and said softly, "Drink some hot tea to warm yourself up."
He spoke softly and his eyes were full of tenderness. Yang Zhaoyue had never seen Lu Changji like this before, and her heart felt a little bitter. She stood up and strode out of the house. When she reached the door, she closed it considerately.
Jiang Shu's face was horrifyingly pale, drained of all color. Lu Changji knew she had heard his conversation with Yang Zhaoyue. He held her hand again and whispered, "Are you scared?"
Jiang Shu did not argue, she knew that her expression could not deceive Lu Changji.
The figure of Prince Yong kept lingering in her mind. He was tall, but his face was childish and he looked a little silly.
He looked at her and said flatteringly, "I wonder if Madam likes acrobatics? I once practiced acrobatics and can perform a chest-breaking stone-breaking show for Madam."
The chicken soup she made for Lu Changji was very hot. He didn't say anything and just helped her bring the chicken soup into the house.
He doesn't look like a royal family, but rather like a cheerful and kind brother next door.
Jiang Shu knew that Lu Changji's decision was not wrong, but she also felt that King Yong should not die.
She even wanted to plead for Prince Yong.
But she knew that even if she spoke, it would be useless.
Lu Changji looked at Jiang Shu and said gently, "I have come this far, and I don't know how much blood has been stained on my hands."
He analyzed himself in front of her: "I won't kill innocent people, but I won't let go of anyone who poses a threat to me."
"Shu'er, I don't want to hide anything from you. I hope you can understand me, the real me."
Jiang Shu nodded. In fact, as early as that moonlit night when she heard Lu Changji instruct Cheng Yong to assassinate Lu Zhun, she knew his true side.
Although she understood him, she couldn't help but tremble when she saw his cruel side with her own eyes.
Lu Changji knew what Jiang Shu was thinking. He held Jiang Shu in his arms and said softly, "No matter how I treat others, my feelings for you will never change. I will hold you in my palm like a treasure."
He is a man who always keeps his word. Jiang Shu knew that since he had made a promise to her, he would definitely carry it out.
Unfortunately, even with his promise, she couldn't be happy.
Jiang Shu didn't sleep all night.
When the news that Prince Yong was assassinated by the rebels reached Fengzao Palace, Jiang Shu was having snacks in the flower hall. Lu Zhiyi rushed to the flower hall at lightning speed like a wild horse that had lost its mind.
She kicked the door open, put her hands on her hips and cursed, "Lu Changji, Yang Zhaoyue, you damned adulterers, get out here right now.
My son, in order to surrender, personally severed his tendons and killed his uncle. Is this enough to vent your anger? You actually want to kill him."
"Have your consciences been eaten by dogs? You're determined to kill us mother and son before you'll stop, right?"
Lu Zhiyi had a festive round face. His face, which used to be full of smiles, was now filled with anger and bloodshot eyes.
Jiang Shu ran to Lu Zhiyi, grabbed her hand, and dragged her to the side room with all her strength.
No matter what Lu Changji does, he will support Jiang Shu. When there is unrest in the north, he goes to the front court to discuss countermeasures with the court officials. Yang Zhaoyue, who is in charge of government affairs, will naturally go with him.
Jiang Shu didn't know when they would return to Fengzao Palace. She just wanted to calm Lu Zhiyi's anger before they came back so that no one would lose their life in vain.
She said to Lu Zhiyi, "My Lady Dowager, if His Royal Highness Prince Yong were still alive, he would definitely hope that you could enjoy your old age."
Lu Zhiyi knew this truth very well, but Prince Yong was gone and all her family members were killed. She had nowhere to go, so what was the point of living alone?
She fell onto the chaise longue, looked up at Jiang Shu, and whispered, "I know Madam means well, but Madam should also know that even if I continue to live, I will never be happy again."
"I was the one who brought Yun'er into the palace. I was the one who forced him to surrender to the Queen Mother. It was me, it was me who led my own son to his doom."
"If I had known this would be his fate, I would have followed my brother's wishes. Even if it meant risking my life, it would have been better than being played around by Lu Changji and being crushed like an ant."
As Lu Zhiyi spoke, she actually laughed. The thought that she would never see her son again, with whom she depended on each other for survival, made her feel worse than death.
Two lines of clear tears dripped down her cheeks to the ground.
Jiang Shu stood in front of her, not knowing how to comfort her.
Everything she said was true.
In the silence, Lu Changji's voice was heard outside the door. Lu Zhiyi stood up, pulled out the hairpin on her head, and rushed out the door.
She pretended to be crazy and had great strength. Jiang Shu couldn't hold her back and ran out the door with her.
"Lu Changji, you bastard, today I..." Lu Zhiyi rushed towards Lu Changji like a sharp arrow, but unfortunately, she could not get close to Lu Changji after all.
Before he could finish his words, a sharp blade pierced his chest.
Her body fell forward due to inertia, her cheek hitting the ground, and the sharp blade pierced her back.
Jiang Shu couldn't see Lu Zhiyi's face, she only saw bright red blood flowing out, soaking the gold brick bit by bit.
It was unlucky to have a corpse in the palace, so the eunuchs who were cleaning the room stepped forward swiftly. One of them lifted the shoulders, and another lifted the feet, and together they carried Concubine Lu out of Fengzao Palace.
Ladlefuls of clean water were poured on the gold bricks, and soon Lu Zhiyi's blood was washed away, leaving no trace.
Jiang Shu felt like there was something stuck in her throat and she felt a little pain in her chest. She turned around, slowly returned to the dormitory, lay quietly on the bed, closed her eyes, and said nothing.
Lu Zhun died, Lu Huo was dragged to the Meridian Gate and tortured to death, and Prince Yong and his mother also died.
All the major concerns of the court were eliminated.
Lu Changji's wound healed as before, and he and Jiang Shu moved out of Fengzao Palace and returned to Xinyang Marquis Mansion.
In the past, Lu Changji was constrained by Lu Zhun, but now he is the only one in power. With so many government affairs to deal with every day, no matter how busy he is, he will make time to sit in Xinchun Garden.
Thinking of Jiang Shu, the Marquis of Xinyang felt a surge of hatred. Unfortunately, he had been unable to persuade Lu Changji before, and now he dared not vent his anger. He could only endure it in secret.
Lu Changji used tough measures. He followed the clues and uncovered a large number of remnants of the Lu party. The Lu family originated in Longyuan, and half of the officials in Longyuan were Lu Huo's confidants.
The imperial court sent senior officials to govern Longyuan, but once those officials entered Longyuan, they were like stones thrown into the sea, and no news came back from them.
Everyone else had died without illness, so Lu Changji had no choice but to go and take charge. He used to be alone, free from all worries, like an iron wall, but now Jiang Shu had become his weak spot.
The sun was shining brightly as Lu Changji, dressed in the uniform of a first-rank official, stepped into Lu Lin's study. Lu Lin looked at his official uniform, not knowing whether to stand or sit, and was at a loss as to how to receive his eldest son.
Lu Changji pointed to the chair by the wall and whispered, "Father, there's no need to be so reserved. Just sit down and talk."
Lu Lin sat on the chair as he was told, his back straight.
Lu Changji said, "My son will be going on a long journey tomorrow, but I am worried about Shu'er."
He brought the matter out in the open, and Lu Lin didn't know how to respond.
Lu Changji continued, "My son regards Shu'er as his most precious jewel. Today, I entrust her to you. You must protect her and not let her get into any trouble."
Lu Lin broke out in a cold sweat, knowing that Lu Changji was coming to warn him. With Lu Changji protecting him, even if he hated Jiang Shu, he wouldn't dare take her life.
Lu Lin's throat was dry, so he picked up the tea and drank it all in one gulp. After his throat was moistened a little, he said to Lu Changji, "Don't worry, I will take good care of Jiang."
Lu Changji nodded. He knew that Lu Lin knew his limits.
Jiang Shu sent Lu Changji to the city gate. Thinking that they would be separated for some time, Lu Changji was very reluctant to let her go. He held Jiang Shu's hand and said gently, "Do whatever you want to do. Don't worry about what others think.
No matter what you do, I'll cover you. I just hope you can be happier."
He worked so hard to protect his family. If she wasn't happy, his efforts would be meaningless.
Jiang Shu nodded and said with a smile, "I wear gold and jade every day and eat delicious food. I am happiest."
As she spoke, she tied a peace charm around Lu Changji's waist. "Longyuan is in imminent danger. I have no other thoughts now but to hope that you can return safely."
Since Lu Changji entered the officialdom, he has spent half of his time on official business outside the capital. He never felt reluctant to leave before, but now that he has Jiang Shu, he doesn't want to leave Bian Jing at all.
The land of gentleness and the tomb of heroes, the truth is not deceiving me. He knew that if he hesitated any longer, he would be even more reluctant to leave.
Lu Changji shook Jiang Shu's hand firmly and whispered, "Wait for me to come back!"
After saying this, he turned around, got into the carriage, and drove away.
Before Lu Changji left, Jiang Shu got on the carriage. She did not return to the Xinyang Marquis Mansion, but went straight to Tongque Street.
The gate of Ye's house was wide open, and Ye Qian was decocting medicine for Ye's mother in the yard.
After he entered the government, his family's financial situation improved, and he hired two maids to look after Ye's mother. Originally, Ye Qian didn't need to do these rough jobs, but out of filial piety, he always personally boiled medicine for Ye's mother.
Jiang Shu stepped into the courtyard and called out "Brother Ye Qian" from afar.
Ye Qian smiled at her, then filtered out the medicine residue and handed the boiled medicine to the maid. The maid brought the medicine into the room to serve Ye's mother.
There was a locust tree in the yard, with lush branches and leaves, casting a thick shade. Jiang Shu sat on the rattan chair under the tree and rocked gently with a relaxed posture. When she was young, she always lazed on the rattan chair every time she came to Ye's house.
Jiang Shu shook her head for a while, then turned to look at Ye Qian: "Brother Ye Qian, I've made up my mind. I've decided to marry you!"
The rattan chair stopped shaking, Ye Qian raised his lips and chuckled. He walked to Jiang Shu, held the edge of the rattan chair, and rocked it gently.
Jiang Shu closed her eyes, enjoying the peace and joy of the moment. She told Ye Qian every detail of her past with Lu Changji.
Getting married is a big deal, and she doesn't want to hide anything from Ye Qian.
Lu Changji has her in his heart, so she will always analyze the pros and cons and let Ye Qian make his own decision.
The smile on Ye Qian's face became even brighter. He pinched Jiang Shu's face and sneered, "You are quite courageous."
Jiang Shu did not deny it. She appeared gentle and virtuous, but in fact she dared to do anything out of the ordinary.
Ye Qian then asked, "When are you getting married?"
Jiang Shu: "The sooner the better!"
She had to arrange the marriage with Ye Qian before Lu Changji returned to Beijing. Even though Lu Changji was powerful, he couldn't forcibly seize an official's wife.
Jiang Shu closed her eyes and began to recall her childhood wishes.
She wanted to marry Ye Qian since she was young. Ye Qian was handsome, gentle, and didn't talk much, but he always took care of her quietly.
He is studious and hardworking, and he will definitely be able to earn a decent fortune in the future.
After the two got married, she became the mistress of the house and had the final say on all matters in the household.
Based on Ye Qian's character and their childhood sweetheart friendship, Ye Qian will definitely treat her well, and they will love each other and treat each other as equals.
Those days were so nice!
Jiang Shu's heart felt a little empty, but only a little empty.
She always knows what she wants!
As long as Lu Changji is in that position, he will inevitably have to deal with people like Prince Yong and his mother as he is doing now.
If this is the case, Jiang Shu will never feel at ease.
What she wanted was not a life of heartache and guilt.
A wealthy family, harmonious couple, and being able to fall asleep as soon as you close your eyes at night, this is the life Jiang Shu likes.
Brother Ye Qian can give her such a life.
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