Chapter 73 Chapter 73 End of the text
Lu Changji did not sleep all night, not closing his eyes for a full twelve hours. Not only did he not feel sleepy, but he was full of energy and exuded a unique charm.
At daybreak, Lu Changji first went to the kitchen to check the dishes for the guests, and then went back to the bedroom to check the bedding on the couch. Jiang Shu liked Suzhou embroidery, and the lily and ruyi embroidery on the brocade quilt was exactly her favorite pattern.
After looking at the bedding, Lu Changji turned around and walked to the window. On the dressing table by the window was a golden nanmu dressing box. He opened the dressing box and saw jewelry on the first layer, including red gold and gemstone headpieces, beeswax necklaces, oriental pearl earrings... It was full of luxurious and gorgeous jewels.
When he pulled out the second layer, he found a dozen silver bills neatly stacked inside. The total value of these silver bills was a full 50,000 taels.
Jiang Shu loves jewelry and money the most, and she will be very happy when she sees these things.
When Cheng Luan entered, Lu Changji was instructing the maid to replace the tea set on the Eight Immortals Table: "Take this white tea set away. What's the point of having a white tea set on such a happy occasion?"
Cheng Luan glanced at the tea set on the table. The tea set was made from the Jun kiln. The wall of the cup was as thin as a cicada's wing, and it was painted with a pattern of twin lotus flowers, which meant that the couple would live in harmony and grow old together.
The adults wanted to take away such a luxurious tea set just because it had a hint of white in its color.
Cheng Luan couldn't help but click his tongue. Lord Lu's requirements for the new house were really nitpicking.
After the maid took the tea set away, Cheng Luan asked Lu Changji, "Sir, could you please replace the pink glass tea set?"
Lu Changji glanced at Cheng Luan and said unhappily, "Whose wife drinks tea from pink tea sets when she comes home? You must change the tea sets to bright red ones today."
"Go to the storeroom now and pick out some tea sets. If they don't have red ones, go to the teahouse. If they don't have them, go to the palace. In short, the furnishings in the new house must be perfect."
Cheng Luan nodded repeatedly. When he reached the door, he remembered why he had come in. He said to Lu Changji, "Sir, the guests are about to arrive. Please have some breakfast first."
Today is Lu Changji's big day. He will definitely not have time to eat while he is receiving guests.
Lu Changji simply said he didn't need to eat. From yesterday until now, he hadn't even drunk a sip of water, let alone a meal. His chest was filled with immense joy, and he didn't feel hungry at all.
Red tea cups were extremely rare, and Cheng Luan searched the warehouse thoroughly but couldn't find any. Afraid of missing out on important matters, he didn't go to the teahouse, but rode straight into the palace.
When Eunuch Liu, who was in charge of the inner treasury, learned that Duke Dingguo was short of a set of red tea cups, he immediately took out a booklet to take inventory. The palace had a rich collection. On the beginning of winter last year, Jingdezhen presented a set of tea sets with the pattern of "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix", which was very appropriate in terms of both meaning and color.
In an emergency, they made a compromise and waited until Cheng Luan left with the tea set before sending someone to ask Yang Zhaoyue for instructions. Given the Queen Mother's feelings for Duke Dingguo, she wouldn't mind such a tea set.
Lu Changji was very satisfied with this set of "Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix" tea set. After placing the tea set, he checked the pajamas that Jiang Shu was going to wear. At this time, the guests also came in one after another.
The flower hall was bustling with people, and Lu Changji entertained them until evening, when it was finally time to pick up the bride.
It took no more than an hour to bring Jiang Shu to Duke Dingguo's mansion, but Lu Changji felt as if an invisible hand had cut the time into pieces, stretching it infinitely long.
Seeing that his dream was about to come true, he felt a sense of loss in a trance.
As expected, he had waited too long and wasted too much of the good times that should have belonged to them.
The wedding sedan landed in the inner courtyard. Lu Changji dismounted and reached out to lift the curtain. Although he was a calm and steady man, his hand could not help but tremble slightly as he lifted the curtain.
The curtain of the sedan chair was opened, and Jiang Shu was sitting upright inside. Because the round fan covered her face, Lu Changji could not see her face. He only saw that she was wearing a red gold headpiece inlaid with rubies, and two moon-shaped pendants were hanging on her earlobes and swaying gently. Lu Changji's heart also swayed with the moon-shaped pendants.
He stretched out his arm, and placed it firmly in front of Jiang Shu: "Madam, get out of the sedan chair!"
Jiang Shu's nails were painted with red caramel, which made her fingers look even more slender and white as cream.
She placed her fingers on Lu Changji's forearm, and supported by Lu Changji, she walked into the bridal chamber step by step.
A red candle was hung high, and with a "pop" sound a spark of light burst out.
The room was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. Jiang Shu could even hear Lu Changji's slightly rapid breathing.
Jiang Shu smiled silently. Lu Changji could also get nervous sometimes. She slowly sat down on the bed and heard Lu Changji say, "Madam, please stop fanning me!"
The fan slowly moved down, and Jiang Shu's cheek appeared in front of Lu Changji little by little.
Jiang Shu's appearance is very beautiful, which is embellished by the makeup lady. Her eyes are as bright as autumn water, and her lips are full and plump, like juicy cherries, tempting people to pick them.
Lu Changji's Adam's apple rolled, and his voice became hoarse. "Regarding the rules, we should drink the wedding wine, but you're pregnant, so we can't drink it. How about we drink plum juice?"
He knew that she liked the sweet and sour plum juice the most.
Jiang Shu nodded.
Lu Changji put the wedding cup filled with plum juice into Jiang Shu's hand, took another cup for himself, put his arms around Jiang Shu, and drank the plum juice in the cup.
With this, the ceremony is complete. They are truly and legitimately married.
Lu Changji's heart beat so fast that it seemed like it was about to jump out of his chest.
He held Jiang Shu's hand and opened his mouth. He felt like he should say something to Jiang Shu, but he didn't know what to say.
At this moment, Jiang Shu's voice rang in her ears: "I'm hungry, please send someone to the table!"
Jiang Shu was pregnant and was more likely to get hungry than ordinary people. Lu Changji had already ordered people to prepare a feast, but he didn't expect that after entering the bridal chamber, he was so excited that he forgot about it.
He walked to the door and told Cheng Luan, "Present the table."
It was late at night, and Yang Zhaoyue sat in the courtyard, quietly watching the moon in the sky. Lu Changji had chosen a good day, and even the moon was brighter than usual.
The bitterness in my chest surged back and forth and took a long time to dissipate.
He got married!
What else can she do except reminisce about the two of them within these high walls?
Yang Zhaoyue gave a wry smile, beckoned Zhang Pei over, and said, "Today he asked Cheng Luan to fetch a set of tea utensils from the inner storehouse. Do you think that since he has just built a new mansion, the utensils in it may not be complete enough?"
Zhang Pei's eyes flashed. The tea set that Lu Changji had someone bring was bright red, which was for marrying his new bride. It was obvious that he had put a lot of thought into Jiang Shu.
These words kept turning over and over in his mind, but Zhang Pei didn't say them out loud.
He followed Yang Zhaoyue's lead and said, "Although the Duke Dingguo Mansion was built by imperial decree, it cannot be perfect. It is normal for it to have some imperfections."
Hearing Zhang Pei's words, Yang Zhaoyue's eyes lit up. She said, "Send someone to my private storehouse and pick out everything I need for settling down, whether it's clothes, household items, or bedding. Send them to Duke Dingguo's mansion tomorrow."
She sighed secretly. He had done so much for her, and she could only repay him in the little things.
Tears welled up in Yang Zhaoyue's eyes as she looked at Zhang Pei. "He has a family now. This is all I can do for him. I will never miss him again."
Zhang Pei took out a handkerchief and handed it to Yang Zhaoyue, saying softly, "My Lady, it's time to go to bed. Go inside and have a good sleep. Everything will be fine by daybreak."
Yang Zhaoyue took the handkerchief, wiped the tears from her face, and added, "Go to Duke Dingguo's mansion and tell him that the palace will give him a reward tomorrow, so he should make preparations early."
Zhang Pei wanted to tell Yang Zhaoyue that Lord Lu was probably in the bridal chamber at this hour, and that a night of love was worth a thousand gold, so it would be inappropriate to disturb him so late at night. But seeing Yang Zhaoyue's dejected expression, he was speechless.
Zhang Pei took the token, rode his horse quickly, and rushed to the Duke Dingguo's mansion.
He did not disturb irrelevant people and was led by the housekeeper to the bridal chamber. When he was still a few dozen steps away from the bridal chamber, he saw a tall, strong cook opening the door with a tray in her hands.
There were eight dishes on the tray, which was quite heavy, but the cook kept her shoulders and back straight, her lower body steady, and she didn't look tired at all.
Zhang Pei's expression froze, and he glanced sideways, only to see a dagger embedded in the dark space under the tray.
"There's an assassin!" Zhang Pei yelled and rushed towards the bridal chamber.
When the assassin heard the noise, he pulled out the dagger embedded in the tray and ran straight towards the bed.
The assassin's figure was as fast as lightning. Lu Changji instinctively stood in front of Jiang Shu and threw the wedding cup in his hand at the assassin.
While the assassin was dodging, Zhu'er rushed out from the warm room on the side, hugged the assassin's waist from behind, and dragged him back with all her might.
The assassin turned around and raised the dagger without hesitation to stab Zhu'er's forearm. Zhu'er gritted her teeth and did not let go even though her forearm was in excruciating pain.
The assassin didn't expect her to be so stubborn. He pulled out the dagger neatly and stabbed it at her vest. The dagger could cut through iron like mud. As long as it stabbed into Shu'er's vest, it could go through her heart and pierce Shu'er through.
The cold light of the dagger flashed before her eyes. Zhu'er closed her eyes in fear, but the arms that were restraining the assassin did not loosen at all.
The expected severe pain did not come. When Zhu'er opened her eyes, Zhang Pei was already fighting with the assassin.
Zhang Pei was as agile as a dragon. After exchanging more than twenty moves with the assassin, he captured him.
Zhu'er looked straight at Zhang Pei, her round eyes full of disbelief. Isn't Zhang Pei a eunuch? It's okay that he looks mighty, but how come he is so good at kung fu?
Zhang Pei pressed the assassin's back with one leg, and with quick and decisive movements, he tied the assassin's hands behind his back and knocked him to the ground.
The room was filled with candlelight, and only when she got closer did she notice something strange on the assassin's face. Jiang Shu called a maid and poured a basin of cold water over his head to wash away the powder on his face. The person on the ground was not a cook at all, but a man with an imposing appearance.
Lu Changji narrowed his eyes, and a shadowy figure appeared in his mind.
He stared at the assassin and said, "You are Lu Yan, the eldest son of Lu Huo."
Lu Changji had a photographic memory. Five years ago, when Lu Huo came to Beijing to report on his work, he met Lu Yan.
Lu Yan snorted softly, raised his head, and stared at Lu Changji defiantly: "Lu dog, I'm unlucky to be captured by you. You can kill me or chop me up as you please. Why are you talking nonsense here?"
After Lu Huo and Lu Zhun were killed, Lu Yan went into hiding, avoiding the pursuit of the soldiers. Since he was born, he had been brought up by Lu Huo and trained by him. How could someone who was always the center of attention endure the life of a drowned dog?
His situation was caused by Lu Changji. His father and uncle also died because of Lu Changji. He must avenge his father and uncle.
Lu Yan was hiding in Bian Jing, waiting to assassinate Lu Changji. Unfortunately, Lu Changji was cautious by nature, and he could never find an opportunity.
After waiting for a long time for Lu Changji's wedding, the Duke Dingguo's Mansion had many guests, so they specially invited the chef from the Banquet Hall to come to the mansion to help prepare the banquet. He took advantage of the opportunity to help out at the Banquet Hall and sneaked into the Duke Dingguo's Mansion.
When Lu Changji got married, the guards in the inner courtyard were lax and the wedding was about to be successful, but unexpectedly it failed at the last moment.
Lu Yan didn't feel afraid at all. He dared to live on, so why would he be afraid of death?
Lu Changji ignored Lu Yan and turned his gaze to Zhang Pei: "I have retired now, so it is not easy for me to make decisions on important matters.
Lu Yan is a high-ranking official. The eunuch should bring him to the palace and hand him over to the Empress Dowager and His Majesty for punishment. Zhang Pei remained silent and relayed Yang Zhaoyue's words to Lu Changji: "The Empress Dowager sympathizes with your Excellency's newly built residence and understands that everything is not yet fully prepared. She will send some daily necessities tomorrow. I hope you will prepare them early so that you can welcome the sacred objects."
Lu Changji nodded and said, "I will always remember the Queen Mother's kindness and will definitely vacate the warehouse as soon as possible."
It was late at night and everyone was asleep, so Zhang Pei didn't want to stay for long. After he finished speaking, he said goodbye. The Duke Dingguo's Mansion prepared a prisoner cart and sent someone to accompany Zhang Pei to the palace to escort Lu Yan.
The prison cart rumbled along, and when it was almost reaching the palace, Zhang Pei changed his mind and whispered, "Let's go to the mass grave instead."
The driver, confused, turned his horse around and galloped towards the mass grave. The night wind howled, the mournful cries of old crows wailed like blood, and the smell of rotting flesh lingered in his nostrils.
The driver stood in front of the mass grave, feeling cold all over and covered with goose bumps.
At this time, Zhang Pei said, "Bring Lu Yan out."
The driver said yes, but for some reason, looking at the corpses in the mass grave, his legs felt like they were filled with lead and he couldn't move at all.
Zhang Pei glanced at him, opened the prison van, and lifted Lu Yan to the ground.
Lu Yan stood on the pile of bones, his hair standing on end. He asked Zhang Pei, "Zhang Pei, what do you want to do?"
He, Lu Yan, had been a hero all his life, and he absolutely did not want to die in such a filthy place as a mass grave.
Zhang Pei pursed his lips, pulled out the long knife from his waist, and chopped it down with one blow, and Lu Yan's head was moved away.
Lu Changji didn't know, but Zhang Pei did. When Yang Zhaoyue was ten years old, she took her maid to a lotus pond to pick lotus pods. She accidentally fell into the water and was rescued by a boy who was fishing. That boy was Lu Yan.
Although Yang Zhaoyue appears to be spoiled, she has a very kind nature. Zhang Pei is worried that she might see an old acquaintance and be unable to kill him.
Before Lord Yang died, he held his hand and entrusted Yang Zhaoyue to him.
To cut the grass, you must remove the roots.
He helped the Queen Mother do what she could do, and he also did what she couldn't bear to do.
Lord Yang has done him a favor, and he cannot let Lord Yang down.
Zhu'er's arm was bleeding profusely. Jiang Shu was so distressed that tears streamed down her face. She whispered, "Doctor, can Zhu'er's arm be restored to its original state?"
The golden powder sprinkled on the wound felt like a knife cutting. Zhu'er grimaced in pain. She took a deep breath while trying to comfort Jiang Shu: "It's just a tiny wound. There's nothing to cry about, grandma.
If my arm is crippled, grandma will provide me with fine clothes and delicious food, and take care of me until I die of old age. I won't suffer any loss anyway."
When she said this, Jiang Shu's tears became more violent. Jiang Shu said to Zhu'er, "Even if your arm is fine, I will still support you with fine clothes and delicious food."
Jiang Shu pointed to her belly and said, "From now on, you have to eat whatever this person in my belly eats and wear whatever I wear, okay?"
Zhu Er said: "I am getting the same treatment as the master of the Duke's Mansion. I have made a fortune."
Jiang Shu stopped chatting with Zhu'er and turned her gaze to the doctor. The doctor bandaged Zhu'er and said, "Miss Zhu'er's arm was seriously injured. Fortunately, she was rescued in time and had the best medicine to treat it.
As long as Miss Zhuer rests well and takes medicine on time, she will recover as before."
Hearing the doctor's words, Jiang Shu and Zhu'er both breathed a sigh of relief. Jiang Shu was afraid that Zhu'er was feeling unwell and wanted to stay with her. Zhu'er used her uninjured hand to push her to the door of the house.
"Tonight is a golden night for grandma. Please hurry back to your new room. A night of love is worth a thousand gold. Please don't waste it here with me. If you delay such a precious time, your son-in-law will be angry."
Jiang Shu had no choice but to be driven to the bridal chamber by Zhu'er. Lu Changji had already finished washing up and was wearing a red nightgown embroidered with bamboo leaves. His jet-black hair was draped over his shoulders. He looked gentle and elegant, and was extremely handsome.
He handed a cup of tea to Jiang Shu's lips, and Jiang Shu drank it from his hand. Then he asked, "How is Zhu'er's injury?"
Jiang Shu said, "Luckily the doctor arrived in time and nothing serious happened. Zhu'er is so active and can't rest for a moment. If her arm had any inconvenience, I would never be at peace for the rest of my life."
Lu Changji said that it was good that she was fine. He wiped the sweat off Jiang Shu's forehead with a wet towel and said, "It was so dangerous just now. It must have scared you so much that you broke out in a cold sweat."
"There's hot water in the bathroom. Can I help you take a bath?"
He was gentle and considerate, so how could she say "no"?
Lu Changji picked up Jiang Shu and put her into the bathtub.
Rose petals are soaked in the bucket, and the sweet fragrance spreads under the steaming hot water, and the whole bathroom is filled with a lingering aroma.
Lu Changji's hand touched Jiang Shu's lower abdomen, which was slightly bulging and rounder than before.
He asked Jiang Shu: "Have you been feeling unwell recently?"
Jiang Shu's breathing was a little disordered: "Now I eat well, sleep well, and I'm not feeling uncomfortable."
Lu Changji hummed, his voice becoming hoarse. "The doctor said it will be fine in three months."
Jiang Shu looked up at Lu Changji, only to see that his clothes below the waist were sticking up.
Her face was burning hot, she pursed her lips and nodded.
Lu Changji took Jiang Shu out of the bathtub, put her on the embroidered couch, and gently wiped her body.
Jiang Shu is not a frail skinny beauty. She is tall, graceful, and has glowing white skin, like a creature carved out by God.
Lu Changji's eyes grew darker and darker. He spread Jiang Shu's legs apart and squatted in front of her.
Jiang Shu's eyes gradually became blurred, and all her senses were focused on one point. She felt a little thirsty and twisted her body helplessly. Finally, she reached the critical point.
Jiang Shu trembled unconsciously and fell softly onto the couch.
About a quarter of an hour later, Jiang Shu opened her eyes. The embroidered couch was wet, and the corners of Lu Changji's mouth were also wet.
Blushing, she closed her eyes, touched Lu Changji's raised clothes, and said, "I'm very happy. Do you want to be happy?"
Lu Changji wanted to, but he didn't dare. His sex was different from that of ordinary people, and his needs were great. It always took a long time to relieve, and he was afraid of hurting her.
Jiang Shu stood up, pushed Lu Changji onto the couch, and whispered in his ear, "Have you forgotten our first time?"
She can be on top, she can control the strength.
Lu Changji groaned, and the veins on his forehead suddenly bulged.
The sound of water flowing in the bathroom is endless.
She lay in Lu Changji's arms and fell into a deep sleep.
Days like this are so good, this is the life she wants!
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