Chapter 50 Upholding the Spirit
The Lu family had produced prime ministers for three generations. In this generation, the family genealogy traced back to the "Bing" generation, and the parents bestowed upon their eldest son the single name "Hui," signifying that he would shine like the sun and moon, one day bringing prosperity and glory to the family. Binghui was of a peaceful nature, with a broad face and a perpetually smiling expression. He appeared lean in clothes but was muscular underneath. Although a civil official, he enjoyed practicing martial arts in his spare time. Born into a family of prime ministers, he possessed a certain composure, and his tone of voice towards Huairou was gentle, inspiring trust and a sense of security in those around him. While not conventionally handsome, he possessed a masculine and heroic air. As the eldest son of Prime Minister Lu Xian, the prosperity and peace of the nation were written all over his face; by today's standards, he would be considered a mature man.
In the past, powerful and aristocratic families were always inundated with matchmakers, their doors practically worn out. If he hadn't been transferred to Ganzhou, the doorsteps would have been overflowing with suitors. However, he knew he wasn't considered a handsome man in the capital, and these young women were mostly after his family background. But this young man had been well-educated from a young age, a filial son. He cherished the betrothal his parents had arranged since childhood, especially since he had known Huairou since childhood and they were classmates. He genuinely liked her, particularly in the last two years when Huairou's feelings had changed drastically, becoming deeply ingrained in his heart. He had fantasized countless times about marrying Huairou, closing the door and kissing, hugging, and lifting her high in the air. However, he hadn't yet inherited the position of prime minister. The emperor had abolished the aristocratic system and adopted the imperial examination system for recommending talented individuals. He always wanted to find an opportunity to prove himself and give Huairou a joyous wedding. After being transferred to Ganzhou, he was quite hardworking, diligently performing his duties. He was happy to accept any promotion, and his future seemed bright.
He knew Huairou hadn't been idle either; she'd managed to pass the imperial examinations and become a prince's study companion, and then asked him to help recommend the Seventh Prince for a post in the Northern Frontier. After he left the capital, she went to Yongzhou… Later, in a letter, she mentioned she was planning to set up an academy and asked him to recommend some talented individuals. His own efforts were merely to please his parents and solidify his family's position. This girl was truly ambitious, but he liked it. He loved Huairou's strong and interesting spirit, and her pitiful state after he saw through her. His help in recommending the Seventh Prince to the Northern Frontier also had some ulterior motives. This girl was too attached to this young prince; if it weren't for Huairou's approval to return to his side, he would have felt quite threatened. He knew his place in front of the Seventh Prince; who could guarantee that this prince, with his powerful position and extraordinary bearing, wouldn't steal Huairou's heart?
Huairou's trip to Yongzhou also piqued his interest. He'd heard it from his friend, who was on duty there, who said he'd seen Guo Huairou's travel permit. Yongzhou was the territory of his uncle, Lu Lian. His uncle and father had always disagreed politically, and Lu Lian's official rank wasn't as high, so there was always a sense of sullen resentment between them. What was Huairou doing there? Lu Binghui pondered for a few seconds at his desk. Although he was easygoing, he couldn't very well interfere in matters here. Knowing human nature well, he couldn't help but feel a little worried. But since Huairou hadn't actively sought his help, he just hoped the girl wouldn't run into any obstacles here.
The next second, he picked up a letter from home. Life as an official in a distant place was tough. In the letter, his parents hoped he would consider marrying the daughter of a family friend in Ganzhou, outlining the many advantages of settling there and the possibility of returning to the capital with his wife and children. He smiled and confidently wrote back to his parents, stating that he only wanted to be with Huairou. He was certain that Huairou would marry him, not for his talent or wealth, but simply because only he could tolerate her unconventional nature and only he could give her the freedom she desired. He believed it was only a matter of time.
It wasn't until his uncle Lu Lian's fiefdom was inexplicably reduced by the court, and the Second Prince was relegated to a vassal state, that he, far away in Ganzhou, realized that Huairou's trip might not be so simple. His father, who rose to the position of prime minister, had never risen or fallen by siding with anyone, and had long ago instructed him to avoid suspicion. He, of course, obeyed, and his tenure in Ganzhou showed no signs of trouble. It wasn't until the Seventh Prince returned to the capital safely that he realized Huairou had "gambled" correctly. Brilliant! This "brilliant" was meant for his beloved girl, but he never imagined his good fortune would be implicated. The entire Guo family had become the new master's right-hand men, and although his own family hadn't participated in his uncle's schemes, they were still of the same lineage. At this point, they could only remain silent, and the marriage agreement with the Guo family couldn't be mentioned again. Recalling his "eloquent discussions" with Huairou during their school days, he had gambled correctly, rising to prominence; gambled incorrectly, falling into obscurity. Now, it had become the footnote to his own story. Fate truly played tricks on him, leaving him with no control over his own destiny.
During that time, Binghui noticed a significant decrease in the number of letters Huairou exchanged with him. However, he understood her; it wasn't because she was a sycophant. Without needing to inquire, she herself mentioned in a letter: "Binghui, the Seventh Prince is returning, and I am quite happy… His fiancée has been entrusted by His Majesty to stay temporarily at his residence, which has kept me very busy… Since returning from Yongzhou, I have gained a close friend whose insight and martial arts surpass both yours and mine…" Her words were filled with anticipation for the Seventh Prince's return to the capital and admiration for her "close friend" in Yongzhou, without mentioning a single word about the Lu family's involvement. "This… it's nothing. Friendships are always open and honest, while romantic relationships are handled with caution," Binghui thought reassuringly. Years of teachings from his parents had taught him that things could change in an instant. As long as his feelings for Huairou remained unchanged, there was nothing to fear. Right now, he should focus on his own affairs.
Later, Huairou found him looking haggard. It turned out that the prince, now the crown prince, had been accused of secretly raising an army and harboring rebellious intentions. At the time, no one dared to touch the Seventh Prince's affairs. The Guo family, being in the same northern border region, could only remain silent to avoid being unnecessarily implicated. His own father, Lu Xian, as prime minister, should have stood by the emperor at all times, and was now remaining neutral, awaiting a thorough investigation by the Three Judicial Offices.
Unable to bear seeing Huairou isolated, he secretly offered a plan: Yuan Ya should contact her father, the king, to find Eagle Eye's sworn brother, Eagle Feather, and instigate a rebellion. This would allow them to overthrow Eagle Eye's position in the tribe, weakening his power and making him preoccupied, thus revealing the flaw in his plan to frame the crown prince. Huairou then told him about the "breathtaking" strategy to delay the inevitable, saying she had a way to present the plan to the emperor. This was excellent, as his position in a remote region meant he couldn't really influence the outcome, but whether it would be adopted was uncertain. Currently, Huairou's only solace was the emperor's agreement to transfer Yunji, who had been suspended from his regent duties, to the Liyuan Garden for house arrest. Binghui understood Huairou; she wouldn't abandon the prince in his predicament. He didn't understand why Huairou was so determined to protect her former master. If it was true love, he would let them be. Binghui sighed. Adversity reveals true character, and time reveals true feelings. Binghui consistently believed in and supported Huairou. When the truth came out, Huairou smiled again, and Binghui finally breathed a sigh of relief for her.
At the end of the year, Binghui returned to the capital to report on his duties. He happily went to visit Uncle Guo's family in Huairou. He had missed Huairou terribly since they only saw each other once a year. He knew that Huairou had seen off the Crown Prince and Crown Princess and must be able to relax for a while. He brought gifts to visit Uncle Guo and Aunt Guo. He originally wanted to give General Qiyu a wedding gift, but since Qiyu had already established his own residence, he had to give up on that idea for the time being.
Hearing that her old friend had come to visit, Huairou was naturally overjoyed. She rushed home in a carriage, deeply grateful for Binghui's strong support during her time of trouble! But when she finally closed the door and saw him, she couldn't help but shed tears. All the grievances and hardships she had endured finally found an outlet at this moment: "Lu Binghui... you're finally back!"
Seeing this, Binghui felt a pang of heartache. He couldn't fathom the pressure and emotional turmoil this girl had endured over the past year. He couldn't understand how this once lively and cheerful girl had become so unhappy. The dignified and poised demeanor she displayed in public now seemed somewhat unreal; tears were far more comforting! At this moment, Huairou couldn't care less about anything else. Having gone through so much, she had witnessed someone who didn't understand why she bore so much pressure for the Crown Prince, someone whose mind was only focused on officialdom, who didn't understand why she was alone in this world, yet who had always stood by her side to the best of her ability. This reminded her of her husband's unwavering kindness and consideration when she was still Moli. A thousand grievances turned into tears that streamed down Binghui's shoulder. She realized that for so long, she had been oblivious, forgetting her husband's kindness.
Binghui was taken aback by the sudden intimacy. He didn't know where to put his hands and felt a pang of heartache. Compared to Huairou, he was just a rough man. He only wanted to be good to her wholeheartedly and couldn't say anything else. Whenever Huairou called, it was as if the woman in front of him was his other half and he couldn't sit still. He quickly flattered his former classmate, saying, "Oh dear, now you're the Crown Prince's confidante, the princess's sister-in-law, and the renowned Guo Yuanzhang of the capital! How can you be so fragile? What in this world could possibly make you sad?" Hearing Binghui tease her, Huairou immediately fell silent, feigning anger, "Of course, it's heartbreak!" Binghui, suppressing his own bitterness, smiled but didn't rush to answer. He casually pulled her out of the study, saying, "Come on, come on! What man could possibly win your heart? I'm back in the capital today, and I'm really craving the local delicacies. Come with me for a big meal! We'll drink until we drop!" He then dragged Huairou out of the study. It was almost evening, and the scenery outside was beautiful, as if nothing had happened to Huairou.
Arriving at a bustling tavern, the two immediately entered a haven of tranquility. Amidst the lively music and dance, Huairou, enjoying the delicious food, was captivated by the lavish performance, humming a tune and tapping her fingers to the rhythm. For a moment, all her worries vanished, and she began to chat: "Binghui, you're quite the gentleman, aren't you? You know how to enjoy your official position! You've never brought me to such a nice place… Did you meet any romantic interests in Ganzhou?" Binghui placed a piece of fish maw in Huairou's bowl and replied, "You really don't treat me like an outsider. What, are you jealous or checking up on me? I don't have any romantic interests. It's just a job, a rather frugal one, nothing like your job in the palace." Binghui wasn't lying. His official duties and life as an official in a distant place were quite rough. He struggled to handle even the most basic social obligations. Ganzhou couldn't compare to the prosperity of the capital. He had received many arranged marriage proposals, but he had declined them all, citing the instability of his career. Huairou, however, picked up a piece of crispy pork with a serious yet nonchalant expression and said, "You may not have it, but I have. However, it's all over now..." After saying that, her eyes were fixed on the dish, completely ignoring the fact that the person in front of her had once been engaged to her.
Binghui wasn't angry. He had long seen through Huairou's feelings for the prince, which weren't romantic at all. As for the others, the girl could choose whomever she wanted; it wouldn't affect his feelings for Huairou at all. He chuckled and said, "You're such a sweetheart, your face is practically believable. Just don't get fooled." Huairou smiled bitterly, thinking that it would be better if she were fooled, because then she wouldn't be so heartbroken. It's only unrequited love that brings tears to one's eyes. So she said defiantly, "You're a bad person, Binghui. You see everyone as a bad person. He's older than me, has a higher status, and is outrageously handsome. There are countless beauties among them. So, we can't be together." Although Huairou tried to sound indifferent, a faint sense of disappointment lingered in her voice. Binghui didn't speak, but Huairou's tone suggested she was serious.
A sudden burst of bells and drums interrupted their conversation. Huairou changed the subject, saying, "By the way, I know that the matter in Yongzhou has nothing to do with your family." Binghui was also curious about what Huairou knew, so he listened attentively, eager to hear the details. "Actually, I didn't even know Lu Lian was your uncle. If I had known, I would have sought refuge with you when I was traveling in Yongzhou," Huairou said, regaining some of her usual radiance, while eating and chatting amiably. Binghui felt a little irritated by her words and quickly filled her cup, saying, "When did Miss Guo ever need to rely on me? Even delicious food can't shut you up. In this world, those with higher status than you are either princes or princesses. Why do you still seek refuge with me? Come, come, drink, drink, drink!" But then she asked mysteriously, "Is the matter of my uncle having his fiefdom stripped related to His Highness...?"
“It’s related, it must be related,” Huairou said secretly. “Back then, I went to Yongzhou to help His Highness, and I even encountered some villains chasing me. I really want to hold you responsible for that!” With that, Huairou hit Binghui’s head hard with her chopsticks, rolled up her sleeve and said, “Look, you have such a big scar!” Binghui frowned, glanced at Huairou’s wound with heartache but dared not look at it for long. Only then did he realize why Huairou said she wanted to rely on him. He lowered his head in regret.
Huairou didn't actually mean to blame Binghui; she was just teasing him. She continued, "Later, the matter concerning His Highness was investigated, but the decision to reduce your uncle's fiefdom was made by His Majesty the Emperor. The matter of the Second Prince's branch rebellion also occurred at the same time. That's all I can say. If you want what's best for your family, don't inquire further. Let's consider this matter closed." Huairou didn't explain the intricacies of the situation to Binghui, because even she herself didn't know that the person accompanying her on the investigation was the current ruler. The ruler's governing philosophy coincided with her own, easing the conflict between local farmers and large landowners. Lu Lian had inadvertently run into multiple obstacles, and Huairou had played a role in this. From Binghui's perspective, she felt she had let the Lu family down. The decision regarding the Second Prince also reflected the Emperor's hidden pain of loving his son—a point Huairou only realized later, something Binghui truly didn't need to know.
After hearing Huairou's explanation, Lu Binghui finally couldn't help but feel a little guilty and whispered to Huairou, "Actually, my father and uncle have always disagreed on politics and rarely interact, so they don't know about our relationship. The only one who can protect you in the fiefdom is my childhood friend." Huairou looked at Binghui and found him a little cute. Taking advantage of her drunkenness, she teased, "Then are you still willing to marry me now? To atone for your sins?"
On stage, a group of beautiful women were dancing joyfully, their movements exquisite and their figures graceful, each step perfectly in time with the drumbeats. Just like the many beautiful and virtuous women that Lu Xian and his wife had introduced to their eldest son, they were all unappealing to Binghui. Binghui's heart fluttered, but he cheerfully and coyly said, "It's a deal, you're the one who pursued me."
Huairou was somewhat helpless at Binghui's answer, but she didn't want to argue with him at this moment. She couldn't help but chuckle and roll her eyes at Binghui, letting him figure it out himself. "It's settled then. If you're going to marry me, you can only marry me for the rest of your life! All the formalities, the eight-bearer sedan chair—not a single one can be missing!" Binghui knew when to stop and nodded with satisfaction. He reached out and hugged Huairou, thinking: Girl, you've finally returned to my side.
Huairou felt both pain and relief. There was nothing she could do; some people were her aspirations, occupying her heart and lingering there, while others were like air—no matter how much she struggled, she would suffocate without it.
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