Chapter 3 Stepmother
Sima Jun frowned.
Three months ago, his father, Prince Yuzhang, was killed in Cangwu.
He had personally sent people to Cangwu to retrieve the bodies. Prince Yuzhang and his entourage had almost all been fished out, except for the newly married concubine, Lady Lu.
When Prince Yuzhang decided to marry Lu, Sima Jun strongly opposed it.
He has never believed in supernatural things.
Is there such a thing as a yin-yang master who can predict everything? If so, why are there so many natural and man-made disasters? Anyone claiming to possess celestial powers is, without exception, a fraud.
But Prince Yuzhang firmly believed in this.
Last year, when Kong Qi of Kuaiji led the Three Immortals Sect in rebellion, he led the Jiangzhou army, along with Xie Kun of the Northern Prefecture and Huan Yi of Jingzhou, to encircle and suppress them. While pursuing them, a general handed him a fortune stick, which read: "Northeast is most dangerous, due east is second worst, southeast is favorable." He, Xie Kun, and Huan Yi then split their forces into three groups. Xie Kun, who headed northeast, was ambushed and killed; Huan Yi, who headed east, lost his troops and generals; and Prince Yuzhang, who headed southeast, returned safely.
The divination sticks were given by Lu Ming through someone else.
Prince Yuzhang was convinced that Lu Ming was indeed a supernatural being and insisted on marrying Lu Ming's daughter as his successor. Furthermore, he even believed the Taoist's divination and decided to travel a long way to personally welcome the bride.
Ironically, he was killed in a flood on his way back from welcoming his bride.
The tragic news sent the entire palace into chaos. Sima Jun, who had led his troops back to Jiangzhou, had no choice but to drop his duties and rush back to handle his father's funeral.
Fortunately, Prince Yuzhang's body was found and finally laid to rest. As for the missing Lu, since she was already a concubine, Sima Jun planned to build a cenotaph for her next to his father's tomb and bury her with him.
But he didn't know that the woman had appeared on her own.
"How did Your Highness find her?" Sima Jun asked.
"You should know about Cangwu Governor Zhou Yun," the Crown Prince said. "He used to be a housekeeper in the Eastern Palace and went to Cangwu two years ago. After your father's accident, I saw how heartbroken the Empress Dowager was, so I ordered him to take care of the funeral arrangements in Cangwu and offer sacrifices for your father. Not long ago, he found Lu in the home of a boatman along the river, and he couldn't wait to send a message."
Sima Jun was even more surprised when he heard this.
"Oh?" he said, "All the people who came to the wedding reception also died in the flood. Who can prove that she is Lu?"
The Crown Prince shook his head and smiled. "You're still the same, refusing to believe anything easily. No wonder some people in the court say you're difficult to get along with. I've actually inquired about this matter in detail. Zhou Yun's people say she saved her life by clinging to a piece of driftwood, drifting dozens of miles before being discovered by a boatman. The boatman wasn't a bad person, but he was a bit greedy. Seeing the phoenix hairpin on her head, he pawned it. Little did they know, such items were only owned by members of the royal family. The pawnshop owner was knowledgeable and, fearing trouble, reported it to the authorities. Upon learning of this, Zhou Yun immediately started from the pawnshop and followed the clues to find her. When Lu was found, perhaps she was frightened and had some amnesia, so she didn't report it to the authorities. However, the ceremonial clothes she was wearing when she fell into the water, along with all her belongings, are still there, so it's clear that she is the Consort."
Sima Jun remained silent.
"I see," he said, "I wonder where Lu is now?"
"Zhou Yun didn't dare delay. When the messenger set out, he took Lu with him. She's currently receiving instruction at the Imperial Grandmother's palace and will be brought here soon. Later, you will bring her back to the palace and take good care of her."
Sima Jun never expected that this trip to the palace would lead to such a bizarre incident.
After a moment's silence, he said, "Your Highness, my father passed away suddenly. Earlier, Your Highness intended to send him on a tour of Jing, Ning, and Yi provinces, but something happened before he could leave. I believe this matter cannot be delayed. I beg Your Highness to allow me to serve my father faithfully."
"Do you think I have the final say on such matters?" the Crown Prince said helplessly. "Father has already replaced the emperor in charge of border patrols. You are now dismissed from your post and in mourning. Staying in the capital is the right thing to do. After this year, I will try to get you reinstated. In the future, you will have the opportunity to serve loyally."
As they were talking, they suddenly heard the eunuch announce that Consort Lu had come from the Empress Dowager's palace.
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