The Strings of the Brocade Zither Shock
March 16, the 15th year of Jinghe. Auspicious for marriage.
Before dawn, the Lu Mansion was already ablaze with lights and bustling with activity. Lu Qinglan was roused from her bed by Fu Yu and several trusted maids, bathed, washed, and dressed. Layer upon layer of phoenix coronet and bridal robes were placed upon her, each one representing both supreme honor and a heavy burden.
The woman reflected in the bronze mirror had a face like a lotus, eyebrows like distant mountains, lips painted red, and a forehead adorned with yellow flowers. She was incredibly beautiful, yet also jarringly unfamiliar. Lu Qinglan stared at himself in the mirror, his eyes calm and composed, as if he wasn't the protagonist today. Memories of past lives and plans for this one intertwined in his mind, ultimately settling into a cold, resolute determination.
The auspicious hour arrived, with firecrackers blasting and drums and music blaring. Lu Wenyuan and Wang, their eyes slightly red, admonished with proper propriety. Lu Qinglan knelt before her parents, paying them respects with complete courtesy, her voice steady, "I will always remember your teachings." But she knew in her heart that after this separation, the Lu family would be not only her mother's family, but also an ally with whom she would have to weigh the pros and cons.
Covered with a crimson veil, her vision was a hazy red. She was carried to a sedan chair by her clan brothers. The moment the curtains dropped, the clamor of the outside world seemed to be cut off. The sedan chair set off, traveling along the Imperial Street. Amidst the onlookers and discussions of the common people, it slowly drove towards the Seventh Prince's residence, a symbol of the royal family's majesty and endless struggle.
The prince's wedding ceremony was filled with extremely elaborate rituals. Stepping over a fire basin, shooting at the sedan chair door, worshipping heaven and earth, visiting the ancestral temple... Lu Qinglan was like a delicate puppet, completing every prescribed action to the chanting of the ceremonial officer. She could feel countless eyes on her, curious, scrutinizing, jealous, calculating...
Finally, she was sent to the bridal chamber - Hengwuyuan.
Unlike the "Qihuang Pavilion" of her previous life, the layout here, while also festive, was noticeably simpler and more elegant, more in keeping with the name "Hengwu." Several clumps of bamboo had been transplanted into the courtyard, and a few lake rocks had been stacked in the corners, exuding a sense of aloofness and unconventionality. This was naturally done by Xiao Jingche according to her wishes.
In the room, red candles burned brightly, and the tasseled curtains were warm. She sat upright on the bed covered with a quilt made from hundreds of children and grandchildren, quietly waiting. An unknown amount of time passed before steady footsteps approached from afar, carrying a hint of alcohol, and stopped right in front of her.
The veil was gently lifted by a gold-wrapped jade ruyi.
As the light streamed in, Lu Qinglan narrowed her eyes slightly before looking up at the man before her. Xiao Jingche was dressed in a bright red auspicious robe embroidered with a python pattern in gold thread. He stood tall and straight, his face even more handsome in the candlelight. However, in his eyes, besides the joy he should have, there was also a hint of inquiry and scrutiny that was difficult to conceal.
The wedding wine, the hair-tying ceremony. As the ceremonies progressed, the two of them leaned very close. She could smell the faint scent of alcohol and ambergris on him, yet they maintained a subtle sense of distance between them.
After all the rituals were completed, the palace servants and eunuchs had all left, leaving only the two of them in the room. The red candles crackled, and the atmosphere was a little stagnant.
"Thank you for your hard work today." Xiao Jingche spoke first, his voice a little hoarse from drinking.
"Your Highness has worked hard too." Lu Qinglan lowered his eyes, his tone respectful and distant.
Xiao Jingche sat down beside her, silent for a moment, then suddenly said, "As you expected, the Ministry of Revenue is facing considerable resistance. Third Brother's reaction has been intense." He didn't beat around the bush and went straight to the subject of state affairs. This was both a sign of trust and a test. He wanted to know if her stance and methods would change after becoming his principal wife.
Lu Qinglan raised her eyes, her gaze as clear as autumn water: "Since Your Highness has taken action, there is no turning back. The greater the resistance, the deeper the interests involved. At this moment, it is even more necessary to stabilize the situation, win over those who can be won over, and divide the enemies who can be divided. For example... the attitude of the military is crucial." She cleverly pointed out the information provided by Lin Wanru in the form of analysis.
Xiao Jingche's eyes narrowed: "In the army?"
"A stable border ensures national security. Your Highness has already won the favor of some border commanders with the canal transport case, and this must be consolidated now. If Your Highness wishes to exert pressure, the military is the most likely avenue." Lu Qinglan said in a steady tone, "Your Highness will need to appease General Wei. Furthermore, you must also monitor the movements of some neutral commanders."
She didn't mention Lin Wanru, attributing the success to her own judgment. Xiao Jingche looked at her deeply, his eyes more inquiring, yet also more convinced. "You are absolutely right. I will pay attention to this matter." He paused, his tone slowing down. "Now that you have entered the mansion, the management of the household affairs will be handed over to you in the future. You will need to pay more attention to the internal and external affairs."
This is a delegation of power and also a granting of responsibility.
"I will do my best." Lu Qinglan nodded slightly. This was part of her plan. Only by gaining control of the palace's internal affairs could she more easily deploy personnel, pass on information, and manage her influence.
The two men discussed a few minor matters at court, their words laced with subtle wit, more like a silent game of chess and confirmation of a cooperative agreement. It wasn't until late at night, with the candles only halfway burned.
"Settlement it." Xiao Jingche stood up, his voice emotionless.
The brocade curtains fell, burying the candlelight in the room and the two figures, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. Physically, they could be close, but their hearts were as far apart as mountains and rivers. Lu Qinglan closed her eyes, taking in the unfamiliar scent and warmth around her, her heart frozen. For her, the love between husband and wife had long since vanished, the moment she drank the poisoned wine in her previous life. Now, they were nothing more than a shared interest, a necessary step towards the pinnacle of power.
The next day, he went to the palace to express his gratitude.
Entering Changchun Palace again, her status was completely different. The Empress was still kind and gentle, the Virtuous Consort still affectionate, but the subtleties in their words were more subtle. Lu Qinglan responded with the shyness and deference of a new bride, keeping every word flawless. She could sense that the women in the harem were assessing her importance as the new consort of the Seventh Prince.
After returning to the mansion, according to the rules, the concubines in the mansion must come to pay their respects to the mistress.
There were three people in total. One was Liu, Xiao Jingche's former concubine, timid and with a low profile. Another was Sun, a beautiful lady gifted by the Minister of Personnel. She was beautiful, with a hint of restless pride between her brows. The last was Lin Wanru.
Lin Wanru was wearing a light blue dress and had a calm expression. She bowed with the other two and said, "I am Lin, paying my respects to the princess." Her posture was proper, but her eyes were calm.
Lu Qinglan sat upright in the upper seat, accepted their gifts, and as usual, gave them gifts, saying a few polite words about "living in harmony and serving His Highness wholeheartedly." His eyes briefly met with Lin Wanru's, and they understood each other tacitly.
After everyone left, Lu Qinglan left Lin Wanru alone.
"Are you used to being here?" Lu Qinglan's tone softened.
Lin Wanru smiled, a hint of self-mockery in her voice. "It's just like moving from one cage to another, more magnificent one. But here, at least... I can see a wider world, and perhaps, I can do something." She looked at Lu Qinglan, "If the princess has any orders, Wanru will definitely do her best."
She changed her words and addressed herself as "Princess", clarifying the relationship of superiority and subordinateness, and also showing her determination to serve.
Lu Qinglan saw the burning light in her eyes, a light unlike the usual dead light, and her heart moved. "It's not really an assignment. The people in this palace are complicated, and my sister is very sensitive. I will need your help in the future." She needed Lin Wanru to be her eyes and arms among the women in the palace.
As she was speaking, Fu Yu came in and reported, "Princess, Miss Su Yueming is outside asking to see you. She said she was sent by Miss Liu to bring you a gift."
Lu Qinglan and Lin Wanru looked at each other and saw the coldness in each other's eyes. On the second day of the wedding, they couldn't wait to come.
"Please ask her to come in."
Su Yueming, still keeping her brows lowered and her face submissive, held a brocade box in her hands. "Your servant, Yueming, has come by Miss Liu's order to congratulate the princess on her wedding. Miss Liu wished her and His Highness a harmonious and everlasting marriage." She presented the brocade box.
Lu Qinglan gestured for Fu Yu to take it, but didn't open it. He simply said, "Thank you, Sister Liu, for your trouble and for making this trip."
Su Yueming raised her head, a perfectly composed smile of gratitude on her face. "It's Yueming's blessing to be able to serve you." Her eyes quickly glanced at Lin Wanru beside her, then quickly dropped again. "The princess has just arrived at the mansion. If there are any trivial matters that require running errands or delivering messages, Yueming is willing to do her best to serve you."
These words were a naked surrender and a request for position.
Lu Qinglan sneered in her heart, but remained expressionless: "You are thoughtful. I will take note of it. If there is nothing else, please leave first."
"Yes." A hint of disappointment flashed in Su Yueming's eyes, but he didn't dare to say more. He bowed and retreated.
"How does the princess plan to place her?" Lin Wanru asked.
"No rush." Lu Qinglan played with the jade bracelet on his wrist. "Let her jump around for a few more days. Some nails are buried deeper, so when you pull them out, you can bring out more mud."
She stood up and walked to the window. Outside Hengwu Courtyard was the vast mansion of the Seventh Prince, and outside of that mansion was the turbulent court and the world.
The newly strung harp begins to play. This melody of political intrigue, plucked by her own hands, is destined to be anything but peaceful. Every note holds hidden danger, and every step calls for caution against traps.
But now that she has made her move, she will never back down.
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