Chapter 171
The guests at the Luo Mansion had not yet dispersed, and dusk was approaching. A maid used a bamboo pole to pick up the red crepe lanterns hanging from the eaves and lit them one by one.
Luo Chengzhang was drinking with the Shaoqing of the Taichang Temple. The two of them were having a great time, and there were some side dishes on the table, such as braised pig ears and salt-fried peanuts.
The front yard was bustling with activity. A clever servant ran in with a message in a bright voice: "Second Master, Second Master, there's news from the Governor's Mansion. The Governor has announced that our young lady will be married as his second wife, the Marquis of Ningyuan's mansion!"
Luo Chengzhang almost lost his grip on the wine glass. He stood up from his seat, his eyes shining as he walked straight up to the servant: "Don't talk nonsense! When we got married, it was clearly said that she was a concubine. How did it become a second wife? Did you hear me clearly? Don't make a fool of yourself!"
The servant laughed again, "Second Master, the guests present heard it with their own ears. It was our young lady. Even if someone had come out with it at full speed, it couldn't be false!"
Luo Chengzhang couldn't control the smile on his face. "Is she really a second wife? My daughter became the Marquis's wife?"
"Yes, the guests heard it very well!"
Luo Chengzhang immediately had his maid bring over a red envelope as a reward for the servant, who knelt down to accept it. He had rushed in with such wit and haste, asking for this wedding gift. Upon hearing this, the Junior Official of the Ministry of Rites quickly raised his glass and stood up, beaming: "Great, great! From now on, Master Luo will be the governor's father-in-law. Congratulations, I have to toast Master Luo once again!"
All the guests in the room stood up.
Luo Chengzhang was so happy that he couldn't close his mouth. He was so happy that he didn't even think about his doubts.
Just as he toasted, word spread outside that the Third Young Master had returned, and Luo Chengzhang immediately put down his glass and went out to greet him.
Luo Shenyuan was dressed in court robes, but without his Liang crown. His aura was cold, even indifferent. He handed the Liang crown to his attendant. Lin Yong and the others surrounded him as they walked briskly toward Jiashu Hall. Looking closely behind him, he saw many unfamiliar faces. Their auras were unusual, and it was unclear who they were. Luo Chengzhang stopped him, walked over, and asked, "Shenyuan, why are you back so late? How's the matter with Lord Xu going?"
When Luo Shenyuan heard his voice, he turned around without saying a word, his eyes extremely cold.
Luo Chengzhang didn't know what had happened, so he didn't ask about Xu Wei anymore. Instead, he smiled and said, "Did you know that the governor announced in court that he wanted your sister to be his second wife? From now on, she'll be the Marquis' wife! We have to go to the Lu family. The Marquis didn't even say a word about such a big thing. No wonder they hosted a banquet for guests..."
Luo Shenyuan sneered as he heard this. He slowly approached him and said, "He announced right in the court that he would marry my sister as his second wife. Do you know which sister he was talking about?"
Luo Chengzhang didn't know what he meant and was completely baffled. He was stunned: "The one who marries her is naturally..."
"He married the seventh sister. Does father still remember?" Luo Shenyuan said calmly, "The seventh daughter of the Luo family, Luo Yining, who is recuperating in Baoding."
Luo Chengzhang was stunned as if struck by lightning. He was unable to react for a long time, and then his face turned pale: "What do you mean... Where is Lian Jie'er? She is not..."
Back then, the Duke of Ying had told him to claim Luo Yining had died suddenly. But a sudden death was considered unlucky, and a funeral was necessary, especially since Luo Shenyuan had to take the imperial examinations. Luo Chengzhang simply claimed that Luo Yining was ill and recuperating, and could not see anyone.
But how could Lu Jiaxue marry Luo Yining? How could he have fallen for Luo Yining? She was already married to Luo Shenyuan, and he had heard that Luo Yining was Lu Jiaxue's adopted daughter...
Luo Chengzhang's heart was shaken. Could it be... that Lu Jiaxue was so lawless, falling in love with his adopted daughter, yet forbidden from marrying her because it was against ethics? He simply resorted to this tactic to conceal his true identity. This matter affected the Luo family's reputation, so they would surely not dare to intervene. Yet, he had managed to marry his adopted daughter!
"This is really ridiculous. What happened... Where's your sixth sister? Where's Wei Yining?" Luo Chengzhang wanted to ask, but Luo Shenyuan ignored him and continued walking towards Jiashu Hall.
Luo Chengzhang was still standing there in a daze when someone hurried over and told him that the Sixth Miss was back.
The wedding banquet had not yet ended, but the people in the Luo family had no interest in the banquet.
Late into the night, in the main hall, Luo Yilian wept until her makeup was smudged, sobbing silently. She had long since changed out of her wedding attire into a casual jacket, and hadn't bothered to wash or dress. Still wearing her wedding bun and heavy makeup, Aunt Qiao stood there, nearly collapsing. Forget about being the principal wife, they didn't even want her to be a concubine, yet they had her sent to Qinghu Bridge! Both mother and daughter were speechless for a long time.
But at this moment, Lin Hairu really couldn't sympathize with Aunt Qiao and her daughter.
"It's obvious that being too ostentatious isn't a good thing. Everyone in the neighborhood knows you're marrying Commander Lu. Now, how are we going to end this?" Lin Hairu thought of Concubine Qiao, who, believing her daughter was destined for great success, had made countless demanding demands about the marriage, and how Luo Yilian had even asked Luo Yining to serve her tea. She felt a pang of discontent. "You were just going to be a concubine, married quietly. If you say it was a mistake now, no one will know, yet you have to make such a big fuss..."
Luo Chengzhang felt like every word Lin Hairu said was a subtle sarcasm, and his temples throbbed with pain. "Shut up! What's the point of saying this after it happened?"
Well, she stopped talking and told the family to discuss it. Lin Hairu stopped talking and told the nurse to take the dozing Nan back to bed.
"I think that bitch is colluding with Lu Jiaxue to have an affair with him!" Luo Chengzhang thought more and more that this was the case. Otherwise, why would she just disappear for no reason? "Now is the time to ask Luo Shenyuan to divorce her! Otherwise, she will bring shame to the Luo family!"
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