The Lantern Festival runs from the seventh to the sixteenth day of the first lunar month.
By this time, the imperial edict establishing an empress had spread throughout the streets and alleys.
When Su Wan saw Lu Xingjian in the carriage that night, her face was completely wooden, without any expression.
Lu Xingjian was rubbing his tired brow and didn't react much when he saw her, only gently tapping the side of the carriage.
The carriage slowly started moving.
Are you sick?
Seeing that Su Wanwan looked completely dejected, Lu Xingjian simply asked a question.
He didn't hug or kiss her as he usually did when they met.
She keenly sensed his aloofness and indifference.
That restless heart suddenly calmed down.
He guessed that his father's attitude hurt him.
He probably won't agree to any request she makes today.
His avoidance these past few days has already demonstrated his attitude.
Su Wanwan blinked, her eyes seemingly filled with tears, her voice plaintive and aggrieved.
"My father refuses to acknowledge me as his daughter, what should I do?"
She did not make the request directly.
Instead, she laid out her difficult situation before him.
Sometimes you have to show weakness in front of a powerful ruler.
Lu Xingjian's heart could no longer harden.
He was well aware of the recent movements of the Su family.
He wasn't afraid as long as Wanwan didn't make a scene about refusing to marry him.
He sighed softly and reached out to pull her into his arms.
"You've been wronged."
"Now all the civil and military officials, officials from all over the country, and envoys from all foreign countries know about the imperial edict to establish an empress."
"I cannot retract the imperial edict and be ridiculed by the world for changing my mind so easily, and for showing contempt for the imperial authority in the future."
Su Wanwan remained silent for a long time before finally saying, "I know."
Lu Xingjian suddenly felt a warm glow in his heart.
His daughter is very sensible.
Despite suffering so much injustice, he never uttered a single complaint.
His voice carried a hint of gentleness.
"From now on, I will make it up to you and the Su family, okay?"
Su Wanwan leaned softly against his chest.
"Yes. I hope Father won't be too angry."
Lu Xingjian remained silent, then pulled her to sit on his lap, cupping her face in his hands as they looked into each other's eyes.
"Never mind what the Su family thinks. Wanwan, you are my wife, and I will protect you."
Can you?
Tears slowly welled up in her eyes.
She didn't believe he would always treat her well and protect her.
The man before her truly loved her.
But his love was so elusive, and he didn't know when it would disappear.
Given his status, there were far too many temptations around him.
Lu Xingjian kissed her forehead and simply said:
"meeting."
"Don't be afraid."
"Wait patiently to be my bride, okay?"
Perhaps it was his confident tone that somewhat lessened her unease and pain.
Lu Xingjian continued, "Whether I marry you or not, the Su family and their in-laws will be expelled from the court. It has nothing to do with you, understand?"
"Why? Why can't they be tolerated?"
"You don't know how stubborn Old Man Su is? He's always trying to persuade me, holding lectures and giving talks, and he even wants to hold three meetings a day. He's driving people crazy."
"For those two years, I got a headache whenever I heard the word 'Su'."
Lu Xingjian's furrowed brows and lingering fear were rather endearing.
Su Wanwan couldn't help but chuckle.
My grandfather, Su Jian, was indeed stern and had strong opinions.
Some jokingly refer to the three gentlemen of the late emperor's reign as "Li Gongmou, Su Gongjue, and Xie Gongyoukan."
Li Gong refers to the current Chief Minister Li Dongqian, and Su Gong refers to his grandfather Su Jian.
Seeing that she finally smiled, Lu Xingjian felt a little relieved.
His eyes were gentle, and his fingers lightly caressed her cheek as he changed the subject.
"Why have you lost weight again?"
His deep voice was gentle and beautiful, like the most affectionate lover in the world.
By the light of the lanterns inside the carriage, Su Wanwan stared blankly at his face.
He looks so tempting and seductive.
If he were to show this side of himself, any girl would be captivated by him.
She said, "You too."
A smile spread across his eyes.
Like a pebble thrown into a lake in spring, creating ripples in concentric circles.
"Then after we're married, we can have some nourishment together, okay?"
As he spoke, his hand slid down to her waist, caressing it intentionally or unintentionally.
Su Wanwan was still feeling down and had no romantic thoughts, so she took his hand.
She scolded him playfully, "You lecherous scoundrel!"
Lu Xingjian chuckled, not annoyed at all, and casually took her hand, their fingers intertwined tightly.
"My Wanwan is just too beautiful, it makes people want to get close to her."
As he spoke, his lips approached her ear, his voice soft and suggestive:
"It's too big to hold with one hand."
Su Wanwan looked down and saw that his other hand had already reached around from behind her to her chest, and her face immediately turned red.
That guy!
"Don't do anything reckless... um..."
Before she could finish her protest, her lips were silenced, leaving only soft moans stuck in her throat.
...
The carriage stopped.
Someone outside said, "Master, we've arrived."
After getting off the carriage, you'll find yourself on a bustling street, teeming with tourists, and various shops adorned with lanterns and decorations.
Lu Xingjian took her hand and smiled, "Come on, let me take you to pick out a rabbit lantern."
Su Wanwan's lips were slightly swollen, her head was a little dizzy, and her heart skipped a beat.
I can't quite describe the feeling.
She was born in the Year of the Rabbit, the same zodiac sign as the late Empress Dowager Zhou's archenemy, Empress Dowager Qian.
There must be some story from the past, because Zhou was most averse to seeing anything related to rabbits.
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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