bayedsolid Chapter 430: Guiding Lu Shaofeng!
Chapter 430: Guiding Lu Shaofeng!
Mu Xin Nuan returned to the Prince's Mansion, glanced in the direction of Qinghui Pavilion, pondered for a while, and finally felt it was not right. She beckoned to the eunuch beside the Prince, gave him a few instructions, and then returned to Yijing Garden.
After Duanmu Chuze and the others had finished their discussion, they all drank tea. The eunuch came in, whispered a few words in his ear, and then withdrew.
Duanmu Chuze's eyes darkened slightly. He waited until it was time to eat and everyone had left before calling Lu Shaofeng aside.
"Because Mr. Liu dislikes being ostentatious and finds welcoming and seeing off guests too troublesome, I have never formally introduced him to the officials of Yanzhou. Apart from you few, I'm afraid most people who come here think he is just a clerk."
"What does the prince mean?"
"Shaofeng, I believe you are indeed talented and I am willing to support you. However, the inner quarters of your Lu family are truly unsettling."
Lu Shaofeng was startled. How did the prince find out about what was happening in his own backyard?
"You! The princess just returned from your Lu residence. She heard that your wife was ill, so she went to visit her. But this trip turned out to be quite troublesome; she came back with a belly full of resentment. She witnessed Madam Lu and your sister-in-law belittling her, but since they were just outsiders, she couldn't say anything too outrageous."
Lu Shaofeng paused for a moment after hearing this, then gave a bitter smile and shook his head, "It's all my fault. If I hadn't been so busy all this time, I wouldn't have been so careless towards her."
Duanmu Chuze frowned. "Don't you understand? This isn't about whether you're busy or not! It's about your mother and your sister-in-law! I've met your wife once or twice; she's gentle and kind, truly a good person. Just look at Mr. Liu's character and conduct, and you'll know what kind of person she is. Otherwise, do you think A'Nuan would be willing to befriend her?"
"Your Highness is right!"
"Shaofeng, are you aware that the Princess is skilled in medicine?"
"This, I have heard of it."
"These are things she brought back from your Lu residence. She took them from your wife's bedroom. Take a look for yourself." After Duanmu Chuze finished speaking, he ordered someone to call the family physician.
The physicians of the Prince of Changping's residence also held official positions. The Empress herself had personally instructed people to select two highly qualified physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy because she was worried about their qualifications.
When Lu Shaofeng learned from the imperial physician that one of the ingredients in the incense sticks could cause infertility, he immediately felt a headache coming on!
He swayed and then collapsed into the chair, unresponsive.
Duanmu Chuze shook his head. Everyone says a good man should have ambitions beyond his hometown and not be confined to his home. But now, his lineage was almost cut off. What ambitions did he have left?
"Your wife should have plenty of these in her room. If you don't trust the imperial physician, go and get them yourself. Go ask at the clinic outside."
Lu Shaofeng himself didn't know how he got out of the Prince's mansion. By the time he was fully conscious, he was already outside the Lu residence.
"Young Master, we've arrived. Please alight from the carriage."
The coachman outside reminded him, but Lu Shaofeng's face was frighteningly pale!
He gave a wry smile and ordered, "Wait here. I need to get the things and leave immediately."
"Yes, eldest son."
That evening, Mr. Lu and Lu Shaofeng were absent from the Lu family's dinner table.
Without the head of the household present, no matter how hungry everyone was, they naturally couldn't touch their chopsticks. Fortunately, before Liu arrived, she had already had some snacks in her own courtyard. Since learning of her pregnancy, she had become extra careful. Of course, at this moment, it was obviously not time to reveal the news of her pregnancy, otherwise, it was feared that Yang and this kind mother-in-law would not allow her to have her way.
Madam Yang waited for a long time, but no one came. Naturally, she became a little anxious. She looked down at her belly and, taking advantage of her pregnancy, said in a coquettish tone, "Mother, perhaps Father and Elder Brother have something important to discuss in the study. Why don't you..."
Madam Lu knew exactly what she meant and glared at her. "Didn't we just send someone to invite them? They might be here soon."
"Yes, mother."
Madam Yang knew that she had displeased the princess today, and that her mother-in-law was probably still blaming her, so she dared not say anything more.
Lu Shaohua was puzzled. When did his elder brother and father become so close? He wanted to go and see if they were discussing his elder brother inheriting the title, but he didn't have the courage!
Despite being spoiled rotten on ordinary days, Lu Shaohua is still quite timid in front of Master Lu!
In the study, Lu Shaofeng looked at his father with a sullen expression. Watching the doctors being escorted away, he said bitterly, "Father, since Mother is so intolerant of my wife, then I won't say anything more. She is my mother, and I dare not disobey her. Before, when she forbade me from entering officialdom, I had no objection. But now, this is the Prince's order. Could it be that she's forcing me to disobey the Prince?"
Master Lu's face darkened, clearly displeased.
“Father, I know that my wife is not as charming as my sister-in-law. In that case, please order my wife and I to move out.”
Old Master Lu's eyelids snapped open, and he slammed his hand on the table. "What nonsense are you spouting? You are the eldest son of the Lu family. How can you just move out like that?"
"But if we don't move out, what else can your son do? Father, are you going to just watch your son die without an heir?"
After saying that, Lu Shaofeng closed his eyes with an extremely painful expression. This feeling of being helpless in the face of crisis was truly frustrating.
"Alright, I will investigate this matter myself. Besides this, did the Princess Consort say anything else?"
Lu Shaofeng hesitated for a moment, then, seeing his father's bright and determined eyes, he pursed his lips and said, "Father, the Princess Consort is skilled in medicine. She took my wife's pulse today and found that she is pregnant, more than two months along."
"what?"
"The princess said that if it weren't for the opportune timing of her arrival today, and if the incense had been used for several more days, the lady would have definitely miscarried. Moreover, people would have thought it was her period and wouldn't have paid attention. If she had developed a chronic illness, she might have had difficulty conceiving again in the future."
Master Lu's brow was so tightly furrowed that he could hardly relax!
His wife certainly had such a vicious mind!
Thinking back over the years, he had turned a blind eye to her dealings with his concubines and hadn't pursued the matter. After all, those women were just playthings, and he already had a legitimate son. As for his illegitimate sons, they were already dispensable!
But now, the hand that the lady is reaching for the ground is her own son! Her future eldest grandson!