My Husband Became the Most Powerful Minister - Chapter 22

Xiao Nanxun was in a very bad mood.

Anyone who has been planning for nearly half a month and ends up with nothing would not be in a good mood.

Getting off the large bed with agarwood pillars andeaves in his luxurious bedroom, Xiao Nanxuan wearily pressed his forehead, put on his robe, and walked barefoot on the golden-bricked floor, coldly commanding, “Throw her out.”

The eunuch entered with a “yes,” trembling as he looked at the woman on the bed, half-dead from being ravaged.

The two young eunuchs behind raised their hands and feet to lift the person out of bed, while two other palace maids swiftly replaced the bl00d-stained bedding with clean ones.

Last night, His Highness returned from the Shao’an Gongzhu’s banquet with a grim expression and a very bad mood. The chosen attendant for the night suffered greatly, screaming all night and now has fainted.

The princes of Great Yong will leave the palace to establish their own mansion after reaching adulthood, and after the empress is conferred, they will go to their fiefdoms. Those who go to their fiefdoms early are often those who are not destined for the throne. His Highness, favored by the emperor, would naturally not do so—he even postponed his grand wedding.

It’s just that among the princes who came out of the palace, this one is indeed the hardest to serve.

Unpredictable moods and difficult-to-read emotions aside, if you don’t serve him well, you might really lose your head. At times like this, it’s hard not to envy the palace servants who followed the Eldest Prince out of the palace. The Eldest Prince is kind-hearted and the most benevolent, and he is also very considerate of the common people.

Of course, this gossip must not be leaked at all; otherwise, if His Highness finds out, one might as well lose their head.

The eunuch was just retreating cautiously, when a guard came in, knelt on the ground, and reported, “Your Highness, I have investigated, and it seems Miss Helan has safely left the princess mansion.”

Xiao Nanxun’s dark gray eyes coldly swept over, and after a moment, he actually smiled: “How did she escape?”

“This, subordinate also…”

“A woman who couldn’t even tie a chicken, yet managed to escape from a heavily guarded place after being drugged.” Xiao Nanxun lightly tapped his palm, a chillingly sinister smile spreading across his face, “Could she possibly fly?”

The poison ‘Xiangsi Wujie’ is colorless and tasteless, it takes effect as soon as it enters the mouth, and even if you spit it out, it won’t help.

Xiao Nanxun was certain that the poison had already been administered.

The guard knelt on the ground, cold sweat almost streaming down his face. He moved his lips, unsure whether he should speak: “…… subordinate also saw that Lu scholar, he visited the Helan residence this morning.”

Xiao Nanxun knocked on his palm twice again: “What did he do?”

“He was talking alone with Lord Helan in the study. I don’t know what about, but… it seems to be related to Miss Helan.”

Xiao Nanxun almost instantly had an utterly absurd guess.

But it’s unreasonable, no matter how you look at it. They searched so thoroughly last night; how could they possibly have done anything?

A sickly scholar-official and a noble lady, what method could they have?

How could they have missed anything?

Xiao Nanxun’s fingers impatiently flexed stretched a couple of times, and before him flashed the girl’s face, which was difficult to describe in words, exquisitely and incomparably beautiful. Almost instantly, desire arose within him. He could never resist such beautiful things, but unfortunately, the Noble Consort always urged him to endure.

Endure, endure, he had endured since childhood, truly not knowing how much longer he had to endure.

He pressed his forehead, as if recalling the scene at the Qingquan Temple, being pushed and humiliated, hearing the scornful names. The acupoint at the corner of his forehead throbbed painfully. Xiao Nanxuan had to tell himself that he had already cleansed the Qingquan Temple from top to bottom, even destroyed the temple clean. Today was different from the past; he no longer needed to care about those things.

Xiao Nanxuan closed his eyes and said, “Yes, find out everything for me… By the way, bring the Chief physician from the Imperial Medical Institute, and bring the records from the sacrificial rites. I have something to ask him.”

***

Lu Wuyou arrived on the seventh day as scheduled, holding a pair of wild geese.

He and Helan Jin were chatting pleasantly, and when Helan Ci saw them come out, they were all smiles, giving the impression of a harmonious master and disciple… even somewhat like a father and son, at least more so than when her father and Helan Jian stood together.

Her father watched Lu Wuyou leave, stroking his beard with satisfaction: “I have already discussed this with Ji’an. This matter should be done sooner rather than later. You have already delayed for quite some time, so it’s best to get married as soon as possible. He will send a matchmaker tomorrow to formally propose, aiming to complete the betrothal gifts within next month, finalize the wedding date, and within three months, the marriage will be arranged.

Yesterday he were still calling him ‘Lu Xiuzhuan’ and today they’ve switched to “Ji’an.” Their relationship is progressing quite rapidly.

Helan Ci muttered a few words under her breath, then went into her room.

Outside the room, she saw Shuang Zhi winking at her, and Helan Ci was still in a daze: “Huh?”

As soon as she pushed the door open, she saw Lu Wuyou, who had just left the residence, sitting calmly on a chair. He took out a few scrolls from his sleeve and smiled slightly at her, saying, “Miss Helan, you came at the right time. Let’s discuss the marriage arrangements.”

Helan Ci: “……”

She couldn’t help but glance at the door, then at Lu Wuyou, recalling his flying speed that night

Then… it’s understandable.

Lu Wuyou lowered his gaze and said, “…Alright, I also think this is not very polite, but I don’t know when I can meet you out again, so I can only resort to this desperate measure. In urgent matters, we must take what we can get. Please be a bit understanding.”

Helan Ci didn’t hold it against him either, lowering her eyes and asking, “What do you want to discuss?”

“Quite a lot,” Lu Wuyou replied calmly and eloquently. “I’m still living at my relative’s place now. I thought about moving before, but since it’s close to the Hanlin Academy, I kept postponing it. Since we are going to get married, we definitely can’t continue living there. Previously, I had someone check out a few houses. The layouts and location maps are all here. You can choose one you like, and I’ll buy it.”

He pointed to a few other scrolls: “These are the gift lists for the proposal ceremony (Nacai) and the betrothal gifts (Nazheng). I consulted with my colleagues, and they are neither too extravagant nor too disrespectful. Of course, I also have another list of gifts here, specifically for your dowry.You take a look and see if there’s anything that needs changing. We need to lock down the gift list for proposal ceremony now, but we’ve got some time for the bethrothal gifts. I estimate the engagement ceremony (Wending) is at least a couple of weeks off.”

When Lu Wuyou spoke, his expression was very natural.

Very natural, it made people feel that it was very normal for the groom to come alone to discuss the marriage with the bride and to prepare her dowry.

Helan Ci was also a bit dazed by him for a while, unconsciously took the list of gifts, glanced at it, and then looked at him in disbelief: “…… Are you really already planning marriage?”

Lu Wuyou raised an eyebrow: “Yesterday was my day off and I was busy all day. If nothing goes wrong, the proposal gifts should be almost ready by now, and tomorrow they will be delivered to the bride’s family by the matchmaker.”

If Helan Ci had just met him, he might not have noticed, but Lu Wuyou’s face now practically had proud looks of the words “I can do anything” written on it.

It makes people really want to retort him.

She steadied herself but still found it strange: “…Why do you have to handle it? And why not show it to my father?”

“Well, it’s not impossible to show it to the elder, but considering the usual pace of arranging a marriage with the three letters and six etiquette, do you think we could get married next month?”

Lu Wuyou said quite naturally, “I will naturally show it to Lord Helan, but since it’s a marriage with you, I wanted to respect your opinion first.”

“…Next month?”

So fast…?

Her cousin Yao Qianxue is getting married early next year, but they started preparing for the wedding a year in advance. Now, with the three letters and six etiquettes to complete, her father said that three months is already considered very fast.

Helan Ci was just thinking when she saw Lu Wuyou’s gaze seemingly unintentionally sweep over her stomach: “…… I’m afraid the truth will come out.”

Her face instantly turned red.

“How is that possible!”

Lu Wuyou said, “What if?”

Helan Ci at this moment remembered that she still had to discuss with him the deficiencies in her health after her serious illness in childhood, fearing that they might not have many children. Since they had already come this far, she decided to speak honestly to avoid future conflicts.

After she finished speaking, she hesitated for a long time, gritting her teeth and said, “If, truly, you have no heirs, then…”

Unexpectedly, Lu Wuyou casually interrupted her, saying, “I told you before that I wouldn’t take a concubine, so I won’t. This matter is left to fate; I’m not living to reproduce.”

This statement was truly extremely rebellious.

Helan Ci was somewhat astonished— surprised that he would say such words.

Lu Wuyou chuckles and says, “Are you thinking of ‘Of the three unfilial things, the greatest is to have no descendants’? Zhao Qi’s commentary on the Mencius, while a valuable work, isn’t necessarily the ultimate authority. He likely said this to encourage farming and procreation. However, when Mencius defended Kuang Zhang, the five examples of unfilial behavior he mentioned didn’t include not having children. The ‘no descendants’ here can also mean ‘no one to care for you in old age.’ You remember the rest of the original passage, right…?”

Helan Ci subconsciously said, “Shun married without informing his parents, so he considered having no descendants.”¹

“Yes, I have already written a letter home to inform my parents. Shun is not as filial as I am.”

Helan Ci thought he was even more outrageous: “……Did your parents reply?”

“Well, it’s obvious that there’s not enough time. Anyway, I’ve already lost my virginity, so I might as well go ahead and do it.” Lu Wuyou’s eyes curved slightly, and he said with a carefree smile, “They won’t refuse. It’s just that your Geng Tie² will have to be sent back to my hometown… It might take some time for a round trip.”

“……Your parents really won’t be mad?”

Anyway, if she were to do it this way, Helan Jin would definitely be furious.

Lu Wuyou thought for a moment and said, “Hmm… my mother should be very happy, after all…” He dragged out his words, “She will have a beautiful daughter-in-law.”

Helan Ci couldn’t tell which of his words were true and which were false, and she was too lazy to feel embarrassed. She simply lowered her head to look at the gift list. Anyway, since he was so confident, there probably shouldn’t be any major issues.

She had previously seen the list at Yao Qianxue’s place and knew roughly what to expect, so when she looked at Lu Wuyou’s list again, she felt that he was right; it was indeed just the right amount, neither too much nor too little.

It wouldn’t make people envious or gossip, nor would it make anyone feel it was lacking.

It’s just that the dowry list was truly outrageous; I’ve never heard of a bride’s dowry being provided by the groom. She pushed the list back and said, “This isn’t necessary.”

Lu Wuyou said without hesitation, “If you don’t want it, that’s fine. Just let these things follow the convoy.”

Helan Ci looked at him strangely and said, “Are you trying to give me face?”

Lu Wuyou propped his chin, his head slightly tilted, and said, “No, it’s because I’m afraid of losing face.”

“……”

Helan Ci was speechless for a moment and said, “…… right.”

Even if you count the pots, pans, bedding, and clothes in her family, there really isn’t much of a dowry.

After Helan Ci finished looking at the gift list, she went to see the house candidates. Thinking that she might have to move here and live with Lu Wuyou in the future, she couldn’t help but feel a bit strange, but she still paused when she saw East Tai’an Street.

The capital is not like Qingzhou; houses are generally more expensive. East Tai’an Street is not far from the imperial palace, and since many high-ranking officials and nobles live there, the prices are even higher.

A two or three-entry courtyard over there might cost a few hundred taels. Although he just earned a few dozen taels from a congratulatory article, this is obviously just a special occasion.

According to Helan Ci’s estimation of managing her own household expenses, Lu Wuyou’s current salary as a fifth-rank official, combined with the court’s allowances and the Hanlin Academy’s stipend, might amount to around a hundred taels at most. This is quite tight for maintaining daily social interactions and living expenses.

Moreover, they need money to get married.

She hesitated for a moment, then said, ” Lu Daren, may I ask, do you have enough money? … It doesn’t have to be such a good location.”

Lu Wuyou suddenly laughed, his shoulders shaking with mirth, his face turning away: “So Miss Helan, you were worried that I don’t have enough money… Well then…” He smiled with his peach blossom eyes bent, then took out two items from his pocket and placed them on the table, “See if this is enough.”

It was two silver notes of five hundred taels each.

Helan Ci was taken aback: “……Where did you get this?”

The so-called “poor but honest” Hanlin scholars, before they have served their time and been promoted to positions of real power, would indeed be quite poor.

Lu Wuyou, at this moment, restrained his smile, coughed lightly, and said, “As long as it’s not the people’s bl00d and sweat.” (it means embezzlement)

Helan Ci recalled his peculiar family background and tentatively asked, “……Did your family give it to you?”

Lu Wuyou raised an eyebrow and said, “I can’t just steal it from the silver warehouse, can’t i?.”

Helan Ci understood a bit, but still couldn’t completely dispel the doubts in her heart: “So what exactly does your family do?”

“I thought you wouldn’t ask,” Lu Wuyou seemed to have been waiting for this, “Have you heard of the Jianghu sects? You can think of it as my father being one of the leaders of a relatively powerful sects, outside the jurisdiction of the government. Of course, under normal circumstances, we usually don’t interfere with each other’s affairs. The badge I gave you is a family heirloom; it can command the ranks of the gang. As for money, I’ve never been short of it.”

Helan Ci was very confused by this.

Does it mean bandit?

Since he was able to be recommended by someone to take the imperial examination, he should be a good citizen now… Helan Ci reassured herself.

Over there, Lu Wuyou had already extended his long finger, pointed at the houses list, and said with a light laugh, “So, have you made your choice?”

Helan Ci looked at the map, then at the gift list, pondered for a moment, and suddenly said cautiously, “…Why are you being so considerate all of a sudden?”

Clearly, just before, he had a sorrowful expression and sighed, “The future is bleak.”

“isn’t that we might as well do it right? Don’t tell me you also expect me to shout ‘I don’t want to marry’ at the wedding banquet?”

Helan Ci said blankly, “Then we would probably really be in trouble if that happens.”

However, after saying that, the vigilance in her clear, water-like eyes faded a bit.

Lu Wuyou also didn’t know how Helan Ci was raised; three days ago, he still thought she was a proud little peacock, now she had turned into a frightened bird, wary of every sound.

Helan Ci looked at him for a while longer, as if recalling something, and said, “Offending the Second Prince is an unwarranted disaster for you, Lu Daren. We’ll take it one step at a time from now on… If it really endangers your life and fortune in the future, and if it necessary we can…divorce.”

He didn’t genuinely want to marry her; he was just being implicated. Although it could solve her immediate crisis, if the Second Prince were to ascend the throne in the future, both of them would likely face dire consequences. It would be better if one of them could survive.

Lu Wuyou picked up the rough little teacup on the table and examined it for a while, then said, “Don’t worry, the ups and downs of officialdom and the unpredictability of the world are hard to foresee. If one day I truly can’t protect you, Miss Helan, you can find a better match.”

He said this, and Helan Ci actually breathed a sigh of relief.

In the end, she pointed to a small courtyard, pushed the list of gifts in front of Lu Wuyou, and gave him a pleasant smile, saying, “Then in the future…”

“Wait… there’s one more thing.”

Helan Ci was puzzled: “Hmm?”

Lu Wuyou said leisurely, “Don’t I still owe you something?”

“…What?”

“A dress.”

Helan Ci initially didn’t react, but when she remembered what the skirt was about, her face, which had just cooled down, immediately flushed again. With a hint of embarrassment, she said, “You don’t need to compensate. I didn’t want it back anyway.”

“That’s not possible, I always keep my promises.” Lu Wuyou put down an order list and said with a gentle smile, “The ready-made clothing shop at East Wind Evernight building in the north of the city. Take this order there, and someone will measure you for a custom fit. The seamstress will make it, and it will be delivered to your residence in due time.” He added exaggeratedly, “Why would a young girl wears white clothes every day? it’s like she’s in mourning, it will bring bad luck.”

Helan Ci couldn’t help but retort, “Aren’t you the same?”

Lu Wuyou said, “I’m just an elegant white clothed gentleman.”

Helan Ci said, “Then I’m still the white-clad young lady, fresh and refined.”

Lu Wuyou curled his lips and smiled, “……Are you stupid?”

“……?”

Helan Ci suddenly wanted to bite him.

1. I don’t really understand this, but uf you want to read further about this you can visit this site. https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/19/3/25/n11139321.htm. (translate the site)
2. Geng Tie (庚帖) is essentially a set of cards or sheets of paper, each containing the birth dates and times of the prospective bride and groom, written in the Eight Characters (八字, bā zì) system. It will be exchanged to check the compatibility of the bride and groom.