My Husband Became the Most Powerful Minister - Chapter 47

The two were in a sorry state in the dark alley, but on the way back, they were all smiles.

The censorate investigator brought his men and caught the previous steward and the county magistrate who had aided in the tyranny all at once. Although several Ministry of Revenue officials were quite frightened and worried for a while, they were largely unharmed elsewhere.

In fact, it was the brave and unyielding Lu Wuyou, who had dragged his wife out of the encirclement with a fierce charge, who ended up the only one injured.

——He looked truly in a sorry state. His official robes were slashed in several places, clothes in disarray, faint bl00d stains visible, and his disheveled hair hung loosely. Even his wife who escaped with him had her dress in disarray, covered in dust.

One could not help but feel admiration!

“Ji’an, you truly gave this old man a fright just now. You really are bold enough to speak your mind. When we return, I will definitely…”

“I never expected Lu Daren to be so bold even at such young age…”

“Once we’re back, I’ll definitely submit a memorial to the Emperor about this matter!”

Helan Ci was adjusting her skirt, feeling a bit awkward. Just earlier, this brave and fearless Lu Daren couldn’t hold back any longer and passionately kissed her in the dark alley for quite a while. It had gone on for quite a while—long enough for them both to end up in such disheveled state.

She instinctively clung to Lu Wuyou’s arm, accidentally touching his wound, which immediately oozed bl00d.

It seeped between her fingers, warm and slippery, carrying a faint metallic tang. The alley, not nearly hidden enough, was filled with a stale, damp smell—and faintly, footsteps could be heard.

The scene was, to put it mildly, difficult to describe.

Yet now he greets everyone with complete ease, as if nothing had ever happened.

That same censorate investigator caught sight of Helan Ci and respectfully greeted her—it reminded her that he was, after all, one of her father’s subordinates. From then on, the case interrogation would no longer be handled by Lu Wuyou, and the two could finally return to rest.

When Lu Wuyou took off the tattered official robe, Helan Ci took the opportunity to pull out the medicine bottle she carried from her bundle and walked over. She saw Lu Wuyou pause slightly and say, “You really plan to help me to apply the medicine? No need… the bleedings already stopped.”

She still wasn’t quite reassured: “Let me check it.”

Lu Wuyou raised his eyebrows slightly and said with a smirk, “Haven’t you already seen everything there is to see?”

Helan Ci didn’t even bother replying. She reached out and began undoing his clothes.

Lu Wuyou originally intended to struggle, but after a brief attempt, he gave up and let Helan Ci pull open his clothes. He muttered, “You’re so proactive, it’s a pity it’s not for…”

Helan Ci looked at the rather horrifying wound on his arm, her heart trembling slightly, and said, “Lu Daren, if you talked a bit less, you would be much more likable.”

Lu Wuyou uncharacteristically fell silent.

Helan Ci dipped her fingers into the ointment and carefully applied it, her expression focused and serious.

Lu Wuyou, in turn, looked a little uncomfortable. After a moment of hesitation, he said, “But if I don’t speak up, I feel very stifled. It’s not easy to have someone to talk to freely.”

Helan Ci remembered his words: “……so happy?”

Lu Wuyou smiled and said, “I’m really happy. What’s the point of living if you’re not happy?”

The white inner garments made it easy to see the injuries. Helan Ci checked again and, seeing that he wasn’t badly hurt elsewhere, finally relaxed and said casually, “So what counts as happiness?”

“For me, doing what I want freely is happiness.” He said in a slightly coaxing tone. “Don’t you feel happy coming out with me like this?”

No longer cooped up in the estate, no more veils to hide behind when going out, walking wherever she pleased, looking around, asking questions freely—it was something she’d never experienced before. Even the moment Lu Wuyou had dragged her into a run—though tense and anxious—the fear she sensed was completely different from the panic and helplessness she felt when she was alone.

Helan Ci was momentarily stunned, as if she too could understand the happiness he spoke of.

She was just about to nod, but then remembered something, and gave Lu Wuyou a strange glance.

Lu Wuyou discerned something from her strange gaze, leaned in slightly, and said, “It’s not that I want to endure, but I still consider myself a person with some principles. In life, there are things you can do and things you can’t. If I were truly lawless and reckless, the person you see now wouldn’t be me… Perhaps it would be a notorious criminal wanted by the court. So you might as well be grateful to meet the current me.”

Helan Ci couldn’t help but mischievously pat his shoulder and said, “That’s good, keep it up.”

Lu Wuyou: “……”

Helan Ci had originally thought to have Shuangzhi mend the official robe, but in the end, since Lu Wuyou trusted her so much, she decided to challenge herself and give it a try with her slowly improving needlework.

The result was a sight too painful to behold; it could only be said that the hole was barely filled. The stitches were crooked and twisted, resembling worms, and she herself couldn’t bear to look at it.

Lu Wuyou held the robe, looked at it for a long time, and said with laughter, “Miss Helan’s craftsmanship is truly remarkable.”

Helan Ci gave in. “Just get someone to make a new one.”

“No need,” Lu Wuyou said. “I’ve decided to wear this one. It looks plain—no one will question my frugality when I wear it out.” As he spoke, he put it on himself.

Helan Ci: “……” She really wanted to cover her face in shame.

She… would definitely improve next time!

*****

After a month of a grand and intense land survey, the job was nearly done.

When preparing to return to the capital, Lu Wuyou’s fame had spread far and wide. A local academy’s master, who had once been his classmate, earnestly invited him to come and guide the students, and to critique their essays.

Since there wasn’t much else to do, Lu Wuyou casually agreed.

Helan Ci hadn’t expected that Lu Wuyou would also bring her along.

But she soon understood.

Before Lu Wuyou sat a long line of students waiting to have their essays reviewed, stretching far beyond sight. He sat at the desk prepared by the academy, patted the seat next to him, and said, “This is my wife. Her essays are quite good too. If I don’t have time to get to yours, you can consult her.”

Helan Ci: “…?”

She’d thought she was just here as decoration.

“Really? We can ask her?”

“The lady looks like that—shouldn’t she be wearing a veil? Can we really look at her directly?”

“I don’t dare go up… I’m afraid I won’t even be able to speak!”

“Me too…”

“Why are you all such cowards? If you won’t go, I will!”

Helan Ci waited for quite a while before seeing a younger academy disciple, blushing and holding the essay high with both hands, handing it to her.

As she received the essay, Helan Ci slowly calmed herself. She’d read so many essays already—there was no way she’d embarrass herself here. Steeling herself, she focused and began reading. Soon, she found the issues and calmly spoke up.

Her voice was soft and gentle, and as she spoke, she gave an inexplicable sense of trust and conviction without rushing or dragging.

“You really went up to her? What was it like? What did she look like up close?”

The student scratched his head. “I was so focused on listening to her speak that I didn’t pay much attention… but… I actually found her feedback very reasonable. I’d thought she was just…”

“Lu Daren’s wife can really critique essays?”

“Seriously? I want to ask her too!”

“Wait, I was here first!”

Before long, a line had formed in front of Helan Ci as well.

She sipped tea while reviewing essays, taking her time and being more patient than Lu Wuyou.

Lu Wuyou, on the other hand, breezed through each one with a glance, talking nonstop and moving on quickly.

Helan Ci thought that since not many people came to her, she wasn’t in a hurry and could afford to answer a few more questions. But then she noticed that the line in front of her was gradually getting longer than the one in front of Lu Wuyou—many people finished their consultation over there and immediately came to line up here.

She looked a bit confused, tugged at Lu Wuyou’s sleeve, and said, “Should I cover my face?”

Lu Wuyou paused his rapid review and reassured her, “Don’t worry. With this many people, they can’t all be here for your face.”

Helan Ci whispered, “…Because of my talent?”

Lu Wuyou quickly replied, “Yes, exactly. Hurry, or we won’t finish before nightfall.”

Helan Ci was inexplicably motivated by that.

A light gradually lit in her eyes, her posture straightened even more, her reading speed began to gradually quicken, and so did her speech.

The two worked rapidly, while those nearby whispered among themselves.

“Lu Daren and his wife are both so young and so good-looking… Is this what they mean by a perfect couple?”

“I’m so jealous. If I ever place first in the exams, could I marry such an amazing wife too?”

“…Why not dream bigger? Like joining the Grand Secretariat or heading the Ministry of Personnel?”

“Honestly, I never thought a woman reading essays could look so powerful. I’m going to tell my dad to let my sisters attend the school too.”

“Didn’t you hear Lady Helan earlier? So clear and logical—I bet if women could sit the imperial exam, she might become a juren or even a jinshi!”

“Where in the world could you find a more perfectly matched couple!”

As evening approached, Lu Wuyou finally finished reading and stretched his body that had been sitting all day. He glanced at the girl next to him, who was still speaking softly. Her speech was no longer the light and slow tone she usually used when talking to others, but rather the straightforward and almost thoughtless tone she had when she was retorting to him.

The evening glow fell on her cheek, casting a warm light.

The people in line also appeared respectful, without any hint of disdain. Although there were some who looked down on women who were unwilling to come, or sneered softly—but even they had to admit: at that moment, she seemed to shine.

Whether one is outstanding has never been determined by gender.

Helan Ci’s lips were dry from speaking. She reached for her teacup but found it empty. Just as she was about to ask someone to refill it, she saw Lu Wuyou saunter over, sleeves rolled up, gracefully pouring her tea.

She was taken aback: “You are done?”

In front of everyone, Lu Wuyou smiled gently and considerately, saying, “Yes, that’s why I’m here to help my wife by ‘adding tea with azure blue sleeves¹’.” Like a graceful gentleman.

…What a ridiculous line.

Helan Ci grumbled inwardly, then couldn’t help but glance up at him. That pretentious demeanor of his was strangely nostalgic. These days, he was either too carefree—or too eager, as if he was about to press her down and kiss her at any moment….

She took a sip of tea, continued reading, and soon felt Lu Wuyou’s intense gaze.
“I’m almost done too.”

After that Helan Ci tried hard to ignore Lu Wuyou beside her, quickly read through the remaining few pages, and was just about to rub her shoulders when she heard the last student unable to hold back and say, “Lu Daren and Helan Furen have such a good relationship.”

“……?”

They had barely exchanged a few words the entire day—how could they have reached that conclusion?

She turned to look at Lu Wuyou, who still smiled with unparalleled gentleness and thoughtfulness, his smile lingering, just like when he used to charm those little girls. Helan Ci said, “We can leave now. Can you at least put on a normal expression?”

Lu Wuyou looked puzzled. “How am I not normal? This is just how I always am.”

Helan Ci couldn’t quite pinpoint what was wrong, but ultimately, she blurted the comment she had wanted to say for a long time to him: “Indecent.”

Lu Wuyou was also momentarily stunned and said, “What’s inappropriate about this? I was just smiling kindly.”

Helan Ci said, “Young girls might get the wrong idea.” Like her younger cousin, for instance.

Lu Wuyou said, “That’s impossible. I smile at everyone like this—surely not everyone is going to misunderstand.”

Helan Ci couldn’t help saying, “…So you do know it’s a problem!”

Lu Wuyou mulled over what she’d just said, raised an eyebrow, and leaned in slightly with a faint smile at the corner of his lips. His tone was slow and deliberate: “Young girls might misunderstand—then did you misunderstand?”

At this time, the sky has turned dark, and the students who came to ask for guidance earlier have all dispersed.
He leaned in and quickly kissed her cheek, in public, almost shamelessly.

Helan Ci was shocked and then, pressed her hand on his shoulder, said, “Not here.”

“Oh.” Lu Wuyou finally responded leisurely, “How does it feel? Now you must believe that your article is indeed not bad, right? I wouldn’t misjudge.”

“Oh.” Lu Wuyou finally responded lazily, “So, how does it feel? Now do you believe your writing really isn’t bad? I’m not one to misjudge things.”

Helan Ci picked up her tea again, took a sip, then looked up at him with eyes bright and glowing. “I already knew that.”

Lu Wuyou: “…?”

*****

This time, they went further into the outskirts of the capital. Not only were there refugees, even the porridge stations were barely visible. A few officials from the Ministry of Revenue, exhausted from the journey, were resting at a teahouse near the post station outside the city, complaining non-stop.

“At the end of the year, we still have to balance accounts. Our Ministry of Revenue will be very busy again, while you Hanlin Academy are so idle.”

“The deficit from last year hasn’t been filled, and this year we have floods and famines again. The Ministry of War needs money to fight the Northern Di, the Ministry of Works needs money to repair the palace, the riverbanks need money for repairs, and the Ministry of Personnel even wants to raise the monthly salaries. The Second Prince hasn’t even made a move—if he really gets a fief, even emptying the National Treasury might not be enough for him.”

“Hey, be careful with your words!”

“I heard the Northern Di prince is coming soon—supposedly to propose a marriage alliance with a princess. If that really happens and we get a couple of years of peace, at least we can save on military expenses. Wouldn’t that be nice? Otherwise, if the accounts don’t balance, we’ll all be in trouble… and there’s the capital-wide assessment coming up. Maybe I should just retire early.”

“Hanlin Academy really is great…”

Lu Wuyou nodded along, after all, he had heard such words many times, while Helan Ci listened with great interest.

On the main road, horse-drawn carriages and riders occasionally passed by, and Helan Ci turned her head to look again, feeling a bit envious. Seeing this, Lu Wuyou said, “There are horses at the nearby inn; you can ride if you want.”

Helan Ci, who was eager, stood up and said, “Then I’ll go.”

The other officials who were still chatting were momentarily taken aback: “Ji’an, is your wife going to…”

“Surely she’s not going to…”

While they were still stunned, they saw a beautiful young woman in white negotiating with someone at the stables, then leading out a horse. Though her movements weren’t quite practiced, she swiftly and decisively mounted.

Everyone: “……”

Lu Wuyou naturally spoke in a gentle tone, “This is also my wife’s hobby, so you all don’t need to worry too much.”

Helan Ci gripped the reins tightly, slowly letting the horse take a few steps to get used to it. As soon as she found the rhythm, she couldn’t help but press her legs to the horse’s sides and urge it into a gallop.

There was a dense forest beside the post station. The horse charged in, hooves kicking up fallen leaves. The dappled light shifted rapidly under the trees. Wind howled past her ears. She couldn’t help smiling, feeling completely relaxed in body and soul.

But just then, she suddenly heard a crisp voice: “May I ask, miss, where are you heading?”

Helan Ci quickly pulled the reins.

At the same time, Zizhu, who had been following her, dropped down from a tree and blocked her path.

From the shadows of the forest came the sound of hoofbeats. Someone rode in on a tall horse, parting the dense foliage. He glanced at Zizhu, and said with a smile, “This must be your guard, right? Miss, are you from the capital?”

His attire was vastly different from that of Dayong, something like armor adorned with silver chains and various types of jade. His skin was a healthy bronze, his features strikingly defined and sharp like a blade. His hair was jet black, and a fang-like earring dangled from one earlobe. A silver scabbard and curved blade hung at his waist. His thick lashes and hair added a wild edge to his appearance—but when he smiled, there was a hint of boyish charm. He didn’t look very old, perhaps only sixteen or seventeen.

*****
Xiao Shao’an was lying in Consort Li’s arms, crying and complaining, “I don’t want to get married! I don’t want to!”

These days has been simply unbearable for her. First, she’d been grounded. Then, when Brother Lu was teaching the princes, her father, worried she’d embarrass herself again, forbade her from going—so she had no chance to see Brother Lu, and even began to envy her brother Xiao Nanxun.

Later, when Brother Lu offended people by submitting a memorial, she tried to visit him at the Censorate and was turned away at the door.

Then, he simply ran straight out of the capital, taking that woman with him!

In her dull, bitter longing, she suddenly received devastating news.

The Northern Di prince was coming to propose a marriage alliance. And the bride he had his eyes on… seemed to be her.

They said he’d heard that the Princess of Yong, Shao’an, was exceedingly beautiful with a free-spirited and lively personality. He was deeply admiring of her and wanted to marry her.

Years of continuous warfare have left both sides exhausted, and this year has been a year of disasters. Da Yong also does not wish to continue fighting and is naturally very willing to consider a marriage alliance.

But Xiao Shaoan wasn’t happy about it!

She even started to regret why she had spread rumors about her beauty everywhere.

What kind of place is Northern Di?

Harsh and cold! The borderlands! No luxurious clothes… oh, maybe there are, but without food, drink, and entertainment, she can’t maintain her extravagant lifestyle!

She would rather die than marry into that family!

Noble Consort Li gently stroked her head, soothingly saying, “It doesn’t have to be you. Our royal family has so many princesses and noble ladies; we can choose anyone for the marriage alliance.”

Xiao Shaoan’s eyes lit up, but then she drooped her head and said, “But none of them look better than me!”

It’s not that she hasn’t seen someone that looks better than her, but that…

Xiao Shaoan immediately had some thoughts again. He had heard that the customs of the Northern Di people were quite free and that they were very liberal regarding marriage. Even if one was already married, as long as the couple’s feelings were not harmonious, they could take away each other’s loved ones.

She immediately summoned the eunuch and said, “Go find out when Brother Lu and his people will be returning. Then go tell the Ministry of Rites to have the Northern Di prince arrive around the same time…”

The eunuch was very confused and said, “Princess, you plan to… but the timing might not match up…”

Xiao Shaoan angrily said, “You idiot! If that side doesn’t work, just send someone to stall for time. Can’t you handle such a small matter? Aren’t you very familiar with the Bureau of Ceremonies people? They definitely have to pass through the post station. Just let someone follow the reception of the Northern Di prince and lead him to Brother Lu…”

The eunuch still didn’t understand: “Princess, what do you mean by this…”

Xiao Shaoan couldn’t help but hit him on the head: “Of course, it’s to let him meet that Helan Ci! If they don’t meet…” She bit her finger and said, “Once they’re in the capital, I’ll figure something out.”

The eunuch stammered, “But… she’s already married.”

Xiao Shaoan’s expression darkened as he said, “If the young prince of Northern Di really takes a liking to her, like that lunatic shizi of the Cao family, then for the sake of national peace, someone might have to make a sacrifice…”

She didn’t want to say it out loud, but her brother was kind of crazy too.

The eunuch couldn’t understand his princess’s twisted logic. : “What if that Northern Di prince doesn’t like her?”

Xiao Shaoan instinctively said, “What kind of nonsense are you talking about? I almost… Get lost, get lost! That woman’s only relying on her face—go make the arrangements already!”

*****

Helan Ci instinctively became alert at this moment, turned the horse around, and was about to leave.

The young man, however, jumped down from his horse and smiled at her, saying, “Your horse seems very tired and doesn’t run well. Would you like to try my horse?”

The horse beside him was tall and sleek, with elegant limbs and a graceful build. Its coat was a velvety pale sheen, gleaming like satin. Even as it moved, it was light-footed and fluid—clearly an extraordinary steed.

Helan Ci looked at it and was genuinely tempted for a moment. Then she said coldly, “No need.”

“But I just saw you look like you really enjoy riding horses. Why not give it a try?” He patted his horse and said, “I haven’t seen anyone ride a horse so happily in a long time. You folks in the capital have strict rules about men and women not getting too close, but I’m not riding the same horse as you, so it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

Helan Ci politely said, “Thank you for your kindness, I will take my leave now.”

“Hey, you’re really leaving. At least tell me your name before you go!” The young man mounted his horse again and followed Helan Ci closely but not too closely, saying, “Is it really that hard to ask for a name? I have a huge stable with all kinds of famous horses.”

When Lu Wuyou arrived after hearing the news, he saw a Northern Di youth chasing after Helan Ci, chattering incessantly, full of enthusiasm.

This scene, he actually finds very familiar.

But for some reason, this time, it feels particularly unpleasant.

Helan Ci saw Lu Wuyou and immediately rode over to him, face full of “save me.” Just as Lu Wuyou’s lips were about to curl into a smile, he heard the Nirthern Di youth say, “Brother, where did you come from? Don’t you understand ‘first come, first served’?”

Hearing this, Helan Ci also found it particularly absurd and hurriedly said, “He…”

But before she could finish, Lu Wuyou raised an eyebrow and said, “Even if you came ten years earlier, you wouldn’t be earlier than me.”

Helan Ci: …

It’s not that many years, right?

The young man was taken aback by the words and said, “You two are childhood sweethearts? Oh, that’s fine. It’s better to come at the right time than to come too early. I think my arrival today is quite timely, perhaps it’s fate…”

Helan Ci finally couldn’t take it anymore and said, “He is my husband, I am married.”

The young man paused for a moment and said, “I don’t mind.”

Helan Ci: “……??? I mind.”

The Northern Di people are truly as shameless as ever.

Lu Wuyou leisurely strolled over, and at the moment the young man was lost in thought, he lifted his leg and kicked the horse’s belly, then stepped aside. The startled horse reared up and galloped away, and the young man could only manage to tighten the reins before being dragged along.

Behind them, a few guards followed closely, galloping along.

After everyone had left, he finally mounted Helan Ci’s horse, slid up behind her and took the reins. Just as he was about to speak, he saw Helan Ci staring blankly in the direction they had left, her eyes shining brightly.

She has never looked at him like this.

For a brief moment, Lu Wuyou felt a very subtle emotion welling up in his heart, very uncomfortable.

He called her name in a low voice, “……Helan Ci.”

Helan Ci finally came to her senses, turned to look at Lu Wuyou’s expression, and couldn’t help but say, “That horse runs really fast!”

Lu Wuyou: “……”