My Husband Became the Most Powerful Minister - Chapter 48

Lu Wuyou was silent for a moment, then said, “It’s not like you haven’t seen a fine horse during the sacrificial rites at the suburb .”

Helan Ci spoke the truth: “But I didn’t know how to ride back then, so I wouldn’t feel so…” envious.

She even had a wild thought: if the other party were a girl, perhaps she could have the nerve to borrow the horse and ride it…

Lu Wuyou turned his gaze to Helan Ci’s side profile, clearly lost in her own thoughts. He went silent again, unclear whether he was speechless at her or at his own earlier emotions. In the end, he said, “If you want one, just buy it. Horses like that are rare, but not impossible to find. At border markets, if you know a horse merchant and are willing to pay a high price, after waiting some time, you can get your hands on one.”

Helan Ci shook her head. “There’s nowhere to ride it anyway. And…” she hesitated, “they’re expensive, right? If it’s not necessary, buying such a fine horse is a waste.”

Lu Wuyou tilted his chin and said casually, “That person looks like an envoy from the Northern Di. If he’s not their little prince, then he’s someone of similar status. He’ll probably return to the courier station. If you really want to ride it that badly, I can help you ask to borrow it.”

“…?”

Helan Ci turned to look at him.

Why hadn’t she thought of that?

Lu Wuyou also turned to meet her gaze. Seeing that flicker of emotion on her face, he felt a subtle sense of displeasure.

Even though that guy had pursued her relentlessly, she didn’t look annoyed or scared, as if she didn’t feel offended at all. He lowered his voice: “You like that horse that much?”

Helan Ci coughed, “Not that much. Just… thought it was pretty nice.”

Lu Wuyou couldn’t help but say, “Do you only like the horse not…”

Helan Ci realized what he meant, and thinking he suspected her, grew indignant: “I’m already married!”

Lu Wuyou didn’t seem comforted at all. Immune to her declaration, he asked, “What if you weren’t?”

Helan Ci added, “He’s a Northern Di man.”

“You sure have a lot of reservations.” Lu Wuyou sighed lightly, “What if he were from Dayong?”

Helan Ci replied, “Even then… it’s not possible. Why do you have so many hypothetical questions?” She merely felt that although the youth from earlier had been annoying, his attitude hadn’t been threatening or disrespectful. She didn’t like him, but it was hard to genuinely hate him either.

Lu Wuyou didn’t indicate whether he was satisfied or not with that answer. He just nudged his horse and shrugged, “I have nothing to do, just asking.”

After entering the city, everyone went their separate ways.

Back at the residence, Helan Ci actually felt a bit nostalgic. But just as she sat down, before even taking a sip of water, the temporary steward hurried in with account books.

“Furen, thank goodness you’re back!”

Lu Wuyou was still changing clothes, while Helan Ci was dragged away to work without a moment’s rest.

…Why did it feel like she was more important in this household than he was?

As the weather cooled, disputes arose over purchasing winter clothes. Some tried to pocket extra money, some were confused on how to handle gifts from others… There were so many trivial matters. Helan Ci casually tied up her hair and got to work.

After dinner, Hua Weiling excitedly asked, “Are there any gifts?”

Lu Wuyou said, “Yes.”

Helan Ci turned her head, surprised—when had he bought them?

Lu Wuyou had already had two chests carried in and opened. Inside were various trinkets: rouge, powder, hand fans, clothing, and such.

He added, “One chest is mine, the other is from your sister-in-law.”

Hua Weiling beamed, rolled up her sleeves, and happily began digging through the boxes. “Thank you, Brother! Thank you, Sister-in-law!”

While she was rummaging through the chests, a stranger quietly approached. Helan Ci was startled. Lu Wuyou whispered next to her ear, “The one who writes storybooks.”

…How did this person come out of the room?

He looked completely different now from when she first saw him lying on the ground, battered and miserable. After a month or so, he had recovered well. His long black hair draped over one shoulder, loosely tied, and he had a gentle, almost delicate appearance—so refined that he faintly resembled the demeanor Lu Wuyou pretended to have.

He smiled with a pleasant temper, “Greetings to both benefactors. I was too bored inside, so I came out for a bit. If this is inappropriate, I can return to the room.”

Helan Ci leaned over and whispered, “…You trust him?”

Lu Wuyou murmured back, “I asked a divine doctor I know to examine him. His brain is really damaged.”

Helan Ci was still worried. “What if he tricks Weiling?”

Lu Wuyou gave her a sideways glance. “Relax, my sister’s heart might be even bigger than yours.”

Helan Ci: “…”

That didn’t sound like a compliment.

The next day, Lu Wuyou went to report for duty and visit his mentor’s estate. Helan Ci finally remembered there were still two women in the household and asked the temporary steward.

“They’ve been pretty quiet these days,” he replied.

Helan Ci thought for a moment and decided to check on them herself.

She had no idea that Yulian and Ruoyan had been living in constant fear since they arrived.

They grew up in Yizhou, were taught from young to master arts like qin, chess, calligraphy, and painting, poetry, singing, how to please men—even the way they walked and spoke was strictly trained. Although they were still chaste, they knew a thing or two about the art of bedroom things, just waiting to be bought by a powerful man. Yet without the fate to become a main wife, with their looks, they’d get brief favor at best. If lucky, they’d bear children; if not, they could be abused or killed. After hearing too many stories about such endings, it was inevitable that they would be terrified.

Even if Lu Daren showed no interest in them, it didn’t stop others from seeing them as threats.

Though Helan Furen looked like a fairy and spoke kindly, there were plenty of seemingly gentle main wives but actually were cruel and ruthless. When the master is away, they could easily find an opportunity to have them killed or sold to a low-class brothel on a whim—it wouldn’t be unheard of.

They waited one day, two days…

Over a month had passed, and they were still being fed and housed. They had nothing to do except copying books. Life was plain but not lacking. A neat-looking, pretty girl even asked them, “Want to read storybooks?”

At last, Helan Ci returned and came to see them. She asked a couple of questions, then said, “Have you written any essays?”

Yulian and Ruoyan: “…?” Utterly confused.

With Lu Wuyou gone, fewer people submitted essays to their address. Helan Ci had thoroughly enjoyed reviewing essays at the academy, and now she felt a bit of withdrawal. Seeing their confusion, she asked again, “You didn’t write any?”

The two women exchanged glances, then obediently took out some poems they had written out of boredom.

Helan Ci sat down and seriously began critiquing them.

Yulian and Ruoyan: “…?” Even more confused.

Helan Ci read them carefully. To be fair, the two girls had some talent—their boudoir poems were more elegant and spirited than those of Lu Wuyou’s cousin. After reading, she asked, “How are you doing with your reading?”

…Why did this sound exactly like a teacher asking about homework?

Both women gave earnest answers.

Helan Ci nodded. Since they couldn’t be sent away for the time being, she said, “If you don’t understand something in the books, feel free to ask me. If you find it boring, I can give you essay topics every ten days. Writing essays is more fun than poetry. You should try it. There are lots of collections in the study.”

…It really was a teacher!

Moreover, the two women both felt that since this return, Helan Furen’s demeanor had become even more easygoing—either extremely tolerant or simply indifferent. It was as if she didn’t care about inner courtyard drama at all. In addition, her beauty was even more dazzling and unrestrained than before.

Ruoyan finally gathered her courage and asked, “Furen, do you truly not mind us?”

Helan Ci replied, “Mind what… ah…” Only then did she suddenly recall her earlier worries. Though their conversation had been cut short, Lu Wuyou didn’t seem like a man of purity and restraint… but strangely, she didn’t feel so worried anymore.

It was a kind of trust she couldn’t quite explain even to herself.

After thinking for a while, she said, “It’s never about whether I mind. It all depends on… uh, Lu Daren’s intentions.”

Though his thoughts were indeed hard to guess.

That night, when Lu Wuyou returned home, he found his wife once again battling with needle and thread. At first, he didn’t pay it much mind, but when he glanced over and saw the needle pricked into her finger, a bead of bl00d welled up.

It wasn’t a big deal, but for a brief moment, Lu Wuyou felt like he had been pricked too.

“If you can’t learn it, then just forget it.” He walked over, took the embroidery frame from her hands, and said, “You can just buy ready-made ones.”

Helan Ci didn’t agree. “I’ve realized sewing and embroidery is actually really important.” She spoke earnestly. “What if one day I fall into hardship, with tattered clothes—if I can’t even sew them properly, that’d be too embarrassing.”

Lu Wuyou grabbed her finger and put it in his mouth, mumbling, “Next time, I’ll sew it myself.”

Helan Ci wasn’t so sure. “…You know how to?”

Lu Wuyou replied, “No, but I can stitch wounds.”

Helan Ci: “…”

Lu Wuyou smiled faintly, “I studied medicine for a while back home. I can even stitch up ripped guts and intestines, so sewing clothes shouldn’t be too hard.”

Helan Ci couldn’t help but say, “…Those two can’t be compared!”

“Why not?” Lu Wuyou licked the bl00d from her fingertip, then followed the line of her hand, kissed her palm and wrist softly—his touch carrying a bit of heat. Unknowingly he began to ramble nonsense again, he muttered, “Can’t you treat my wife a little better?”

“I am treating myself well.” Helan Ci was puzzled. “What nonsense are you talking about?”

Lu Wuyou leaned in and whispered in her ear, “I mean, compared to you, I thinkit¹feels more like my wife.”

At first Helan Ci didn’t get it. Then, realizing what he was referring to, her face instantly flushed a deep red.

After that day, Helan Ci continued to try her hand at sewing and embroidery a few more times. Though still far from mastery, she wasn’t without progress—at least she felt she was slowly getting the hang of it…

But every time when sewing, she still blushes and finds it hard to look directly.

Lu Wuyou, on the other hand, became increasingly comfortable being toyed with by her, even going so far as to whisper his demands and suggestions for her improvement in her ear, and amidst the pointers, he would accuse her of not being gentle enough.

Helan Ci felt that she was already being gentle!

At that kind of times, tension dominated most of the emotions, how could one possibly be completely calm and composed!

Lu Wuyou would usually kiss and hug her, and in the end, both of them were in dishevelled clothes, with Lu Wuyou looking very satisfied.

Helan Ci pulled her wrist away from him, picked up the embroidery frame again, and blushed as she said, “Don’t worry about me, this isn’t difficult. I’m sure I can learn it, and I won’t…” She tried to overcome her embarrassment and said, “I won’t make things difficult for your wife.”

Seeing her insist, Lu Wuyou said, “Alright, then take your time, don’t be so hasty. It’s okay if you can’t learn it right away; after all, no one can learn everything quickly.” He suddenly remembered something, “By the way, Shaoyan’s wedding is in a few days. He sent me an invitation too. Do you want to go see the… cough, wedding?”

Helan Ci suddenly remembered, before leaving, Lu Wuyou said that Lin Zhang and Second Miss Wei’s wedding date was set.

She has developed a conditioned reflex; upon hearing the name Lin Zhang, she immediately thinks he’s in trouble.

Clearly, putting aside the matter of marriage, Lin Zhang comes from a prestigious family, with a wealthy background. He has excelled in his studies and is considered exceptionally talented, with a bright future ahead. Yet, how could he be so unlucky…

“……There shouldn’t be any more incidents at his wedding banquet, right? Is Miss Wei really willing?”

After all, everyone still vividly remembers the incident when Duke Cao Shizi caused a scene at the wedding banquet. Yunyang Junzhu has refused to marry again, possibly because she developed a certain fear of wedding banquets.

Lu Wuyou smiled and said, “You’ll know once you go.”

A few days later.

Helan Ci and Lu Wuyou boarded the carriage together and even brought gifts.

Logically speaking, if a couple has already been betrothed and one of them calls off the engagement, it would be inappropriate to attend the other’s wedding banquet. However, only her father and Lu Wuyou might know about her and Lin Zhang’s verbal engagement. Since outsiders are unaware, it is not an issue.

Helan Ci was still a bit conflicted, but Lu Wuyou comforted her, saying, “I was so busy at our wedding banquet that I didn’t even get to say a couple of words to him. He probably didn’t even see you at all, so there’s no need to worry.”

The wedding banquet was held at the residence of the Duke of Kangning, with the entire long street adorned with red silk. Behind the wedding procession was a genuine ten-mile-long display of red bridal decorations.

Xunyang Gongzhu specially went to ask the emperor to grant her only beloved granddaughter the title of county princess, and personally prepared her dowry. Xunyang Gongzhu’s fiefdom was well-known for its immense wealth, and since she only has this one legitimate granddaughter, she is eager to give her everything good. It’s truly hard to compare.

Helan Ci saw the grand wedding ceremony from afar.

She took a moment to react: “Why isn’t it at the Lin residence?”

Lu Wuyou said, “Isn’t Shaoyan marrying Second Miss Wei?”

Helan Ci exclaimed in shock, “Huh? Young Master Lin is marrying into her family?”

Lu Wuyou couldn’t help but chuckle and said, “It’s just that Xunyang Gongzhu found the Lin residence too small, so she moved it here. She has great influence, so whatever she says goes.”

Over there, they are beating gongs and drums to welcome the bride, while here, Helan Ci and Lu Wuyou are getting off the carriage.

As soon as she got off, she saw a rather familiar luxurious sedan chair, adorned with large clusters of gold and silver thread peonies that were quite eye-catching. The princess’s entourage cleared the way in front, and Shao’an Gongzhu was being supported by a servant. Upon seeing Lu Wuyou, her big eyes instantly sparkled with infinite brilliance and a hint of grievance.

Helan Ci couldn’t help but whisper, “The princess is still not giving up.”

Lu Wuyou also said, “I think Xiao Nanxun hasn’t given up either.”

The two avoided the topic, deciding not to touch this bad luck.

Xiao Shao’an couldn’t stay and go with them, so she could only stomp her foot and went inside. As soon as she entered, someone followed her. The handsome Northern Di young man with wheat-colored skin rode his horse not far behind, his beast-tooth earrings swaying lightly. When he saw Helan Ci, his eyes lit up, and he immediately rode over, smiling, “Miss, we meet again.”

Lu Wuyou already knew who he was.

He spoke in a distant and polite manner, “Greetings to Prince Luo Chen, but I wonder if you Northern Di have the custom of calling married women ‘miss’?”

The little prince named Luo Chen didn’t care at all: “But I think she’s still young, about the same age as me. It should be fine calling her ‘’miss’ right? ‘madam’ is just too old-fashioned!”

Lu Wuyou said, “I heard that Northern Di King has offered large sums of money to hire many scholars to teach poetry, literature, and etiquette in Northern Di. I thought the Northern Di King truly admired the etiquette of Dayong.”

Luo Chen said confidently, “What we study is etiquette, not unnecessary formalities.”

Lu Wuyou, with a smile that seemed like a smile but wasn’t, said, “Your Highness, is it proper etiquette to approach and converse closely with a woman who is already married?”

Luo Chen said, “Is it that after the women of Dayong get married, they can’t talk to other men? We haven’t done anything out of line, why are you being so strict?”

Helan Ci felt that arguing about this in front of the gate was really embarrassing.

She and Lu Wuyou were already eye-catching, and with the addition of a Northern Di Prince, they simply attracted onlookers to gather around.

Helan Ci immediately pulled Lu Wuyou, signaling him to hurry and leave. Lu Wuyou understood and stopped arguing.

Fortunately, the ceremony over there has already started, and the wedding procession is beating drums and gongs; the process is going smoothly.

Miss Wei was helped down from the sedan chair by the matchmaker, and Lin Zhang took the red silk cloth from the side, his expression showing no signs of joy or anger. Those who knew the details couldn’t help but feel a sense of sympathy.

Lu Wuyou was very leisurely at this moment: “Are you heartbroken?”

Helan Ci sympathized for a while, then her mood shifted in no time, and her attention turned elsewhere: “Stop talking nonsense, how much silver did you spend on that wedding dress?”

The level of her wedding dress grandeur is actually on par with Miss Wei’s dress. Of course, others might not notice, since almost all women’s wedding dresses are extravagant. It’s just that she is particularly concerned about the fabric’s price, which is why she is so fixated on it.

Lu Wuyou didn’t expect her to ask this, and replied, “A few hundred taels, what’s the matter?”

Helan Ci turned in shock: “Are you crazy?”

Lu Wuyou naturally said, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime event for me, what’s the big deal?” He lowered his voice, deciding to provoke her a bit more, “Originally, the orice was this much, but because the wedding date is tight and you delayed for a long time before getting your body measured, to rush the work, the price was doubled.”

Helan Ci was left speechless: “Before you get your house confiscated, you really have no sense in spending your silver, right?”

When she returned, she’ll put that wedding dress on display.

Lu Wuyou smiled and said, “So I’ll have to rely on you for being frugal and managing the household.”

Of course, outsiders couldn’t hear what they were saying; they could only see Lu Wuyou’s calm demeanor, while Helan Ci looked furious, as if deeply angered, biting her lip and lowering her head in restraint.

Just now, the little prince Luo Chen had moved to the side, but now he moved back and asked, “What are you talking about?”

Helan Ci had no intention of paying him any attention.

Who would have thought this little prince would be so bold: “Did he bully you?”

Lu Wuyou said, “Your Highness, you really are being too meddlesome.”

Luo Chenfan: “I’m just being righteous. If he bullies you, just let me know! I will never stand by and do nothing!”

Helan Ci was also helpless, were they that familiar with each other?

They just met once, and didn’t even say a couple of words.

She had no choice but to speak coldly and politely: “Your Highness, thank you for your kindness, he did not bully me. Why don’t you go and accompany… uh, the princess?”

Luo Chen casually said, “No. I don’t like her, and she doesn’t like me either. But she’s a nice person and even encouraged me to pursue what I like, telling me not to care about societal norms at all.”

Lu Wuyou said, “Didn’t she tell you that our marriage is going really well?”

“Oh, she said you two have no feelings for each other.” Luo Chen laughed heartily, “But don’t worry, I’ve decided to see for myself.”

The wedding ceremony over there has also concluded, and it’s time to send them to the bridal chamber. Just then, Miss Wei suddenly said, “Let’s lift the veil here. I really don’t have the patience to wait in the bridal chamber for a couple of hours.”

Everyone was astonished.

Only Xunyang Gongzhu, sitting at the head of the table, spoke in a rather gentle tone: “Then we shall go with what she said.”

Naturally, the loving father, the Duke of Kangning, would not go against his daughter’s wishes.

Lin Zhang’s expression was exceptionally stiff. His father, Lin Daren, was the head of the Taichang Temple, responsible for rituals. From a young age, he emphasized etiquette, and Lin Zhang was equally meticulous. Seeing his father, Lin Daren, who was also in great pain, with his eyes closed, he waved his hand at him, urging him to do as told.

The person next to him handed over the auspicious scale².

The situation was truly awkward yet funny.

He couldn’t help but lift the ceremonial scale, uncover the veil, and then a shout “the ceremony is over” sounded. Miss Wei had already lifted the veil and stood up, looking around. She casually picked up a wine jug from the side, revealing two tiger-like teeth with a smirk: “Where’s the feast? Let’s go, let’s drink.”

Lin Zhang pressed his forehead.

Miss Wei said: “If you don’t want to, you can wait for me in the bridal chamber.”

Not only was Lin Zhang’s expression complicated to describe, but also the expressions of the guests present were equally difficult to put into words.

Helan Ci tugged at Lu Wuyou’s sleeve, wanting to say a few words, but before he could speak, Luo Chen beside said, “Your wedding custom is quite interesting; no wonder the princess asked me to come and see.”

This was really getting a bit annoying.

Perhaps others wouldn’t notice, but Helan Ci could see the half-smile, half-frown expression on Lu Wuyou’s face, and knew he was probably quite displeased.

Immediately, Helan Ci pulled up Lu Wuyou’s sleeve: “Let’s go to the banquet.”

Lu Wuyou was led away by her, and his mood seemed to improve a bit. Helan Ci then comforted him: “Are you feeling unhappy? Don’t worry, I won’t disregard your feelings.” Helan Ci assured him, “I won’t pay attention to him anymore.”

Lu Wuyou steadied himself and felt something was off, so he turned his head and softly said, “Did I help you block yourrotten peach blossom³?”

Helan Ci nodded and said, “Yes.” While speaking, she also patted his shoulder, doing her best to take care of his emotions.

No, he didn’t.

This inexplicable thought flashed through his mind. Lu Wuyou quickly adjusted his strange emotions and, with a slightly smiling tone, said, “Let’s go, what are we waiting for?”

Helan Ci breathed a sigh of relief when he saw him return to normal, but she couldn understand.

If the princess keeps getting close to them and constantly picking trouble, she would also get annoyed.

At the banquet, the awkwardness remained.

In this segment, it is usually the groom who raises a cup to toast, while the bride waits in the bridal chamber. But at this moment, it is Miss Wei, dressed in her splendid wedding gown, who is raising a cup and chatting with her noble lady friends.

Lin Zhang has a moderate alcohol tolerance. After being forced to drink dozens of cups by his colleagues, he is now somewhat flushed.

Miss Wei finished exchanging pleasantries and toasting with everyone, then came over to look at him. She was drunk more than Lin Zhang, yet still managed to tease, “If you can’t hold your wine, then don’t drink. Or is it that you…” She glanced at the beautiful girl sitting not far away with her husband, “Can’t forget your old flame?”

After she lost interest in Lu Wuyou, she felt utterly disheartened, thinking that no matter how good-looking a man was, he was still just a man. At least Lin Zhang seemed honest. Her grandmother had repeatedly advised her, saying that Lin Zhang was a decent match, so she might as well settle for him—this way, she could avoid being sent off to marry a foreign prince at the last minute. Although she wasn’t a royal, her status wasn’t far off.

Of course, Wei Yun didn’t mind that Lin Zhang was originally attracted to someone else; anyway, she didn’t like him.

Lin Zhang was already half-drunk, and with her saying that, he felt even more embarrassed and speechless.

“I’m not!”

Wei Yun said, “Come on, come on, let’s have a farewell drink. I’ve already forgotten Lu Wuyou, why can’t you forget her?” After saying that, she dragged his arm and walked over there.

Helan Ci had just sat down and eaten for a while, and Lu Wuyou had just finished a cup of wine. When they looked up, they saw the newlywed couple walking towards them.

Wei Yun originally came over to toast with Lin Zhang, but upon seeing Helan Ci in a daze and Lu Wuyou looking absent-minded, she felt inexplicably angry and said, “You guys aren’t still like before, are you?”

Helan Ci recalled the scene of their last unpleasant parting at the lake.

She wanted to explain, “Last time there was a misunderstanding, it wasn’t what you saw…” But she couldn’t say it was all an act, so she said, “He treats me well in private, he respects me.”

Wei Yun didn’t believe it and sneered: “You still dare to defend him!”

Lu Wuyou ignored her as well; he really didn’t like this Miss Wei. He simply raised his wine to Lin Zhang and said, “Congratulations.”

Lin Zhang was just about to clink glasses when Wei Yun said, “Are you still going to toast with him? Are you stupid? I asked you to come over to toast Miss Helan! Why are you paying attention to him?”

Everyone knows that Miss Wei is notorious for being disrespectful and having a terrible temper—she has caused a scene at her own birthday party, so it’s not surprising that she would do the same at a wedding.

The onlookers have quietly started gathering around.

Lin Zhang had heard Lu Wuyou’s explanation and knew it was a misunderstanding, but it wasn’t a good idea to expose it at the moment. Otherwise, when Lu Wuyou and Helan Ci’s acting was revealed, and Wei Yun knew she was being tricked, she might get even angrier. In the awkwardness, he pulled the sleeve of Wei Yun’s wedding dress and whispered, “Let’s go.”

“Go where! Be frank! Lin Shaoyan, if you’re a man, cut ties with someone like Lu Wuyou who doesn’t even know how to cherish his wife!”

Wei Yun’s voice is charming, but her tone is clear and resonant, particularly striking and authoritative.

Lin Zhang immediately wanted to find a crack in the ground to hide in.

Lu Wuyou actually didn’t care, because Miss Wei’s reputation was poor, and hardly anyone would believe the words of such a spoiled young lady.

Helan Ci rubbed her forehead, stood up, and explained again, “Miss Wei, you misunderstood. What you saw last time was just us playing around. Our relationship is not bad in private. Moreover…” Her tone gradually turned cold, “This is our couple’s affection.”

Indeed, people were aware that in the past Miss Wei also had feelings for the renowned Scholar Lu, she even spread rumors to deter other noble ladies from harboring any thoughts.

But now that both sides have married, it’s a bit inappropriate for her to take the initiative to pick a fight—especially with such an awkward reason.

But who doesn’t know? He even wore the strange embroidered pouch made by his wife. During the land survey, he still has to bring his wife along. With such a sweet and sticky marriage, how could he not cherish his wife… Moreover, it’s Helan Ci!

Everyone just thought it was Miss Kangning causing a scene at her own wedding banquet. Anyway, her father, Duke Kangning , and her grandmother, Xunyang Gongzhu, wouldn’t care—if they really did, they wouldn’t have raised her to have such a temperament.

The only one who felt the most embarrassed was probably Lin Zhang.

As expected, his father, Lin Daren, had left with his wife early after the wedding ceremony, and most of the guests at the banquet were relatives and friends of the bride.

At that moment, a refreshing young voice sounded, the one who had been watching the lively scene for a while: “Ah, he really bullied you! I asked you just now, but you wouldn’t admit it.”

…why are there still more people coming to cause trouble!

His appearance was also quite eye-catching. Those who had heard of him immediately said, “That seems to be the little prince of Northern Di.”

“Who is he talking to?”

“Miss Helan, right?” the speaker couldn’t help but sigh, “Truly worthy of being Miss Helan! Even after getting married, her admirers remain countless. The Northern Di prince has only been here for a short while, and already…”

Wei Yun snorted coldly, and simply stopped toasting. She raised his cup and drank the wine in one go, saying, “It’s not just bullying! I think he treats his wife like a servant.”

Luo Chen was taken aback by the voice: “Is what xianzhu said true?”

Wei Yun, tipsy, looked at him and said, “I saw it with my own eyes, how could it be fake? By the way, who are you?”

Luo Chen said, “I’m Luo Chen, can you tell me more?”

Lin Zhang finally couldn’t care about shame and etiquette anymore. He stepped forward and grabbed Wei Yun, trying to pull her away: “Stop talking nonsense, you’re drunk…” He turned to Helan Ci and Lu Wuyou, “Please be understanding, she didn’t mean any harm… I will definitely…”

Wei Yun broke free from him: “Lin Shaoyan, what are you doing! I want to say something, let me say it… Her husband doesn’t care about her!” She also pointed at Lu Wuyou, “He’s just a, hic, pretty face, but…”

Helan Ci couldn’t help but raise her voice, “Miss Wei, you…” Why doesn’t this person listen to what others say!

Lu Wuyou tugged at her sleeve, signaling her to calm down.

It seems that amidst this chaos, only he, the one who is supposed to be the one being talked about, remains calm, feeling as if he was watching a play.

He pulled her down to sit, handed her a teacup to drink, and even poured himself a glass of wine, speaking in a low voice to Helan Ci, “Don’t get angry, it’s unnecessary.”

Helan Ci also whispered, “She’s scolding you.”

Lu Wuyou said calmly: “I’ll write a memorial to scold her later.”

She inexplicably calmed down.

The speaker has no intention, but the listener has an interest.

Before coming, Shao’an Gongzhu learned that Luo Chen was inquiring about the woman he encountered in the forest. She immediately had a gossipy look on her face and said, “The one you’re talking about, we in the capital know her well… Oh, that couple has no feelings for each other; it’s all just for show. There’s some secrecy involved… It’s because of that former Shizi of Duke of Cao, so she had no choice but to marry for the sake of her reputation… miserable before she got married, and even more miserable after she got married. You can tell by the way she dresses, how can a wife of an official dress like that… I guess they will get divorced sooner or later.” She also smiled and encouraged him, “… You want to save her from that misery, I support you! She is so bound by etiquette, she doesn’t say it on the surface, but she must be very unhappy in her heart!”

Luo Chen was initially half-convinced.

Hearing the words of this xianzhu made him even more certain.

Moreover, she doesn’t even dare to speak to him when he’s around, she must be under severe oppression.

The young man, full of youthful vigor, couldn’t help but let his emotions take over. Without considering where he was, Luo Chen instantly drew the silver-sheathed curved knife from his waist and pointed the tip of the sheath at Lu Wuyou, who was just about to bring the wine cup to his lips with an indifferent expression: “Let’s have a contest! According to our Northern Di customs, whoever wins the contest must grant the other a favor! You can choose any physical contest you want!”

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was in an uproar.

Only Wei Yun heard this, clapped his hands and said, “Good, I support you! Are you going to compete right here? What shall the competition is?”

The scene was both absurdly funny and exciting—reminding one of the wedding ceremony of Cao Shizi, which was also quite a spectacle.

Only Lin Zhang felt like he was about to faint at any moment.