My Husband Became the Most Powerful Minister - Chapter 64

After all that fuss, it was already close to midnight.

Helan Ci needed to head back too, but when she looked at the stack of yellow paper she had brought, she hesitated a little. After all, it had cost her money—just tossing it felt like a waste.

Lu Wuyou caught the look in her eyes, his eyes flickering, and said, “Is this prepared for me?”

Helan Ci felt a bit awkward: “Otherwise, it would be hard to find an excuse to come out.” It did feel a little inauspicious.

Unexpectedly, Lu Wuyou didn’t mind at all and said, “Then just burn it for me now. Consider it early payment to King Yama¹—I’ll use it sooner or later anyway.”

Helan Ci said in surprise, “……? You’re quite open-minded.”

Lu Wuyou replied casually, “Life and death are fate. It’s not like just shouting ‘I don’t want to die’ will make me immortal. There’s no need for so many taboos.”

Since it was meant to be burned anyway, the yellow paper lit up quickly when touched with a fire iron. Lu Wuyou had somehow got a small brazier, and Helan Ci began tearing the paper sheet by sheet, tossing them in.

The flames burned brightly on the ground, casting light over both their faces.

This late at night, it was actually a little eerie.

But Helan Ci suddenly recalled that time during the suburban sacrifice, when the two of them burned evidence together. Separated by a charcoal basin, they gazed at each other quietly, just like the scene now. The scene mirrored the present almost exactly. Only back then, they hadn’t been very familiar, and the atmosphere had been rather awkward.

Now that she thought about it, it felt like a thing from a past life.

With that thought, the corners of Helan Ci’s lips curved up, a smile surfacing.

Lu Wuyou, poking at the yellow paper with fire tongs, looked up and said, “Burning paper for me makes you this happy?”

Helan Ci restrained her smile and hesitated, “Should I… burn some for myself too?”

Lu Wuyou said, “That’s not necessary. It doesn’t matter who it is for. I can’t go down there and then treat you harshly.”

…Can they talk about something normal?

Then Lu Wuyou suddenly remembered something. “Your mother… she passed away already, right? Should we burn some for her too?”

Helan Ci nodded, then shook her head. “My father visits her grave every Qingming Festival. She probably doesn’t lack for offerings.”

That was something her father always remembered to do, no matter how busy he was with official duties.

It’s just that her mother had died so suddenly, not even a portrait had been left behind.

After a while, Helan Ci said softly, “They say she was very beautiful too… It’s just a shame I never got to see her.”

Lu Wuyou slackened his grip on the tongs. “When did it happen?”

She hadn’t made it clear, but he clearly knew what she meant.

“From the time I can remember, she was already gone,” Helan Ci said quietly. “When I was little, I didn’t understand. I used to ask my father why other kids had mothers and I didn’t. Later, I stopped asking. But I still felt a little envious.” She paused. “What was your mother like?”

Lu Wuyou replied, “She was a cheerful person. Probably didn’t have many worries. When Weiling was young, she was pretty quiet—but spending time with my mother changed that. Even her hobbies became exactly the same. My father isn’t very talkative, but my mother could chatter on forever by herself, so the house was always lively—sometimes too lively. She would also keep a close eye on me with endless nagging. I felt much freer after I left.”

Helan Ci couldn’t help but say, “……Is there anyone that talks more than you?”

Lu Wuyou shot her a side glance. “Don’t I only talk like this with you? I can’t spout nonsense like this in front of others.”

Helan Ci was silent for a moment. She kind of wanted to point out that before they were familiar, he used to talk quite a lot too.

But she smiled instead. Somehow, this current atmosphere felt very relaxed.

“I’m still a little jealous of you…”

Lu Wuyou gave a small shake of his shoulders. “Not to mention anything else. This, i will definitely satisfy you.”

Helan Ci blinked. “Huh?”

“A lively home, full of chatter,” Lu Wuyou chuckled. “If nothing else, that much I can guarantee.”

Helan Ci: “…”

Well… it was kind of touching.

When she suddenly came to her senses, she realized she was talking to Lu Wuyou about things she’d almost never brought up before.

It was extremely quiet at midnight, the sound of burning paper was crisp and clear.

Most of the yellow paper was gone by now.

In this kind of deep night, it somehow felt like sharing a few heartfelt truths was permissible.

“Actually…” Helan Ci’s voice dropped even softer, “I’m really happy to see you.”

Lu Wuyou’s eyes flicked to her face, then dropped again. “Are you trying to seduce me again?”

“…”

Helan Ci rolled her eyes. “You’re way too easily seduced.”

Lu Wuyou asked, “Don’t you have any understanding of your own appearance?”

Helan Ci hesitated. “But… you didn’t used to. I thought you were indifferent about my face…”

“I’m not blind,” Lu Wuyou said. “I just didn’t know what kind of person you were back then.”

Helan Ci grew curious. “So what kind of person do you think I am now?”

A dozen answers welled up in Lu Wuyou’s heart, resting on the tip of his tongue—but for some reason, none of them made it out.

She was still looking at him with those clear, luminous eyes.

In the past, whenever Lu Wuyou went out, he was never one to dwell on attachments—he knew his mother and sister would take care of themselves. Having left home young, he’d never been clingy. But on this trip, he realized… he wasn’t as unattached as he thought.

While in Lin City, he heard the news of her coming, he rushed back without rest, terrified he’d arrive too late and miss her. If it were the old him, he would’ve scoffed at such behavior.

But ever since he learned she might be coming to Yizhou, that anticipation and excitement had been impossible to suppress.

The mind is not clear enough, nor rational enough.

It felt like watching himself fall deeper and deeper—and being powerless to stop it.

Maybe she should’ve kept more distance. If she had, he might not be so drawn to her all the time.

After a long pause, Lu Wuyou smiled and said, “Silly girl.”

Helan Ci widened her eyes. “Speak properly! Don’t casually insult people.”

Lu Wuyou said, “You’re asking me what kind of person you are when you already know. Isn’t that silly?”

Helan Ci went quiet for a while, then muttered, “You really know how to ruin the mood.”

“If I don’t ruin the mood, what else can I do? I can look, but I can’t eat,” Lu Wuyou said, his tone carrying a trace of resentment. “Don’t think that just because I can’t do anything to you, you can tease me however you like.”

Helan Ci said, “…… Have you really endured for so long?”

Lu Wuyou slightly leaned closer to her: “Are you doubting me?”

Helan Ci coughed and said, “It’s just that you…”

Lu Wuyou still couldn’t resist and gave her cheek a soft kiss. “Don’t say such sarcastic things. If I hadn’t endured for so long, I wouldn’t have… I really shouldn’t have touched you. Now I can’t stop thinking about it.”

As the warm, soft touch lingered on her cheek, Helan Ci’s face flushed. She tossed the remaining yellow paper into the brazier and said, “Let’s change the subject. I just remembered—didn’t you mention that Riverway Inspector General Ju Jingquan was a fellow jinshi of my father? I should be able to call him ‘shibo’. If I visit him as his ‘Shu niece,’ it shouldn’t be too strange. I can also pretend that you left something for me, suspecting that you were harmed in Yizhou, and then use the excuse that I hope he can protect me and help me uncover the truth…”

Lu Wuyou said, “It can be done, but your father doesn’t have a good relationship with him.”

Helan Jin is renowned for his integrity, but this Daren is inherently greedy. it would be weird if their relationship is good.

Helan Ci said, “It doesn’t matter. Outsiders might think that my relationship with my father isn’t good. I can just hint that I want to live a life of luxury and that my relationship with my father isn’t harmonious. After all, he has never seen me and doesn’t know what kind of person I am. He will only think that I am a weak woman who has lost her husband and is seeking help in a panic. And this face, it’s still has some use—even might make him think of offering me to Xiao Nanxun someday.”

Helan Ci spoke very rationally.

Lu Wuyou fell silent for a moment and said, “There will be risks.”

Helan Ci said, “The risk is very low, I won’t let anyone take advantage of me.”

Lu Wuyou said again, “It will somewhat affect your reputation.”

Helan Ci casually said, “What reputation do I have? A femme fatale²? To others, I must just be a pretty shell. Anyway, I’m already married, so I don’t need to care so much about my reputation.”

This time, Lu Wuyou remained silent for even longer.

Helan Ci suddenly realized that she had accidentally spoken her mind again.

“I will also go to find the women from various households to gather some information.” She quickly added, “Speaking of which, one of the two women sent by Xiao Nanxun gave me this family letter, saying that her sister is a concubine for the prefect. If her name isn’t a pseudonym, it could be that Madam Yu Jiao. I didn’t dare to trust her blindly.”

Saying this, Helan Ci took out a letter from her bosom and handed it to him.

“Can it be opened?”

“Not sealed.”

Lu Wuyou, while taking out the letter paper, said, “It might be a trap set by Xiao Nanxun.”

Helan Ci said, “So I came to ask you first.”

The sound of the night watchman’s bell rang out again outside.

Lu Wuyou paused his hand that was unfolding the letter and said, “It’s already the fourth watch of the night. You should go back first. I will send you another message.”

Helan Ci was indeed very sleepy: “Okay, then be careful.”

Inside Jiang’an City recently, that Mrs. Helan has been gaining more and more fame.

In Dayong, women wasn’t required to take their husband’s surname after marriage, especially those from high-ranking families. Such women often continued to use their maiden surname. For instance, Helan Ci, the legitimate daughter of a high-ranking official, naturally followed this practice.

Ever since she entered Jiang’an City, she seems to have been constantly on the move.

That day, she went from the Chu residence to the governor’s office and then to the Ji Wang residence, and afterwards, she ran all over the offices of the three departments of Yizhou—presumably for the matter of her short-lived husband.

Everyone couldn’t help but sigh that she was too deeply devoted and loyal.

But soon, this Madam Helan followed Miss Chu to several banquets, getting to know the influential figures of Yizhou. It was as if she had transformed from an untouchable fairy from the heavens into a flower of wealth and prosperity on earth. Though still seemed noble, she was no longer so ethereal to people.

Everytime she went out for a bit, and there were onlookers everywhere.

But those who are a bit closer feel…

Chu Lan said, “Are you really still planning to go?”

The beautiful girl beside her lowered her eyes, looking somewhat exhausted, but upon hearing the voice, she lifted her head and said, “Hmm, thank you very much, Miss Chu, for these past few days.”

Helan Ci truly understood the feeling of Lu Wuyou’s face stiffness because of smile.

She is not good at socializing with people, but fortunately, her status and looks are enough to get conversations started without her having to try too hard.

Helan Ci felt for the first time that her face was quite useful, and the status of being a widow soon after her marriage was much more easier than before she was married. At least when those women looked at her, many of them felt some sympathy now.

The rumors about Lu Wuyou have already been spread.

She also actively cooperated, saying she wanted to find out if there was anything suspicious about her husband’s death, but privately she spread different rumors to the wives of the officials, such as that she had received some things Lu Wuyou left for her. However, feeling anxious, she wanted to seek someone to rely on, or perhaps she had already found someone to rely on, but still felt a bit uneasy…

Anyway, the various statements are all different, and each leaves a room of imagination…

It was later that she and Lu Wuyou discussed it in the rouge shop—indeed, that place had been requisitioned by the two of them, and Ji Wangfei’s nephew had become a very useful decoy, often tremblingly standing guard for them outside.

Upon hearing the news of Lu Wuyou’s death, there were plenty in the capital who came to curry favor. Although there were fewer arrogant and self-important people in Yizhou, they were not completely absent.

Fortunately, Helan Ci handled them easily.

“Did you see Ju Jingquan?”

Helan Ci nodded and said, “I don’t know if he believed me, but when he saw the account book you gave me, he promised to protect me and help me uncover the truth. I pretended to sob for a while, then told him I suspected it was Governor Lan Daoye who did it, because you left other evidence…”

Lu Wuyou nodded, and after chatting for a while longer, he took out a piece of soft material that matched the color of his skin from below.

Helan Ci was still confused when Lu Wuyou had already put it on his face.

He adjusted it a little—and suddenly, his face had become that of Ji Wangfei’s nephew.

Helan Ci exclaimed in shock, “What is that!?”

Lu Wuyou replied, “A disguise mask. I was worried I’d scare you if I just put it on, so I figured I’d give you a heads-up.”

This mask is extremely delicate and realistic, even the contours of the eyes can change. The pupil color was still slightly different, but if one didn’t look closely, it was nearly impossible to tell.

Lu Wuyou winked at her.

Helan Ci said, “…Please don’t wink. It looks so awkward.”

Lu Wuyou shrugged and said, “I’ll do my best.”

“And you…” Helan Ci preemptively said, “You’re not allowed to kiss me with that face.”

Lu Wuyou was paused for a moment, then said, “If you just close your eyes, then wouldn’t…”

Helan Ci cut him off softly: “I like your original face.”

Lu Wuyou touched his own face and laughed. “Alright, I admit—it’s a bit ugly now. But this identity is much more convenient. If someone sees us, they’ll just think I’m your relentless pursuer. While speaking, he even altered his voice slightly, making it resemble the Ji Wangfei’s nephew by seven or eight points, “I’ll also change my body shape a bit later.”

At first, Helan Ci hadn’t thought much of his plan.

Until the banquet, when she saw him striding in boldly wearing that skin, mimicking the mannerisms to perfection and chatting with others as if it were nothing. If he hadn’t winked at her, she might not have even recognized him.

… He’s way too bold!

As she was thinking this, a maid from the governor’s wife came over to invite her.

Helan Ci slightly gathered her spirits and went over. Before long, she began to speak with sorrowful expression, “Thank you very much for your kindness, Furen…”

With her beauty as a bonus, three parts of sorrow looked like ten.

That lady also said sympathetically, “Young lady, you’re about the same age as my daughter. I see you like my own. You are still young, and it is only natural to feel heartbroken. About what you asked me last time—I did inquire, and that fire really was an accident…”

Helan Ci, however, shook her head pitifully and said, “It wasn’t an accident. My husband left something for me—it’s clear someone wanted to harm him. But I’m just a weak woman with no one to rely on. I’ve gone to every office, and all they do is pass the blame. The Grand Coordinator is actually an old acquaintance of my father’s. He told me I should seek out the Provincial Commissioner, said he must know something… I felt such kinship with Madam upon our first meeting, and dared to disturb you today only because of that… I’m willing to give what my husband left me to the Commissioner, if only he would help me. In the future, whatever service I can offer in return, I would surely repay the favor with my life.”

Whether the other party would help or not, she had other lines prepared—ready to lead them along step by step.

After finishing another performance, Helan Ci felt even more exhausted. She sat down in the corridor to rest for a while and felt someone pat her shoulder. When she turned around, she saw the face of Prince Ji’s nephew.

It was truly a little horrifying.

But the voice was Lu Wuyou’s. He said, “You’ve worked hard. If it really won’t work, we can always wait…”

Helan Ci said, “I’m fine, just a bit afraid of things going wrong…”

“That’s alright, after all, we did our best.”

Lu Wuyou stood beside her, the place was secluded enough, and his figure was hidden behind the pillar, making it almost impossible to see from the outside: “I’m still investigating the case of Shen Yiguang—the one who was a Censor. He really was a tragic figure. Born poor, orphaned young, raised by his mother alone. He only passed the imperial exams in his thirties. Just as he was preparing for marriage, his mother passed, and he observed three years of mourning. When he finally returned, promoted to Censor, and on his first inspection tour—lost his life in Yizhou. No wife, no children, barely any close friends. Killed by bandits, they say. Body never even recovered. He only had two or three acquaintances in Yizhou, and they said before he died, he was quite dissatisfied with the local officials. He was preparing a memorial of impeachment, but I dug through his residence and couldn’t find a trace of it…”

He added, “Oh right, it’s said he had a close companion at the Misty Rain Pavilion—a courtesan named Ye Niang. Seems like he was saving up to redeem her, but probably didn’t manage to. I even sent Qingye to probe, but when Shen Yiguang was mentioned, she brushed it off—said there were too many customers to remember.”

Helan Ci pondered and said, “So how do you plan to investigate?”

Lu Wuyou casually said, “Let’s investigate using the identity of the Ji Wangfei’s nephew. They shouldn’t be so wary of a useless dandy. I also plan to go to Misty Rain Pavilion…”

Helan Ci said, “What kind of place is Misty Rain Pavilion?”

Lu Wuyou coughed lightly. “I’m very well-behaved. I rarely go…”

Helan Ci understood at once.

To be honest, though she trusted Lu Wuyou, she still felt a bit awkward.

Then she heard him say, “If you’re not at ease, then come with me.”

Helan Ci hesitated. “…How would I go?”

Lu Wuyou said, “Just put on a disguise. I’ve got more than one mask. You like wearing men’s clothing anyway.”

Helan Ci was about to nod, but then lowered her head to glance at her chest.

Lu Wuyou paused as well.

With her figure, it’s really a bit challenging to disguise herself as a man.

“How about… you act as my new lover?” Lu Wuyou suggested. “That beast Cao Xian’an does this kind of thing all the time—parading new beauties around. And your identity as a woman would actually make it easier to gather information.”

Cao Xian’an was the real name of Ji Wangfei’s nephew.

Helan Ci, ever eager to learn, asked, “I’ve never tried. How should I act?”

Lu Wuyou glanced at her, then shifted his gaze, pressing his fingers to his lips in thought. “Just… be a little more delicate, clingy, maybe act coquettish. It would be best if you could just hang onto me.”

Helan Ci blinked. “…Hang on how?”

Lu Wuyou took her arm and draped it over his shoulder, while his other arm circled her waist.

Caught off guard, Helan Ci lost her balance and stumbled into his chest, nearly collapsing into his arms as she steadied herself.

“Something like that.”

Helan Ci hurriedly pushed him away in a panic. “We can’t walk like this!”

She looked up and met those mischievously bright eyes. The face was unfamiliar, but the sly gleam in his gaze was unmistakably his. “Why walk? I’ll support you. You just focus on going soft and boneless.”

The only similar image she had was from that incident at the land survey, when a lecherous steward tried something shady.

It seems that, at that time, it was about the same…

As for being spoiled and coquettish, it would probably be like her cousin Yao Qianxue.

She pondered and said, “… then I’ll give it a try.”

Since it was just acting, it shouldn’t be too hard.

Helan Ci quickly realized she was wrong.

Cao Xian’an himself watched with mournful eyes as they left in his luxurious carriage. Almost as soon as they got in, Lu Wuyou got into character, lazily playing the role of a good-for-nothing heir, and asked the disguised Helan Ci to rehearse. While Helan Ci, who was about to change her appearance, practiced a bit—she didn’t expect that there was indeed a way to change her looks at this moment.

Helan Ci works hard to be like a little bird.

Lu Wuyou commented, “Stiff, not soft enough.”

Helan Ci had no choice but to speak the truth: “I didn’t expect to be looking at this face and I…” feel extremely awkward.

Lu Wuyou thought for a moment and said, “Alright, let’s do it this way.” He simply removed the mask and pressed her against the wall of the carriage, kissing her.

Only when they were almost at their destination did he finally let go.

Helan Ci, having breathed heavily, felt her body go limp. The makeup on her face still revealed a delicate flush. She propped herself up with her hands, almost collapsing onto the seat.

Lu Wuyou put the mask back on and murmured, “That should be close enough now.”

Helan Ci glared up at him, her eyes shimmering with moisture and color.

Lu Wuyou placed the veil hat over her head and reminded her, “There’s not enough time for another kiss.”

Helan Ci said speechlessly, “I know, I’m not asking you to kiss me again!”

Lu Wuyou said, “Then stop looking at me like that.”

The carriage came to a stop in front of the Misty Rain Pavilion.

It was already past xu hour³, yet the place was still bustling with life. Not just with music and instruments, but the laughter of many women.

Before Helan Ci could take a look, Lu Wuyou had already carried her off the carriage without hesitation. She quickly buried her head into his shoulder.

Lu Wuyou chuckled, “Can you handle it? If not, just wait in the carriage.”

Helan Ci replied muffled, “I can. Just… give me a moment to adjust.”