Accord de Mu Yucheng

Chapitre 35

Yes, that's the kind of couple they were. The husband loved his wife very much, and the wife seemed to love her husband too, but neither of them said it. They lived together quietly, their relationship remaining distant until one day, when the wife became seriously ill. The husband still couldn't utter that word, only calling out his wife's maiden name over and over again...

At least I can be sure of one thing... the emperor really loved his aunt. In his heart, his aunt was the most important woman. It was because of love that it became a habit, that he cared about her, and that she became important.

And my aunt… whatever her purpose in marrying into the palace, when she smiled slightly at her husband and reassured him that I was alright, I suddenly realized that the affection she shared was stronger than I could have imagined. It turns out that even the cold and aloof royal family possesses such profound emotions. Back at the mansion, Lu Li was already sitting at the table in the main hall.

"How is Mother?" Lu Li asked with a soft cough.

"The Emperor is guarding it."

Lu Li looked up at me and asked, "You... you're crying?"

I turned my face away, and on the way back, I did shed tears because of my aunt.

Lu Li had already stood up and was standing behind me. He gently wiped away the tear stains at the corner of my eye with one hand and asked softly, "Mother... is she not feeling well?"

"The imperial physician said... I'm afraid I won't make it through the next month." I gently pulled my hand away and said calmly.

His voice carried a hint of melancholy in the empty room, "You..."

"Your Highness—" Before I could even hear Lu Li's words, I was startled by the shout behind me.

Yi Ling, who never leaves her own courtyard, is standing outside the door with her pregnant belly sticking out, looking anxious.

I gently pushed Lu Li aside and went to meet him. "What's wrong?"

"I heard that Zhen'er was bullied by several legitimate sons in the palace today?!"

I wondered how the news spread so fast.

"I...I've already taken care of it." I quickly pulled her down to sit.

She suddenly pushed me away. It was so forceful that I stumbled back a few steps, but Lu Li gently caught me.

Lu Li frowned slightly. "I've heard about it too. Didn't your sisters-in-law bring a few children to apologize in person just now?"

Yi Ling was a little excited, "It's really alright, then why hasn't my son come back yet?"

"I clearly instructed the palace servants to take him back to his residence first. Isn't he here?"

"Your Highness, I entrusted my son to you, but I never expected..." Yi Ling choked up. I felt a surge of annoyance and quickly called for someone to help Yi Ling to rest. She was six months pregnant, and if anything happened to her, this courtyard would be in turmoil.

I rushed out of the manor to search, but I couldn't find the child anywhere. By the time I returned, it was already very late, and Lu Li was still sitting in the main hall.

I dragged my heavy steps to him and said only, "I didn't watch the child properly, so you can do whatever you want with him."

He trembled, looked up at me, and sighed softly, "Go back to your room, have some hot food, and rest. I'll send someone to look for you again."

"I can't find it... how can I sit still?"

"After all that fussing and struggling, you don't even look at how haggard you look."

I shook my head and turned to leave, but when I saw the light on in the study across the street, I suddenly paused.

"Liushang...who's in the study?"

Chapter Thirty: The Virtuous Princess Seeks a Concubine for Her Husband

Suddenly, the study door was pushed open, and Lu Zhen's small head was buried in the books.

Before I could rush forward, Lu Li had already taken the lead, picked up the child, and shouted angrily, "Why didn't you say a word? Your mother has been looking for you everywhere."

I quickly shielded Lu Zhen and smiled at Lu Li, "Alright, alright, it's good that you've found him."

Lu Li suppressed his anger, turned around and left.

I held Lu Zhen in my arms, tears streaming down my face. Lu Zhen reached out his little hand to wipe them away for me. "Mother, I've been studying here all this time. I haven't run away anywhere... not even to the back mountain... Mother likes children who can study, so I'm studying hard. Before, I was lazy and didn't memorize what Mother taught me carefully. Mother taught me step by step according to the palace's education, but I failed to live up to Mother's hard work. I feel bad about it, so I want to make up for what I did wrong... Mother will like the studying Zhen'er even more, right?"

I choked back tears, nuzzled his little head against my chest, and hugged him tightly. "So what if you can't study? As long as you're safe and sound, I'll be content."

As I led Zhen'er out of the study, Yi Ling stood guard outside the door. His previously anxious gaze had turned cold. He said nothing and disappeared into the night. I suddenly understood. She had always deeply loved Lu Zhen. The person she hated was me. I had stolen her position in the household, stolen her devoted husband, and her obedient son…

Qin Lanruo draped the long robe over Lu Li, which had been hanging neatly in the room.

These past few days, I've slept with Lu Li every night. Every time I fall asleep, he's wearing that long robe, as if reminding me to put my initial proposal into action as soon as possible.

On a fine day, I prepared several boxes of pastries and personally went to Prince Yu's Mansion.

My third sister-in-law treated me very well.

"Seventh Sister-in-law, you've come all this way, but are you trying to distance yourself by bringing gifts?" Third Sister-in-law is a straightforward person, not very shrewd, and it's inevitable that she often offends people, so she doesn't have many close sisters-in-law.

"Third Sister-in-law, I still have something to discuss with you today."

"What? Just tell me."

"Actually, if Qin Lanruo were someone our master had his eye on, I would have wanted to marry her to him, but as you know, Third Master..."

My third sister-in-law smiled with relief, patted her chest and assured me, "Don't worry, with me here, he won't dare to do anything."

Just as I was about to thank him, one of my servants came running in from outside the door.

"Your Highness, Third Master came to our residence and unfortunately ran into Miss Qin. He's making a huge scene right now."

As soon as I stepped into the main hall, a celadon cup was thrown at me, and I quickly turned to avoid it.

Lu Li sat quietly to the side, saying nothing. Behind him stood Qin Lanruo, who looked somewhat flustered.

Third Brother strode over, glaring at me. "Seventh Sister-in-law, you're playing tricks on me! Didn't you say you didn't know? Then what's going on?" He pointed at Qin Lanruo as he spoke.

"Oh." I casually bought some things and went inside, then calmly sat down next to Lu Li. "What's going on? You haven't even entered yet, and you're already throwing cups and yelling."