Two days later, Situ Jue remembered Feng Xinyao's words, his spirit immediately lifted, and he sent someone to investigate. Indeed, he discovered the illicit affair between Tang Chong and Ru Liu.
Tang Chong was a typical scholar from a humble background. By marrying the direct niece of a Grand Secretary of the Cabinet, he had climbed to his current position in just ten years. He would have many opportunities to rely on his brother-in-law in the future, so he usually did whatever his wife said.
Who would have thought that he secretly visited brothels and even kept a young courtesan.
"Heh..."
With Tang Shilang's leverage in hand, Situ Jue finally held his head high and brought him under his command. If he could persuade Grand Secretary Qu Yuexiu to speak on his behalf to the Emperor, his path would be much smoother.
Thinking of the meritorious service in this matter, Situ Jue naturally fixed his gaze on the Lingyan Pavilion.
Originally, he just wanted someone for amusement, but now it seemed to have another use.
Since returning from Yangzhou, Situ Jue had not officially taken on any duties, and his status in court had plummeted. However, he possessed an unyielding heart, always thinking of competing with the Crown Prince, no matter the circumstances.
That position, he was determined to have.
Compared to him, Situ Yan lacked ambition. He didn't bother with matters unrelated to him, claiming it was: "Not in office, not plotting politics." When he encountered officials he disapproved of, he would directly confront them without any leniency.
As for offending people because of it?
Heh, what did it matter to him? Those people wouldn't dare to lay a hand on him, and even if they did, they couldn't defeat him.
Strangely, his reputation in court only grew better. The officials praised him as a rare man of true character in the royal family. What was wrong with speaking a few words to his face? Those who smiled to your face but secretly stabbed you in the back were truly terrifying.
Seeing his status rise, those who wished to ally and curry favor with him naturally increased. The first choice was marriage, but unfortunately, Prince Rui had no intention of taking a concubine.
Just as everyone was at a loss, an opportunity arose: news of the Princess Consort of Prince Rui's mansion being pregnant spread.
The palace continuously sent rewards. To joke about it, even the Emperor set the example, so how could the consorts not follow suit? Thus, another room in Prince Rui's mansion was cleared out to be used as a storeroom.
"Why all this fuss?" Lu Nianfu felt a little embarrassed. It was just a pregnancy, wasn't this spectacle a bit too much?
Speaking of this, Situ Yan was also frustrated: "My father said that I've been married for many years without an heir, and I refuse to take concubines. He knows that I'm being considerate of you, but others might think I have some kind of problem. He's helping me clarify the suspicion of being 'incapable'."
Listen to that, listen to that. How could anyone speak so disparagingly of their own son?
Lu Nianfu suppressed a smile, took his hand, and said: "I've wronged you. If I hadn't insisted on observing three years of mourning, perhaps this child would have come sooner."
When parents pass away, children observe three years of mourning.
However, a married daughter was considered part of her husband's family and only needed to observe a hundred days of mourning.
Situ Yan said: "Don't overthink it. Letting you observe mourning was something we agreed upon from the start. Besides, a little gossip is nothing. However, your husband doesn't want you to observe another three years."
The pleasure of the bedchamber was secondary; the key was abstaining from meat. Such a good body was ruined by it. He wondered how those monks and nuns endured it.
Lu Nianfu asked: "Are you referring to Marquis Pingning?"
"Isn't it him?" Lu Chaosheng treated her like his own father, so it was only right for her to observe mourning for him. But why did Zeng Guangyi have the audacity?
Lu Nianfu thought the same: "Don't worry. If he passes away, we'll just put on a good show. What happens privately is up to us. Speaking of which, how has he been lately?"
Situ Yan shook his head: "Not very well. The่ (gu) worm in his body has long been accustomed to his presence. He can only prolong his life with Zeng Weiyang's blood and various tonics. Now that the blood supply is cut off, the gu can only devour his flesh and blood. Ji Jin sent word that he probably won't live past next year."
Lu Nianfu shivered: "How could someone inflict such a gu on themselves?"
"They want to live a hundred years and achieve great fame. The characteristic of this gu is that it can make people energetic. As long as the supply of blood and flesh is sufficient, they can live forever. If my father were someone who pursued longevity, perhaps he would have succeeded."
Longevity and power were the lifelong pursuits of a man.
Lu Nianfu pouted: "Since the gu worm is so powerful, how was the Western Regions eradicated so thoroughly?"
"There's a rumor that the demise of the Western Regions was due to the gu worm's backlash. Anyway, after so many years, no one who entered the territory of the Western Regions has ever come out alive. Who knows what's inside."
Lu Nianfu shivered again: "Then tell Ji Jin to be careful. The medical skills of our Great Yin are also profound and vast. There's no need to research something that can cause a backlash."
"Don't worry, he knows what he's doing. And after the incident with Marquis Pingning, he has become much more cautious."