Lumbago, backache, leg cramps!
Zhong Li felt as though she, barely twenty, was already suffering from geriatric ailments.
The carriage rumbled down Wenchang Street. The old horse outside had its mouth stretched wide to its ears, yet compared to the man inside the carriage, it looked as if it were basking in a spring breeze, just a tiny bit.
Zhong Li held a medical book, pretending to read it.
It was only after Lu Wuxie reminded her that she blushed and turned the book right-side up.
But speaking of which, she had been almost thirty when she died. After being reborn into a new life, the only conclusion she had drawn was that young and strong men were simply the best.
“Right, Li’er, it’s Laba in a few days.” Lu Wuxie was in a good mood, casually pouring a cup of tea and placing it in Zhong Li’s hand, encouraging her to stay hydrated.
Zhong Li paused her drinking and looked at Lu Wuxie.
Seeing her apprehensive expression, Lu Wuxie said, “Li’er, you’re overthinking. Laba holds significant meaning for me, but it’s not something that needs to be brought up every year.”
“Then what is it?” Zhong Li asked.
“You might not know yet, but the Emperor has approved the marriage of Lu Yuanfeng.”
Hearing this, Zhong Li’s lips pursed slightly. This meant that Lu Yuanfeng and Hua Yao’s marriage was indeed approved.
“But why haven’t I heard of any imperial decree being issued? Could it be…”
“Yes, the Emperor will issue the decree on Laba,” Lu Wuxie said.
“If that’s the case, and you already know, then what about the Empress…” Zhong Li recalled the scene yesterday when the Empress had caused a commotion at the Dali Temple. At that time, she probably didn’t know, otherwise, how could she have had the energy to come and ask her for Shen Ying?
“She should know today. The Emperor specifically had Eunuch Hua release the news.”
…
“What did you say? The Emperor intends to bestow a marriage upon Lu Yuanfeng and Hua Yao?”
Shen Nong looked at Zi Pei opposite her, her eyes filled with bewilderment and shock.
“Reporting to Your Ladyship, it is indeed so. This news comes from a young eunuch we have placed beside Eunuch Hua. The information should be accurate,” Zi Pei said.
“How is that possible!” Shen Nong narrowed her eyes. She knew that Lu Yuanfeng intended to seek marriage with the Hua family’s youngest daughter, but the Crown Prince had not yet married, at most having a few concubines and secondary wives. She felt it was still too early, and she never expected things to turn out this way.
“But the Crown Prince doesn’t even have a principal wife. On what grounds does Lu Yuanfeng have the right?”
Zi Pei bowed and leaned closer to Shen Nong’s ear, saying, “I heard that it was Noble Consort Nangong who requested it for the Sixth Prince. The Emperor was hesitant at first, but when Noble Consort Nangong brought up Prince Chen, the Emperor softened his heart!”
“Lu Yuanchen! He cannot rest even in death, and has to stir up trouble at this time?” Shen Nong clenched the silk handkerchief in her hand in anger. “And this Nangong Xiaodie, when Consort Rong advised me to get rid of Lu Yuanchen, she told me to take her along too. I always thought the Emperor was getting old, and even if he had offspring, they wouldn’t live to be enthroned.
Never did I imagine that she would play this move with Lu Yuanfeng. Now, look, she has become the biggest obstacle to my Hong’er ascending the throne.”
“Then Your Ladyship… what do we do now?” Zi Pei asked.
Shen Nong thought for a moment and was about to say something when an announcement came from outside.
“Your Ladyship, the Crown Prince has arrived!”
Shen Nong stood up and walked to the bronze mirror to check her demeanor. Confident there were no issues, she quickly walked out of the inner hall to greet him.
“Mother.” Upon seeing Shen Nong, Lu Yuanhong immediately knelt to pay his respects.
“Hong’er.” Shen Nong helped him up, looking at him with great satisfaction.
“Mother, I’ve come to see you today because I heard something,” Lu Yuanhong said.
Shen Nong vaguely guessed Lu Yuanhong’s intentions. She glanced at Eunuch Yun standing behind him, then at Zi Pei behind her.
Zi Pei, understanding the command, walked to the door of the inner hall, ensuring no one was around. She then walked out of the hall and closed the door behind her.
Now that only the three of them were in the Phoenix Palace, Lu Yuanhong finally spoke his mind, “Mother, I heard from my teacher that Father is intending to bestow the Hua family’s young daughter upon Sixth Brother. Is this true?”
Shen Nong sighed deeply and nodded emphatically, “It is so!”
Lu Yuanhong became agitated upon hearing this and indignantly questioned, “Mother, what does Father mean by this? Clearly, I am the Crown Prince, yet he is not only bestowing the Hua family daughter upon Sixth Brother, but he also rarely consults me on court matters lately. Is he preparing to depose me as Crown Prince?”
“Hong’er!” Shen Nong reprimanded him upon hearing his words.
Lu Yuanhong lowered his gaze and remained silent.
Shen Nong sighed heavily and said, “Do not feel pressured by this matter. I have my own ways.”
“What ways?” Lu Yuanhong’s tone softened slightly upon hearing there was a plan.
Shen Nong and Eunuch Yun behind Lu Yuanhong exchanged a glance. After a moment of deliberation, Shen Nong said, “It will be Laba in a few days. I hear the Emperor is planning to organize a family banquet on Laba, and the Hua family is on the invitation list.”
“Organize a family banquet, the Hua family… could it be…” Lu Yuanhong thought for a moment, his face showing sudden realization.
“Yes, the Emperor is likely preparing to bestow a marriage upon the Sixth Prince and Hua Yao on Laba,” Shen Nong finished Lu Yuanhong’s thought.
“Then what is Mother’s plan?” Lu Yuanhong asked.
Shen Nong did not answer immediately but turned and walked into the inner hall. After a short while, she emerged holding a small bottle.
“What is this?” Lu Yuanhong asked.
“This is called ‘Nightly Charm’.”
Hearing the name, Lu Yuanhong’s face lit up with understanding, “Mother means…”
“Since your Father is not helping you, Mother will. You know that the Hua family’s daughter has always been fond of Lan Heng, right?” Shen Nong asked.
Lu Yuanhong nodded.
“I heard that General Hua, knowing the Emperor’s intentions, sent her home to learn feminine virtues about a month ago, using the excuse of needing to manage household affairs, in order to break Hua Yao’s infatuation with Lan Heng.
Laba is a family banquet, and Lan Heng will certainly not be present. However, Lan Heng’s physique and back view are very similar to yours.
When the Emperor bestows the marriage upon Hua Yao at that time, Hua Yao will undoubtedly be heartbroken. Given her proud and willful nature, she will surely leave the banquet to compose herself. At that moment, if you were to appear before her wearing clothes similar to Lan Heng’s…”
“She will be like a fish in water, willing to be caught!” Lu Yuanhong finished Shen Nong’s sentence.
Shen Nong smiled, looking as if he was indeed teachable.
“But…” Lu Yuanhong frowned, sounding somewhat worried, “How will this medicine be…”
“You don’t need to worry about this. Eunuch Yun has already bribed a maidservant beside Hua Yao. Before the Emperor bestows the marriage, this medicine will be put into Hua Yao’s wine.”
“Good, Mother’s idea is excellent. Cook the raw rice until it’s done; it’s a done deal!” Lu Yuanhong’s expression relaxed slightly.
Shen Nong took Lu Yuanhong’s hand and walked towards the outer hall, saying, “I heard there is an empty hall around the Lakeside Pavilion that has been uninhabited for years. Hua Yao’s situation came about suddenly, and I haven’t managed to properly arrange the servants responsible for that hall yet. This matter…”
“Mother, rest assured, your son will attend to it immediately!” Lu Yuanhong reacted with extreme speed. With a cupped-hand salute, he was already running out of the Phoenix Palace and disappeared.
Seeing him leave, Shen Nong let out a long sigh. Before she could even react, her body was enveloped in a scorching embrace.
“Nong’er,” Eunuch Yun’s voice sounded in Shen Nong’s ear.
Shen Nong playfully hit his chest and, embracing him, walked into the inner hall.