Chapter 20
The hierarchy within the imperial harem was so rigid that ordinary people could hardly imagine it.
Without the emperor’s permission, concubines in the harem were not allowed to leave the palace on their own. Even when their maternal families wished to visit, it required the emperor’s approval.
Thus, for most women who entered the palace, it meant spending their entire lives within its walls.
The only ones who had the freedom to leave were the Empress and the Empress Dowager.
Concubine Li, now the Empress, was currently at the height of imperial favor. She was also preoccupied with paving the way for her son’s future in governance, leaving her no time to venture outside the palace.
That left only the Empress Dowager.
Though she rarely appeared in the original story, she was a woman of immense power within the palace.
She had never borne a child, yet she had managed to place the emperor on the throne—a testament to her extraordinary capabilities.
Unfortunately, the moment the emperor took power, his first course of action was to strip the Empress Dowager of her authority, breaking her heart completely.
So, when the six factions vied for succession later, she merely watched from the sidelines, not interfering.
By the time Yuwen Min set fire to the Zichen Palace, she had already retired to the imperial residence in Jiangnan to spend her twilight years in peace.
Could it be the Empress Dowager?
Lu Hanzhi couldn’t be sure, but he felt that some things, when done, could bring benefits, while not doing them would be a loss.
So, when he made his delivery, he personally gifted the eunuch a jar of handcrafted shampoo.
Unlike the mass-produced versions on the market, this one was made with several carefully selected medicinal herbs, along with a fragrance he had specially exchanged from his personal space.
Originally, he had planned to sell it at a high price, but since it could serve a greater purpose, it was far more valuable than mere money.
Even if the recipient wasn’t the Empress Dowager, it could very well be the Empress.
Although currying favor with the Empress didn’t bring many benefits, it certainly wouldn’t hurt.
So, Lu Hanzhi also slipped the eunuch a gold ingot and said with a warm smile, “Sir, if you ever need anything else in the future, feel free to stop by my shop. Han Ji Fragrance House has branches in both the eastern and western markets of the capital. Just mention my name, Lu Hanzhi, and you’ll receive the best discount.”
The old eunuch grinned so widely that his teeth showed. “Oh my, young master, you certainly know how to do business. Rest assured! If my master finds this useful, there will be plenty of rewards coming your way.”
Lu Hanzhi thanked him and saw him out.
Another rain had fallen today. The hottest period of summer had begun, and the days were growing increasingly stifling.
Lu Hanzhi, accustomed to comfort, couldn’t bear staying outside for long and returned home early.
Tomorrow, he had to attend his mother’s birthday banquet, which would undoubtedly be another battlefield.
His return would surely make him the subject of ridicule for many.
And not just him—his second brother would likely be mocked by their high-status relatives as well.
Lu Xuzhi had always been close to the Eldest Prince, and now that the Eldest Prince had gotten into trouble, while on the other hand, Aunt Du was forming strong ties with the Crown Prince’s household, she was probably feeling triumphant.
Just thinking about it gave Lu Hanzhi a headache. Meanwhile, Yuwen Min and the Eldest Prince seemed to have become completely comfortable living in his residence, showing no intention of leaving.
As the host, he was starting to feel the urge to kick them out.
But the problem was, those were two imperial princes—one of whom would eventually succeed in rebellion and become a ruthless tyrant. He didn’t dare to drive them away.
Sigh, a ticking time bomb could go off at any moment.
Even though, at present, they might not be captured and their chances of clearing their names were high, harboring fugitives of their status was a crime that was practically set in stone. Regardless, life had to go on.
The grand opening of Han Ji Fragrance House coincided with Madam Lu’s birthday celebration.
The Lu family had been imperial merchants for generations. Although they held no real political power, they controlled the economic lifeline of the Great Zhao dynasty.
Even the emperor himself had no clear idea of just how much wealth the Lu family possessed.
However, since they held official positions, their fortunes were ultimately within the court’s grasp, preventing them from making any major waves.
Madam Lu held the title of a noblewoman, so many officials’ wives came to offer their congratulations.
The recent buzz surrounding the Lu family had drawn much attention from the capital’s elite.
Although the matter of Lu Hanzhi bearing a child had been tightly concealed, rumors still spread.
Madam Lu knew very well who was behind them.
Aunt Du had been in high spirits these past few days, nearly floating with joy. That was because Lu Haozhi had returned and told her about his newfound favor in the palace.
Since Xiao Langjun was exceptionally fertile, she was eagerly hoping that her son would produce the imperial family’s first grandson.
If Lu Haozhi truly bore the first imperial grandson, then Aunt Du’s arrogance would know no bounds.
At that point, with Lu Haozhi’s elevated status, Aunt Du might even receive a noble title as a concubine. After being suppressed for over a decade, she could finally see herself rising above it all—how could she not be elated?
That morning, Lu Hanzhi woke up early and prepared many gifts for his mother.
Before leaving, he reminded Qin Se and the servant woman, Ah Man, to take good care of Ah Chan.
Ah Chan had started becoming aware of his surroundings.
When Lu Hanzhi played with him, the little boy would giggle endlessly.
At that moment, Little Fatty Chan had also woken up and was lying on the bed with his head raised, his bright eyes fixed on the small fabric tiger in front of him.
Little Fatty Chan kicked his chubby legs, seemingly trying to wiggle forward.
However, he was simply too fat to move. His little mouth quivered, and with a loud wail, he burst into tears.
Lu Hanzhi, who was about to leave, turned back and stuffed a small cloth tiger into his arms.
Now that his wish was fulfilled, Little Fatty Chan hugged the cloth tiger and lay down, promptly shoving one of its ears into his mouth.
Lu Hanzhi: …
Damn! You little brat! Do you have to put everything in your mouth?
But then again, wasn’t this so-called oral fixation just part of a baby’s development at this age?
He had been so focused on preparing Ah Chan’s milk powder that he had forgotten all the other necessary baby essentials.
At this stage, babies would try to eat anything they could get their hands on. Not only was it unhygienic, but it was also potentially dangerous.
A pacifier would have been perfect.
Unfortunately, his exchange points were at zero, so he had no way of getting one.
What could he do? He had no choice but to keep grinding for GDP!
So, he picked up the chubby little Ah Chan, planted a big kiss on his forehead, and said, “Just wait, son. Your father will carve out an empire for you!”
Outside the door, Yuwen Min, dressed as a servant, stood waiting: …
As soon as Lu Hanzhi stepped out, Yuwen Min remarked, “No need to trouble yourself, Young Master, with the business of conquering empires.”
Lu Hanzhi: …
Startled, he whipped around to look at Yuwen Min and frowned. “What’s wrong with you? Don’t you know sneaking up on people like that can scare them to death?” Why was this guy always so silent and ghost-like? Did being skilled in martial arts give him the right to be this sneaky?
Did an extraordinary, once-in-a-century general really need to flex his skills all the time?
Yuwen Min: I wasn’t showing off. This is just standard procedure.
Lu Hanzhi eyed his familiar-looking attire and asked, “What, are you planning to come with me to the Lu family?”
Yuwen Min gave a faint “Mm” before adding, “Not all the way to the Lu family. I’ll get off once we enter the city.”
Lu Hanzhi asked, “And when you leave the city, do I need to pick you up at the gates again?”
Yuwen Min replied, “No need. I’ll find my own way back.”
Lu Hanzhi looked at him, let out a sigh, and asked, “So, why don’t you find your own way into the city too?”
Yuwen Min remained silent. Lu Hanzhi continued, “If this trip is dangerous for you, then all the more reason you should ask for my help. No one in this world would ever suspect a helpless, scandal-ridden young lord who’s struggling to take care of his newborn. Since I dared to shelter both of you, I’m naturally not afraid of the trouble you might bring.”
Lu Hanzhi wasn’t sure why he was saying all this to Yuwen Min. Maybe… because he was good-looking?
As a little gay man, Lu Hanzhi had to admit that Yuwen Min, with his tall stature, striking presence, and that mix of arrogance and untamed beauty, had an allure as intoxicating as opium.
He knew Yuwen Min was about to do something dangerous.
The Great Zhao’s city gates were heavily guarded, making it difficult to sneak in.
While Yuwen Min could force his way through, that would cause too much trouble, leaving him with no choice but to rely on Lu Hanzhi to smuggle him inside.
Once inside, he would disguise himself and take care of his business.
However, once he completed his mission, his whereabouts would be exposed, meaning Lu Hanzhi couldn’t help him leave the city again.
If Lu Hanzhi’s involvement were exposed, he would be in real danger.
Even if, under Yuwen Min’s meticulous planning, he and the Eldest Prince could eventually clear their names, there would be no escaping the crime of harboring fugitives wanted by the imperial court.
Hearing Lu Hanzhi’s words, Yuwen Min gave him an extra glance and said, “Oh? So Young Master Lu isn’t afraid of being implicated by us?”
Lu Hanzhi instantly felt like all his heartfelt words had been wasted.
Then Yuwen Min added, “Don’t worry. Even if I’m torn apart and reduced to ashes, I will protect those I wish to protect. Since you have shown kindness to my brother and me, you… barely make the cut.”
Lu Hanzhi wanted to respond with gratitude, but instead, he accidentally let a hint of sarcasm slip into his tone. “Well then, thank you for your protection, Your Highness.”
With a sharp clang, Yuwen Min’s heavy sword pressed against Lu Hanzhi’s chest. “You’re getting cocky?” As he spoke, a cold glint flashed in his sharp, phoenix-like eyes, skimming over Lu Hanzhi’s face.
Feeling intimidated, Lu Hanzhi instinctively took a step back, his waist pressing against the flower wall. With a nervous chuckle, he said, “No, no, no! A humble commoner like me is simply overjoyed to receive the prince’s protection. When I’m happy, I get excited, and when I get excited, I lose my sense of propriety. Please, Your Highness, don’t hold it against an ignorant fool like me.”
Yuwen Min withdrew his sword and averted his gaze, once again assuming the hunched and ugly disguise.
The two boarded the carriage, one in front and one behind.
Lu Hanzhi, still shaken from the weight of the sword’s pressure, shrank into himself a little.
That sword was famous in the original novel. Its name was Chen Ke. To most, it was a heavy burden. To Yuwen Min, it was a deadly weapon.
It had drunk so much blood that Yuwen Min himself probably couldn’t count the lives it had taken.
Once, in the midst of slaughter, he had laughed maniacally and declared, “Defy me, and you shall be my blade’s next ghost.”
Truly, he embodied the philosophy: “Submit and prosper; resist and perish.”
If it weren’t for how amicable their interactions had been over the past few days, Lu Hanzhi might have forgotten that this man was a ruthless killer who never batted an eye at taking a life.
And yet, unknowingly, Lu Hanzhi had given birth to his child.
A strange unease settled in his heart. Yuwen Min might not have turned completely to the dark side yet, but he was far from being a good person.
If he ever discovered Ah Chan’s existence, what would happen?
With that thought, Lu Hanzhi raised his head, cleared his throat, and cautiously asked, “Hey, let me ask you something… Yuwen Min, do you like children?”
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