Chapter 22
The moment someone spoke, a group of noblewomen from the capital immediately gathered around.
Among them was Madam Lin, the wife of Minister Lin, a high-ranking official of the court. Having seen countless rare treasures, she only needed a single glance before exclaiming in surprise, “This is indeed a Daoling White Jade Bracelet! Hanzhi, this is remarkable—you actually managed to find such a precious bracelet for Madam Lu!”
Lu Hanzhi was momentarily stunned. He had no idea what a Daoling White Jade Bracelet was. When Yuwen Min handed it to him, he had simply mentioned that he had casually taken it from his mother’s jewelry box.
Since it was a gift bestowed by the late emperor, Lu Hanzhi naturally assumed it must be something valuable.
However, he hadn’t expected that taking it out would cause such a commotion.
Also… what exactly was a Daoling White Jade Bracelet? Could someone explain it to him?
Luckily, he wasn’t the only one unfamiliar with it.
A newlywed daughter-in-law from the Lin family had also never heard of the Daoling White Jade Bracelet, so she asked, “Is it really that famous?”
Madam Lin cast a kindly glance at her daughter-in-law and explained, “You younger ones might not have heard of it. The white jade from Daoling dates back several decades—an antique of the past. The jade itself is indeed of the highest quality, but its true value doesn’t lie in the material alone. The remarkable part is in its craftsmanship. At night, if you hold the bracelet against a white cloth, you can see a projected image of celestial dancers performing. That’s why it’s also called the ‘Flying Sky Bracelet.’ It was created by an elderly Taoist named Daoling, who devoted his entire life to the art of micro-carving. In total, he made only ten of these bracelets. Five of them became prized possessions of noblewomen in the palace, while the other five disappeared. I once saw the Empress Dowager demonstrate its effect in her palace, and the bracelet she had also bore this same kind of cinnabar seal.”
Madam Lu picked up the jade bracelet and immediately noticed a tiny seal about the size of a soybean imprinted on it.
It was on the inner side—so inconspicuous that one wouldn’t notice it unless they examined it closely.
She hadn’t expected that her son would bring back such a rare treasure for her. While this filled her with pride, it also made her a little uneasy.
How had Hanzhi acquired such an invaluable bracelet?
However, with so many guests present, it wasn’t appropriate for her to ask. She could only conceal her concerns for now, putting on a delighted and proud expression instead.
Smiling, she said, “Oh, what are you saying? When you told me you wanted to learn how to manage the family’s estates and build a future for yourself, I was still worried. But now, seeing how capable you are, I truly feel relieved and happy from the bottom of my heart.”
Madam Lu was no fool. With just a few words, she subtly corrected the rumors spread by Aunt Du about why Lu Hanzhi had gone to the manor.
While what Aunt Du had said was technically true, facts alone weren’t always enough to make people believe. For instance, among the noblewomen who were close to Madam Lu, most of them preferred to trust her version of events.
After all, Aunt Du was merely a low-status concubine—someone who could never appear in respectable company. And everyone despised those who spread gossip behind others’ backs.
At that moment, Madam Jiang chuckled and said, “Oh? Hanzhi has started doing business on his own? I wonder what kind of business it is?”
Lu Hanzhi smiled sheepishly and replied, “It’s nothing too big. I happened to bring some today since it’s my mother’s birthday. I wanted her to try it, and I also prepared a small gift for each of you, so you can see if it’s any good.”
The noblewomen immediately grew curious. When Lu Hanzhi gestured for his attendants to open a small embroidered box and took out a piece of snow-white pearl fragrant soap, Madam Lin let out another gasp of surprise.
Lu Hanzhi noticed that among all the noblewomen present, Madam Lin seemed to be the most knowledgeable.
Someone in the crowd jokingly asked, “Madam Lin, you recognize this too? Don’t tell us this is another rare treasure?”
Madam Lin quickly responded, “It’s not exactly a rare treasure, but just the other day, when I went to the palace to greet the Empress Dowager, she graciously gifted me a bar of this very soap. She said it was excellent for washing the face and body, so I tried it last night. After using it, my skin felt much smoother and softer. At my age, I don’t expect to become beautiful again, but we women do care about maintaining a good complexion. However, since this was a gift from the Empress Dowager, I didn’t dare to use too much of it. I was planning to save it for special occasions. I never expected to see it here with Hanzhi! This is truly… well, how should I put it? Hanzhi, tell me, where did you get this soap? Don’t tell me it was given to you by that mysterious friend of yours again?”
Lu Hanzhi shook his head with a mysterious smile. “Of course not.”
Madam Jiang asked, “Then do you have a supplier for it?”
Lu Hanzhi shook his head again. “Not that either.”
Madam Lu, seeing her son’s playful expression, lightly tapped his nose with a smile and said, “You little rascal, keeping secrets now? What, you won’t even tell your own mother?”
Lu Hanzhi playfully whined, “Mother! I just wanted the aunts and sisters-in-law to guess. If someone guesses correctly, I’ll give them a bar of sandalwood-fragrant soap. The elderly might like this one—it leaves a sandalwood fragrance after washing.”
Saying this, he opened another embroidered box, releasing a rich and calming scent of sandalwood into the air.
Madam Lin seemed particularly fond of this soap. She looked at Lu Hanzhi and asked, “Hanzhi! Don’t tell me you made this soap yourself? Earlier, your mother mentioned that you were doing business—could this be what you were selling?”
Lu Hanzhi widened his eyes in mock surprise and said, “Madam Lin, you’re too clever! You guessed it right away. That means this bar of soap can only go to you.”
The noblewomen around him were utterly stunned, their jaws practically dropping.
They all began talking at once. “Wait, are you saying the soap that the Empress Dowager gifted us was actually made by Young Master Lu himself?”
Immediately, a flurry of animated discussions broke out in the back courtyard.
Even Madam Lu was so shocked that she couldn’t close her mouth. If the bracelet earlier was proof of her younger son’s wide network and influential friends, then this soap was a testament to his intelligence and capability.
The Empress Dowager had personally gifted this soap as a reward! That wasn’t something just anyone could achieve.
In fact, Lu Hanzhi had already suspected that the person who had procured the pearl-fragrant soap was likely the Empress Dowager. However, he hadn’t been entirely certain before.
With Madam Lin’s testimony, Lu Hanzhi was now certain.
It seemed that favor he did earlier hadn’t been in vain. Hopefully, the Empress Dowager would remember his kindness.
At that moment, a timid voice sounded from the side: “Hanzhi, little brother, could you give me a piece of fragrant soap? I… want to try it.”
Lu Hanzhi looked up—it was the newlywed young daughter-in-law of the Lin family.
He wasn’t stingy and casually handed over a piece of jasmine-fragrant soap.
As soon as he did, a crowd immediately swarmed him, all chattering and clamoring for a piece.
Lu Hanzhi barely managed to protect the last few pieces. As he packed them into a brocade box, he called out, “That’s it! That’s it! I have to save these for my mother! Aunties and sisters-in-law, please have mercy. If you really want some, you can go to Han Ji Fragrance Shop in either the East or West Market. It just opened today, and there’s plenty of stock. The earlier you go, the better—if you’re too late, I can’t guarantee there’ll be any left. I made a total of a thousand pieces, with five hundred in each market.”
Hearing this, the madams and noble ladies immediately ordered their attendants to rush off and buy some, unwilling to wait even a moment longer.
Lu Hanzhi was elated—this was perfect, the market was open now.
The Empress Dowager was truly the ultimate ambassador, much more effective than Liniang!
It probably wouldn’t be long before he received a notification that his mission was complete.
As he watched most of the people in the rear courtyard leave, Lu Hanzhi sat back down beside Madam Lu.
It was clear that Madam Luwas genuinely happy. She hadn’t expected that after just over a month away, her son would return a completely changed person.
She held Lu Hanzhi’s hand and asked, “Hanzhi, where did you get the recipe for this fragrant soap?”
Lu Hanzhi replied, “I found it in a book from the Western Regions. Mother, you should try it tonight and see how well it works.”
The soap’s cleansing effect was quite good. Plus, with the herbs and fragrances he had added, it also had skincare benefits and a lasting scent.
In his original time, handmade soap was a trendy item, especially beloved by beauty-conscious women.
Since it had already been tested by his sisters, its effectiveness was unquestionable.
Madam Lu had absolute trust in her son. Whatever Lu Hanzhi said, she believed.
She praised him, saying, “Hanzhi has always been smart, able to learn anything just by reading. It’s my fault for not realizing your talents sooner.”
Noticing that Madam Lu still hadn’t put on the jade bracelet, Lu Hanzhi playfully took it and said, “Mother, it’s not too late to realize it now! Come, let me put this bracelet on for you myself! Remember, the master said you must never take it off! This bracelet carries the blessings I earned for you through my offerings—please don’t waste my effort.”
The bracelet was a perfect fit, its design elegant and beautiful. Combined with its renowned reputation, Madam Lu couldn’t bear to take it off.
At that moment, more guests arrived bearing birthday gifts, among them Su Wan’ning.
She looked as delicate as an early spring blossom, her expression a mix of shyness and delight, radiating a soft charm that evoked pity in those who saw her.
Lu Hanzhi already knew what she had prepared.
It was said that she had personally stayed up for half a month to embroider an exceptionally exquisite forehead band.
In the original storyline, this was the moment when Lu Hanzhi was at odds with his family.
Su Wan’ning had taken advantage of the situation, using the forehead band to win Madam Lu’s favor, gradually making her way into her heart.
But now, Lu Hanzhi and his mother shared a deep bond, and he also had the talismanic artifact. Even though Su Wan’ning presented the forehead band and spoke of her painstaking effort, Madam Lu, while expressing gratitude, was not particularly moved.
Instead, she simply said, “Ah, I fear I must refuse your kind gesture. My chronic headaches have mostly healed. Lately, everything has been smooth and peaceful, and I find I have no more desires, only clarity. But since you’ve already made it, I do thank you for your thoughtfulness. Perhaps you could give it to the Old Madam instead—it would be a shame to waste your sleepless nights.”
Su Wan’ning’s expression darkened slightly, a trace of doubt flickering in her eyes.
Seeing her somewhat shaken look, Lu Hanzhi thought to himself—Is your enchantment failing to take effect?
Just as Lu Hanzhi was secretly pleased with himself, a sudden commotion erupted outside the courtyard.
A servant rushed in, gasping for breath, and shouted, “Something terrible has happened! Madam, Fourth Young Master has fallen into the water!”
Everyone was shocked. Madam Lu immediately stood up and asked, “What happened? Has he been rescued?”
The servant panted heavily, struggling to catch his breath. “He… he has been saved, but…”
Madam Lu grew anxious. “Why are you stammering? But what? What’s the matter?”
The servant quickly answered, “Aunt Du just summoned a physician. It’s likely… Fourth Young Master won’t be able to keep the child.”
Lu Hanzhi inhaled sharply. In just a short while, Lu Haozhi had not only fallen into the water but also suffered a miscarriage?
The women of the rear courtyard all hurried toward Aunt Du’s residence.
Lu Siwei had already arrived and was softly consoling Aunt Du.
When Madam Lu stepped inside, she saw a maid carrying out a basin of bloodied water, followed closely by the physician.
Madam Lu stepped forward and asked, “Doctor, how is he?”
The physician, carrying his medicine chest, shook his head and said, “The shock was too great, and he nearly drowned. The child could not be saved. He must rest well—he’s still young and will have more chances in the future.”
Hearing this, Aunt Du immediately burst into wailing sobs.
Lu Siwei was growing impatient. This Aunt Du only managed to win his favor because of her looks—without them, how could a woman as inexperienced and ignorant as her have held his affection for all these years?
Madam Lu frowned and said, “What’s the use of crying? Hurry and inform the Crown Prince! You can’t even take care of a child properly—crying is all you’re good for, isn’t it?”
Aunt Du was already feeling suffocated with frustration, and upon hearing Madam Lu’s words, she immediately pointed at her and shrieked, “It was you! It was all you! You’re the one who harmed Hao’er’s child! You’re a vicious, heartless woman!”
Madam Lu, however, only sneered at this accusation. With a cold laugh, she said, “I was in the back courtyard the entire time with a house full of guests, admiring the fragrant soap that Han’er brought back. I never even stepped out of the courtyard. If the master weren’t home today, I really would have been falsely accused by your baseless slander! I’d like to ask the servants by Fourth Young Master’s side—how exactly did he fall?”
Lu Hanzhi stood to the side, watching the show unfold. To be honest, he felt quite sorry for Lu Haozhi. The poor boy had spent his entire life living in his shadow, burdened with a mother who insisted on comparing the two of them.
The Lu family only needed to raise one heir—there was no real reason for them to keep Lu Haozhi around.
Besides, Lu Haozhi’s talent was far from exceptional.
If he had been raised like any ordinary man, he might not have turned out too badly.
Even with average aptitude, he could have learned to manage the household under Lu Chenzhi’s guidance. Once Lu Chenzhi inherited the family’s fortune, he could have secured an official post for his younger brother.
He could have lived a life of wealth and comfort, having everything he desired.
But Aunt Du, eager to climb the social ladder, had whispered sweet words into Lu Siwei’s ear and managed to have her son raised as the Xiao Langjun of the household. She had pinned all her hopes on him soaring like a phoenix.
And now, just as she had finally gotten her wish, everything had crumbled before her eyes.
If she weren’t furious, she wouldn’t be Aunt Du.
Fortunately, Lu Siwei still had some sense. He spoke up, “Bring in the people who were by Fourth Young Master’s side.”
The maids and servants had clearly been beaten already—only the maid Si Yi, who had been gifted to Lu Haozhi by the Crown Prince, remained standing.
Si Yi stood before them with a helpless expression. As the head maid of the Crown Prince’s residence, she held some status.
Before Lu Siwei could even ask, she curtsied and sighed. “I know what Master and Madam wish to ask. We were all with the young master at the time. For some reason, he suddenly acted impulsively, running to the edge of the pond to pluck a lotus seedpod. He said that eating it would help him conceive a son. We tried to stop him, but we couldn’t, and he ended up falling in.”
Aunt Du was finally at a loss for words. Madam Lu, however, seized the opportunity to mock her. “Hear that? Luck and fate are decided by the heavens. Eating lotus seeds won’t guarantee a string of noble sons!”
Lu Hanzhi, however, felt suspicious. Lu Haozhi wasn’t a fool—was he truly unaware of his own situation? Why would he suddenly act so irrationally and insist on picking the lotus seedpod himself?
If he wanted to eat lotus seeds, he had servants who could fetch them for him. There was no need for him to do it himself.
As he turned his head sharply, he caught a glimpse of a yellow hem disappearing around the corner.
Su Wan’ning.
Lu Hanzhi instantly understood.
Even though Su Wan’ning didn’t like the Crown Prince, he was still her trump card.
In the original novel, despite being adored by all the powerful figures, the only one who was truly devoted to her was the Crown Prince.
But that devotion had one condition—his heart had to remain empty, holding no one but her.
She had to ensure that she was the only one in his heart in order to control everything completely.
Lu Haozhi’s child was an accident—one she couldn’t allow to happen.
And thinking about his own situation… If he hadn’t transmigrated into this book, then the original Lu Hanzhi, under her relentless psychological attacks, would have long since strangled his own child to death with his own hands.
Lu Hanzhi frowned. This heroine was truly a black-hearted lotus!
After a whole day of chaos, Lu Siwei finally sent someone to summon the Crown Prince.
But the Crown Prince refused to see anyone, citing pressing matters.
Lu Haozhi, having just suffered a miscarriage, broke into tears the moment he heard the news, sobbing pitifully.
By evening, Lu Hanzhi bid farewell to Madam Lu and prepared to return to his estate.
Lu Siwei still didn’t favor him, so he didn’t see the need to linger and irritate him further.
Just as he was leaving, he saw a eunuch in yellow robes rushing into the Lu residence, immediately ushered in by Lu Siwei’s personal attendant.
Lu Hanzhi frowned and instructed Zai Yu, his quick-witted servant, to go investigate. They agreed to meet at the city gate later.
Zai Yu nodded and left, while Lu Hanzhi rode ahead to the southern gate.
From a distance, he spotted Prince Ling’an disguised as a hunched beggar carrying a tattered sack. Who would have thought that this insignificant, leprous-looking cripple would one day become the ruthless, terrifying warlord who struck fear across the land?
Lu Hanzhi halted the carriage and let the man inside.
A moment later, Zai Yu returned.
Leaning in, he whispered, “There’s been an incident at the Crown Prince’s residence. He was attacked and stabbed in the abdomen. Though not life-threatening, the wound is severe. Investigations suggest that the assailant was a trusted aide of the Third Prince.”
Lu Hanzhi immediately nodded, understanding the situation.
He couldn’t help but glance at Yuwen Min with admiration and clasped his hands. “Your Highness, that was quite the brilliant move.”
Yuwen Min had already pulled his heavy sword from the sack and said, “Oh? And what exactly do you think I’ve done?”
Lu Hanzhi smirked. “You had General Rong seize evidence that Yuwen Jing plotted his murder, then personally went to assassinate the Crown Prince. If I’m not mistaken, you used a Hu blade, didn’t you? The signature weapon of the nomadic wolf tribe—likely one specifically used by his closest aides.”
Yuwen Min remained silent, gripping his sword, but his gaze signaled Lu Hanzhi to continue.
Lu Hanzhi chuckled. “Whether or not the evidence against Yuwen Jing is real doesn’t matter. What matters is that even Yuwen Jing himself can’t be sure. That third brother of yours has always been reckless—he might even believe that his own men betrayed him.”
“With this, His Majesty will have no choice but to investigate him. After all, even the Eldest Prince was thrown into prison over a baseless accusation. He has no reason to spare the Third Prince. The first thing he’ll do is arrest him. But whether he does or not isn’t the point… The real question is—Your Highness, have you already gathered proof that the Eldest Prince was framed?”
At those words, Yuwen Min finally reacted. He studied Lu Hanzhi intently and said, “You not marrying into the Crown Prince’s household is his loss.”
Lu Hanzhi: …
Why do you keep bringing up the Crown Prince?
Lu Hanzhi was speechless and said, “Your Highness, the one who married the Crown Prince is my younger brother, and he just had a miscarriage—it wasn’t me. Do you think that as a Xiao Langjun who has already given birth, I could still marry into the Crown Prince’s household? Forget about the Crown Prince—even a farming family might not be willing to take me in.”
Yuwen Min, however, replied, “The world is full of fools. It wasn’t your fault, so why blame yourself for having a child?”
Lu Hanzhi: ???
Wow! This tyrant’s perspective was surprisingly modern!
That’s right, that’s right! It really wasn’t my fault!
If anyone should be blamed, it should be that lousy scumbag!
Lu Hanzhi looked at Yuwen Min with an expression full of emotion and said, “Your Highness, ever since I gave birth over two months ago, this is the first time someone has spoken up for me.”
Yuwen Min said nothing. He was never one for many words.
But Lu Hanzhi was deeply moved. Grinning, he said, “Ah, just hearing Your Highness say that has lifted a great weight off my heart. But… Your Highness, I still have grievances in my heart. To be toyed with and then discarded like this… I risked my life to give birth to his child, yet he acts as if I don’t exist. How do you think such a person should be judged?”
Without even thinking, Yuwen Min replied, “Heartless, shameless, utterly despicable—such a crime deserves death!”
Lu Hanzhi nearly burst out laughing and said, “So, would you say he’s a complete bastard?”
Yuwen Min remained silent.
Lu Hanzhi, however, was relentless. Holding back his laughter, he thought: This tyrant must be thinking about his own heartless, shameless, and despicable father right now.
Suddenly, on a whim, he decided to tease him and said, “Ahem… It’s like this, Your Highness. For days now, my heart has felt stifled, as if I can’t even breathe. I just want to find someone to share my frustration with—to curse that shameless man and let out some of this pent-up anger! Your Highness… would you grant me this small wish?”
Although Yuwen Min still did not speak, he slowly nodded his head.
Lu Hanzhi was laughing so hard inside he could barely contain himself. He said, “Then I’ll say a sentence, and Your Highness will repeat after me, alright?”
Lu Hanzhi: “Ah Chan’s father is a shameless, lousy scumbag!!!”
Yuwen Min: “…Ah Chan’s father… is a shameless… lousy scumbag…”
Your favorite BL chaos wouldn’t be possible without coffee… lots of coffee….
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