Chapter 53
Lu Hanzhi squinted and took a closer look. That crazed Xiao Langjun was none other than Yuwen Jue—the same Yuwen Jue who had demonstrated his loyalty just days ago by taking the sacred medicine in front of the emperor.
Lu Hanzhi blurted out in a low voice, “Second Sister-in-law?”
Then, realizing his mistake, he immediately covered his mouth, his eyes darting around shiftily.
Deciding to pull his carriage aside, he settled in to watch the drama unfold while munching on some melon seeds.
Honestly, the people at the heart of imperial power were truly impressive.
His second sister-in-law usually seemed so mild and gentlemanly, the very image of a refined scholar. But when it came to acting, he was willing to go all out!
If Lu Hanzhi had guessed correctly, the next scene would be a dramatic case of a noble seizing an innocent civilian right on the streets.
Sure enough, just a second later, his second brother rushed in from behind, blocking the Eldest Prince’s path.
Dressed in martial training attire, Lu Xuzhi had probably been practicing for the upcoming imperial military exam.
Unfortunately, he had run straight into the Eldest Prince’s unexpected heat episode.
There had already been rumors across the capital that the Eldest Prince had taken the sacred medicine upon reaching adulthood.
But unlike children, adults who consumed the medicine experienced very different effects.
For children, the process was gradual, with no side effects—if anything, it extended their lifespan and strengthened their constitution.
For adults, however, the medicine’s effects were much stronger and faster, but it came with numerous risks.
For instance, their heat cycles could become unstable, or worse, they could mature without even experiencing heat at all.
What the Eldest Prince was going through today was a clear example of an unstable cycle.
Lu Hanzhi couldn’t help but applaud in admiration. How did these two shameless individuals even come up with this?
And to think, he had once seen them as the model couple. Did they have any dignity left at all?
Then again, they didn’t need to worry—someone would surely step in to salvage their honor.
After all, Prince Chu had undergone this for the sake of the nation’s future.
The next moment, Yuwen Jue lunged at Lu Xuzhi. Lu Xuzhi swiftly dodged and said, “Your Highness! You must return to the estate immediately! It’s dangerous for you to be here!”
Everyone knew that once a Xiao Langjun went into heat, they became completely uncontrollable.
Already, a few ordinary men in the crowd had a wild look in their eyes. But it didn’t matter—if they dared to approach, Prince Chu’s guards would not hesitate to break their legs.
Of course, Prince Chu wasn’t the type to obediently return just because he was told to.
He stared at Lu Xuzhi with desperate longing and said, “Return to the estate? …Fine! But you must come with me! I will reward you handsomely!”
The people on the main street were all watching the scene unfold, but no one dared to say anything.
If this had happened to the young master of an ordinary wealthy family, he would have already been cursed at and pointed at beyond recognition—there’d be enough gossip to flood the entire Zhu Que Street.
But this was the Eldest Prince. Who would dare to criticize the Eldest Prince when something like this happened?
Besides, the Eldest Prince had sacrificed himself for the nation’s fortune. Some had already started explaining the situation to the crowd, and as they did, they even gave him a thumbs-up.
Watching from the sidelines, Lu Hanzhi couldn’t help but admire the brilliance of it all. At this moment, he thought about the concept of controlling public opinion. He had to admit—his second brother and second sister-in-law had really thought everything through!
The Eldest Prince started acting wildly again. Lu Xuzhi stepped forward to hold him, but instead, the prince clung to him tightly and began engaging in physical intimacy.
Now, the onlookers couldn’t stay calm anymore. Lu Hanzhi was so shocked that his melon seeds spilled all over the ground. With his mouth slightly open, he commented, “You two are overdoing it… Tsk tsk, the well-fed never know the hunger of the starving!” Even when putting on a show, they were force-feeding everyone public displays of affection.
Fortunately, Lu Xuzhi was strong and lifted the prince into his arms, then swiftly mounted his light carriage and rushed toward the prince’s residence.
As they left, the crowd gradually dispersed, and it wasn’t hard to imagine that this incident would soon reach the emperor’s ears.
Even if the Eldest Prince himself didn’t speak of it, there were bound to be multiple factions eager to report it to the emperor.
One could already picture how many memorials the emperor would receive that night.
There were plenty of people eager to expose the Eldest Prince’s scandals.
Especially the Empress—formerly known as Concubine Li.
Concubine Li had just been officially granted the title of Empress, but she was not a secondary empress, nor had the emperor ever had a formal principal wife.
This matter had a long history behind it.
Back when Imperial Imperial Concubine Rong had just married into the Crown Prince’s residence, there had already been a favored concubine living there.
That concubine had been the emperor’s true love.
They had been childhood sweethearts, and as soon as they reached maturity, they had been married off to the then-Crown Prince as a favored concubine.
Unfortunately, fate was cruel. The concubine died during childbirth, and their child perished as well.
The Crown Prince at the time was devastated and never took another concubine.
In his heart, that deceased concubine was the only rightful spouse. Even after ascending the throne, he never brought up the topic of establishing an empress. Anyone who did risked angering him.
Fearing they would bring up the emperor’s painful past, the ministers avoided the subject altogether.
Later, to ease the Crown Prince’s grief over his lost concubine, the concubine’s family sent his younger sister, who bore a slight resemblance to him, into the palace. She was immediately conferred the title of Concubine Li. After the emperor ascended the throne, she was elevated to Concubine Rong’s equal in status as the mother of the Eldest Prince.
Concubine Rong had no intention of competing for favor and simply watched as Concubine Li rose smoothly through the ranks.
From concubine, to imperial concubine, to imperial noble concubine, and now to empress.
Meanwhile, Concubine Rong remained as she was—just Concubine Rong .
There was a reason she never fought for favor.
She had once told her eldest son that on the second day of her arrival at the Crown Prince’s residence, she had overheard slanderous remarks.
People said that with the Rong family holding military power, if she were made empress after the Crown Prince ascended, external relatives would interfere in state affairs, and the Yuwen dynasty would be at risk of being overthrown.
There were even rumors within the residence claiming that she had been jealous of the favor bestowed upon Xu Liangshi and had caused his difficult pregnancy, leading to his tragic death.
Had she not also been pregnant at the time and given birth to the Eldest Prince shortly after, things wouldn’t have been so easily brushed aside.
Because of this, Concubine Rong had maintained a persona of kindness and tolerance within the palace ever since, choosing to live as someone gentle and unambitious.
This made Lu Hanzhi think of Imperial Concubine Hua from Empresses in the Palace—also the sister of a great general.
But the difference in their fates as imperial concubines was staggering.
Then again, that arrogant and domineering Imperial Concubine Hua hadn’t even survived past half the plot.
Lu Hanzhi hoped that Imperial Concubine Rong’s patience and caution would earn her a better ending.
When the news reached the palace that night, the emperor’s reaction was not particularly strong.
It was late, and he didn’t send anyone to Prince Chu’s residence to investigate.
The Empress, however, was whispering into his ear, “For the Eldest Prince to be involved in something like this, I fear he must be promised to someone soon. Your Majesty, I heard that Lu Xuzhi was the one who brought him home. A common man—how could he withstand the effects of the aphrodisiac? I fear that the two of them…”
The emperor seemed to be lost in thought.
The Empress smiled and continued, “If the young master did indeed engage in such an act at this moment, there is a high chance of pregnancy. If Prince Chu were to conceive and yet remained unwed, wouldn’t that bring shame upon the imperial family? Besides, the Eldest Prince only ended up like this for the sake of the nation’s fortune. Your Majesty must consider his future.”
At this thought, the Empress was nearly bursting with laughter. Without lifting a finger, she had completely crushed the Eldest Prince.
Even if he commanded the mighty Rong family’s army of a million, what could he do? A mere Xiao Langjun—did he still dream of becoming emperor?
The emperor seemed to take the Empress’s words to heart. He nodded slowly, already making calculations in his mind.
Meanwhile, after watching the spectacle, Lu Hanzhi returned home, only to find his mother anxiously pacing around the main hall.
The moment she saw her precious youngest son return, she rushed forward to take her little grandson from his arms and said, “Sigh, Han’er, something has happened! Something big has happened!”
Lu Hanzhi immediately knew—news of his second brother and Prince Chu had reached home.
He said, “Mother, don’t worry. Sit down and tell me slowly.”
But how could Madam Lu sit still? She was an impatient person and could never hold back once something was on her mind.
“Just now, your second brother heard that Prince Chu was… uh, affected by something on the street. He got worried and ran to save him. But he is just an ordinary man! He can’t be around Prince Chu like he used to—sitting and talking late into the night without consequences! Something could happen! And now that he’s gone there, rumors will definitely start flying! If this reaches the emperor’s ears…”
As she spoke, Madam Lu resumed pacing anxiously.
Lu Hanzhi felt dizzy watching her. He quickly stepped forward, pulled her to sit in a chair, and said, “Mother, mother, listen to me! This might not be a bad thing!”
Madam Lu frowned. “Not a bad thing? But the Eldest Prince is Prince Chu! A dignified prince—if your brother sullies him…”
She suddenly paused mid-sentence, her expression changing to one of delight. She stood up again and said, “Then… wouldn’t that mean he has to marry him?”
Lu Hanzhi couldn’t help but give her a thumbs-up. “Mother, you’re brilliant!”
Madam Lu immediately began worrying again. “But what if the emperor doesn’t agree?”
Lu Hanzhi thought to himself—the emperor would definitely agree!
He was probably eager to marry off this troublesome eldest son so he could finally get a good night’s sleep.
Honestly, in Lu Hanzhi’s opinion, the Eldest Prince was humble and gentle—far better than the emperor’s other sons!
Certainly! Here’s the translation of each paragraph in a natural English style while retaining the essence of the original text:
Especially that Yuwen Min, always ready to fight and kill, exuding so much hostility that it’s truly frightening.
But of course, he wouldn’t dare to say this out loud; that would be a sure way to lose his head.
He comforted Madam Lu on the side and said, “In the end, if it’s fortune, it can’t be avoided; if it’s disaster, it can’t be evaded. Mother, what if Prince Chu ends up having my second brother’s child? Wouldn’t that mean our Lu family would have an heir?”
Madam Lu slapped Lu Hanzhi on the face and said, “You must never speak such nonsense in front of others!”
Lu Hanzhi stuck out his tongue. Did he even need to say anything? His second sister-in-law was already carrying a bun in his belly.
But honestly, he didn’t want to get involved in this. It was better for them to figure it out themselves. Right now, he had more important things to do.
Lu Hanzhi asked Madam Lu, “By the way, Mother, how is Grandmother? Is she still staying indoors these days?”
Madam Lu sighed and said, “The weather’s gotten cold, so she stays in her courtyard every day. She’s getting old, so she doesn’t go out much. Recently, she’s been feeling even older; after all, she’s in her sixties now.”
Lu Hanzhi asked again, “Then… has Cousin Su Wan’ning, come back yet?”
Madam Lu shook her head, her face showing some displeasure, and said, “She left early this morning to go administer some medicine, always acting like a bodhisattva, as if she’s helping everyone. Yet, isn’t she just spending our Lu family’s money? Isn’t it about time Old Madam became a bit more sensible? Just a few days ago, she was still telling me that she should learn to manage the household! She’s an outsider, and it was already kind-hearted of me to let her stay in the Lu family, but now she wants to manage the house. I really don’t know what she’s thinking.”
In the original story, Su Wan’ning was in charge of the household, as at that time, Lu Hanzhi had already fallen out of favor in the Lu family.
The situation now, however, was exactly the opposite.
Lu Hanzhi nodded, thinking that his mother’s values were getting clearer, then turned to leave the main hall.
Behind him, Madam Lu called out, “Don’t run off! Dinner will be ready soon!”
Lu Hanzhi responded and swiftly made his way to Old Madam Lu’s courtyard.
He had to take advantage of the fact that Su Wan’ning wasn’t back yet and quickly put up the talismans.
After all, it was his own home, so entering Old Madam Lu’s courtyard was easy for him.
He tiptoed into Old Madam Lu’s room. Fortunately, the old lady enjoyed peace and quiet and didn’t like anyone disturbing her when she slept.
This worked in his favor, allowing him to smoothly grab the cane that was placed beside her bed.
Old Madam Lu was sleeping soundly and didn’t hear a thing.
The old lady lay in bed, her face withered and looking as though she was nearing her end. Her white hair had even turned slightly yellow.
Her eye sockets were deep, with dark circles under her eyes, which made her look quite pitiful.
”How cruel!” Lu Hanzhi sighed, then took out the talisman he had prepared earlier from his sleeve. Just as he was about to place the talisman on the cane, he suddenly heard a familiar voice from outside the door.
”Keep watch outside, don’t let anyone in. I need to check Old Madam’s pulse.”
Your favorite BL chaos wouldn’t be possible without coffee… lots of coffee….
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