Chapter 18: Standing Up for Him

The Empress Dowager has always been fond of him!

“Prince Jin has gone too far. That little wretch was clearly my concubine, yet he dared to snatch her away!”

Zhu Minghao grew angrier the more he thought about it. How could a distinguished prince compete with a marquis’s heir for a woman?

Lady Qingfu, the marquis’s wife, was moved to tears with worry. Without hesitation, she said, “My lord, look at how badly our Hao’er has been bullied. If you, as his father, don’t stand up for him, how will we save face as mother and son?”

Though he felt sorry for his son, Marquis Qingfu was conflicted.

“Does Minghao gain any honor by snatching a young lady as his concubine in broad daylight? At such a young age, he’s already known for bringing a concubine into the household. His reputation will be ruined!”

Moreover, the way he tried to forcibly take her home was utterly improper. The girl reportedly fled, but that scoundrel still sent people to chase and block her.

What does that mean?

It means he took her by force!

With this realization, Marquis Qingfu took a deep breath. “Hao’er, be honest with your father. Where did you take that girl by force? Did she resist coming back to the marquisate with you?”

Before Zhu Minghao could respond, Lady Qingfu, displeased, snapped, “My lord, what nonsense is that? If our Hao’er fancies her, that’s her own fortune! How could she possibly resist?”

“Besides, the Lin family isn’t saying a word. What right do others have to criticize? Ridiculous.”

Miss Lin was betrothed to Zhu Minghao, awaiting their marriage six months later when she came of age.

However, the Lin family was of lower status compared to the Qingfu marquisate, and Lady Qingfu had never been satisfied with this match. But since it was arranged by the late marquis and Lady Lin’s father, they couldn’t simply break it off.

Marquis Qingfu felt helpless under his wife’s words.

“Let’s not dwell on that. But since the girl ended up in Prince Jin’s carriage, isn’t it better to let it go? Why storm in front of Prince Jin and shout?”

Lady Qingfu smirked dismissively.

“My lord, have you lost your mind? When the Retired Emperor was still on the throne, Prince Jin was indeed favored. But in recent years, he has been afflicted with a strange illness and has been seeking famous doctors outside the capital. The Prince Jin residence is essentially an empty shell with no influence in the city.”

“Besides, the one on the throne now is the Emperor himself. Prince Jin no longer enjoys the protection and favor of the Retired Emperor. Does he still think it’s like when he was a child?”

Lady Qingfu truly believed this.

How could the Emperor favor this younger brother? They did not share the same mother.

The current Empress Dowager was the Emperor’s cousin on his mother’s side, so there was some kinship. But Prince Jin had no relation to the Empress Dowager, so she certainly wouldn’t protect him.

On the other hand, their Minghao was liked by the Emperor and favored by the Empress Dowager. Compared to that, what chance did Prince Jin have?

Right now, our Hao’er is the one truly favored in the palace. Zhou Shiyue just doesn’t understand this.

Lady Qingfu snorted proudly, “This is the perfect opportunity to let him see the reality. I don’t care—I won’t let that little wretch get away with beating our Hao’er like this.”

Seeing his mother stand firmly by his side, Zhu Minghao swelled with confidence and shouted, “Exactly! We cannot forgive him! Mother, I want Prince Jin to personally deliver that little wretch back to the marquisate and apologize to me!”

The image of Lu Zhaoling’s breathtaking face flashed in his mind, stirring a restless feeling. He immediately added, “And that little wretch—just wait and see what I’ll do to her!”

“Hao’er, speak properly. What kind of conduct is this?” Marquis Qingfu groaned, troubled by his son’s words.

“What’s wrong with what Hao’er said? That little wretch beat our son like this and still expects kindness?”

“Enough, I can’t manage you two.”

With that, Marquis Qingfu swept out of his son’s courtyard.

Lady Qiao said to Zhu Minghao, “Hao’er, focus on healing. I’ll handle this for you.”

“Mother, first we must go to Prince Jin’s residence and snatch that little wretch back. I’m badly injured—I want her to serve me!”

“All right. I’ll send someone right away.”

Lady Qiao hurried out and caught up with Marquis Qingfu. “My lord, I’m going to the palace to ask the Empress Dowager for support. Prepare your men; once I return, we’ll confront Prince Jin!”

Just then, the steward rushed in, breathless. “My lord! The Retired Emperor has passed away!”

The Great Zhou was plunged into mourning.

Following the late emperor’s wishes, the funeral was modest. Yet white lanterns hung throughout the city, and a heavy, sorrowful atmosphere settled over the capital.

The people were cautious, speaking little and keeping their activities subdued.

All entertainment was suspended, and marriages were postponed.

Families kept their children close, forbidding them from playing or laughing outside.

The streets were filled with mourners dressed in plain, somber clothes, devoid of any bright colors.

Before this, a decree of marriage had shattered the Lu family.

“Lord Lu, I hear your second young lady has just been brought back from the countryside?”

Lu Ming had been pondering Lu Zhaoling’s situation in his study when the official bearing the decree arrived. He hurried to the front hall.

Before he could ask anything, the official’s question made his heart skip a beat.

Was this directed at Lu Zhaoling?

“Sir, has this matter really reached the Emperor’s ears?” Lu Ming asked cautiously.

Wasn’t Prince Jin planning to handle Lu Zhaoling quietly? This didn’t bode well.

The official smiled briefly, then, recalling the Retired Emperor, quickly suppressed it. “Bring out the second young lady so the decree can be delivered.”

Lu Ming frowned. “Sir, does the Emperor’s decree really require the child’s presence?”

Lady Lu arrived as well, quickly adding without hesitation, “Yes, sir. Zhaoling is timid and inexperienced with formal occasions since she’s just come from the countryside. She shouldn’t come.”

Upon hearing the news, she had already summoned everyone in the household.

As for Lu Zhaoling, what right did she have to hear the imperial decree?

The official’s face darkened. “This decree is specifically for the second young lady!”

Lu Zhaoyun and the others were stunned.

“Mother, could Prince Jin have complained to the Emperor? Is the Emperor going to order Zhaoling’s execution?”

They all thought Lu Zhaoling had offended Prince Jin.

The Prince Jin residence had sent two maids to keep watch over her.

Lady Lu was about to say that if the intention was execution, why bother bringing in the imperial physician? That would be pointless.

The official, growing impatient, urged them to fetch her.

Lu Ming could only send a maid to summon Lu Zhaoling from the warm chamber.

He wondered if the girl, so badly injured, could even get out of bed.

Lu Zhaoling had just finished dressing her hair and bandaging her wounds when she heard the decree had arrived and she must go. She dressed carefully, supported by Qingyin and Qingling, and made her way to the front hall.

Every step left her weak and trembling, anger toward Prince Jin bubbling in her heart.

Upon her entrance, every pair of eyes in the Lu residence fixed on her.

The official looked at her and was struck by her beauty but also noticed how severe her injuries were.

“The imperial decree has arrived. Second young lady, please kneel and receive it.”

Everyone in the Lu household knelt in unison.