Chapter 21: A Loan or a Gift

This ink was tainted with the power of faith and stained with the blood of meritorious officials.

Lu Zhaoling had once acquired a piece of this ink by chance. Because the characters written with it possessed an exceptionally sharp and domineering aura—commanding submission simply by being looked at—and because it shimmered with a faint, crimson mist, she had been deeply intrigued and spent considerable time investigating its origins.

Her research revealed that it was crafted by an extreme eccentric in the art of ink-making during the final dynasty. It was a type of lampblack ink, produced by mixing the blood of meritorious officials with soot, then sealing it and placing it before a Buddha statue to be venerated for eighty-one days. While there were certainly other unique methods involved in its creation, the blood of a meritorious official was the rarest component.

Such ink was exceedingly scarce, and as it was never widely circulated, the world remained largely unaware of its existence. In fact, during the heyday of ink-making, various techniques had emerged, each producing distinct results, but this particular variety was among the rarest. It was known as "Offering Ink."

Lu Zhaoling never expected to see characters written in Offering Ink here, let alone on an imperial decree. She wondered if the Emperor himself even knew of its nature. Using such ink for a decree certainly enhanced the majesty of the imperial command—though it held no sway over her.

Seeing Lu Zhaoling preoccupied with the decree, Lu Ming’s fury reached a breaking point. "I am your father, and you must listen to me! Under no circumstances are you to marry Prince Jin!"

He had been somewhat tempted before, but he had now made up his mind: he must stand firmly with the Second Prince and the Emperor, not favor Prince Jin. Furthermore, Lu Zhaoling’s demeanor proved she was a troublemaker, difficult to control; even if she gained some advantage, she would never think to share it with the Lu family. Most importantly, he could not allow her to climb such a high branch and slip entirely from his grasp.

"Has a wedding date been set for Lu Zhaoyun and the Crown Prince?" Lu Zhaoling suddenly asked.

Lu Ming answered instinctively, "No..."

"Then you might consider having her call off the engagement. I’ve already accepted the decree, after all." With that, Lu Zhaoling signaled for Qingyin and Qingling to help her up. She wanted to go back to sleep; her head ached, she felt dizzy, and she was exhausted.

The entire Lu family watched as she simply walked away, their reactions varied, though mostly filled with indignation.

"Lu Zhaoling!"

Lu Ming’s roar was left behind as Qingyin and Qingling helped her back to the Listening Warmth Pavilion.

"Miss, the decree should have been placed in the Lu family's small ancestral hall by Master Lu..." Qingyin reminded her, seeing how she had just carried it off.

"The Lu family’s ancestral hall is likely filthy. It’s unnecessary. Just put it in a trunk," Lu Zhaoling said, tossing the decree to her.

Qingyin was startled and scrambled to catch it. How could she be so casual with an imperial decree? And what did she mean by the ancestral hall being filthy?

Lu Zhaoling was already lying on the bed. "The news of the Retired Emperor’s passing will arrive soon. How long must the princes observe mourning?" She recalled Lu Zhaoyun’s engagement to the Second Prince. Lu Zhaoyun claimed to be seventeen; shouldn't she have been married off long ago?

Qingyin replied, "In the Great Zhou Dynasty, princes only need to mourn for one year."

Not three years? That was good. It meant Lu Zhaoyun wouldn't become the Second Prince’s consort within the year. Moreover, she would have at least a year with Prince Jin; by then, her body and spirit should be recovered, and she could call off the engagement at the perfect time. Unexpectedly, she felt the Retired Emperor had passed at a rather opportune moment.

"Tomorrow, go back to the Prince Jin’s estate and ask the Prince whether he is merely lending you to me or gifting you to me. If it is the latter, bring your deeds of sale." Lu Zhaoling said this and closed her eyes, falling asleep almost instantly.

Qingyin and Qingling exchanged glances, both feeling uneasy. Should they be lent to Miss Lu or gifted to her? Lu Zhaoling was clearly out of favor in the Lu household, had come from the countryside, and was likely penniless. Compared to the Prince’s estate, any sensible person would choose the latter. However, she was now betrothed to Prince Jin; if she truly became the Princess, they would return to the estate by her side, becoming her right-hand women—a status far different from that of ordinary maids.

How should they choose? Seeing that Lu Zhaoling was fast asleep, the two maids stepped out on tiptoe and closed the door.

Once further away from the room, Qingling sighed. "Qingyin, Miss Lu doesn't even have a single bundle of belongings. The clothes she changed into today were only sent by Madam Lu because the physician was present." In other words, she was so poor that even mice wouldn't visit her. She had only moved into the Listening Warmth Pavilion because the daily necessities were already provided there.

"Yes, how could she not even bring a few changes of clothes?" Qingyin was speechless.

"If the Prince really gives us to Miss Lu, what will we do?" Qingling was gripped by anxiety. They had been in the Prince’s estate for ten years and considered it home. The estate had a housekeeper and Nanny Qing, but what did the Lu household have? Here, they felt like guests living under someone else’s roof. Lu Zhaoling herself was shunned and isolated; there was no hope for them.

Yet, remembering how Lu Zhaoling had seen through her act of killing and pointed out her dirty hands, Qingyin inexplicably felt that Lu Zhaoling would not remain in such a miserable state forever. She was a woman of capability.

"Let’s ask the Prince when we return tomorrow."

Shortly after Lu Zhaoling returned to her pavilion, the Lu family received the news of the Retired Emperor’s passing. They were stunned. Lu Ming hurriedly ordered the servants to prepare white lanterns and instructed every courtyard to change into plain mourning attire, temporarily setting aside the matter of Lu Zhaoling.

Lu Zhaoyun, however, was devastated. "Mother, with the royal mourning, won’t my marriage to the Second Prince be delayed yet again?" She had been longing to marry him soon.

Madam Lu’s expression was grim. "The Retired Emperor has passed on. If the Second Prince wishes to marry, he must either rush the wedding within a month during the 'hot mourning' period, or wait a full year." But they hadn't even set a date yet; a month was impossible, and the Emperor would never agree. The Emperor had never been keen on this match and had been dragging his feet on choosing an auspicious date.

Lu Zhaoyun swayed. "So I have to wait another year?" She feared that a long delay would bring unexpected troubles.

"What other choice is there?" Madam Lu sighed helplessly. "However, Lu Zhaoling cannot marry into the Prince’s estate within the year either! That gives us a year to find a way to make her break the engagement!" Perhaps, before the year was out, Lu Zhaoling wouldn't even be alive—let alone dreaming of being the Princess.

Early the next morning, Qingyin returned to the Prince’s estate. She was fortunate enough to see Prince Jin, who was dressed in plain white silk robes. Even in such simple attire, his features appeared sharp and refined, as cold and pure as the moon.

Before Qingyin could speak, the Prince signaled for Qingfeng to hand over a bundle. The cloth was faded, stained with dust, and wrinkled.

"This is Lu Zhaoling’s bundle. Take it back to her," the Prince said.