Lu Wanning racked her brains and recalled an incident that happened in the book before the fall of the Lu family. At that time, the emperor's condition was extremely poor. The battle in the northern desert had lasted for nearly a year. Just before victory was in sight, Fu Rongxuan was transferred away from the capital by the crown prince.
She wasn't sure if the book didn't mention the specific details or if she simply couldn't remember. All she knew was that the Lu Wanning in the book was heart - broken because no matter where Fu Rongxuan went, he never forgot to take Shi Aohan with him, including this time when he left the capital on official business.
If her memory served her right, it was after this incident that the crown prince obtained a great deal of information about Lu Hongxi colluding with external parties and intending to rebel. After that, the Lu family was stripped of their noble titles, but they weren't sentenced to the extreme penalty. Even when the emperor was alive, he still let Lu Hongxi go to the battlefield, saying it was an opportunity for him to atone for his crimes.
Unfortunately, the emperor passed away soon after. Prince Yu was heart - broken and vomited blood before dying...
So, was it happening earlier this time? Fu Rongxuan was sent out earlier to look for flaws in the Lu family. Without Lu Hongxi around, it would be easier to pour the blame on the Lu family.
Lu Wanning's eyes flickered slightly. She sneered and said to Jiyue, "They have too much free time. I'll have to find them something to do so they don't cause trouble."
Jiyue blinked her eyes and asked, "How shall we proceed?"
Seeing her eager look, Lu Wanning couldn't help but reach out and pat her head. "It's not difficult. Shi Aohan is extremely beautiful. Didn't someone once describe her as a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world?"
Jiyue quickly shook her head. "I don't think so. With that mournful look on her face, always on the verge of tears, how can she be beautiful? You, my lady, are the one with unparalleled beauty."
Lu Wanning laughed. "Come on, don't say such things. But we must give Shi Aohan enough praise."
Jiyue tentatively asked, "Do you mean... to kill with excessive praise?"
"Not bad. You even know what that means now?" Lu Wanning nodded approvingly. "But that's not enough. We need to add a bit more."
Jiyue lowered her head blankly to listen to Lu Wanning's words. She couldn't help but widen her eyes. "This... What is this for? A reincarnation of the Nine - Heavens Mysterious Lady? And... This... My lady, if we do this, won't Miss Shi's power keep growing? Are you planning to sow discord between her and the empress? But I don't think this method is good."
"Don't ask so many questions. Go and do it quickly."
Jiyue had no choice but to obediently go and carry out the task.
In just two days, the whole city was filled with rumors about Shi Aohan, the new adopted daughter of the empress.
Shi Aohan was extremely anxious. She paced back and forth in the elegant pavilion. When she saw Fu Rongxuan enter, tears streamed down her face. "My dear Fu..."
Fu Rongxuan looked solemn. He reached out and pulled her into his arms. "Don't be sad. I'll definitely find a way to handle this."
Shi Aohan's tears kept flowing. She sobbed and asked, "Why is our life so difficult? Why... does no one understand us? My dear Fu, we truly love each other. I finally... finally can marry you as your legal wife, but the world... Why can't they tolerate me?"
Fu Rongxuan hugged her tighter. "Don't talk nonsense. Who wouldn't tolerate you? You're the best woman I've ever met. How could anyone not tolerate you?"
Shi Aohan buried her head in his chest. "My dear Fu, my aunt already hates me to the core, and Chan'er doesn't understand me either. I have no one else but you."
Fu Rongxuan nodded vigorously. He couldn't help but lower his head and kiss her passionately. His restless hands started to wander.
Shi Aohan quickly grabbed his hands. With tear - filled eyes, she looked up. "My dear Fu, no... no..."
Fu Rongxuan didn't know why. He had always been self - disciplined. He had a concubine since he was fifteen, but due to his self - restraint, he didn't have a particular fondness for affairs between men and women. But recently, he seemed to be very agitated, perhaps related to his recent setbacks.
Recently, the Fu family was facing difficulties on both sides. Several high - ranking officials in the court who had never gotten along well with them had been causing trouble one after another. His father was overwhelmed, and even the military governor of the Beijing Garrison was removed. Now, the Beijing Garrison was under the control of Lu Hongxi. Although Lu Hongxi was also a military general, he didn't spend much time in the capital. Even though he became the military governor, it was just for a good reputation. In fact, except for the Imperial Guards, the other Beijing Garrisons were still in the control of the Fu family.
And then there was Fu Rongli, who was good - for - nothing. Working in the Ministry of Rites, he had caused trouble several times and couldn't even organize the materials properly. He was so useless that he couldn't be helped.
He was originally ordered by the crown prince to do something important. Now, Aohan was troubled by the rumors. If the rumors didn't stop, it would be inconvenient for him to take Aohan out of the capital without being noticed. But if he didn't use elopement as an excuse, how could he leave the capital?
There were too many annoying things. Fu Rongxuan tightened his grip on Shi Aohan, wishing he could merge her into his body.
But when he closed his eyes, his mind was filled with the image of the shining young girl under the red plum blossoms, her fluttering red dress, and her unrestrained smile. It was so captivating that he was lost in it.
He had originally thought that she was destined to be his, but now everything had changed completely. She wasn't his anymore, and he... only had Aohan left.
Shi Aohan groaned in pain. When she opened her eyes, she saw the daze in Fu Rongxuan's eyes. She gritted her teeth and pushed him away. "My dear Fu, we really can't. There are many people around. If someone sees us, we..."
Fu Rongxuan casually said, "We've done this before. Now that we're engaged, what are we afraid of?"
Shi Aohan widened her eyes and looked at Fu Rongxuan in disbelief. From the very beginning, in his heart, she was just a concubine, a concubine who could be played with at will, wasn't she?
Fu Rongxuan didn't notice Shi Aohan's expression. He was in a complicated mood and didn't continue. He let go of Shi Aohan and sat down opposite her. He motioned for Shi Aohan to pour him tea and then said, "These days, don't enter the palace. Stay at home and try not to go out to avoid attracting attention. As for the rumors, the crown prince and I will handle them properly. We'll definitely find out who is behind them."
Shi Aohan felt a bit more at ease. She tidied her clothes and went to pour him tea. Her pair of jade - like hands revealed a section of fair wrist as she lifted them. Because of the white clothes, she looked a bit frail.
Fu Rongxuan frowned slightly. For some reason, he remembered that when Lu Wanning was only twelve or thirteen, still a young girl, she accidentally burned her wrist while making tea for him.
He held her wrist and put it in cold water. Her hands weren't as cold as Aohan's. They were warm, just like her smile and her bright red clothes.
"My dear Fu, what's wrong with you?"
Fu Rongxuan came back to his senses. He awkwardly touched his nose and shook his head. "It's nothing. Just... By the way, I've always seen you in plain clothes. I've never seen you in more colorful ones. I got some fabric recently. If you like, I'll get you a piece of bright red fabric to make a dress."