This Life Without a Legitimate Heir, How Pitiful
Lu Ronghuai looked at him, slowly blinked once, and lazily parted his lips. “The Empress.”
Lu Rongshen’s smile collapsed.
“Her intentions are not difficult to guess. First, she does not wish to see me associate with officials at court nor gain support through marital ties.”
“And the second?”
“Second, she wishes me to take a male consort, preferably by imperial decree, unable to seperate. That way it would be settled once and for all, completely cutting off my line of heirs.”
Lu Rongshen’s brows knitted deeply. “The Empress’s move is truly both vicious and ruthless.”
Lu Ronghuai’s expression remained calm, as though the matter stirred little reaction in him.
“Third Brother, you clearly know the Empress means to harm you. Why still leap into the fire pit?”
The corner of Lu Ronghuai’s mouth curved faintly. “If I do not leap in, will they let it rest? I might as well accompany them in their game.”
“As long as you know what you’re doing,” Lu Rongshen muttered. He dragged his stool back, lay sprawled across the table, and sighed. “When will I be allowed to leave the palace and establish my own residence? I don’t want to stay in the palace anymore. It’s unbearably dull.”
“Oh right, Third Brother, speaking of your male consort, has Third Sister-in-law not come?” Lu Rongshen lifted his head, his eyes bright with curiosity.
“I will take you to see him shortly,” Lu Ronghuai said.
Lu Rongshen’s eyes widened. He studied the utterly composed man before him with deep suspicion. “Truly?”
He still remembered that after Third Brother returned from the Northern Frontier, and upon learning he was to be forced into marriage, he had been so furious he did not even accept the imperial edict. By Lu Rongshen’s understanding of him, the wedding day should have been utter chaos. It would not have been surprising if he had refused to let the bride enter at all.
Fearing a beating from his Third Brother, he had not dared go to witness the spectacle.
How had it been only a month, and yet his Third Brother now wore an entirely different face?
“Ask again and you need not go,” Lu Ronghuai laughed coldly.
Lu Rongshen raised both hands in surrender and smiled ingratiatingly. “Don’t, don’t! I heard from Mother Consort that Third Sister-in-law is exceedingly beautiful, like a celestial immortal. I’ve not yet seen him. Third Brother, is he truly that good-looking?”
Lu Ronghuai gave a soft snort. “What use is it for a man to be so good-looking?”
“You can’t say that. If I had a wife that beautiful, I would stay home every day just to look at him.” Lu Rongshen grinned foolishly, his face full of dreamy longing.
Lu Ronghuai: “…”
He regarded his simple-minded younger brother and drew in a breath. “Let me ask you. Do you dream?”
Lu Rongshen: “?”
Lu Rongshen blinked. “Of course. Just two days ago I dreamed I was rolling in wealth.”
“…” Lu Ronghuai fell silent for a moment. A flicker of hesitation passed through his eyes. After a long pause, he spoke again. “I… know someone. He rarely dreams, but recently he has had two rather strange dreams.”
“What sort of strange dreams?”
“The events he dreams of soon come to pass.” Lu Ronghuai raised his gaze. Deep whirlpools churning in his eyes.
Lu Rongshen’s mouth fell open in astonishment. “If that is true, this person must be extraordinary. One especially favored by Heaven.”
Lu Ronghuai arched a brow. “You believe what I say?”
“I do. In those folk storybooks, there are such things. They are usually the protagonist and very formidable.”
“…” Lu Ronghuai pressed his fingers to his forehead and began to regret confiding in this fool. “Read less of that nonsense.”
“Oh, I only look occasionally,” Lu Rongshen scratched his head, then leaned forward again with excitement. “Third Brother, who is this person you speak of? Do I know him?”
Lu Ronghuai paused slightly. “…Mm.”
Lu Rongshen’s eyes gleamed. “Who? Who?”
“Xian Feng.”
Lu Rongshen: “Ah?”
Outside the door, Xian Feng: “…”
Xian Yu possessed a lively temperament and had followed Lu Ronghuai into battle. His experience far exceeded that of ordinary guards.
Thus, Chu Yuan had heard from him many tales of Lu Ronghuai’s deeds.
That man, though indifferent and unfeeling, harbored great ambition. Yet because he had married him, he had lost the qualification to contend.
“Crown Princess, shall we sit awhile in the waterside pavilion?” A woman’s voice sounded from outside, followed by approaching footsteps.
Xian Yu immediately rose. He lifted the curtain of the pavilion and bowed outward. “This subordinate greets the Crown Princess.”
Crown Princess Liu Jinglan was dressed in luxurious attire. Surrounded by attendants, she stepped before Xian Yu and regarded him leisurely. “Who is within?”
“Reporting to the Crown Princess, Prince Li’s Consort is resting here.”
“Oh?” Liu Jinglan’s gaze turned toward the curtain. A smile curved upon her crimson lips. “I have yet to meet Prince Li’s Consort. Since we happen upon one another today, I shall enter and speak with him.”
Xian Yu wore a courteous smile but did not yield an inch. “His Highness has given orders that no unrelated persons may enter.”
“Insolence! How dare you obstruct the Crown Princess. Such audacity!” a woman in yellow rebuked.
“Even I may not enter?” Liu Jinglan let out a cold laugh.
Xianyu nodded. “This subordinate asks the Crown Princess to forgive the offense.”
The woman in yellow sneered. “How laughable. Those unaware might think this were your Prince Li’s residence rather than the Marquis of Xuanning’s manor. Such airs.”
Liu Jinglan lifted her chin. The last trace of a smile vanished from her face. She raised a hand to touch the hair at her temple and spoke unhurriedly. “I may refrain from entering. However, Prince Li’s Consort is newly arrived. If he wishes to avoid gossip, he should come out to greet me and offer his respects.”
Her words were smoothly spoken. She appeared reasonable, yet at the same time insinuated that Chu Yuan lacked proper decorum.
“Indeed. Knowing the Crown Princess is here and still not coming out. For whom is he putting on airs?”
“I have heard he is a sickly wretch, full of ailments. Perhaps he does not dare appear.”
“The curtain is drawn so tightly. He must be unsightly, afraid others will see.”
“I heard as well that on the day of the wedding, Prince Li kicked the bridal palanquin in public and gave no face at all.”
“Prince Li is the only prince who married a male consort. How could he not be resentful?”
“Yes. To have no legitimate heir in this lifetime. How pitiful.”
“Have you said enough?” A cold, heavy voice sounded from behind them.
The chattering women fell instantly silent. One by one they widened their eyes, as though a malevolent spirit stood behind them.
Liu Jinglan clenched the handkerchief in her hand. She turned and smiled gracefully. “Third Brother. It has been long.”
Lu Ronghuai walked straight past her without a glance. He lifted the curtain and spoke inwardly. “Come out. The banquet is about to begin.”
Liu Jinglan who has been ignored, wore a momentary distortion of expression.
Yet soon her gaze was drawn to the figure emerging from the pavilion.
Chu Yuan came to Lu Ronghuai’s side and looked up at him. His tone was unhurried. “Has Your Highness finished your matters?”
“Mm. Let us go.” Lu Ronghuai cast a glance at those around them. Disgust flashed in his eyes. He strode away swiftly.
Chu Yuan stepped before Liu Jinglan, bent his knees in salute, and spoke gently yet composedly. “Crown Princess, please forgive me. I have lately caught a chill and feared passing the illness to others. Thus I did not come out earlier.”
Liu Jinglan stared at his face. After a long while, she let out a slow breath and forced a smile. “It is of no matter. When Prince Li’s Consort has leisure, you may visit the Eastern Palace.”
Lu Ronghuai led Chu Yuan away.
Liu Jinglan’s expression darkened as she watched Chu Yuan’s departing back, her gaze unreadable.
✧ A Word from the Author ✧
Villains: Some people will never have a legitimate son in this lifetime.
Lu Ronghuai: Baby, you should get secretly pregnant and stun everyone.
Chu Yuan: Get lost.
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