Chapter 240 - 238: Taking a Concubine Ceremony

Words : 1399 Updated : Sep 27th, 2025

Is it possible? Lu Shiyan remained silent. For a long while, he avoided Shen Yinning’s gaze and spoke with a hoarse voice: "Zhaozhao, you know well that I owe her a debt of gratitude..." The support of the Jiangnan factions is one of the key factors for Lu Zhengliu to seize the throne. Luo Wanzhao convinced her father and brothers to back Lu Zhengliu, which, in Lu Shiyan’s eyes, is a favor he cannot ignore. Lu Shiyan lowered his head, looking somewhat dispirited: "Zhaozhao, I am not an ungrateful scoundrel. I can’t betray her." Shen Yinning laughed: "Look at you. She already has a place in your heart, yet you still want to force me to be your concubine. I’ve heard your Princess cannot conceive. I presume you’re planning for me to bear you a son whom you can then place under her care, isn’t that right?" "Zhaozhao!" Lu Shiyan was incredulous, his eyes rimmed red. "How can you say something so hurtful?! You know that my feelings for you have never changed! During the three years you were exiled to Gan State, did I not send you letters, money, and goods every single year?! If I didn’t care about you, why would I go through such lengths?! By saying this, aren’t you trampling on and humiliating my love?!" "Your love? What love do you have? The Lu Shiyan I remember was gentle as jade, deeply devoted, a scholar filled with poetry and books. But now..." Shen Yinning stared at Lu Shiyan, as though carefully selecting the most accurate words, "But now, you are nothing but a hypocritical and selfish Prince Wu, colluding with officials, preying on the common people, and treating lives as mere grass!" "I am not!" "I heard Liang Garden is jointly owned by you and Luo Xibai—the most extravagant estate under heaven, one of excessive indulgence and reckless spending. Can Prince Wu swear with his hand on his heart that every copper coin used in building this garden is clean? Luo Xibai and his father amassed their outrageous wealth by looting merchants and selling governmental positions. I imagine Prince Wu has actively participated in this enterprise as well?" Lu Shiyan never expected Shen Yinning to uncover the Luo Family’s secrets after only a day’s stay at Liang Garden. And even more unexpectedly... She suspected his sordid cooperation with the Luo Family! Of course, his Zhaozhao had always been clever... Lu Shiyan’s face turned pale. But he couldn’t bring himself to utter a word of reproach to the young woman he had loved since they were children. He could only respond in agony: "Zhaozhao, you’ll understand one day that I have my reasons. I am not like Lu Ying. Everything I do, I do for you. I can indulge you in everything, comply with your every wish, except for one thing—you must stay in Jiangnan, you must listen to me on this." He pushed the wheels of his chair and turned away. As if fleeing in defeat. The day of the concubine ceremony arrived in the blink of an eye. Luo Wanzhao personally oversaw the arrangements, setting up eighty-one lavish banquet tables in Liang Garden. Due to Shen Yinning’s unusual status as a previously married woman, Lu Shiyan and Luo Wanzhao conveyed to the public that the concubine being taken in was a lone orphan from the Capital named Lv Zhu, cherished by Prince Wu and his wife. Luo Wanzhao personally helped Lu Shiyan adjust his robes, lamenting: "Sister Shen was once the daughter of a duke. Welcoming her as a concubine truly wrongs her. I originally intended to arrange for her to wear a phoenix crown and bridal robes, entering as the first wife, but my father and sister stopped me, saying it would be too inappropriate." Lu Shiyan sighed and patted her hand: "If Zhaozhao could be as understanding as you, I wouldn’t have so many worries. In youth, her spirited and lively nature attracted me, but now I find her overly sharp and glittering, lacking your gentleness and grace. Young girls don’t know better, and she’s been through so much hardship—I fear her temperament will be hard to change anytime soon. In the future, Princess, I’ll rely on you to teach her." Luo Wanzhao was moved to tears. She leaned on Lu Shiyan’s knee: "Prince, your unwavering loyalty and such praise bring me immense joy...I hope Sister Shen can soon give birth to an heir for you, extending your lineage and flourishing the family." "If all goes well, I might have a child with Zhaozhao this year. Naturally, my child will be yours as well." Lu Shiyan took a deep breath, suppressing the turbulent emotions within, and carefully inspected himself in the mirror. The man reflected in the mirror had gentle and elegant features, dressed in a bright red ceremonial outfit, resembling a stately bamboo. His appearance hadn’t changed much from his younger days. He knew Zhaozhao had many grievances with him. But none of that mattered. Once the concubine ceremony was complete, she would be his woman. Time would soothe everything. Once Zhaozhao bore his child, she would settle down by his side, abandoning thoughts of Lu Ying and letting go of all so-called vengeance. Finally, he could rightfully claim Zhaozhao as his own. However, he waited along with the gathered guests for half an hour past the auspicious hour, but the bridal palanquin sent to retrieve Shen Yinning did not return. The Prince Wu couple hurried to Zhaoyue Tower, only to discover it was surrounded by hundreds of private soldiers. The bridal palanquin covered in pink flowers was detained beside them. The palanquin carriers, wedding attendants, and maids were all beaten nearly to death. Luo Wanzhao was stunned: "Those are my eldest brother’s private soldiers..." As she spoke, the main doors of Zhaoyue Tower slowly opened. Luo Xibai, with his bulging stomach and hair slicked with osmanthus oil, appeared under the eaves with a stern expression: "Sister, brother-in-law, Miss Shen says that the two of you abducted her to Jiangnan. Tell me—is this true?!" Lu Shiyan never anticipated Luo Xibai himself would step forward to defend Zhaozhao. How could Zhaozhao turn her back on him, her childhood sweetheart, and instead seek help from a stranger like Luo Xibai?! "Brother-in-law, I’m asking you a question—why are you in a daze?!" Lu Shiyan felt conflicted but could only respond: "Brother, it’s not like that." "Then how is it?!" Luo Xibai shook his head in disappointment, pointing at the couple as he scolded them, "Our family has a reputation to uphold! How could you stoop to abducting a woman?! If she doesn’t want to be your concubine, you shouldn’t force her! Have you any idea how pitiful Miss Shen is, with no one to rely on? Do you intend to drive her to her death?!" Luo Wanzhao panicked: "Brother, all the guests are waiting in Liang Garden—" "Don’t speak!" Luo Xibai interrupted her. "You’re to blame too! If you wanted to help your husband take a concubine, you should’ve found someone properly. Dragging an unwilling woman here in broad daylight—what a disgrace! The Luo Family’s dignity has been utterly ruined by you! Enough! I will take charge now. The concubine ceremony is canceled. Neither of you is allowed to pressure Miss Shen anymore! As for the guests, just tell them the woman ran off!" Everyone exchanged uncertain glances. Telling the guests the woman ran off—how absurd was that? Lu Shiyan understood that with Luo Xibai stepping in, there was no chance he would have Zhaozhao today. A heavy weight settled on his heart. Instinctively, he looked up toward the upper floor. The youthful and radiant girl had not even put on the ceremonial bridal attire, as if she had always been sure the concubine ceremony would fail. She wore a snow-white robe, reclining leisurely against the carved railings. The evening breeze lifted her loose hair, and as she turned her head back, she raised a slanted pear blossom, casting him a coy smile from above. It was as if mocking his plans as nothing more than illusions, destined to crumble. ... Meanwhile, in the Capital, Eastern Palace. The evening breeze blew a single pear blossom petal onto Lu Ying’s desk. He closed his memorial, casting icy eyes at the kneeling Qian Duobao: "You just reported that three days ago, someone hijacked your caravan?"

Chapter 240 - 238: Taking a Concubine Ceremony

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