Chapter 116: Prince Lu’s Wedding

The news of Duke Anguo's critical illness was not widely spread throughout the capital. After all, in the eyes of outsiders, Duke Anguo was already at the end of his strength.

It is not even possible to cover it up at this time, so how can we publicize it and expose our true colors?

On the contrary, the information leaked accidentally is more credible.

When Prince Lu heard that Concubine Ru was ill, the Fourth Prince's marriage would be more effective in bringing good luck, so he asked His Majesty for permission to marry Princess Yaoguang as soon as possible, as he did not want his grandfather to pass away with regrets.

Emperor Qian immediately sent the imperial physician to the Duke of Anguo's mansion to "treat" the patient, but in fact to investigate the situation.

Huali was well prepared. After a few injections, the old duke's pulse felt abnormal. The imperial physician reported back that he was indeed terminally ill and would not live long, and would not survive more than a month.

Lu Zhanxing was surprised. Did the imperial physician detect the problem correctly? Was Huali's medical skills better than the imperial physician's?

Huali only told Lu Zhanxing that although the false pulse would not last too long, the imperial physician thought he was highly skilled in medicine and had preconceived ideas, so he confirmed it as soon as he felt the pulse, and therefore did not investigate whether it was real or not.

Otherwise, if the imperial physician touched her for a longer time, she would have to find a way to interrupt him.

Lu Zhanxing was relieved when he learned the truth. Fortunately, his brother had someone spread false news to let the imperial physician know first.

When Emperor Qian learned that the news was true, he felt relieved and waved his hand, allowing them to get married as soon as possible, without having to wait until next year.

He also didn't want his niece's marriage to be delayed. If Chu Yao was already twenty in three years, and if she missed the best age to marry into the Anguo Mansion, he was afraid that the marriage would change.

Only Chu Yao is the most suitable person for Lu Zhanyan. She is of no help to the Anguo Mansion, which also makes him feel at ease.

He could also arrange for people to accompany her as a dowry in order to monitor the Anguo Mansion.

Therefore, Emperor Qian attached great importance to this marriage, and used it to gain a reputation for benevolence. The ministers all praised Your Majesty for attaching importance to the Anguo Mansion and caring for the orphan of Prince Jin.

The Ministry of Rites received the order and immediately began preparations for Princess Yaoguang's wedding, and the Anguo Mansion also began to arrange the wedding arrangements.

The wedding was moved from the beginning of next spring to half a month later, that is, the end of October, and the time was quite tight. Fortunately, all the matters related to the wedding had been prepared, and now we just needed to complete them again.

With the experience from last time in mind, Luo also brought her daughter-in-law Su Xianye, eldest daughter and second daughter into the preparations for the wedding.

Helplessly, he had to put the marriage of his third daughter and niece Qiuyu on hold and discuss it after Ayan got married.

Zhou Li was a businessman after all, so he immediately took charge of the wedding supplies that had not been prepared. As for Gu Xuyao, he was not in a hurry to go back. Now that things over there had been sorted out, he was not as busy as before. Yuzhou was close to the capital, so he could be notified in time if there was any important matter, not to mention that there were people he trusted there.

Everyone in the Anguo Mansion was happily decorating the wedding scene. Lu Zhanyan attached great importance to this marriage and even prepared the betrothal gifts personally.

However, it is difficult for people to understand each other's feelings.

For example, the joy of the Fourth Prince when he first heard that Princess Su Xianye was pregnant was also shattered by the news of Lu Zhanyan's marriage.

How could Lu Zhanyan be worthy of his beautiful cousin? He should marry an ugly woman.

The fourth prince called Tan Ling to discuss countermeasures: "Yu Zhong, this prince does not want to see Lu Zhanyan's marriage go smoothly."

Tan Ling had just recovered from his arrow wound, and seeing that the Fourth Prince was still holding on to Lu Zhanyan, he could not help but feel helpless. Why hadn't the Fourth Prince learned from his mistakes? They had plotted against Lu Zhanyan many times, but had they ever succeeded?

Yang Jingchen was indeed half successful, causing Lu Zhanyan to be imprisoned for several days and lose his official position, but he did not cause any substantial harm to Master Lu.

Why didn't the Fourth Prince know how to deal with other princes first, but chose to target a minister? It was really puzzling.

Naturally, he didn't understand the Fourth Prince's thoughts. The Fourth Prince knew very well that Lu Zhanyan played a great role in the reason why his Second Brother was able to ascend the throne smoothly in his previous life. It was Lu Zhanyan who eliminated all obstacles for his Second Brother. He also died at the hands of Lu Zhanyan. How could he feel at ease?

The fourth prince not only wants revenge, but also wants to cut off the wings of his second brother.

As long as my father dotes on my mother, I will not be afraid of my second elder brother.

Seeing that the Fourth Prince was in a bad mood, Tan Ling could only ponder for a moment and said, "It's just that you want to embarrass Master Lu. I do have a plan, but I don't know if Your Highness is willing to do it..."

After hearing his plan, the Fourth Prince couldn't help but glance at him sideways: "Your method is too insidious, only you can think of it."

Chu Yao is just my cousin, and we are not close, so why should I be reluctant to let her go?

Tan Ling secretly despised him in his heart, wasn't it you who asked me to think about it?

But he still smiled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Highness. I am doing this just to make you smile."

The fourth prince felt a little better: "I heard that you often interact with the maidservant who came with the princess's dowry. Could it be that you have taken a fancy to her?"

Tan Ling was startled, and seeing that the Fourth Prince had not discovered the truth, she could not help but feel relieved, and said with a smile: "Your Highness has discovered it. The maidservant beside the princess is indeed pretty, but now that the princess is pregnant, she cannot leave her husband. Your Highness's offspring should be the most important thing, and I will talk about my affairs later."

Hearing this, the Fourth Prince was even more moved. He felt that he had not made a mistake in choosing the right person. He smiled and said, "Okay, when the princess gives birth to a child, I will ask the princess to give Yunxiang to you. However, her status is too low to be your legal wife. In the future, I will definitely choose a better wife for you."

"Thank you very much, Your Highness. It is my life's fortune to have met such a mentor as Your Highness!"

How can I not be lucky?

Not only was she being played around by me, but she also had to be grateful to me. Even the child in the princess' belly was mine, and all the wealth and glory in the future would be mine.

The more he thought about it, the deeper his smile became, and the Fourth Prince became happier to see how loyal he was.

The eldest grandson of the Duke of Anguo is getting married. The old Duke is full of energy and does not show any sign of dying soon.

Lu Zhanxing reached out and pressed his grandfather's shoulders and pushed him down on the bed: "Grandfather, take it easy and stop laughing."

The old Duke was not angry either, and continued to lie on the bed: "Grandfather knows, isn't this a joy!"

How could he not be happy to see his eldest grandson get married in his lifetime?

He thought he would never see him again. It was all thanks to his grandson that he was able to live longer.

"Grandfather, for safety reasons, you can't go out when my eldest brother gets married, so please don't cause trouble!"

"I know, I know. Grandfather, I won't live long!" The old Duke was still cheerful.

Lu Zhanxing immediately asked Huali and Liuxu to look after his grandfather. His eldest brother was getting married tomorrow and there would be many people around, so nothing could go wrong. They also had to prevent anyone from entering Mo Yun Hall and murdering his grandfather.

Mo Yun Hall was surrounded by secret guards, and not even a fly could fly in.

To ensure perfect security, Mu Qingli will be in charge of the security, but he is a wanted criminal and will have to disguise himself tomorrow.

The male guests were received by his father, Manager Yu and his eldest brother-in-law Gu Xuyao, while the female guests included his mother, two sisters, his wife Su Xian, his cousin Ye Xin and others.

My second brother-in-law Zhou Li and I were responsible for keeping an eye on people, fearing that someone would cause trouble. Zhou Li was a businessman with a sharp eye, so he was naturally placed in an important position.

next day

Lu Zhanyan wore a bright red wedding dress, rode a tall horse and led the bridal band to the Jin Palace to welcome the bride. The people around also smiled and congratulated him. Huaishu and Huaimo happily scattered copper coins on the roadside to let the people share in the joy.

Lu Zhanxing accompanied her elder brother to welcome the bride, and the excitement around them also infected her.

By the window of a teahouse, Su Xianxin witnessed Lu Zhanyan marrying another woman in a grand ceremony, feeling unwilling.

Although she married the Fourth Prince as his concubine, after her mother's scandal, the Fourth Prince treated her coldly. There was no sweetness like before the marriage at all.

If she hadn't been pregnant, the Fourth Prince would probably dislike her even less.

Moreover, the child in her belly was the offspring of a "sinister villain" and would mix up the royal bloodline. If discovered, it would be a capital crime punishable by beheading, so she was worried all day long.

The most hateful thing is that when Concubine Ru learned that she was pregnant, she sent two beauties into the palace to be concubines to satisfy the Fourth Prince's desire.

She was almost on the verge of collapse. She had to please the Fourth Prince openly and flatter that villain secretly.

If I had known this earlier, wouldn't it be better to marry the talented and beautiful Lu Zhanyan! Her status would still be noble, and there would be no more trouble from concubines.

Princess Yaoguang is an orphan, how could she marry Lu Zhanyan? She was unwilling to do so, she did not agree, and would not allow the two of them to live happily ever after.

Jealousy and remorse have changed her beyond recognition, and her dark heart has been completely twisted. She wants to make them the laughing stock of the capital...