After the favored concubine remarried, the aloof and powerful minister forcibly took her away.

Chapter 154 He Likes This Feeling

Lu Jiamin's eyes widened, as if she couldn't believe what Lu Yongkang had said.
"You've reached the age where you should get married. Don't worry, your mother will definitely choose a good husband for you."

Lu Yongkang still had a smiling face, just like a kind and patient father.

“Father, you know my heart. I will not marry anyone else.”

Lu Jiamin turned her head away and did not continue speaking.

"I've let you run wild for so many years, that's enough."

After a long while, Lu Yongkang said this. He stood up and looked at Lu Jiamin with a very imposing gaze.

Lu Jiamin had never seen such an expression on Lu Yongkang's face before.

The father who used to dote on her and was kind and gentle, in that instant, became the incomparably noble Prince Qing.

"Lianxiang, keep a close eye on the princess and don't let her go out these next few days."

Lu Jiamin's heart tightened; she knew her father was serious this time.

After Lu Yongkang's figure disappeared behind the door, Lianxiang stepped forward.

"Princess, please don't argue with the Prince anymore. Your health is the most important thing."

Lu Jiamin bit her lower lip tightly, tears welling up in her eyes.

She never imagined that her father would be so firmly opposed to her and Pei Yanzhi.

He even planned to marry her off to make her give up on the idea.

Lu Jiamin was unwilling to marry a stranger.

After leaving Lu Jiamin's courtyard, Lu Yongkang turned around and went to the courtyard of Princess Liu, the wife of Prince Qing.

"Why is the prince here?"

When Lady Liu saw Prince Qing arrive, she was quite surprised, since she and Prince Qing had not seen each other for a long time.

The concubines in the Prince's mansion were young and beautiful, so Prince Qing would not easily come to her courtyard to look for her.

“Min’er is all grown up now, it’s time for her to get married. When you have some free time, find some suitable families for her.”

Liu was stunned for a moment when she heard Lu Yongkang's words.

"Why did Your Highness suddenly decide to find a husband for Min'er?"

Although Lu Jiamin was Liu's biological daughter, she was not close to this daughter.

She was too opinionated and didn't like to talk to Liu about anything.

Therefore, Liu did not see her often.

Lu Yongkang's expression remained unchanged; he simply said, "I have my own considerations. Just do as I say."

After saying that, he sat down on a chair to the side, picked up his teacup and took a sip, seemingly unwilling to talk about the matter any further.

Seeing his appearance, Liu dared not ask any more questions and could only reply, "I understand, and I will do my best to handle it."

After the couple finished their conversation, Madam Liu asked, "Would Your Highness like to dine here, or perhaps at Sister Shu's courtyard?"

Seeing that Liu was so sensible, Lu Yongkang changed his mind from saying he was going to another courtyard to staying here.

"It has been a long time since I last visited you. Tonight, I will stay here."

After saying this, Liu's face lit up with joy: "I will go and prepare it right away."

After stepping out of the courtyard, Liu felt a chill run through her.

After so many years of marriage, there's not much left to say about her and Lu Yongkang.

He didn't like her, so he didn't come, and Liu was able to have some peace and quiet.

When he arrived, Liu had to serve him diligently.

"Go to Feihua Pavilion and deliver a message."

The old servant beside her was stunned when he heard Liu's words: "The prince has gone to so much trouble to come all this way..."

"Why don't you go quickly?"

Liu glared at the old servant, then quickly lowered her head: "This old servant will go right away."

Everyone says that the princess is not favored, but no one knows that it is because the princess does not want the prince to stay overnight.

Otherwise, how could that person from Feihua Pavilion always manage to stop the prince?

Less than a quarter of an hour after Liu returned from outside, a soft voice came from outside: "The prince came to my sister's courtyard without even telling me."

A woman dressed in a brightly colored silk dress, with a graceful figure, walked in with light, delicate steps. It was none other than Consort Shu from Feihua Pavilion. Madam Liu lowered her eyes; she had indeed arrived quickly.

Aunt Shu first curtsied, but her eyes were intentionally or unintentionally glancing at Lu Yongkang.

Her eyes revealed both coquettishness and resentment, as if she were scolding Lu Yongkang.

Lu Yongkang frowned slightly, but didn't show it. He simply asked softly, "Why are you here?"

Aunt Shu walked to Lu Yongkang's side, sat down next to him, gently placed her hand on his shoulder, and spoke softly.

"I heard that Your Highness has come to my sister's place. I miss Your Highness, so I couldn't help but come and see you."

"Your Highness hasn't visited my Feihua Pavilion in a long time."

After saying that, he glanced at Liu, his eyes full of smugness and defiance.

Liu sneered inwardly, but remained outwardly calm, simply instructing the servants to add another set of bowls and chopsticks.

Aunt Shu is beautiful, but she's really not very bright.

Doesn't she realize that without her tacit approval, would she have been allowed into this elegant garden? And would she have dared to act so arrogantly towards her?
"It's good that my sister is here; let's have dinner together."

Seeing that Madam Liu was still as meek as ever, Concubine Shu said sweetly, "Your Highness, I have learned a new dance today and would like to perform it for you to entertain you."

"Your Majesty~"

Not hearing Lu Yongkang's reply, Aunt Shu continued to tug at his sleeve and act coquettishly.

Lu Yongkang showed a hint of impatience, but still nodded.

Aunt Shu got up and began to dance gracefully in the hall, her eyes always fixed on Lu Yongkang.

After the dance ended, Aunt Shu leaned on Lu Yongkang, panting, but Lu Yongkang only offered a few perfunctory compliments.

Liu watched all this from the sidelines, feeling utterly bored.

The favors and affections in this royal palace are nothing but fleeting clouds; only the power and status in one's hands are real and tangible.

Now that her daughter's marriage is in her hands, she is determined to plan it carefully.

To secure more benefits and protection for themselves within the palace...

In the end, Lu Yongkang naturally followed Aunt Shu away.

She was young and willing to lose face, and since Madam Liu didn't want to keep her, she said a few words to Lu Yongkang, and Lu Yongkang left with Aunt Shu.

The old servant looked at the table full of dishes, then at Liu Shi, who was calmly and composedly eating, and didn't know what to say.

The afternoon sun streamed in through the window, and Xiang Ning turned over uncomfortably.

Then she bumped into someone's arms.

The familiar scent of cedar mixed with the aroma of ghee cake, and a faint hint of walking through frost and snow.

Xiang Ning opened her eyes and met Pei Yanzhi's smiling gaze.

"wake up?"

He returned at some point, still wearing the same clothes, and lay down on the bed with her.

"Did I sleep for a long time?"

Xiang Ning's mind was still a little foggy, and she blurted out a sentence.

Pei Yanzhi helped her gather her slipped clothes to cover the marks all over her body.

"It wasn't very long, just a morning."

"It's a quarter past 1:00 PM. If you don't wake up soon, I'll have to call you to eat."

Upon hearing this, Xiang Ning immediately sat up: "You've been sleeping for so long..."

But she still felt so tired; she didn't even know when she finally fell asleep last night.

"No one will bother you, you can sleep as long as you want."

"But I heard from Chenghua that there are lantern-lit boats in the suburbs tonight. Would you like to go see them?"

Pei Yanzhi propped his head up with his hand and looked at her, asking a question.

Their familiar and natural tone made it seem as if this was just an ordinary day for them.

He liked this feeling, and it was as if he understood what his teacher meant by feeling comfortable when he got home.

Xiang Ning asked Pei Yanzhi: "If I marry into your family, can I sleep until the sun is high in the sky?"
Pei Yanzhi: Of course, I'll sleep with you.

And then, that was it. The sun rose high in the sky, day after day.
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(End of this chapter)