I only wished to take up my fiefdom, but my elder brother forced me to rebel.

Liu Ruyan had cried until she was silent.

She looked up at Lu Yuan, initially surprised, then filled with shame and indignation.

Lu Cheng also anxiously stuck his head out of the sedan chair.

"Father, you mustn't!"

Lu Cangqiong turned his gaze to him.

"You just said that Liu Ruyan has a bad reputation and is not good enough for Ninth Prince. Now Ninth Prince only wants her to be a concubine, and you still won't agree?"

"Who she marries is none of your business!"

Lu Cheng opened his mouth and glanced in Liu Ruyan's direction, but quickly looked away.

The officials' wives and children were all watching him.

If he were to utter a single word of "reluctance," all his previous claims of innocence would become a joke.

"Your Majesty, I only believe that Miss Liu is involved in the drugging incident, but the investigation is not yet complete. It may be dangerous for Ninth Brother to bring such a person home."

"What my second brother said makes a lot of sense."

Lu Yuan actually nodded as well.

Lu Cheng was taken aback.

Before he could even catch his breath, Lu Yuan added, "Therefore, she must be kept under my watchful eye, lest she run out of the palace and slip something into someone's tea one day."

Liu Ruyan's expression was not good.

Lady Wei pleaded for her daughter, saying, "Your Majesty, my daughter did not poison me. The Imperial Clan Court has been investigating for several days, but has found no evidence!"

"The lack of evidence does not mean she is not a suspect!"

Lu Yuan turned around and looked at Liu Ruyan.

"Miss Liu, you've been saying that you're attending the Hundred Flowers Banquet by imperial decree."

"Now that Father has said the Hundred Flowers Banquet is for my matchmaking. Since you came in wearing the clothes for the candidates, then you're here for the Ninth Prince's residence."

"I've chosen you, you have no objections, do you?"

Liu Ruyan knelt in the flower path, her handkerchief in her sleeve already crumpled.

She hadn't expected to be asked that question.

Before she came, her father told her that as long as she gained the emperor's favor, the Liu family could advance further. Lu Cheng also sent word that this was only a temporary measure, and that he would compensate her once he became the crown prince.

But now, Lu Cheng doesn't even dare to admit that she's the one he loves.

Lu Cangqiong showed no interest whatsoever when he looked at her.

As for Lu Yuan...

When Liu Ruyan met those smiling eyes, she felt even more uncertain.

This man publicly humiliated her, tolerated Su Yuling hitting her, and now he's choosing her to enter his household—it's definitely not because he's taken a liking to her.

But if she refuses, it would be resisting the emperor's arranged matchmaking.

The true purpose behind the Liu family sending her to the palace will also be questioned.

Madam Wei knelt to one side, constantly giving her daughter meaningful glances.

Lu Cheng was also looking at her.

He didn't speak, but his eyes held a warning.

Liu Ruyan suddenly remembered the villa in the south of the city a year ago.

At that time, Lu Cheng held her hand and said that she was the woman who understood him best in the world.

He would welcome Su Yuling into his mansion once she was disgraced.

Today, she was slapped by Su Yuling. Lu Cheng first tried to distance himself from her, but later complained that it damaged her reputation.

Those promises were lighter than the petals falling from the flower path.

Liu Ruyan slowly straightened her back.

"This humble woman is willing."

Upon uttering those four words, Lu Cheng froze in his sedan chair.

"Like smoke!"

This call was exceptionally clear.

Many women around him looked at him with increasingly strange expressions.

Liu Ruyan didn't look at Lu Cheng again, but bowed to Lu Cangqiong.

"Since I entered the palace with the invitation from the Noble Consort, I should obey His Majesty's arrangements."

"It is my blessing that Your Highness is willing to take me in."

Lu Yuan's eyebrows twitched slightly.

This woman isn't entirely brainless.

Having been betrayed by Lu Cheng once, they finally learned to bite back.

"good!"

A smile appeared on Lu Cangqiong's face.

As long as Lao Jiu is willing to take people in, let alone Liu Ruyan, even if he points to the turtle in the flower bed and says he wants to bring it back to the mansion, Lu Cangqiong will make Zhou Fu provide a golden vat.

"Since you're willing, let's settle this matter for now."

"Father!"

In his haste, Lu Cheng aggravated his wound, and half of his body slid off the sedan chair.

"How can Liu Ruyan, who is involved in the plot to murder Su Yuling, be sent to the Ninth Prince's residence?"

Lu Yuan looked at him and smiled, "Second Brother, weren't you not familiar with her?"

"Whether she's willing or not, what does it have to do with you?"

"You don't expect to get back what you gave away, do you?"

Lu Cheng's facial muscles twitched, and he remained silent for a long time.

Upon hearing the word "things," the last vestige of warmth in Liu Ruyan's eyes vanished.

One of them gave her as a gift.

Another person publicly called her a thing.

Neither of these brothers is a good person.

Su Yuling stood to the side, holding her sword, her smile fading.

She took half a step closer to Lu Yuan.

"Does Your Highness truly intend to take her in?"

"My father let me choose one."

"With so many people, why did you choose her?"

"Since it was sent by my second brother, I might as well accept it."

Su Yuling pushed with her thumb, and the blade was exposed about an inch.

"There aren't many empty rooms left in the mansion."

"Isn't the woodshed still empty?"

Lu Yuan gripped the scabbard and pushed the exposed blade back in.

"Don't rush. Take her back to the manor, and we can do whatever we want with her."

Su Yuling glanced at his hand resting on the scabbard, and finally withdrew the wooden tube.

"If I'm injured or crippled, my husband, please don't be sad."

"That's for sure."

Lu Yuan turned to Lu Cangqiong, "Father, I choose her."

Wei's expression changed; they were the Second Prince's people.

What's going on with this girl marrying Lu Yuan?

"Your Highness, my daughter..."

"Do you have a problem with that?"

Lu Yuan glanced at her. "Is your Liu family going to defy the imperial decree?"

Wei lowered her head, feeling blocked.

Lu Cangqiong pondered for a moment, then instructed Zhou Fu: "Go back and draft an imperial edict to bestow Liu Ruyan upon the Ninth Prince as a concubine."

"This servant obeys the decree."

Two palace maids walked up to Liu Ruyan.

Liu Ruyan stood up and paused for a moment as she passed Lu Cheng's sedan chair.

Lu Cheng looked at her anxiously, "Ruyan, you should follow your father's arrangements. I will find a way to save you."

Liu Ruyan turned her face away, the palm print on her cheek still clearly visible.

"Your Highness has mistaken me for someone else."

"I have only met you a few times at palace banquets, how could I dare to trouble you to save me?"

After saying this, she left the garden with the palace maid.

Lu Cheng stared at her retreating figure, his face turning pale and then flushed.

Lu Yuan clicked his tongue from the side, "Second brother, you don't know them well, so stop staring at them."

"If I keep watching, my heart will almost leave with me."

Lu Cheng turned and glared at him, but fearing a beating, he could only urge the palace servants to carry the sedan chair.

Lu Cangqiong, however, did not let him leave.

"I have accepted the 100,000 taels of silver you sent to the palace earlier."

Lu Cheng's expression finally softened a bit.

"Father, I have heard that the national treasury is tight, and I wish to share your burden. As for Han Gou, he is still ill and I'm afraid he won't last long in the Ministry of Justice prison..."

"The 100,000 taels were your tribute to the imperial court."

Lu Cangqiong raised his hand and pointed at Lu Yuan.

"It's just right to allocate the funds to the ninth son to forge stirrups and horseshoes."

Lu Cheng's vision went black.

The woman was given to Lu Yuan.

The silver was also given to Lu Yuan.

So he spent all those days, using his own money, to marry his own woman on behalf of Lu Yuan?

"What about Han Gou?"

"Keep it locked up."

After Lu Cangqiong finished speaking, he waved to Zhou Fu, "The second son is seriously injured. Send him back to the manor and confine him to his residence."

Palace servants lifted the sedan chair.

Lu Cheng slumped down on it, his eyes vacant.

As the sedan chair passed by Lu Yuan, Lu Yuan waved enthusiastically.

After Lu Cangqiong finished speaking, he waved his hand at Zhou Fu, "The second son is seriously injured. Send him back to the manor to continue his confinement. Anyone who releases him will be punished along with him!"

Palace servants carried the sedan chair.

Lu Cheng slumped down on it, his eyes lifeless.

As the sedan chair passed by Lu Yuan, he waved to them warmly.

"Thank you very much, Second Brother, for sending the military funds!"

"After Ruyan gives birth, I'll invite you to her wedding banquet!"