Volume One, Chapter 19: Lingering Winds and Frost—When Did I Ever Have a Husband?
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“What does the Prince of Yan think I desire?”
Li Di laughed heartily. Interesting—truly an intriguing young man.
“Gold, silver, jewels, power, fame—your Highness, I can grant you all. Speak,” he said.
Lu Yunduan smiled faintly and replied directly, “Does the Prince of Yan think I am such a vulgar person?”
Li Di’s interest was instantly piqued.
“So what do you want?”
At this moment, unable to reveal his true intentions or speak carelessly lest he arouse suspicion, Lu Yunduan had only one option.
He respectfully clasped his hands and spoke earnestly, “I have fallen deeply for your daughter, Feng Liushuang, at first sight. My heart is wholly devoted to her; I cannot extricate myself. In this life, I wish only to accompany her; to die would be no regret.”
Li Di was stunned. This was completely unexpected—it wasn’t at all what he had imagined. This young man was here to abduct his daughter!
Fury instantly flared in Li Di’s eyes, his presence overwhelming.
“You dare, boy? You have the heart of a lion and the courage of a leopard to come and abduct my daughter. Are you not afraid of death?”
There was no turning back now; the only way forward was to plunge headlong into danger and cling to a sliver of hope.
“If I could win Miss Feng’s heart, to be with her day and night, to share passion and song, what fear would death hold?”
This bold, risqué declaration left Li Di speechless with anger. This youth was clearly after his daughter.
“Boy, what is your status? Are you worthy of my daughter?”
Lu Yunduan had anticipated this question and had prepared a strategy in advance.
“I can marry into the family as a son-in-law.”
Li Di was so enraged he nearly vomited blood. This boy was stubborn to the last.
“Her marriage is her own decision. I cannot interfere.”
Lu Yunduan pressed the advantage, sensing that Li Di was now on the defensive. This was the decisive moment.
“Thank you, Your Highness. As long as you do not obstruct me, I am confident I can win her favor.”
Li Di: “...”
Had he agreed to let this boy pursue his daughter? He was sure he hadn’t.
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For a moment, Li Di was at a loss for words. After all, this boy was the life-saving benefactor of his daughter. He did not want this, nor that—only his daughter. What was he to do?
He had painstakingly raised his daughter for sixteen years. Could she truly be taken away by this rogue?
In his headache, a sudden realization struck him: this was likely only his own wishful thinking. How could his daughter fall for such a poor youth?
If so, he would not oppose for now. He would wait for his daughter to cast the boy out, so that when the time came, it would be proper and no one outside the Yan Prince’s Mansion could find fault.
“Since you are so confident, I will give you a chance. Bring this young man to the side chamber. By the way, what is your name?”
Lu Yunduan waved in thanks and replied, “Your Highness, you may call me Lu Yun.”
Lu Yun... the name sounded familiar, as if heard somewhere before.
Lu Yun followed a servant to the side chamber. Looking at the maid, he tried to coax some information.
“Do you know where your lady lives?”
The maid seemed hesitant, leading him silently and avoiding his gaze.
Lu Yun smiled wryly. She was tight-lipped, but that was no obstacle.
“Do you know why I can live in the Prince’s Mansion?”
Still no answer. She only knew that the man before her must be of noble status; otherwise, he could not reside here.
“Well then, I’ll tell you a secret—I am your lady’s husband.”
Her face was stunned, full of doubt.
“Miss hasn’t married yet. Where did this husband come from? Did he fall from the sky?”
“Miss has not married, nor consummated a marriage. Where is this husband?”
Seeing the maid’s disbelief, Lu Yun stopped fabricating.
“You can think of me as her future husband.”
The maid sneered contemptuously.
[Mockery +1]
After sending Lu Yun to the side chamber, the maid left, leaving only him and Zhao Yun.
“Master, is there an important matter that brings us to the Yan Prince’s Mansion?”
Lu Yun shook his head. Indeed, they came seeking the Prince, but it seemed the Emperor had not yet moved against the Yan Prince. For now, they could only proceed cautiously.
The next day, the mansion was bustling. Curious, Lu Yun approached and saw officials from the court had arrived.
The Yan Prince, his family, and servants knelt as an old eunuch declared the imperial edict:
“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I have heard that the Imperial Uncle has a daughter named Liu Fengshuang, gifted in both talent and beauty, skilled in etiquette and renowned afar. She is hereby bestowed the title Princess of Anyang, and shall be betrothed to Mu Feng, grandson of General Mu Chuan, on an auspicious day. So commanded.”
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Cold sweat drenched Li Di. He knew well the purpose of this decree—it was pressure from the Emperor, signaling distrust and intent to strip him of military command.
If he obeyed and married his daughter off to the capital, he would forever be under scrutiny.
If he refused, the Emperor would punish him—at best by confiscating his command and dethroning him, at worst with death.
He truly did not know what to do.
He had also heard of Mu Feng’s character—a profligate heir skilled in drinking, gambling, and worse. Rumor had it he was impotent, relying on medicine to maintain his virility.
To marry his daughter to such a rake was to cast her into the flames.
The old eunuch cleared his throat, his voice eerie and unnatural.
“Your Highness, please accept the decree and express thanks.”
Although reluctant, defying the Emperor’s order was a grave crime, and the Yan Prince dared not refuse.
Just as he was about to speak, a voice came from behind.
“Your Highness, haven’t you already betrothed Shuang’er to me? Why do you intend to marry her to another?”
The speaker was none other than Lu Yun.
Li Di looked utterly bewildered. Liu Fengshuang was also stunned. Had her father promised her to the man who saved her yesterday? She had no knowledge of this and glared angrily at Li Di.
Li Di was equally helpless. He had not promised Shuang’er to him yesterday, only refrained from opposition.
“Father-in-law, why do you want to marry my Shuang’er to someone else?”
What nonsense! Your Shuang’er? Li Di’s fury surged. That insolent brat was taking advantage of the situation.
Liu Fengshuang blushed demurely, thinking, “How rude! To say in public that I am ‘yours’—how embarrassing...”
[Affection +666]
This surge in affection left Lu Yun baffled. Who’s affection had increased for him?
Could it be Li Di’s? No, judging by the fierce look in his eyes, that was impossible.
Could it be Feng Liushuang?
Lu Yun fixed his gaze on her as her face flushed like a cherry.
[Affection +666]