“The Ninth Prince?”
Su Tan abruptly stopped tapping his walking stick, his aged eyes widening.
He glanced back at the tightly shut doors of the ancestral hall, then turned toward the young servant, trying to determine whether he was telling the truth. “What is that wastrel doing here? Has he come to laugh at the misfortune of my Su family?”
The young servant hurriedly replied, “His Highness the Ninth Prince said he came to see you and the Young Lady. He also said he has a royal decree.”
Su Tan’s cheeks tightened, and his teeth ground together. “What damn decree could he possibly have? Make him wait!”
However, the moment those words left his mouth, Su Tan realized something was wrong.
What if that brat really had brought an order from the Emperor?
If His Majesty had already decided how to handle this matter and Yuling refused to listen, they might miss their only chance.
Su Tan turned toward the ancestral hall and began patiently persuading her, “Yuling, the Ninth Prince is here.”
There was no response from inside.
“No matter what, let’s hear what he has to say first.” Su Tan softened his voice. “What if he really brought a decree? His Majesty surely wouldn’t remain indifferent to what has happened to our Su family. If you leave Grandpa like this, how am I supposed to go on living?”
The ancestral hall remained silent for quite some time.
Finally, Su Yuling’s voice came through the gap in the doors, “All right.”
All the strength seemed to drain from Su Tan’s body. His shoulders sagged, and he had to brace himself with his walking stick to remain standing.
The aunts and sisters-in-law behind him also went weak at the knees. Madam Zhao clung to the doorframe while wiping away her tears, while Madam Li crouched on the ground and repeatedly murmured prayers.
Su Tan quickly said, “Yuling, open the door.”
Soon, the heavy ironwood doors creaked open from within.
Su Yuling pulled the strip of white cloth down from the ceiling beam, folded it twice, and placed it on the offering table before turning and walking outside.
There was no expression on her face, nor were her eyes red. It was almost impossible to believe that she had been preparing to hang herself only moments ago.
Su Tan stared at her retreating figure and opened his mouth, but in the end, he could not bring himself to say anything.
Turning around, he roared at Su Fu, “Take the Ninth Prince to the front hall!”
…
In the front hall, Lu Yuan was led inside by a young servant.
Calling it a front hall was generous. In reality, it was merely three main rooms connected together with a few chairs placed inside.
Several patches of plaster had peeled away from the walls, revealing the gray earthen bricks beneath.
A large painting hung in the center of the hall. It depicted the first Earl of Yongning riding into battle and cutting down an enemy general. However, the ink had faded so badly that the faces of the figures were barely recognizable.
One of the teacups on the table was chipped. The armrests of the chairs had been polished smooth from years of use, and the cushions were so old that their original color could no longer be distinguished.
Lu Yuan did not sit down.
Instead, he stood before the painting and stared at it for a long time.
‘Nine lives from the Su family were sacrificed, and this is the noble residence they received in return.’
The words “A Family of Loyal Heroes” might sound glorious when hung above the entrance, but only after stepping inside could one understand just how poor the family truly was.
The civil officials at court lived in mansions larger than the next, kept more concubines than the next, and could fill three tables with dishes for a single meal.
And the Su family?
They could not even find a decent teacup.
Su Tan entered first. Behind him came Madam Zhao and Madam Li, followed by several other women from the collateral branches of the Su family.
Su Yuling was nowhere to be seen. No one knew where she had gone.
After entering, Su Tan looked Lu Yuan up and down.
A prince had come without his royal robes or attendants, standing alone in the front hall of the Su family residence and quietly studying an old painting.
“Your Highness the Ninth Prince.”
Su Tan’s tone was stiff as he cupped his hands and prepared to greet him.
A chill ran down Lu Yuan’s neck. He immediately turned around and reached out to stop him. “Earl Su, there’s no need for formalities! Please, don’t stand on ceremony!”
Lu Yuan held Su Tan’s arm firmly enough that the old man could not complete the greeting.
Su Tan glared at the hand restraining his arm and snorted. Still, he accepted the gesture.
Lu Yuan shifted his gaze away from Su Tan and glanced at the women behind him.
Madam Zhao, Madam Li, and the others stood with their heads lowered. Their eyes were swollen and red. Clearly, they had cried more than once.
Following Lu Yuan’s gaze, Su Tan’s expression darkened. “What are you looking at?”
“Nothing, nothing.” Lu Yuan quickly withdrew his gaze. “I was just thinking that every woman of the Su family carries an extraordinary bearing.”
Su Tan did not believe that nonsense for a second and was about to lose his temper when Lu Yuan spoke first.
“Earl Su, I came here today to discuss something serious.”
Every trace of Lu Yuan’s usual playful expression vanished.
“I want to discuss Su Yuling’s marriage. I intend to marry her.”
Su Tan froze.
The front hall instantly became so quiet that the birds chirping in the courtyard could be heard clearly.
Madam Zhao and Madam Li exchanged incredulous looks. Su Fu stood by the doorway, and even the hand holding the tea began to tremble.
Su Tan wondered if he had misheard. “What did you say?”
“Father has already agreed.”
Lu Yuan looked directly into Su Tan’s eyes and said slowly and clearly, “He told me to come to the Earl of Yongning Residence and discuss the marriage with you.”
The corners of Su Tan’s mouth twitched.
He had lived for most of his life. What kind of situation had he not witnessed?
Yet hearing those words from Lu Yuan still seemed utterly absurd.
The Ninth Prince had slept with the Second Prince’s fiancée. It was a scandal involving the royal family.
Any Emperor would desperately try to suppress such a scandal. How could the Emperor instead allow one of the people involved to openly marry the other?
That would be no different from announcing the scandal to the entire Empire.
Su Tan’s voice tightened slightly. “His Majesty… truly agreed?”
“Absolutely.”
Lu Yuan continued, “Father’s exact words were that if Su Yuling agrees, he will issue a royal decree granting us marriage. She will be married to me with all the proper ceremonies befitting a prince’s consort. Every tradition will be observed.”
Su Tan stared at him for a long time, but the wariness in his eyes did not disappear.
Lu Yuan sighed, stepped forward, and cupped his hands toward Su Tan. Then he bowed deeply at the waist.
Su Tan was stunned by the bow.
“Whether or not someone was plotting behind the scenes, Yuling lost her chastity in my room. I can’t escape responsibility for that, nor do I intend to.”
Lu Yuan straightened his back. His expression was more serious than Su Tan had ever seen before.
“I, Lu Yuan, will make this clear today. Once I marry Su Yuling, I will never allow her to suffer the slightest grievance again for the rest of her life. If anyone dares gossip about her, I’ll twist his head off. If anyone dares lay even a finger on her, I’ll fight him with my life.”
Su Tan remained silent.
Only after a long while did he finally speak, “Your Highness the Ninth Prince, our Su family is a military family. The girls in our family have practiced with sabers and spears since childhood. They’re spirited and unruly. They can’t compare to those delicate beauties raised in brothels who know how to sing songs and pour wine.”
“Earl Su, that’s where you’re wrong.”
Lu Yuan shook his head. “Women in brothels are there to entertain others. A daughter of the Su family is the daughter of a family of generals. She’s worth half a man on the battlefield. I have nothing but respect for her.”
Su Tan looked at Lu Yuan in surprise. “You truly think that?”
“Of course!”
Lu Yuan spread his hands. “Think about it, Earl Su. I even dared beat up my royal brother. Why would I be afraid to speak the truth?”
Su Tan had nothing to say to that.
By now, news that Lu Yuan had beaten the Second Prince until he was left sprawled on the ground had already spread throughout the Royal Capital.
Lu Yuan continued, “After we’re married, I won’t bind her with all those rules of the inner residence. If she wants to practice martial arts, she can practice. If she wants to ride horses, she can ride. If she wants to go to the battlefield, I’ll prepare her armor and lead her horse for her.”
Su Tan stood frozen. He swallowed dryly, unable to utter a word.
Nine sons and grandsons of the Su family had gone to war, and all nine had died. Su Yuling was the last remaining bloodline.
What Su Tan feared most was that his granddaughter would marry into some powerful noble household and spend the rest of her life trapped by endless rules, forbidden even from touching a saber.
Yet the young man standing before him was promising not to restrain her.
Su Tan’s voice trembled slightly. “You… truly won’t restrict her?”
“My word as Lu Yuan is my bond.”
Su Tan stared at him for a long moment before finally letting out a breath.
“My attitude toward you earlier was improper.”
“Earl Su, you’re being too polite. If I were in your position, I’d curse me too.”
Su Tan waved his hand, and his expression finally softened.
“I’ll remember everything you’ve said today. However, whether this marriage happens still depends on Yuling herself. If she refuses, I won’t force her.”
Lu Yuan nodded. “As long as the Earl of Yongning Residence has no objections, I’ll return to the palace immediately and ask Father to issue the royal decree. Everything will be conducted according to the ceremonies befitting a prince’s consort. The matchmakers, betrothal gifts, and every proper marriage custom will be observed. Nothing will be omitted.”
Su Tan said nothing more. He merely gave a heavy nod.
Outside the hall, behind one of the corridor pillars, Su Yuling had been standing there for quite some time.
One hand pressed against her chest.
Her heart was beating fast and chaotically.
She had heard every single word Lu Yuan had said.
He said he would not restrict her.
He called her the daughter of a family of generals.
He said that if she wanted to go to the battlefield, he would prepare her armor and lead her horse.
Su Yuling lowered her head and tightly clenched the corner of her clothes.
‘Was he only saying those things out of guilt and courtesy, or did he truly not care what kind of woman I was?’