Lu Meng deliberately nipped at the small mole on Wu Linxuan’s lip, listening to his soft gasp, and felt a rush of excitement herself.
In many early-period romance novels, the male leads tend to be overly aggressive or even downright cringeworthy.
Fortunately, Lu Meng had transmigrated early enough—Wu Linxuan was still young, inexperienced with women, and hadn’t yet reached the age where he fully grasped his own good looks. At eighteen or nineteen, with the freshness of a high schooler, he was refreshingly free of any greasy charm.
Lu Meng cupped his face, tangled their tongues together, and gave a teasing suck, making his entire body shudder.
She couldn’t help but laugh. Wu Linxuan learned fast—his eyes flew open, flashing with defiance and an unconscious, deepening obsession, before he caught her tongue and retaliated fiercely.
His arms tightened around her, squeezing her waist almost painfully, but the thrill only spurred her on. Her hands grew restless, slipping past the pristine, layered collar of his robes to explore beneath.
Let’s see what kind of pectoral muscles the original male lead is packing!
Wu Linxuan panted like a wild dog that had just run eight hundred miles, and Lu Meng felt her own second wind rising in response.
The two of them were like magnets, drawn irresistibly together, teetering on the edge. In that haze, Wu Linxuan vaguely understood what it meant to be drunk on desire.
He had originally planned to interrogate this "Dream Consort" tonight—to uncover who she worked for, what she wanted, and why she had suddenly targeted the mother of the Second Prince.
But right now, his brain was useless.
After all, men—especially teenage virgins—hadn’t yet mastered the art of multitasking when it came to blood flow. When they got worked up, there was only one thing on their minds.
So all his schemes and calculations dissolved into a single, urgent thought: Take this woman first, deal with the rest later!
Still, Wu Linxuan had some dignity to uphold. As a prince, he couldn’t—shouldn’t—indulge anytime, anywhere. No matter how desperate he felt, he wouldn’t actually do anything inside the carriage.
Yet he refused to let go of Lu Meng. In the heat of the moment, just as he was about to ask, "Are you done with your monthly cycle?"—Chen Yuan knocked on the carriage door from outside.
"Your Highness, General Zhennan’s carriage has caught up. His wife wishes to speak with the Dream Consort."
The sudden interruption made Wu Linxuan jolt. Normally, he wasn’t the type to startle easily—even with an assassin’s blade at his throat, he’d remain composed.
But this was different. He was already strung tight, and Lu Meng’s casual teasing had pushed him to the brink. Chen Yuan’s voice, at that moment, felt like a student caught whispering in class by the dean lurking outside the door.
He shuddered violently, arms clamping around Lu Meng.
Their eyes met. Wu Linxuan’s were rimmed red as he squeezed them shut. Lu Meng pressed her lips together—if she laughed now, he’d resent her for life.
But even if she held it in, that didn’t mean this incident wouldn’t leave some psychological scars.
Wu Linxuan’s face flushed an unnatural red, his devastatingly handsome features twisted with embarrassment and fury, adding an irresistible allure. Lu Meng’s fingers itched with the urge to tease him further.
She considered comforting him—Don’t worry, it’s fine, inexperienced guys are like this, no need to be embarrassed, and hey, life’s short anyway—HAHAHA!
But before Lu Meng could speak, Wu Linxuan suddenly turned hostile, pushing her off him without warning.
Lu Meng sprawled onto the soft cushions of the carriage, her body trembling with suppressed laughter. She didn’t dare lift her head or burst out laughing, but her face flushed even redder than Wu Linxuan’s furious expression.
Just then, Chen Yuan, hearing no response from inside, knocked on the carriage wall again. Wu Linxuan, already irritated by his concubine’s silent laughter and with no outlet for his frustration, immediately roared at the door, "What are you knocking for? Get lost!"
Lu Meng shook even harder, clutching her stomach as she fought to hold back her laughter. Without turning to look at Wu Linxuan, she said, "Your Highness, this concubine will go speak with Elder Sister."
She began crawling toward the carriage door—not because she didn’t dare stand, but because her stomach ached from laughing so hard, and such intense laughter was surprisingly exhausting. Besides, the door wasn’t far, and the cushions inside were spotless.
Yet before she could crawl more than a couple of steps, Wu Linxuan grabbed her ankle and yanked her back.
Lu Meng had managed to keep her composure as long as she avoided looking at his face, but the moment she did, she couldn’t hold it in any longer. "Ahahahaha—!"
Her laughter rang out in a melodious, undulating rhythm, like the notes of an ancient musical scale.
Wu Linxuan burned with humiliation. He felt he had lost all dignity in front of this woman.
A man’s pride and competitive nature were already absurd things, especially for someone like Wu Linxuan, born into nobility and raised in luxury. To fail before even properly beginning—this was the kind of shame that could drive a man to silence witnesses permanently.
But killing her now was clearly not an option. Suppressing the urge to strangle her, he seized her collar and growled, "If you dare breathe a word of this, I’ll personally cut out your tongue and force you to swallow it!"
The threat was vicious, and Wu Linxuan wasn’t joking—he had done exactly that to subordinates who betrayed his secrets.
Yet in this situation, such intimidation had no effect on Lu Meng.
She lacked the mindset of an ancient person. Even witnessing executions firsthand didn’t make it feel real to her—it was like watching an immersive performance from a god’s-eye view. To her, Wu Linxuan was still just a fictional character.
Moreover, her memory of the novel’s plot was so distant that she couldn’t recall the truly monstrous deeds this male lead had committed.
So instead of fear, Lu Meng found his flustered, red-faced glare utterly endearing.
Cupping Wu Linxuan’s face, she muffled another giggle before leaning in to kiss his lips.
The gesture successfully silenced the rest of his threats.
"Don’t worry, Your Highness," Lu Meng murmured. "You’re far too adorable—how could I ever share you with anyone else?"
No one in Wu Linxuan’s life had ever called him "adorable." Even in childhood, the praise he received was for being well-behaved or excelling in studies.
But this Dream Consort of his—she either complimented his looks or called him cute. What kind of decent person would praise a prince for his appearance?
Frowning in bewilderment, Wu Linxuan couldn’t fathom how anyone would dare speak to him this way.
Yet strangely, he didn’t feel insulted or violated. For now, he let it go, settling for a dark glare. "Just remember—if you breathe a word…"
He drew a finger across her throat in a sharp, unmistakable gesture.
But just as Lu Meng had calmed down, she burst into laughter again at this gesture.
Wu Linxuan was utterly exasperated. He covered Lu Meng’s mouth and called out to Chen Yuan outside, "Pull over. Lady Meng will be right there."
Lu Meng giggled like a hen that had just laid an egg, the sound muffled against Wu Linxuan’s palm, unending.
Once the carriage stopped, Wu Linxuan glared at her fiercely, a silent warning. Lu Meng finally stopped laughing. Just as he was about to remove his hand, he suddenly felt a warm, wet swipe between his fingers.
Wu Linxuan recoiled as if bitten by a snake, his entire body tingling from his palm to the top of his head. He was at a loss for words—how could someone be so brazen?
Lu Meng straightened her clothes and said to Wu Linxuan, who was cradling his hand in stunned silence, "I’ll take my leave now, Your Highness. Don’t worry, I won’t say a word. You should… handle your situation too."
Her gaze wandered impishly over him before she added, "Must be uncomfortable."
With that, Lu Meng ducked out of the carriage. Wu Linxuan’s expression was as chaotic as ink smeared across rice paper, his mind a turbulent mess—far beyond mere disarray.
Outside, Xiuyun and Xiuli supported Lu Meng on either side. She noticed both maids had eyes swollen from crying.
Only now did Lu Meng truly believe these two girls were devoted to her. Born into servitude, they grieved their mistress’s sorrows as their own.
Their tears were for Lu Meng’s near-brush with danger, leaving their eyes puffy and red. Their petite frames made them look like a pair of upright ants.
Lu Meng gave their hands a reassuring squeeze, resolving to reward them later with tangible gold and silver for their loyalty.
Xin Ya stepped forward to drape a cloak over Lu Meng’s shoulders and tidy her hair before she made her way to the general’s carriage.
As she climbed the steps, Zhangsun Xianyun eagerly pulled aside the curtain and yanked Lu Meng inside.
The moment Lu Meng entered, her eyes landed on the Southern Garrison General seated in the corner, sipping tea. Even after seeing the flawless paper-man perfection of Wu Linxuan, Lu Meng was momentarily stunned by her brother-in-law.
For a fleeting second, she understood why Zi was so infatuated with him.
Good heavens. If Yuehui embodied broad chest muscles and rugged masculinity,
this brother-in-law was Yuehui’s upgraded version—his explosive physique straining against his brocade robes as he sat with the imposing air of a conqueror. The scar running from the corner of his eye down to his jaw added a roguish edge.
A true iron-blooded man!
That was the only phrase Lu Meng’s mind could conjure.
Still, she didn’t forget her manners—at least in front of her brother-in-law. She performed the formalities she usually scorned with surprising grace.
Kneeling on the cushion by the door, she bowed respectfully and addressed him, "Brother-in-law."
The title was a rare product of Lu Meng’s careful consideration. She’d debated calling him "General," but since Zhangsun Xianyun had invited her into the carriage without hesitation, it was clear their marriage had no room for rigid formalities.
If Zhangsun Xianyun disregarded titles, Lu Meng saw no need to stand on ceremony either—it would only create distance.
So she went with "Brother-in-law."
At the address, Feng Beiyi’s eyebrow twitched slightly as the carriage began moving.
He chuckled lightly and said, "Your sister wasn’t lying. You really have grown up—that prudish old-woman act from your childhood is gone now."
Lu Meng lifted her face and smiled at Zhangsun Xianyun and her newly minted brother-in-law.
She couldn’t help but think, What now? She needed to find out this brother-in-law’s name—after all, she couldn’t just cut ties with Zhangsun Xianyun.
"I told you, little sister has matured," Zhangsun Xianyun shot Feng Beiyi a glare before pulling Lu Meng aside. "You must’ve been terrified tonight. Go back and rest early. Don’t worry about the affairs of the palace anymore."
What affairs in the palace?
Lu Meng looked utterly bewildered.
Feng Beiyi, noticing her expression, let out an amused snort and said bluntly, "Your tearful accusations led to Consort Duan Su being stripped of her seal and authority over the inner court. Consort Jia has been confined for three months. The Emperor was furious—he launched a full investigation into Consort Jia’s public execution of palace maids, and once they started digging, they uncovered a whole mess. Other consorts were thoroughly scrutinized too."
"This is the latest news from my informants. You caused such an uproar, yet you’re completely unaware?"
Lu Meng thought to herself, I have no intention of remarrying into the Emperor’s harem as one of his old man’s concubines. Why should I care about his consorts?
Her tearful outburst had merely been out of resentment—she didn’t want Consort Jia, the real culprit, to walk away unscathed. As for the rest, she’d left it to that scheming partner-in-crime, Wu Linxuan, to handle.
Lu Meng feigned ignorance with a smile. "The palace and I don’t mix. I won’t be going back anytime soon."
With the scale of this incident, combined with the previous debacle involving the Empress Dowager, the Emperor probably never wanted to see her within palace walls again.
Lu Meng couldn’t be happier about that.
Feng Beiyi said nothing more, quietly sipping his tea while Lu Meng and Zhangsun Xianyun spoke in hushed tones. Eventually, Zhangsun Xianyun circled back to the inevitable question: "Yinyin, how are things really between you and Prince Jian'an?"
Zhangsun Xianyun had intended to wait until the next day, when her sister visited their general’s residence, to ask. But after seeing how Prince Jian'an’s people had maneuvered in the palace—triggering a massive upheaval in the harem while simultaneously thrusting her sister into the eye of the storm—she couldn’t hold back. She was too impatient to wait.
Under the guise of hunting down the culprit, Prince Jian'an’s agents had roamed the palace, coaxing testimonies from those who had suffered abuse at the hands of the consorts.
The Emperor, enraged, had lashed out. The implicated consorts—and the noble families backing them, now facing political repercussions—would inevitably settle this score with Prince Jian'an’s concubine once the dust settled.
Even if everyone knew Prince Jian'an had orchestrated it all, what could they do? They couldn’t touch him, but his concubine? That was another matter entirely.
And her sister wasn’t even his principal wife.
Because of this, Zhangsun Xianyun felt nothing but fury toward Prince Jian'an. He was clearly using her foolish sister as a shield—even fabricating the loss of a child, as if sounding a warning to the other princes.
If Prince Jian'an were to have an heir, that child would instantly become a target. So what if it was a concubine’s child? A concubine could always be elevated to principal wife.
Prince Jian'an had deliberately avoided marriage all these years, biding his time until his power was secure.
After all, as the only prince granted a royal title, the birth of a legitimate heir would significantly boost his standing in the current struggle among the princes.
All these circumstances, after today, would be shouldered unknowingly by her naive younger sister. If Prince Jian'an had any malicious intent, even the slightest negligence could lead her foolish sister to a fatal end.
Yet Lu Meng remained oblivious to all of this.
She couldn’t unravel the intricate web of connections and implications.
Her modern soul struggled to adapt to the grapevine-like scheming of ancient minds. Her audacity to charge ahead wasn’t just because she knew a bit of the plot and was the female lead—far from her destined death in the story.
There was also an unspoken sense of superiority, as if she were playing a game from a higher dimension.
Though she hadn’t realized it herself, she was treating this world like an otome game she’d played before.
Even now, she still saw the people in this book as mere paper cutouts, which was why she dared to meddle with a "spectator’s" mindset.
She didn’t overthink things—nor could she.
Deep down, Lu Meng believed that even if she ruined everything, she might just close her eyes and wake up back in the modern world.
Back on the streets, dodging that brat on a skateboard, strolling into the sunset with a grocery bag in hand and the day’s earnings from the milk tea shop tucked in her arms, ready to video-call her latest online crush.
So when Zhangsun Xianyun posed her question, Lu Meng didn’t dwell on it. After a brief hesitation, she simply replied, "It’s fine. He treats me well."
At least he lets me spend money freely.
Noticing Zhangsun Xianyun’s lingering concern, Lu Meng added, "Elder Sister, don’t worry. On our wedding day, Prince Jian'an promised me I could use the household’s gold and silver as I pleased. He swore to protect my wealth and comfort for life."
Zhangsun Xianyun still wasn’t entirely reassured, but she masked her worry.
Secretly, she resolved to shield her sister. As long as she and Feng Beiyi stood firm, no matter how ruthless Prince Jian'an was, he’d have to reckon with their command of the hundreds of thousands of troops in the southern frontier.
The two sisters chatted a while longer, with Lu Meng mostly listening and carefully sidestepping topics she knew nothing about.
The carriage moved slowly, but before long, they arrived at Prince Jian'an’s estate.
Lu Meng was reluctant to part. Zhangsun Xianyun, likely due to her battlefield-hardened straightforwardness, had an uncanny clarity about many things.
Lu Meng genuinely liked her. Zhangsun Xianyun didn’t pry, and when Lu Meng mentioned how Aunt Chen had withheld the ceremonial gifts during her homecoming and how she’d dug up several chests of treasures, Zhangsun Xianyun clapped in approval.
"Keep the gold and silver for yourself," she advised. "Relying on others is never as secure as holding it in your own hands."
Her words were a warning: Don’t trust Prince Jian'an too much.
Prince Jian'an was the only prince in the court whose mother had died early yet still secured a princely title. Without maternal clan support, surviving the cutthroat court and outmaneuvering brothers far more powerful than him to reach his current status—such a man’s mind could never be simple.
"Ruthless and cunning" would be an understatement.
Feng Beiyi, as a military heavyweight, often received overtures from various princes, but he never took sides. This was precisely how, despite being stationed in the southern frontier, he remained well-informed of the capital’s power struggles.
He had discussed these words with Zhangsun Xianyun, which only made her worry more about Lu Meng.
The two sisters tugged and pulled at each other in the carriage, lingering so long that the carriage had stopped for quite a while without either of them stepping out.
Lu Meng rarely found a sister she could talk to so freely. Zhangsun Xianyun’s "unrefined" and "unconventional" behavior, considered outrageous by the standards of women in this era, aligned perfectly with Lu Meng’s modern perspective.
Moreover, Lu Meng had taken quite a liking to her brother-in-law—not in a romantic way, but because the man was remarkably open-minded!
Whenever Lu Meng and Zhangsun Xianyun discussed "heretical" topics, he would sit there sipping tea, occasionally chiming in without a trace of the typical male conservatism of the time. That alone made him exceptional.
And the fact that he adored a fierce woman like Zhangsun Xianyun, even bringing his wife to the battlefield without jealousy, then using his military merits to secure her a lieutenant position—now that was a real man!
Lu Meng absolutely adored this couple.
However, the carriage of the Zhennan General couldn’t linger too long outside Prince Jian'an’s residence.
Lu Meng was soon helped out of the carriage, and she said to Zhangsun Xianyun, "Sister, brother-in-law, I’ll come bother you at the general’s estate bright and early tomorrow, hehehe."
Both Zhangsun Xianyun and Feng Beiyi laughed at that.
After being escorted out of the carriage, Lu Meng headed into the prince’s residence, waving back at Zhangsun Xianyun, who was peeking through the carriage curtains, before cheerfully returning to Lishu Court.
"A servant reported that Lady Meng has returned to Lishu Court and is now eating," Chen Yuan informed Wu Linxuan, who had just finished bathing and was pretending to handle official business at his desk—though in reality, he hadn’t written a single word, just doodling aimlessly.
Wu Linxuan’s heart twisted at the news.
Why hadn’t she come to him? After what happened in the carriage, shouldn’t she have seized the opportunity to consummate their marriage? Wasn’t that what she wanted?
Wu Linxuan feigned indifference with a low "Hmm," then opened a military book and began reading.
But deep down, he was still waiting for his Lady Meng to come to him. At this point, he didn’t even have a strong desire to actually go through with it—he just wanted to prove he could!
This damned competitive spirit kept him waiting half the night, assuming Lady Meng had gone back to Lishu Court to bathe, perfume herself, and prepare before coming to him.
Yet after waiting and waiting, the news that reached him was that she had already gone to bed.
"Asleep?" Wu Linxuan stared at the candle on his desk, now burned halfway down. Usually, when it reached this point, it meant the hour had already struck midnight.
He couldn’t even muster anger anymore. Propping his arm on the desk, he pinched the bridge of his nose, then opened his eyes again, sharp as a blade. The restless, youthful agitation in him had completely cooled, replaced by icy detachment.
"Keep a close watch on Lady Meng these days. Have Yuehui and his men follow her," Wu Linxuan instructed Chen Yuan. "The court is about to become unstable."
He had indeed pushed this Lady Meng into the spotlight—partly to stir chaos in the court and seize the chance to shift the stagnant political landscape, and partly to draw out whoever stood behind her.
He couldn’t let a woman lead him by the nose. Even if he desired her, that desire paled in comparison to his ambitions for the throne.
The earlier stirrings of passion in Wu Linxuan had completely chilled after Lady Meng failed to come to him, colder than the night itself.
Being led astray by lust clearly wasn’t for him.
Meanwhile, Lu Meng remained blissfully unaware of her current predicament. She had slept soundly, woken up refreshed, and risen early to change into fresh clothes, bringing along the heavy iron sword she had bought in the marketplace.
She took along a selection of jewelry from her collection of gold and silver treasures—pieces suitable for a bold and spirited woman—and then excitedly headed to the general's residence.
Wu Linxuan heard Chen Yuan report, "Madam Meng has gone out to the streets."
His heart skipped a beat as he mentally calculated the state of his treasury, instantly feeling it was on the verge of collapse.
After a moment's thought, he said, "Keep her in check. Don’t let her spend recklessly."
Mainly because the court had been in turmoil lately, and he needed to keep a low profile.
And also because he pitied his money—he had worked diligently to build his fortune, and if Madam Meng went out a few more times without restraint, she’d truly squander it all.
Chen Yuan nodded in response. "Understood, Your Highness. I’ll inform Xin Ya to stop Madam Meng from spending."
Wu Linxuan rubbed his temples, fingers tapping against them, and added, "But don’t forbid her from spending entirely…"
It would seem as if he were mistreating his own woman.
He then said, "Have Yuehui follow her discreetly and remind her through the servants to return early."
Chen Yuan gave Wu Linxuan a complicated look before bowing and leaving.
He had served by Wu Linxuan’s side for a long time and considered himself well-acquainted with his master’s temperament. He had initially thought Madam Meng wouldn’t last past August, but now… it seemed she might truly become the mistress of the household?
Wu Linxuan returned to dealing with his convoluted affairs, but contrary to his expectations, Lu Meng didn’t go out to buy anything else.
She headed straight for the general’s residence, even having breakfast there.
She spent the entire day lingering happily, and by evening, when Wu Linxuan finally lifted his head from his heavy workload, he realized his Madam Meng had been silent all day.
Before he could summon Chen Yuan to inquire, a shadow guard slipped in silently from outside.
Kneeling beside Wu Linxuan, the guard said, "Your Highness, this subordinate has failed."
Yuehui was injured.
Wu Linxuan had sent him to protect Madam Meng—who could act so swiftly and ruthlessly as to wound even Yuehui?
An uncontrollable tightness seized Wu Linxuan’s chest. The last time Yuehui had been this severely injured while reporting a failure, the mission had ended in disaster.
So then… his Madam Meng!
Wu Linxuan abruptly stood from his desk, bracing himself against it. He wasn’t overwhelmed with grief, but an unfamiliar sense of bewilderment and fear flickered in his eyes.
She…
"Your Highness." Chen Yuan entered at that moment, pausing briefly at Wu Linxuan’s expression before lowering his head and reporting, "Madam Meng just sent Xin Ya back with a message. She said she’ll be staying overnight at the general’s residence to have a heart-to-heart talk with the general’s wife and won’t be returning."
Yuehui also spoke up, "This subordinate is incompetent. General Feng discovered us, fought with me, and tossed all the men I brought along over the wall. He said Madam Meng is safe at the general’s residence and doesn’t need us following her."
Wu Linxuan’s expression remained unchanged as he slowly sat back down, the hairs that had risen on his body settling once more.
A breath caught in his throat, instantly igniting into a raging fire.
He was furious—furious that this Madam Meng was so ungrateful and reckless!
And equally annoyed that a woman could stir his emotions like this.
Through gritted teeth, he repeated, "A heart-to-heart talk… won’t be returning. Hah."
