Zhangsun Xianyun’s strength in holding on had once made Lu Meng so envious, but now it was driving her utterly desperate.
She felt like she was about to wet herself any second. Although Lu Meng understood that Zhangsun Xianyun wanted to vent her emotions—and was more than willing to let her do so, touched deeply by her outburst and thus even more sincerely protective of her—Lu Meng had always been a kid with an exceptionally strong sense of self-control. As far as she could remember, she had never wet the bed, nor had she ever wet her pants.
She didn’t want to break that record at her age.
So when she could no longer hold it in, she whispered softly into Zhangsun Xianyun’s ear, who was still crying like a thunderstorm, “Sister, please let go. I need to go. If you squeeze any tighter, I’m going to wet my pants!”
Zhangsun Xianyun was momentarily stunned, then released her grip. Lu Meng didn’t waste a second and, adopting an awkward posture, hurried out and said to Xiuyun and Xiuli, who were standing by the door, “Hurry up, come help me.”
Actually, there was a chamber pot right there in the room, but Lu Meng couldn’t very well kick Zhangsun Xianyun and Feng Beiyi out and say, “I need to use the potty.”
So she was helped to a nearby room to relieve herself.
Although Lu Meng had spoken very quietly, both Feng Beiyi and Zhangsun Xianyun were sharp and perceptive people by nature.
Zhangsun Xianyun watched her sister rush off, her own emotional outburst abruptly interrupted, tears still clinging to her cheeks. She glanced at Feng Beiyi…
Then suddenly burst into laughter, and Feng Beiyi couldn’t help but laugh along.
To them, Lu Meng was just a scatterbrained little kid.
But after Lu Meng had finished quickly, she was too embarrassed to return to her own room. Sitting on the chamber pot, she felt utterly miserable.
She felt like she could pick her toes and build a magical fortress out of them.
Lu Meng cleaned herself up with a long face, wishing she had one of those headscarves that country ladies wear to wrap their faces.
She crept back to her room hesitantly and cautiously, only to find it empty. She let out a huge sigh of relief, collapsed onto the bed, and buried her head under the covers, wanting to escape from the world for a while.
When Lu Meng was using the chamber pot just now, she even thought about sneaking away without telling anyone.
Because although the general’s mansion had decent soundproofing, Feng Beiyi’s booming laughter easily spread throughout the corridor and sneakily invaded the room where Lu Meng was relieving herself.
She regretted it! Just moments ago, the words she’d said to Feng Beiyi had made her sound so wise and mature.
Feng Beiyi had even praised her for being insightful, and Zhangsun Xianyun, who had come in crying, must have heard it too. She could have left both of them with the impression of being “profound and unfathomable”!
And then, in the very next moment, the supposedly wise and insightful Lu Meng had waddled away from the scene like an underdeveloped duckling, legs crossed tightly. Lu Meng truly felt she had no face left to show anyone.
Her head was buried in the covers, her legs kicking helplessly against the edge of the bed.
Then she heard someone say, “Get up, it’s time for dinner.”
Although the voice came through the quilt, Lu Meng still heard it clearly. She really didn’t want to face reality, but the thought of returning to Prince Jian'an's Mansion—and that shabby little Lishu Courtyard—made her reluctant to go back.
Forget it. What good is having pride? Can it be eaten? If it’s gone, it’s gone.
Life is short anyway; it will pass quickly.
No matter what Lu Meng encountered, she always managed to come to terms with it quickly. The saying “fall where you stumble, lie where you fall” perfectly described her attitude.
She had once seen this phrase online and was instantly struck by how true and philosophical it was.
If she couldn’t be the wise younger sister, then she would just be some other kind of sister.
Lu Meng pulled her head out from under the covers and saw Zhangsun Xianyun smiling warmly at her. The look in her eyes was maternal—or rather, full of kindness—and seemed even stronger than before.
No matter what, the goal of making “her sister love her more” had been achieved.
Is this like a child holding in their pee to get candy?
Lu Meng showed a faint, complicated smile.
Zhangsun Xianyun said, “Get up, you must be hungry. Tonight there are plenty of dishes you love. I heard from Xiuyun and Xiuli that you slept all afternoon—how like a little pig! Don’t tell me you’re really pregnant?”
Lu Meng: “…” If I were pregnant, I’d probably be some new species, a hermaphrodite who could make and give birth to herself.
“No… impossible.” She had no intention of having children in this lifetime.
Having children in ancient times? What a joke. It was a death sentence. No one was worth risking her life for—not even a perfect paper doll, let alone a deity descended to earth.
Zhangsun Xianyun took Lu Meng’s hand and helped her up. The two sisters hugged naturally.
The warmth and tenderness in Zhangsun Xianyun’s heart weren’t interrupted by Lu Meng’s untimely little accident. If anything, because she hadn’t been able to express her feelings openly, the resulting shyness made the moment even more heartfelt and lasting.
Lu Meng had a maid tidy up her appearance a little, then followed Zhangsun Xianyun to eat.
She was worried about feeling awkward, but she soon realized her “magical fairy fortress” act was useless here. In front of a true iron-blooded man, a little girl’s coquettishness was like grains of sand in her hand—blown away by the wind.
He spent the entire meal excitedly asking Lu Meng how she had fought with the Second Prince over the knife.
“Have you ever met Wu Linzhou? He’s cunning and ruthless. In this imperial city, there aren’t many who dare offend him.”
Feng Beiyi said, “Although you are the side consort of Prince Jian'an, you still need to be careful. Wu Linzhou’s methods are even more vicious than the prince’s.”
“I’ve discussed it with your sister. We’ll be setting off for the Southern Frontier in a few days. If anything unpleasant happens at the General’s Mansion, you can come to us anytime. In a couple of days, your sister will introduce you to the house steward.”
“But we’re still a little worried. After all, you’re the one who ends up using the knife. I’ve never used a four-thousand tael gold knife in my life.”
Feng Beiyi smiled, “So your sister and I have arranged for a few personal guards to stay with you. Think of them as your own attendants, always by your side.”
"These are all veterans who have crawled and fought their way through the military, their injuries no longer allowing them to stay on the battlefield, or they have elderly family members at home who need care. You can help me and your sister take care of these old soldiers. They might look fierce and intimidating, but don’t be afraid—they’re all experts in their own right. As for that pretty boy, the Prince of Jian’an..."
Feng Beiyi spoke happily, letting his true feelings slip out. Zhangsun Xianyun immediately kicked him.
After all, he was her husband—how could he say such things about her husband right to his face? Clearing his throat, Feng Beiyi put an arm around Zhangsun Xianyun and said, "It’s nothing! Honestly, I don’t think my little sister likes him all that much either, hahahaha."
Then Feng Beiyi continued, "Those death soldiers secretly raised by the Prince of Jian’an, even if you single them out, they’re not necessarily a match for them. A few days ago, those death soldiers who followed you were beaten right out of the General’s mansion by them."
Lu Meng should be laughing—she should be laughing wildly. She wanted to rely on this couple to have some leverage against Wu Dagou, so he wouldn’t dare treat her the way he treated the original female lead.
But these two had done so much for her. Staring at the rice in her bowl, Lu Meng couldn’t hold back the tears welling up in her eyes.
Since coming into this world, it was the first time she had cried with genuine emotion.
"Thank you... thank you, sister and brother-in-law," Lu Meng said, barely able to control herself. She bit her lip and blew on her eyes through cupped hands, trying to hold back the tears.
Yet she was still smiling, which made her whole expression seem a little twisted.
Neither Zhangsun Xianyun nor Feng Beiyi expected Lu Meng to cry. Zhangsun Xianyun quickly got up and wiped away Lu Meng’s tears.
Lu Meng truly wished she could call them Mom and Dad.
Alone and stranded in a strange world, carrying a system that wasn’t an AI but more like an artificial idiot who knew nothing.
Lu Meng felt like a floating weed in the water—rootless and without a home.
Now, finally, two people had pulled her out and placed her in a small pond, nurturing and protecting her!
After finishing the meal, Lu Meng didn’t feel how delicious the food was for the first time. She didn’t even eat much, but felt full.
It was a kind of fullness that came from the heart settling down, where the stomach didn’t need to be stuffed to feel satisfied.
Even after the meal, Lu Meng’s nose was still red, like a little fawn. Zhangsun Xianyun looked at her with so much affection, and they truly ended up having a “candlelit heart-to-heart” talk.
By now, Lu Meng was no longer afraid when Zhangsun Xianyun asked her things she didn’t know. Lu Meng only needed to act a little spoiled, and she could brush everything off.
The two sisters chatted late into the night, eventually turning to talk about men.
Before, their views on men and marriage had clashed a lot, but this time, Lu Meng not only didn’t oppose Zhangsun Xianyun’s opinions—she even took them further.
"You always told me to have a child with the general," Zhangsun Xianyun said. "Over the years, I’ve thought about it, but maybe because of years of martial training, the military doctor said... it’s very difficult for me to conceive."
Lu Meng nestled like a little bird in Zhangsun Xianyun’s arms, counting the abs she could feel through the clothes—one, two, three, four, seven, eight; two, two, three, four, seven, eight.
Eight-pack! Damn!
Lu Meng wanted to wash clothes on this rough washboard.
Hearing Zhangsun Xianyun’s words, her expression grew very worried. She asked, “Is there no other serious illness? Sister has been on military campaigns for years. Could she have some chronic disease? You can’t neglect illnesses; they need timely treatment.”
“The places where muscles and bones were injured do hurt when it’s damp and rainy, but there’s no other chronic illness.”
Zhangsun Xianyun hesitated. Originally, this was something she had been considering herself, but now her younger sister was acting very differently from before, making her feel a renewed sense of belonging and dependence on her family.
So she said, “Tell me, should I arrange a concubine for your brother-in-law? In the southern border, there are many daughters of disgraced officials who have been exiled... those women are very pitiful...”
“Sister!”
Lu Meng suddenly sat up, her eyes wide with shock, almost popping out of their sockets.
“What are you saying? No way!”
“No way, do you hear me?!”
Lu Meng was extremely agitated, waving her hands and turning red in the face. “No! Absolutely not! What do you mean by finding a concubine for my brother-in-law?”
“Let me tell you, sister, men are like dogs. If you feed them shit once, next time they won’t eat anything else—they’ll just keep thinking about eating shit!”
“A dog can’t stop eating shit!”
Lu Meng’s words were harsh, spoken in a moment of anxiety.
But there was truth in her roughness.
No matter how good a man is, he can’t stand having a concubine!
Zhangsun Xianyun seemed genuinely frightened by her sister’s outburst.
Lu Meng took a deep breath, sat facing Zhangsun Xianyun, and patiently broke down her reasoning like a stern old lady delivering a lecture.
“Once a man has a concubine, his heart goes wild. Then what’s left of husband and wife standing together? He’ll start comparing you to other women.”
“Why aren’t you as gentle as her? Why aren’t you as understanding? Why can’t you stay quietly at home like she does, instead of stubbornly going to the battlefield to show off to men?”
“Worse still, right now your brother-in-law can proudly say your military prestige is higher than his. But once there’s a sweet, delicate, adorable woman whispering in his ear at night, why would those deputy generals listen to you? They’d become the very thing your brother-in-law resents most.”
“He’ll think you’ve overstepped him. He’ll suspect you might have secret dealings with those deputies, or worse, that you’re sleeping with them.”
“What are you talking about? Your brother-in-law isn’t that kind of person! Besides, didn’t you say back then—” Zhangsun Xianyun grew anxious.
Lu Meng raised a finger, holding it in front of her lips like a warning, and said, “Sister, don’t be so quick to jump to conclusions. I’m not you—I don’t know the bond you and your brother-in-law have forged through life and death. Everything I said before was nonsense. Don’t believe a word of it! I was young and ignorant then. Now, I’m just laying out the worst-case scenarios, one by one.”
“Just listen to me.”
Seeing Zhangsun Xianyun nod, Lu Meng crossed her legs and settled in, looking like a seasoned old woman about to impart some serious wisdom.
She said, “People change. Look at me now—I’m not the same as before.”
That last sentence was a lie. She wasn’t the same because she wasn’t even the same person. But to dispel Zhangsun Xianyun’s dangerous thoughts, Lu Meng lied without guilt.
“Time is a cruel butcher’s knife, sister! You never really know what someone will become in the end. People’s tastes change too. He may love your bold and heroic spirit now, love how you support him on the battlefield, but once he has tasted other women’s charms, once he realizes that love in this world comes in many forms, can you be sure he still loves you?”
“Even if he does love you, even if your brother-in-law’s feelings for you go beyond romantic love to the bond of life and death, do you really want to end up as nothing more than ‘brothers’ with him? Watching him entwined with another woman, lost in their own passionate world?”
“Besides, all men in this world value their offspring. Once there’s a child, even if only for the sake of that child, he will treat the child’s mother well.” Lu Meng said, “Look at how many living examples there are in the palace. But sister, who do you think the emperor truly loves?”
Zhangsun Xianyun’s eyes widened slightly. No matter how ‘progressive’ or out of place she felt in this world, she was still a product of it.
What Lu Meng said wasn’t beyond her understanding.
But in this world, where women must follow the Three Obediences and Four Virtues, how many concubines were raised from childhood as maids just to stay close to their husbands?
Born into such a world and forced into the mold of the ‘Three Obediences and Four Virtues,’ these women inevitably grew up shaped by that mold.
So they would consider their husband’s “lineage,” and even seek out women who could please him for his happiness.
This is the patriarchal society’s way of taming women. This taming isn’t only seen in this novel’s world but is also common in the modern era where female consciousness is beginning to awaken, the world Lu Meng comes from.
Often, they don’t even realize they’re trapped in this mold, afraid to be different from others, and proudly conform to the mold as if it were their own identity.
Lu Meng absolutely refuses to let such a remarkable Zhangsun Xianyun, such a fierce female general, end up with a melodramatic, tragic heroine’s fate.
One tragic heroine is more than enough.
“Sister, think about it—if he has another woman, are you really okay with it? If he sleeps with someone else and then touches you again, wouldn’t you feel disgusted?”
Lu Meng said, “I know you’re strong, and you pity those daughters of disgraced traitors, but sister, there are so many pitiful women in this world. I bet the woman you feel especially sorry for, the one you want to give your brother-in-law’s child, is doing it on purpose.”
“Think again—those born noble ladies who have fallen from grace are often like lambs awaiting slaughter. The ones who truly know how to use their innocent appearance to soften hearts are usually the most cunning.”
“I’m not criticizing these women, nor saying they shouldn’t fight for themselves. They should fight tooth and nail for their own interests. The woman you pity has done nothing wrong; her insight is razor-sharp—she sees your kindness and knows your brother-in-law is a good man.”
“But if you pity them, you should find other ways to help, not drag yourself down with them.”
Lu Meng licked her lips, a little thirsty, and continued, “Sister, don’t test people’s hearts and feelings. The bottom of the abyss is always there, but the human heart is the hardest to fathom.”
Lu Meng looked at Zhangsun Xianyun with a somewhat blank expression, then got up to pour herself a glass of water, giving her some time to process everything.
After finishing the water, she climbed back into bed. Sure enough, Zhangsun Xianyun nodded and said, “I understand, but if we never have children, your brother-in-law will already be twenty-seven this year. Many military commanders are already grandfathers at that age.”
At this, Lu Meng clapped her hands sharply, the sound ringing out clearly.
She said, “That’s exactly the problem. Sister, you’ve only had the army doctor check you, right? My brother-in-law has been on the front lines for years, enduring harsh conditions and even worse injuries than you. How can you be certain it’s you who can’t have children, and not him?”
Zhangsun Xianyun’s face flushed bright red at this.
For once, she revealed a hint of girlish vulnerability, clutching the blanket and stammering, “H-He’s perfectly normal.”
“Just because he performs in bed doesn’t mean he’s normal, sister,” Lu Meng said helplessly. She couldn’t explain modern medical terms like azoospermia or low sperm quality.
Nor could she talk about how infertility can sometimes be due to incompatibility between sperm and eggs.
Since all those scientific explanations were out of reach, she resorted to an example.
“Think about it, sister. Throughout history, emperors had thousands of concubines, but how many truly had abundant offspring? And among those, how many children were actually confirmed to be the emperor’s?”
Zhangsun Xianyun had been nodding along, convinced, but suddenly burst out laughing at Lu Meng’s joke.
“What outrageous nonsense are you spouting?” she exclaimed.
Even emperors aren’t to be casually mocked.
Lu Meng grinned cheekily. “But it’s just the two of us here behind closed doors, right?”
She went on, “Anyway, the problem might not be with you at all. Don’t take it all on yourself and rush to suggest your husband take a concubine. That would only ruin the rare genuine love between you and your brother-in-law.”
By now, Zhangsun Xianyun was convinced. She hadn’t wanted Feng Beiyi to take a concubine either. Which woman who truly loves her husband could calmly watch him cozy up to other women, sharing intimate moments?
Seeing Zhangsun Xianyun nodding, Lu Meng knew she had dispelled that idea and was ready to move on to the next stage of her subtle persuasion.
“Time to corrupt her,” she thought.
“Sister, not only must you not allow your brother-in-law to take a concubine, you have to do the opposite. No matter who brings it up, you must show displeasure.”
“Huh?” Zhangsun Xianyun had indeed heard many people mention this, mostly in a joking tone.
“Wouldn’t that make you a jealous wife?” Zhangsun Xianyun’s upbringing still valued ‘virtue’ and ‘grace’ for women.
Lu Meng clicked her tongue. “From now on, if a man mentions this in front of you, tell him to first take a concubine for his own wife. If it’s a woman, tell her to add eighteen more concubines for her own husband.”
Zhangsun Xianyun laughed again. That was a bit too much.
But in Lu Meng’s serious expression, she understood that those who suggested this might already know it was an over-the-top insult meant to shame them.
Lu Meng added, “In short, even if it’s your brother-in-law, if he dares to entertain such thoughts, you tell him straight—divorce, and he can find someone else.”
Zhangsun Xianyun had never even considered divorce before, and she was stunned, eyes wide with shock.
Lu Meng quickly smiled and said, "Don’t be afraid. I was just trying to scare brother-in-law. How could he possibly be willing to give up on sister?"
“But sister, if brother-in-law really did give up on you, would you divorce him? Or just swallow your pride and endure it?”
Zhangsun Xianyun’s lips trembled as she said, “Divorce… divorce!”
She could arrange concubines for her husband herself, but if he dared to stray, Zhangsun Xianyun’s temper was definitely not something to be trifled with.
Lu Meng clapped her hands once more. “That’s the spirit!”
“Sister, you are a modern female general, truly holding military power in your hands. Even if you leave brother-in-law, you’re still a general. Losing you would be his loss, not yours.”
“Of course, I’m not saying you should divorce him! I’m just putting the worst-case scenario on the table in advance.”
“Anyway, I’m sure with your strength and beauty, men from the southern frontier all the way to the imperial city would line up to marry you. You need to make brother-in-law deeply aware of this fact.”
“So what if you don’t have children? His family doesn’t have a throne to inherit, and there are no parents pushing you. Even if you never have any, you can always adopt some war orphans.”
Zhangsun Xianyun grabbed Lu Meng’s wrist and pressed her head against her shoulder.
She was already used to Lu Meng calling her “treasonous” every time they talked.
She tapped Lu Meng’s nose and said, “You’re so insightful, but how do you know all this? Is it because Prince Jian’an treats you well…”
“Sister, sister… he treats me very well, really well. Thousands of taels of gold, spent as easily as breathing. Which noblewoman in the entire imperial city dares to spend money like that? And I’m only a concubine.”
“That may be so, but Prince Jian’an’s money isn’t that easy to spend. Don’t provoke him too much.”
Zhangsun Xianyun said, “But the Treasure Pavilion probably wouldn’t dare to accept so much money. Once they find out who the buyer is and that the money comes from Prince Jian’an, they’ll return a lot of it to the prince’s mansion. You don’t need to be afraid.”
Lu Meng patted her chest confidently. “Sister, rest assured. I only started spending after I knew you were going back to the imperial city. It’s not about him daring to do anything to me. Besides…”
The more I make him lose, the more he can’t bear to let go.
But Lu Meng didn’t say this twisted logic out loud. Instead, she said, “Besides, he really likes me. He’s always thinking about sleeping with me.”
A young man definitely wants to prove himself quickly, but Lu Meng would never let him succeed so fast. Tonight, she deliberately didn’t send anyone to deliver messages.
The bottom line is to keep lowering it, to trample on it repeatedly. Otherwise, how could it compare to the early-stage cruel romance male leads?
There’s simply no other man like Feng Beiyi in this world—he’s got a car, a house, no parents, an open mind, and a strong appearance. He’s a great catch.
Zhangsun Xianyun exclaimed softly, still unable to get used to talking about such intimate matters with her younger sister.
But the arrangement for her sister to stay at the general’s mansion with Feng Beiyi was not just to ease her longing. It was also to send a warning to Prince Jian’an and even those two in the palace—that this concubine of Prince Jian’an’s is not someone to be trifled with.
No one is allowed to bully her at will.
When Lu Meng finally went to sleep, she was filled with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Zhangsun Xianyun had actually taken in at least a third of what she said—and, more importantly, put it into practice. In this lifetime, Lu Meng knew she would never become a flawless, triumphant heroine of a grand, victorious tale, nor would she ever be the tragic heroine doomed to suffering.
At the very least, her story would be a sweet little romance.
Soon, Lu Meng drifted off to sleep in Zhangsun Xianyun’s arms.
She dreamed a beautiful dream—one filled with gold, so much gold, all gifts sent back to her from the Treasure Pavilion. Lu Meng woke up early, startled, lying amidst a heap of golden treasures.
But then she realized she was clutching two pillows, pressing them tightly against herself. The pillows in this world were long and plump.
With two of them weighing her down, it felt like she was being punished with some kind of “burlap sack” torture—almost suffocating.
She sat up. Outside, the sun was already high in the sky. Xiuyun and Xiuli had been waiting at the door for a long time and were now dozing in the sunlight.
Earlier that morning, another person had come to wait at the door of Prince Jian'an’s Mansion. Hearing Lu Meng struggling to get up and the sound of her drinking water, this person knocked softly before entering and said gently, “Madam Meng has awakened. I am here to assist you with your washing.”
Lu Meng had only been out of Prince Jian'an’s Mansion for two nights at most, yet Xin Ya was visibly startled upon seeing her.
She felt that the title “Madam Meng” belonged to a past life.
Right now, she was still an unmarried “big girl,” and she had no intention of ever getting married.
Why bother marrying anyone? Her family was wealthy—wouldn’t it be better to just stay at home and live out her days?
Lu Meng looked at Xin Ya, who had appeared so suddenly, and clicked her tongue before sighing.
Xin Ya noticed that Madam Meng wasn’t pleased to see her, but the mission she had today was a difficult one.
The prince hadn’t slept well for two nights—only managing two and a half hours of sleep over those two days. How could that be good?
Xin Ya and Chen Yuan were devoted to Prince Jian'an. After discussing it, though without the prince’s permission, they privately decided to persuade Madam Meng to return.
Staying at the home of the married elder sister was not proper etiquette.
But after Lu Meng finished washing up and eating, before Xin Ya could say anything, Zhangsun Xianyun returned.
Unlike Lu Meng, Zhangsun Xianyun showed no wariness toward the people of Prince Jian'an’s Mansion. Upon seeing Xin Ya, her expression instantly turned cold and severe, like autumn frost and rain.
“What? Did Prince Jian'an send you to fetch my sister?”
Xin Ya quickly lowered her head and bowed respectfully, “Madam General, the prince did not send me to fetch Madam Meng. He only worries that the two maids might not be attentive enough. Within the prince’s mansion, Madam Meng’s daily needs have always been personally attended to by me.”
“Xiuyun and Xiuli grew up alongside my sister. They’re not inattentive. But you—are you some kind of multi-armed deity?” Zhangsun Xianyun’s voice was so cold it stunned Lu Meng.
For the first time, she realized just how imposing her sister was!
So cool!
A woman like her shouldn’t be weighed down by the petty scheming of the inner chambers!
Xin Ya had served many masters and wasn’t easily intimidated, but even she was driven away by Zhangsun Xianyun.
Ha ha ha ha ha.
Lu Meng was at a loss for reasons to send her away!
Lu Meng held no ill will toward Xin Ya, but he wasn’t exactly friendly either. Knowing she was connected to Wu Da Gou—and not even a main character—there was no way someone like her would take her side.
Right now, the only person by Wu Da Gou’s side was Yuehui. In times of crisis, she might betray Wu Da Gou to repay Lu Meng.
After Xin Ya withdrew to the prince’s mansion and spoke with Chen Yuan, even Chen Yuan felt helpless.
Prince Jian’an had been buried in official business these past few days, and indeed, he was busy. The court was rife with undercurrents, making it the perfect opportunity for him to strategically place his people throughout. Wu Linxuan would never let such a chance slip by, so his busyness was genuine.
Yet, amid all this, something kept nagging at him—something subtle but persistent. Whenever he had a moment, it would surface in his mind.
He would casually ask, “Has Madam Meng returned yet?” Unconsciously, since Lu Meng left two days ago, from late yesterday afternoon to today, he had asked this question seven times.
If it weren’t for this, neither Chen Yuan nor Xin Ya would have taken matters into their own hands.
Chen Yuan was at a loss when Wu Linxuan pressed him repeatedly.
Then, with a hint of cruelty, he told his lord, “Just now, Xin Ya went to the General’s residence. Madam Meng… it seems she won’t return until the General’s wife sets off for the Southern Frontier.”
Wu Linxuan had been sleep-deprived these past few days, his mind swirling with conspiracies, schemes to unseat rivals, and the heavy burden of managing alliances and checks on others.
He used to exhaust himself and then process everything on his own.
But recently, ever since marrying Madam Meng, he found that during breaks from his heavy duties and between his ambitions to ascend the throne, monitoring every detail of Madam Meng’s words and actions—reporting everything meticulously—became his sole source of joy.
They married in early June, and now it was mid-August. His suspicious surveillance had become his way to relax.
Hearing about how long she rested today, how much she ate, he felt as if he were resting alongside her.
But suddenly, that small pleasure vanished.
Wu Linxuan hadn’t yet grasped the seriousness of the situation. He didn’t realize that desire starts with interest, interest turns into habit, and habit eventually changes everything.
All he knew was that his Madam Meng was like a fledgling bird leaving the nest—once she went wild, she didn’t come back.
Now, even the assassins dared not approach the General’s residence due to its guards, unable to monitor her or report back to Wu Linxuan.
This left Wu Linxuan feeling lost, as if something precious had been taken from him.
To put it metaphorically: it was like getting used to enjoying a delicious pastry daily, only to find the shop suddenly closed. The owner didn’t explain, nor left a contact number.
Wu Linxuan propped his arms up, his fingers stained with ink tapping his temple.
He pondered silently for a long while, eyes closed as if asleep, but his fingers never stopped.
When he opened his eyes, a hint of weariness showed as he said to Chen Yuan, “Have Yuehui watch from outside the General’s residence, keep a distant eye.”
Chen Yuan looked at his lord and couldn’t help but think that Wu Linxuan at this moment resembled a “pitiful woman discarded after being toyed with by a rake,” unable even to approach the rake’s doorstep, forced to stand far away on tiptoe in the street, hoping to catch a glimpse of her lover’s shadow.
Chen Yuan shook his head and withdrew.
The word "love"—it really can be such a curse!
But actually, it’s not that bad, because Wu Linxuan himself still can’t quite figure out what this feeling even is. He just chalks it up to the bird he raised as a child suddenly flying away. Catch it back, and all is well.
If worse comes to worst, Wu Linxuan thinks he can just get another bird to raise.
A classic trope for male leads in ancient romance novels is that, until the latter half of the story—until the brink of life and death—the hero simply doesn’t understand what love truly means.
Otherwise, how could the story push forward the iconic scenes of sudden realization and desperate pursuit of the wife, burning everything to ashes in regret?
Even if he’s been with the heroine thousands of times, he can still coldly claim he doesn’t love her, and when forced to choose between personal gain and her, decisively abandon her.
In this story, Wu Linxuan is the epitome of such a male lead.
Yet Lu Meng has never once followed the script—even a single step.
So she remains carefree and untroubled. Hearing that Zhangsun Xianyun has nothing planned for the afternoon, she excitedly suggests, “Sister, let’s go shopping together!”
“Want to buy something?” Zhangsun Xianyun asks. “Alright, whatever you like, I’ll buy it for you.”
Zhangsun Xianyun even feels a bit embarrassed. She’s not very attentive and was so caught up in the joy of reuniting with her sister that she forgot to prepare any gifts for her.
Instead, her sister has been showering her with gifts—knives, jewelry, and a whole lot more.
She wonders if the few bodyguards Feng Beiyi chose might intimidate her sister.
But Lu Meng isn’t interested in shopping at all. She says, “Sister, besides the knives, I also bought an entire building. It’s really fun—we should go together, my treat!”
Lu Meng has long wanted to experience the large-scale entertainment venues of the ancient world.
But because of her “ancient tragic female lead” curse—where going out always leads to trouble—she dares not go alone.
However, taking Zhangsun Xianyun along is a different matter entirely.
In the face of absolute power, all the flashy tricks and schemes simply cannot take hold.
Zhangsun Xianyun hasn’t had much fun in years, so after hesitating for a moment, she agrees to accompany her sister.
The two sisters quickly freshen up and then leave the mansion.
Meanwhile, Yuehui and his men finally spot their target but dare not approach because the generals’ mansion’s guards are also present.
Yuehui soon returns to the royal residence and reports to Wu Linxuan, “Your Highness, Madam Meng and the General’s wife have gone to Wenhua Tower.”
Wu Linxuan is bent over his desk, engrossed in reading letters sent from various regions. He responds with a faint “Hmm.”
He seems utterly indifferent.
Chen Yuan, standing nearby, thinks for a moment, then leans toward a maid at the door and whispers a few words.
He quietly sneers and glances at the hourglass.
Sure enough, in less than fifteen minutes, Wu Linxuan—who had barely moved all morning—starts shifting in his seat as if his backside has grown a sore.
After forcing himself to endure for half an hour, he finally orders Chen Yuan in a cold, deep voice, “Prepare the carriage.”
Chen Yuan bows and replies, “It’s already ready, Your Highness. Where shall we go?”
Wu Linxuan glares at Chen Yuan for a moment, feeling a lump in his throat.
But in the end, he says, “Wenhua Tower.”
