Lu Meng caught sight of Wu Dagou, and now that he’d been spotted, Wu Dagou could no longer hide his face to play his usual intimidating games.
Without hesitation, Lu Meng reached out and yanked off his veil hat. Her face flushed with excitement as she squinted her almond-shaped eyes, taking in the sight of Prince Jian'an, who usually dressed in brocade robes and wore a golden jade crown, now clad in a plain white gauze robe with his hair tied up in a high knot.
His features had always been striking, but his usual imposing demeanor and preference for dark-colored robes had overshadowed his beauty.
As the saying goes, "To look truly dashing, wear mourning white."
Lu Meng slowly relaxed her body, reclining against the table as she tilted her head slightly, admiring him in that simple, elegant robe—like an immortal descended from the heavens, stirring her heart into a frenzy.
She released her teeth from the bite mark she’d left on Wu Linxuan’s hand.
Now that the tension had eased, the adrenaline from her earlier struggle sent all her blood rushing to her head. The combination of alcohol and his breathtaking appearance left her dizzy and lightheaded.
Lu Meng thought to herself—so that sharp jawline that had stunned her earlier belonged to Wu Dagou…
But when Wu Linxuan met her drunken gaze, he was so furious he nearly erupted in flames.
After arriving at Wenhua Tower, he had been informed by the attendant that his so-called "Dream Consort" had not only demanded the finest services and rooms—as if she were entertaining the wife of a general—but had also booked a pleasure boat, the kind favored by spoiled young nobles.
She had ordered the best wine in Wenhua Tower—the Peach Blossom White, worth thousands in gold—and even hired two musicians.
One was named "Feng Hua," the other "Xue Yue."
They were the top musicians in Wenhua Tower, a pair of twin brothers renowned throughout the imperial capital.
This "Dream Consort" of his was even more audacious than the most reckless playboys. Those twins had never even accepted a boat invitation before—no one had ever dared to openly pay the exorbitant fee required to board.
Feng Hua and Xue Yue were identical in appearance, a pair of fallen noble youths.
And in Wenhua Tower, those who boarded the pleasure boats were considered willing to sell themselves.
In other words, stepping onto the boat meant consenting to surrender one’s body.
Wu Linxuan was certain that if he hadn’t shown up today, he would have become the laughingstock of the entire imperial capital by tomorrow.
He wanted nothing more than to strangle the woman pinned beneath him.
Yet, his icy rage only accentuated his current attire.
Lu Meng, in her drunken audacity, saw no danger now—especially since the man before her was her lawful husband. By her standards, this was entirely legitimate!
Though she released her bite, she didn’t let go. Her glistening eyes fixed on Wu Linxuan as she flicked out her tongue, lightly licking the bleeding wound on his hand.
Wu Linxuan felt his fury surge so violently it nearly blasted the top of his skull open. But with Zhangsun Xianyun and General Zhennan backing Lu Meng, he couldn’t lay a hand on her—and even though Xin Ya had blocked Zhangsun Xianyun outside, she could barge in at any moment knowing he was here.
Unable to harm her, he could only grit his teeth and endure the rage burning inside him.
And Lu Meng’s action was like pouring oil on the fire.
Wu Linxuan released her cheeks, but Lu Meng clung to his wrist, pressing her delicate face into his long, powerful fingers. Her rosy cheeks and those blinking almond eyes carried a teasing glint that sent a shiver down his spine.
For a man, anger and desire were often intertwined.
Especially when the man already harbored desire for the woman. A single spark of fury could set his entire world ablaze.
Wu Linxuan withdrew his hand, but Lu Meng, now thoroughly intoxicated, could only think one thing: "This is perfectly legal."
She let his retreating motion pull her up from the edge of the table, making no effort to steady herself as she leaned entirely into him, boneless as a serpent.
"This... young master..." Lu Meng grasped Wu Linxuan's hand, pressing a few playful kisses to it before massaging his fingers with a giggle. "You are truly breathtaking."
Though her words were flirtatious, her mind was elsewhere—Is this what it takes to be a male lead these days?
Busy with court politics and scheming for the throne by day, then moonlighting as a musician to charm wealthy ladies by night?
Lu Meng stood on tiptoe, her entire body pressed against Wu Linxuan as she brought her face close to his, her gaze fixated on the tiny mole near the peak of his lips.
She didn’t kiss him, but the way she looked at him was somehow even more unbearable than if she had.
This world had no phrase like "driving with a gaze," but Wu Linxuan swore he had never been looked at like this in his entire life.
Lu Meng bumped into him again, her boldness fueled by liquor—or perhaps just the excuse of it.
They stumbled against the cabin wall, Wu Linxuan’s face near a window where the kaleidoscope of lantern light, the chime of wind bells, and the distant hum of the crowd filtered in. Yet, to him, it all seemed muffled, as if his ears were ringing.
He could hear nothing but the furious drumming of his own heart, once beating in anger, now only a chaotic, thunderous rhythm—his rage scattering like loose sand, impossible to gather.
Lu Meng wasn’t as drunk as she pretended. The wine, though expensive, was heady but not overpowering.
She had already realized that if Zhangsun Xianyun hadn’t burst in to rescue her, it must be because Wu Dagou’s men had stopped her. Zhangsun Xianyun, after all, was still a traditional woman—her "rebelliousness" limited to the battlefield she loved.
Running into an "outsider man" like Prince Jian'an in a place like this? She’d never step inside. She was probably horrified—or worried sick for Lu Meng.
Lu Meng’s breath was uneven as she feigned ignorance of Wu Linxuan’s identity.
If he was going to dress as a musician to "catch her in the act," how could she not play along?
Who doesn’t know how to play games?
Her voice was sweet as she murmured, "So tell me... are you here to sell your skills... or yourself?"
She pressed even closer. The Wenhua Pavilion was Wu Dagou’s business—him inspecting it was normal. But disguising himself as a musician? That was too much.
He was clearly here for her.
Probably had people lurking outside the general’s estate, tracking her movements, then rushing over to... settle some imaginary debt with her. What kind of nonsense warranted Prince Jian'an dressing up like this? Whatever it was, she couldn’t let him regain his footing and start lecturing her.
And distracting a man who desired her—or at least her body—from thinking of anything else? That was child’s play for Lu Meng.
Her breath, light and teasing, brushed against Wu Linxuan’s neck, his chin, his lips—sometimes close, sometimes just out of reach.
Her eyes never left his mouth, hovering near but never touching.
Still tilted up toward him, Lu Meng asked, "How much?"
Without waiting for an answer, she continued, her voice dripping with mischief, "For a night with someone like you—how much would it cost?"
Lu Meng raised her head, her gaze slowly sweeping over Wu Linxuan's face before finally meeting his eyes—where, unsurprisingly, she found desire thick enough to drown in.
"This face of yours, this beauty… I’m afraid I can’t afford it," Lu Meng murmured, her fingers trailing up from Wu Linxuan’s arm to his chest, where she began drawing slow, teasing circles.
"Could I put it on credit?" she asked with feigned innocence.
"Just charge it to Wu Linxuan’s account."
Lu Meng continued, "You must know him—he’s Prince Jian'an of the court. On our wedding night, he personally promised me that the gold and silver of his mansion were mine to spend as I pleased, guaranteeing me a lifetime of luxury and ease."
"He treats me exceptionally well… a man of his word," she added with a smile, her fingers sliding from his chest to his throat. "I doubt he’d mind me sharing a spring breeze with someone as fine as you."
With that, Lu Meng pressed her palm against Wu Dagou’s throat, stifling his reflexive swallow, and bit down lightly on the small mole beside his lips.
Wu Linxuan shuddered, his restraint snapping as he seized Lu Meng’s waist and flipped their positions, taking control.
Any thoughts of—
Why aren’t you home?
How dare you bring a man onto a pleasure boat?
How dare you—
—were all flung to the winds.
The faint peach-blossom wine on Lu Meng’s tongue left them both utterly intoxicated.
They only parted when the boat docked and Xin Ya knocked on the cabin door.
Wu Linxuan was, once again, in no state to be seen—though this time, at least, he didn’t lose his composure just from a knock.
Lu Meng’s waist ached from how tightly he’d held her. As she moved to open the door, Wu Linxuan swiftly caught her wrist, his expression dark with warning.
The message was clear: If you dare run—
Lu Meng, like a true rogue, flicked his nose and said, "Young master, I’ve reserved the finest riverside suite on the top floor of Wenhua Tower."
"Wait for me there," she murmured, her smile dripping with promise. She even made a show of patting her robes before adding, "No key needed—just walk right in."
"I’ll just have a word with my sister," she said, rising on her toes to nuzzle his sharp, noble nose. "Wait for me…" Her gaze dipped lower. "Cool down a little. You can’t go out like that."
Tonight, she’d played the drunken fool to perfection. Every trace of the "respect" she’d shown Wu Linxuan earlier had vanished—because now, she held the winning hand.
He’d come looking for her after just two days, disguising himself as a musician, letting her toy with him—humiliated yet enthralled.
A man in Wu Linxuan’s position would never meet someone who openly coveted his looks. At his rank, even if he were a pig, men would flatter him and women would chase him—just look at his brothers.
Lu Meng’s unabashed stares and teasing left him flushed with shame, yet perversely thrilled that she treated him this way—not Prince Jian'an.
Especially since, to distract him, she’d avoided titles entirely. No Your Highness, no this consort—just young master.
That secret, forbidden thrill sent Wu Linxuan’s heart pounding.
Slowly, he released her. Lu Meng turned and opened the door.
Xin Ya stood there, and beyond her, in the pavilion onshore, was Zhangsun Xianyun.
Lu Meng hurried over, her steps light and steady—not a trace of drunkenness in sight.
Zhangsun Xianyun was still deeply concerned about her younger sister. How on earth had Prince Jian'an managed to find such a place, disguising himself as a musician to play tunes and perform for money... Zhangsun Xianyun didn’t even know what expression to wear.
Lu Meng walked up to Zhangsun Xianyun with a smile and asked, "Sister, was that dancer rescued?"
"She was," Zhangsun Xianyun replied, looking at her sister with a complicated expression. "You... Prince Jian'an, he—"
How could he have come here?!
Lu Meng waved her hand dismissively, taking advantage of the fact that Prince Jian'an hadn’t yet "cooled down" and wouldn’t dare step out of the cabin. "He just missed me. Since I hadn’t returned home for two days, he wanted to see me but was too embarrassed to come looking for me at the general’s residence."
Zhangsun Xianyun’s face twitched slightly as she glanced at the pleasure boat anchored in the river. Her lips moved, but no words came out.
This was just too absurd.
Unlike Zhangsun Xianyun, who was shy and hesitant when it came to matters between men and women, Lu Meng had no such reservations.
With shameless nonchalance, she declared, "Elder Sister, you should take the carriage back first. I won’t be returning tonight—I’ll be staying at Wenhua Tower."
Tonight, she was going to have her way with Wu Linxuan.
She hadn’t originally planned to move so quickly, but since he had come all this way, even going so far as to disguise himself as a musician, pouting and playing the victim... he really knew how to tempt her. And Lu Meng had indeed fallen for his little tricks.
After all, a night together would soothe Wu Linxuan’s temper, distract him from his nonsensical accusations, and satisfy Lu Meng’s own desires—why not?
They were both adults. A one-night stand was nothing to fuss over.
Zhangsun Xianyun, however, was so flustered she didn’t know where to look.
After murmuring a vague acknowledgment, she practically fled the scene.
By the time Lu Meng returned to find Wu Linxuan, he had already been escorted away by Xin Ya.
Without hesitation, Lu Meng turned and strode back into the building, her steps light and eager as she climbed the stairs to her room. Sure enough, Xin Ya was standing guard outside the door.
Lu Meng pushed the door open excitedly, only to find Wu Linxuan sitting rigidly at the table, sipping tea with an air of solemnity. His long legs were slightly parted, one hand resting on his thigh, as if preparing to hold court.
At that moment, Lu Meng felt like a criminal standing before a judge.
Wu Linxuan’s gaze had regained its usual coldness—clearly, the blood had returned to his brain, and his rationality was back in full force. With Zhangsun Xianyun gone, he was ready to settle the score.
Lu Meng stood frozen in the doorway, quietly sucking in a breath.
What to do, what to do, what to do?
If her actions were scrutinized, she was certain she’d violated more than half of this world’s moral codes.
Wu Linxuan’s expression was icy as he studied her, teacup in hand—his signature prop for intimidation.
He let out a disdainful "hmph" before taking a deliberate sip.
Tonight’s reckoning would be slow and thorough.
Lowering his eyes, Wu Linxuan mentally reviewed several methods to ensure his wayward concubine would never dare act so boldly again—though some of these methods were rather... difficult to voice aloud.
He had it all planned out, convinced that most women, once intimate with a man, would become docile and clingy.
After all, this was how the world worked. Wu Linxuan belonged to the elite, the untouchable upper echelon of society. His mindset was rigid, making it impossible for him to imagine a woman he couldn’t control—because she didn’t truly belong to this world.
After leisurely finishing two sips of tea and playing a bit of psychological warfare, he intended to let his concubine squirm in anxiety first.
This was how he interrogated prisoners—starting with silence, not even looking at them, exerting pressure, waiting for them to break first. He had even thought that if she begged for mercy, he might go easier on her...
"Pfft—cough cough—"
Wu Linxuan glanced at Lu Meng and immediately erupted into a fit of coughing, his face flushing red as dizziness overtook him.
Lu Meng had entered the room and locked the door behind her, seeing right through Wu Linxuan’s tactics. As she walked forward, her shoes, robes, and accessories slipped off one after another, like a snake shedding its skin, clattering to the floor.
By the time she stood before Wu Linxuan, her unrestrained boldness had already struck down this self-assured "master" with sheer unpredictability.
There was no coyness, no veiled seduction—just raw, unfiltered impact that left Wu Linxuan, a man of calculated restraint, utterly defenseless, reduced to nothing but coughing.
Lu Meng grabbed his belt and yanked him straight into the inner chamber.
The bed in Wenhuage was unusual—not an ordinary one, but a large, square platform in the center of the room, covered with quilts and surrounded by cascading curtains hanging from above, like the layered veils around a jade hot spring pool.
It had the air of a princess’s bed.
And these layers of sheer drapes faced a massive window overlooking the river. The flickering lanterns on the water and the distant music from the flower boats drifted in through the window, adding an exhilarating sense of openness.
Lu Meng didn’t even bother closing the window. With only two lamps lit in the room, the view from the river remained obscured, and no buildings at this height could peer inside.
What could be more romantic than this?
She dragged Wu Linxuan, still bent over coughing, and flung him onto the bed.
Wu Linxuan, a man of martial prowess who could shatter a zither with a single palm strike, was effortlessly tossed onto the bed like a feather.
The platform was spacious enough for twins. Lu Meng pulled down the bed curtains, climbed onto the bed, and pressed a finger to Wu Linxuan’s lips. "Don’t speak, young master," she murmured. "I know exactly what you want."
Wu Dagou, after all, loved nothing more than being ridden.
The night was cool, and though the saying went that the moon was fullest on the sixteenth day, tonight—just past the sixteenth—it still hung round and luminous in the sky.
Pale moonlight spilled through the window onto the bed, where the sounds within harmonized with the distant music from the flower boats—sometimes slow and lingering, sometimes frantic and feverish.
"Young master, your stamina is truly impressive," Lu Meng never hesitated to praise her partner.
"Quick to adapt, so very... skilled."
"Just like this... keep this angle, and I’ll make sure you’re well rewarded..."
Lu Meng rose as dawn tinged the sky, haphazardly wrapping herself in Wu Linxuan’s robe, her hair loose and feet bare as she stepped down to drink water.
This place was nothing like Prince Jian'an’s Mansion or even the General’s Estate—no servants waited in the dead of night. Xiuyun and Xiuli had been sent away somewhere, likely arranged by Xin Ya.
Xin Ya stood guard outside, not daring to enter now that the commotion inside had only just quieted.
Wu Linxuan was asleep.
Lu Meng leaned against the table, lifting the teapot to drink, only to burst into laughter mid-sip, nearly choking.
The paper-perfect male lead lived up to his reputation. Compared to the men she’d known in this life—no, even in her past life—tonight’s first experience was... well, there was no comparison. She had never felt such pleasure in either lifetime.
Especially the visual impact—it truly maximized both mental and physical euphoria.
You're holding an impossibly handsome man in your arms, one who gazes at you with a look both wild and innocent—stimulated enough to moan, pushed too far and his eyes redden with a choked-up whimper... Damn, it's different.
Exquisite.
Lu Meng gulped down half a pot of water, legs trembling slightly as she leaned against the table.
She had always believed in the saying: "The ox may tire to death, but the field never wears out."
Yet here she was, legs weak for the first time because of someone else.
Still, Wu Linxuan was obedient—an eighteen-year-old fictional character not yet grown into a full-blown bastard. A rare gem among men.
Lu Meng struggled slightly as she picked up her clothes and dressed slowly.
She tied her hair up haphazardly. Outside, dawn was breaking, and she needed to slip away before Wu Linxuan woke.
First, to avoid him holding her accountable later for last night’s escapades. Second, because the rule of a fling was clear: leave when it’s over. No lingering in bed together, tangled in post-coital tenderness.
Lu Meng had no intention of developing feelings for Wu Linxuan. She couldn’t stomach his archaic views on women, nor would she let herself end up like the original female lead.
She didn’t want his affection either. That way, when she eventually settled into his harem, they could shake hands amicably—clean and simple, like "bros."
What Lu Meng feared wasn’t Wu Linxuan falling madly in love with her. Early-novel male leads loved no one but themselves.
No, she feared him leveraging "some feelings" to treat her as just another harem member—coming to bed her whenever he pleased after ascending the throne.
Now that would be fucking disgusting.
The reason Lu Meng had given in to Wu Linxuan so easily? He was clean.
Not because he was a virgin, but because he didn’t sleep around.
Lu Meng had no "feminine virtues" to uphold, nor did she demand "masculine virtues." But she couldn’t stand a man with a roster of women, bedding one today and another tomorrow.
Who knew what diseases they carried? Cross-contamination was a no-go. Even in the real world, you had to watch out for AIDS—here, syphilis was a death sentence.
Dying from that would be downright pathetic.
Besides, wasn’t a jade pleasure tool of any size far safer?
Most importantly, Lu Meng needed to find an apothecary soon for a dose of contraceptive medicine.
She absolutely could not get pregnant.
So while Wu Linxuan still drifted in sweet dreams, the woman in his arms had already been replaced by a pillow.
Lu Meng finished dressing and opened the door. Xin Ya, spotting her, bowed slightly. "Does Lady Meng require anything?"
"Where are Xiuyun and Xiuli?" Lu Meng’s voice was hushed—proof that last night’s enthusiasm hadn’t been one-sided. She’d treated the night almost like her first time.
"They’re asleep downstairs. If Lady Meng needs anything, this servant can assist." Xin Ya had been standing guard nearly all night.
"Prepare a carriage for me. I’m returning to the General’s Manor."
Xin Ya’s eyes widened in shock, her gaze flickering toward the room.
She knew the two masters had finally consummated their relationship, but Lady Meng’s behavior was unlike any other woman’s... What kind of wife left before her husband even woke, skipping the morning rituals of dressing him and whispering sweet nothings to deepen their bond?
Lu Meng watched Xin Ya, aware of her thoughts. She couldn’t force her modern mindset onto these people, so she offered no explanation.
She simply stared back.
Seeing Lady Meng’s resolve, Xin Ya still ventured, "But His Highness..."
Last night, he’d gone so far as to disguise himself as a musician to come here. If Lady Meng left like this, the prince would surely fly into a rage.
"You tend to him," Lu Meng said.
"It's time for morning court."
Lu Meng stepped past Xin Ya and headed downstairs without giving her a chance to say anything more. Xin Ya had no choice but to close the door and follow behind her.
Truthfully, no special preparations were needed. Wenhua Tower had everything arranged meticulously—after all, it was a favored haunt of nobles and high-ranking officials. Carriages for distinguished guests were stationed at the entrance around the clock.
Lu Meng had Xin Ya wake Xiuyun and Xiuli and was about to choose one of the carriages reserved for guests when the very carriage she had ridden the night before pulled up from a short distance away, stopping right in front of her.
The coachman jumped down—tall, long-limbed, with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, exuding an intimidating presence. His face and neck were marked with fine scars, and a black eye patch covered his right eye, giving him a rough, roguish air.
He clasped his hands in salute and said in a deep, resonant voice, "From the General's Mansion—Du Long. By order of Vice General Zhangsun, I await the Second Young Lady to escort her back to the General's Mansion."
His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried weight. Lu Meng glanced at him and moved toward the carriage, thinking to herself, Elder Sister is too thoughtful!
She had seen this man before in the General’s Mansion and had even mused that it was a shame such a physique was wasted with one eye missing. He must be one of the personal guards Zhangsun Xianyun had assigned to her. Lu Meng made a mental note of his name and prepared to board, but there was no footstool.
Du Long wasn’t the type to fuss over serving others, so such details had been overlooked. Seeing the issue, he stretched out his long leg, bent his knee slightly into a half-kneel, and patted his thigh. "Second Young Lady, step here."
Xin Ya was momentarily stunned by the man’s rough demeanor, but after snapping out of it, she understood—this soldier was undoubtedly from the Zhennan General’s household.
Still, she hesitated before saying, "Madam Meng, won’t you leave a word for His Highness?"
Lu Meng, about to climb into the carriage, turned back. She knew Xin Ya meant well. From Xin Ya’s perspective, a concubine acting so dismissively was practically asking for trouble—and in this world, displeasing one’s husband could spell disaster for the rest of one’s life.
After a brief silence, Lu Meng asked Du Long, "Do you have any silver?"
Du Long blinked, still half-kneeling, then rummaged in his robes and pulled out two small silver pieces. Scratching his head, he admitted, "I’ve only got… one and a half taels."
Lu Meng took them and handed them to Xin Ya.
Under Xin Ya’s dumbfounded gaze, she instructed, "Tell him exactly this: ‘This is a reward for the Young Master’s excellent performance last night.’ Then stamp the back of his hand with your personal seal."
"Add that if he wants more, he should go ask Prince Jian'an for it."
Xin Ya had no idea what any of this meant, but Lu Meng was already stepping onto Du Long’s leg and climbing into the carriage.
With a light push, Du Long vaulted effortlessly onto the carriage’s footboard, tugged the reins, and the horses snorted before turning around.
Xin Ya stood frozen for a moment before hurrying back inside, worried that His Highness would wake up and panic if he couldn’t find anyone.
Meanwhile, Lu Meng slumped into the carriage cushions and called through the curtain, "Are you one of the personal guards Elder Sister assigned to me?"
"Yes, Second Young Lady," Du Long replied respectfully, though his tone lacked any stiffness.
Lu Meng preferred it this way—she disliked excessive formality.
"I like being called ‘Second Young Lady.’ All of you can address me that way from now on. Also, if there’s no footstool next time, I can climb in myself. No need to kneel for me to step on. I don’t like my people kneeling before me."
Du Long's whip-cracking movement paused abruptly. His remaining good eye arched slightly at the corner, lifting with a hint of amusement.
This Second Young Miss is rather interesting.
Men like them were bred for charging headlong into battle—never bowing, never fearing death. But when it came to serving some delicate noblewoman, few were willing, and most were downright apprehensive.
That’s why, when Deputy General Zhangsun ordered them to wait outside Wenhua Tower last night, they all hid—pushing forward Du Long, the one with the "least intimidating appearance," to fetch her.
Rumor had it that both Deputy General Zhangsun and General Feng had kept their distance to avoid scaring the Second Young Miss with their rough manners.
The brothers had caught glimpses of her in the general’s mansion, though—always from the shadows, just like now.
Du Long whistled sharply, signaling the others to retreat.
Inside the carriage, Lu Meng leaned drowsily against Xiuyun, but she hadn’t forgotten the "important matter."
She murmured to Xiuyun and Xiuli, "Once we reach the city, find an apothecary and get me some medicine."
Lu Meng considered a permanent solution but feared the damage to her body.
Besides, if she remembered correctly, the novel’s plot mentioned a woman the male lead later brought into the mansion to torment the original female lead—one who slipped her a tasteless, odorless drug in chicken soup, rendering her infertile for life.
The original host drank it without even noticing.
Lu Meng mentally dubbed it "plot armor."
But she decided to wait for that opportunity.
Then she added, "Get me a contraceptive brew—the kind that prevents pregnancy."
Xiuyun and Xiuli stared in shock. They knew their mistress had consummated her marriage with the prince last night, but skipping the red bean porridge was one thing—why demand a morning-after draught?
"Second Young Miss…" Xiuyun hesitated. "Shouldn’t you try to conceive the prince’s child as soon as possible? It’s your best chance to secure your position as his official wife."
The maids had grown bolder under Lu Meng’s indulgent care, now speaking their minds freely.
Lu Meng didn’t mind. She chuckled. "I’m still young. No rush for babies."
In this lifetime? Never happening.
As for becoming the official wife? What a joke. The original female lead died without ever being formally recognized—only posthumously honored as empress.
Though the maids felt something was off, they didn’t question Lu Meng’s decision.
Outside, Du Long overheard every word—not that he meant to eavesdrop, but his remaining senses were sharp despite his missing eye.
When the carriage halted by an apothecary in town, no announcement was needed.
Xiuyun and Xiuli carried silver. As Xiuli stepped down, Lu Meng called after her, "I’ll repay you double for whatever you buy. Don’t worry."
Xiuli stomped her foot. "Young Miss, how could you say such a thing!"
Lu Meng leaned out of the carriage. Dawn had just broken, painting the main street in quiet hues. Wisps of smoke curled from breakfast stalls, and the sparse traffic left the cobblestones damp with autumn dew, glistening like freshly washed tiles—solid and serene.
Only the vendors’ cries and yawning shopkeepers stirring to life disturbed the peace.
This, Lu Meng mused, was the very picture of prosperity and contentment.
She stared absently until Xiuli returned with the medicine. As she withdrew into the carriage, she caught Du Long watching her.
Their eyes met—he instantly looked away.
After a pause, Lu Meng said, "I’ll repay you too when we return."
Du Long chuckled. He had actually been curious earlier, wondering what kind of woman wouldn’t want to bear Prince Jian'an’s child.
Xiuli boarded the carriage, and the group sped off once more toward the general’s residence. Lu Meng was so exhausted on the journey that she could barely keep her eyes open. Upon arriving, she stepped out of the carriage to find Zhangsun Xianyun practicing swordplay in the courtyard. Zhangsun Xianyun paused in surprise at the sight of her.
"Why are you back? Where’s Prince Jian'an?" Zhangsun Xianyun stopped and walked over, watching as Lu Meng yawned sleepily.
"He’ll probably head to court later, I don’t know…" Lu Meng hugged her sister and said, "I’m too tired—I’m going to bed."
Zhangsun Xianyun patted her younger sister’s head, too embarrassed to press further or ask about the events of the previous night. She simply instructed the maids to help Lu Meng to her quarters.
She had assumed that since Prince Jian'an had come for her, Lu Meng would return to the mansion with him.
The night before, Zhangsun Xianyun had even remarked to Feng Beiyi that Prince Jian'an might not be as indifferent to her sister as he seemed—after all, why else would he stoop to disguising himself as a qin player and boarding the pleasure boat?
Feng Beiyi, upon hearing this, had bellowed indignantly, "You actually brought a man onto a pleasure boat?!"
His reaction had Zhangsun Xianyun in stitches—she’d never seen him so jealous before.
But after so many years together, Feng Beiyi and Zhangsun Xianyun knew each other as well as they knew themselves. He was well aware his wife would never actually do anything improper.
As for Prince Jian'an’s actions, Feng Beiyi was utterly disdainful.
"That pretty-faced bastard really knows how to humble himself when needed," he sneered.
Once Lu Meng returned to her room, she didn’t immediately go to sleep. Instead, she was bathed and freshened up by her attendants.
Drowsy and yawning repeatedly, Lu Meng soaked in the water while Xiuyun, blushing furiously at the marks on her body, helped wash her.
After the bath, Lu Meng lay down on the bed while Xiuyun knelt beside her, drying her damp hair.
Xiuli soon arrived with a prepared contraceptive brew. Lu Meng sat up, pinched her nose, and downed the bitter concoction in one gulp, her tongue instantly going numb from the taste.
She rinsed her mouth, then burrowed under the covers—her hair still slightly damp—and fell fast asleep.
Meanwhile, Wu Linxuan, riding in his carriage on the way to court, clenched a small silver ingot in his hand and glared at the tiny seal mark on his wrist, grinding his teeth so hard it hurt.
When he had woken that morning, the person nestled warmly in his arms wasn’t his beloved Meng-furen—it was a pillow.
At first, Wu Linxuan assumed she had gotten up to relieve herself or freshen up. After a couple’s first night together, it wasn’t unusual for the woman to rise early and personally attend to her husband.
So he waited… and waited… until finally, Xin Ya arrived, handed him the silver ingot, and stamped his wrist with the seal.
His Meng-furen had fled.
Wu Linxuan had been utterly dumbfounded. He couldn’t understand—now that they had consummated their marriage and she had achieved her goal, shouldn’t she be seizing the opportunity to make demands of him?
Shouldn’t her true intentions have surfaced by now? Shouldn’t she be trying to win his favor? After all, a woman’s husband was her heaven—he was Meng-furen’s heaven.
And when Wu Linxuan stopped Xin Ya from changing the bedsheets, he stared at the disheveled but… conspicuously unstained bedding, frozen in place.
He had known it all along!
This woman—this woman who had once pleasured herself with a jade scepter—how could she possibly bleed on her wedding night?
Or perhaps she had already been someone else’s, her purity long lost before she married him… In any case, last night had clearly not been her first time.
She was far too experienced, making Wu Linxuan feel utterly inexperienced in comparison whenever he recalled their encounter.
He stood alone by the pure white bedsheets for a long time, consumed by the humiliating sensation of being used and then abandoned.
How had he failed to resist her seduction?
What had he even been thinking coming here last night?!
Wu Linxuan stood by the bed, nursing a headache for what felt like ages, before finally retrieving an ultrathin, cicada-wing-like dagger from his personal belongings.
He slit his own arm and smeared the blood onto the sheets.
After taking several deep breaths, he slumped onto the edge of the bed in defeat, waiting a while before summoning Xin Ya to tidy up the bedding.
A bride’s lack of "virginal blood" on her wedding night was a grave matter—one that could tarnish her reputation. Wu Linxuan didn’t want Lady Meng to face scorn from the servants later.
But right now, Wu Linxuan truly wanted to kill someone.
His beloved concubine had not only achieved her goal and vanished without a trace, but before fleeing, she had even "insulted" him.
She praised his performance from the night before—and then tossed him a paltry tael and a half of silver as a reward.
Was Wu Linxuan worth so little?!
And the events of last night had been far too chaotic. Wu Linxuan hadn’t had time to process them before he’d been swept away in the moment.
Now, with his blood finally cooled, he replayed everything from start to finish—and the more he thought about it, the angrier he became.
The more he reflected, the more certain he was that his Lady Meng had orchestrated it all deliberately.
She had deliberately drowned him in pleasure, leaving him no room to react, while seizing the opportunity to reverse their roles.
He had become the eager "concubine" throwing himself at his master’s feet—only to be met with a heartless "husband" who turned away without a second glance!
What kind of monster had he married?!
Wu Linxuan felt utterly played.
No—this wasn’t something he could let slide.
Furious, he rapped his knuckles against the carriage wall and barked to the outside, "Chen Yuan, prepare a gift! After court, I’m paying a visit to the Zhennan General’s estate!"
