Luo Jingfeng was opening a letter without looking up when he said, "Loyalty."
"Loyalty?" Luo Jingyun was surprised by such a reason—it was unbelievable! But after a moment’s thought, he added, "Well, I suppose it makes sense. Lu Feng is fiercely loyal to you, and Lu Zhu isn’t particularly clever—she wouldn’t stir up trouble. When you think about it, it’s understandable."
Lu Zhu’s status was far beneath Luo Jingfeng’s, and the Prince of Southern Pacification vehemently opposed her becoming his official wife. But Luo Jingfeng wore an expression that suggested he was ready to slaughter anyone who stood in his way, forcing the Prince to reluctantly concede.
Yet the Prince of Southern Pacification did not stop his schemes.
Luo Jingfeng raised his eyes from the letter, his gaze turning icy. "Elder Brother, did you know Father plans to record that little bastard, Fourth Brother, under Mother’s name?"
Luo Jingyun’s eyes widened. "What?! How could this be? Just days ago, he praised me for my leadership!"
Unlike Luo Jingfeng, who had grown up in the military, Luo Jingyun’s primary duty was to inherit the Prince’s title. But even his status as the legitimate eldest son seemed worthless now—the Prince’s favoritism toward that vile concubine had grown so extreme that he sought to elevate her bastard son to legitimate status.
Luo Jingfeng slammed the letter onto the table, his voice thick with fury. "Mother suffered her whole life from the humiliation of a concubine overshadowing the rightful wife. Even in death, they dare to defile her memory like this. Luo Mu—he deserves to die!"
Luo Jingyun panicked. "We can’t let that little bastard be recorded as a legitimate heir! If Father is this biased, his next step will be to steal the title from us!"
Luo Jingfeng narrowed his eyes. "I’ll kill him."
"No!" Luo Jingyun grabbed his arm. "Second Brother, it’s useless. Concubine Pei has several sons—killing the fourth won’t solve anything. And Father will never let us get away with it!"
Luo Jingfeng’s eyes burned red with rage. He snatched an inkstone and hurled it to the ground, wishing it were the Prince himself.
He trembled with fury.
Yet there was nothing he could do.
Luo Jingyun took a deep breath, then suddenly looked up, his voice steady but trembling. "Second Brother… what if Father were to join Mother? Would our lives improve then?"
Luo Jingfeng’s head snapped up.
He never expected such words from his elder brother.
Usually, it was Luo Jingfeng who constantly threatened to drag the Prince down with him—though he lacked the courage to act. But his brother… his brother had actually considered this?
In an era where fathers were revered as gods, such an act was unthinkable—a violation of law and morality, condemned by all.
Yet Luo Jingyun’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears, his voice shaking. "Third Sister was forced into the palace, yet he still won’t stop. After using her, he turns to us. He wants us to secure his foothold in the Capital City, yet he shows us no affection. And now he dares to let those bastards replace us—replace Mother’s legacy. But Jingfeng… why? Why must we spend our lives under his control, enslaved, trampled beneath his feet like dogs? Why?"
Luo Jingfeng’s voice was venomous. "He doesn’t deserve us."
Luo Jingyun clenched his fists. "No, he doesn’t. He has no right to manipulate us any longer."
—
The wedding of the second son of the Prince of Southern Pacification’s household drew nobility from across the Capital City.
Though many privately scorned the bride’s lowly status, none dared show it—not with Concubine Shu’s overwhelming favor in the imperial court. They showered the Prince with flattery, leaving him in high spirits.
Lu Zhu, brimming with joy, was escorted to the bridal chamber, anxiously awaiting her groom.
But even after the guests had departed, Luo Jingfeng was nowhere to be seen. When she inquired, the maidservant explained that the second young master had been summoned by the Prince.
Lu Zhu frowned. "He’s lecturing his son on his wedding night?"
In the Prince’s courtyard, the three men sat together, drinking with rare tranquility.
The Prince scoffed. "Good, you’ve finally learned your lesson. Since the whole Capital City witnessed this farce of a marriage, we can’t annul it outright. But in a few days, find an excuse to divorce her. I’ll arrange a proper wife for you."
"Understood," Luo Jingfeng replied, pouring him more wine.
Pleased by his usually rebellious son’s obedience, the Prince drank heartily. "Excellent! You’re truly a worthy son of the Luo family. Jingfeng, you’ve matured at last—you understand my intentions. I am your father; I would never harm you. Marry General Qi’s daughter, and I guarantee you’ll be promoted to general within five years!"
Luo Jingfeng raised his cup with a smile. "Then I’ll trouble Father to make the arrangements."
The Prince, growing more intoxicated, turned to Luo Jingyun. "And you, Jingyun—seventeen and still without a concubine! You’re too honest; you need a clever girl. Tomorrow, I’ll inquire about the daughters of the ministers."
Luo Jingyun grinned. "Father, a minister’s daughter isn’t enough. I want to marry the Prime Minister’s daughter."
The Prince roared with laughter. "Hah! That’s the spirit! Only my eldest son would aim so high! Come, drink! Tonight, we celebrate until dawn!"
"To victory!" The brothers clinked their cups against his.
The Prince drank until his vision blurred. "This Capital City wine is strong—nothing like the weak brews of Yunnan!"
Luo Jingyun refilled his cup. "Then drink more. This is rare—we only have it because of Jingfeng’s wedding."
"Drink!"
Bowl after bowl of liquor vanished down the Prince’s throat. His head lolled, yet his sons continued painting a glorious future—Luo Jingyun as the head of civil officials, Luo Jingfeng leading the military, their sister bearing the Crown Prince, their family rising from provincial lords to the most powerful in the Capital City. He would become the Imperial Father-in-law, standing above all.
Lost in drunken euphoria, the Prince barely noticed how much he drank. The liquor flowed like water—until his stomach rebelled.
Luo Jingyun steadied him from behind as Luo Jingfeng lifted the wine jar, bowl in hand. The Prince slurred, "Luo Jingfeng… hah… the future head of the military… is my son!"
Luo Jingfeng smiled, gripping the Prince’s jaw and forcing his mouth open. Bowl after bowl, he poured the liquor down his father’s throat.
"Ghk—! S-stop—!" The Prince thrashed, but Luo Jingyun held him firm.
Expressionless, the brothers worked in unison.
After an eternity, the Prince convulsed—his body cooling, pupils dilating, breath slowing—before collapsing unconscious.
Luo Jingyun checked his pulse. "Still breathing."
Luo Jingfeng coldly raised another bowl. "Keep pouring."
This wine had been specially prepared—enough to kill, yet untraceable.
Tonight, they would reunite him with their mother.
It was past midnight when Luo Jingfeng finally returned to the bridal chamber, his body radiating cold fury.
Lu Zhu had waited for him for so long that she had grown drowsy and collapsed onto the bed. The young maiden’s bridal veil lay discarded by the bedside, her face half-buried in the quilt as she sprawled out in sleep, utterly devoid of any noble grace. Worse yet, her lips were slightly parted, as if a trickle of drool might escape at any moment.
Luo Jingfeng suddenly felt a wave of bewilderment wash over him. Why had he married such a woman simply out of loyalty? How could she ever become a dignified and elegant lady of the household?
He couldn’t make sense of it, but exhaustion weighed too heavily on him to dwell on the matter. Roughly, he shoved Lu Zhu further into the bed, yanked the quilt over himself, and prepared to sleep.
Yet even with all this commotion, she remained fast asleep, snoring softly.
Luo Jingfeng was truly at a loss.
And she had the audacity to claim she was a martial arts expert? With not a shred of vigilance, how could she possibly stand by his side for a lifetime? What use was someone so foolish?
"Useless."
With those two words of judgment, Luo Jingfeng pulled the quilt over his head, turned his back, and closed his eyes.
