The backyard was tranquil, but the front courtyard was in chaos.
The Prince of Southern Pacification had died suddenly from excessive drinking, passing away overnight.
Concubine Pei, who had stirred up trouble in the Luo family for over a decade, shrieked hysterically: "No! Impossible! How could His Highness die so suddenly? He must have been murdered! Someone—someone call the authorities! Summon the Dali Temple to investigate! It must be Luo Jingfeng—that wretched bastard did this!"
With such a commotion, officials from the Dali Temple were bound to come.
Luo Jingfeng had just gotten married the night before, an event known throughout the city.
However, the cause of the Prince of Southern Pacification’s death was clear—death by alcohol poisoning, with no signs of poisoning. The only anomaly was the maddened concubine in the household.
Regarding this, Luo Jingyun, the eldest legitimate son of the Luo family and the first heir to the Prince of Southern Pacification, wept as he explained, "Concubine Pei shared a deep bond with Father. She simply cannot accept this truth, hence her harsh words. I beg you all not to spread this, lest people mock our household for failing to control a mere concubine."
The two Luo brothers grieved bitterly, while only the illegitimate children joined Concubine Pei in crying injustice.
Even the Dali Temple officials couldn’t help but sigh: "Illegitimate children will always be illegitimate. Their father dies, and instead of mourning, they slander the legitimate heirs. Truly ungrateful creatures."
Once the Dali Temple investigators left, the gates of the Prince of Southern Pacification’s residence slammed shut. Concubine Pei screamed in terror, "Help! Murder! These unfilial sons are going to kill their own mother!"
Most of the guards in the courtyard had served the late Prince.
His death had been too sudden, leaving them unsure whether to continue obeying Concubine Pei. They could only watch the situation unfold.
Unlike Concubine Pei’s terrified cries, the Luo brothers paid her no mind, focusing solely on arranging the funeral with sorrowful diligence—a sight that moved onlookers.
With the Prince of Southern Pacification’s passing, Luo Jingyun succeeded his title. He petitioned the Emperor to allow his father’s remains to be buried in their ancestral homeland of Yunnan. The Emperor granted permission for their return.
Only Concubine Pei screamed again, this time with a different accusation: "They’re not taking His Highness back for burial—they’re taking us to Yunnan to kill us! Help! Murder!"
Her shrieks grew too loud, and Luo Jingyun gagged her. When Luo Jingfeng entered and saw the woman, he said coldly, "Elder Brother, once you return to Yunnan, kill all those little bastards."
Concubine Pei’s eyes bulged in horror as she struggled violently.
Luo Jingfeng crouched down to her eye level, his gaze cruel. "As for this vile woman… flay her alive."
Concubine Pei shook her head frantically, shrinking back in terror.
She was so frightened she wet herself.
Luo Jingyun turned his head, recalling his childhood—how his mother had coughed endlessly while this wretched woman secretly replaced her medicine with inferior substitutes, weakening her until she passed away.
Back then, they were too young to understand. They thought their mother was simply frail, unaware that the same medicine could vary in potency and origin. Concubine Pei’s covert schemes had robbed them of their mother, leaving them under her oppressive control for over a decade.
Luo Jingyun clenched his fists, his eyes red. "Fine. Once we return to Yunnan, I’ll flay her myself."
Concubine Pei stared at Luo Jingyun, who had always seemed gentle and harmless, and shuddered violently. How—how could this be?
Wasn’t he the easiest to bully among the three siblings?
Yet now he wanted to personally flay her?
No, impossible! He could never do it!
Clutching at her last shred of hope, Concubine Pei prayed that once they reached Yunnan, she could beg Luo Jingyun for mercy. Surely his kind and simple nature would spare her!
The two brothers stepped outside.
Luo Jingyun asked, "Jingfeng, are you really not coming back to Yunnan with me?"
Luo Jingfeng shook his head. "I must stay in the Capital City to protect our younger sister."
Luo Jingyun nodded. "Then once I’ve settled things in Yunnan, I’ll return for you both."
"Very well." Luo Jingfeng hesitated before adding, "Elder Brother, do you have a woman you fancy? With the three-year mourning period for the old man, you…"
In three years, Luo Jingyun would be twenty.
Luo Jingyun chuckled. "Let’s not. Seeing your two-faced behavior in matters of love has terrified me enough. As for a wife… fate will decide. I’d rather find someone in Yunnan. The women in the Capital City are too cunning—I’d never outwit them."
Luo Jingfeng fell silent before replying, "Yes, that’s for the best."
The Prince of Southern Pacification’s retinue departed the Capital City.
Luo Jingfeng sat in the courtyard, pondering his brother’s words.
"Women in the Capital City"—did that include Lu Zhu?
Even now, he couldn’t see through her.
Nor could he understand why he had ever sent her a betrothal gift.
Unable to make sense of it, Luo Jingfeng chose to avoid the matter entirely.
Meanwhile, Lu Zhu rested her chin on her hand, counting the days on her fingers. "My husband hasn’t come to my chamber in five days. He ignores me when I call, and he doesn’t even seem shy. What is he thinking?"
A maid entered and announced, "Madam, the Second Young Master is visiting Concubine Li’s quarters today."
"What?" Lu Zhu jumped up in agitation. "It’s been seven days, and he still won’t come to me?!"
The maid: "…"
Since when did five plus one equal seven?
Pouting, Lu Zhu stomped out. "If he won’t come to me, I’ll go to him!"
The maid stared in awe.
Truly, their madam was fearless—daring to chase after even the icy Second Young Master.
Luo Jingfeng was on his way to Concubine Li’s courtyard when Lu Zhu spotted him. Her eyes instantly lit up, and she called out in a voice both loud and sweet, "Husband!!"
Luo Jingfeng looked up to see the young woman waving at him, her hairpin nearly shaking loose. The brightness of her smile nearly dazzled him.
Before he could react, Lu Zhu had already rushed over, looping her arm through his and tugging him toward her quarters. "Husband, you haven’t visited in days—you must still be adjusting to having me around! Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you remember me by appearing in front of you more!"
Stunned by her boldness, Luo Jingfeng only snapped out of it once they reached her room. He yanked his arm away irritably. "Didn’t I tell you not to touch me without permission?"
Lu Zhu blinked innocently. "I didn’t touch you without permission! I touched you very seriously. Your arms are so firm, Husband—holding them makes me feel so safe!"
Luo Jingfeng was infuriated all over again.
Just as he turned to leave, Lu Zhu leaped up and pecked him on the lips. "Husband, was that fun?"
Luo Jingfeng was stunned. "What the—?"
Before he could react, Lu Zhu grabbed his shoulders and kissed him again, grinning mischievously. Though her target remained cold and unresponsive, Lu Zhu was delighted, clinging to him tightly—even attempting to wrap her legs around him.
