After years of surveillance and investigation, Luo Jingfeng still couldn’t uncover the truth. He was certain the Crown Prince was involved in his third sister’s death, yet he couldn’t find a shred of evidence!
Eight years later, Zong Zhao revealed a shocking secret in exchange for a deal: "Before her death, Concubine Shu secretly gave birth to a child—a boy."
Luo Jingfeng’s years of madness suddenly settled into eerie calm. On the day the army returned to the capital, he carried Zong Jincheng away from the palace gates. The child he had nearly strangled turned out to be his nephew—his third sister’s only flesh and blood.
This child became his greatest hope in the world, a pure-hearted boy who shared his blood and would never betray or deceive him.
Lu Zhu had never seen Luo Jingfeng so happy. He smiled while eating, walking, even when gifts he sent were returned. It was as if he’d been bewitched.
Later, when the new emperor ascended the throne, she finally understood: the boy he doted on as his adopted son was actually his nephew.
From the moment Zong Jincheng entered his life, Luo Jingfeng’s spirits lifted day by day. He poured all his attention into the child—guiding him through studies, imperial exams, seizing the throne, and consolidating power. Every day was fulfilling, every moment joyous.
Until the day the sky collapsed.
Only then did he realize the child had grown up, no longer needing his domineering, possessive love.
Locked in an iron cage, Luo Jingfeng considered removing himself from his nephew’s life. But the infuriating brat refused to let him go—not just his military power, but him.
Luo Jingfeng was furious.
Yet, in the same breath, a dark thrill coiled in his chest. At least the boy’s affection wasn’t entirely false.
"Uncle loves Cheng’er, just as Cheng’er loves Uncle." That was what the little bastard had said.
Luo Jingfeng reveled in it. Even after surrendering his military authority, he was content.
After leaving the palace, Luo Ji blocked his path, eyes icy. "Father," he said coldly, "Mother fell ill rescuing you. She’s still burning with fever. Go see her. Now."
Luo Ji had endured for over a decade. His patience had run out.
To the nation, Luo Jingfeng might be a hero. But as a husband and father, he was a failure. Given the choice, Luo Ji would take his mother and leave the estate rather than endure another day under his father’s tyranny.
"Rescued me?" Luo Jingfeng seized the key detail.
"Yes," Luo Ji snapped. "To avoid lying to the Emperor, she bathed in freezing water during winter. Now she’s delirious with fever. If you have even a shred of decency—"
Before he could finish, Luo Jingfeng shoved past him and broke into a sprint.
Luo Ji stared after him, then muttered bitterly, "Who are you performing for?"
At the Duke’s estate, Luo Jingfeng stormed straight into Lu Zhu’s courtyard. The imperial physician stepped aside, reporting, "Your Grace, the Duchess has fallen into a deep coma. She cannot swallow medicine."
Luo Jingfeng hauled her upright. Her feverish body burned hotter than ever. He pinched her jaw open and forced the medicine down her throat.
It worked—but the brutality of it made Luo Ji explode. "Father! Have you no shame? Mother is—"
"Out," Luo Jingfeng snarled without looking up. "All of you."
Luo Ji resisted, but guards dragged him away.
Fuming, he cursed his father’s tyranny—his harsh words, his selfishness, his unbending will. No wonder the Emperor had imprisoned him.
Once they were alone, Luo Jingfeng kept pouring the medicine.
Lu Zhu woke choking. After a violent coughing fit, her bleary eyes focused on him. "Your Grace!" she gasped, ecstatic. "You’re back! You’re alive! I—I thought I’d never see you again!"
Tears welled in her eyes.
Luo Jingfeng’s chest tightened. He lifted the bowl. "Drink. You’ve only had half."
Lu Zhu blinked at the bowl in his hands. "You’re… feeding me? Am I dreaming?"
"Not dreaming," he grunted. "Drink."
"Let me test it!" She giggled, then dared: "Husband?"
If this were real, he’d scold her for the intimacy.
But Luo Jingfeng’s eyes only flickered. No frown. No rebuke.
Too unreal.
"Definitely a dream," she concluded.
Enraged, Luo Jingfeng clamped her jaw again and upended the bowl. "Idiot. Can’t even tell dreams from reality? Drink. Or I’ll let you die of stupidity."
Lu Zhu gulped the bitter medicine, then whimpered. Luo Jingfeng shoved a candied date into her mouth without a word.
She yelped, biting her tongue. "Ah! It hurts! Not a dream! Husband, it’s really you!"
"Who else? A ghost?" he snapped.
"Husband?" She tried the title again, testing.
Luo Jingfeng said nothing.
"Husband? Why won’t you answer?"
He snatched the plate of dates away, his entire posture screaming Stay back.
Lu Zhu inched closer, whispering, "Husband… are you blushing?"
He whirled on her, teeth bared. "Aren’t you supposed to be dying of fever? Why so much energy?"
She beamed. "Happiness speeds recovery! Oh, I’m so lucky! If I’d known you’d come back and be so sweet, I’d have gotten sick sooner!"
His temper flared. "You dare joke? What kind of noblewoman bathes in ice water in winter? Did the cold rot your brain?"
Lu Zhu wilted. "I was scared for you…"
"I don’t need your concern," he muttered.
She giggled again.
From that day on, Luo Jingfeng rarely attended court. He stayed home, watching Lu Zhu take her medicine.
Once she recovered, she eyed her idle husband and impulsively asked, "Husband… do you think we could still have a daughter?"
She’d borne four sons. A daughter would be nice.
In the past, Luo Jingfeng would’ve suspected her of scheming for heirs. Now, he looked down at her and countered, "What if I refuse?"
Lu Zhu read his meaning and pounced with audacious glee. "Then I’ll force you!"
He laughed despite himself. "Fool."
The night stretched long, tangled in passion.
Lu Zhu's wish was beautiful, but at thirty-two years old and having already given birth to four children, conceiving again proved to be somewhat difficult.
It wasn’t until half a year later that she suddenly realized something. Lifting her head from Luo Jingfeng’s embrace, she asked, "Husband! Have you not visited your concubines in a long time?"
"Mm," Luo Jingfeng responded indifferently.
"Why?" Lu Zhu asked curiously.
Luo Jingfeng replied casually, "You tell me why."
"Ah?" Lu Zhu scratched her head. "It’s been half a year since you last went there. They must be very lonely."
Luo Jingfeng said coldly, "Then you go sleep with them."
"Me??" Lu Zhu pointed at herself, uncertain. "Me? That wouldn’t work..."
She was so accustomed to obeying Luo Jingfeng’s words that she never thought to resist or question him. Her first reaction now was to consider the feasibility.
Luo Jingfeng was utterly defeated by her. "Hopeless."
And so, Luo Jingfeng’s side story comes to an end. Thank you all for your love for Zhu Zhu. There will still be one more family banquet between the Luo and Zong families, where more sweetness will be added to their story.
Additionally, the author has something to say: After the main story concluded, many readers dropped the novel or decided to wait for more chapters, causing the number of daily followers to drop by thousands. If this continues, the book will be in trouble. However, Guoguo promised everyone several side stories, and they will be completed as promised. Therefore, the book’s status will soon be marked as "completed," but the side stories will still be updated daily. We hope for your understanding.
