Qin Tianjian made quick work of calculating an auspicious date for the wedding. He sent two dates for the Emperor to choose from. The first was before the Mid-Autumn Festival, in little more than a month, while the other was on the eighteenth day of the twelfth lunar month.
After morning court, the Emperor called upon the Third Prince where upon he and the Empress chose the tenth day of the eighth lunar month.
"The Empress and I would prefer for the two of you to marry before the Mid-Autumn Festival."
The Third Prince, still wearing an unpleasant expression, replied flatly: "Okay."
The Emperor spoke calmly: "You will be starting a family soon."
The Third Prince: "En."
The Emperor was used to his indifferent appearance, so he just waved his hands in dismissal. If it were one of his other sons, he may have left him with scolding words just now.
The Emperor looked at him with some heartache: "Okay, go back and prepare."
The Third Prince: "Thanking Imperial Father."
******
Luo Shumo, the Eldest Young Master of the Luo family, was holding a poetry meeting in his courtyard today. He had invited many of his friends and classmates, including Liu Zhufeng, the Second Young Master of the Prime Minister's Estate, but no one could have guessed that he would bring the third prince with him! The figure was quite strong, which frightened everyone present. Even the servants of the Luo Estate didn't dare to breathe too loudly, especially when they heard of the reputation of the Third Prince. They feared that if they didn't serve him well, their legs would be whipped off.
Everyone at the poetry meeting couldn't help but glance at each other. It's not like the Third Prince likes to get involved in gatherings of literature like them. What's the meaning of him coming here?
The Luo family only received the imperial edict three days ago, they still haven't gotten used to being relatives of the royal family. Now that they learned that the Third Prince was coming, everyone panicked. The one who was the most worried was naturally Luo Shumo, the host of this poetry meeting.
Li Mingjin was given an official position when he became an adult, and Luo Renshou would interact with him often. However, Luo Renshou didn't attend the gatherings of young people, and he was currently still tied up in court, so there was no one at home who could deal with the Third Prince who had swaggered his way up to their door.
Luo Shumo had his own social circle. He listened to his father's advice and wasn't in a hurry to pick sides, but he had been the Eldest Prince's companion when they were young. He had never really had much contact with the Third Prince, and due to his perverse actions, they couldn't get along with him. Later on, they each received positions in different ministries.
The First Prince was sent to the Ministry of Works, the Crown Prince to the Ministry of Personnel, the Third Prince to the Ministry of Justice, and the Fourth Prince went to the Ministry of Rites.
Nowadays, there is no one who doesn't know that the third son of the Luo family is preparing to enter the Third Prince's Estate. Although the Third Prince has a marriage contract with his younger brother, it's impossible for Luo Shumo to treat him like a brother-in-law. He is, after all, a noble prince.
Luo Shumo often studies with Luo Renshou, so he secretly pondered why the Third Prince suddenly decided to pay them a visit.
Could it be because of his third brother?
But his third brother seldom leaves the estate. Even if they have a marriage contract, it's impossible for him to have had contact with the Third Prince. On the other hand, he knows that Cousin Shen had encountered the Third Prince more than once.
The literati at the poetry meeting were fidgety at the beginning due to the unexpected arrival of the third prince, but they quickly regained their composure thanks to the lottery proposed by the First Prince. Competing with each other to create interesting poems and crafty wordplay, they gradually ignored the Third Prince who sat quietly and drank at the side.
In the afternoon, Luo Shuyu was full and sleepy, so he laid down for a nap. This time as he slept, he dreamed of his past life.
He dreamt that he was holding the still body of his child, looking at his little face that had gone purple from the cold. He couldn't do anything to save him. He cried and shouted like crazy, but no one paid him any attention. They shut their doors tightly, refusing his plea and requests to save the child. He couldn't even get a bowl of hot soup. In the end, the family of three perished under a rain of arrows, and their bodies were covered with the heavy snow that fell from the sky.
He was awakened by their tragic deaths in the dream. Feeling the wet corners of his eyes, he knew that he had cried again in his sleep.
After waking up, he no longer felt drowsy. Qing Quan brought him water to rinse out his mouth, and after washing his face, he felt much more awake.
Looking at the time, it was not yet past three o'clock, the afternoon sun was still blazing, and it would be easy to get dizzy standing outside.
Luo Shuyu asked Qing Quan: "Where is Qing Wang?"
Qing Quan replied: "He was still here just now, he may have gone off somewhere to chat with others. I will definitely scold him when he gets back."
Qing Quan is older than Qing Wang, and she is a first-class maid in charge of Luo Shuyu's courtyard. She was appointed by Liu early on. Luo Shuyu never had any secrets to hide, so he didn't say anything about Liu stuffing her people in, not to mention that Qing Quan had come to his defense before.
Luo Shuyu never repays grievances with kindness. It's a pity that just because he doesn't do it, doesn't mean that Qing Quan won't.
But after he was reborn, his trust in Qing Quan had changed, and he only relied on Qing Wang for the important things. Recently, she had been feeling powerless, and found that the third son was becoming difficult to understand. She started to grow impatient.
Recently, several of Luo Shuyu's servants were looking for a way out. They didn't want to enter the Third Prince's mansion. Luo Shuyu noticed this, but didn't plan to make things difficult for them. In his previous life, he didn't bring anyone with him except for Qing Wang. Once the imperial edict was handed down, the fastest runner of them all was Qing Quan. These past few days, he had been observing quietly. He guessed that she would soon ask him to leave Ruyi courtyard.
After eating a cold bowl of noodles, his whole body felt comfortable, and the stuffiness in his heart went away. Luo Shuyu told the servants to move the desk out under the trellis, he wanted to take the time to write a few words and meditate.
Before he even touched his writing brush, Qing Quan, just like in his last life, was hesitating to speak. Luo Shuyu pretended not to see it. In a hurry, Qing Quan said directly: "Young Master, Qing Quan has something to ask."
Luo Shuyu lowered his head, stroking the tip of the brush lightly with his fingertips. Without looking at her, he said lightly: "You have been with me for four years, right?"
Qing Quan was startled and said: "Young Master is right, it has been four years."
There were no ripples in Luo Shuyu's eyes: "Over the years, I don't think I've ever owed you."
Qing Quan quickly knelt down. She knew that Luo Shuyu had a good heart. He never beat or scolded servants or treated them harshly. He had a good heart, but she still cared more for her own life.
"I'm sorry, Young Master, I- My mother wrote to me the day before yesterday, saying that she had arranged a marriage for me."
Luo Shuyu didn't intend to make her stay, so he was extremely straightforward: "Okay, since you don't want to follow me to the Third Prince's Mansion, I won't force you. You can pack up your things later and walk away cleanly." He raised his head and spoke to the other servants standing at the side, his voice slightly cold: "Whoever else wants to leave, I will agree."
The few maids who were familiar with Qing Quan all knelt down and asked to leave. They were all people who were transferred in from Liu's side.
The Third Prince looks distant and difficult to get close to, but those who know him well understand that he is easy to talk to. To put it bluntly, he has no status here in the Luo family, even the servants are better than him. Right now, it is even more important to enter the Third Prince's courtyard. The other party is more terrifying than a Rakshasa, just hearing his name is enough to make people afraid. Who knows if they would be able to survive to next year after entering.
For Luo Shuyu, his last life was a great big joke. But everyone seeks advantages and avoids disadvantages. If they want to leave, he will let them go.
While Qing Quan was still in a daze over being let go so quickly, Qing Wang rushed into the courtyard, shouting: "Young Master! Young Master!"
Luo Shuyu looked at his lively appearance and said: "Qing Wang, go and get the contracts for Qing Quan and the others."
Qing Wang, who had just ran in: "Huh? Young Master…"
At this time, there was a calm breeze blowing slowly, dissipating some of the heat.
Qing Quan and the others didn't expect Luo Shuyu to agree so quickly, they were caught off guard.
Qing Wang didn't immediately go into the house to get the contract, he was out of breath from running. He calmed down, leaned into his ear and said: "I just found out that the Third Prince is here! He's at the Eldest Young Master's poetry meeting."
The writing brush in Luo Shuyu's hand fell to the ground, and without looking at the people still kneeling on the ground, he had Qing Wang follow him into his room instead.
Qing Wang closed the door behind them and asked Luo Shuyu.: "Young Master, what should we do with them?"
Luo Shuyu said without emotion: "Tell Fu Bao to keep watch. Until I return, no one is allowed to get up."
"When does Elder Brother's poetry meeting ends?"
"It should be ending at any moment now. I only just found out that the Third Prince seems to be here too."
"Are the other princes here as well?"
"Yes. The Second Young Master of the Prime Minister's brought the Eldest Prince and the Fourth Prince with him. I don't know why the Third Prince tagged along as well."
"Where's Shen Mingyun? Is he at home today?"
"I haven't heard anything about him leaving, he should still be here. Young Master, what's wrong?"
When he came out again, he had put on a new blue gown with narrow sleeves. His belt was patterned with a crescent moon and white auspicious clouds. Hanging at his waist was a white carven-jade pendant.
Qing Wang thought to himself, the Young Master in new clothes is too different. He is so handsome that I can't open my eyes. His temperament is surely better than the most beautiful woman in the capital.
Luo Shuyu knew that he dressed no worse than others, so he took out a letter from the box and led Qing Wang out.
As for Qing Quan and the others, they could only kneel on the cobbled ground beneath the scorching sun.
For a while, they didn't know whether they had made the wrong decision.
Qing Quan was more troubled than the rest, she bit her lip as she reflected. These three young masters don't usually fight or grab, she thought that she wouldn't be treated well if she went to the Third Prince's mansion, so she might as well stay in the Luo's Estate to continue serving the Madam. But now that the Third Young Master is acting out of character, she couldn't figure it out.
Now, the Third Young Master directly gave up on her. He didn't seem to have the slightest intention to keep her, and his attitude was firm.
The more Qing Quan thought about it, the more flustered she became. She slumped to the ground, feeling a chill deep in her heart. Did the Young Master know what she had done?
No, he hardly leaves his yard, there is no way he could know.
_______
Luo Shuyu was walking to the courtyard where Luo Shumo's poetry meeting was being held. At this time of year, the lotus leaves in the pond were green, and the pink and white flowers were in full bloom. It made a pleasant sight.
If he remembered correctly, today was the day that Shen Mingyun would show off his 'talents' at his elder brother's poetry meeting, garnering the attention of several princes with a poem.
That poem was not written by him, but something that was provided by the System. It was said to have been written by a poet from a dynasty unknown to him.
Standing by the lotus pond, Luo Shuyu thought about it carefully, and soon recalled the title of the poem that was described in the book – 'Bring in the Wine'. At that time, this poem was popular in the capital for a long time, and many scholars used this poem to motivate their students.
To change the fate of his little family, he must first destroy all of Shen Mingyun's opportunities. He must not be allowed to succeed at this poetry meeting.
Just as he was about to continue on his way, he noticed a person standing by the gazebo. That back was very familiar, and he soon noticed that the other person was looking at him.
The two looked at each other across the lotus pond. Luo Shuyu hurriedly walked towards the gazebo¹. When there was only a distance of five meters between him and the other person. He stopped and stared blankly at the man in front of him. His breathing became unstable and he was suddenly anxious.
He thought that they might not meet again until the day of their wedding. He didn't expect he would be caught off guard like this.
Luo Shuyu never thought that he would find him here. It was the real Li Mingjin, his light brown eyes looking directly at him.
Luo Shuyu faced the person that he was so afraid of at this time in his last life, but now, he no longer felt fear. He no longer held resentment towards their marriage, or longed to escape. He only felt the sudden joy that came with finding something that had been lost.
Li Mingjin once protected him, lived and died with him, and had a child with him.
He is still alive, he is still young and handsome.
Facing this jade-like youthful face, Luo Shuyu's mind flashed with the image of him covered in blood, with arrows sticking out of his back, gritting his teeth and enduring repeated injuries. He shed tears without realizing, perhaps from pain, or maybe joy, or maybe just to vent out his grievances and sorrow he had buried after his rebirth.
Li Mingjin, who had just stepped out of the poetry meeting for some fresh air, frowned slightly and took a few steps closer while suppressing the surprise in his heart.
He somehow knew that this person must be Luo Shuyu, his future Wangfei.
But why is he crying?
Li Mingjin was at a loss for a while. He stood in front of Luo Shuyu with a sullen face, looking at him without speaking.
"I didn't bully you."
As soon as he spoke, Luo Shuyu's tears fell even more fiercely. He stared at the person in front of him, not even daring to blink out of the fear that in the next moment, he would disappear. Although his face looked a little younger, his voice was still the same as he remembered.
Li Mingjin had a serious face, and he only wanted to come to the Luo's Estate to take a sneak peek at his future princess, Luo Shuyu. He never thought that he would scare him to tears. He wasn't good at coaxing people, but he couldn't let him cry like this.
With a gloomy face, he said "Don't cry."
He didn't understand the pain in the other person's heart. Li Mingjin could only raise his sleeves and gently wipe away Luo Shuyu's tears. His face was a bit fierce, but his movements were extremely gentle. Li Mingjin felt as he had once wanted to wipe away this person's tears, but for some reason never finished. He felt an urge in his heart to complete this action.
He looked at Luo Shuyu's red eyes and said solemnly "Don't cry anymore."