Blissful Days After Widowhood - Chapter 473

After discussing the wedding date, Mrs. Lu conveyed Old Madam Lu’s desire for an earlier ceremony, and after consultation, they set the wedding date at the end of April.

Upon returning to the Lu household with the news, Mrs. Lu left. Lu Yuanqi, however, cried even more fiercely and questioned Old Madam Lu, “His family is so bullying. Now I feel disgusted and nauseated every time I think of the scene in the tent. Why did you let me marry in advance?”

Old Madam Lu, who had been coaxing her for days, grew a bit impatient, responding coldly, “You said you wanted to marry into a high-ranking family. I provided you with a generous dowry. What more do you want? Besides, isn’t it normal for a man to have desires? It’s just a maid in the house.”

Old Madam Lu, having wielded power for decades, was now a bit cold. Lu Yuanqi, fearing her mother, dared not speak out loudly, only whispering, “It shouldn’t be on such an occasion, not in front of my eyes. It’s like not taking me seriously.”

Old Madam Lu softened her tone and persuaded her, “You are not the lady of Duke Lu right now. When you get married, the maids and concubines will be your servants. And don’t forget two points. The maid is the woman in Duke Lu’s house, and it’s impossible to guarantee that she wouldn’t have other intentions. Duke Lu already has an eldest son who is about to grow up. How can we let a maid give birth to a second son if we don’t hurry?”

Her words were a reminder to Lu Yuanqi not to forget the original intention of the marriage. Lu Yuanqi and Feng Yuan were not lovers; the two families entered the union purely for monetary gain and the chance to ascend socially, driven by their self-interest.

Lu Yuanqi was stunned by Mrs. Lu’s words, realizing, “No wonder you wanted to advance the wedding date…”

Mrs. Lu touched her head and said, “My child, try to understand my efforts.”

Thus, at the end of April, the Feng family held a grand wedding with funds from the Lu family. Concubine Feng successfully left the palace and went to the wedding.

Unlike Gu Ye’s birthday banquet, the Feng family wasn’t as particular. They didn’t send invitations to Duke Ying’s family and only invited those who were friends. The wedding took place at dusk, with Concubine Feng presiding over the ceremony.

Given the late hour, she couldn’t return to the palace that night. Fortunately, considering that, Emperor Zhengyuan allowed her to stay overnight.

Once the newlyweds entered the bridal chamber, Concubine Feng and Mrs. Qin finally had the chance to talk properly.

Concubine Feng continued to complain about her sufferings. Despite her newfound wealth and the ability to command palace servants, she felt that nothing had truly changed.

Mrs. Qin reassured her and said, “I heard what you said in the paddock last time. After I came back, I pondered it for a few days, and I came up with an idea.”

Eagerly, Concubine Feng asked her to share, and Mrs. Qin continued, “Look at your elder brother. He seemed like a different person after Ge Zhu. He even lost his temper at me, yelled. When I talked to him, he also didn’t seem to hear it. After the hunt in the paddock, although that incident made people laugh, since your elder brother had that maid, his temper improved a lot. He became normal, and he started listening to me.”

That maid’s name was Chun Xing. After being trained by Mrs. Qin, she was comfortably placed beside Feng Yuan. Chun Xing was naturally more beautiful than ordinary people, but not cunning; she had a gentle demeanor and was very pleasing.

Initially, Feng Yuan didn’t have any particular feelings for her. However, during that chaotic time after drinking, things took a different turn.

After being struck by Lu Yuanqi in the back, Feng Yuan felt ashamed and annoyed. Before he could vent his anger on Chun Xing, she pleaded guilty, admitting that it was all her fault because she had admired him for a long time, leading her to do that foolish thing.

Seeing Chun Xing crying, Feng Yuan felt even more sorry. Despite being drunk at the time, he wasn’t unconscious. Upon entering the inner room and getting on the bed, he actually realized that the person in front of him was not Ge Zhu.

However, time had passed, and he wasn’t the kind to give up halfway. Taking advantage of the situation, he continued.

Acknowledging that he had led the absurdity, Feng Yuan no longer blamed her. He discussed with Mrs.Qin that after getting married to Lu Yuanqi, Chun Xing would be taken as a concubine.

Before Lu Yuanqi’s arrival, the prospective Concubine Chun Xing, who was currently a maid, had already begun to be with Feng Yuan and had truly captured his attention.

Chun Xing, having learned her lesson from what happened to Ge Zhu, didn’t dare to confront Mrs. Qin and only spoke to Mrs. Qin in front of Feng Yuan.

Initially soft-hearted, Feng Yuan was coaxed by Mrs. Qin, and there was now someone even more obedient than Ge Zhu in the Feng family.

Upon hearing Mrs. Qin’s plan, Concubine Feng frowned and asked, “Mother, do you want me to add a new love interest to His Majesty?”

Mrs. Qin nodded, saying, “That’s what I mean. The Empress is in a passive position now because we don’t have our own people in front of the royal family. Let’s find someone like Chun Xing, bring His Majesty closer, and have her speak on behalf of our family from time to time. That’s only natural. It’s like a tiger with wings.”

Although Concubine Feng was initially reluctant, she had no choice but to agree to that method. However, she soon became worried again—where could they find such a person?