“Sheng Chumu is still in the city right? Chen You was the person that reported and said that Hong Yide’s subordinate had stolen his wife. I heard that he once had a marriage agreement with you? That means the Hong Yide’s subordinate that stole his wife was Sheng Chumu?” Prince Zhou knew everything.
“Since you know everything, Sheng Chumu is definitely not Hong Yide’s men.” Fu Rou was angry that he did not speak the truth.
“I know but I have to make it seem like a hard case so that Sheng Chumu and the Duke Lu Residence will be doomed.” He had never been proud of the power he had been born with. But for her, he was willing to use it.
Fu Rou knew that the moment she stepped into the court, her happy life with Sheng Chumu would screech to a stop. But she could not watch as her elder sister and brother-in-law were framed. Moreover, even if Prince Zhou did not blackmail her, she would have to return to Chang’an. Now, she wished that he could understand what difficulties she was having.
Fu Rou followed Prince Zhou until they were in front of his carriage. “I want to see Chumu one more time.” She had to explain properly.
“No! The Cangshan Mountain case has yet to be resolved. I have to rush back to settle it. Moreover, I cannot promise that I won’t capture Sheng Chumu when I see him…” Prince Zhou suddenly turned and grabbed Fu Rou’s hand gently, helping her onto the carriage.
Fu Rou was startled and wanted to pull back her hand. Prince Zhou moved closer. “Sheng Chumu’s future is in your hands. Moreover, if you smile at me now, I promise that I will be well-behaved on the way back to Chang’an.”
Fu Rou remained rigid. Eventually, she thought of Sheng Chumu and smiled at Prince Zhou. What she did not know was that Sheng Chumu was amidst the crowd and Prince Zhou had already caught sight of him and intentionally behaved in this manner.
Sheng Chumu watched as Prince Zhou’s carriage rode off. The steaming hot bun fell to the ground as his heart froze over. He did not understand. Why? Last night, they married one another. Today, she had gone with the wind. Yan Zifang, Prince Zhou, one after the other. They were all in her heart except for him. He was the only one that she could easily abandon.
He was the world’s biggest fool after all.
Chapter 51.3: Fleeting Happiness
Fu Yin had a vacant look on her face as she walked slowly down the street.
Every morning, she would hate herself when she saw Lu Qi sleeping beside her. Revenge, revenge. In the end, she was the one that suffered the retaliation. She shared the same pillow as her enemy and in her tummy, she bore her own flesh and blood as well as that of her enemy’s. Every time she thought of this, the love and hatred in her heart would clash and she would feel herself crumbling.
“...Yin’er, you are daydreaming again.” Lu Yingying ran over. “I called you a few times.”
“Let’s go back.” The noise was making Fu Yin’s head hurt.
“I brought you out because you’ve been looking so depressed and worried these few days. ” Lu Yingying dragged her and walked into a wine house. “As a person that has been through this, let me tell you that you should not keep your troubles to yourself. You should find a nice place and talk to someone about it. You will feel much better.”
Fu Yin laughed, “The nice place you are referring to is a wine house?”
“You have troubles and I have troubles too. To people with troubles, a wine house is the best place to be.” Lu Yingying’s expression suddenly turned desolated. “In the past, I never knew that a wine house was such a good place. Ever since I met him, I finally realised…” She was seasoned in downing the cup in one go.
Fu Yin looked at Lu Yingying. She had always felt like Lu Yingying was hiding a secret. Today she could confirm that the secret had something to do with a man. She could not help but wonder who Lu Yingying liked. Lu Yingying had to hide it from her brother and father and had to down her sorrows.
Two wine jars were emptied in a flash. Fu Yin hadn't even finished a single cup. They were all drunk by Lu Yingying.
Lu Yingying held the wine cup and muttered to herself. “...He said that I was not that valuable. Since he looked down on me, why did he give me the Zhenzhu Life-saving Pill? Do you not like me at all or do you like me a little bit but is not willing to admit? No matter what it is, you have hurt me thoroughly. With the memory of one night, I won’t try to ask for anything else. I didn’t do it for you, I did it for myself. In my lifetime, I will not beg you nor bother you…”
Fu Yin looked at Lu Yingying as she lay on the table, seeming to have fallen asleep. She finally dared to say what she was feeling. “Ever since I stepped into your Lu family, I am no longer the cute and kind Yin’er I used to be. I have turned into a bad woman, an unfilial woman and a murderer. I killed Lu Hanxing.”
Lu Yingying suddenly opened her eyes; a look of disbelief was written on her face. “Who did you say you killed?”
Fu Yin did not know how to respond and stared wide-eyed as Lu Yingying ran out of the wine house. She rushed to chase after her and grabbed onto Lu Yingying’s sleeve. Pain could be seen on her face.
“Don’t touch me!” Lu Yingying felt like her expression was hypocritical and immediately shook off Fu Yin’s hand. She turned back and glared. “You murderer! Second Aunt has done so many favours for me and my brother. If not for her, Elder Brother and I would have died a long time ago. My cousin is her only son!”
Fu Yin was unstable and fell backward a few steps. A horse was galloping fast towards her. The rider saw someone in the way and immediately pulled on the reins and bellowed, “How dare you block my way? I will kick you---”
Fu Yin lifted her head in shock.
“Oh, it is a pretty lady.” The rider was Grand Prince Liang and his attitude immediately changed when he saw it was an attractive woman.
Grand Prince Liang was assisting Prince Zhou to settle the case when he slept with General Fan’s concubine. The Emperor was furious and removed him from the case. Grand Emperor had also reprimanded him and he was in a horrible mood. Who knew that a pretty lady would fall in front of him.
Lu Yingying recognised Grand Prince Liang and knew his reputation. She did not want to help but as she thought of Lu Qi, she eventually walked beside Fu Yin and greeted Grand Prince Liang gracefully.
“Greetings, Grand Prince Liang. I am Lu Yingying.”
“Lu Yingying?” With such an extraordinary beauty like Lu Yingying, Grand Prince Liang no longer looked at Fu Yin. “This surname--”
“My father is Lu Yunji.” Lu Yingying brought up her father. “The one who dashed out in front of Your Highness is a servant from my household. Your Highness, please be magnanimous and forgive her. I will discipline her once I get back.”
Grand Prince Liang’s eyes curved and he smiled. “Okay, I will give you face today.”
“Thank you, Your Highness.” Lu Yingying glanced coldly at Fu Yin. “Servant, are you not going to follow?” Fu Yin lowered her head and walked quickly after Lu Yingying.
Grand Prince Liang gazed at Lu Yingying’s back view for a long time, with a lecherous smile on his face.
Chapter 52.1: Return
Grand Prince Liang whistled a tune as he walked towards a wine house. His gang of friends, including Lu Qi, were already there.
Lu Qi immediately offered a drink to Grand Prince Liang and thanked him for saving him in front of the Emperor.
“Good, drink up!” Grand Prince Liang drank the wine and smiled brightly. “Lu Qi, one cup today is not enough. I will have a marriage coming up soon. You will have to offer me three cups of wine.”
His friends all asked Grand Prince Liang about his marriage.