Not Your Typical Villianess - Chapter 195

The Duke’s mansion.

Madam Lu and Zhu Fengyin stood in front of the Main Courtyard with Lu Yiling and Lu Yong when Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya arrived. They all knelt to receive the edict, while Cuihong read out the Emperor’s edict. The officials from the ministry of rites stopped behind him in two rolls while carrying a carrying size of wooden boxes.

Such procedure indicated that someone in the family or the entire Lu family was getting rewarded. Since both brothers had contributed to the national growth both on and off the battlefield, getting rewarded was expected.

However, most rewards pass through some official channels before being presented. Everyone was curious about what the edict said, news of the Lu family getting rewarded spread as soon as the long line of palace officials arrived at the Duke’s mansion while carrying gifts.

Chief Eunuch Cuihong waited for Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya to arrive before reading the Edict. He stepped forward and said,

“Hear my Decree!!” As soon as his announcement was heard, everyone fell on their knees. The Entire Lu Family and their servants all fell on their knees and bowed to the ground in respect to the Emperor’s decree. An Imperial decree carried the Emperor’s seal and hence represented the Emperor.

Chief Eunuch Cuihong, spread out the written decree and read out the decree,

“General Lu Yaozhu has contributed a lot to the progress and protection of northern Wei both on and out of the war front. I appreciate his hard work and unwavering loyalty to the country and myself. For the part placed in subduing the rebels during the previous invasion attempt.

“I reward Lu Yaozhu the hereditary title of Prince of the First rank, Prince Wu. He is allocated the royal estate at Duanyue with the lands and stores included and a yearly salary of 100,000. He is also gifted the reabsorbed mansion previously belonging to the former duke Ding at the capital. Attached to this edict is a list of the gifts awarded to Prince Wu.

“His wife Princess Qin, nee Su is conferred Princess of first rank Princess consort Wu, with the estates and stores that come with her new position”, the Chief Eunuch rolled up the edict and the attached lists of gifts and handed it over to Lu Yaozhu. He placed it on Lu Yaozhu’s raised hands and stepped back.

Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya felt uneasy about this promotion, they both exchanged a disturbed look. They were not in a position to air their true feelings because of the nature of the reward. The Emperor’s decision is final, to question his decision is to challenge the Emperor and us a capital offence that can result in death.

The Emperor put on such a huge show to ensure that they couldn’t turn down his reward. They could only come forward and accept the edict, Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya bowed and chorused

“Yaozhu accepts the command and thanks his majesty for his special grace! Long Live his Majesty the Emperor and her highness the Empress”.

“Liya accepts the command and thanks his majesty for his special grace. Long live his majesty the Emperor and her highness the Empress”.

Chief Eunuch Cuihong took note of the couples initial reluctance, he remembered to mention that to the Emperor when asked. He was surprised as everyone else when he was instructed to deliver this edict by the Emperor. The Emperor’s sudden change of heart was unexpected. It was a change that he was gradually getting used to. After handing the edict to the couple, he left with the palace official.

Lu Yaozhu had offered to give him a cup of tea but was rejected by the Chief eunuch with the excuse of getting back to continue his duties. Lu Yaozhu escorted the chief eunuch to the mansion gates before returning to his mother’s courtyard. As he walked in, his mother, Madam Lu silently looked through the gift list with a slight frown.

He sat on the free seat next to Su Liya, they exchanged a silent look before moving their gaze forward to his mother who closed the gift list and passed it to her maid to return it to Lu Yaozhu. Madam Lu seemed to have aged a few years in just a few minutes, she most of all was sceptical about this promotion. It brought back the painful memories from the last year before her husband had died.

He too had received a promotion but unlike Lu Yaozhu who was made a prince, her husband was promoted to the position of Minister of war. Experience had thought her that the Emperor’s gift was often a double-edged sword.

“Yaozhu about this promotion….” Madam Lu said

“I can not turn down this new position, mother but I can step out of harm’s way. There is no need to be worried, mother. After some thoughts, I have decided to retire from my position”.

Everyone gasped as they heard that and glanced at him. Madam Lu glanced at Su Liya in question. Su Liya just shook her head in response as their eyes met. Lu Yaozhu hadn’t mentioned his plans to retire to her during any of their conversations, this was the first she was also hearing of this.

Madam Lu sighed, “Yaozhu, isn’t this going to the extreme. Retiring now is a little premature, the Lu family has protected Northern Wei for generations. Retiring early isn’t the norm, I doubt his Majesty would let you retire early. Don’t make such rash decision”.

“This is not a rash decision mother, I have planned for years to retire and start a family. Doing this with a family… Is not ideal. The Lu Family would not lose their military power so we have nothing to lose.”

“Start a family..” Her face lit up as she looked down at Su Liya’s flat tummy. Su Liya immediately blushed and covered her tummy with her hands. “Not yet mother!” Su Liya replied shyly.

“Not yet… But soon right”

“Yes mother, we are working hard towards that!” Lu Yaozhu said placing his hands on Su Liya’s. He held her hands gently, “don’t worry, we will inform you once there is good news”. Su Liya looked at her side to glare at him but met his wide smile, she rolled her eyes and looked away from him.

Madam Lu’s Lips were curved up as she observed the couple’s interaction, however, the smile fell when she remembered the Empress and the Emperor. “His Majesty suffered a lot of loses thanks to the war, I don’t think he will let you retire. This promotion means that he has some plans left for you”.

Lu Yaozhu nodded, “after the Crown Prince’s injury and the current shift in public opinion. I think his majesty will be at ease once I submit my requests. I think that is a wise decision for our family, I don’t want any of us to be caught in that mess once the Crown Prince resumes duties. It is a good idea to step back from everything and return to Duanyue. That way I will be out of sight and out of mind plus it will help Yong’er get settled”.

He said the last sentence while smiling at her younger brother. The Imperial exam was only four weeks away, as far as he appeased the Emperor maybe he would let his younger brother off. This was the last Imperial examination his brother can take part in if his brother can get placed in this exam. He would relax, he glanced at his younger brother and sister and sighed.

“Mother, we should settle everyone in the family now that we are in favour. Yiling is nearly 18 and well past the marriageable age, it is about time we settled her marriage”, he glanced at his quiet sister whose face had gotten red at his previous statement.

Lu Yiling immediately felt self-conscious as everyone seemed to focus on her suddenly. She opened her mouth to put them off her case but was interrupted by her older brother Lu Yong.

“After the Imperial Examination, I would like to get married, mother”

“Married?”

“Yes, mother. Father arranged a suitable union between Miss Jiang and I. I have dallied for too long, it is about time I did right by her. ”

“Oh, that is a good idea. Marriage is something good”, Madam Lu glanced at Lu Yaozhu, “your elder brother is still on his way back to the capital, meeting her family would be a little_”

“Mother, I can meet her family in Yingjei’s stead. We cannot keep delaying these things” Lu Yaozhu said quickly.

“Okay, then I will arrange the gifts and we can visit them two days from now,” Madam Lu said.

Zhu Fengyin cleared her throat, “mother, his grace is not around but even if he was. He would be in support of this marriage. I will meet with the abbot at Yu’an temple to pick an auspicious day for the ceremony”.

“There is no need to stress yourself to do that Fengyin. You have been going there to pray frequently these past few weeks, you are with child. It is not good to overwork yourself like this. Don’t worry, I will pick a day and do it myself”, Madam Lu said gently.

“That won’t be a problem mother, I don’t mind”

“Then I will trouble you to handle that”.

“Yes mother”