Chapter 51: As Expected

Manager Liu and Miss Jun were both inside the hall; they stood up when they saw him come in.

"As you anticipated, he didn't react at all," Seventh Chen said, handing the imperial decree to her, "This wasn't even needed."

Manager Liu heaved a sigh of relief and stroked his beard in agreement.

"This action taken by Lu Yunqi was indeed very risky," he said, "Even though he took the opportunity to frame her during their recent interactions, Miss Jun's current reputation isn't something he can easily tarnish. If Miss Jun becomes agitated and complains to the emperor, I think even without considering the first emperor's imperial decree, the emperor would have to heed public opinion."

Fang Jinxiu and Seventh Chen nodded.

"Exactly, Miss Jun is not the same as before," Seventh Chen said.

But Fang Jinxiu saw that Miss Jun seemed to be lost in thought.

"Do you have any thoughts?" she asked.

Miss Jun came back to her senses and smiled.

"Nothing," she said, "It's just as everyone says."

Is that so?

Miss Jun smiled again.

"Yes, I know everyone is worried about my reputation," she said, "But Lu Yunqi slandering me seems a bit shaky; after all, my reputation is a bit better than his."

Manager Liu, Seventh Chen, and Fang Jinxiu all chuckled, and Fang Jinxiu also pursed her lips.

Miss Jun sighed again.

"What I'm more worried about now is whether Doctor Feng, who's never held an official position, can control the situation," she said.

Manager Liu laughed even more.

"Don't worry, I've found three staff for him," he said, "All are extremely reliable and astute."

"Yes, this official position isn't like others; being a bureaucrat doesn't necessarily mean one can work well," Seventh Chen said with a laugh.

The topic shifted, and they discussed the smallpox vaccine briefly. As it was getting late, Manager Liu took his leave.

"You must be tired too; get some good rest," Fang Jinxiu said to Miss Jun.

"Everyone is tired," Miss Jun said with a smile, looking at Seventh Chen and Fang Jinxiu, "You both should rest well too, don't worry, we are doing a good deed; heaven has its own justice."

"That's true," Seventh Chen nodded with a laugh, "I'm not tired at all."

Fang Jinxiu also smiled rarely.

"We are preparing for a late-night snack, would you like some?" she asked.

Miss Jun shook her head with a smile.

"I'm tired, I don't have the energy to eat," she said, waving her hand and turning around.

Seventh Chen looked at Fang Jinxiu.

"Are we having a late-night snack?" he asked.

Fang Jinxiu glanced at him.

"Eat it if you want," she said, then also turned to tidy up the decorations in the hall.

Seventh Chen chuckled and followed.

"Eating, yes, I mean, are we eating at home or going to the night market?"

"Speaking of which, we've been in the capital for so long and haven't visited the night market yet."

"I heard there's a tea soup shop that's particularly good."

In the spring night, Jiuling Hall buzzed with laughter and tranquility.

As Miss Jun walked out of the front hall, the smile on her face immediately disappeared.

Unexpectedly facing such provocation, Lu Yunqi did not get angry or retaliate.

This wasn't because he revered the imperial decree of the Fang Family or her reputation and status among the people.

Be it imperial decree or public opinion, what are they in the eyes of Lu Yunqi.

His not getting angry or acting out merely signaled indifference, ready to do what he intended.

He is a madman.

Miss Jun's hands clenched in front of her.

...........................

In Princess Jiuli's room, dinner had already been cleared, and seeing Lu Yunqi who had just walked in, Princess Jiuli didn't ask if he wanted to eat.

"Princess, I have something to tell you," Lu Yunqi spoke directly.

Princess Jiuli smiled.

"Can I disagree?" she asked.

The bright night light made her expression even softer.

"No," said Lu Yunqi softly, his voice also gentle.

The room was cleared of maidservants earlier, the couple—one sitting, one standing—faced each other quietly.

Despite being secluded in the inner residence, such a commotion outside could not be unnoticed by Princess Jiuli.

The red silks and meticulous betrothal gifts, the angry shouts of that man outside, everyone but the blind and deaf would know what had occurred.

A husband was taking a concubine, yet the wife was unaware; indeed, a truly infuriating matter.

But Princess Jiuli didn't lash out in anger or break down in tears.

The atmosphere in the room remained warm.

Princess Jiuli simply expressed her opposition, a normal reaction from a wife.

To his wife's objection, Lu Yunqi, as a husband, did not explode in anger; he too expressed his own stance and determination.

The room fell into silence.

Princess Jiuli smiled.

"But the other party is unwilling," she said.

"There are many unwilling matters in this world," Lu Yunqi said, "No one wishes to be imprisoned in the garrison's jail, yet the garrison's jail has never been empty."

Princess Jiuli sighed lightly.

"But this girl has just performed a great deed benefiting the people, an act of saving lives and boundless virtue," she said, "Doing this would be bullying people."

Lu Yunqi couldn't help but also laugh.

He seldom cared about past events, and rarely found them amusing, but hearing Princess Jiuli say this made him laugh uncontrollably.

Remembering someone had also said this to him recently about the same girl, perhaps it was destiny?

"It's normal for me to bully people, isn't it?" he said, laughing harder, his complexion under the lamp porcelain-white, joy shining in his eyes, making his entire face seem radiant.

Beautiful indeed, but like a brightly colored venomous snake, dazzling yet causing instant dread.

Princess Jiuli wasn't scared and didn't avert her gaze, looking at him with the same soft expression.

"But this person should not be bullied," she said softly.

Lu Yunqi looked at her then suddenly knelt on one knee.

"Thus, please, Princess, agree to my request," he said, "Please petition the emperor, this way it won't be bullying."

For another woman, kneeling before his own wife to plead, any wife would not be pleased but even angrier.

Princess Jiuli didn't rush over to fight this heartless man but smiled somewhat helplessly.

"Is my dignity worth any honor?" she said.

"For a woman entering the family, it's enough," Lu Yunqi said with a smile as he looked up.

He had never laughed so much.

Princess Jiuli watched him.

"Can I disagree?" she asked.

"No," Lu Yunqi said with a smile, shaking his head.

This was perhaps the longest time they had spent together since their marriage, and although Lu Yunqi spoke gently and more than usual, his message remained the same: no.

He couldn't be stopped from doing what he intended.

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Happy Friday! Have a great weekend everyone.