The next day. The Lu residence.

The wedding gift had long been prepared, but Lu Ping, still uneasy, looked it over once more.

He had long since secretly pledged his loyalty to Prince Yan. However, there were no shortage of capable and ambitious officials under Prince Yan, and among them he did not even rank, let alone count as one of Prince Yan’s trusted confidants.

For this reason, Lu Ping was unwilling to let slip any opportunity to draw close to and curry favor with Prince Yan.

For Prince Yan’s wedding, Lu Ping had prepared a gift with great care.

It was a small, exquisite flowerpot carved from the finest Hetian jade, lifelike in every detail. Inside the pot stood a pomegranate tree less than a foot tall — its trunk and branches forged of pure gold, its leaves crafted from gemstones of many colors. A few small pomegranates hung upon it, each carved from a large ruby.

Pomegranates, with their many seeds, symbolized abundant children and blessings — the most fitting gift for a wedding. This little pomegranate tree appeared ordinary at first glance, but in truth the materials were of the finest quality, and the craftsman’s skill was exquisite beyond compare; even the fine veins on each leaf were carved to lifelike perfection.

After examining it carefully for a moment, Lu Ping finally nodded in satisfaction and closed the brocade box once more.

“My lord, the two young masters have arrived,” the steward reported respectfully.

Lu Ping gave a short grunt of acknowledgment.

When the two Lu brothers appeared before him, Lu Ping could not help frowning. “I had several new sets of clothes sent to you a few days ago — the finest fabric, in the most fashionable cut in the capital. Why aren’t you wearing them?”

“Didn’t I tell you already? Today is the joyous occasion of Prince Yan’s wedding. Who knows how many officials from across the capital will be there to offer gifts and congratulations. Such a good chance to be seen doesn’t come often — you must take it seriously.”

Lu Hong glanced down at himself, feeling there was nothing wrong. “What I’m wearing is also new — I only wore it once, a few days ago.”

The fabric was of fine quality, the color understated and elegant, well-suited to him.

Besides, for Prince Yan’s wedding, he was merely going along with Second Uncle to see the world a little. Why should he have to wear something so showy? If he were to rise in the world, it would be by his own talent and learning — not by his looks.

Seeing Lu Hong talk back, Lu Ping grew even more displeased and glared at him. “That’s enough. Go back and change quickly. There isn’t much time — don’t delay!”

Lu Hong frowned, about to say something, but in the end swallowed it back, silently turning to go change into different clothes.

Lu Qian watched coldly from the side, sneering inwardly.

In his previous life, Lu Hong’s heart had belonged to his beloved wife and child, and at first he had wanted nothing to do with Princess Changping at all. It was this fine Second Uncle of his, secretly using underhanded methods, who had forced Lu Hong to “submit.”

It seemed now that this same scene was about to play out again before his eyes.

Should he warn Lu Hong?

Of course not. He could hardly wait for Lu Hong to fall into Princess Changping’s arms, and for Lu Hong’s shadow to be wiped from Ling Jingshu’s heart completely.

All the clothes Lu Ping had sent were in bright, vivid colors. Lu Hong, displeased, reluctantly chose an apricot-colored brocade robe to wear.

This time, Lu Ping was finally satisfied.

Lu Hong had always been refined and handsome, and in this new robe he looked even more striking, his face as fair as jade, his looks extraordinary. Wherever he stood, he would become the center of every eye.

Princess Changping, fond of handsome faces, was certain to be delighted at the sight of him.

…

For Prince Yan’s wedding, the Emperor and Empress in the palace each sent their own representatives. A steady stream of gifts was carried into Prince Yan’s residence.

The wedding was personally arranged by the Minister of Rites, so Prince Yan himself had no need to trouble over the details — he did not even need to go in person to receive the bride. All he needed to do was put on his new wedding robes and sit comfortably in the main hall of his residence, accepting the congratulations of the guests.

The Emperor grew older by the day, wholly absorbed in the pursuit of alchemical immortality. He attended court less and less, and concerned himself with state affairs ever more rarely. Most of the trivial matters of government were handled by the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace.

Of course, His Highness the Crown Prince had long been recuperating and was unfit for strenuous mental or physical effort, so in the end, these matters fell upon the Crown Grandson.

The combined power of Empress Xu and her son Prince Yan, both within the court and beyond it, was not to be underestimated.

Empress Xu held absolute sway over the inner palace, with informants scattered throughout, and her influence over the Emperor was immense. Since taking over the Ministry of Finance at court, Prince Yan’s power had grown far beyond what it once was, as he secretly gathered followers to his side. His marriage alliance with the household of Duke Pingguo meant that his influence had begun to extend into the military as well.

A confrontation was gradually taking shape between the Eastern Palace and the mother-and-son pair of Empress Xu and Prince Yan.

Naturally, the officials of the court had split into three factions. One styled itself as upholding the legitimate succession of the Crown Prince; another pledged loyalty to Prince Yan, openly or in secret; but the largest group of all simply remained neutral.

For these officials, neither the Crown Prince’s faction nor Prince Yan’s party could afford to be offended; since they could not please both sides, feigning ignorance was just as well. After all, the struggle for the throne was a matter for the imperial descendants themselves — whoever emerged victorious in the end, they would support.

The ambitious Lu Ping, unwilling to remain mediocre, had his heart set on the merit of having backed the eventual winner, and had long since secretly pledged himself to Prince Yan. Officials like him were not few in number, and today nearly all of them came in person to offer their congratulations.

When they met, they exchanged knowing smiles, and one by one presented their gifts, offering their congratulations to Prince Yan.

When it was Lu Ping’s turn, he first presented the gift he had so carefully prepared, then poured out an endless stream of congratulatory words.

The pomegranate tree was finely made. Prince Yan glanced at it casually, then said with a smile, “Lord Lu has shown great thoughtfulness. I like this pomegranate tree very much.”

Those few brief words alone were enough to make Lu Ping beam with delight. He cupped his hands repeatedly. “This humble official merely wished to express a small token of regard. To have earned Your Highness’s favor makes all my efforts worthwhile.”

For all that Prince Yan’s manner and conduct seemed careless and improper in ordinary times, when it came to winning people’s hearts, he had a considerable gift for it.

After presenting his gift, Lu Ping was asked to remain in the main hall.

The two Lu brothers, meanwhile, were led by a steward to another spacious hall.

Most of those gathered there were young men, brought along by their elders to “see the world,” just as the Lu brothers had been. Among them were a few familiar faces — classmates from the Imperial Academy.

Lu Hong immediately led Lu Qian forward to mingle and chat with the others.

Someone said, “Her Highness the Princess is here!”

Everyone startled and quickly turned to bow.

A gust of fragrant air swept in, and the woman who appeared at the doorway, stunning and seductive, full of charm — was none other than Princess Changping, with whom he had crossed paths twice before.

Lu Hong bowed along with everyone else, though inwardly he frowned.

This room was full of young men, and yet Princess Changping had come in without the slightest hesitation… It seemed the rumors were not entirely baseless gossip.

What Lu Hong did not know was that, at the sight of Princess Changping, most of the young men present felt their hearts stir with restless desire.

Setting aside Princess Changping’s noble status, her beauty and allure alone made a brief, consequence-free affair with her something to boast about.

Princess Changping laughed sweetly. “There’s no need for such ceremony, everyone — please rise.”

Her gaze drifted over and settled on Lu Hong, and a strange gleam suddenly flickered in her eyes.