Luo Chengzhang summoned Luo Shenyuan to discuss the mysterious disappearance of the Third Madam. The family needed clarity on the matter. He believed opposing Lu Jiaxue was suicidal and suggested declaring Luo Yining dead from illness and then arranging a new wife for Luo Shenyuan. This way, Luo Yining would no longer be connected to the Luo family.
Luo Shenyuan listened to his father while sipping tea slowly. “Father, you needn’t concern yourself with this matter.”
His stubbornness mirrored his insistence on marrying Luo Yining years ago, brooking no opposition.
Luo Chengzhang advised, “Why cling to her? After being abducted, even if she returns, she should hang herself to prove her virtue! This severely violates the Three Obediences and Five Virtues!”
Luo Shenyuan slammed his teacup on the table, hot tea splashing everywhere.
Startled, Luo Chengzhang fell silent. After a long pause, Luo Shenyuan spoke softly, “Father, do you know why I married Seventh Sister back then?”
Luo Chengzhang had always avoided this question. Luo Shenyuan continued, “When you’ve endured countless hardships, faced universal coldness and contempt, and then someone shows you kindness, what do they become to you?” They become the warmth in your life, the humanity you crave.
All his hopes for a brighter future revolved around her. Without her, he couldn’t envision any goodness ahead. So regardless of what befell Yining, he would find and bring her back.
“So, Father, don’t speak of this again… In truth, what does the Luo family mean to me?” A cold smile touched his lips as he left the hall.
Luo Chengzhang felt a chill in his palms.
Outside, the moonlight was clear. He vaguely recalled Luo Shenyuan’s birth mother, a quiet servant who stood in the background. Luo Chengzhang hadn’t particularly liked her, preferring another. When she poisoned the favored servant, causing her death and that of her unborn child, she showed no signs of guilt. If not for Old Madam Luo, no one would have suspected her.
Indeed, who could have imagined that the servant’s son would become today’s Luo Shenyuan, the pillar of the Luo family?
His maid entered with a hand warmer. “Second Master, it’s very cold. Please warm your hands.”
Luo Chengzhang waved her away. “Go fetch the Fourth Young Master. I want to inquire about his studies.”
Days later, Luo Shenyuan received news from his spies. They hadn’t located Luo Yining. The official road branched towards Gansu, Shaanxi, and Shanxi in one direction and Hebei, Huguang, and Sichuan in the other. Several carriages had departed simultaneously, scattering in various directions. The trail grew increasingly faint and unclear. He crumpled the paper and instructed his subordinates, “Keep searching discreetly. Focus on Shanxi and Shaanxi. Lu Jiaxue’s power base is in those regions.”
After days of contemplation, Luo Shenyuan had calmed from his near-breaking point. He carefully considered whether to search personally. It was undoubtedly risky, but he feared his growing anxiety might drive him to it. Yet he knew the chances of finding her in the vast populace were slim.
His second thought was to pursue that position first. He had always desired it, not just for Yining’s sake, but out of his ambition. However, even with his intelligence and cunning, following the normal path to the cabinet would take until he was thirty. He could accelerate this process, but it would compromise his perceived righteousness.
Of course, righteousness had never been his primary concern, especially not after what happened to her.
Once in that position, he could surely counterbalance Lu Jiaxue.
The Emperor’s mood had softened yesterday; today, he would likely release the teacher.
Luo Shenyuan fastened his court robes himself, remembering how she used to help him dress, complaining about the many ties or the tasteless morning buns. He stood still for a moment, dust motes floating in the empty air. Then he left for his carriage, heading to the Imperial Palace.
The Emperor, having just changed into his dragon robe, seemed distracted.
After the routine reports, the Office of Ceremonies was about to announce the proceedings. The Qing faction had prepared, arranging for Grand Secretary Xie to plead for Xu Wei’s release, which was expected today.
Unexpectedly, a eunuch entered with a memorial, requesting an audience with the Emperor. Luo Shenyuan glimpsed the handwriting on the memorial, his expression subtly changing as he sensed trouble.
The Emperor read the memorial, his face darkening ominously.
“Bring Xu Wei here,” he commanded.
The six words, though calmer than before, cast a heavy pall over the hall. Luo Shenyuan inwardly cursed their misfortune.
Though often foolish and obsessed with women and Taoism, the Emperor was no imbecile. On the contrary, he was quite clever. He no longer berated Xu Wei; instead, his demeanor grew severe.
Xu Wei’s imprisonment hadn’t been too harsh, given the Emperor’s momentary anger and the possibility of future favor. His good reputation among the people also ensured fair treatment from the jailers. When brought out, he appeared composed. The Emperor, however, coldly regarded him and tossed the memorial before him.
“The Deputy Censor of Liaodong, Wei Yingchi, was found with over 200,000 taels of silver. He claimed to be attacking the Hetao region but enlisted the old, weak, and sick, embezzling over 200,000 taels in military pay. Now the entire army has been annihilated, with no survivors. Didn’t you recommend Wei Yingchi? For years, you’ve maintained close correspondence with him. Is this true? As Minister of Revenue, overseeing military pay, were you involved?”
Xu Wei’s mouth worked silently. The entire army was annihilated… Is Wei Yingchi dead? He had indeed recommended Wei Yingchi, but he knew his friend’s character—he would never embezzle military funds! Wei had always been frugal, living in a modest two-courtyard house in the capital with only an elderly wife. He would hesitate even to buy her a gold hairpin.
“Your Majesty, Wei would never embezzle military funds!” Xu Wei repeatedly kowtowed. “Please, Your Majesty, see reason. He attacked Hetao to reclaim lost territory and died an old man on the battlefield. He sacrificed himself for the country; we must not slander him! I would never participate in embezzling military funds!” His voice grew hoarse.
“I’m not senile. He embezzled first; there’s irrefutable evidence. I’ve long heard of your correspondence with him. I despise people like you!” The Emperor stood, his voice barely containing his fury. “You still hope to be reinstated? Take him to the death row! Office of Ceremonies, bring a brush to draft an imperial edict!”
Private associations between civil officials and border military officers were strictly forbidden, let alone involvement in military fund embezzlement.
The Emperor’s rage thundered through the hall. Several people knelt to plead for Xu Wei. How could Xu Wei possibly conspire to embezzle military funds?
The Emperor’s anger intensified. He punished several with beatings or salary reductions.
Wang Yuan stood silently, saying nothing.
Xu Wei’s minor transgressions were one thing, but his direct remonstration last time had truly angered the Emperor. This time, he was determined to eliminate Xu Wei. Luo Shenyuan recognized the handwriting as that of the Liaodong Censor, one of Wang Yuan’s confidants. Framing others was Wang Yuan’s specialty. Realizing Xu Wei had offended Wang Yuan and that the embezzlement charges were fabricated, many Qing faction members cast cold glances at Wang Yuan.
Although those pleading for mercy were punished with kneeling and beatings, the memory of Zhou Shuqun’s death and Xu Wei’s framing inflamed the more passionate court officials. One after another knelt to plead, with all six ministries’ Remonstrance Officials joining in, led by Yang Ling.
A chorus of voices rose. Among the Qing faction, few remained standing. Luo Shenyuan, standing in the second row, was conspicuously upright.
Luo Shenyuan closed his eyes, aware of the many eyes upon him.
The gazes were bewildered and suspicious. After all, he was Xu Wei’s beloved disciple and the rising star of the Qing faction.
He knew he would anger the Emperor, but he wouldn’t kneel. Recalling Wang Yuan’s past manipulations and Xu Wei’s hoarse voice, he felt conflicted.
The Emperor laughed coldly. “Very well. All who knelt today will receive ten strokes at the Meridian Gate. Anyone else who pleads for mercy will receive another ten strokes! And be barred from promotion for life!”
With that, he threw down his jade tablet and left. The Office of Ceremonies announced the end of the court session.
Luo Shenyuan slowly descended the palace steps. Many were being dragged to the Meridian Gate for beatings as the biting north wind blew. Wang Yuan, walking ahead, had waited for some time.
“Lord Luo,” Wang Yuan turned to him, smiling. “How curious. You didn’t plead for your teacher?”
“The facts are unclear. I dare not speak rashly,” Luo Shenyuan replied.
“Lord Luo is indeed wise,” Wang Yuan said, eyes narrowed, surrounded by his entourage. “It’s most efficient to converse with intelligent people. I admire Lord Luo’s caution.”
“Thank you for your kind words, Lord Wang.”
Luo Shenyuan knew Wang Yuan was extending an olive branch. Compliant individuals should receive such goodwill, perhaps even rewards. If Luo Shenyuan pledged allegiance now, Wang Yuan would express great sincerity and goodwill—a signal to the Qing faction.
Wang Yuan left, while Qing faction officials passing Luo Shenyuan regarded him with complex, even cold expressions. Everyone knew he was Xu Wei’s most beloved student, rapidly promoted to Vice Minister of Works in just a few years, and now a pillar of the Qing faction.
Xu Wei faced death, yet he, a cornerstone of the Qing faction, didn’t plead for his teacher. Instead, he maintained an indifferent demeanor, conversing with Wang Yuan. They thought him truly cold-hearted!
Luo Shenyuan said nothing and returned to his mansion.
Heavy snow began falling again, its weight breaking tree branches. As he dismounted from his carriage, Yang Ling caught up from behind.
“Luo Shenyuan—”
Luo Shenyuan turned. Yang Ling, just back from the Meridian Gate, approached with an ashen face.
“Our teacher is in mortal danger, yet you remained unmoved while we all knelt to plead. You know how well he’s treated you!” Yang Ling couldn’t help but recall Xu Wei’s kind, smiling face. “Are you so afraid of losing power? Have you forgotten all his kindness? And you still spoke with that cur Wang Yuan!”
Luo Shenyuan seemed unresponsive, adjusting his cloak and continuing toward his mansion.
Seeing this, Yang Ling grabbed him, persisting, “I may not be as hard-hearted as you, Lord Luo, but I know to repay kindness with gratitude. I’ve come to tell you, if you’ve chosen to align with Lord Wang, climbing to higher branches, we are no longer worthy of association with you.”
Held back by Yang Ling, Luo Shenyuan silently watched the heavy snow falling from the ink-black sky. Yang Ling was angry, but what right did he have to be angry? Anyone could be angry, but not him.
“You’re so heartless and ungrateful, perfectly matched with that cur!”
At this, Luo Shenyuan suddenly turned, a cold smile spreading across his face. “Between us, you’re truly the foolish one!”
“Do you think Xu Wei treated me well? How well?” Luo Shenyuan pressed, stepping closer. “If he truly cared for me, would he leave me exposed to attacks and slander? If he genuinely favored me, would he still be wary of me? Yang Ling, think about how he treated you.”
Yang Ling was stunned by the questions.
“You had the talent to be a top scholar, yet he placed you in the second rank and took you as his student, precisely to avoid drawing attention to you. He arranged for you to be a Remonstrance Official in the Ministry of Revenue, protected under his wing. Finally, he planned for you to become an Instructor at the Imperial Academy, ensuring you’d have disciples throughout the land and a smooth official career. Isn’t that so?”
Yang Ling was shocked. “You say the teacher made me… No, how… What right do you have to say this?”
Luo Shenyuan continued with a cold smile, “He did all this without anyone noticing because, in others’ eyes, I was his favored student. So Wang Yuan and others focused their attacks on me. Let me tell you, if you were in my position, you’d have died hundreds of times already. You should thank me that you’re still alive.”
Yang Ling remained stunned as Luo Shenyuan shook off his hand.
“Lord Yang, those who follow different paths cannot make plans together. Your uprightness, purity, and stubbornness indeed shouldn’t be tainted by association with me. Let’s part ways here. I won’t plead for Xu Wei, and I advise you not to either—though I’m sure you won’t listen.” Luo Shenyuan turned and entered his mansion, the gate slowly closing behind him. Someone came forward to hold an umbrella for him.
Luo Shenyuan stood under the umbrella. The lanterns under the eaves cast a soft light; the red gauze lanterns reminded him of the day she kissed his chin. Outside had been a bustling temple fair with many strings of large red lanterns. His longing was like thirst, but the water to quench it was far away, leaving him increasingly parched.
He wondered where she was now and if she was cold. He desperately wanted to find her and bring her back immediately. It was an irrational thought, likely to end in disaster. Moreover, the current court situation was precarious; one wrong move could ruin everything. He couldn’t act rashly.
After a long pause, he said softly, “Let’s go,” and walked into the heavy snowfall.
He should meet with Wang Yuan tomorrow. He didn’t care what others said; for him, power was necessary to do what he wanted.
At the Datong Protectorate-General’s Office in Shanxi:
Luo Yining had been here for nearly a month, meaning she’d been away from the capital for that long. The winter here was colder than in the capital, and she had fallen ill from the change in climate and water. It took her a full half-month to recover enough to move about. Cheng Lang had taken up residence in the Protectorate-General’s Office, apparently on official business in Datong, and was often seen busy. Luo Yining was staying in the rear courtyard of his residence. To leave the compound, she had to pass through the front courtyard, which was full of Cheng Lang’s guards. Cheng Lang’s attitude toward her was strange; he didn’t interact with her often but forbade her from leaving.
Luo Yining leaned against a cushion, eyes closed in thought.
The room was warmed by floor heating, as comfortable as spring. A few unfamiliar young maids moved about, bought from slave traders and untrained, only there to attend to her daily needs. She didn’t bother distinguishing between first and second maids, only knowing that the two who attended her closely were named Wanchun, the same age as her, and Wanxing, two years older. There were also some older women for cleaning and cooking, whose names she didn’t remember.
The compound was spacious and had been decorated. Though the exterior was a simple courtyard with only winter jasmine and Hunan bamboo planted, with stone paths, the interior was luxuriously appointed. There was even a special place for preparing her meals. Perhaps to improve her mood, Cheng Lang had specifically hired people to cook for her, but she still ate very little each day.
A few days ago, she was finally able to go out once. Luo Yining observed her surroundings and found the Protectorate-General’s Office truly formidable, with guards inside and likely hidden sentries. Outside, soldiers in thick padded jackets patrolled with heavy weapons. When Cheng Lang took her out, she saw a river with a temple on the opposite bank. Nearby were rows of houses with intertwining alleys; if she could slip into these alleys, she might be able to escape. As it was late December, approaching the New Year, couplets and firecrackers were being hung everywhere.
That day, seeing her disinterest in the surroundings, Cheng Lang asked, “Do you want to buy anything? The beef here is quite good.”
She only gave him a faint glance.
Cheng Lang went to the butcher and asked for half a jin of beef. Then he came to her side and spoke, “Every New Year in the past, I would go to see you… You were buried in the Lu family’s ancestral tomb. Every time I went, Lu Jiaxue was there.”
Yining remained silent.
“…He would send everyone away and stay there alone. Once, I accidentally entered and saw him kneeling there… I had never seen him like that before,” Cheng Lang continued. “But apart from that, nothing else changed. He was still Lu Jiaxue. If I hadn’t investigated Xie Min, I wouldn’t have believed he killed you.”
“There are noisemakers for sale over there,” Cheng Lang’s slender hand pointed to a fabric shop with many noisemakers displayed. “When I was young, you often made them for me to play with. Do you remember?”
He went over to buy some, smiling as he returned through the bustling crowd.
Yining felt as if she saw the child who used to rest his head on her shoulder.
Unable to bear the sight, she turned away. Suddenly, she noticed a feed storehouse nearby.
Datong, being an important border town, had many horses and vehicles passing through, creating a high demand for feed. A cart carrying waste feed came out of the Protectorate-General’s Office and entered the warehouse. Yining’s breath suddenly caught; she remembered the stables were not far from where she was staying…
She had to get back quickly! The longer she stayed away, the more her reputation would be at risk. Moreover, she missed Luo Shenyuan terribly, and everyone else too.
With this thought, Luo Yining put down the book she was holding. For the past two days, she had tried to appear calm, as if she had adapted to life here, to lower their guard.
She had also figured out the distribution of guards. Because she was a woman, there were few guards in the back courtyard. But she had to be wary of hidden sentries and figure out when the feed carts came in and went out. She was almost ready and had thought of several methods to try. She still had the jewelry she wore when she went out—gold bracelets and intricate gold earrings—which could serve as travel money.
If she could just get out of the Protectorate-General’s Office, she would have a chance to leave Datong. Once out of the city, Cheng Lang would have no way to catch her!
“I want to walk in the back courtyard,” Luo Yining said to Wanchun.
Wanchun didn’t suspect anything; this madam often liked to take walks. She didn’t talk much and was quite easy to serve. She wrapped a cloak around Yining and gave her a hand warmer before following her out.
There wasn’t much to see in the back courtyard—just winding buildings connected, with side doors linking them. The courtyard had some water vats for plants, but at this time of year, they were all covered in ice. Once in the back courtyard, Yining quickly shook off the maid and headed towards the feed carts. Her heart was still pounding as she hid in a pile of feed.
The used feed had a strong smell of horse urine, which was quite nauseating. She tried to breathe lightly, thankful for her lightweight, and hoped the cart driver wouldn’t notice an extra person in the feed pile.
Soon, she heard the driver’s footsteps and grew increasingly nervous…
The cart started moving, and Luo Yining finally let out a small sigh of relief. She clutched the edges of her autumn-colored cloak, trying to make herself as small as possible. She had deliberately chosen this color.
A quarter of an hour later, the Protectorate-General’s Office was in an uproar. Wanchun and Wanxing, the two personal maids, were punished by kneeling on the ice-covered ground for their negligence. The two cried pitifully, feeling as if their knees would break. Cheng Lang had no time for them and walked out with his guards, his face dark: “Stop and check all vehicles in the area. Set up checkpoints at the city gates. Don’t open the gates until she’s found!”
It was absurd that she had disappeared from under his nose! Moreover, she was so young and beautiful… if anything happened to her, it would be disastrous!
Cheng Lang remained expressionless, not even smiling. After the Datong Commander-in-Chief Zeng Yingkun had been arrested, this area was Lu Jiaxue’s territory. He could directly order the city gates sealed!
Luo Yining could never have imagined that Cheng Lang could even seal the city gates. Otherwise, she certainly wouldn’t have attempted this plan. When she was pulled out of another cart where she was hiding, she was shaking with anger. She almost slapped him across the face!
“Very good, quite the runner. You almost made it out of the city,” Cheng Lang said as he forced her to sit properly in the carriage, gripping her wrist. “This is a border area, as secure as a fortress. Even if you got out of the Protectorate-General’s Office, you couldn’t leave Datong!”
Luo Yining had been stifled in the feed pile for hours, afraid to move, and was exhausted from the journey. She had no energy to argue with him and felt a splitting headache coming on.
Seeing her poor condition, he reached out to massage her temples. “What’s wrong? Is your headache acting up again?” he said. “Don’t worry, I’ve already arranged for a doctor to wait at the Protectorate-General’s Office.” He then ordered the carriage to move faster. How could she not be in pain after such exertion in the winter cold? She hadn’t fully recovered yet.
As the carriage continued, Luo Yining suddenly broke her silence and asked, “A-Lang… will you let me go? What if I beg you?”
It was the first time in many days that she had called him A-Lang. Cheng Lang almost shuddered. He sighed softly, “I’m sorry, Yining… I’m truly sorry…”
Letting her go back—his fate aside for now—would likely mean he’d never have another chance. Although Luo Yining had been ignoring him these past few days, living with her had given Cheng Lang a strange sense of happiness. He had avoided too much contact with her, fearing he might not be able to control himself.
She closed her eyes.
“I already knew the answer, yet I still had to ask…” Luo Yining seemed to be mocking herself.
They had arrived outside the Protectorate-General’s Office. Cheng Lang helped her down. The doctor was indeed waiting in the hall; Cheng Lang had been certain Luo Yining couldn’t escape Datong.
Luo Yining, reeking from her ordeal, had just changed into clean clothes and was sitting on the couch, being examined by the doctor. The doctor had treated her before and was skilled in medicine. This time, he took an unusually long time to check her pulse. Luo Yining, exhausted from her failed escape attempt, was drowsy and let him continue.
After the examination, the doctor left the room looking puzzled. Seeing Cheng Lang still outside the door, he bowed and said, “Congratulations are in order, Lord Cheng. It seems your wife has a pregnancy pulse. The months are not many, so it’s not entirely clear, but based on my experience, it’s almost certain.”
Cheng Lang was stunned, a strange feeling welling up inside him, though he couldn’t quite identify the emotion. In any case, it wasn’t joy. He asked, “A pregnancy pulse?”
“It should be. I’ve been practicing medicine for over thirty years; I’m quite sure about this.”
Luo Yining… had consummated her marriage with her third brother. And she was carrying Luo Shenyuan’s child!
She was pregnant with Luo Shenyuan’s child.