son, don't mess around

Chapter 799 I Want to See Your Wife
The capital city, the Lü residence.

The courtyard was deserted. A young man in a blue robe stood under the pavilion, holding a light brush and slowly moving it across the rice paper.

Before long, with ink dots adorning the Xuan paper, he freely and confidently wrote a beautiful article in one go.

The young man put down his brush, looked at the article on the table, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Husband, have some water and rest for a while."

Just then, a soft female voice came from the side. A young woman dressed in fine clothes walked into the pavilion with a cup of tea, chuckled, placed the tea on the table, and approached the young man.

"Ya'er."

A tender smile appeared on the young man's face, and he naturally pulled the woman's slender waist into his arms.

"My lord, it's broad daylight!"

The woman gave a soft, coquettish laugh and struggled slightly.

"There are no outsiders here, my lady, there's no need to be so shy."

Lu Xuan smiled and said, but even so, he still released the woman in his arms.

Although the two had been married for a year and had consummated their marriage, the wife was shy and, being a lady from a respectable family, naturally could not engage in such bold and intimate behavior in public.

"Ya'er, what brings you here today?"

Lu Xuan asked again with a smile.

"Why didn't I come to see what my husband is doing?"

"It's just about writing articles and painting every day to pass the time."

Lu Xuan sighed softly, a hint of melancholy flashing in his eyes.

As the son of a former Minister of Personnel, Lü Xuan was undoubtedly outstanding. From a young age, he was well-versed in the Four Books and Five Classics and strategies for governing the country, demonstrating exceptional talent.

Furthermore, he was strikingly different from those spoiled brats in the capital who were just wasting their lives!
Originally, his life should have been smooth sailing.

With his exceptional talent and a powerful father who is the Minister of Personnel, his future is undoubtedly limitless.

However, now everything has vanished.

His father was dismissed from his post, and the entire Lü family was placed under house arrest in the capital. As for Lü Xuan, his official career was also completely ruined.

Even with great talent, there is nowhere to use it.

Over the past year, Lü Xuan suffered setbacks and almost became despondent. He gradually accepted reality, but deep down, he still harbored resentment about it.

The woman beside him was Tao Ya, Lü Xuan's wife. As his wife, Tao Ya was naturally aware of her husband's melancholy.

She sighed softly, "This is our fate. Who told us, the Lü family, to get involved in the Third Prince's rebellion? We are already extremely lucky to be alive. How can we ask for anything more?"

Hearing this, Lü Xuan gave a bitter smile, a hint of desolation flashing in his eyes.

Then, looking at his wife, who was stunningly beautiful and gentle, he sighed, "It's just that you've suffered, Ya'er."

"Once you marry into this family, you'll have no choice but to live this kind of hard life with me."

Tao Ya shook her head slightly: "What nonsense are you talking about, husband? Now that I've married you, I'll naturally follow you wherever you go. How could I possibly look down on you?"

"Besides, I don't think life is bitter now. Isn't it good now? Although you, my husband, have given up your career, at least our family is still together."

Lu Xuan was deeply moved upon hearing this. With such a wife, what more could a husband ask for?

At this moment, Tao Ya sighed softly again: "But the world is becoming more and more turbulent. Husband, do you think the world will change?"

"Ya'er, what do you mean by that?"

Tao Ya said softly, "The Xu Prince's Mansion in the north has rebelled. They've enthroned the Third Prince and raised an army. I've heard they're making rapid advances at the front, and the imperial army is suffering defeat after defeat. Do you think the Third Prince might really come back? Wouldn't the capital be thrown into chaos then?"

Lu Xuan's gaze darkened slightly; he was already aware of this matter. He had heard that the imperial army at the front lines was unable to stop the army of Prince Xu's mansion, and that the Third Prince could indeed march on the capital at any time.

"My lord, I have also heard that the current emperor is seriously ill. Is this true?" Tao Ya asked again.

Upon hearing this, Lü Xuan's expression changed slightly: "Who told you that?"

"I only heard it from others..."

"This matter should not be discussed lightly."

Lu Xuan's gaze was serious.

Tao Ya chuckled softly, "Husband, there's no need to be so nervous. I'm only telling you this, so I won't tell anyone else. But if this is true, don't you think the situation is quite serious?"

Tao Ya said softly, "The current emperor is seriously ill and has no heir. What will happen if the imperial army suffers a defeat and morale collapses?"

Lu Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly.

What will happen?
Lu Xuan dared not think about it, but he already had the answer in his heart.

"By the way, my husband, our Lü family used to be on good terms with the Third Prince. The fact that the Lü family has fallen to such a state is all because of the Third Prince."

"If, and I mean if... the Third Prince really did return to the capital and succeed..."

"Will our Lü family be able to make a comeback then?"

"My husband, will you then be able to regain your freedom and display your talents in the capital's court?"

Tao Ya's words made Lü Xuan's heart skip a beat.

He had considered the idea, but it always seemed too far off. It was far too difficult for the Third Prince to successfully rebel again!
But now...

It seems that nothing is impossible.

What if it actually succeeds?
At this moment, Lü Xuan's already uneasy heart began to pound violently.

Just then, the voice of a servant came from outside the door.

"Young Master, the Prince of Lin has come to pay his respects and is going to see the Master!"

Upon hearing this, Lü Xuan and Tao Ya in the courtyard looked up almost simultaneously, their eyes meeting.

What is the Crown Prince of Lin doing here again?
A strange light flashed in Lü Xuan's eyes. The last time the Prince of Lin came to see his father, Lü Xuan felt extremely uneasy.

They've come again this time; I'm afraid they're up to no good.

"I'll go take a look."

Lu Xuan spoke in a deep voice, and Tao Ya beside him also said, "Husband, I will go with you."

"Ya'er, you don't need to come along."

Tao Ya insisted, saying softly, "That Prince Lin is no ordinary person; his purpose in coming here is not simple. Ya'er also wants to go and see, so that if anything goes wrong, she can be of some help."

Hearing Ya'er say that, Lü Xuan hesitated for a moment, then nodded: "Alright, let's go together."

"..."

In the front hall.

Lin Jiangnian leaned back in the main seat, casually looking around.

To the side, Lü Fusheng sat calmly, his gaze occasionally falling on Lin Jiangnian, his expression shifting between light and dark.

Judging from this scene, Lin Jiangnian seems to be the one who is in charge here.

"I wonder if Your Highness has come to visit my residence again today? Is there anything important you wish to discuss?"

After a moment's thought, Lü Fusheng asked the question.

"It's no big deal."

Sitting in the main seat, Lin Jiangnian looked languidly at Lü Fusheng and chuckled, "Lord Lü, there's no need to be so nervous. Come to think of it, I have quite a history with your Lü family. I have no ill intentions in coming here today, so you can rest assured."

Lin Jiangnian spoke so casually, but Lü Fusheng's heart sank deeper and deeper.

He didn't believe that the Prince of Lin's visit was merely a formality.

The less you talk about it, the bigger the problem becomes.

Thinking of this, Lü Fusheng felt even more solemn.

"By the way, where is Lord Lü's son?"

Lin Jiangnian asked the question seemingly casually.

"Your Highness is asking about Xuan'er?"

Lu Fusheng's expression remained unchanged: "My son should be in the inner courtyard today. I wonder why Your Highness mentioned him?"

"Lord Lü's son is handsome and talented, a rare find indeed."

Lin Jiangnian's praise did not elicit any reaction from Lü Fusheng; on the contrary, it made him even more cautious.

"I suddenly remembered that I almost ruined Young Master Lü's wedding a year ago, and I feel guilty about it. Before I left last time, I said I would make up for it with a generous gift, and I have already sent someone to deliver it today." "Your Highness is so thoughtful!"

Lu Fusheng said, "On behalf of my son, I thank Your Highness."

"Lord Lü, there's no need for such formality."

Lin Jiangnian waved his hand, his expression still lazy, not taking it to heart.

But the more relaxed he appeared, the more cautious Lü Fusheng became.

What on earth is that Crown Prince of Lin up to today?

What on earth does he want to do?
The Crown Prince of Lin seemed to have no intention of leaving after arriving today. He didn't explain his purpose, but simply sat down, giving Lü Fusheng a real headache.

He can't drive him away!

Even if he were still the Minister of Personnel, let alone now, he wouldn't dare to dismiss the Crown Prince of Lin at will.

Seeing that Lin Jiangnian seemed to intend to stay here, Lü Fusheng's eyes flickered with hidden emotions for a long time before he finally spoke: "Since Your Highness has come to my Lü residence today, why not have a meal here? My residence is not as grand as the Prince Lin's residence, please forgive me."

"Alright."

Lin Jiangnian nodded, looking like he was planning to freeload a meal here today.

Seeing this, Lü Fusheng didn't say anything more: "Then I'll take my leave!"

After saying that, he got up and left the hall. As soon as he entered the backyard, he ran into Lü Xuan and Tao Ya, who had rushed over.

"Dad, what's going on?"

Seeing his father's gloomy face, Lü Xuan quickly stepped forward.

"The Crown Prince of Lin has arrived!"

Lu Fusheng's face darkened: "I'm not going to stay here."

"Refusing to leave?"

Lu Xuan was taken aback: "What does he want to do?"

"I don't know."

Lu Fusheng spoke in a deep voice, unsure of what the Prince of Lin's heir was really up to. The more this was the case, the more uneasy he felt.

"This kid is probably playing mind games with me!"

Lu Fusheng said in a deep voice, "He's probably eyeing our Lu family."

Lu Xuan frowned: "Father, when has our Lu family ever offended him? Why is he targeting us like this?"

Lu Fusheng remained silent; many things were difficult to explain. Whether his Lu family had any grudges with the Prince of Lin's mansion was unclear to everyone.

"Since he is willing to stay, then let him stay."

Lu Fusheng said, "Tell the servants in the manor to take good care of him and not neglect him, so that he will find an excuse to cause trouble. As for him wanting to stay, let him stay. Keep an eye on his movements and see what tricks he is up to!"

Lu Xuan nodded, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "Father, should I go see him?"

Lu Fusheng was about to refuse, but then he thought of something, glanced at Lu Xuan, hesitated for a moment, and nodded: "Alright."

"But be careful not to get into any conflict with him."

"Don't worry, Father, I won't."

Lu Xuan nodded, then straightened his clothes and said to Tao Ya beside him, "Ya'er, you should go back first. I'm going to see the Prince of Lin."

Tao Ya nodded, but did not leave. Instead, she went to the courtyard gate, closer to the courtyard. Standing there, she tried to look into the courtyard with some worry in her eyes.

But you can't see anything.

……

The main hall in the courtyard.

Lin Jiangnian remained seated lazily in the main seat, acting as if he owned the place.

Until, a footstep approached.

"Meet His Highness the Crown Prince!"

Lu Xuan, dressed in a long blue robe, appeared in the hall and bowed to Lin Jiangnian.

Lin Jiangnian sized him up, raising an eyebrow: "You're Lü Xuan?"

"Your Highness, this humble subject is indeed Lü Xuan."

"Tsk, he really is handsome and has a scholarly air about him."

Lü Xuan said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

"I wasn't praising you."

Lin Jiangnian glanced at him: "You have too much yin and not enough yang. It's obvious that you're very weak!"

Lu Xuan was taken aback, then gave a wry smile: "Your Highness is indeed discerning."

"Is it really kidney deficiency?"

Lin Jiangnian was surprised.

He just thought Lü Xuan looked like a pretty boy with poor blood and energy. He never expected him to have kidney deficiency?

"It wouldn't be considered kidney deficiency."

Lu Xuan was quite frank, replying, "I've always been physically weak since childhood, not as healthy as a normal person. However, it doesn't affect my normal life."

"Young Master Lü is quite frank."

Lin Jiang chuckled lightly, then seemed to remember something: "The woman I saw last time, was she Young Master Lü's wife?"

"It is my wife."

Lü Xuan nodded.

"Young Master Lü is truly blessed to have such a beautiful wife!" Lin Jiangnian exclaimed.

Lu Xuan didn't know why Lin Jiangnian would suddenly bring this up, but he still cautiously said, "Thank you for your praise, Your Highness."

"I wonder if Young Master Lü's wife is at your residence today? Would you allow me to see her?"

Lin Jiangnian suddenly spoke.

Lu Xuan's gaze suddenly sharpened.

What do you mean?
Why does the Crown Prince of Lin suddenly want to see his wife?
Meeting Lin Jiangnian's ambiguous smile, Lü Xuan's heart sank: "I wonder why Your Highness suddenly wishes to see my wife?"

Lin Jiangnian smiled faintly: "It's nothing, it's just that I've heard that Young Master Lü's beloved wife is the eldest daughter of the Tao family. She is beautiful and talented, but I've never had the chance to meet her."

"Since I happen to have some free time today, I would like to meet her. I wonder if Young Master Lü would do me the honor?"

Hearing this, a surge of anger welled up in Lü Xuan's heart.

To say you want to see his wife in front of him? Such frivolous words are clearly an act of harassing and humiliating his wife to his face.

Which man could tolerate that?

No man can stand it.

But Lü Xuan endured it!
He suppressed his anger, clenched his fists under his sleeves, and ultimately did not show any sign of anger.

He is very sensible.

The man before him was the Crown Prince of Lin, a man of immense power and influence, whom he could not afford to offend.

Furthermore, the other party's request, at least literally, was not unreasonable. While the Crown Prince of Lin verbally asked if it could be discussed, he actually had no intention of giving him a chance to negotiate.

If they were to turn against each other now, it would be extremely detrimental to the Lü family.

Thinking of this, Lü Xuan took a deep breath and suppressed the anger in his heart.

You must not get angry, and you must not have a conflict with him.

This Prince Lin's heir might be doing this on purpose, trying to provoke him and then find fault with the Lü family!

Thinking of this, Lü Xuan forced a smile again.

"of course can."

"Since Your Highness wishes to see her, then this humble subject will go and fetch her so that Your Highness may meet her."

"..."

(End of this chapter)