Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Wedding Dress
Duke Dingguo Mansion.
Lu Zhan had just returned to the mansion when he saw his father’s attendant, Zhao Changping, waiting for him.
"Princely Heir." Zhao Changping stepped forward and bowed.
"Is Father looking for me?" Lu Zhan asked.
"Yes, the Duke had this servant wait here for you. He asks that you go to Vermilion Bird Hall upon your return," Zhao Changping replied.
Hearing this, Lu Zhan said nothing more and went straight to Vermilion Bird Hall.
When he arrived, he saw his father sitting in a chair, wiping his sword with a cloth.
"Father." Lu Zhan walked over slowly.
Lu Zhenbei looked up at him, then gestured to the chair opposite him. "Sit."
Lu Zhan sat down as instructed.
Lu Zhenbei put down the cloth and sheathed his sword.
"This sword was personally forged for me by your grandfather when he was still alive," Lu Zhenbei said, handing the weapon to his son. "I’ve used it ever since I first went to war. It’s been with me for decades, and it still cuts through iron as if it were mud."
Lu Zhan took the sword and examined it. It was forged from the finest Profound Iron and was incredibly sharp. Moreover, his father had wielded it on every battlefield, using it to claim countless enemy heads. As a result, the blade had been honed to an even finer edge, and it exuded a bone-chilling aura.
But he knew his father didn’t want to talk about the sword. He wanted to talk about himself.
Realizing this, he set the sword down and said with a sigh, "Father, I have no intention of rebelling."
Lu Zhenbei was just lifting his teacup for a sip. He choked on his tea when he heard this. "COUGH, COUGH, COUGH... You don’t?"
"Of course not," Lu Zhan said seriously.
"But I saw how you openly clashed with the Crown Prince in court this morning. You have to understand, the Crown Prince is the son of the late Empress and the Emperor’s favorite child. The throne will surely be his one day. By offending him today, you’ve not only put yourself in danger, but you’ve also doomed the entire Duke Dingguo Mansion..." Lu Zhenbei’s expression was grave. "Rather than wait to be purged in the future, we should make our move now, while we still have the initiative."
"We must certainly make plans, but not for rebellion," Lu Zhan said. "The Lu Family’s century of good repute cannot be destroyed by our hands. Besides, there are other worthy individuals within the Imperial Family."
Lu Zhenbei knew his son had a point, but he couldn’t help feeling a little disappointed to learn he lacked that ambition. ’He was actually hoping to go all out.’
He had already made up his mind to conquer the world for his son, but it turned out his son only wanted to support someone else.
Seeing his father’s dejected look, Lu Zhan was somewhat amused. He cleared his throat and said gently, "Father, you’ve spent half your life on the battlefield. It’s time for you to enjoy a peaceful life. How could I let you worry and toil for me again? Rest assured, I can handle this and will ensure the Lu Family remains safe."
Seeing how confident his son was, Lu Zhenbei could only say, "Since you have your own ideas, I won’t say any more. But if you ever need me, just ask."
"I will." Lu Zhan nodded.
He had just returned to Qingyun Residence when Chen Jiu followed him in.
"Princely Heir, my men have found some leads regarding the Crown Prince’s crimes."
Lu Zhan wasn’t surprised they had news so quickly.
His subordinates were experts at gathering intelligence. And the Crown Prince, shielded by the Emperor, had always acted arrogantly and without any attempt at concealment.
"What kind of leads?" Lu Zhan asked.
"The Crown Prince is involved in the abduction and trafficking of young women," Chen Jiu said in a low voice.
Even though Lu Zhan knew the Crown Prince was corrupt and had committed countless evil deeds, he never imagined he would dare to involve himself in something like this.
In the Great Chen, abducting and trafficking women from good families was a capital offense punishable by beheading, and it was a crime the Emperor particularly loathed.
If the Emperor were to find out the Crown Prince had done such a thing, he would surely be disappointed in him.
"Is this true?" Lu Zhan asked.
"Absolutely! The Crown Prince has a subordinate named Feng Ziliang who handles this for him specifically. He gathers the women abducted from various regions and holds them in one location. After ’training’ them, he sells them off to different places, and all the Silver he earns goes to the Crown Prince." Chen Jiu was indignant. "To think he is the Crown Prince! How could he commit such a heinous act!"
Lu Zhan sneered. "Who knows how many other heinous things the Crown Prince has done. This is likely just the tip of the iceberg. Still, this incident alone is enough to make the Emperor utterly disappointed in him."
’That dog of a Crown Prince is unworthy of his station,’ Chen Jiu thought, growing excited. ’If he ascends the throne one day, the common people will surely suffer terribly. It’s better to have him deposed now.’
"Princely Heir, what should we do next?" Chen Jiu asked, clenching his fists.
Lu Zhan asked, "Have you found the place where those women are being held?"
"We have," Chen Jiu replied.
Lu Zhan mused, "The autumn hunt is coming up soon. If the Emperor and the entire imperial court were to see those women, even if he wanted to protect the Crown Prince, I’m afraid he wouldn’t be able to."
Chen Jiu’s eyes lit up. "Your subordinate will get on it right away."
"Be careful. Don’t let a word of this get out," Lu Zhan warned.
"Yes, sir."
「...」
A few days later, Zhi Wan’s wedding dress was ready, and Lady Wei personally delivered it to her.
Ouyang Zhenzhu happened to be there as well. Her eyes filled with amazement when she saw the dress. "This wedding dress is so beautiful."
"Isn’t it? I think so too," Lady Wei said with a smile, urging Zhi Wan to change. "Go try it on and see if it fits. If it doesn’t, there’s still time to have them alter it."
"Wanwan, hurry and go! Let us see you in it," Ouyang Zhenzhu also urged. She couldn’t wait to see what Wanwan looked like in her wedding dress.
Zhi Wan also wanted to see if the dress fit, so she agreed and went to change.
When she emerged from the inner chamber wearing the wedding dress, Ouyang Zhenzhu was completely stunned. "Wanwan, you’re gorgeous."
Lady Wei nodded in constant praise. "Our Wan’er is already beautiful, but this dress makes her even more so. And it fits perfectly."
Hearing this, Zhi Wan looked in the mirror.
Her reflection, clad in the crimson wedding dress, was indescribably beautiful.
"Miss, the Princely Heir is here," Shuang’er reported, walking in just then.
Before Zhi Wan could react, she heard Ouyang Zhenzhu say with a grin, "Mr. Lu has perfect timing! Shuang’er, quickly, invite Mr. Lu in!"
Zhi Wan was startled and hurriedly tried to stop her. "Don’t—"
But Shuang’er had already turned and left.
Seeing this, Zhi Wan quickly lifted her hem to retreat into the inner chamber but was stopped by Lady Wei.
She smiled comfortingly. "It’s alright. There’s no harm in letting your cousin see. We’re all here, after all."
’But Zhi Wan still felt awkward and uncomfortable. She wasn’t ready for her cousin to see her like this yet.’
But she had no chance to retreat, because Lu Zhan walked in right behind Shuang’er.
Lu Zhan froze for a moment when he saw Zhi Wan standing in the room, dressed in her crimson wedding gown.
However, upon seeing his mother and Ouyang Zhenzhu nearby, he quickly regained his usual composure.
"Mother," he greeted Lady Wei calmly.
Ouyang Zhenzhu, who had been waiting for some drama, couldn’t help but feel disappointed by his placid reaction. ’Wanwan looks so beautiful, but Mr. Lu’s response is just too dull.’
Unwilling to let it go, she said, "Mr. Lu, did you see the wedding dress Wanwan is wearing?"
