Chapter 84

Taipingzhuang.

Over the past year, under Jia Sixie’s management, Taipingzhuang had developed remarkably.

Surrounding the central stronghold, a small town had taken shape.

Within the town, a marketplace had been built—large in scale—where nearby tenant farmers and herders conducted daily trade, and even merchants from Ma Yi and Jinyang sold various everyday goods.

On the high tower of the stronghold, Li Shuang announced:

“From today, you are the mistress of this place!”

After marrying Li Shuang, Du Gu Ru brought her entire Du Gu tribe as her dowry.

Three thousand Xiongnu elite cavalry, assorted Hu Ren servants, and vast herds of cattle, sheep, gold, silver, and silk.

As a woman, managing such a large tribe with such order proved she possessed exceptional administrative ability.

Her first action was to summon the ledgers.

Audit the accounts!

As Du Gu Ru read the ledgers, her frown deepened.

Jia Sixie, standing nearby, asked:

“Madam, is there anything unclear in the accounts?”

“No.”

Du Gu Ru looked up at Li Shuang, a fox-like smile on her face.

“I’ve just realized—you’ve been hiding quite a few treasures!”

Li Shuang laughed heartily.

“Outside the estate, Jia Sixie handles affairs; inside, everything is yours.”

Du Gu Ru nodded and dismissed Jia Sixie.

The room was left with only him and Li Shuang.

Du Gu Ru’s gaze was clear, her face faintly smiling.

“What did your little niece say about me?”

“Which little niece?”

“Who else could it be? Er Zhu Ying’e!”

One must admit, a woman’s intuition can be terrifying.

Du Gu Ru’s gaze grew increasingly piercing.

“Didn’t she say anything about me to you?”

“What would she say about you?”

“Really?”

“Of course it’s true!”

Du Gu Ru turned away, took two steps, then turned back—her expression had changed.

“Husband, do you know what your most important task is right now?”

“Hmm?”

“It’s to take two more concubines!”

Li Shuang looked utterly confused.

“What?”

Li Shuang had never met a woman this generous—he had never even imagined one like this.

Du Gu Ru touched her belly, smiling gently:

“My belly is swelling soon—I won’t be able to serve you properly anymore. Rather than let you seek wild flowers outside, why not plant two flowers at home?”

Li Shuang firmly refused.

“Aru, where do you get such ideas? My heart holds only you.”

Du Gu Ru gave a light huff.

“Then why do you keep exchanging glances with the girls from the Yuwen and Heba families every day?”

“Where do you get that idea? Their fathers and brothers are far from home, lonely and helpless—I’m only helping them for a while. What could possibly happen?”

“But I asked Yuwen Lianyu and Heba Qianxue privately—they’re willing!”

Li Shuang’s expression changed.

“Their willingness is their affair—I am not that kind of man. Would you have me take care of another man’s women and end up in their bed? It would ruin my reputation!”

But Du Gu Ru soothed him gently:

“Husband, you overthink it. They are still unmarried, and if both parties agree, it’s a good thing. I say, pick a good day and take them in.”

“No. Absolutely not!”

Li Shuang refused again, sternly and decisively, then left without hesitation.

Only Du Gu Ru remained, a smile on her face.

“You dog of a man—you’re pretending!”

Xiurong.

“Why are you blocking me? My father needs me for urgent business!”

Er Zhu Ying’e intercepted Li Shuang on the way, her expression hostile.

“I heard you’re taking a concubine?”

Li Shuang frowned.

“How do you know?”

Er Zhu Ying’e sneered.

“The news is out—everyone in Si Zhou knows!”

Er Zhu Ying’e was furious, staring at Li Shuang.

“This is definitely Du Gu Ru’s doing!”

Li Shuang’s head ached.

Why are all these women’s intuitions so accurate?!

Seeing Li Shuang silent, Er Zhu Ying’e grew angrier.

“How old are you? She’s already arranging concubines for you—this is clearly targeting me!”

Li Shuang laughed it off.

“You’re overthinking it. Why would your third aunt target you?”

Er Zhu Ying’e fixed her gaze on Li Shuang, unflinching—making him feel guilty, so he turned his face away.

“Hmph, it’s definitely targeting me. I knew the moment I saw her. Don’t push me—I’ll do anything if you do!”

Er Zhu Ying’e threw down a threat and turned to leave.

Li Shuang shook his head.

“Who are you trying to scare?”

Inside the room, Er Zhu Rong and Yuan Tianmu had already been waiting.

Beside them sat a strikingly handsome man who, the moment Li Shuang entered, began sizing him up.

His gaze carried an air of condescending pride, stirring unease in Li Shuang.

“Tianba, why are you so late?”

Er Zhu Rong complained—though the irritation was not real; it was meant for the man beside him.

“I was delayed on the way.”

Yuan Tianmu smiled warmly, playing the peacemaker.

“No matter. We’re family. Let me introduce you—this is Yuan Ziyou, the Imperial Secretary in the Emperor’s court.”

Yuan Ziyou bowed.

“I’ve long heard of the fame of the Earl of Yunzhong!”

“The honor is mine!”

Unlike Yuan Tianmu, a distant relative, Yuan Ziyou’s father, Prince Pengcheng Yuan Xie, was the younger brother of Emperor Xiaowen Yuan Hong—highly respected.

Precisely because of this, Emperor Xuanwu Yuan Ke grew suspicious and ordered him poisoned.

Yuan Ziyou himself was not mistreated; instead, he became a companion to Emperor Yuan Xu, and the two were close.

It was Yuan Xu who sent him here.

“Yuan Yi’s ally, Yuan Faseng, rebelled in Pengcheng, declared himself emperor, and the court is in uproar. The imperial army has already been dispatched to suppress him.”

The situation in Luoyangcheng was tense.

Yuan Yi had recommended Yuan Faseng as Inspector of Xu Province, but the man rebelled upon arrival, leaving Yuan Yi in a desperate position.

“Now the greatest concern is that, with Yuan Yi caught between enemies, he may panic and strike rashly. His father, Yuan Ji, commands a large army outside the capital, while Yuan Yi controls the capital’s troops. If he rebels, the Emperor’s safety is at risk. The Emperor needs you to act from outside—and needs one man to accompany me to Luoyangcheng to coordinate internally.”

Er Zhu Rong bowed.

“My brother Li Shuang is fit for this task. He has deep ties with Li Chong and his son—they will surely support him and protect the Emperor’s safety.”

After Er Zhu Rong spoke, all three turned to Li Shuang.

Li Shuang looked shy.

“I’m just a rustic from the mountains—how can I shoulder such a heavy responsibility?”

But Yuan Ziyou showed no courtesy whatsoever.

Precisely because of this, Yuan Yi must not be alerted. Should the situation change, you must leave the city immediately and notify the Duke of Liang, so he can dispatch troops southward to punish the traitors.

……

After Yuan Ziyou left, Er Zhu Rong instructed:

“Tianba, your most important task in Luoyang is to regain the position of Governor of Bing Province.”

“Big brother, second brother, rest assured—I will get this done!”

Li Shuang departed with an unusually light step, yet this stirred unease in Er Zhu Rong’s heart.

He isn’t… can’t be… impossible, impossible!

That’s Luoyang, after all!