Chapter 63: Lu Clan Operation 2

A few days later, Kunning Palace held a Banquet.

Empress Ma, to warm up for the Crown Prince Marriage, invited many daughters of noble families into the palace.

Lu Chan was also among the invitees.

The Banquet was set in the Imperial Garden, where autumn chrysanthemums were in bloom, the whole garden a golden yellow.

Empress Ma sat on the Main Seat, Chang Wan sat beside her, helping to receive the guests.

Lu Chan, following her mother, sat at the lower seat, her eyes occasionally glancing toward the Main Seat.

She saw Chang Wan dressed in a light pink palace outfit, her demeanor graceful and proper, and her expression affectionate when speaking with Empress Ma!

This is the future Crown Princess, Chang Yuchun's daughter...

Although she does not wish to enter the inner palace, her father and others have already decided, and she will certainly become a Prince's Side Concubine.

For some reason, she feels a bit envious.

When the Banquet was halfway through, Empress Ma smiled: "The weather is fine today; ladies and miss, you need not be restrained by etiquette, feel free to stroll around the garden."

The guests thanked her and dispersed in small groups.

Lu Chan seized an opportunity, walked to Chang Wan's side, knelt and said: "I, servant Lu Chan, have the honor of meeting Miss Chang."

Chang Wan turned to look at her and smiled: "Miss Lu, no need for excessive courtesy."

"Miss Chang, I have long heard of your combined talent and beauty; to see you today, the reputation is indeed well deserved," Lu Chan said softly.

"Miss Lu, you flatter me; I heard you excel in qin, chess, calligraphy and painting—truly a genuine talented woman," Chang Wan said, appraising her.

After a few polite exchanges, Lu Chan probed: "Miss Chang, you and the Crown Prince have been childhood sweethearts; that is truly enviable."

Chang Wan smiled: "Indeed, the Prince and I grew up together, so our bond is naturally deep."

"May I ask what the Crown Prince usually likes? I think, since the Crown Prince Marriage is a great affair, we should prepare some congratulatory gifts," Lu Chan asked.

Chang Wan glanced at her and said lightly: "The Prince enjoys reading, playing chess, and also horseback archery, but Miss Lu need not trouble herself with gifts; the Prince has said the marriage will be kept simple."

"I see..." Lu Chan sensed the distance in her words, felt a hidden irritation, yet kept a respectful demeanor.

Just then, Zhu Biao walked over from afar.

"Wan'er," Zhu Biao called.

Chang Wan turned and smiled: "Prince, why have you come?"

"Father has business for us, passing by the Imperial Garden, saw you here, so I came to take a look."

Zhu Biao said, turning to Lu Chan: "This person is..."

"I, servant Lu Chan, have met the Crown Prince," Lu Chan quickly performed a bow.

Zhu Biao nodded: "Miss Lu, no need for excessive courtesy."

Lu Chan lifted her head, looking at Zhu Biao.

The Crown Prince truly was as the rumors described—refined and elegant, with delicate features and a composed temperament.

Her heart fluttered, and the earlier reluctance instantly dissipated; she could not help but softly say: "Prince, I have recently been reading the Book of Songs, and there is a passage I do not understand; may I consult you?"

Zhu Biao replied: "Please, Miss Lu, go ahead."

"In the 'Guan Ju' passage, 'A graceful and modest lady, a gentleman seeks a suitable mate,' I do not understand why the gentleman seeks to marry the lady, rather than the lady seeking to marry the gentleman?" Lu Chan asked.

Chang Wan, listening nearby, frowned slightly.

Zhu Biao smiled: "'Guan Ju' speaks of the love between men and women; a gentleman admires a modest lady and naturally seeks to marry her—this is human nature, unrelated to rank."

"I see… Prince, you are learned; I have been taught," Lu Chan said softly.

Zhu Biao nodded and said to Chang Wan: "Wan'er, Father is still waiting for us at Wu Ying Hall; let's go there first."

"Prince, take care," Chang Wan said.

After Zhu Biao left, Lu Chan watched his silhouette, a hint of infatuation flashing in her eyes.

Chang Wan saw this, sneered inwardly, yet her face remained gentle as she said: "Miss Lu, the chrysanthemums over there are in full bloom; shall we go take a look?"

"Alright." Lu Chan withdrew her gaze and followed Chang Wan.

After the Banquet ended, Lu Chan returned to the residence, where Lv Ben hurriedly asked: "How did it go, were you able to see the Prince?"

"I saw him; the Crown Prince truly is benevolent and gentle, and his relationship with Chang Wan is very close," Lu Chan nodded.

"No matter how close the bond, it cannot surpass a newcomer; did you have a chance to speak with the Crown Prince?" Lv Ben asked involuntarily.

"I exchanged a sentence or two and asked a question, but Chang Wan was watching nearby, so it wasn't easy to have a deep conversation," Lu Chan said.

Lv Ben pondered: "No problem, take it slowly; after the Crown Prince Marriage, the Eastern Palace will need more people, and then Father will find a way."

"Father, I think… Chang Wan is not easy to get along with; she appears gentle but is actually very shrewd," Lu Chan whispered.

"That is natural; Chang Yuchun's daughter would not be a fool. Yet however shrewd she is, she cannot defy the Emperor's will; as long as the Emperor nods, what can she do?" Lu said.

Lu Chan fell silent.

A few days later, Wu Ying Hall.

Zhu Yuanzhang looked at the memorial in his hand and said to Zhu Biao: "Biao'er, Wang Baobao submitted a petition, saying to cut the army, to disperse those Mongol soldiers who do not obey, leaving only those willing to follow the rules."

Zhu Biao replied: "That's a good thing; if Father approves, it will be done."

"We will approve, but we think those dispersed Mongol soldiers need proper resettlement; we cannot let them become bandits roaming outside," Zhu Yuanzhang said, putting down the memorial.

"Father says they can be given land by local authorities to settle down," Zhu Biao said.

"Alright, let's do it that way. By the way, how is your preparation for the marriage?" Zhu Yuanzhang said, nodding.

"Everything is ready; we're just waiting for the day," Zhu Biao replied.

Zhu Yuanzhang smiled: "Good, after your marriage, we'll let you act as regent; we'll both be at ease."

Just as the father and son were speaking, Empress Ma entered.

"Zhong Ba, Biao'er, the marriage gift list has been drafted; take a look," Empress Ma said.

Zhu Yuanzhang took the list, glanced over it and said: "Alright, we'll proceed with this. That old fellow Chang Yuchun, we must not shortchange his daughter."

Zhu Biao laughed: "Father, Chang Shu said, no bride price is needed, as long as Wan'er lives well, that's enough."

"He may not want it, but we have to give it; that's the rule. By the way, sister, how about Yong Er that boy and Guanyin Nu? Have the two been going out together lately…"

Zhu Yuanzhang asked curiously.

Empress Ma, thinking of her second son, laughed: "The two have been going out together often lately; their relationship is getting better!"

"Good, that's fine. After Biao's marriage, we will issue an edict to grant Yong Er a marriage." Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.

Zhu Biao said: "Father, does the second brother know?"

"Not yet told him; that simpleton, the two are already like this, we can just issue the edict directly." Zhu Yuanzhang laughed.

Empress Ma said: "Zhong Ba, still tell Yong Er first, don't scare him."

"Fine, I'll heed the sister." Zhu Yuanzhang nodded.

A few days later, at the Lu Residence.

Lv Ben returned from court, his complexion not looking good.

Lu Chan came up: "Father, what's wrong?"

"At this morning's court, the Emperor said that after the Crown Prince Marriage, he will arrange a marriage for Prince Wu, granting Guanyin Nu to Prince Wu." Lv Ben said in a deep voice.

Lu Chan was startled: "Guanyin Nu? Wang Baobao's sister?"

"Yes! The Emperor wants to bring the Mongols over as well; if Prince Wu marries Guanyin Nu, the Mongols will be more loyal." Lv Ben said.

"Then… wouldn't Prince Wu's power become even greater?" Lu Chan said.

"Indeed! Prince Wu is already brave, and now has Mongol support… but it's fortunate that Prince Wu is a simpleton who doesn't understand power struggles, otherwise…" Lv Ben frowned.

He shook his head and said no more.

Lu Chan's mind, however, turned over a few thoughts.

If Prince Wu marries Guanyin Nu, then the Crown Prince's side…

"Father, the matter of my entering the Crown Prince's Residence…" she whispered.

Lv Ben glanced at her and said: "We'll discuss after the Crown Prince Marriage; now is not the time to act."

"Daughter understands."

After Lu Chan left, Lv Ben sat alone in the study, his fingers lightly tapping the desk.

Prince Wu marries Guanyin Nu, the Crown Prince marries Chang Wan, the Emperor wants to bring both generals and Mongols into the royal fold.

As for those civil officials…

A hint of gloom flashed in Lv Ben's eyes.

Seems we must speed up our actions.