Volume One, Chapter Nine: Lu Changqing Seeks a Place to Vent His Frustration

"Go tell Accountant Yang to clear our accounts and separate them from the Lu family's," Fang Qianxue said, gazing at the curling clouds on the horizon. "If they are willing to let that woman bleed them dry, I will not be a part of it."

Outside the Lu family study.

"Brother Yan, when did you return?" Lu Changqing had just stepped out of Songsong Abode. Seeing a man in a green robe standing outside his study, he felt a slight pang of guilt. "Are you here to see me about something?"

"Of course I am," Yan Fenghua said, his eyes darkening as he looked at him. "The Fang family has been exiled. Even an outsider like me knows to go to Luzhou to pull strings, yet you, as the Fang family's son-in-law, have distanced yourself completely!"

"Brother Yan, you misunderstand me. Before my teacher passed, he instructed me to take care of Qianxue and told me not to meddle in other affairs," Lu Changqing waved his hand, dismissed the maid at the study door, and walked inside. "The case of Prince Yong’s treason is no small matter. My caution is intended to protect Qianxue."

Yan Fenghua let out a cold snort and followed him into the study. "I heard you brought a woman back from Jiangning and intend to marry her with full honors. Is this how you protect Qianxue?"

"Stop with the 'Qianxue this' and 'Qianxue that'! She is my wife, Lu Changqing. Since when is it your place to address her by her given name?" With only the two of them in the study, Lu Changqing dropped the pretense. "Yes, I intend to marry Miaoyan. So what? Fang Qianxue is a woman of the Lu family, and the Three Obediences and Four Virtues are her duty!"

Struggling in his official career for years, he had long been jealous of Yan Fenghua’s higher rank. Recalling that Yan had also once asked for Fang Qianxue’s hand in marriage only fueled his irritation.

"Have you forgotten the vow you made the day Yao'er and Yuan'er were born?" Yan Fenghua, exasperated, grabbed his wrist.

Reminded, Lu Changqing suddenly recalled the difficult birth of his two children. He had knelt outside the delivery room for an entire night, swearing to the heavens that if they would spare his wife and children, he would treat them well for the rest of his life, or else be struck by lightning.

Perhaps the vow was heard; the following morning, Fang Qianxue safely gave birth to a pair of twins.

"I have not forgotten!" Lu Changqing shook off his hand. "I, Lu Changqing, will keep the vows I make. Besides, marrying the Xu woman is merely to ensure a lineage for my elder brother; I never said I wouldn't treat Qianxue and our children well!"

The vow that night had been sincere. When he learned his wife and children were safe, he had genuinely thought, "With a wife like this, what more could a man ask for?"

But... people change.

Prince Yong was dead, the Fang family had fallen, and Xu Miaoyan had appeared.

"Brother Lu! That woman Xu is of unknown origin and rife with suspicious circumstances. Think carefully!" Yan Fenghua urged.

"Suspicious?" A flicker of light passed through Lu Changqing's eyes, but it vanished instantly. "Say no more! Miaoyan is a rare omen of prosperity, something not seen in our Great Yong for a century; she is not to be compared with ordinary women. My feelings for her are something others cannot understand!"

***

"Grandfather’s suicide was not an admission of guilt; there is a hidden truth to Prince Yong’s case..." Fang Qianxue read the words on the letter softly, then slowly closed her eyes.

How could this be? They clearly said her grandfather had left a confession!

She searched her memory for the plot of the novel *The Powerful Official’s Younger Brother Inherits Two Branches, Cherishing Her to the Bone*. Prince Yong was undeniably the villain. The protagonist’s older brother had exposed Prince Yong’s treason, and subsequently, the male lead, Lu Changqing, had gained great merit by judging and executing the remnants of the prince’s faction, allowing his career to skyrocket.

Yet, her younger brother, Fang Jue, claimed in the letter that there was a hidden truth. Could it be that the male lead’s so-called "great merit" was entirely fabricated?

"Qianxue, what are you thinking about?" A familiar male voice, laced with the scent of alcohol, sounded beside her ear.

"Why didn't you have someone announce your arrival, Second Master?" Fang Qianxue opened her eyes and hurriedly tucked the letter into a drawer. Fortunately, Lu Changqing had never shown interest in her reading material and would not snatch it away.

"I wanted to surprise you, so I told the maids not to disturb you," Lu Changqing sat beside her and asked softly, "What were you reading just now?"

"Fang Jue sent a letter," Fang Qianxue closed the drawer. "Nothing much, just saying that he, Mother, and the uncles are all in good health."

"I guessed it was Yan Fenghua who came to see you," Lu Changqing pulled her into his arms, his voice growing husky. "Qianxue, let me stay with you tonight."

He had been reminiscing about his youthful days and had consumed some medicinal wine in the study, feeling the urge to vent his desires. Xu Miaoyan spent her days playing the lady and wouldn't let him touch her; having been rebuffed by her several times recently, he had skipped Songsong Abode and come to Fang Qianxue instead.

Fang Qianxue tried to break free, but found the man’s strength overwhelming. "It is still early; don't let the maids see and laugh at us."

"What is there to fear? You and I are husband and wife."

Fang Qianxue suddenly remembered the same dialogue from when they used to tease each other in the past. But now, the thrill was gone, replaced only by resistance.

The man, unable to restrain his desires any longer, lunged at her like a wild horse.