My Lady Says She Wants to Marry Me - Chapter 26

Chapter 26

The dazzling morning light streamed through the window. Lying on the bed, Lu Youming’s eyelashes fluttered slightly, and before long, she slowly opened her eyes. Beside her, she heard the steady sound of someone else’s breathing.

Looking down, Lu Youming saw Su Wanrou pressed tightly against her, sleeping sweetly. She smiled softly and reached out to stroke Su Wanrou’s hair. Feeling the touch, Su Wanrou gradually opened her eyes and was met with Lu Youming’s soft profile.

Without makeup, the hard lines of Lu Youming’s face were gone, replaced by the heroic and spirited look of a young female general. Her gaze was clear and sharp, candid and fearless. Their breaths were almost entangled, the warm, fragrant air drifting into each other’s senses.

Su Wanrou lay in Lu Youming’s arms, listening to her steady heartbeat, and instinctively rubbed her head against Lu Youming’s chest. Lu Youming’s body tensed instantly. Her heartbeat, which had been slow and steady, suddenly began to drum like a rapid rainstorm—thump-thump, thump-thump.

Listening to the frantic rhythm, the corners of Su Wanrou’s mouth curled up wordlessly. Her eyes crinkled like crescents. She listened for a good while until she felt satisfied, then slowly sat up. Lu Youming let out a visible sigh of relief. She watched as Su Wanrou, dressed in white inner robes, gave a long, lazy stretch, and only after admiring the view did she get out of bed.

“Are you returning to Qinghe today?” Su Wanrou asked, pacing the room in her thin robes. Lu Youming sat on the bed and nodded. “Yes.”

“I am going back with you,” Su Wanrou said decisively, picking up a sky-blue dress and walking to Lu Youming’s side.

“Your leg injury isn’t healed yet. Rest first, and I’ll come back to get you later,” Lu Youming said helplessly, noticing that Su Wanrou still walked with a slight limp.

“If I go back, I can keep an eye on those people for you. Otherwise, you’ll be fooled by them and won’t even know it.” Su Wanrou set the dress down and sat beside Lu Youming.

“I am your ‘husband,’ after all. Who would dare fool me? Aren’t they afraid my father-in-law will submit a memorial against them?” Lu Youming playfully flicked the tip of Su Wanrou’s nose.

Having not heard her father mentioned in a long time, Su Wanrou’s gaze turned blank. “What’s wrong?” Lu Youming leaned in close with concern.

Su Wanrou suddenly reached out and grabbed Lu Youming’s ear, saying seriously: “In the future, do not tell anyone you are his son-in-law. It’s enough that people know it in their hearts, but you must not say it.”

“Eh? Why?” Even hearing such an distancing remark, Lu Youming didn’t overthink it. She felt the pressure on her ear—it was gentle, with no force behind it at all.

A mocking glint flashed in Su Wanrou’s eyes. “My relationship with him is not good. He is a narrow-minded man. From now on, unless absolutely necessary, stay as far away from him as possible.”

Su Wanrou didn’t voice the rest: if there were an opportunity to trample on Lu Youming, her dear father would likely be the first to act. He could both gain a reputation for ‘sacrificing family for justice’ and stab her in the heart simultaneously; he would probably be delighted. After all, he was a man who dreaded being tainted by the Shao family’s reputation. He enjoyed the shortcuts the Shao family provided him, yet felt ashamed when others mentioned he rose to prominence through them. Such a person was a typical hypocrite who wanted to have his cake and eat it too.

Su Wanrou hated him in her heart. After all, her mother’s mourning period hadn’t even passed its twenty-first day before he was impatient to bring a concubine home. Such a person was disgusting.

Seeing the fleeting flash of hatred and stifled frustration in her eyes, Lu Youming realized Su Wanrou’s life in the Su household must not have been easy. Lu Youming took the initiative to hug her, whispering in her ear, “It’s all in the past. We will live well together from now on and ignore him.”

Su Wanrou rested her chin on Lu Youming’s shoulder, soaking in the comfort. Lu Youming’s waist was soft to hold, and her long hair fell over Su Wanrou’s back. They held each other in silence until a maid knocked on the door, startling them into a panicked release.

Seeing Lu Youming hurriedly trying to draw her eyebrows, Su Wanrou pulled her back and said softly, “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell them to come in; they won’t enter.”

Lu Youming breathed a sigh of relief. If she walked out like this, it would be easy for someone to discover she was a woman disguised as a man.

“Come, let me comb your hair.” Su Wanrou pulled Lu Youming down to her dressing table and began to comb through the long hair with a horn comb. In the clear bronze mirror, the faces of two women were reflected: one a graceful beauty, the other a spirited officer; one standing, one sitting.

I shall draw the moth-brows for my lady.

Su Wanrou never imagined she would one day comb hair and set a cap for someone else, nor did she expect to see Lu Youming drawing her eyebrows for her.

Outside the door, the maids watched as a hand reached out from the lady’s bedroom to take the hot washing water. Just as they were about to enter, the door slammed shut with a bang. The maids looked at each other helplessly. With a young master around, would they even have anything to do in the future?

Lu Youming handed a damp cloth to Su Wanrou to wipe her face. She then began picking through the items on the dressing table, selecting two boxes of rouge suitable for Su Wanrou.

“Are you really going to do my makeup?” Su Wanrou looked at her expectantly. Lu Youming placed the rouge in front of her, her actions showing she was serious. She cupped Su Wanrou’s face. “Close your eyes.”

Lu Youming didn’t choose the lead powder containing heavy metals. Instead, she simply trimmed Su Wanrou’s eyebrows and reshaped them with a brow pencil. She applied a light layer of rouge to Su Wanrou’s cheeks, adding a faint, healthy glow, and a touch of pale pink lip gloss to brighten her complexion. For the final step, she held Su Wanrou’s face and carefully outlined the brow shape. The slender “willow-leaf” brows became more defined, the peaks clear and the tails tapering naturally.

“What are you all doing gathered here? Where are the Miss and the Master?” Nanny Lin from the inner court walked in urgently. Seeing the maids idling in the courtyard, her brows shot up.

“Reporting to Nanny Lin, the Master and Miss have not yet come out of the room,” Su Wanrou’s head maid said calmly with a bow.

“Go knock on the door. Tell them to get up; the Master has urgent business and needs the young Master,” Nanny Lin said anxiously.

At that moment, the door creaked open. Lu Youming, dressed in dark blue robes, stepped out. She and Su Wanrou had heard the voices as soon as they finished the makeup. Without even time to admire each other’s looks, Su Wanrou had helped Lu Youming into her clothes and checked for flaws before letting her open the door.

Seeing Lu Youming, Nanny Lin hurried forward to bow. “Young Master, the Elder Master has an important guest. The guest requests your company.”

“Very well. I’ll go after speaking with my wife. Please wait a moment, Nanny Lin.” Lu Youming’s expression was composed. She turned back into the room to look at Su Wanrou, who had just put on her long skirt.

“Uncle has a guest and wants me to meet them.” Lu Youming stood by Su Wanrou and tucked her long hair properly into her clothes.

“It should be the official sent by the court to oversee the disaster relief. Perhaps because you miraculously survived the flood with me, they want to see you,” Su Wanrou guessed. “Eat something before you go. No matter how urgent, it won’t be that urgent. Just follow Uncle’s lead when you see them; he will give you cues.” She patted Lu Youming’s hand, signaling her to relax.

Lu Youming nodded. She took a deep breath and spun around under Su Wanrou’s gaze. “Do you see any flaws?” The dark blue hem fluttered. Her bright, bold gaze gradually settled into a calm, almost restrained composure. Her movements slowed, the youthful vibrancy fading into a steady, dignified aura. She looked like a completely different person.

Seeing Lu Youming “change faces” for the first time, Su Wanrou stroked her chin and circled her. She nodded. “Perfect. A true, elegant young gentleman.”

“I have already passed my twentieth year,” Lu Youming corrected helplessly.

“I don’t care. You look younger than a boy of seventeen or eighteen.” Su Wanrou reached out to hug her. Over the last two days, she had become accustomed to hugging Lu Youming. However, the one being hugged would always freeze like someone in a novel who had been hit in a pressure point.

Ultimately, Lu Youming left the Lanzhi Courtyard with a slightly red face.

Nanny Lin, being an old servant of the Shao family, was happy to see the couple getting along so well. To her, family harmony was everything. She led Lu Youming away with a smile. Lu Youming followed Su Wanrou’s advice and ate some breakfast before being escorted to the Prefect’s Office by an advisor.

Along the way, the advisor explained the guest’s background. “The one who has arrived is the Emperor’s youngest son, Prince Jian. He and the Grand Princess are children of the same mother. Prince Jian rarely travels, so we don’t know much. Just be respectful. Answer whatever he asks.” The advisor had little data on the Prince and could only stress the importance of extreme respect. He also wondered why a Prince would want to see an eighth-rank official—a Sheriff wasn’t even considered a “proper” official yet.

“Why would the Prince summon a minor official like me?” Lu Youming asked directly.

The advisor shook his head. “The Lord only passed on the message for you to meet the Prince; he didn’t say another word.”

The carriage stopped. Lu Youming opened the curtain and stepped out. The Prefect’s Office was surrounded by soldiers in armor—a post every three steps, a sentry every five. The street was cleared of civilians. After a soldier checked her identity, she was led inside.

Lu Youming kept her eyes down as she followed the guide through the back offices. She made no unnecessary movements—no glancing around or using her peripheral vision. She knew ancient people weren’t stupid; any suspicious behavior would be noted immediately. She was led into the administrative area. As she entered, everyone turned to look at her.

She was led forward. She raised her head slightly, her expression steady, and bowed with her hands clasped. The person sitting at the top sounded very young: “You may rise.”

“So you are Su the Censor’s son-in-law. I heard you and your wife survived the flood—a miracle indeed.” Prince Jian’s voice was youthful and lively.

“It was the protection of my ancestors,” Lu Youming replied humbly, thinking to herself that her “wife” had guessed correctly.

“Hahaha, that might not be it. You were washed away over a hundred li. You are quite a man to jump into the water to save your wife without hesitation. Raise your head; let this Prince look at you.”

Lu Youming raised her head to look at Prince Jian. He looked about seventeen or eighteen, but… Lu Youming’s eyes flickered. She seemed to have discovered a staggering secret.

“Mmhmm, a talent indeed,” Prince Jian nodded with satisfaction. Is ‘talent’ judged by the face now? Lu Youming wondered. She knew ancient people valued looks, but she didn’t expect it to be this extreme.

“Prefect Shao, this nephew-in-law of yours is quite good.” Prince Jian finally shifted his gaze to Shao Jiechuan. Shao Jiechuan, unsure of the Prince’s intent, could only bow modestly.

Lu Youming listened quietly with her head down. She was thinking that Prince Jian was so beautiful—had no one noticed she was a woman disguised as a man? Specifically, Prince Jian had quite a few flaws; at least, Lu Youming saw through it at a glance. She wanted to take another look but feared causing trouble.

Suddenly, she heard Prince Jian call her name. “Lu Youming, this Prince intends to appoint you as the Magistrate of Chongjiang County, a promotion of one rank.”

Lu Youming’s eyes widened. She immediately recalled Su Wanrou’s warning about being used as a stone pushed forward by others.

“Your Highness, Zijin did not come through the traditional Imperial Examination. Being a Sheriff is fine, but as the head of a locale, he is still too young,” Shao Jiechuan stood up to politely decline on her behalf.

Prince Jian waved a hand, and Shao Jiechuan was forced to fall silent. “Prefect Shao, this flood has submerged many cities. Many officials and their families died in the line of duty. My Father gave me the power to appoint Magistrates.”

Shao Jiechuan knew then that Lu Youming couldn’t refuse. It wasn’t just Jinling; surrounding prefectures were also desperate for leaders. Especially Chongjiang County, which was notoriously poor; no one wanted to go there. While it was technically a promotion, being sent to Chongjiang suggested the Prince might have a grudge—or worse. The name “Chongjiang” (Washed by the River) implied its fate; every flood, for better or worse, hit it hard.

Lu Youming wanted to decline, but seeing Shao Jiechuan’s eye signal, she had no choice but to accept. The promotion felt far too easy, but seeing her Uncle’s stiff expression, she knew being the Magistrate of Chongjiang would be no easy task.

After that, Prince Jian dismissed her to continue discussing relief efforts. The newly appointed Magistrate Lu received her fish tally, official seal, and a freshly made indigo-colored official robe. She held the clothes and was soon led to collect the disaster relief credentials. Tense, she took the grain and silver earmarked for Chongjiang. Two black-armored soldiers stood beside her, giving her no chance to resist.

Just as she was about to leave, a black-armored soldier stepped forward. “Lord Lu, the Prince says disaster relief cannot wait. We are to escort you to Chongjiang County immediately.”

Lu Youming, holding the clothes: “……”

Even a fool would know something was up for Prince Jian to be in such a hurry to send her there. Is this the dark side of ancient officialdom?

Lu Youming changed into her new robes and sat in the carriage, followed by the convoy of money and grain. “Sigh, I didn’t even get to say goodbye to my Wife. She must be worried,” she sighed, feeling a sudden urge to resign and just be a commoner.

Meanwhile, Su Wanrou was frantic when she heard Lu Youming had been “packed and shipped” off. Regardless of her leg injury, she ran to consult her grandfather. “Grandfather, has something happened to the family?”

“Zijin’s departure is a good thing. Do not worry. In a few days, I will send you to Chongjiang,” Shao Yun said, stopping her further questions. Su Wanrou relaxed slightly; as long as she could go to Chongjiang, it would be okay.

When Lu Youming reached the gates of Chongjiang County, she saw the city gates lying crooked on the ground, having been toppled by the water. The walls were collapsed in sections. The entire county seat was unrecognizable. Her heart sank as she imagined how bad the interior must be.

The group entered under the cover of night, their bright torches illuminating the lifeless town. Seeing the light, villagers with numb expressions crawled out from hiding spots, staring blankly. The soldiers accompanying Lu Youming were unfazed, their faces cold as they marched through the streets.

Looking at the starving, catatonic people, Lu Youming didn’t announce the relief grain yet. If she did, they might be swarmed and overwhelmed instantly. She decided to wait until her camp was established.

She already had three plans in mind:

1. Distribute grain at 9:00 AM tomorrow, with soldiers guarding to maintain order.

2. Announce ‘Work-for-Relief.’ Chongjiang needed rebuilding, and she needed manpower.

3. The court wouldn’t provide grain forever. She needed to find a fast-growing crop so the people could have a full meal by winter.

She would have the people outside the city farm and those inside the city rebuild houses. The grain she had would last 10,000 people for a month. After that, she would have to see what the court arranged. She could use grain as wages first (two bowls of thick porridge a day) and later distribute the relief silver as wages so they could buy their own food and jumpstart the local economy.

I don’t know the soldiers’ specific goal, but having them is enough to maintain order, she thought. Looking at the ruined houses, she thought of modern steel and concrete. Maybe these old houses should be phased out. Once things are settled, I can consider the ideas in my head.

She had many “good things” in her mind, but she couldn’t use them haphazardly. In this ancient society, having something valuable without the power to protect yourself was a death sentence.

Ah, finally getting to the infrastructure building phase!