Chapter 1089 Relaxing And Cosy Days

　　With Princess Wuyang’s marriage, there was a period of time where the capital was enveloped in an atmosphere of sadness, the topics people would talk about after tea and meals as well as stories told by the storytellers in the tea houses have changed to everything related to Princess Wuyang. This was considered how much they missed this down-to-earth Princess.

　　With regards to Feng Yuheng and Xuan Tianming giving one hundred members of the divine army to Xuan Tiange as her dowry, it was also spread around. After people heard this, they started to comment emotionally about the Ninth Prince’s heart to protect his younger sister, as well as the sister and in-law relations of Princess Ji An and Princess Wuyang. Some people even let their imagination run wild, saying that if the people of Gu Shu dared to bully their Da Shun princess, then that one hundred divine army warriors would use the heavenly thunder in their hands to flatten Gu Shu, and Gu Shu would completely be part of Da Shun’s lands.

　　Of course, all of this was just imaginations, the people still hoped that Xuan Tiange could live well, at least that Gu Shu ruler’s appearance was rather good, and the rumours on the streets said that she treated her well. They hoped that this would be the case for their whole life, then Gu Shu and Da Shun could be peaceful for one hundred years.

　　The Eighth Prince fell from power and the Sixth prince became the regent. In the capital, in the imperial palace, at the court, everything looked peaceful and stable on the surface. But in reality, everyone was secretly guessing who would inherit this Da Shun throne in the end? Until now, why did the Ninth Prince act like this did not concern him at all? Sometimes, he would not even attend morning court, leaving the city frequently with Princess Yu, if they were not heading to camp, they were travelling around the suburbs, sometimes even staying in a village in the suburbs for a few days, spending their days leisurely and cosily, not caring about court politics. As if the court politics had nothing to do with them at all, they only cared about living happily.

　　Those people who leaned towards the Ninth Prince became a little restless. Even though the Sixth Prince was good as well, but it felt like he was missing something when compared to the Ninth Prince, he lacked dominance and was not imposing. The Sixth Prince was too refined, just like a scholar, handing Da Shun over to him, would it become a weak country? For the military and battle power, would it still be developed in the future? If they encounter a strong enemy, would they be able to win?

　　This was what people were worried about, therefore, many old ministers started to think of ways to request an audience with the Emperor, wanting to hear the Emperor’s thoughts on this. But ever since the old Emperor appeared once when he sent Princess Wuyang off to get married, he was no longer willing to meet people. It was said that he recently became attracted to a type of board game known as checkers and for the whole day, he would pull Zhang Yuan along to play with him, displaying the same attitude as the Ninth Prince towards court politics, not caring at all.

　　Therefore, these people ran out of ideas, and though their mental state acted up due to this, they had no avenue to raise their troubles, so they could only gather in small groups and chat to relieve the troubles in their heart. However, the good thing was that the Sixth Prince did not encounter any troubles when hosting morning court, he was humble and courteous, and maintained good relationships with others, especially amongst the civil officers, they viewed him very highly. In addition, the Ninth prince and Princess Yu had already expressed that they got along rather well with the Sixth Prince, so even if people had such opinions in their hearts, they still acted respectful when facing the Sixth Prince, not venting that emotion onto him.

　　However, compared to the Ninth Prince ascending the throne, the current Left Prime Minister Lu Song would rather the Sixth Prince ascend the throne. After all, if the Ninth Prince ascended the throne, if he wanted to curry favour, he had to go the roundabout route, using the route of General Ping Nan’s manor, and whether it would succeed was still another matter. But it would be different if the Sixth Prince ascended the throne, his Lu family would not need to gouge out a door or dig out a hole to look for a connection, they could just send Lu Ping into the imperial palace directly. Going the route of imperial concubine or possibly even Empress, it would be much more direct.

　　When Lu Ping ran out her house last time, she was brought back by the people of Lu manor a few hours later. Now, she was locked in the courtyard by Lu Song and could not step out of her room. Her three meals were sent to her by a specialised person. Lu Ping wanted to obtain information about Lu Manor from this person delivering the meals, but that person was like a mute person, not willing to disclose anything. She felt very aggrieved, and gradually became rather anxious, she asked her personal servant Jian Er: “Say, if Father forcefully sends me into the imperial palace, what should I do?”

　　Jian Er thought about it for a while, saying: “It probably will not happen? This Servant feels that just Master’s wishful thinking, the actual implementation will not be that easy. We have obtained some information about the Sixth Prince before, he is someone who isn’t inferior to the Seventh Prince, that kind of person will be controlled by the ministers? He will choose a wife just because they want him to?”

　　Lu Ping’s mind started to wander, the information she knew about the Sixth Prince ran through her mind once, and in the end, she had to admit that Jian Er was correct. But even so, she was still worried, she understood Lu Song and Ge Shi too well. Those two people would do anything in order to reach their goal, once they have decided on a path, they will think of ways to walk on it until the end. Earlier, the Lu family have already lost one son and two daughters, and she feared that when it came to her, they would take a gamble even if meant they would not have any successors left.

　　“No.” She mumbled to herself, “I need to think of a way, I need to leave the Lu family, I must not be manipulated by them any further.”

　　Jian Er got a shock after hearing this and could not help but ask: “What is Young Miss saying? How is it possible for you to leave?” She walked to the room door as she spoke and looked out through the gap in the door, sighing and saying: “Master placed two large yellow dogs int the courtyard, though it is said that they will not bite, but those two dogs are extremely sensitive to smell. As long as Young Miss leaves the room, they will bark loudly and after barking a few times, the guards from the manor will rush over. Under this situation, how can Young Miss run out?”

　　Jian Er also felt anxious for Lu Ping, she had followed Lu Ping since young and naturally understood that she disliked being manipulated by the Lu family the most. During these years, using the fact that she had a hidden condition and that the Lu family had two other daughters, they did not make use of her. But currently, the Lu family did not have anyone else, so even if she was a woman with a strange smell on her body and had to depend on low quality scents to cover it, the thoughts of Lu Song had turned in her direction. Hearing Lu Ping say that she wanted to escape, she also hoped that Lu Ping could escape, but also felt that the task was close to impossible. In an instant, she became depressed, sighing constantly.

　　But Lu Ping was not as negative as her, she asked Jian Er: “If those two dogs do not smell any scent, will they bark?”

　　Jian Er shook her head: “They will not. Normally the servants will walk in the courtyard, they did not bark and were very obedient, sitting on the ground. But Young Miss saw it, right? When Master first brought them over, as long as you appear, those dogs will bark non-stop, right?”

　　“That’s right! Because the smell on my body agitated them, but if that smell is no longer there, I hope that even if they see me, they will be obedient.”

　　She had an idea in her mind and did not say anything more, only quietly packing things in the house. With one bag, she only packed two sets of clothing and took the silver which she saved up over time from the cupboard. There were also some small accessories which would be convenient to pawn off, then she grabbed two handfuls of Osmanthus candy and stuffed them inside as well. Then she tied a knot on the bag, it was very bloated and looked very solid.

　　Jian Er was confused: “What is Young Miss doing?”

　　She asked Jian Er in return: “If you have to choose between the Lu Manor and me, which side will you choose?”

　　“Then it’s naturally Young Miss.” Jian Er quickly expressed her position: “This Servant was bought into the manor and has followed Young Miss since young, no matter when, This Servant will lean towards Young Miss.”

　　“Then good.” As she spoke, she took a document out of a small box and pushed a piece of silver into her hands, saying: “This is your servant contract, I am returning it to you now, you are free now. I only have one request for you, take this silver and leave the manor, then secretly hire a horse carriage for me, wait for me outside the city’s west gate. Before the city gates close, I will definitely find a way to leave, and after leaving, I will go my way, and you will go your way. I will give you another sum of money again. From now on, do not become a servant for other people, go back home and live a good life.”

　　Jian Er was stunned hearing this, her mouth agape in shock, she did not understand how her Young Miss had any way to leave? Can she leave? How would she escape from this Lu Manor?

　　But Lu Ping did not think it was difficult, she only told Jian Er: “They’re only restricting my freedom, but did not restrict yours, you servants can still walk around the manor and can even leave the manor to buy things. You can say that I wanted to see what kind of good scented herbs there are in the capital. Normally I will frequently ask you to go out to buy various scented herbs, so it will not arouse suspicion. It’s just that after you leave the manor, you need to pay more attention, do not be noticed by others and quickly finish your task. Hire the carriage and wait for me outside the city, understand?”

　　Jian Er nodded mechanically, and was still a little slow to react, but Lu Ping could not wait that long, rushing her to quickly perform the task. Jian Er left the manor under her urging, then very quickly, Lu Song came over personally and the first thing he said was: “I heard you asked your servant to buy scented herbs?”

　　Lu Ping was not surprised that her father came and nodded naturally, asking him in return: “Why is Father asking about this? Daughter’s maid going to buy scented herbs, isn’t it a normal occurrence?”

　　Lu Song was not too concerned by the maid leaving the manor, he only asked Lu Ping: “Have you thought it through? You should prepare more scented herbs, then choose the one which is most suitable for you to use, able to cover the smell but is not that overpowering. Or else, regardless of how much effort Father puts in, it will be impossible for you to gain the Sixth Prince’s favour.”

　　Lu Ping frowned but did not speak in Lu Song’s favour just because she had the thoughts of escaping, she felt that she would be found out more easily that way and should act the same way as before, that would be real and natural. Therefore, she told Lu Song: “Thinking or not thinking it through does not exist in Daughter’s mind, because I have never thought about this matter. I have already rejected Father early on, I do not wish to enter the imperial palace and will not marry the Sixth Prince, as for what Father and First Mother thinks, that is your issue and is unrelated to me.”

　　“You……” Lu Song felt that this daughter was really impenetrable, and sometimes he was so angry that he wanted to slap her. But after seeing that otherworldly face, he was afraid that he would damage it and spoil the family’s huge matter. Therefore, he only told her harshly, “You are the daughter of the Lu family. Ever since ancient times, the marriage matters of the children are decided by the parents and the matchmaker. Even if you weren’t born in the Lu family, it will be the same even if you are the daughter of another family! Thinking about it properly!” After Lu Song said this, he pushed the door to leave, even leading the two large yellow dogs to the side of Lu Ping’s door to stand guard.

　　Lu Ping was not bothered by his actions, only calling for the servants to prepare water of a bath after confirming that Lu Song had gone far away. Even though it was still day time now, because she had an hidden condition, she would frequently have to bath a few times a day, and it was the same whether it was day or night, the people in the Lu Manor were already used to it. Even if Lu Song, who had not walked that far away, heard about it, he would not suspect anything……