The Empress Dowager had always doted on him!
"Prince Jin is going too far! That little wench is clearly my concubine, yet he actually snatched her away!"
The more Zhu Minghao thought about it, the angrier he got. How could a dignified prince snatch a woman from a marquisate's heir like him?
Marquis Qingfu's wife's heart ached, tears streaming down her face. Without thinking, she said, "Marquis, look at how our Hao'er has been bullied! If you, as his father, don't back him up, where will our mother and son put their faces?"
Although Marquis Qingfu felt distressed for his son, he was still conflicted.
"Minghao snatched a girl off the street to be his concubine. Does that give him face? He's so young, and he's already letting people know he's bringing concubines into the manor; his reputation is ruined!"
And he even tried to snatch her home in such an improper manner. It's said the girl ran away, and this brat even brought people to chase and intercept her.
What does this indicate?
It indicates that he forcibly abducted the girl!
Thinking of this, Marquis Qingfu took a deep breath, "Hao'er, tell your father honestly, where did you snatch that girl from? Was she unwilling to return to the marquisate with you?"
Zhu Minghao hadn't spoken yet when the Marquis's wife became displeased.
She pouted, "What the Marquis said is truly laughable. Our Hao'er looking favorably upon her is her good fortune! How could she be unwilling?"
"Besides, the Lin family hasn't said anything, so what right do others have to point fingers? Ridiculous."
Miss Lin was betrothed to Zhu Minghao, waiting only for her coming-of-age ceremony in half a year to marry him.
However, the Lin family had a low standing, incomparable to Marquis Qingfu's manor. The Marquis's wife had always been dissatisfied with this engagement, but it was an engagement made by the old Marquis and Old Master Lin in the past, so they couldn't unilaterally break it.
Marquis Qingfu was helpless after hearing his wife's words.
"Let's not talk about that for now. But since that girl ran onto Prince Jin's carriage, then so be it. How could you still rush in front of Prince Jin and curse him?"
The Marquis's wife pouted again, indifferent.
"Marquis, are you confused? When the Retired Emperor was still on the throne, he did indeed dote on Prince Jin. But Prince Jin has been afflicted with a strange illness these past few years,
constantly seeking famous doctors outside. The Imperial Capital has no power cultivated by him, and Prince Jin's manor is already an empty shell."
"Moreover, the Emperor is now on the throne. Prince Jin no longer has the Retired Emperor protecting and doting on him. Does he still think it's like when he was a child?"
The Marquis's wife truly believed this.
How could the Emperor possibly dote on this younger brother? They weren't even from the same mother.
The current Empress Dowager was the Emperor's younger maternal aunt; at least there was a familial connection there. But Prince Jin had no relation to the Empress Dowager whatsoever, so the Empress Dowager couldn't possibly protect him.
In contrast, their Minghao was favored by the Emperor and doted on by the Empress Dowager. Compared to that, how could Prince Jin possibly win?
"Now, our Hao'er is the favored one in the palace. Zhou Shiyue simply doesn't understand this."
Lady Qiao, the Marquis's wife, sniffed haughtily, "This incident is a good opportunity to make him see reality. Anyway, I don't care. He indulged that little wench into beating our Hao'er like this; we absolutely cannot let him off the hook."
Seeing his mother on his side, Zhu Minghao's arrogance grew, and he shouted loudly, "Right! We can't let him off the hook! Mother, I want Prince Jin to personally send that little wench into the marquisate, and he must apologize to this heir apparent!"
Lu Zhaoling's exquisite face flashed in his mind, and Zhu Minghao's heart felt a tickle. He immediately added, "And that little wench, just wait until this young master gets his hands on her!"
"Hao'er, speak properly. What kind of behavior is that?" Marquis Qingfu had a headache listening to him.
"What's wrong with Hao'er saying that? That little wench beat our son like this, does she think she'll still have a good life?"
"Alright, alright, this Marquis can't control you two, mother and son."
Marquis Qingfu said, flicking his sleeves, and walked out of his son's courtyard.
Lady Qiao said to Zhu Minghao, "Hao'er, tend to your injuries well. Mother will handle this matter for you."
"Mother, first go to Prince Jin's manor and snatch that little wench back. I'm so badly injured; I need her to serve me!"
"Good, Mother will send someone now."
Lady Qiao immediately went out and caught up with Marquis Qingfu, "Marquis, I'm going into the palace to ask the Empress Dowager for support. You get the people ready, and as soon as I leave the palace, we'll go find Prince Jin!"
Just then, the steward rushed over, "Marquis! The Retired Emperor has passed away!"
The Great Zhou Dynasty was in a period of national mourning.
The Retired Emperor's funeral, according to his wishes, was not grandly conducted. But even so, white lanterns hung throughout the Imperial Capital, and the entire city was filled with a somber and sorrowful atmosphere.
For the common people, it meant being cautious in their words and actions, with much less daily activity.
All entertainment was suspended, and private weddings were rescheduled.
Each household kept their children confined, not daring to let them play and laugh outside.
People on the streets wore very plain clothing, without any bright colors.
Before this, an imperial decree of marriage had already stunned the Lu family.
"Lord Lu, I hear your second daughter has been brought back from the countryside?"
Lu Ming was in his study, contemplating matters concerning Lu Zhaoling, when he heard someone announce an imperial decree. He rushed to the front hall.
Seeing the Eunuch, he hadn't even asked anything when he first heard that question, and his heart skipped a beat.
Was this aimed at Lu Zhaoling?
"Eunuch, has this matter actually reached the Emperor's ears?" Lu Ming asked cautiously.
Didn't Prince Jin intend to deal with Lu Zhaoling privately? This situation seemed amiss.
The Eunuch smiled, then remembering the Retired Emperor, he immediately pressed his lips down, "Then please invite Second Miss Lu out, so our family can deliver the decree."
Lu Ming frowned, "Eunuch, there's no need for a child like her to hear the Emperor's decree, is there?"
Madam Lu also rushed over and, without thinking, interjected, "That's right, Eunuch. Zhaoling just came from the countryside, she's timid and shy, and can't handle big occasions, so there's no need for her to come, right?"
After hearing the news, she had already instructed the steward to summon everyone in the manor.
As for Lu Zhaoling, what right did she have to hear the imperial decree?
The Eunuch's face darkened, "This imperial decree is specifically for Second Miss Lu!"
Lu Zhaoyun and the others were stunned.
"Mother, could it be that Prince Jin went to the palace to complain, and the Emperor is issuing a decree to bestow death upon Zhaoling?"
They all thought that Lu Zhaoling had offended Prince Jin.
The two maidservants sent by Prince Jin's manor were also temporarily monitoring her.
Madam Lu was about to say, if it were truly to bestow death, why would they send Physician Fu to treat her? Wouldn't that be redundant?
The Eunuch, already impatient, ordered them to call for her.
Lu Ming had no choice but to send a maidservant to Ting Nuan Tower to summon Lu Zhaoling.
He just didn't know if that girl, so badly injured, would be able to get out of bed.
Lu Zhaoling had just finished drying her hair and bandaging her wounds when she heard that an imperial decree had arrived and required her presence. She had no choice but to put on her clothes and, supported by Qing Yin and Qing Ling, go to the front hall.
Walking this distance, she felt weak all over and somewhat wanted to curse Prince Jin.
As Lu Zhaoling entered, all eyes in the Lu Residence fell upon her.
The Eunuch was also surprised by her appearance, but this Second Miss Lu was quite badly injured, wasn't she?
"The imperial decree has arrived. Second Miss Lu, please kneel to receive the decree."
Everyone in the Lu Residence knelt down.
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