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Looking at the young lady in the mirror, her eyes were beautifully painted, as if she had just been crying. She nodded, "Yes, it looks like she has been crying for a long time."
"Good, then I will perform a great act!" Liu Ruyi nodded at the mirror, as if encouraging herself. She turned and stepped out, walking briskly and confidently towards the hall.
At that moment, it was mealtime. Liu Jianmin, Yao Xueying, and Liu Rumeng were already seated at the dining table. Liu Ruyi hurried over, knelt before her elders, and tears immediately welled up in her eyes. "I beg you, Father and Mother, please make a decision for your daughter. I swear I will never marry that Roguish Young Master!"
Liu Jianmin frowned slightly, his voice tinged with helplessness. "The marriage contract from the Duke's Residence has already been received; someone must marry into it!"
"But this marriage was meant for my sister!" Liu Ruyi cried even harder, her voice trembling.
Upon hearing this, Liu Rumeng became anxious and grabbed Yao Xueying's hand, speaking with a choked voice. "Mother, you can't just watch your daughter jump into a fire pit!"
Seizing the opportunity, Liu Ruyi turned to Liu Jianmin and said, "Father, my birth mother Bai is all alone and helpless. I would rather serve her for my entire life than marry into the Duke's Residence."
Yao Xueying quickly replied, "She doesn't need your service. I will have a doctor check on her regularly and send four or five nurses to attend to her."
"But my mother's room is too small to accommodate so many people," Liu Ruyi raised a new concern, looking at Liu Jianmin with pleading eyes as if seeking final refuge.
Seeing this, Liu Rumeng generously said, "Then I will give her the entire west courtyard to live in! After all, I will be marrying out soon."
Liu Ruyi seemed to hesitate for a moment. "Then... Father, if that Young Lord has someone he cares for, he will surely look down on me for being a daughter of a concubine. Wouldn't marrying into there just be suffering in vain?"
Upon hearing this, Liu Jianmin immediately comforted her. "The betrothal gifts from Gongfu are all yours. If I give you more dowry, how could they look down on you?"
Liu Ruyi appeared somewhat swayed, a glimmer of cunning flashing in her eyes.
Noticing this, Liu Jianmin quickly extended his hand and called for a servant to bring over a gift box. He opened it to reveal a Crimson Gold Ruby Mask and said, "This Crimson Gold Ruby Mask is also for you! It’s a style from the palace; your grandfather spent a thousand taels of gold to acquire it back in Jiangnan."
Yao Xueying immediately stood up. "Isn't that Meng'er’s dowry?"
Liu Rumeng hurriedly snatched the gift box from her hands. "Yes! How could she, a lowly daughter of a concubine, deserve such fine things?"
Liu Jianmin's face darkened upon hearing this. He stood up and scolded them, "You deserve it! Then you marry into there!"
Liu Rumeng was taken aback by his shout and nearly dropped the gift box she was holding.
"Give it back!" Liu Jianmin took the gift box from her hands and handed it to Liu Ruyi. "Here, take it!"
Liu Ruyi stood up and pretended to decline. "No thanks, Father!"
"Take it!" Liu Jianmin insisted.
Reluctantly, Liu Ruyi accepted it and said, "For the sake of the Liu Family, I am willing to endure some hardship and marry into the Duke's Residence."
Liu Jianmin nodded in satisfaction and praised her. "You are truly my good daughter!"
Liu Rumeng stood to the side, her face pale with anger, yet she felt helpless. After all, it was she who had suggested the change of marriage, and now she could only swallow her grievances.
In the Royal Training Ground, sunlight poured down, and the air was thick with the scent of iron from Jin Ge's steeds. Duke Ning's legitimate second son, Yuan Yingwu, stood tall like a pine tree, blindfolded as he practiced archery. He remained still, his breath steady, appearing indifferent to the world around him while exuding an undeniable aura of dominance. Suddenly, he moved slightly, releasing three arrows in quick succession. The sound of the arrows slicing through the air was sharp as a needle. The arrows flew straight and true, striking the target with precision, causing it to shudder and dust to rise.
This scene left everyone dumbfounded, and a murmur spread through the crowd. At the edge of the target range, Da Yan Emperor Su Zhonglie stood with his hands clasped behind his back. Initially watching with indifference, his eyes widened in surprise at this display, sparkling with excitement. He then threw back his head and laughed heartily, his voice resonating like a great bell across the training ground: “Excellent! Excellent! Truly worthy of a general's lineage!”
Standing beside the emperor, Crown Prince of Dayan Su Qingpei also applauded gracefully. His eyes sparkled with admiration as he said, “Yuan Xiaojun, you are indeed a tiger among generals. The Ning Guo Gong family has been loyal for generations; there are successors to carry on their legacy!” His words rang out clearly in the training ground like pearls dropping onto a plate.
Upon hearing the crown prince's praise, Su Zhonglie's expression brightened with delight. He nodded slightly before speaking: “Yuan Yingwu, come back to the palace with me and share a drink!” His voice was not loud but carried an undeniable authority.
Yuan Yingwu immediately knelt on one knee, lowering his head respectfully as he replied, “Your Majesty forgives me! I have personal matters to attend to.” His voice was steady and deep, tinged with humility.
Su Zhonglie paused for a moment but then waved his hand generously. “In that case, go ahead!”
Yuan Yingwu breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him loudly: “Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Inside the Drunken Flower Pavilion, amidst the vibrant lights and laughter, the brothel madam greeted him with a beaming smile as she accepted the one thousand taels of silver Yuan Yingwu handed over. Her eyes crinkled into crescent moons as she exclaimed repeatedly, “Sir is truly generous; one thousand taels just like that!” She gracefully moved to place the silver into her counter before turning back to present him with a contract. “This Fan Jiao Jiao’s contract now belongs to you!”
Yuan Yingwu smiled slightly, a glint of mischief in his eyes as he exchanged a knowing glance with his bodyguard. Niu Peng understood immediately and stepped forward to respectfully take the contract and tuck it away.
Having completed his business, Yuan Yingwu turned to leave, but Niu Peng hurried after him and couldn't help but whisper: “Young Lord, you’re about to get married soon; redeeming a courtesan’s freedom might not reflect well on your reputation if it gets out.”
Yuan Yingwu paused and turned to Niu Peng with a sly look in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow playfully and replied with a grin: “No worries; I redeemed her using your name.” With that, he strode off confidently.
Niu Peng stood frozen in place for a moment before stammering in shock: “Ah, Young Lord! How can you do this?”
However, Yuan Yingwu had already walked away without looking back, leaving Niu Peng anxiously fuming behind him.
Upon returning to Duke's Residence and stepping through the gate, Yuan Yingwu saw his sister-in-law Mei Xin approaching him hurriedly. Her face was filled with concern as she quickly came closer and whispered urgently: “Second Uncle, it’s bad news. The word about you redeeming that courtesan has spread; your father-in-law knows and is furious. You should hide for now until he calms down.”
Yuan Yingwu listened but remained unfazed. He raised an eyebrow slightly and replied nonchalantly: “I understand.” He continued walking inside while saying casually: “I’m tired after a long day; let’s eat first.”
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