Chapter 325: Arson
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
“A bunch of ignorant fools.”
“This is the Heavenly Dao!” The envoy from the Southern Kingdom trembled in fear.
The Heavenly Dao bore down upon them with immense pressure, forcing them to the ground, unable to move.
Even after the dragon and phoenix ascended into the clouds, the golden lotus flowers continued to bloom within the Lu Family courtyard.
“Wow, the lotus has taken root…” Someone reached out to touch one, and to their astonishment, it had solidified into reality, growing within the Lu Family estate.
Nan Mu Bai swallowed hard.
He hesitantly reached out and touched a petal. “If I’m not mistaken, this is…”
Ming Lang took a deep breath, his mouth nearly watering.
“This is the Nine-Turn Golden Lotus.” His voice trembled as he spoke. Each golden lotus radiated a divine glow.
“All of them are Nine-Turn Golden Lotuses. My heavens…” Ming Lang looked up and counted. There were eighteen golden lotuses in total.
Nan Mu Bai’s lips quivered. “If these appeared in the Southern Kingdom, blood would be spilled for them.”
Yet, the people of Northern Zhao only cast casual glances at them.
Some even pointed at the lotuses, commenting nonchalantly, “Oh, this one is big. It bloomed quite nicely.”
“A twin-lotus bloom! Rong Che is truly blessed!”
And then they simply resumed watching the ceremony.
Even Shi Yun was left slack-jawed by the celestial spectacle.
The Southern Kingdom envoys: [Something about these Northern Zhao bumpkins seems off.]
“First bow to the heavens.”
“Second bow to the parents.”
“Husband and wife bow to each other…”
“The ceremony is complete! Escort them to the bridal chamber!”
Rong Che’s eyes welled up with emotion as he led Shi Yun step by step toward their new home.
“Later, people will surely come to disturb our wedding night. You must help fend them off,” Rong Che instructed Vice General Zhu.
“Who would disturb your wedding night? Everyone is already seated, waiting for the feast to begin!” Vice General Zhu looked confused.
Rong Che: ??
“I see, they must be planning to get me drunk instead!” he mused. Fortunately, he had a decent tolerance for alcohol.
Overjoyed, Rong Che even walked with mismatched steps, looking entirely foolish in his happiness.
The envoys from the Southern Kingdom shakily climbed to their seats, obediently waiting for the meal to be served.
The golden lotuses might be beyond their reach, but drinking more spirit wine would be a win!
The officials of the Northern Zhao court remained firmly seated, not budging an inch as they awaited the arrival of the dishes.
Lu Chao Chao, recognizing the immense value of the golden lotuses, ordered them heavily guarded, forbidding anyone from approaching.
“This morning, even Father Emperor wanted to attend the wedding banquet,” the Fourth Prince whispered to Lu Chao Chao. “But as an emperor, he couldn’t just show up uninvited to a general’s wedding. He was so mad he was grinding his teeth!”
Lu Chao Chao gasped. “Emperor Daddy must have been on the verge of tears! If Chao Chao couldn’t eat, she’d cry too!”
“Send a table of food to the palace,” the little one commanded, summoning the servants.
“Emperor Daddy must be drooling too,” she giggled.
Meanwhile, Rong Che waited in the bridal chamber for the traditional wedding-night revelry, but no one came to disturb them.
Changing into more comfortable clothes, he ventured into the front courtyard to offer toasts, convinced that the entire court was waiting to get him drunk.
However—
The grand hall was in an uproar, with shouts echoing all around: “More wine! More wine!”
Tables that were usually ignored were now completely cleared of food.
Everyone drank merrily, their faces flushed with joy and contentment.
Rong Che: “Uh…”
For the first time, he felt unnecessary, as if no one even noticed him.
So, he returned to the bridal chamber.
Inside, the Old Madam of the Stabilizing Duke’s household fed Shi Yun some pastries and earnestly instructed her, “Remember, you must wear Rong Shuang Shuang’s shoes to transfer morning sickness to him when you conceive.”
“Also, make sure to bathe before him. And step over him twice before bed. That way, he’ll be under your thumb for life!”
“I don’t know if it really works, but it’s a well-kept secret passed down for generations.”
Just as she finished, Rong Che entered the room.
The old madam coughed and quickly stood up. “I was just having a chat with Shi Yun,” she said hastily before making a swift exit, closing the door behind her.
Inside the bridal chamber, red double-happiness characters adorned the walls.
The red wedding candles crackled and burned, casting a warm glow. Shi Yun sat by the bedside, nervously twisting her fingers.
Seeing this, Rong Che suddenly felt his eyes moisten.
This moment—this scene—had been his dream for years.
Tonight, that dream became reality.
He stepped forward and lifted Shi Yun’s red veil. Under the candlelight, her beauty left him utterly spellbound.
The long night unfolded, with waves of crimson passion surging in the bridal chamber.
Deep in the night…
Rong Che tenderly wiped Shi Yun’s body. Seeing the faint redness on her skin, he frowned in distress. “I was too reckless and caused you pain.” His voice was laced with remorse.
Shi Yun’s face burned with embarrassment.
Suddenly—
“Fire! The Lu Manor is on fire! Someone, help!”
The deafening sound of gongs and shouts shattered the quiet night.
Rong Che and Shi Yun had just lain down when the commotion reached them. He rushed to the door and saw flames raging in the distance, thick black smoke billowing into the sky.
“Where is the fire?”
“The old Zhongyong Marquis Manor!”
“It was Lord Lu himself who set it ablaze!”
Rong Che quickly dressed and pressed Shi Yun’s shoulder gently. “Rest. I will go see what has happened.”
Shi Yun nodded lightly.
Rong Che hurried outside.
Deng Zhi initially did not wish to inform Shi Yun, but seeing her already up, she moved to assist her.
“Tonight is your special night. We did not want to disturb you. But the fire is growing uncontrollable. He… he set himself ablaze.” Deng Zhi’s voice was heavy.
“Today, Lu Yuan Xi returned to the old manor. Taking the opportunity, Lu Yuan Ze set fire to the estate, reducing it to ashes.”
Shi Yun, barely throwing on a robe, stepped outside.
Even from several streets away, the choking stench of smoke filled the air. The inferno blazed furiously, and countless citizens and servants rushed forward with buckets of water.
But against the towering flames, their efforts were in vain.
Lu Chao Chao clung tightly to her mother’s hand as they approached the street corner.
“That damned Lu Yuan Ze! If you wish to die, why drag my Yun Jin with you?! Hurry! Extinguish the fire!”
“My Yun Jin! My Yun Jin is still inside!”
Amidst the chaos, a hysterical Madam Jiang screamed at the servants, demanding they enter the flames. But the fire was too intense to approach.
Her servants knelt on the ground, too terrified to move.
Lu Yuan Ze, holding a flaming torch, stood within the burning wreckage, laughing maniacally.
“Everything is wrong. All of it is wrong!”
“Burn! Let it all burn!”
“They all deserve to die! Those who deceived me all deserve to die!”
“The Lu family is doomed! I have buried our lineage with my own hands…”
“Father, your son has come to atone.”
Engulfed in flames, he wept and laughed simultaneously, his gaze fixed unwaveringly on one spot.