Chapter 53: Driven Mad by Studying

Lu Yanbei felt a pang of guilt and looked toward Lu Zhongwang.

“Wulang, I will have the bride price sent to the Zhao family for your marriage to Miss Zhao of the Honglu Temple within these two days. Besides the items on the list, I will add two more estates. How does that sound?”

Upon hearing that two additional estates were included, Qi Xuefu’s smile stiffened, but Lu Zhongwang showed no reaction. She reminded him, “Zhongwang, shouldn’t you thank your father promptly?”

Lu Zhongwang considered that the moment was ripe. He put down his chopsticks, stood respectfully, and said, “Father, Mother, I have come back this time to seek your advice.”

“What matter is this?”

“I wish to postpone the marriage with Miss Zhao. I am unaware of the household accounts, but I’ve heard it has come to the point of selling off the ancestral lands of Greater Dongshan. It must be a severe financial strain…”

Without mentioning Lu Lan by name, Lu Zhongwang once more criticized Lu Lan’s misdeeds.

“Zhongwang, what nonsense are you speaking? Marriage is no trivial matter. Your union with Miss Zhao has long been scheduled. The wedding invitations have already been sent out. How can you change it now?”

Qi Xuefu suddenly stood up, her delicate face clouded over, trembling with anger.

What was wrong with this foolish son? She wanted him to return and show some hardship to gain more bride price from his father so that none of it would be swallowed up by Lu Lan.

Yet, he actually wanted to postpone the marriage? Had his studies made him daft?

Madam Jiang, nearby, tried to reason, “Yes, Young Master Wu, the auspicious wedding date was chosen by the Abbot of the Baoguo Temple. Changing it might bring misfortune!”

Lu Zhongwang thought to himself that his mother was truly foolish.

Couldn’t she see that his father no longer had silver to spare?

Otherwise, why would he reluctantly agree only after threatening to hang himself?

Furthermore, what benefit was there in marrying with Lu Lan’s shadow looming behind him? His glory would be utterly eclipsed.

Lu Lan had the support of Consort Dai and three full brothers from their old military comrades.

What did he have?

When he married, Consort Dai would not bother to attend, and those military comrades would never acknowledge him, a mere illegitimate son.

Marrying now would bring nothing but harm.

It was better to retreat strategically, letting Lu Lan marry first. His father had a scale in his heart—one son troubled him, the other understood his difficulties.

“Father, Mother, my decision is made. Please visit the Zhao family more often on my behalf. I shall return to my studies.”

After bowing, he hurried away.

Qi Xuefu was so angry she was gasping for breath, nearly collapsing and rolling on the ground again.

How could she have such a foolish son?

Why was he not on the same page as his mother?

Though surprised by Wulang’s actions, Lu Yanbei felt some relief. Although the bride price given to the Zhao family would not be as lavish as Lu Lan’s, adding two estates still amounted to six thousand taels of silver. He would have to muster the courage to speak to Yan Shiyue about it.

Smiling, he helped Qi Xuefu to sit down. “Enough, Xuefu. Wulang has grown up and has his own opinions. Isn’t that a good thing?”

“But he…”

“I think it’s fine. Let him focus on preparing for the spring imperial examinations without the distraction of marriage. When he wins top honors, the Zhao family will be all the happier. We can tell them Zhongwang wishes to concentrate on studying. They surely won’t find fault with that.”

He was confident he could ease the Zhao family’s worries.

What truly infuriated Qi Xuefu was why her son had to give way to Yan Shiyue’s son.

What merit had that useless boy?

“Very well, then postpone the marriage! But, sir, you promised to add two estates to Zhongwang’s bride price. Don’t go back on your word.”

“What nonsense! My own son—if I don’t care for him, who else will?”

...

Lu Zhongwang returned from the Study Pavilion to his Wind Arrival Chamber and passed by Lu Lan’s Shuiyun Room. Lu Lan had just tested Gu Xingwan’s detox remedy several times and found it initially effective. In a good mood, he wanted to stroll by the lake.

The two brothers met along the way.

Lu Lan smiled, standing proudly, watching Lu Zhongwang’s reaction.

Lu Zhongwang was momentarily stunned. Lu Lan usually would glare sideways at him and then turn away in disdain.

The two brothers, with such different temperaments, had nothing to say to each other.

They never met in the hidden academy nor at home.

Why was he waiting for him today?

He glanced at Lu Lan and quickly lowered his head, stepping forward to bow.

“Elder brother!”