Rebirth of the Cannon Fodder in the Entertainment Circle
Chapter 528: Cannon Fodder Princess Consort (21)

Chapter 528: Cannon Fodder Princess Consort (21)

Luo Ning looked at the distinguished and stern Lu Xun.

She began, "I really don’t want to marry again right now."

Lu Xun, unconcerned, said, "I can wait until you want to marry."

Luo Ning thought for a moment and asked, "Why haven’t you taken a wife or concubine before?"

According to Lu Xun’s age, in this era, he would typically be the father of several children by now.

Lu Xun honestly replied, "I haven’t met a woman I liked, and I don’t want to settle."

Luo Ning followed up, "What if you never meet someone for the rest of your life? Will you never marry?"

Lu Xun nodded, "Yes, that’s my plan."

He looked at her seriously again and said, "Having met you, my heart was moved, so it’s for a lifetime, without room for another."

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow, "So, if I marry you, you won’t take any concubines in the future?"

Lu Xun laughed lightly, "Of course, my heart is very small, only big enough for one person."

"Don’t you also want to make Prince Rui regret his decision? If you marry me, he will regret missing out on you for the rest of his life."

He added, "Of course, the choice is yours, I won’t force you."

Luo Ning thought for a moment and said, "I’ll consider it."

Not to mention, Lu Xun’s proposal really wasn’t bad.

And importantly, she didn’t dislike him.

"Good!" The smile in Lu Xun’s eyes deepened.

Luo Ning’s words were to consider, not to refuse; that gave him hope.

Following that, Lu Xun would visit the Charity Hall to see Luo Ning whenever he had free time, often preparing some thoughtful little gifts for her.

Their interactions became more and more natural.

Lu Xun didn’t hide his pursuit of Luo Ning, and naturally, both the Emperor and the Empress Dowager found out.

The Empress Dowager even summoned Lu Xun into the palace to interrogate him.

She had been vexed about her youngest son who was over twenty and still unwed.

She had suggested prospective brides to him since he was sixteen, but her son simply wouldn’t marry, staying firm even under pressure from the late Emperor.

Therefore, during the late Emperor’s lifetime, there were princes who spread rumors behind his back that Prince Chen wouldn’t take a wife because he was gay.

Surprisingly, many people believed it, including suspicions from the late Emperor and the Empress Dowager.

Now that her son had finally seen sense, but the woman he fancied was his own brother’s divorced wife, the Empress Dowager didn’t know what to say.

The Empress Dowager asked, "Are you serious about Luo Ning?"

Lu Xun nodded earnestly, "Of course, I want to marry her."

"Why would you want to marry her? She was your fourth brother’s wife," the Empress Dowager said, helplessly.

Lu Xun emphasized, "Luo Ning has been divorced from Prince Rui for a while now. If she can remarry, then I can marry her."

The Empress Dowager tried asking, "Wouldn’t you consider some other noble ladies?"

It wasn’t that she looked down on Luo Ning, but Lu Xun was her most beloved and cherished youngest son, and she preferred him to start a marriage with an untarnished young girl.

Lu Xun sighed, "Mother, the heart has its reasons, which reason knows nothing of."

"I have no regard for other women. If I can’t marry Luo Ning, then I will remain unmarried for the rest of my life."

His words successfully upset the Empress Dowager.

"Enough, since you like her, go ahead and marry her," the Empress Dowager conceded after a moment of thought.

There was nothing she could do; her son was stubborn, and when he was determined on something, he wouldn’t change his mind.

She genuinely feared her son would remain unwed and lonely for life.

Compared to that, marrying a divorced wife didn’t seem so bad.

"I’ll have the Emperor issue a decree to bestow a marriage for you both," the Empress Dowager resolved, naturally hoping her son would marry soon.

Lu Xun said with a smile, "Thank you, Mother, for making this happen!"

"I’ll ask Luo Ning first, then ask Brother to decree the marriage," he said, respecting the wishes of the person he loved.

The Empress Dowager saw how much Lu Xun cared for Luo Ning and, rather than feeling sour, felt somewhat comforted. At least, her son had finally taken a woman to heart; it was good that he wasn’t homosexual.

She waved her hand dismissively, "Alright then, as long as you’re happy."

After leaving the palace, Lu Xun went to the Charity Hall to find Luo Ning.

Lu Xun had confessed his love while boating on the lake three months earlier, and Luo Ning had made up her mind.

Her mother and brother at home were both quite worried about her. Both hoped she would remarry, especially since she was still young.

In this world that still felt rather alien to her, having someone by her side wouldn’t be so bad.

So, Luo Ning agreed to the marriage.

Once Luo Ning agreed, Lu Xun immediately went to the Emperor to request an imperial decree granting the marriage.

The Emperor and the Empress Dowager had similar thoughts; it was better for a man to marry and divorce his sister-in-law than for a brother to be homosexual or to never marry at all.

Moreover, he had already investigated the affair between Prince Rui and Princess Consort Chun.

Although they hadn’t breached the final barrier, the fact that they had harbored feelings for each other and even embraced was undeniable.

In the eyes of the Emperor, this was his half-brother cuckolding him.

Especially now that he knew Prince Rui had realized his mistake, recognizing he had loved the wrong person, and was working hard to reconcile with Luo Ning.

The Emperor was even less inclined to grant his wishes.

Thus, he readily bestowed the marriage to Prince Chen and Luo Ning.

Apart from being sincerely happy for his brother, he also wanted to spite Prince Rui and watch him suffer.

The imperial edict of marriage shocked the entire Capital City.

Everyone knew Prince Chen often visited the Charity Hall and was interested in Luo Ning, but no one thought he would request a marriage.

Everyone assumed that even if Luo Ning did enter Prince Chen’s Mansion, she would only be a concubine.

After all, not only was she a divorced woman, but she had also severed ties with the Duke Dingguo Mansion. Such a status barely even matched that of a concubine.

But Prince Chen was a brother born of the same mother as the Emperor, beloved and entrusted with considerable power. Among the princes, he held the highest status and wielded the most authority.

Prince Chen was also the man most unmarried women in the Capital City aspired to marry.

Yet, who would have thought the outcome would be like this? He had set his heart on a divorced wife, insistently demanding her hand in marriage. How bitter it was!

Lu Xiao, who was working in another place, spat out a mouthful of blood when he heard of the bestowed marriage.

He couldn’t help it and rushed back to the Capital City at top speed the very same day.

He didn’t return to the Prince Mansion but went directly to the separate residence where Luo Ning was staying.

At that moment, Luo Ning was having a meal.

Seeing Lu Xiao, haggard from his hurried journey, she merely glanced at him indifferently and continued eating without paying him any mind.

Lu Xiao’s heart nearly melted as he watched the woman he longed for day and night sitting right before him.

He didn’t take her rudeness to heart; instead, he took a seat at the table.

He then ordered Zi Yan, "Bring a set of bowls and chopsticks for me."

Watching Luo Ning eat made him hungry too.

Luo Ning finally looked up, her expression cold. "This isn’t the Prince Mansion; your meal isn’t prepared here."

Lu Xiao responded with a smile, "It’s just a meal, don’t be so stingy."

"If you don’t want me to eat, I just won’t." His voice and eyes were filled with doting indulgence.

Luo Ning was disgusted, "If you could leave immediately and stop being an eyesore, I’d be even happier."

His face darkened instantly at her words, "We were once husband and wife. Are you really so heartless?"

Luo Ning raised an eyebrow, "What else?"

Her dismissive attitude stabbed at Lu Xiao’s heart.

Remembering why he had come, he asked, "You’re going to marry Lu Xun?"

Luo Ning nodded and smiled, "Yes!"

Lu Xiao gritted his teeth, "Why would you marry him?"

Luo Ning’s answer was matter-of-fact, "Lu Xun is powerful and influential, exceptionally handsome, and devoted. He truly desires only me and has never deceived me. Why wouldn’t I marry him?"

"You’re still angry with me?" Lu Xiao’s heart ached unbearably as he heard her admit it.

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