Ch 88: The Regent’s Farmer Husband

Lu Huaizhou’s single sentence shocked the entire hall. For a long while, an eerie silence hung in the air.

Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief as they stared at him.

Even the Emperor and the Empress Dowager were too stunned to speak, never having imagined things would develop this way.

Some people even raised their hands to their ears, asking those beside them:

“Did I hear that right? I think the Regent just said he’s going to marry Duke Chang?”

“I heard it too.”

They looked at one another, stunned.

Everyone looked at the Regent, then at Duke Chang, then at Minister Lu and Madam Lu.

Minister Lu, Madam Lu, Lu Huaichuan: “…”

Minister Lu’s face darkened as he shot his son a fierce glare, but said nothing.

Before long, murmurs began to spread through the hall.

“Minister Lu didn’t refute it?”

“Even Madam Lu doesn’t look like she objects.”

“Could it be true?”

“But Duke Chang looks a little surprised?”

Jiang Ji was indeed a bit surprised, mostly because Lu Huaizhou had startled him. He hadn’t expected him to come out so openly in front of everyone.

What was supposed to be a banquet for the envoys had now turned into the two of them becoming the center of attention.

Yet inside, Jiang Ji felt a surge of joy, his heart pounding with excitement.

As expected of his Regent, bold and decisive.

He simply sat back down, glanced at Lu Huaizhou, his lips curving upward as he gave him a look full of affirmation, admiration, and support.

Lu Huaizhou gave a slight nod in return, the corners of his lips lifting faintly.

The envoy and Princess Aizhu had not expected this either. After staring blankly for a while, the princess looked between Lu Huaizhou and Jiang Ji, only to catch the two exchanging affectionate glances.

She bit her lip, deeply unwilling to accept it. Why had the two men she chose ended up together?

“You two are both men. How can you marry?” Princess Aizhu demanded, glaring at Lu Huaizhou, her voice full of anger. “Are you playing me?!”

At her words, the whispers ceased again. Everyone focused on the confrontation, some with eyes gleaming with curiosity, others frowning in concern.

Lu Huaizhou glanced at her and said calmly, “I have no time for such games.”

Princess Aizhu snapped, “Your Da Sheng doesn’t even allow two men to marry!”

“It does now,” Lu Huaizhou said lightly, completely disregarding the way his words overturned the entire hall.

Everyone: “…”

Some of the more tradition-minded officials, like Censor Zhang, wanted to step forward and argue, but with the princess and the Regent in direct opposition, and both representing their respective states, they could not openly contradict the Regent. They could only swallow their words, waiting to bring it up at court the next day.

Princess Aizhu stared at Lu Huaizhou, both embarrassed and angry. Two such fine men, and neither would marry a woman?

Lu Huaizhou had no patience to continue. “If the princess has no suitable choice, then let His Majesty grant a marriage. Da Sheng is rich in talent. Among our many outstanding young men, there will certainly be a worthy match for Princess Aizhu.”

Princess Aizhu was about to speak again, but the envoy pulled her back. After a brief exchange in their own language, she seemed persuaded and lowered her gaze, falling silent.

The envoy bowed. “Your Majesty, Regent, our Khan originally hoped for Princess Aizhu to enter the palace to accompany His Majesty. However, His Majesty has not yet reached the age for marriage. Does Da Sheng have such a precedent?”

“The envoy and the Khan worry too much. Our rules are strict, but not inflexible,” Lu Huaizhou said, turning to glance at the Emperor and giving him a small nod.

The Emperor had not yet fully recovered from the shock of Lu Huaizhou’s declaration, but seeing him look over, he quickly nodded.

He then composed himself inwardly. No matter the situation, he must remain as steady as his regent. As an emperor, he must not let emotions show.

The young emperor straightened his back, suppressing the astonishment in his eyes, and said, “Princess Aizhu is gentle and virtuous, pleasing to Us. We hereby confer upon her the title Consort Yue and grant her residence in Yuehua Palace.”

The envoy and Princess Aizhu knelt to give thanks.

Thus, the matter of Princess Aizhu’s marriage alliance came to a close.

But the matter of the Regent and Duke Chang’s marriage had not.

Music resumed, and the dancers continued their performance, yet no one in the hall had the heart to watch.

As the banquet entered its latter half, the Emperor and Empress Dowager had already departed. The officials relaxed, gathering in small groups to discuss, their attention inevitably returning to Lu Huaizhou and Jiang Ji.

Lu Huaizhou simply picked up a wine pot, walked down, and sat beside Jiang Ji, sharing his table.

Jiang Ji shifted slightly to make space. An attendant brought over a chair, and Lu Huaizhou seated himself with calm ease.

The attendant moved Lu Huaizhou’s cup and bowl over. Jiang Ji poured him tea and whispered, “You really startled me.”

Lu Huaizhou took a sip, a faint smile in his eyes. “You seemed quite happy.”

“I was happy,” Jiang Ji said with a grin. “It’s just… now everyone’s staring at us.”

“Let them,” Lu Huaizhou said, placing a piece of meat into Jiang Ji’s bowl. “Eat. Once we’re done, we’ll leave.”

“Alright.” Jiang Ji picked up the meat and ate it.

All around, people were openly and secretly watching the two of them.

Yet the pair acted as if nothing was unusual, eating together, leaning in to speak, smiling and chatting.

Duke Chang poured tea for the Regent, and the Regent served him food.

Their complete disregard for the crowd nearly blinded everyone present.

Nearby, Duke Qin watched them, hesitating again and again, unable to make sense of how these two could be about to marry.

A straightforward man by nature, he finally couldn’t hold back and leaned forward. “Um, Duke Chang.”

Jiang Ji, seated beside him, turned. “What is it?”

Lu Huaizhou also looked at his uncle.

Duke Qin asked, “You two… are really going to get married?”

Jiang Ji nodded. “Yes.”

Duke Qin: “…”

Behind him, Madam Qin: “…”

At the neighboring tables: “…”

Duke Qin immediately leaned back to look toward the rear tables for Minister Lu. Minister Lu was already surrounded, and not just him, Madam Lu and Lu Huaichuan were also encircled.

As soon as the Emperor left, the more curious officials seized the chance under the pretense of offering toasts and began questioning Minister Lu.

“Minister Lu, is the Regent truly going to marry Duke Chang? You agreed to this?”

“This would be the first time in our dynasty for two men to marry.”

“There’s no precedent at all.”

“How would such a marriage even work?”

Minister Lu had had enough. He downed a cup of wine and said, “Gentlemen, if you wish to know about the Regent and Duke Chang, go ask them yourselves. I cannot hold my liquor, so I’ll take my leave.”

With that, he pushed through the crowd, grabbed Madam Lu, who was also being surrounded, and left.

“Minister Lu, don’t go yet! Have another drink!” They hadn’t even gotten clear answers.

But Minister Lu ignored them and quickened his pace.

Lu Huaichuan was also surrounded by young nobles. Seeing that his parents had already broken free, he quickly slipped out as well.

That left Lu Huaizhou and Jiang Ji still calmly eating. The officials, no matter how curious, did not dare question the Regent directly, so they could only gather together and discuss among themselves.

Seeing Minister Lu leave, Duke Qin stood up with a complicated expression and walked over to Lu Huaizhou and Jiang Ji. “You two can still eat? Hurry back and explain this to us!”

General Han and his wife also came over with the same intention.

Lu Huaizhou and Jiang Ji exchanged a helpless glance, then stood and followed them back to the residence.

*

In the Empress Dowager’s palace, the Empress Dowager, the Taifei, and the princess sat together, also discussing the matter.

A palace maid hurried back. “Your Majesty, the Regent and the others have returned.”

The princess asked, “Did you hear anything?”

The maid replied, “Reporting to Your Highness, I heard Duke Qin ask Duke Chang whether he and the Regent truly intend to marry. Duke Chang said it was true, and the Regent did not deny it. Then Minister Lu’s family left first. Duke Qin brought the Regent and Duke Chang back to the residence, and General Han’s family followed as well. Judging from their expressions, it seemed they were not aware beforehand.”

The Empress Dowager waved her hand, dismissing the maid.

The Taifei spoke softly, “Then it must be true. For something like this, said in front of everyone, the Regent would not speak lightly.”

The princess said in surprise, “The Regent hasn’t taken a wife all these years. Could it be because he doesn’t like women?”

The Empress Dowager lowered her gaze and took a sip of tea, a faint smile on her lips. “If it’s true, all the better.”

The Taifei immediately understood.

The princess looked between the Empress Dowager and her mother, thought for a moment, then blinked and understood as well.

“I don’t think the Regent is someone who clings to power.”

“People are unpredictable. Once they’ve tasted the benefits of power, how many can truly let go?” the Taifei sighed, tapping the princess lightly on the forehead. “You’re still too naïve. When you marry in the future, you must be more careful.”

The princess: “…”

The Empress Dowager smiled. “There’s no need for you to worry so much. Qinghe is a princess. Could she really be made to suffer?”

The princess linked arms with her. “Mother is right. With you, with Mother Consort, and with my imperial brother supporting me, who would dare mistreat me?”

The Taifei shook her head and sighed. In this world, how many people could live their entire lives without grievance?

She turned to the Empress Dowager. “Then what about His Majesty?”

The Empress Dowager nodded. “I’ll speak to him.”

*

Regent’s Residence.

In the main hall, Minister Lu, Madam Lu, Lu Huaichuan, Duke Qin’s family, and General Han’s family had all gathered.

Lu Huaizhou took Jiang Ji’s hand and said softly, “Go back to the room first. I’ll come later.”

“No.” Jiang Ji shook his head. “I’ll go with you.”

Lu Huaizhou looked into his eyes for a moment, then led him into the hall.

The elders sat in front, while the younger generation either sat or stood, all watching the two of them.

Duke Qin’s wife asked anxiously, “What exactly is going on with you two?”

Lu Huaizhou cupped his hands in greeting. “Uncle, Aunt, Second Uncle, Second Aunt, Jiang Ji and I are in love and have decided to marry. We have already informed our parents and grandfather, and they have all agreed.”

Everyone was shocked.

Duke Qin’s wife frowned. “Even your grandfather agreed?”

Lu Huaizhou nodded. “He did.”

General Han also frowned. “Brother-in-law, sister, you agreed as well?”

Minister Lu nodded with a stern face. “Yes.”

Duke Qin’s wife could not understand. “Elder brother, how could you agree to something so absurd? Huaizhou may have been carried away for a moment, but how could you all lose your senses as well?”

Jiang Ji touched his nose.

Lu Huaizhou frowned slightly. “…Aunt, I was not carried away.”

She shot him a glare. “Wanting to marry a man and you say you’re not out of your mind? You’re the Regent. How could you do something so foolish?”

Behind them, Lu Huaichuan and the other juniors watched and listened, not daring to speak. Lu Huaichuan silently worried for his brother.

Jiang Ji looked at Duke Qin’s wife, bowed, and asked, “Madam, why is marrying the person you love considered wrong?”

She looked at him, opened her mouth to scold him, but he was also a duke. Yet hearing his words, she couldn’t let it pass either, leaving her momentarily at a loss.

“Huaizhou is muddle-headed, and you are too,” she finally said. “You are a duke now. There are countless good women waiting for you to marry. Why must you marry Huaizhou?”

Jiang Ji replied, “There may be countless good women, but I don’t like any of them, and neither does Huaizhou. Why marry someone we don’t love, spend the rest of our lives unhappy, and live with the regret of never being able to marry the one we truly want? It could even lead to wasting away in sorrow… what you might call dying of melancholy.”

Duke Qin’s wife: “…”

The elders: “…”

The younger ones behind them all widened their eyes slightly. None of them were married yet, and they still held hopes and expectations about marriage. Hearing Jiang Ji speak, they felt as though he had voiced exactly what was in their hearts.

General Han’s wife said, “Duke Chang, you can’t put it that way. Since ancient times, marriages have been arranged by parents and matchmakers. Hasn’t everyone lived like that?”

“Madam, just because it has always been done this way, does that make it right?” Jiang Ji countered. “You are of noble status, so before marriage you could at least inquire about a match, even meet a few times at banquets. But what about the common people? How many of them have never even seen each other before marriage, only finding out what their lifelong partner looks like when the bridal veil is lifted? Isn’t that frightening? They might even have been switched out, and no one would know.”

Everyone: “…That’s probably not that extreme.”

A cousin from the Qin family nodded repeatedly in agreement, only to be tugged by her brother. She pouted.

“And besides, Huaizhou is already the Regent. If he still can’t marry the person he loves, then what’s the point of being the Regent?” Jiang Ji said bluntly.

Everyone: “…The reasoning makes sense, but… it’s not usually said like that.”

Lu Huaizhou watched Jiang Ji with a faint smile in his eyes.

Everyone: “…”

Jiang Ji was about to continue when Minister Lu interrupted, “Enough. Don’t say any more.”

Jiang Ji bowed and obediently replied, “Yes, Uncle.”

He turned compliant in an instant, leaving everyone with complicated expressions.

Minister Lu said, “The words have already been spoken, and we have already agreed. There is no need to discuss it further.”

Duke Qin’s wife still didn’t understand. “Elder brother…”

Minister Lu raised a hand to stop her.

Madam Lu sighed and said, “It’s like this…”

She explained what Lu Huaizhou had said earlier about leaving the Lu family if they did not agree, as well as the concern that refusing might arouse suspicion from the Emperor.

After hearing this, Duke Qin and the others fell silent.

The younger generation was shocked. First, they hadn’t expected Lu Huaizhou to go so far as to say he would leave his family for Jiang Ji. Second, they were startled by the mention of imperial suspicion. They had vaguely sensed such things before, but this was the first time they had heard it spoken so plainly.

Duke Qin’s wife sighed softly. “I hadn’t considered that…”

She looked at Lu Huaizhou, then at Jiang Ji, and sighed again.

What a pity, such an outstanding nephew.

Minister Lu stood. “Enough. Things have come to this. That’s how it is. It’s late, everyone should go.”

After seeing them off, Jiang Ji and Lu Huaizhou returned to their courtyard. After washing up, they lay down to rest.

Once the lights were out, Jiang Ji held Lu Huaizhou’s hand and said, touched, “You were even willing to leave your family for me?”

Lu Huaizhou tightened his grip. “I understand my parents and my grandfather. They are not so rigid, and they would not bear to see me leave the family.”

Jiang Ji pulled him into an embrace and kissed him, his voice soft with emotion. “Lu Huaizhou, thank you.”

Saying those words back then must have been painful for him. Jiang Ji could even imagine the confrontation between Lu Huaizhou and his parents.

No wonder Minister Lu still looked uncomfortable with him, even after agreeing.

“We’ve hurt them this time. In the future, we must be especially filial to them,” Jiang Ji said.

Lu Huaizhou felt a softness fill his heart. Resting his forehead against Jiang Ji’s, he replied, “Mm. I’ll listen to you.”

The next morning at court, after official matters were discussed, Censor Zhang stepped forward.

“Regent, this minister has something to report.”

“Speak,” Lu Huaizhou said.

Censor Zhang said, “Regarding what Your Highness said at yesterday’s banquet, about marrying Duke Chang, may I ask if it is true?”

All the officials were startled. As expected of Censor Zhang, fearless as ever.

Lu Huaizhou frowned. “This is my personal matter. Do not take up His Majesty’s and the court’s time.”

Censor Zhang pressed on, “Your Highness is the Regent. Every action concerns Da Sheng. Since the founding of our dynasty, there has never been a case of two men marrying. I ask that Your Highness retract this decision and not act against ritual and law, lest it damage your dignity.”

“Censor Zhang,” Lu Huaizhou said coldly, “my marriage is for my parents to concern themselves with. You have overstepped.”

Though he could hear the displeasure in Lu Huaizhou’s voice, Censor Zhang still persisted. “Your Highness, as Regent, you should abide by propriety and set an example for the people—”

“Censor Zhang,” Lu Huaizhou cut him off, staring at him. “Why don’t you take my place as Regent?”

The entire court stiffened. Censor Zhang broke into a cold sweat. “This minister… this minister would never dare…”

He quickly knelt. “Your Majesty, the Regent must not take a male spouse. It goes against propriety!”

Lu Huaizhou said nothing, simply looking at him.

The Emperor glanced at Lu Huaizhou, paused, then said, “The Regent’s marriage is for the Regent’s residence and the Lu family to decide. Censor Zhang should devote more attention to state affairs.”

“Your Majesty…”

“Say no more.”

Lu Huaizhou stood. “In the future, do not bring such personal matters into court. If there is nothing else, court is dismissed.”

When Jiang Ji returned from the estate outside the city and heard about the morning court session, he looked over the instruments Uncle Zhong had arranged to purchase and asked, “Censor Zhang isn’t having an easy time either. He’s probably worried the people won’t accept it.”

After thinking for a moment, Jiang Ji said, “I have an idea.”

“What idea?”

Jiang Ji beckoned Lu Huaizhou closer and whispered something into his ear.

Lu Huaizhou considered briefly, then nodded. He immediately called Lu Jiu in and gave instructions.

Lu Jiu was surprised, but quickly nodded. “Yes, I’ll see to it at once.”

After that, Lu Huaizhou looked at the instruments on the table. “Why did you buy so many instruments? Are you planning to learn?”

Spread across the table were a guzheng, flute, xiao, guqin, erhu, pipa, sheng, xun, and even a large drum.

“No,” Jiang Ji said with a smile. “These are for the immortals. They’ve taken a liking to our instruments, so I’m giving them as gifts.”

Lu Huaizhou thought of the calligraphy and paintings that had disappeared before. “How will you send them?”

Jiang Ji scratched his cheek. “They have their own methods. They’ll come take them themselves.”

Lu Huaizhou: “…”

“Oh right, I’ll also need some sheet music. Can you have the Imperial Music Bureau send me some?” Jiang Ji asked. “It’d be best if there are also instructional books on how to learn these instruments. I can send those along as well.”

Lu Huaizhou nodded. “Alright. I’ll have someone copy a set for you tomorrow.”

“That’s perfect.” Jiang Ji smiled. “Maybe our instruments will even start a trend of classical music in the immortal world.”

Lu Huaizhou chuckled softly. “That would be excellent.”

Within a couple of days, the head of the Imperial Music Bureau personally delivered the sheet music and instructional manuals. Jiang Ji immediately set the number of giveaway winners according to the number of instruments and sent them all out.

The viewers who won were ecstatic, sending back large amounts of seeds as tips.

These were ancient instruments from another world. True antiques. Even if someone didn’t want them, they could auction them for astronomical prices.

Every item Jiang Ji gave away sold for sky-high prices in the viewers’ world.

He had made many viewers rich overnight, which was one of the reasons people loved staying in his livestream.

After all, any day, you might become the lucky one and achieve financial freedom.

At the same time, news of the Regent and Duke Chang’s impending marriage spread throughout the capital, even being turned into romantic tales by storytellers and told in teahouses and restaurants.

On the second floor of a teahouse, Jiang Ji sat in a private room with Lu Huaizhou.

Below them, the storyteller was narrating the tale of how the Regent and Duke Chang met and fell in love. The story was half true, half fabricated, delivered with great enthusiasm, and the audience listened with rapt attention.

“Duke Chang, what do you think?” Lu Jiu asked from the side.

Jiang Ji nodded. “Not bad. But the part on the mountaintop could be made more thrilling. That way, the emotions afterward would feel more intense… more lingering and poignant.”

Lu Huaizhou glanced at him and shook his head with a smile.

Lu Jiu listened thoughtfully and nodded. “Understood. I’ll have him revise it again tonight.”

“Mm, it must be moving. It should feel like our relationship is destined by heaven, with a strong sense of fate, like not getting married would be impossible,” Jiang Ji instructed seriously.

“Yes.”

【Streamer is wild, actually writing fanfiction about himself】

【This is outrageous】

【Jiang Ji, how does it feel to create your own fanfic?】

【Oh my god I’m dying laughing, “lingering and poignant,” yet every time they kiss the screen cuts to black. What lingering?】

【Let us see the kissing】

【I request a livestream of the wedding night! Everyone who agrees, like this】

【Liked. It cuts away every time they kiss and you still dare call it “lingering”?】

【Liked. I want to live under their bed】

【You’d have to bribe 2977, make it bug out and open a backdoor. Might work】

【Everyone, quickly change your usernames to something 2977 likes】

【What kind of usernames does 2977 like?】

【I know, something like “System Master let me watch Jiang Ji’s wedding night”】

Jiang Ji: “…”

The viewers were moving way too fast for him to keep up.

He shot Lu Huaizhou a faintly resentful look.

Lu Huaizhou: “? What is it?”

“Nothing.”

Jiang Ji shook his head, silently making up his mind.

Tomorrow, he would go find a matchmaker.

Once his mother and the others arrived, he would formally propose.

🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾

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