Chapter 535: Let’s Talk
Along the way, Ning Hanwang kept recalling what had happened in the past few years. He left Zhaoyi Palace and walked on foot until he felt pain in his feet, then he remembered that he did not take a carriage.
Lou Xiu Yu, who had just been promoted to the position of Zhongcheng of Tongshi, was in charge of the defense of the imperial palace for the first time. He was particularly nervous and stood at the North Palace Gate himself, unwilling to rest for a moment.
Seeing Ning Hanwang, who looked upset and walking towards them from afar, Lou Xiu Yu gave him a flattering smile and went to meet him.
"I am Lou Xiuyu, respectfully wishing Lord Ning good health."
Ning Hanwang was at a loss and gave him a helpless help.
"I will give you a seat if I am flat."
Lou Xiu Yu was slightly startled.
"Please give me a seat?"
Realizing that he had lost his voice, Ning Hanwang came back to his senses and looked up.
"It turned out to be Lord Lou."
He regained his composure and put on a polite smile.
"I heard the good news about Lord Lou's promotion, but I was unable to pay you a visit and congratulate you in time. I would like to apologize here. Lord Lou, please do not be offended."
Lou Xiu Yu looked somewhat ashamed.
"I am a person of low moral character and talent, and I am unworthy of my position. I have made Lord Ning laugh at me."
"How dare I bother to come to your house to congratulate you? Lord Ning is so kind. I will go to you to pay my respects some other day. I hope Lord Ning will not despise me."
Ning Hanwang greeted her warmly, half sincerely and half politely.
"What are you talking about, Lord Lou?"
"The year I left Beijing, my son Fengzhe was taken care of by you. You were both a father and a teacher. Your kindness was as heavy as a mountain. Although I have given you a small gift, it is not enough to express my gratitude."
"How could I dislike my benefactor?"
Lou Xiu Yu smiled broadly and was modest.
"Mr. Ning, your words are too serious."
"Your son is loved by everyone. I can't help but care about him. After all, it's because Lord Ning's family tradition is honest and kind. Young Master Ning grew up in this family. He is both virtuous and talented. Anyone would take good care of him. This is human nature."
Ning Hanwang waved his hands repeatedly, smiling with shame.
"Thank you so much, I really don't deserve it."
Lou Xiu Yu humbled himself and asked respectfully.
"According to my guards, Lord Ning left the palace on foot and did not use the palace carriages."
"I dare to ask, but where have I failed in my service? If you have any requests, please tell me. I will obey you."
It seemed that he had caused him some trouble. Ning Hanwang glanced at the guards and hurriedly explained to avoid people saying that Lord Lou had failed in his duty.
"Lord Lou, please don't misunderstand me. It's not your fault. It's just that I have a lot on my mind."
Thinking about what Young Master Ning had asked him to do, Lou Xiu Yu followed his instructions.
"May I ask, sir, what are you worried about?"
There were many people inside and outside the palace, so Ning Hanwang was not able to speak to them, so he politely declined.
"It's better not to talk about trivial matters at home."
Lou Xiu Yu continued to plot.
"To be honest, I am also worried about trivial matters at home."
Ning Hanwang became interested and pointed to an empty corner by the wall, asking for permission to talk.
"Really?"
"Maybe."
Lou Xiu Yu walked slower and followed behind Ning Hanwang to show his respect.
"As everyone knows, I have been married to Lord Wei's sister for several years."
"I love my wife deeply and cannot bear to let her down, so I will do my best to please the Wei family."
“But they still refused to accept me.”
Hearing that they shared the same suffering, Ning Hanwang was both surprised and a little bit incredulous.
"Your two families have always been on good terms, but privately you don't get along so well?"
Lou Xiu Yu sighed with dismay, his face looking sad.
"Alas, on the surface, in private, things are different."
Thinking about the Ning and Mu clans, which seemed to be harmonious families that everyone envied, Ning Hanwang sighed deeply.
"Oh, indeed."
"You have tried your best to please me, but I am still not accepted. What is Lord Lou going to do?"
Lou Xiu Yu answered in a desolate and humble voice, with a hint of anger and sadness in his eyes.
"I had already made the decision two years ago to just swallow my anger."
The two made the same choice, and Ning Hanwang couldn't help but be curious.
"What's the result? Has there been any improvement in the past two years?"
No matter how the Lou and Wei tribes get along, Lou Xiu Yu's answer has already been decided.
"The Wei family is getting worse."
"Otherwise, why would I be so distressed?"
Ning Han looked at his mood, all his thoughts were hopeless; his brows were filled with gloom and despair.
"Why are they doing this?"
"Is it possible that my husband's family and my mother's family will never be able to live in harmony?"
Lou Xiu Yu looked exhausted.
"I do not know either."
"I just hope that after paying the price with great pain, I can get a little warmth one day in the future. That will be enough."
Ning Han looked into the distance, as if he saw a bleak future.
"I'm afraid we'll have to wait until the year of the monkey and the horse."
Lou Xiu Yu looked into the distance, imitating his expression.
"There's nothing we can do but wait."
"Lord Ning may know that my brother-in-law is on good terms with Lord Leng, the Minister of Copper Affairs. With Lord Leng here, I can only be bullied by others. How dare I try to shake a tree with an ant?"
"Once upon a time, I also thought about struggling and tried to seek refuge with the Concubine Xian and the Crown Prince, but they looked down on me and had no intention of accepting me as their own."
His words woke Ning Hanwang up.
Imperial Concubine Yi dared to act directly because she took advantage of the fact that he was a helpless duke in poverty.
If you find a backer, the situation will change.
The virtuous concubine holds a noble position, and the eldest prince is the eldest son of the emperor. When the situation changes, they, mother and son, will have a bright future with unlimited potential.
Ning Hanwang thought about it in his heart, thought about it for a moment, and then promised.
"If Lord Lou doesn't mind, I will definitely protect you once I have the chance to turn things around."
Lou Xiu Yu knelt down respectfully, ready to perform a great ceremony.
"Thank you, Lord Ning, for your kindness and righteousness. I bow to you in gratitude."
Ning Hanwang hurriedly reached out to help.
"Lord Lou, there is no need to be so polite. Please stand up quickly."
After bidding farewell to Lou Xiu Yu, Ning Hanwang got on the Ning Mansion's carriage and told the coachman to return home.
On the way, he was troubled and thought over and over again.
The virtuous concubine is wise and the eldest prince is intelligent. With their favor, the Ning family will be able to turn the tide.
However, Imperial Concubine Yi was on good terms with Zhong Shuyi and He Xiuyuan, and it was clear that the lady was aiming for the Second Prince.
The two princes have conflicting interests and will definitely be incompatible in the future.
In theory, if the Madam chooses the Second Prince, I should follow her.
Unfortunately for me, the Muslims are becoming more and more hostile towards me.
Lord Lou personally experienced the situation and tried hard to please his wife and her family, but they only became worse.
If the following cars do not avoid the lessons of the previous cars, they will also overturn.
It's time to give up, but what about Madam?
Once upon a time, we were so beautiful.
The lady rejected many offers from nobles and dignitaries and married me without hesitation.
I was born ugly, stupid and honest; my wife is beautiful and virtuous.
I was not worthy of her, but she praised me: "Looking for you, you stand out, you are the most handsome, I hope we can be together and stay together for life."
We had just gotten married and had not had time to enjoy married happiness when she had to endure the pain of pregnancy for me.
My lady, your love is so deep and sincere, how can I ignore it?
However, the people of the Mu tribe act recklessly, so how can I just accept it?
Why can't they understand that Yan'er was an accident? I saved her with good intentions and asked for nothing else. I welcomed her into the mansion because I misunderstood my wife and the unclear relationship between her and Tong Xinzhen.
Yan'er, Shan'er, everything is like this.
I did not do it on purpose.
All along, my original intention has not changed and my vow has been firm. I only want to be with my wife for the rest of my life.
Why does no one in the world believe me? Why does everyone say that I favor my concubine and kill my wife?
Did I do something wrong?