Lu Xuan was born into the side branch of the prestigious Fan Yang Lu Family. In his youth, he diligently studied and passed the Scholar exam at seventeen, making him quite an outstanding young man within the Lu Family.
At eighteen, Lu Xuan traveled and studied through Nanyang County, lodging at Baima Temple.
The young Nanyang County Princess, Jiang Yan, went to the temple to burn incense.
The young man and woman met before the Buddha statue, and amidst the curling sandalwood incense, they locked eyes and fell in love at first sight.
Prince Nanyang was the paternal uncle of the reigning Emperor Taikang and a Vassal King with real power over his territory. Jiang Yan was his beloved only daughter.
Jiang Yan was frail and often ill since childhood, and Prince Nanyang indulged her every whim. Jiang Yan insisted on marrying Lu Xuan, and Prince Nanyang acquiesced.
It was uncommon for a Commandery Princess to marry out of the family, so Lu Xuan was taken in as a son-in-law.
The title of son-in-law naturally did not sound prestigious. However, with Prince Nanyang's high rank and power, Lu Xuan, merely a side son of the Lu Family, was marrying into a higher status.
The Fan Yang Lu Family remained silent and accepted this marriage. Once Lu Xuan entered the Nanyang Prince Mansion, they sent generous gifts during festivals.
The young couple, after marriage, was harmonious and affectionate. Unfortunately, the good times were short-lived. Two years later, Jiang Yan became pregnant and had a difficult childbirth, which severely damaged her health. She lingered for a year in illness before passing away.
Lu Xuan was heartbroken over the loss of his beloved wife and fell grievously ill.
A man was expected to mourn his wife for a year, but Lu Xuan insisted on a three-year mourning period. His profound affection moved many people.
Prince Nanyang didn't neglect his son-in-law; he selected the most striking maid from Jiang Yan's companions to attend to Lu Xuan's daily needs.
This maid named Mei Ran was fortunate and soon became pregnant, giving birth to a son.
Lu Xuan was overjoyed to have a child and named him Jiang Ying to pay respects and incense offerings to his stepmother in the future.
Prince Nanyang, however, said, "Yan'er has her own flesh and blood and doesn't need to snatch someone else's son. In the future, Shao Hua will offer her incense and pay respects."
Prince Nanyang decided to name the baby boy Lu Ying and held a banquet in the mansion, elevating Mei Ran to the status of Aunt Mei.
That year, Prince Nanyang personally penned an over ten thousand-word memorial, each word written with tears.
The late Emperor was deeply moved upon reading it, his eyes moistening, and approved what Prince Nanyang requested, making an exception to confer the title of Nanyang County Princess upon the just-turned five-year-old Jiang Shaohua.
Jiang Shaohua's name was formally entered into the imperial family register, becoming the first Da Liang Princess to inherit her maternal grandfather's surname and title.
The next year, Aunt Mei gave birth to a daughter. Lu Xuan lived with Aunt Mei and their two children in the northwestern courtyard of the mansion. On normal days, Aunt Mei and these two children rarely appeared before Jiang Shaohua.
That year, Jiang Shaohua mourned for her grandfather, with Lu Xuan visiting her daily, never allowing Aunt Mei and the siblings to disturb her.
Such care, such thoughtfulness.
How could a ten-year-old not trust and rely on such a doting father?
"Shao Hua, the Empress Dowager has invited you into the palace for upbringing; it offers you many benefits. First, you'll have proper elders to teach you. Second, with the Empress Dowager's care, no one will dare critique you for losing your mother young. In the future, you'll have better marriage prospects too."
"You need not worry about the domestic affairs here at the mansion; your father will handle them. Just focus on entering the palace with peace of mind. When you marry in the future, your father will prepare a substantial dowry for you."
In her naivety, the young girl was touched by such seemingly thoughtful considerations made purely for her sake.
Later, this Nanyang County Princess left Nanyang Prince Mansion and went to the Capital City, entering the court.
Lu Xuan naturally became the master of Nanyang Prince Mansion.
When she married, her dowry was extravagant, consisting of sixty sedan chairs.
Yet the wealth accumulated over decades by the Nanyang Prince Mansion, which was meant for her by her grandfather, ultimately bore the Lu surname.
Lu Xuan didn't even have to employ intricate schemes or tactics. By societal customs, an unmarried woman belonged under her father's authority. With paternal rights, he easily took away everything belonging to her.
With this thought, Jiang Shaohua's heart surged with hatred, almost overwhelming her.
She hated herself more than she hated this blood-related father standing before her.
It was her blindness and folly, her deception in the name of so-called father-daughter affection, that wasted her grandfather's painstaking efforts.
Thank heavens were just.
Flowers have days they bloom again; people can have a second youth.
She has returned.
In this lifetime, she would never entrust her fate to anyone. From this moment, her life would be in her own hands.
...
Lu Xuan quickly entered, and the moment he made eye contact with his daughter, he felt a chill in his heart.
Jiang Shaohua lost her mother at one, and since then had been personally raised by Prince Nanyang. She began reading at four and practicing martial arts at five; her biological father couldn't insert himself much.
However, the blood tie between father and daughter ran deep. Though not seen daily, the bond was exceptionally close.
Last year, with Prince Nanyang's passing, the daughter relied on and trusted him even more.
At present, the look in his daughter's eyes, however, was like that of a stranger.
Aloof and scrutinizing.
That gaze was eerily similar to that of his deceased father-in-law.
Lu Xuan suppressed a flicker of unease and said with a smile, "The Empress Dowager in the palace has sent someone, who entered Jingzhou five days ago and should reach Nanyang County in a day or two."
"This Mr. Zhao is said to be a favorite with the Empress Dowager and should not be neglected or disrespected. I plan to personally lead a group to welcome them outside the city gate."
Jiang Shaohua, however, replied, "Such a small matter; there's no need for Father to come forward. Chief Historian Chen can go and welcome them."
Chief Historian Chen, named solely Zhuo, was the Left Chief Historian of the Nanyang Prince Mansion. During Prince Nanyang's lifetime, Chen Zhuo was greatly valued, and relations with court officials and external affairs of the Prince Mansion were entrusted to him.
Lu Xuan hadn't expected his daughter to outright reject him and was somewhat surprised. He continued, "We don't know when Mr. Zhao will arrive; it might take two or three days. The affairs within and outside the Prince Mansion are complex and can't do without Chief Historian Chen. Let me go instead!"
Jiang Shaohua looked over directly, her gaze calm, her voice indifferent: "Father misunderstands. What I mean is, Mr. Zhao is a court favorite, and Father's rank and status would indicate negligence on the part of the Prince Mansion, likely displeasing Mr. Zhao. Chief Historian Chen, being a fifth-rank Left Chief Historian of the Prince Mansion, is suitably qualified."
Boom!
Lu Xuan's face turned crimson instantly.
Indeed, he was merely an in-law within the Nanyang Prince Mansion, rankless and status-less, awkwardly positioned, and fundamentally not a proper representation of the Prince Mansion externally.
When his father-in-law, Prince Nanyang, was alive, he dutifully kept a low profile.
With Prince Nanyang's death, the heavy weight pressing on top of him vanished. He felt unexplainable relief.
Though Nanyang Prince Mansion belonged to his daughter, how was it different from being his?
Over the past year, he openly courted favors, with some discerning people quietly allying with him. Yet he resented Chen Zhuo and others for their aloofness, considering themselves confidants of Prince Nanyang.
The matter of Mr. Zhao's arrival in Nanyang County reached his ears early. After much thought, he had made his plans. Welcoming Mr. Zhao was the first step, to be followed by the second and third.
Never had he expected not even to take the first step before his daughter unceremoniously exposed him.
The humiliation was unbearable.
Mrs. Zhang stood in disbelief, her eyes wide in shock.
Jiang Shaohua calmly observed Lu Xuan's embarrassment and discomfort.
Lu Xuan coughed heavily twice, suppressing his inner fury, and spoke gently: "I am your father; it's only natural I come forward, there's nothing inappropriate about it."
Jiang Shaohua said indifferently, "My mind is made up."
Lu Xuan: "..."