AWB Chapter 102 Who was he doing this for?
Chapter 102 Who was he doing this for?
Duke Sheng was furious and couldn't help but blurt out to Sheng Junyao,
"Believe it or not, I can still petition to have you stripped of your title as heir apparent!"
However, as soon as the words left his mouth, a trace of regret flashed through the Duke of Sheng's heart.
He had never been dissatisfied with either the Lan family or Sheng Junyao, his eldest son. The only variable was Lu Yangyang.
He was just a daughter who grew up away from home, originally nothing more than a pawn. But this thing, which he saw as nothing more than a pawn, is now causing his marriage to fall apart and his father and son to confront each other.
He felt a sudden wave of exhaustion and slumped weakly into a chair, his face ashen.
His fists were clenched tightly together.
Sheng Junyao was not surprised by his words. His expression remained calm, and even his voice was unwavering: "If Father feels that I am not suitable for the position of heir apparent, he can naturally petition His Majesty to remove me. I was appointed heir apparent by Father because of my status as the eldest son of the legitimate wife. However, since ancient times, the succession has been based on two principles: the eldest son of the legitimate wife and the most virtuous and capable. Even if Father only has me as his son, it does not mean that I am indispensable. But Father must also understand that what I am saying to you today has nothing to do with the position of heir apparent. Rather, it is because as the eldest son of the legitimate wife, I have the responsibility to be a son and an elder brother."
“I cannot ignore my father’s mistakes. Even without the title of heir, I will still point out his wrongdoings. As for instigating my parents to divorce, I have no such intention. Husbands and wives should respect each other. My mother has managed the household for many years without any fault. However, my father’s indulgence of his concubine in plotting against his wife is a serious offense. My father’s disowning of his own daughter is also disrespectful to my mother and is also a mistake. My father’s inability to distinguish right from wrong, keeping the daughter of his enemy in the house and mistreating his own daughter is even more wrong.”
"Therefore, it would be reasonable and within the law for the mother to propose a divorce."
After speaking, Sheng Junyao respectfully bowed to the Duke of Sheng, saying, "Please reconsider, Father."
"Get out." The Duke of Sheng's face was so dark it could drip water.
"Father cannot use his status as Duke of Sheng to make demands on Yangyang," Sheng Junyao reminded him.
"Get out." The Duke of Sheng's gaze was like a sharp sword, piercing Sheng Junyao fiercely. If it weren't inappropriate to take action at this moment, he would have immediately resorted to family discipline.
Sheng Junyao bowed respectfully and withdrew.
No sooner had he stepped out than the Duke of Sheng forcefully swept everything off the table.
He slammed his fist on the table.
Who was he doing this for?
He was doing this for the sake of the Duke of Sheng's mansion. There were hundreds of people in the Duke of Sheng's mansion. If anything went wrong, they would be doomed. At that time, not only would the Duke's mansion be in danger, but their lives would also be in danger!
No one knew better than him how he walked on the edge of a knife, as if on thin ice.
Thirteen years ago, the scene of the execution of the entire Rong family was still vivid in my mind; the blood stained the entire Rong family mansion.
How could he dare to make a single wrong move?
How could he dare to gamble?
He has painstakingly built up his family over the years, and if something goes wrong now because of an unimportant daughter, he would rather not have this daughter at all.
……
Lu Yangyang returned to the courtyard and practiced calligraphy for an hour before coming out. Sure enough, no one else came to the door.
It seems this "big brother" really keeps his word.
Lu Yangyang was in a good mood and called Yuanxing to get lunch, but no one answered after calling for a long time.
However, Granny Shen came out when she heard the noise: "Miss, please stop calling. I have already sent someone to fetch it. Yuanxing asked for leave from me today because she has some things to do at home."
"Oh," Lu Yangyang nodded after listening.
However, Granny Shen tentatively said, "Miss, although this courtyard is quiet with few people, it's inconvenient if Yuanxing has something to do. How about I go and get you two more personal servants?"
Lu Yangyang hurriedly shook her head: "No need, no need. I'll be going to school soon anyway. Didn't you say that I can stay in the dormitory at the academy and only get a break every ten days? What's the point of having so many maids?"
They were making a racket in her yard, which was incredibly annoying.
Hearing this, Granny Shen could only nod helplessly: "Alright then, but you'll still need someone to accompany you when you go out in the future."
"Alright, then let Yuanxing come with us to Huguo Temple the day after tomorrow."
Lu Yangyang was used to it and didn't think it was necessary to have another maid. However, she wasn't like when she first arrived, knowing nothing. It would be a bit inappropriate for her to do things without anyone by her side.
She herself doesn't have three heads and six arms, and occasionally she needs someone to deliver messages or something when she's out.
When Yuanxing returned the next day, Lu Yangyang told her that they would go out together the next day, and Yuanxing happily agreed.
But Sheng Yunjiao was very disappointed when she learned that they were going to Huguo Temple and she couldn't leave the house. Lu Yangyang had to repeatedly promise that he would definitely bring her back delicious food before Sheng Yunjiao was satisfied.
On the day of departure, Sheng Junyao sent someone to invite Lu Yangyang early in the morning. Lu Yangyang took Yuanxing with her and went out together.
When it was time to get into the carriage, she realized that Sheng Junyi and Sheng Yunzhu were also there, because Old Madam Li had also come.
However, Lu Yangyang didn't mind that she wasn't in the same carriage as the others. She jumped into the carriage herself and didn't even glance at the group of old lady Li who came out behind her.
Madam Li glared angrily at Lu Yangyang, then helped Sheng Yunzhu into the carriage.
Huguo Temple is located on a mountain in the western suburbs. It takes more than two hours to travel there by horse-drawn carriage. Even if you set off early in the morning, you won't arrive until almost noon.
When Lu Yangyang arrived in the capital, she didn't have time to appreciate the scenery outside because Liu Mama was busy on the way. Now that the carriage was moving at a slower pace, she curiously leaned against the window and looked outside.
Both Sheng Junyao and his brother Sheng Junyi rode horses. Seeing her curiosity about the outside world, Sheng Junyao came over and asked, "Would you like to ride a horse?"
Lu Yangyang's eyes lit up, but the horse that Yan Yue had given her had just been repaired and was temporarily placed in the Crown Prince's villa next door. Since she didn't plan to ride a horse out today, she didn't change her clothes. Granny Shen picked out a pleated skirt for her, which was very inconvenient.
Lu Yangyang couldn't help but feel a little regretful.
He could only regretfully say to Sheng Junyao, "Let's do it next time. I didn't bring any clothes today, so it's not very convenient."
Sheng Junyao chuckled, "It's alright. I'll have someone go back and get it later. When we come back, I'll find you a pony so you can ride it back. If we can't make it back today, we'll go back tomorrow."
Because Huguo Temple was quite far away, women from the capital often stayed overnight when they went to offer incense.
Hearing him say that, Lu Yangyang became interested and nodded happily: "Okay, thank you, young master."
Seeing that she was happy, Sheng Junyao smiled as well.
However, when the carriage left the capital and reached the outskirts of the city, a sudden change occurred.
A tree suddenly fell down on the road ahead, blocking the way. A carriage was startled and its shaft was damaged. Because the passengers were women, they couldn't move the tree and had to stay where they were and wait for help.
Upon seeing the convoy from the Duke of Sheng's mansion, he hurriedly waved for help.
The carriage stopped, and Lu Yangyang lifted the curtain to see Sheng Yunzhu getting off the carriage with the help of her maid and walking towards the place where the accident had occurred.