Chapter 160: Luo Wushuang, the Prodigal Benefactor

The seventh day of the seventh month was Luo Wushuang’s birthday.

As the birthday of the reigning monarch, it was naturally meant to be a grand affair. Under normal circumstances, the palace would have been draped in lanterns and silks, filled with the boisterous energy of a massive celebration. The civil and military officials, the nobility, and even foreign envoys would have presented various rare treasures, all while looking deeply honored to celebrate the sovereign’s longevity.

However, Luo Wushuang was mindful of her sister’s legs. Remembering how Shangguan Liqian had been reluctant even to step out of her room, Wushuang knew she would likely despise such a crowded, chaotic event.

Using the upcoming Grand Wedding as an excuse to avoid extravagance, Wushuang ordered the entire birthday budget to be converted into silver and sent to the border as a reward for the soldiers.

She even gave specific instructions to the eunuchs delivering the decree. They were to “accidentally” mention to the border generals and soldiers that this was all the Empress Consort’s idea. They were to say that Her Majesty had only agreed after much hesitation, ensuring the troops would never forget to be grateful for Shangguan Liqian’s grace.

At the same time, she issued a proclamation to the world: The Grand Wedding of the Empress and her Consort was a cause for universal celebration. To mark the occasion, taxes for the common people would be reduced by thirty percent.

Furthermore, silver was allocated from the national treasury to every province and prefecture, filtering down to the local county offices.

On the day of the Grand Wedding, every household—upon presenting their household registration—would receive two strings of copper coins, two catties of pork, two catties of beef, two bags of candy and pastries, and two bags of melon seeds and dried fruits.

With good things coming in pairs, our Wushuang has really broken the bank. She’s going to be a pauper soon. If anyone wants her, take her home and raise her…

In addition to the handouts, every restaurant and tavern in every province, prefecture, county, and town was to be free of charge on the day of the wedding. Open-air banquets would be held throughout the land to celebrate the union.

Every expense and resource required for this massive undertaking was to be covered by the imperial treasury.

Having transformed into a literal “Wealth-Bestowing Child,” Luo Wushuang’s series of maneuvers didn’t just drain the treasury to its bone-dry floor—it left her buried under a mountain of debt.

Shangguan Liqian looked at Luo Wushuang, whose pockets were now cleaner than her face yet who still walked around with a perpetual grin, and felt a sense of helplessness.

Is this girl a little too excited?

However, the results of this massive spending spree were significant. Upon hearing the news, the common people were jubilant and filled with gratitude. They grew immensely expectant of the upcoming wedding, their hearts and mouths overflowing with the most sincere blessings for the two women.

The common folk didn’t ask for much—just enough to eat and clothes to keep them warm.

Her Majesty’s benevolence was something they could feel tangibly. Those in better circumstances could receive the gifts to soak in the festive joy, while the impoverished could improve their meals and even use the extra coins to pay off old debts.

The citizens preparing to use the “Wealth-Bestowing Child’s” money to clear their debts had no idea that their Empress was currently carrying far more debt than any of them.

Regardless, hearing the feedback from across the land made Luo Wushuang so happy her smile wouldn’t fade.

Nowadays, besides hovering around her sister, her favorite activity was reading the wedding-related memorials sent from various regions. She didn’t even bother reading the standard formal greetings; she skipped straight to the flattery at the end.

“Her Majesty and the Empress Consort are truly a Match Made in Heaven!”

“The people in the streets are so moved by the grace of the Empress and her Consort that they wish to dedicate longevity tablets to them and bow in prayer every day!”

“We wish Her Majesty and Her Highness the Empress Consort a long life together until their hair turns white as snow, and may you live for ten thousand years!”

The compliments were endless.

When Luo Wushuang found a particularly pleasing one, she would read it aloud with dramatic flair. Over the past few days, Shangguan Liqian had heard so many blessings regarding their “harmonious union for a hundred years” and their “blessed marriage” that her ears were practically growing calluses.

If it weren’t for the fact that she didn’t want to ruin Wushuang’s mood, she would have kicked the noisy girl out long ago.

It wasn’t just local officials; even the generals at the border followed the trend and sent memorials. Beyond congratulating the pair, they relayed the soldiers’ gratitude and their vow of undying loyalty to both the Empress and her Consort.

When Luo Wushuang saw these, she hurried to share them with her sister.

With one glance, Shangguan Liqian knew that Wushuang had once again attributed all the merit to her. She felt it was a bit ridiculous, but she was deeply moved.

This girl was truly childish yet overbearing, always finding the most unexpected ways to walk into her heart and then… plant herself there, occupying her entire soul.

…

There were still a few days left before the Grand Wedding, but the entire Kingdom of Luo was already at a boiling point.

Looking back through the past few centuries, which Emperor hadn’t shouted slogans about “universal celebration” and “rejoicing with the people” during their wedding? But most of the time, those were just slogans.

A truly merciful ruler might waive some taxes, but most simply “rejoiced” with the people in name only. No ruler had ever been like their current Empress, placing actual, tangible benefits directly into the hands of the people.

Recalling the previous rumors from the court—that the Empress was tyrannical, bloodthirsty, and had no regard for family…

The commoners, having received such boons, began to spontaneously “wash away the stains” on their Empress’s reputation, despite the fact that she had technically imprisoned her father and killed her brother.

“Rumors! Definitely rumors!”

“Someone must be intentionally slandering Her Majesty. How could a monarch who keeps the people in her heart be truly bad?”

“Besides, our future Empress Consort is Lady Shangguan!”

“That Lady Shangguan who was tormented for years by her stepmother and heartless relatives, treated like a source of wealth to be drained, yet remained kind-hearted?”

Thanks to Luo Wushuang, the image of Shangguan Liqian as a kind, merciful, and righteous figure was now deeply rooted in the hearts of the people.

The ancients said that one is influenced by those they associate with. Her Majesty must have spent so much time with Lady Shangguan that her own heart had grown kinder. With such a virtuous Empress Consort by her side to guide her, the Empress would surely treat the people even better in the future. Their lives were finally looking up.

Now, let alone someone opposing the wedding—if anyone dared to suggest that the Empress and Lady Shangguan weren’t a perfect match, the public would likely tear them to pieces.

No one was allowed to stop Her Majesty from marrying Lady Shangguan!

Under the watchful, expectant eyes of the nation, time ticked by…

To make the wedding as perfect as possible, Luo Wushuang had selected a reliable “maiden home” for Shangguan Liqian: the Mansion of the General of the State.

The General of the State, Lu Xuanxiao, was over fifty years old, a fierce warrior, and a loyal patriot. Most importantly, his family had an impeccable reputation. The men of the Lu household never took concubines and held women in extremely high regard. They were among the few families that neither Luo Wushuang nor Shangguan Liqian disliked.

The family structure was simple. Lu Xuanxiao’s father had been an only child, leaving behind only Lu Xuanxiao and his younger brother, Lu Xuanyu. Lu Xuanxiao had two sons and a daughter, while Lu Xuanyu had one son and two daughters. The household was overseen by a highly respected Old Matriarch.

Upon learning that Her Majesty intended for Lady Shangguan to be adopted as Lu Xuanxiao’s foster daughter and marry out from the Lu Mansion on the day of the wedding, the entire family was overjoyed. They had cleaned the house from top to bottom days in advance.

However, they waited and waited, but the Empress never sent Lady Shangguan over.

According to the customs of the Kingdom of Luo, the couple was not supposed to see each other for ten days to half a month before the wedding. The bride was supposed to stay at her maiden home, dressing up and waiting for the groom to collect her.

Even though the “groom” was now a “bride,” there were only three days left. Why hadn’t Her Majesty sent the girl over yet? Didn’t she say the girl was to be married out from their mansion?

Could Her Majesty have changed her mind? That wouldn’t do!

The Lu family had long been disgusted by the behavior of the Shangguan family. They felt immense pity for Shangguan Liqian, whom they viewed as a kind, polite, and sensible girl. When the Empress mentioned making her Lu Xuanxiao’s foster daughter, they had secretly vowed to treat her as their own.

In their hearts, “Qianqian” was already family. Not even the Empress was allowed to bully her!

Thinking of this, the Old Matriarch, who was in her eighties but still full of spirit, couldn’t sit still. She commanded Lu Xuanxiao and Lu Xuanyu to go to the palace and ask exactly when they could bring the girl home.

Carrying their mother’s earnest hopes, the two brothers set out for the palace with one goal: bring back their “daughter” and “niece.”

Upon entering the palace, the two were politely escorted into the study. Luo Wushuang, who was buried in work, actually took a moment to meet her chosen “father-in-law.”

After a few brief words, she used “busy state affairs” as an excuse, ordered her attendants to serve the Empress’s “maiden family” well with food and drink, and then promptly slipped away.

The Lu brothers failed to retrieve her. The next day, they brought the female members of the family along, using the excuse of “adding to the bride’s dowry” to enter the palace again.

Unsurprisingly, they were treated to more fine food and drink… and then the group was sent home with imperial rewards, but no bride.

The Lu family was helpless. They didn’t have any better ideas; if the Empress wouldn’t let her go, they couldn’t exactly stage a kidnapping. That wouldn’t be forming a family connection—it would be starting a blood feud.