"We can discuss many medical matters now that we're back, and according to his method, my period really doesn't hurt anymore!" Zhang Yulan's tone was excited, yet tinged with regret.
If her period hadn't come, it meant she was pregnant.
Then Lu Ming could marry her. Unfortunately, she hadn't conceived.
Besides everything else, she also longed to be pinned down and brutally fucked by Lu Ming!
"Oh?" Cai Wenji seemed somewhat interested. Her husband was a doctor, and he knew how to treat women; it seemed she was quite fortunate.
"That shameless scoundrel! Humph!" Princess Wannian was clearly still furious; she was angry that Lu Ming had treated her like a harlot.
She was, after all, a princess, a woman of noble birth; how could she do such a lewd and despicable thing?
"Princess, no matter how much you dislike him, Lu Ming is a done deal. You might as well try to make the best of it. I heard His Majesty values Lu Ming highly. Sigh, even Sister Wenji married at the same time as you. If only I could be with you, the three of us wouldn't have to be separated," Zhang Yulan sighed, feigning sisterly affection, but her act was remarkably well-done.
In truth, women aren't that kind of people. Even the deepest sisterly bond doesn't mean they'd all marry the same man.
It's all about Lu Ming's penis and his future prospects.
Future prospects and power are the most important things. With power and influence, you can win a woman's heart. Once you've been with her, you accept your fate. There's no real love or romance involved.
A penis can be a plus, but it's not the only thing.
Princess Wannian glanced at Zhang Yulan with some surprise, then shook her head. "I know, it's just a little hard to accept. Yulan, don't be too pessimistic. There are very few people worthy of you."
Actually, it's not that there are few, but that they don't even look at her.
Zhang Heng was merely the owner of a minor Taoist temple, while Zhang Yulan's mother was a libationer at the Observatory, her position stemming from her ability to read fortunes.
Fortune telling by women was not uncommon, and it was one of the few positions that could be considered an official post.
Frankly, the daughter of a libationer, if not for her close relationship with Princess Wannian, would have had virtually no standing.
As for Zhang Lu?
He was currently just a minor official.
If it weren't for Zhang Yulan's medical skills, which allowed her to treat the Empress and Empress Dowager in the palace, she might not have been considered a suitable match.
Now, as a widow who had never had children, her past marriages were always a disadvantage. Even if she were to marry into another prestigious family, Zhang Yulan's family status was too low.
"I heard that Lu Ming has already taken many concubines, including women in their thirties, even before marriage. It's said he can't live without women. Hehe, Princess, should I prepare some medicinal food for you to nourish you? Otherwise, you can't take the torment from your husband." Zhang Yulan teased. Women's private affairs are often quite daring; it's not surprising they talk about anything lewd.
They are dignified and elegant ladies in public, but in private, their conversations can make men blush.
"Pah, you really have no shame," Princess Wannian muttered under her breath, but didn't refuse.
Disliking it is one thing, but marriage is still marriage, and she can't refuse Lu Ming's advances. A wife cannot refuse to serve her husband.
If it were a recruitment to become a prince consort, not a marriage of convenience, she would have the right to refuse.
The man is essentially marrying a princess, a right unique to the eldest princess.
However, this wasn't a marriage of convenience; she was marrying Lu Ming, maintaining her princess status but essentially still being a wife, thus unable to refuse his advances.
"Debauched and dissolute, hmph, doesn't even know how to cherish herself." Princess Wannian frowned, feeling a slight displeasure at Lu Ming's numerous concubines.
But she didn't want to interfere too much yet; she'd deal with it after the marriage. A wife couldn't stop her husband from taking concubines; it was unavoidable.
Cai Wenji, listening nearby, blushed slightly. Although she had been married before, she was still a virgin; that tube-headed Wei Zhongdao had never even touched her.
Listening to Zhang Yulan recount her private affairs—about penises, positions, and ways to increase the chances of conception—she blushed deeply, somewhat unwilling and ashamed to listen, yet unable to resist pricking up her ears, wanting to know more.
Luoyang City, West Garden.
Lu Ming had returned to West Garden with nearly seven thousand men, set up camp, and released Xu Huang.
"Gongming, now that Zhang Feng is dead, becoming an outlaw is not a good way out. Are you willing to surrender to me?" Lu Ming released Xu Huang, whose wounds had healed, without putting him in shackles; there was no need.
To be fair, Xu Huang was quite capable, a relatively well-known military commander.
He made a brief but impressive appearance on the battlefield; his strength and performance were good. While he couldn't compare to Lu Ming, he was still competent as a military commander.
Xu Huang had been imprisoned for almost half a month. Now, arriving in Luoyang, he thought he was doomed. He never expected Lu Ming to release him!
For a moment, Xu Huang was at a loss for words. Still somewhat traumatized by being defeated by Lu Ming in two rounds, he said, "I am deeply grateful for your kindness, sir. However, I am a criminal, and my service to you might cause you trouble."
Lu Ming had assumed the man was unwilling, but hearing this question made him want to laugh. "That's not a problem. The surrendered Yellow Turbans have been incorporated into my troops. Before the campaign, His Majesty granted me the authority to act flexibly. You are all hardworking men; I am willing to give you a chance to redeem yourselves. Now, are you willing to submit to me and serve me, or do you wish to return to your commoner status and retire to the mountains?"
There was no such thing as a free lunch. If he really wanted to retire to the mountains, Lu Ming would chop off his head in a heartbeat!
Disobedience was one thing, but if he later served someone else, that would be aiding the enemy.
Lu Ming would rather kill the innocent than let the guilty go free.
Xu Huang clasped his hands and knelt on one knee, solemnly saying to Lu Ming, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. Xu Huang is willing to swear allegiance to you as my lord, and will follow you to the death!"
"Haha, good. With Gongming, I'm like a tiger with wings. You will work under Gongyi for now. Once you're familiar with him, I'll arrange things for you." Lu Ming then called over Jiang Qin and asked him to mentor Xu Huang.
Xu Huang was previously a county magistrate, but the county had been captured by the Yellow Turbans, forcing him to drift with the tide.
He alone, with several hundred county soldiers, could hold off five thousand Yellow Turbans. If Zhang Feng hadn't recruited him, he would probably have been killed by the chaotic army long ago.