The ceremony for taking a concubine was much simpler than that for a wife.
It involved simply exchanging betrothal gifts, having a meal together, and then the woman being taken away.
A large banquet was unnecessary.
While a concubine couldn't compare to a principal wife, she was far more noble than a maid. If she performed well, it was quite a respectable position.
Carrying the betrothal gifts, Lu Ming arrived at the Zhang residence.
Located in a somewhat remote street in the west of the city, it indicated considerable wealth for someone to live there.
Lu Ming knew little about Zhang Yulan's family background.
He only knew her brother was named Zhang Lu. Who was Zhang Lu?
After Emperor Ling's death, he became the governor of Hanzhong, a powerful warlord controlling a region.
Moreover, he died a peaceful death, surrendering to Cao Cao in his later years, becoming a wealthy man, and even managing the Five Pecks of Rice sect, living a life of luxury.
Compared to most of the warlords of the Three Kingdoms period, Zhang Lu, though not particularly accomplished, was able to enjoy his later years in peace, which was already quite remarkable.
Upon arriving at Zhang's residence, a man as round as a ball, about 1.56 meters tall, was waiting with a beaming smile at the gate.
Upon seeing Lu Ming and his entourage arrive, his eyes crinkled with laughter as he stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting, "Is this General Lu? I am Zhang Lu, the Yellow Gate Attendant. Greetings, Your Excellency."
"So it's Brother Zhang! A pleasure to meet you. I have long admired your name, and it is an honor to meet you today." Lu Ming sized up Zhang Lu; the man before him, capable of controlling Hanzhong, must be a remarkable figure.
Disdain aside, respect was still necessary.
To rise from humble origins to become the Prefect of Hanzhong, there were countless high-ranking officials involved.
"Brother Anmin, you flatter me. Please come in. My father has been waiting for you for some time." Zhang Lu was currently only the Yellow Gate Attendant; he couldn't afford to offend Lu Ming. Moreover, even if he followed Liu Yan, Liu Yan was currently only a Grand Master of Ceremonies and had not yet taken up his post in Yizhou, so naturally he didn't have much power.
Zhang Lu's residence wasn't large, but it was exquisitely designed. Both the servants and maids wore distinctive Taoist robes.
Upon entering the main hall, a man with an air of otherworldly wisdom sat at the head of the table. His hair was white and he looked somewhat old. He held a whisk in his right hand, clearly a Taoist.
"This humble one, Lu Ming, greets the Taoist Master," Lu Ming said, bowing. The man before him was Zhang Heng, the father of Zhang Yulan and Zhang Lu.
He was also the abbot of a Taoist temple, but held little real power. Such Taoists had never been well-regarded by civil officials.
This was because the emperor was fond of pursuing immortality and Taoist alchemy, wanting to concoct pills to ascend to heaven in broad daylight, only to ultimately die from poisoning!
Moreover, one couldn't very well blame these Taoist priests, so they generally didn't have a good impression of Taoists.
"Greetings, General." Zhang Heng adopted a sage-like demeanor, assuming he was a reclusive sage. In reality, he was shrewd enough to know Lu Ming was someone he couldn't afford to offend, so he simply tried to be more friendly.
"Father-in-law, I'll get straight to the point. I've come by imperial decree from Her Majesty the Empress to propose marriage to Yulan. This is my betrothal letter; please take a look." Lu Ming didn't mince words, not even offering pleasantries, and directly presented the betrothal letter.
Zhang Heng accepted the betrothal letter from the servant, nodded, glanced at it, and, confirming there were no problems, put it away. "So, General, please treat my daughter well from now on. She is my only daughter, the apple of my eye. Yulan is virtuous and kind, but her early life was unfortunate. General, you are like a star in the sky, dazzling and radiant, auspicious and wondrous. Yulan's union with you will further enhance your destiny; it is truly a blessed event!"
(This was a self-praise tactic.)
Especially since Zhang Yulan, although ordered by Empress He, had been married before and was a widow who had returned home, her reputation wasn't good.
Therefore, praising her more favorably would ensure his daughter's better life.
"Yulan is indeed virtuous, and her family has raised her well. Please rest assured, father-in-law, I will treat Yulan well. I can guarantee that Yulan will be able to visit often in the future." Lu Ming wasn't too harsh. Zhang Yulan was practically molded into his shape; a plump young woman who also knew medicine.
If she could become his spouse, he could also learn systematic medical skills, which would be very helpful to his plans.
Opening a women's club, selling clothes, especially underwear, would be very profitable.
Moreover, it would foster relationships, a guaranteed profit.
As for leaving later, it could still be maintained; either way, there would be no loss.
Using medical skills as a pathway, exchanging resources, even if both parties were aware of the true intentions, would provide a good way to gracefully decline.
Making money through mutual benefit—it's not shameful!
One was eager to curry favor, the other eager to understand; the two discussed it quite amicably.
Zhang Lu occasionally chimed in, his knack for finding opportunities to speak shrewdly, which impressed Lu Ming.
Indeed, those who leave their mark on history are never fools!
Soon, the banquet was ready.
Zhang Heng's family joined Lu Ming at the table for a simple meal. Afterwards, Zhang Yulan would become Lu Ming's concubine.
Dinner together was also a way to get acquainted, lest they become strangers and, in the event of a fight, not realize it was their own people fighting—that would be quite awkward.
Zhang Yulan, dressed in red, helped an equally beautiful mature woman out. The two looked like sisters!
In ancient times, to think that women could maintain such youthful appearances was truly astonishing to Lu Ming.
Her jet-black hair was styled into a high bun, revealing a slender, fair neck, delicate ears, and skin as white as snow. A light touch of makeup graced her face, and her eyes and brows exuded a spring-like charm. Her large, watery eyes seemed to overflow with moisture, a half-smile playing on her lips.
Her figure was voluptuous and graceful, and the swaying of her ample hips as she walked could ignite a man's desire!
"Yulan, is this your sister?" Lu Ming asked knowingly.
Zhang Yulan, seeing her beloved lover had actually come to propose, was both shy and delighted. Hearing her lover's—no, now her husband's—words, she covered her mouth and giggled, "This is my mother, my husband!"
"So you are my mother-in-law, my apologies. But you two look like sisters. Mother-in-law, you have a knack for preserving your youth. Like mother, like daughter. I was blind. I'll punish myself with a drink!" Lu Ming, already harboring some ulterior motives, picked up his cup and took a sip. Rumor has it that Zhang Lu's mother possessed the art of preserving her youthful appearance and retained her charm, and even had an ambiguous relationship with Liu Yan; otherwise, it would be difficult to explain why Liu Yan brought Zhang Lu's family with him when he entered Shu.