Liang Yin wasn't stupid; she just hadn't accepted the reality. Being raped was a choice she had no other option but to accept.
She had begged Lu Ming not to have sex with her granddaughter, but the result was that she was raped even more brutally. After she fainted, Lu Ming immediately brought her granddaughter, Zhang Qiying, to him, forcing her to watch as his enormous penis penetrated her granddaughter's tight, delicate vagina, making her scream and howl in agony.
"Oh, Yulan, I don't care what happens to your mother, but do you know what Anmin is doing? Oh, he even... he defiled Qiying!" Liang Yin felt an unprecedented sense of shame. She was a grandmother, and yet she was being raped.
If she had maintained her appearance well, she could have forgiven it.
But her daughter and she were from different generations. Both had been raped by Lu Ming; mother and daughter were one thing.
But her granddaughter was still young, and she had been defiled too. Now, three generations were in the same bed, instead of three generations living under one roof.
Zhang Yulan's eyes flickered, a hint of helplessness flashing across them. She touched her mother's hand. "Mother, although my husband is lustful, he treats me very well. And his wife treats me very well too. I'm very happy. No other family allows a concubine to manage the household affairs; only my husband would let me do that. Moreover, Wenji and I have even opened a girls' academy together, specifically for women to learn to read and write, so they can help with calculations or medicine in the future. I was originally planning to have you come too, to help me manage the academy and pass on Mother's divination skills."
"An academy?" Liang Yin was somewhat surprised. Actually, it wasn't a big deal for women to learn to read and write.
It was usually done at home, with a tutor or through exposure.
"A woman's virtue lies in her lack of talent," but this "lack of talent" didn't mean illiteracy, but rather not participating in politics and court struggles.
Without literacy, even managing a large family would be difficult.
Even Wang Xifeng, renowned as a model wife in Chang'an, suffered from her illiteracy; having cunning doesn't guarantee everything.
"Yes, my husband has allocated funds for me, and the academy is up and running. Sister Wenji and I teach the children to read and write, so they'll have a bright future. Besides, the women in the teaching quarters also need to learn to read and write; those who can't can't be managers. They're all studying diligently; who wouldn't want to be a manager? The salary is higher, they can write letters home, eat and drink well, and enjoy medical care." Zhang Yulan deeply admired her husband; with such good benefits, everyone would desperately want to be a manager.
Although there was no shortage of food and drink in the teaching quarters, the meals were simple and plain, incomparable to roast chicken and duck.
They only had the chance to eat meat once every ten days or so, or as a reward after serving Lu Ming.
Meat, once looked down upon, is now unattainable.
Add to that the cosmetics, underwear, sanitary napkins, and even the toilet paper—soft and comfortable, once used, it's hard to go back to the old, outdated ways.
And all of this requires contribution—either serving the emperor, bearing children, or hard labor. In short, to live well, you have to work hard.
Once you enter the brothel, it's practically impossible to leave. It's a hidden den of iniquity, but one that belongs solely to Lu Ming.
"Let me think about it," Liang Yin didn't agree immediately. She was somewhat tempted, but still reserved.
"Mom, please agree! Knowing my husband as I do, he won't let you go. He's a lecher; once he sets his sights on someone, he'll get them. And once he has them, he won't let them go. Look at the brothels, which one hasn't been favored? They have no chance of leaving. Besides, Mother, I'm pregnant now, so I can't serve the Emperor. Please help me!" Zhang Yulan started to whine again, but asking her mother to do it for her when she couldn't was a bit absurd.
"You're really ridiculous," Liang Yin said helplessly, her head spinning from her daughter's shaking. "Alright, alright, I agree. You're shaking me to death."
"Mother, you're so good!" Zhang Yulan beamed. Of course, she hoped her mother could stay, along with her niece. Three generations serving the Emperor together—it would be shameful, but it would firmly hold the man's heart. Wasn't that good?
Shameful?
After marrying Lu Ming and experiencing the polygamous lifestyle, shame was no longer an issue.
Meanwhile, Lu Ming returned to his residence. His wife, Princess Liu Yu, was the one who greeted the angel.
"Your Excellency, you must be tired from your journey. The journey is long, and you will need to rest well in Didao for a few days. Let me, Lu Ming, show you my hospitality," Lu Ming laughed heartily, stepped forward, shook hands with the eunuch delivering the imperial decree, and subtly handed him a jade pendant.
The eunuch was none other than Zhang Bao, an old acquaintance. Despite their familiarity, he still squeezed the jade pendant, feeling the material, and then, satisfied, said, "Oh, Your Excellency, you flatter me. I've come to deliver His Majesty's decree; it's a great honor."
"Oh? Then please, Your Excellency, deliver the decree." Lu Ming bowed slightly; he no longer needed to kneel, but simply sat on the cushion.
Zhang Bao raised an eyebrow, but neither spoke openly nor criticized. Having received a bribe, he felt obligated to comply. As long as Lu Ming didn't explicitly accuse him of rebellion, this minor matter would remain unknown to anyone.
"The matter of Liu Yan, a member of the imperial clan, has caused me great distress. The Prefect of Chang'an, Yang Cong, is incompetent and is hereby dismissed. Lu Ming, the Governor of Liangzhou, is appointed to take over the Three Auxiliary Regions, overseeing all military and political affairs. I hope you will govern well and prevent any further attacks on the Liu clan by bandits."
"Your subject obeys the decree." Lu Ming respectfully rose and accepted the imperial edict.
"Congratulations, Your Excellency! To take over the Three Auxiliary Regions again is truly a great favor from Your Majesty. I congratulate you, Your Excellency!" Zhang Bao said with a smile, clearly having a very good impression of Lu Ming.
Looking around, he whispered, "Zhang Changshi wishes you to return to Luoyang as soon as possible."
"Oh, once this matter is settled, I, Lu, will return immediately." Lu Ming nodded, neither refusing nor asking why.
It was simply because Emperor Ling's health was deteriorating rapidly, and he was undoubtedly nearing his end.
"My lord, there is one more matter. His Majesty has summoned Prince Bian to assist you in managing the Three Auxiliary Regions. The Empress has also departed for Chang'an to manage the temporary palace. You should prepare accordingly." Zhang Bao revealed another startling piece of news. Although it wasn't a secret, Lu Ming was hearing it for the first time!