If I were born again, I would marry a strong but short-lived husband.

Ruan Xinglin was cordially invited by Duke Lu to live in the Duke's Mansion, and a courtyard with an excellent environment was arranged for him.

Even Mr. Lu was polite when he saw Ruan, and he didn't dare to look down on her like before.

Old Madam Lu felt even more upset.

Originally, she thought that Ruan was of low birth and looked down upon her from the bottom of her heart, thinking that she and the illegitimate son were a perfect match. But now, Ruan had transformed herself into the daughter-in-law with the highest birth among the three.

She is actually the legitimate daughter of the number one family in the Southern Dynasty.

How can she be a legitimate daughter?

Old Madam Lu cursed the God in her heart for being unfair, allowing a good person like her to suffer such injustice and torture.

Little did she know that, out of her sight, her most despised son and grandson were already sitting together outside the house, enjoying delicious food.

Lu Yuan was urgently summoned to the palace by the Emperor last night because of the arrival of the envoy from the Southern Dynasty.

The emperor asked him to assist the Ministry of Rites in the reception and ensure the safety of these envoys in Yong Dynasty.

He came to see Ruan Xinglin today.

In the wing room of Yipin Building, Mr. Lu Sanye and his wife sat on both sides of Ruan Xinglin, while Lu Yuan and Shen Suian sat opposite them.

Ruan Xinglin looked at Lu Yuan gently for a long time, and then he said with a sigh, "You look a lot like your father, except for the eyes."

Anyone who sees Lu Yuan will not doubt the father-son relationship between them.

The father he was referring to was naturally not Uncle Lu.

"You have grown up well. Your mother would be very pleased if she saw you now." Ruan Xinglin sighed.

Lu Yuan did not respond to him.

"When I learned of your whereabouts this time, I came to see you immediately because I wanted to tell you your life story in person." Ruan Xinglin said.

Hearing this, Lu Yuan slowly raised his eyes and looked at him.

Master Lu San said, "The left and right sides are clear, no one will hear what we say here."

Ruan Xinglin was grateful for Lu Chuyi's attentiveness.

He slowly spoke of the past. The grievances between the first family of the Southern Dynasty and the imperial power were vividly displayed before them like an unfolding scroll.

"As the first family in the Southern Dynasty, they have always been feared by the royal family. The late emperor arranged a marriage between the crown prince and the eldest daughter of the Ruan family. At that time, they both loved someone else, but they still got together because of politics and interests."

"In order to marry his beloved, the prince arranged for the princess to have an affair with a minister. The Ruan family discovered this early and stopped it in time. A year later, the princess gave birth to a son. The prince secretly spread rumors so that everyone would say that the child's background was unknown.

"The day before the blood test, the child disappeared in the palace."

"The Crown Prince believes that the Crown Princess sent you away out of guilt and wants to depose her."

"During their confrontation, the Crown Prince finally appointed his beloved as his concubine, and the quarrel stopped."

Ruan Xinglin looked at Lu Yuan, "Lu Yuan, you are their eldest son. Your parents are the emperor and empress of the Southern Dynasty. You look so much like him, he can no longer question your origin."

When Shen Sui'an heard these words, he didn't feel the slightest bit happy for Lu Yuan's life story being revealed.

She looked at him with some distress.

She had guessed several possibilities about Lu Yuan's true background, but she never expected that he would be the son of the emperor of the Southern Dynasty.

"You didn't let me do a favor back then, so you sent me away because you felt guilty?" Lu Yuan's tone was cold, not at all like he was just finding out about his life experience.

Ruan Xinglin shook his head gently, "That's not the case, but the Queen knew that even if it was proven that you were the Emperor's biological son, he would not tolerate you."

"At that time, the emperor only wanted the current imperial concubine to give birth to a son to inherit the throne."

"Please continue." Lu Yuan said lightly.

Ruan Xinglin was surprised that Lu Yuan had such a steady and calm demeanor at such a young age.

He went on to tell what happened next.

"The queen had her confidant take you away and evade several attempts to kill you. In order to protect you, she even designed a plan to use Lu Chuming and make him think that you were the child he had with the prostitute."

"The Queen has been looking for you all these years."

Lu Yuan: "As far as I know, the current crown prince of the Southern Dynasty is the only legitimate son of the Emperor and Empress."

"Yes, although the imperial concubine also has a son, after these years of planning, the emperor no longer dares to recklessly harm his son. The queen not only has Ruan behind her, but also the army she has built up over the years."

Therefore, Lu Yuan not only has a noble background, but also has a powerful backer.

His parents are the emperor and empress of the Southern Dynasty, his younger brother is the crown prince, and his maternal grandfather is the number one family in the Southern Dynasty.

"The emperor favors the eldest prince and has been secretly contacting court officials to depose the crown prince." Ruan Xinglin's eyes flashed with anger.

The Ruan family would not rebel, but the emperor's actions made the Ruan family suppress their anger.

"Lu Yuan, I am your eldest uncle. As for your third aunt, she should actually be considered your aunt." Ruan Xinglin said.

Ruan couldn't hold back her tears and nodded to Lu Yuan.

"My sister has had a very difficult time these years. She finally got pregnant with the prince, but she was almost assassinated. She didn't dare to look for you in a big way. I heard that you were in Yong Dynasty, so I left the Southern Dynasty regardless of everything."

"When I first saw you at the Lu family that day, I knew you must be my sister's son."

"Lu Yuan, it's not that my sister wants to abandon you. If she didn't do this at the time, she wouldn't be able to protect you. Although the Ruan family was the first family at that time, it was short of military strength..."

There were too many reasons why Lu Yuan had to suffer so much.

"So, what are you going to do next?" There was no emotion in Lu Yuan's eyes.

He has never received the warmth of family love, and does not have much affection for his biological parents and younger brother.

Ruan Xinglin said, "Of course I will take you back to the Southern Dynasty."

"Lu Yuan, you are the eldest son of the Southern Dynasty royal family. You should go back openly and honestly to prove your innocence."

"Are you trying to prove my innocence, or your queen's innocence?" Lu Yuan asked back.

Ruan Xinglin was stunned. He smiled bitterly, "Back then, the emperor bribed an old acquaintance of the queen. That person is now the prime minister of the court and is targeting the queen. They have already used swords to prove their innocence."

"Lu Yuan, this rotten place, the Duke's Mansion, is not worthy of you. You should stand in a higher position." Ruan said.

"Do you know why Sui Sui has not gotten pregnant even after being married to you for so long? It's because Madam Lu secretly had someone put contraceptive drugs in Sui Sui's meals every day."

Shen Sui'an's expression changed slightly, "I cook all my meals in the small kitchen, and..."

"She bribed the people in your courtyard. I only noticed something unusual recently when the old lady complained that you were not pregnant. I found out after a careful investigation." Ruan said.

"I have already captured him. I will hand him over to you when I get back."

Shen Sui'an's heart was in turmoil. She thought she had been careful enough and alert in everything, but she was still tricked by Mrs. Lu!

Lu Yuan's eyes darkened and he was filled with anger. He held Shen Sui'an's hand and said, "Go find Doctor Zhou."