Chapter 412: Chapter 229: Don’t Tell Me These Eunuchs Are Going to Carry the Car to the Emperor
If word of this reached the Emperor’s ears, things would get very troublesome.
Of course, the Emperor would still have to consider the Royal Family’s reputation. At the very least, he wouldn’t publicly execute Lu Yuan by slow-slicing. But worst-case scenario, he would dispose of Lu Yuan secretly—arranging an "ambush by bandits," having him flayed, or even castrating him and forcing him into palace service.
Don’t be fooled by Emperor Gu Yuanzhang’s harmless appearance; when he decides to act, he’s more ruthless than anyone.
To Su Liyan’s mother, it was now as clear as day. Lu Yuan was bound to give this martial arts tournament for marriage a shot. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be doing justice to the kiss Yue’Er had just given him.
While Lu Yuan was chatting with his mother-in-law, several Daoists approached. Lu Yuan recognized them as the Daoists from Le Shen Temple, who had come to check on his injuries.
Lu Yuan lied, claiming he had suffered some internal injuries and still needed a few days of quiet rest.
When you’re away from home, you have to be wary of everyone except for a select few you can trust.
The Daoists from Le Shen Temple then stated their purpose: they had come on the Grand Elder’s orders to present him with several medicinal herbs for his recovery.
Lu Yuan accepted them and said very politely, "Please thank the Grand Elder for his kindness on my behalf. I will be sure to visit and thank him personally another day."
"Honorable Daoists, please make way." An old eunuch patted the shoulders of the Daoists surrounding Lu Yuan.
The Daoists turned around and saw a man whose face was completely devoid of hair. Their keen sense of smell also picked up a peculiar scent.
Without even having to guess, they knew he was from the palace.
Lu Yuan peeked through the crowd and saw the newcomer. It was the Chief Eunuch who had led the way for him yesterday. ’Why did he come all the way here himself?’
Lu Yuan stepped forward to greet him, speaking first. "Eunuch, what brings you here?"
The casual patrons eating in the first-floor hall stared at the huge crowd gathered over there. Munching on peanuts, they whispered amongst themselves, "Who is that guy? What a big shot. Even people from the Imperial Capital have come looking for him."
"SHH! Talk less and just watch. Be careful what you say!" a person at the same table warned, putting a finger to their lips in a hushing gesture.
The Chief Eunuch’s face was all smiles as he said, "Lord Lu, are you recovering well? This old servant has come to offer congratulations."
Lu Yuan swung his arm, pretending it was a bit of a struggle, and said, "To be honest with you, Eunuch, I still need a few more days of rest. As for these congratulations you speak of... what is the happy occasion?"
The Chief Eunuch cleared his throat. "Lord Lu, you may not be aware, but you placed fifth in yesterday’s martial arts tournament. His Majesty the Emperor will be rewarding the top five contestants. In one week, there will be a final round of competition, and the reward for first place is incredibly generous."
In their circles, it was an open secret that the reward for first place was marrying the Thirteenth Princess. However, no one dared to state it plainly, since the Emperor had not yet announced it himself.
The reason the second round was scheduled a week later was to account for the fact that everyone had sustained injuries to some degree in the first round and needed time to recuperate.
Hearing this, Lu Yuan understood in his heart that his dream of returning to Taiping City to be cozy at home with his wife and children was now unlikely.
Lu Yuan smiled and said, "I’m truly grateful to you, Eunuch, for coming all this way to deliver the good news."
Lu Yuan gave one of his confidants a meaningful look and continued, "Eunuch, you’ve come a long way, and I should be accompanying you. Unfortunately, I’m injured, so please let my man take you to rest for a bit."
The Chief Eunuch said, "Lord Lu, you’re too kind. How could this old servant dare to trouble you?"
Lu Yuan was always particularly polite to those who served the Emperor.
Lu Yuan’s confidant, understanding the Young Master’s intentions perfectly, stepped forward and said, "Eunuch, this way, please!"
The Chief Eunuch was a seasoned veteran. He naturally knew how to read a situation—especially when to expect a little something for his trouble. He knew the game perfectly!
After the old eunuch left, the Daoists from Le Shen Temple cupped their hands and congratulated Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan greeted them, "Honorable Daoists, you’re too kind. There’s no need to be such strangers. We have a bit of a connection, after all."
As the holder of the Daoist Elder Order, Lu Yuan indeed had intricate connections with these Daoists.
Lu Yuan exchanged pleasantries with the Daoists for a while before excusing himself, saying he needed to return to his room to rest. He then had a few confidants entertain the Daoists from Le Shen Temple.
After Lu Yuan returned to his room, Su Liyan’s mother followed him in.
When he’d set out, he had thought it would just be a quick trip to the Imperial Capital before returning to Taiping City. Who would have expected something like this to happen?
Now, if Lu Yuan had something on his mind, his mother-in-law was the only one he could discuss it with face-to-face.
Lu Yuan took out his phone, looked at his mother-in-law, and said, "Mother, it looks like we can’t go back to Taiping City for now. I’ll tell my wife."
Su Liyan’s mother said, "Yes, yes. You two should talk it over."
Lu Yuan called his wife and reported his thoughts and the latest developments to her.
Two days later, Lu Yuan was once again summoned for an audience with the Emperor.
This time, Lu Yuan met with Emperor Gu Yuanzhang in a pavilion in the Imperial Capital’s Imperial Garden.
In the Imperial Garden, aside from the winter hollies, almost all the other plants had withered. Their branches had been trimmed neatly.
The pavilion in the Imperial Garden was shielded by curtains. The material wasn’t some expensive silk, but simple canvas, meant to block the wind.
Beneath the pavilion, the two sat facing each other, attended by four Maids.
Emperor Gu Yuanzhang asked, "How are your injuries?"
Lu Yuan replied, "Your Majesty the Emperor, my body has mostly recovered."
Gu Yuanzhang and Lu Yuan chatted for a long time. The conversation had no clear focus; you could say they talked about whatever came to mind. However, the Emperor’s words were a mix of subtlety and directness.
One moment he would ask about public affairs, the next about private matters. He even asked how many children Lu Yuan had.
Facing the Emperor’s questions, Lu Yuan remained calm and sincere. Aside from a few unbelievable truths, he answered almost everything honestly.
What were these unbelievable truths? For example: Lu Yuan had a System Space, and he could see the numbers above everyone’s head... If he said these things, the Emperor wouldn’t believe him. Instead, he would probably think something was wrong with the kid’s brain, or that he’d been possessed by a ghost.
Regarding the Emperor’s questions, some were things the Emperor didn’t know, while others were questions to which he already knew the answer.
What were the questions he already knew the answer to? For example: asking how many wives and children Lu Yuan had.
The Jinyi Guard under the Emperor’s command weren’t just for show. Could they really not find out such information?
Unless he was absolutely certain, Lu Yuan didn’t dare to casually lie or evade the questions, lest he cause unnecessary misunderstandings.
Was there ever an emperor who wasn’t deeply suspicious?
Therefore, sincerity was the ultimate killer move!
The Emperor was very satisfied as he listened to Lu Yuan’s airtight answers.
The Emperor looked at Lu Yuan. Compared to his last visit to the Imperial Capital, he seemed more mature and steady. His conversation style no longer gave off the cold impression it had before.
’My little princess really fancies this man. He’s capable, intelligent—a rare talent indeed.’
That was what the Emperor was thinking, but the moment he remembered Lu Yuan was a married man, he couldn’t help but feel a pang of regret for his little princess.
The Thirteenth Princess, Gu Ziye, was the youngest child of Emperor Gu Yuanzhang and Empress Ma, not born of some concubine. Naturally, he didn’t want his little princess to become someone’s concubine.
But he couldn’t do anything about Gu Ziye’s infatuation. For the past two days, she had been following him around, furiously talking up Lu Yuan.
If it were a child born to one of his concubines, it would be a much simpler matter. There’d be no need for all this trouble; he could just marry her off to a nobleman or a General without even needing to ask for her opinion.
Seeing that the Emperor was just beating around the bush, Lu Yuan took the initiative. "Your Majesty, a few days ago, you asked me why I arrived at the Imperial City ahead of schedule. I mentioned that I came by car. Today, your humble servant has driven a self-developed car to the Imperial City Gate."
"Oh? The car that runs very fast?" the Emperor asked.
Lu Yuan said, "Yes, Your Majesty. Without your permission, the car cannot enter the Imperial Capital."
The Emperor called out, "Someone! Bring Lord Lu’s car, which is parked at the Imperial City Gate, in here. Let Us have a look."
From outside the pavilion came a eunuch’s voice, "This old servant will go at once!"
Hearing this, Lu Yuan was speechless. He had driven the car to the Imperial City Gate himself. Besides him and his confidants, was there anyone in the Imperial City who even knew how to drive?
’Aren’t these eunuchs going to end up carrying the car to the Emperor?!’
Comments