Chapter 278: Chapter 278: Get Lu Zhan and Zhi Wan Married As Soon As Possible
Upon hearing this, Mr. Wei understood everything.
His expression darkened. Suppressing his rage, he said, "Your Highness, this is against protocol."
"Then gift the one in your hall to me." The smile vanished from Xuanyuan Hongjun’s face, replaced by a sinister look that made one’s skin crawl.
Mr. Wei’s expression turned grim.
The others didn’t dare to breathe, thinking that the rumors were all true. The Crown Prince was as capricious and unpredictable as they said, acting entirely on a whim.
Just moments ago at the banquet, he had been exceptionally respectful toward Mr. Wei. Now, in the blink of an eye, he was coercing him.
After all, Mr. Wei had once been his tutor. To turn on him so quickly was shocking.
Seeing the Crown Prince’s dark expression, the entire Wei Family was terrified.
The Eldest Wei glanced at his father’s face and whispered, trying to persuade him, "Father, it’s just a painting. Since His Highness wants it, why don’t you just..."
"I beg Your Highness’s forgiveness, but this old man cannot part with that painting." Mr. Wei cut his son off in a grave voice, shooting him a cold glare.
Xuanyuan Hongjun’s eyes narrowed. He stared at his former Imperial Tutor, then suddenly burst out laughing. "HA HA! So, Grand Tutor Wei, even in retirement, your integrity remains intact. Good. Very good!"
A cold sweat broke out on all the members of the Wei Family. They knew all too well what this Crown Prince was capable of.
Anyone who defied him was doomed to a terrible fate.
Just as the atmosphere reached a stalemate, Lu Zhenbei walked in.
He was still in his armor, a sharp sword hanging at his waist, his hand resting loosely on the hilt. His eyes swept over the tense atmosphere in the courtyard as he asked, "What’s going on? Your Highness, why the anger?"
At the sight of him, everyone secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Even Mr. Wei’s expression softened considerably.
"Zhenbei, have you just returned from the barracks?"
"I was delayed by military affairs and arrived late. Please forgive me, Father-in-law," Lu Zhenbei said, clasping his hands in a formal bow.
Mr. Wei reached out to help him up. "It doesn’t matter how late you are, only that you came. Come, let’s have a drink, just the two of us." Having said that, he seemed to suddenly remember the Crown Prince and quickly added with an apologetic tone, "Your Highness, please see yourself out. Forgive this old man for not escorting you."
Xuanyuan Hongjun’s gaze swept over Lu Zhenbei.
Seeing him still in his armor with a sharp sword at his hip, the Prince was finally a bit wary. A smile returned to his face. "Grand Tutor Wei, you are too serious. You and Duke Dingguo rarely have the chance to get together. I will not disturb you." With that, he flicked his sleeve and departed.
"We respectfully send off the Crown Prince!" everyone chorused.
Ouyang Lei rose, gave a quick bow to Lu Zhenbei and Grand Tutor Wei, and followed the Crown Prince out.
He had come with the Crown Prince and was responsible for escorting him back to the Eastern Palace.
"Let’s go inside," Mr. Wei said, patting Lu Zhenbei’s shoulder.
Lu Zhenbei nodded and followed him in.
The kitchen brought out fresh food and wine.
The two men—father-in-law and son-in-law—sat across from each other, sharing a drink.
Mindful of his father-in-law’s age, Lu Zhenbei put his cup down after one drink and brought up the matter of the Crown Prince. "Why was he so angry earlier?"
Mr. Wei frowned. He didn’t answer, merely giving him a look.
Lu Zhenbei paused. "It has to do with me?"
"Yes and no," Mr. Wei said, gesturing to the Pine Crane Longevity Painting displayed in the hall. "Do you know who painted this?"
Lu Zhenbei was completely baffled. "Please, Father-in-law, enlighten me."
"Zhi Wan painted it," Mr. Wei said with a sigh.
’It was my fault. If I had known the Crown Prince would get such ideas, I never would have mentioned the painting at the banquet.’
Lu Zhenbei looked at the painting in surprise. "Wan’er painted this?" ’I never knew she had such talent.’
’But he still didn’t understand. What did the Crown Prince’s anger have to do with a painting by Wan’er?’
’What kind of painting could the Crown Prince possibly want that he doesn’t already have?’
’If he liked it, he could just have one of the court painters make a copy. Why cause such an unpleasant scene on my father-in-law’s birthday?’
"If I’m not mistaken, the Crown Prince must have seen Zhi Wan and has... taken an interest in her." Mr. Wei’s expression was grim as he spoke.
’The Crown Prince has no sense of honor or shame whatsoever.’
’If a man like that ascends the Dragon Throne, it will be a disaster for the common people.’
Upon hearing this, Lu Zhenbei’s expression darkened. He slammed a fist on the table. "He’s that shameless?"
"It is my failure as a teacher," Mr. Wei said, his expression utterly dejected.
"This has nothing to do with you, Father-in-law. You did your best," Lu Zhenbei said quickly.
Mr. Wei sighed. "You know the Crown Prince’s temperament. Moreover, the Emperor was deeply in love with the late Empress. Even though he knows the Crown Prince is unfit for the throne, he has no intention of naming a different heir. Over the years, the Prince’s disposition has only grown more perverse and violent. Anything or anyone he fancies, he must possess."
"In my opinion, we should have Jinzhi and Zhi Wan marry as soon as possible."
"Once they are wed, the Crown Prince might give up on the idea. After all, you hold military power. He will have to be wary of you."
Lu Zhenbei understood his meaning and nodded. "I understand. As soon as Jinzhi returns, I will move the wedding date up."
"Also, you and your son must be extra careful at court. The Crown Prince has always wanted to win you over. If he can’t, I fear he will resort to dirty tricks," Mr. Wei added as a word of caution.
"Thank you for the advice, Father-in-law. I’ll remember it," Lu Zhenbei said.
Mr. Wei was gratified to see that his son-in-law took his words to heart.
’None of his own sons, or even his grandsons, had amounted to much. It was a rare thing for his son-in-law, a man of such high standing, to still listen to his counsel.’
Zhi Wan and Lady Wei had been seated at the women’s tables. When the banquet ended, they didn’t join the rest of the Wei Family in seeing off the guests, so they were unaware of the incident that had just occurred in the front courtyard.
After escorting Old Madam Wei back to the rear courtyard, the two were about to leave when Lady Xu and Lady Tao, having finished seeing off the guests, walked in. They shot Zhi Wan a very peculiar look.
Lady Wei saw this and sneered. "If you have something to say, just say it. There’s no need to be so snide."
Lady Tao looked resentful but said nothing. Lady Xu, however, still held a grudge over her daughter being punished. She deliberately covered her mouth with a hand, feigning a laugh. "My dear sister, you have no idea. Just now in the front courtyard, I don’t know if the Crown Prince was drunk or what, but he actually demanded that Father-in-law give him the Pine Crane Longevity Painting that Zhi Wan presented."
"When Father-in-law refused, the Crown Prince actually said he wanted Zhi Wan to paint him another one on the spot."
"After Father-in-law refused again, the Crown Prince flew into a rage. Everyone was terrified! But luckily, our brother-in-law arrived. The Crown Prince gave him some face and finally dropped the matter."
"Something like that happened?" Old Madam Wei asked, her face a mask of astonishment.
"It’s absolutely true. It all started when the Crown Prince picked a flower and told a maid to give it to Zhi Wan, but Ouyang Lei stopped him. It’s really so strange. The Crown Prince only saw Zhi Wan once in the garden, and now he’s sending flowers and demanding paintings. I wonder what he could possibly be thinking?" Lady Xu said with a theatrical sigh.
When Old Madam Wei heard this, the look she gave Zhi Wan was now filled with deep loathing. She turned to Lady Wei and snapped, "Hurry up and leave. Don’t be an eyesore here."
Lady Wei’s heart had gone cold listening to Lady Xu. Now, hearing her own mother’s disdainful words, she could no longer contain her temper. She sneered, "In the future, whatever happens, don’t you dare call for me. Do you think we enjoy being here? Wan’er, we’re leaving!"
"Yes," Zhi Wan replied, her heart heavy.
’Lady Xu had all but said outright that the Crown Prince had taken a fancy to her.’
’The thought made her feel both anxious and frustrated.’
