Chapter 138 - Sow Discord
“Are you serious?” Zhan Yuanfeng was still unable to understand Zuo Shaoqing's thoughts. The rumors were so much that it was impossible for him not to know that Lu Zheng and Zuo Shaoqing were having an affair.
Was it really possible for such a thing to happen just for a man who had lost the joss stick in his Lu Family?
He thought that even if Lu Zheng liked a man, he could only keep him in the backyard like Jiang Che. No matter what, the two of them were officials of the imperial court.
Seeing Lu Zheng nod without hesitation, Zhan Yuanfeng couldn't help but pat his forehead and say with a wry smile, “Why is that so? Marry a man… What about your Lu Family's incense? What about the title of Lu Family? What about the eyes of the people of this world?”
Lu Zheng replied word by word: “Although the Incense Fire Inheritance is important, to Lu Family, is just transferring the responsibility from one's shoulders to the next generation, it isn't necessarily a good thing. This subject has plans to adopt a son in the future, if he has the ability he can bear the title of Lu Family, if he doesn't have the ability then it's fine, but as for the eyes of the people under the heavens… What does that have to do with me?”
“Haha… You sure are open-minded. Indeed, you are worthy of being called a person who caused everyone a headache when you were young!” Zhan Yuanfeng helped him up, sighed and said, “Even so, if I really give this decree, the saliva of the people in the world can drown me!”
“You, Duke Zhen, are not afraid of being despised by the people of the world. We care the most about face.” It was a good thing that Duke Zhen had been given a marriage, but it was not so glorious to give him a man's wife.
Those who didn't know the truth would think that he was afraid of Master Lu and wanted to use this method to put an end to Duke Zhen's burning desire.
“Your Majesty need not worry about this. This subject will naturally show the sincerity of this subject to the people of the world.”
“What do you want to do?” Zhan Yuanfeng asked cautiously. He did not forget that the eight year old Lu Zheng dared to slap Zhan Yunxiang in front of the late emperor. That was something even the First Prince did not dare to do.
It was at that time that his royal sister's heart started to fall on Lu Zheng's body. At first, she was just looking for trouble, but gradually, it evolved into love and adoration.
They had thought that these were the so-called enemies, but who would have thought that after growing up, they would soon become enemies before the enemies were even able to complete their tasks?
“What is the emperor worried about? A person is someone I have to marry. Even if he's notorious, I still have to shoulder the burden.” It's not like you want to marry a man, Lu Zheng snorted at his nervousness!
“What a dog biting Lü Dongbin!” Zhan Yuanfeng scolded him with a smile and happily agreed, “Since that's the case, I will reluctantly accept, but… Before bestowing the marriage, I must first meet the person who caused Master Lu to lose his mind.”
Lu Zheng slanted his eyes at him, “If it wasn't for the Emperor abolishing the Conference Test Ranking, you would be able to see him on the throne room right now.”
“Haha… So, the reason my beloved daughter mentioned Conference Test was to fight for the one she loves,” Zhan Yuanfeng felt goosebumps all over his body from the words “the one she loves”.
He coughed twice and said: “Today morning at court, Minister of Justice presented the progress of the case, saying that more than ten suspects have been found, among them eight of them are on the top of the list, all of them were buried in studies while being hit by a paper ball wrapped with stones outside the window, upon opening it, they found out that it was a program theory, moreover, this is the current session of the Conference Test examination, some people believed it, some people only saw it as a prank, the result is obvious.”
Lu Zheng's brows twitched, “In other words, we can't find the person behind this from the people that the students come in contact with?”
Zhan Yuanfeng nodded, then smiled evilly: “The other side thought that we could get rid of our relationship this way, but forgot, there is always a motive for doing something. We don't need money nor fame, what else can we ask for? It's just that I don't know who leaked the questions to him.”
Lu Zheng scratched his chin and thought over the life files of a few officials of the Ministry of Rites. “There might not be people purposely changing the topic. Maybe they have an expert who stole the exam questions.”
“Indeed, but the students won't be able to calm down until this person is found.”
Lu Zheng thought to himself, “I'm afraid the one feeling uncomfortable is you, right? Actually, all the students care about is the ranking. Since their proposal was rejected, they might as well take another round.”
He did not want this matter to drag on for long. If the Imperial Examinations did not end, then his wedding date would have to drag on for another day, “The other party's purpose is obviously not to let the Imperial Examinations go on as scheduled. Since that's the case, continuing to investigate would only delay time.”
Zhan Yuanfeng thought for a moment and nodded, “What you said is reasonable. It is not worth it to delay the Imperial examinations for a petty person.”
The afternoon sun was very warm, and the capital began to warm up in April. The imperial garden had long since been filled with the beautiful sight of a hundred flowers blooming in unison, and even the tender green of the grass seemed extraordinary.
Not far from the Imperial Garden, at Yu Ming Palace, Fifth Princess was ferociously whipping a palace maid. The palace maid only wore a single piece of clothing and was tied to a tree. Her white robe was stained with streaks of blood, making her look somewhat frightening.
The palace maids and eunuchs kneeling on the ground, and even the two old mama were trembling in fear.
After beating her to the point where she could barely breathe, Fifth Princess released her whip and sneered at the two mama, “Don't think that you can order your hands around me just because you're from the royal family. You're just a servant!”
The people of the palace lowered their heads even more, afraid that they would be the next to suffer.
Ever since Fifth Princess was called back to the palace by the emperor that day, he never allowed her to leave. She even sent a few old mama over, saying that she wanted to teach Fifth Princess how to behave.
It wasn't that Fifth Princess hadn't resisted, but it was a pity that she was being kept under house arrest inside this palace. There were dozens of Janissary Guard guarding outside the palace, and she couldn't even see the emperor.
Just as everyone was trembling with fear, a clear and melodious male voice rang out, “Fifth sister, what happened? Which blind servant offended you?”
Zhan Yunxiang retracted the sinister look on her face and put on a cute, innocent smile as she walked over. “Fourth Imperial Brother, why have you come to see Xiang'er?”
Prince Ruiqing scratched her nose and said lovingly, “I heard that you were locked up by Brother Huang to learn the rules, so I came over to see how your studies are going.”
Zhan Yunxiang took his arm and said coquettishly, “Fourth royal brother, you have to save me. Second royal brother is determined to torture me to death.”
Prince Ruiqing sighed and said with concern, “Fifth Sister, now that Royal Brother has become the sovereign of the country, you can't be as willful as him anymore.”
Without waiting for Zhan Yunxiang to lose her temper, he glanced at the servants filling the courtyard and dragged them into the inner hall. Then he said, “Imperial brother is doing this for your own good. You're about to get married. You can't be so reckless.”
“Marry?” Fifth Princess raised her voice, her face full of shock as she asked, “Imperial brother wants to make me a Prince Consort? Who is it? Could it be Lu Zheng?”
The joy on her face had just risen when it was shattered into nothingness by Prince Ruiqing's next sentence, “You don't know? My royal brother intended to marry Beidi in order to ensure the peaceful coexistence of our two countries.”
Zhan Yunxiang was stunned for a moment and then screamed, “Beidi? He wants to marry me to such a distant land of the barbarians? This won't do, I have to find my royal brother to argue with…”
“Shh…” Prince Ruiqing covered her mouth and said in a low voice, “Don't roar, who knows how many royal brothers' eyes and ears there are outside of this palace, isn't this roar of yours making him hate you even more?”
Seeing the anger shining in Zhan Yunxiang's eyes, the corner of Prince Ruiqing's mouth slightly raised. She put down her hand and said: “Fifth sister, you should know about this royal marriage. Sigh… This is fate!”
Zhan Yunxiang looked at him blankly. She staggered backward until she fell on a soft chair before waking up, “No, I'm not going to the barbarian north! I don't want to marry a vulgar barbarian!”
“Fifth sister, right now, second royal brother is the ruler of a country. You can't refuse him even if you don't want to. Otherwise, why do you think he would want you to stay in the palace and learn the rules?”
“No way!” Zhan Yunxiang jumped up and walked around the room twice, struggling like a trapped beast. “I'm going to Duke Zhen's house to beg my aunt for her hand in marriage. As long as Lu Zheng marries me, Royal Brother will never disobey his orders.”
Prince Ruiqing looked at her with sympathy. He opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Zhan Yunxiang was not an idiot. Seeing him in such a state, her heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly asked, “What's wrong?”
Prince Ruiqing said hesitantly: “Fifth Sister, haven't you heard any rumors in the palace recently?”
Zhan Yunxiang shook her head as the bad premonition in her heart grew stronger.
Prince Ruiqing looked at her with pity and sighed. “Now all the citizens in the capital know, Lu Zheng likes a man. He has no intention of marrying any woman.”
“Impossible!” Zhan Yunxiang retorted without thinking.
“Do you know who that man is?” Seeing Zhan Yunxiang looking at him doubtfully, Prince Ruiqing said with a cold face: “It's a bastard son of the Zuo Family, and Zuo Shuhui's little brother. He's even this year's top scholar, the reason Lu Zheng liked Zuo Shuhui was to protect him, if not, do you think he would let you hurt the person in his heart without retaliation?”
Zhan Yunxiang's face was pale and green, the fierceness in her eyes could not be concealed. “No, I don't believe it! Even if he has that hobby, it's fine. It's just male pet, I don't mind! What hadn't she seen in this filthy palace?”
“Fifth sister, you are really too naive. He dared to announce to the world that he was serious towards that person. Since when have you seen him do something that he doesn't like?”
“But… It's a man!” No matter how much she liked him, he was still a man. How could she marry him? Even if Lu Zheng wanted to, the madame definitely wouldn't agree.
Prince Ruiqing stopped trying to persuade her and just said: “Whether it is or not, it has nothing to do with you anymore. In any case, you're going to be married to Beidi soon. Isn't it the same no matter who Lu Zheng marries?”
Zhan Yunxiang bit her lips. Her gaze was as calm as water, before it finally turned into determination.
She walked to Prince Ruiqing's side, held his arm and begged: “Fourth Brother, you must have a way, right? As long as you can help little sister this time, little sister will promise you anything.”
Prince Ruiqing gently touched her head, “What nonsense are you talking about? I'm your brother, how can I not help you?” He had the gentlest and most doting smile on his lips, as if he really was the treasure in his hands.
Zhan Yunxiang's eyes lit up, completely unaware that she was walking step by step into the trap of death.
“Tonight is the Lord of the Jiang Dynasty's sixtieth birthday, Lu Zheng will definitely go. As far as I know, Zuo Family is also one of the people invited, as long as…” He whispered a few sentences into Zhan Yunxiang's ear, finally reminding her, “As long as you control Zuo Shaoqing, you can threaten Lu Zheng to marry you. No matter what happens in the future, you don't have to go to Beidi to marry into the Wu Steel Manor.”
“Yes!” Zhan Yunxiang said arrogantly, “Lu Zheng must have been bewitched by that goblin. After the marriage, he will definitely change his mind.”
Prince Ruiqing's eyes flashed and praised sincerely: “The fifth sister students' beauty is so beautiful that it can topple nations. No man can resist your charm.”
Zhan Yunxiang blushed a little, but she was confident in her looks. However, she was also a little worried and asked, “But… How do I get out of the palace? The guards outside would not let me take a single step out of Yu Ming Palace.”
“Don't worry, since Fourth Brother wants to help you, he will help you to the end. Two hours later, change into the palace maid attire, and Fourth Brother will arrange for someone to take you out of the palace.”
Zhan Yunxiang nodded and quickly wrote a letter for Prince Ruiqing to send to the manor outside her city. The people in the palace could not be taken out, so all the people she could send out were in the manor outside.
She didn't believe that these people wouldn't be able to hold back a weak scholar!
Looking at her confident look, Prince Ruiqing couldn't help but look down on her in his heart: I really don't know how this woman grew up in the inner palace. How can such a person be worthy of being a princess?
However, this kind of person was just perfect for borrowing. With Zhan Yunxiang's personality, she would definitely not let a person like Lu Zheng go when she heard that she had someone she liked. She wanted to see how much Lu Zheng cared about that person.
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