Chapter 148 - Be a Good Boy When You Get a Bargain
After the madame left, Zuo Shaoqing's smile immediately changed. He squinted at Lu Zheng and asked, “Master Lu, are you still going to play chess?”
He bent over, picked up the small table on the floor, and threw it to the side. Then, he sat on the bed and picked up the pieces that were scattered just now and put them away properly. Even the chess game returned to the one that was in the middle of a game.
Zuo Shaoqing only felt as if he had punched cotton, and in a short moment, Lu Zheng returned to the unsmiling appearance that he remembered.
He snatched the chess box with the white paper and, changing his gentle look from before, slammed a chess piece onto the board. “The loser will sleep in the study tonight!”
The corner of Lu Zheng's mouth twitched. He quickly understood that he couldn't win tonight's game. Not only would he lose, he would lose face as well.
He sighed and focused on the board.
Zuo Shaoqing's previous chess game was mainly on defense, but this time, it was full of killing intent. Wherever there was a black spot, he would drill down and kill every single one of them. Of course, even if he did that, he wouldn't be able to win.
Lu Zheng gave him a few openings and led him closer. In the end, Lu Zheng lost by one son.
“I haven't played for a while, but Shao Qing's good at chess.” Compared to his first game of chess with Zuo Shaoqing, this game was clearly more effective.
However, Zuo Shaoqing replied with self-awareness, “I don't dare to be late, it's all because of Master Lu's leniency! However…” He pushed the chess board out with his foot, pointed to the door and said, “In the end, you won late. Master Lu, please move!”
Lu Zheng looked at him with his vivid eyes. After putting away the chess pieces, he hugged the person and asked: “Still angry?”
“I don't dare to!” Zuo Shaoqing tilted his head and gave him a nice side profile.
Lu Zheng knew he was shy, so he probably wanted to stay by himself at this moment. “It's no problem to let me sleep in the study, but… Should I give you some compensation?”
“What compensation?” Zuo Shaoqing looked at him vigilantly.
Lu Zheng pointed at his lips. That was obvious.
As Zuo Shaoqing mentioned this, he recalled the old mistress' awkwardness when she barged in to check. Although he couldn't see his lips, they must have been red and swollen at that time.
Thinking about how he lost his composure in front of his elders, Zuo Shaoqing raised his head and glared at Lu Zheng. With a trace of embarrassment and annoyance, he said word by word, “A knife on the head of a pervert.”
Lu Zheng took the initiative to walk over and kiss his. Before he left, he raised his eyebrows and asked, “Qingqing, don't you forget who the person who seduced me was?”
Without waiting for Zuo Shaoqing to lose his temper, Lu Zheng disappeared from the room in the blink of an eye. Zuo Shaoqing, who was showing off his intimacy from before, slapped his own face and repeated: “A knife on the head of a pervert!”
The imperial court was in a state of turmoil, and for the past three days, the civil and military officials had been holding their heads up in fear and trepidation. Even so, there were still quite a number of officials who were deprived of their black muslin hats and executed every day in the throne room.
Emperor Tianfeng, who was known for his benevolence, was swift and decisive in just three short days. Whether he deserved to be killed or exiled, he was not lenient at all. His ruthlessness even made the court officials and the commoners look at him in a new light.
However, these matters had nothing to do with the Liu Steel Manor. Lu Zheng knew that Zhan Yuanfeng was taking advantage of this excellent opportunity to get rid of those who were different from him. He decided not to go to court and instead concentrated on accompanying Zuo Shaoqing to recuperate.
No matter who asked for it, they were heartlessly rejected. For a moment, the news of Emperor Tianfeng's viciousness and Duke Zhen's ruthlessness spread across the entire Great Yang.
Five days later, the commotion caused by the rebellion of Prince Ruiqing finally calmed down. Soon after, Emperor Tianfeng awarded different degrees of rewards to the civil and military officials who had performed meritorious deeds this time.
Some of the more discerning officials noticed that this time, those who were promoted were all Emperor Tianfeng's trusted aides, and Jiang Che Vice Minister Jiang had even replaced the Ministry of Personnel records from before to become the youngest of the second rank in the history of Great Yang.
When the bounty was over, everyone realized that Master Lu, the biggest contributor to the team, did not receive any bounty at all.
A thoughtful official could not help but mutter in his heart, “It seems like the emperor has already placed his fear of Master Lu in the light. I just don't know when he will make a move against Duke Zhen Manor.”
Although they had this kind of idea, none of the ministers dared to underestimate Master Lu. After all, Master Lu had a heavy army, so it was not certain who would win if they fought.
In the imperial study room, smoke was drifting out from the incense burner, but Zhan Yuanfeng was not in the mood to savor the new aroma of the dragon's saliva.
“Do you know why we promoted you to become the next Patriarch?” Zhan Yuanfeng asked lightly.
Jiang Che, who was kneeling on the floor, slightly moved his numb knees. He straightened his back and answered with a serious expression, “This subject understands.”
Zhan Yuanfeng looked deeply at the young man who had accompanied him since he was young. Jiang Che's personality was open-minded since a young age, and his mouth was sweet as well, so his ability to do things was not bad. Thus, he had always wanted to nurture him, letting him take over Ministry of Personnel was a decision he made a long time ago.
But… He changed the topic, and seemingly brought up the topic unintentionally: “I heard that you're about to get married with Zuo Family?”
Jiang Che paused. “The emperor is too serious. He's only taking in concubines.” He didn't understand why the emperor would mention such a small matter.
Moreover, he had always treated this matter as a humiliation. The woman, who originally intended to push the matter to Lu Zheng, now mysteriously entered his arms. Jiang Che didn't even have the slightest bit of happiness in accepting a concubine.
The scene that night was too chaotic. He was only concerned with Lu Zheng and did not see who pushed him into the water. However, after some careful consideration, he concluded that the person who kicked him into the water was definitely not ordinary.
This was also why he never thought about Zuo Shaoqing. He only thought that the hidden guard who was protecting Lu Zheng in the dark had done something to him.
“Mm…” Zhan Yuanfeng lightly knocked on the dragon case. The latest official list was placed on the table, with Lu Zheng's name impressively at the top.
Although he was not as fearful of Lu Zheng as others thought, he did not wish for Duke Zhen Manor to be the dominant power. The reason he valued Jiang Che was partly because of his prestige in Jiang Family, and partly because he knew that Jiang Che was not as respectful and obedient to Lu Zheng as he appeared to be.
But now, the two families that he originally wanted to balance with each other had become intimate with Zuo's Mansion at the same time. Then, he would have to reorient Jiang Che's position.
Since Jiang Che was able to accompany the Sovereign and walk at a steady pace, his brain was definitely not stupid. He saw through Zhan Yuanfeng's wavering and explained: “It's all my fault for being impulsive, causing my mind to be in a mess when I saw the Great Miss Zuo Family fall into the water.”
“Haha, I've also heard that this young miss is extremely beautiful and has become your concubine just like that. I've truly wronged her.”
Jiang Che hurriedly said, “What Your Majesty said is extremely true. Although this humble subject and Miss Zuo Family have made contact before, it is understandable that I have to follow orders urgently.”
Zhan Yuanfeng jokingly scolded: “Don't be so cheap and still act good! Since you touched her daughter, Huang Hua, it would be strange if she didn't ask you to take responsibility.”
Jiang Che secretly curled his lips. He really didn't feel like he got the upper hand. Originally, he was after Zuo Shaoqing, but in the end, he actually got such a woman back. It was not worth it at all.
He did not doubt Zuo Shuhui's innocence. After all, he knew about Zuo Shuhui's kidnapping the other day. He was very clear about what happened between them, but he was still unwilling.
“Your Majesty is enlightened that because of this matter, this humble subject has no choice but to agree to this marriage.”
“From generation to generation, Zuo Family has always treasured the good name of women the most. Furthermore, he only has this kind of direct daughter, so it's normal for his to be emotional.” Liu Tie's eyes flashed. He knew that Zuo Shaoqing had been staying in the Sun Steel Manor for the past few days to recuperate, and Zuo Family didn't dare to go to the Sun Steel Manor to ask for someone.
On one side was the favoured daughter, and on the other was the neglected son of a concubine.
“The dignified direct disciple of Zuo Family is willing to become a concubine. Don't be too harsh on his, let others laugh at you if word of it spread.”
“Yes, this subject understands.” Jiang Che never intended to refuse. Although he didn't like Zuo Shuhui, he didn't care about having another woman in his backyard. After a moment of silence, he carefully asked: “Your majesty, there's one thing I don't know if I should tell you?”
“Hmm?”
“There were some bad rumors outside because you ignored Master Lu…”
Zhan Yuanfeng was not surprised at all. He waved his hand to stop him, “It must be that you're saying that I'm narrow-minded and won't tolerate Lu Zheng's achievements. I'm tired of hearing these words.”
“Then…”
“Alright, I have my own plans for this!” Speaking of Lu Zheng's matter, Zhan Yuanfeng felt a burst of irritation. He couldn't understand why a good man like him would want to marry a man. It was fine for his to marry, but he still wanted to be bestowed a marriage under the imperial decree. This matter was just too absurd.
After Jiang Che left, a tall and handsome young man walked out of the study room. He wore a set of dark green short pants, which were both capable and ordinary.
If Lu Zheng was here, he would have definitely recognized this person as one of Mo Chengzhong's trusted aides from the Beijing Garrison.
The young man knelt below and reported in a low voice, “Your majesty, Mo Chengzhong died suddenly in the capital city's camp this morning.”
Zhan Yuanfeng expressionlessly crossed out Mo Chengzhong's name from the list, “Mo Chengzhong did not achieve anything, but it's not good for us to convict him. You did well this time, in the future, the capital's military camp will be under your control, don't disappoint me!”
The young man kowtowed three times: “Thank you, my lord!”
Zhan Yuanfeng stood up and walked in front of him, looking down at the chess piece that he had inserted into the base, his thoughts were hard to determine, and he wanted to hear Lu Zheng's performance on that day from his own mouth. Zhan Yuanfeng could not help but sigh, “This dynasty's military generals are scarce, and people like Lu Zheng are even rarer.”
That young man lowered his head in shame, he really wanted to say that there wouldn't be a second general like Master Lu in the entire Great Yang.
How could Zhan Yuanfeng not know? He rubbed his swollen forehead and thought: It's time to solve the problem of Master Lu's reward.
As a result, when the ministers were preparing to enter a beautiful nightlife, an imperial edict was passed down from the palace, stating that the Hall Competition, which had been delayed due to the cheating case, would be held tomorrow. The current session of the Conference Test could be attended by all the disciples, and the final result of the Hall Competition would be the final result.
In other words, those examinees whose names had fallen behind in the Conference Test were also able to participate in the Hall Competition. Not only did this give them another chance to be ranked, it also gave all the students a chance to see the Holy Maiden's face. That night, the capital once again boiled over with cheers and praises from the students.
Zuo Shaoqing also received the news and could not help but ask Lu Zheng: “What is the purpose of the Emperor's action?” The previous case of cheating had not yet been concluded. The students were only dealt with as they knew how to cheat.
The Hee Zhicheng that Zuo Shaoqing knew wasn't convicted, Zuo Shaoqing wasn't sure if he had cheated, but Ministry of Justice didn't provide any evidence that he had cheated, so it was likely that this person was either truly talented or talented.
“Isn't that better? I have long thought that it would be too much trouble to take the Imperial examinations. If I had these scholars sit in front of Zhan Yuanfeng to take the examinations, who would dare to cheat?”
The corner of Zuo Shaoqing's mouth twitched. He cupped his hands and said with a smile: “Master Lu, I thought I could recommend you as the main examiner for the next Imperial Examinations!” No one would dare to cheat!
“Hmm, if you are disqualified this time, I can consider this suggestion.” Lu Zheng said with a serious expression: “I will definitely give you another chance!”
Zuo Shaoqing didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he was extremely touched. He went up and bit his lips, “Don't be a jinx, I'm still hoping to enjoy the view of wearing a long robe.”
Lu Zheng pressed down his retreating head and deepened the kiss. His tongue wrapped around his mouth for a while before he let go, “Then those women will take advantage of the fact that you are not allowed to ride in the streets!”
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