Chapter 152 - Please Grant Marriage
“Your majesty, your student has questions. Should I speak of them?” A young looking student suddenly asked in a loud voice.
Zhan Yuanfeng looked towards the direction of the voice and his eyes flashed. He then asked with a smile: “Oh? If you have any questions, you might as well tell them.”
As everyone's gaze gathered on the youth, the youth puffed up his chest, as if he had long since gotten used to the attention of the crowd. He wasn't the least bit embarrassed, but instead boldly asked, “Your Majesty, the students think that not only does the imperial court need outstanding scholars, but they also need talented people, right?”
Zuo Shaoqing only felt that the youth was a little familiar and couldn't remember where he had seen him until Hee Zhicheng smiled and said a name beside him. Only then did he remember that this youth was the one who was dragged away from the Conference Test Exam grounds that day.
He still remembered that this youth's surname was once upon a time, and that he was the grandson of the current tutor.
He had thought that this youth would be disqualified from taking the examinations, but it looked like the treatment of the Imperial Tutor's grandson was different.
If he had not lost that year's Zuo Family, would he have grown into this fearless personality due to the protection of his family?
Zhan Yuanfeng nodded and asked gently, “What do you want to say?”
“Your Majesty, your student heard a few days ago that Zuo Shaoqing and Duke Zhen have an unusual relationship. How could a student who thinks nothing of others while trying to be perverted, be regarded as talented and virtuous at the same time? How did you become the top scorer in the Imperial examinations?”
The civil and military officials silently lowered their heads, thinking to themselves: This is really a newborn calf not afraid of a tiger, Tutor Zeng's family education is indeed impressive!
Now, everyone knew that Zuo Shaoqing was Master Lu's man. Even if he didn't look at the monk's face, he still had to look at the buddha's face. He actually still dared to provoke him.
Unlike the silent officials, there were quite a few who agreed. If it wasn't for the fact that they were in the palace, they would have started a ruckus.
Zhan Yuanfeng asked casually, “Where did you get that from?” As for ignoring others, that would depend on who his target was.
Young Master Zeng's face turned red. He wanted to say that Zuo Shaoqing was not good-looking and was too enchanting, but when he glanced at Zuo Shaoqing's face from the corner of his eyes, he couldn't find the words to go against his heart.
“This… A dignified man gives himself to a man. If he isn't a pervert, then what is he?”
Zhan Yuanfeng glanced at Tutor Zeng's seat. Seeing that he was anxious and angry, he didn't want to make things too difficult for his grandson. He directly kicked the ball towards Zuo Shaoqing and asked with squinted eyes: “Zuo Shaoqing, what do you have to say?” He was looking forward to Zuo Shaoqing retorting. It would be more fun if he denied the relationship between him and Lu Zheng.
Zuo Shaoqing walked out calmly, cupped his hands, and said, “Your Majesty, the students don't think that personal feelings problems are related to morality. The students should act properly, and not be afraid of anyone slandering them.”
Zhan Yuanfeng nodded and was a little surprised by his candor. “Speaking of Prince Ruiqing's execution and Zuo Shaoqing's contribution, he is quite a courageous and scheming person.”
“It's just that the situation has forced me to do so, and I don't dare to claim credit for it.” Zuo Shaoqing had also heard that Emperor Tianfeng had purposely neglected Lu Zheng when discussing merit and rewards. As for him, no one mentioned him and no one knew what this young monarch was thinking.
Zhan Yuanfeng glanced at the densely packed crowd below him and had a plan in his mind. He said, “I have never given Duke Zhen a reward before, so you all think that I am stone-cold and afraid of Duke Zhen. Today, everyone is here, why don't you all listen to Duke Zhen's request yourself… Someone, bring Duke Zhen into the palace!”
What a great opportunity, as long as Lu Zheng made the request of bestowing the marriage on Duke Zhen in front of so many people, and he reluctantly agreed, the people wouldn't think that he was deliberately humiliating Duke Zhen, right? This was killing two birds with one stone!
Without waiting for the attendant to announce the order, a guard came to report that Duke Zhen had entered the palace and was already waiting outside.
Zhan Yuanfeng burst into laughter and said in high spirits, “Xuan!”
Immediately, an attendant announced in a loud voice, “Xuan… Duke Zhen enters the palace to meet you!”
After a short while, everyone saw a man galloping over from the distance. The clattering sound of the horse's hooves was quite loud in the silent palace.
Anyone with a bit of experience could tell that Duke Zhen had the right to enter the palace on horseback. However, after seeing this scene with his own eyes, his heart was slightly shocked.
This was the status below one man in the tens of thousands. This was the power to wield heavy soldiers. No one would dislike this feeling of superiority.
There was no lack of good guys among the students. At this moment, they were envious and jealous of Zuo Shaoqing. At the same time, they were also looking forward to the possibility of Master Lu taking a fancy to them.
Zuo Shaoqing still didn't know that he had a lot of love rivals. He stared at the figure that was getting closer and closer with his heart beating faster and faster.
Lu Zheng was wearing a dark purple court uniform today. He was the only one in the hall. With his majestic figure and sharp aura, it would be hard for anyone to open their eyes for a long time.
Lu Zheng dismounted from his horse at the back of the crowd and naturally, someone moved aside for him. Seeing him steadily walk forward and kneel on one knee, Lu Zheng's voice was as loud as a bell as he said: “Long live the Emperor!”
“You're on your own. It's true that Cao Cao Cao has arrived. I was just about to ask my beloved official to enter the palace when you arrived.”
“Coincidentally, I have come to fulfill the promise I made that day.” Lu Zheng stood up neither humbly nor arrogantly.
Zhan Yuanfeng's smiling face stiffened for a moment. He then advised: “Lu Aiqing, you should listen to these students first!”
“I am all ears!”
“Cough, cough…” Zhan Yuanfeng was a bit speechless. He pointed at Young Master Zeng and said, “Then who… Repeat what you just said to Duke Zhen.”
“This… This…” Young Master Ceng stammered as he looked at Lu Zheng's back. He was a bit panicked in his heart. Although he was used to showing off, he was still afraid of Master Lu who had a biting cold aura. What if Master Lu was angry and pulled out his sword to kill him?
“Let me speak for him.” Zuo Shaoqing's clear voice entered everyone's ears. When he opened his mouth, Lu Zheng had already turned around and was looking at him with a burning gaze.
“Master Lu, this brother just said that I am someone who does things based on lust, I am not fit to be a top scholar. What do you think?”
Lu Zheng didn't answer him. Instead, he said in front of everyone, “Your majesty, this subject is here to request an imperial edict for the marriage!” I'm not here to listen to this nonsense.
The crowd burst into an uproar. Other than Zuo Shaoqing and Zhan Yuanfeng, everyone else thought that Lu Zheng's words would be tantamount to clarifying their relationship with Zuo Shaoqing. Immediately, they looked at Zuo Shaoqing in a different light: disdainful, contemptuous, mocking …
Oh, no, there was also a gaze of worry. It was Qu Changqing, who had always been sincere to Zuo Shaoqing.
Jiung Hengzhou had been standing aside silently ever since Zuo Shaoqing had qualified. He watched this scene from the sidelines with a cold expression. At this moment, his heart was slightly moved.
His admiration for Duke Zhen came from his elder brother. In those days, his elder brother was only a guard beside Duke Zhen. Every time he collected the letter from home, he could see Lu Zheng's deeds between the lines.
Gradually, he became more and more curious about Duke Zhen. He also wanted to meet this decisive man who was younger than his brother.
The first time they met, his impression of Lu Zheng wasn't that good, because at that time, he didn't know Lu Zheng's identity and only thought that Lu Zheng was the boss of Cao Sect.
After going to Beijing, he found out that Duke Zhen's family funded Tong An Hall and took in the orphans that were rescued from the northern border. His fear of Duke Zhen rose to a whole new level.
Then he tried to find a way to meet Master Lu and expressed his desire to go to Tong An Hall. He mentioned his elder brother who died early, and Master Lu agreed.
Not long after, the rumors about Master Lu's manliness spread. Jiung Hengzhou felt that someone must have maliciously accused him and did not take it seriously. Until this rumor was confirmed, the anger in Jiung Hengzhou's heart had accumulated even more.
It was as if there was a stain on a white piece of paper that made people want to wipe it away. It was probably from that time onwards, he had a pinch on Zuo Shaoqing, and adding that his Conference Test was overshadowed by Zuo Shaoqing, this pinch grew bigger and bigger. It was just that the two rarely interacted, and didn't have the chance to meet.
He originally wanted to turn the match around in the Hall Competition, but he didn't expect that he would lose in the end.
Although he looked calm on the surface, his heart was surging with emotions. It was normal for him to be defeated by others, but this person was Zuo Shaoqing. It was the person who led Duke Zhen astray, the person who ruined Duke Zhen's reputation.
Jiung Hengzhou had just taken a step forward, wanting to put Zuo Shaoqing in a hopeless situation when he heard Lu Zheng's sonorous and forceful voice: “This subject wants to marry Zuo Shaoqing as his wife, please grant the emperor a marriage!”
Thousands of people took in a breath of cold air at the same time. That stunned expression was not any better than Zhan Yuanfeng's when he first heard the news.
Seeing this scene, Zhan Yuanfeng finally felt a bit more comfortable, he retorted seriously: “Lu Aiqing, do you know what you're saying? Zuo Shaoqing is the top scholar for this year's Imperial Examinations. How can he marry you?”
“There is no conflict!”
“Why didn't they conflict? As a wife, one should be taught by a husband and daughter. How can one enter the imperial court and become an official when handling household chores?” Saying that, Zhan Yuanfeng realized his slip of tongue. A man can have a husband, where did his godson come from?
“There is no shortage of servants in Duke Zhen's residence. There is no need for Madam to take care of things herself.” Lu Zheng explained.
Zhan Yuanfeng's teeth ached when he heard that. They haven't even gotten married yet, yet he's already calling his Madam.
“In all the dynasties, there has never been a precedent of a husband and wife holding court together.”
“This subject married a man, of course it would be different.”
“Heh, you even know that you're going to marry a man?”
Lu Zheng glanced at Zhan Yuanfeng, who was standing high above him, and answered seriously, “Your majesty, your subject is not blind!” Of course, one could tell if it was a man or a woman.
Zhan Yuanfeng was helpless. How could any man be so stubborn?
He turned to Zuo Shaoqing and asked in a deep voice, “Zuo Shaoqing, if I tell you that you can only choose one of the top scholar and Wife of Duke Zhen, would you choose the famous top scholar or the despised Wife of Duke Zhen?”
Zuo Shaoqing bravely raised his head and answered without thinking, “Reporting to the Emperor, this student is willing… Become husband and wife with Duke Zhen!”
Even though he was fond of fame and fortune, even though he really wanted to become an official, even though he really wanted to do some work, but without Lu Zheng, what was the point of all this?
He knew that Lu Zheng wouldn't keep him in the backyard. Even if he didn't become an official, he still had a lot of things to do, such as sailing and trading.
He walked up to Lu Zheng and stood straight, facing everything with him.
Lu Zheng pinched his palm, telling him not to worry. With him around, he would take the top scholar and Wife of Duke Zhen as well.
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