Chapter 162: Hand in Hand, I'll Take You Home
Chapter 162: Hand in Hand, I'll Take You Home
At the Lin Residence.
Lin Jijiu sat quietly in a pavilion, a table laid out before him with a variety of dried fruits and other specialties from the Western Regions.
"These dried fruits were grown by my students. The Thirteen Cities of Xizhou have long suffered from drought, but my students built irrigation canals using water from the South River to irrigate the fields. Now, the people of Xizhou no longer have to endure the hardships of drought."
Seated across from him, Xun Yu elegantly recounted his experiences and accomplishments in Xizhou.
Lin Jijiu listened with a solemn expression and nodded, "It's commendable to be able to do practical things for the common people and not forget your original aspiration."
Xun Yu respectfully said, "It's all thanks to your guidance, teacher. Without your cultivation, I wouldn't be who I am today. A teacher for a day is a father for life. I will forever be grateful for your kindness."
On the other hand, Lady Lin had also received gifts from Xun Yu, including jewelry with distinctive styles from the Western Regions, but the most precious item was undoubtedly the box of blood-coagulating ointment.
Lady Lin admired it endlessly, "Even the box is so exquisite."
Lin Xiaoru said, "The box was made by someone from the Central Plains and then resold here."
Lady Lin jumped in surprise, "How did you sneak up on me so quietly?"
Lin Xiaoru replied, "I did make a sound. You just didn't hear it."
Lady Lin chose not to bicker with her daughter. It was a good thing that her daughter was willing to step out of her quarters, and a little scare was better than her staying cooped up in her study all day.
Looking at the gifts on the table, Lady Lin's satisfaction grew, "Xun Yu is indeed thoughtful. Your father's high regard for him was not misplaced. I quite like this young man. Despite having such an accomplished father, he has still made a name for himself. If only your brother had half of Xun Yu's capabilities, I would be content."
Lin Xiaoru said seriously, "Father actually favored the other servant boy more. It was only because of that servant boy that he took Xun Yu on as a student."
Lady Lin said, "Nonsense! How old were you when your father took on Xun Yu? Had you even been born yet?"
Lin Xiaoru replied, "I had already been born."
She had her own methods of deduction.
There were some things she didn't understand as a child, but as she grew older, they became clear.
Her father had taken on two students. One had carried on her father's will and become an official renowned for generations, while the other had embarked on the path of a treacherous minister, despised by all.
To curry favor with the prime minister, to side with the crown prince, to plot against the crown prince, to collude with the mother and son pair of Consort Li, time and again, he betrayed his loyalties and stopped at nothing to achieve his goals.
Could Meng Qianqian's husband truly be such a despicable person?
Had her father really misjudged his character?
On a moonless and windy night.
Meng Qianqian and Cen Guanshi rode in a carriage, rushing to the foot of the mountain.
Before the carriage had even come to a stop, Meng Qianqian leaped out like an arrow.
Cen Guanshi quickly climbed down from the carriage and chased after her, calling out anxiously, "My lady! It's dark, and the mountain path is treacherous. Please slow down! Be careful, or you might fall!"
Meng Qianqian sprinted up the mountain and entered the temple, which was now devoid of visitors. The monks were all attending the evening prayer. Meng Qianqian made her way to the courtyard in the back mountain, guided by her memory.
She had been here once before. Which room was Lu Yuan's...
The third one on the right.
This was it!
The candlelight illuminated a shadow on the paper window, showing a figure holding a knife towards their own wrist.
Meng Qianqian kicked open the door, "Don't you dare do something foolish!"
Lu Yuan's movement of raising the knife paused.
Meng Qianqian was quick as lightning, rushing forward and snatching the dagger from his hand, "Who gave you permission to do this..."
Before she could finish her sentence, she saw that Lu Yuan's left hand was holding a washed peach.
She was taken aback, looking at the knife in her hand and then at his peach, she stuttered, "You were... peeling a peach?"
Lu Yuan gave her a strange look, "What else?"
Meng Qianqian opened her mouth, "But... but Cen Guanshi said..."
She turned to point outside.
But there was no sign of Cen Guanshi.
"What did he say?" Lu Yuan asked impatiently, "Did he say that I was seeking death in this temple?"
Meng Qianqian was left speechless.
Because Cen Guanshi hadn't actually said those exact words, it was her own misinterpretation.
Lu Yuan took back the dagger and continued peeling the peach, casually asking, "Meng Xiaojiu, why are you so nervous? Does my life or death matter so much to you?"
Meng Qianqian replied without hesitation, "Of course, it matters. You are my husband. If you die, I'll have to be a widow again."
"Hmph."
Lu Yuan let out a cold hum.
Meng Qianqian had never seen him do any chores, except for the time at the border when he had cracked walnuts for the children. He had done it so skillfully, ensuring each walnut was perfectly cracked open.
Who would have thought that he could peel peaches so beautifully as well?
Meng Qianqian thought of what Cen Guanshi had said—that Lu Yuan had lost his family at a young age. A young master accustomed to a life of luxury suddenly finding himself on the streets must have endured many hardships.
Lu Yuan handed the peeled peach to Meng Qianqian.
Meng Qianqian asked, "For me?"
"Don't eat it if you don't want to."
"I'll eat it!"
The climb up the mountain had been fast-paced, and she was parched.
Meng Qianqian washed her hands and eagerly took the peach, as if he might change his mind if she hesitated.
She took a bite.
Mmm, it was sweet!
Lu Yuan picked up a white handkerchief and wiped the dagger clean.
Meng Qianqian looked around, "What are you doing here alone? Where is everyone else?"
"I came to the temple to meet someone."
He answered her first question.
Meng Qianqian held the peach, "Did you meet them?"
Lu Yuan replied, "Yes."
Meng Qianqian didn't ask who he had met. If he wanted her to know, he would have told her.
Meng Qianqian asked, "Is Prime Minister Xun really your foster father?"
Lu Yuan frowned, "Did Cen Guanshi tell you that as well?"
Meng Qianqian nodded seriously.
Lu Yuan muttered coldly, "A backstabber."
Meng Qianqian asked casually, as if it were just a passing thought, "Have you been working for your foster father all these years?"
Lu Yuan replied indifferently, "Of course, this governor has his own ambitions as well."
Meng Qianqian paused before asking, "Aspirations to rule the world?"
Lu Yuan remained silent, prompting her to continue. "Is power more important than life itself?"
With a cold detachment, Lu Yuan responded, "It's better to die in a blaze of glory than to live an insignificant life. Congratulations, you've finally seen my true colors. Do you regret marrying me now?"
Meng Qianqian shook her head resolutely. "No, I don't regret it."
"Aren't you afraid I might lose?" he challenged.
"I'll help you win," she asserted.
"I may soon lose everything. Does that not matter to you?" he questioned.
"It's alright, I'll support you," Meng Qianqian assured him, pausing as a thought occurred to her. "I seem to be... quite good at making money."
Lu Yuan's eyes flickered, and he turned away, a soft 'humph' escaping his lips.
After finishing the peach, Meng Qianqian wiped her hands with a handkerchief and said to Lu Yuan, "Let's head down the mountain."
"I'm not going," Lu Yuan stated flatly. "You can go back by yourself."
Meng Qianqian inquired, "Why?"
Soon, she would find out the reason.
A large group of imperial guards suddenly flooded into the temple, surrounding the courtyard.
Meng Qianqian was perplexed by the sudden development when the door of the adjacent meditation room slowly opened.
An elderly monk, supported by another monk, emerged from within.
Meng Qianqian recognized the second monk as Fu Gonggong, the one who had delivered the imperial decree to her and Lu Lingxiao on behalf of the Liu family.
The imperial guards knelt in unison and greeted, "Your Majesty, long live the Emperor, long live, long live, long live!"
A glint of surprise flashed in Meng Qianqian's eyes.
Wasn't the Grand Emperor supposed to be under house arrest by Lu Yuan, recuperating in a palace? Could it be that he had been staying in this temple all along?
Was the person Lu Yuan came to meet... the Grand Emperor?
Lu Yuan remained still.
Meng Qianqian stepped out to the meditation room and greeted the Grand Emperor with a bow. "Your Majesty."
The Grand Emperor scrutinized Meng Qianqian from head to toe. "Are you Meng Qianqian?"
"Yes," she confirmed.
It was odd that the Grand Emperor knew her.
"This matter has nothing to do with you. You may leave," the Grand Emperor stated.
Meng Qianqian replied, "I would like to wait for my husband and leave together with him."
The Grand Emperor declared, "His sins are grave. Out of respect for the Prime Minister, I will not take his life. From now on, he shall stay in this temple to chant scriptures and pray for blessings to atone for his sins. As for you—"
Before he could finish, a shout interrupted him from outside the courtyard. It was Old Madame Lu, calling out, "Great-grandson-in-law! Great-grandson-in-law, where are you?"
The Grand Emperor's expression froze.
"Make way! Make way!"
Old Madame Lu struggled to make her way through the ranks of the imperial guards. "I can't get through!"
"Move aside!"
Tenten grabbed one of the guards and pulled him aside.
The guards were about to retaliate against her, but a voice stopped them. "Stop! Cease immediately!"
Fu Gonggong hurried forward, and the guards automatically made way for him.
Upon seeing Fu Gonggong, Old Madame Lu's eyes lit up. "Little Fuzi, is that you?"
Fu Gonggong offered a hesitant smile and supported Old Madame Lu. "Old Madame, why are you here at the temple?"
With a worried expression, Old Madame Lu asked, "Where is my great-grandson-in-law? Have you seen him?"
Fu Gonggong's face reflected his dilemma. "This servant..."
"Sister!"
Tandan'er spotted Meng Qianqian and rushed over excitedly.
Old Madame Lu exclaimed, "Qianqian!"
In an instant, she let go of Fu Gonggong and strode briskly towards Meng Qianqian. "Qianqian! You're also looking for our great-grandson-in-law? Have you found him? I've searched so many places with Tan'er, but why isn't he coming home? I'm hungry!"
Meng Qianqian's eyes flickered to Fu Gonggong, who wore an expression that spoke of his inability to speak freely as he glanced at the Grand Emperor.
In a flash, Meng Qianqian made a daring connection—could it be that the Grand Emperor had issued the decree of severed ties out of respect for her great-grandmother?
She recalled the Lus mentioning that Old Lord Lu had followed the Grand Emperor in his campaigns, earning great merit. When Old Lord Lu passed away, the Grand Emperor had even paid his respects in person.
Old Madame Lu still enjoyed the provisions from the Imperial Household Department, a privilege that other matriarchs of noble families did not have.
"Qianqian, why aren't you saying anything?" Old Madame Lu pouted, looking slightly aggrieved. "Where has our great-grandson-in-law gone? Has he been bullied and is too afraid to come home?"
The Grand Emperor stood right beside Meng Qianqian, yet Old Madame Lu's eyes seemed completely oblivious to his presence.
A bold idea formed in Meng Qianqian's mind, and she spoke up. "Lu Yuan is in the meditation room."
"Wonderful!" Old Madame Lu exclaimed. "I knew Qianqian would be the one to find our great-grandson-in-law!
Old Madame Lu danced with joy as she entered the meditation room. "Great-grandson-in-law, let's go home!"
Lu Yuan turned towards the Grand Emperor standing outside the meditation room.
The Grand Emperor stared at Lu Yuan with an air of authority.
Lu Yuan lowered his gaze and slowly rose to his feet. With everyone's attention on him, he walked towards the door of the meditation room, accompanied by Old Madame Lu.
"Let's go home! Let's go home!"
Old Madame Lu stepped over the threshold with enthusiasm.
Lu Yuan hesitated for a moment before lifting his foot to follow.
Just then, he heard the sound of archers on the rooftop pulling their bowstrings taut.
"Hurry up! I'm hungry!" Old Madame Lu urged.
Lu Yuan's eyes hardened with determination, and he stepped out of the door.
The arrows did not fall.
He raised his other hand and took Meng Qianqian's, who, in turn, held onto Tan'er's.
"Let's go! Make way! Make way!"
Old Madame Lu impatiently pushed aside the imperial guards, blocking their path. "Out of the way! Little Fuzi, tell them to move!"
The guards turned as one towards Fu Gonggong.
He glanced at the silent Grand Emperor and helplessly waved his hand.
And so, Old Madame Lu, leading a string of young descendants like a chain of sugar-coated hawthorn berries, walked out of the courtyard, heavy with hidden dangers.
(End of Chapter)
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