https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-24-You-Are-Unworthy-of-the-Military-Family-/12582388/
Chapter 25: Military Law and Punishment
Chapter 25: Military Law and Punishment
During the night, the capital city was blanketed by another snowfall, and the world fell silent under the icy sky.
Inside the room, a brazier filled with red charcoal blazed warmly, casting a soft glow on the lazy purple figure lounging in a tiger-skin-covered official's chair. His cold and stern features were softened by the flickering light.
Meng Qianqian stirred, opening her eyes to find the man sitting across from her, his expression calm as a still pond.
She slowly sat up.
Lu Yuan flipped through the storybook in his hand and remarked, "This is terrible. If I find out which candidate wrote this, I'll make sure they never set foot in the examination hall."
So even the Grand Marshal knew about this?
It was fortunate that the author had used a pseudonym; otherwise, a talented scholar, driven by the need to make a living, might have their chances at the imperial examinations ruined for writing something melodramatic.
Meng Qianqian asked, "Where's Zhaozhao?"
"Waa!"
A small head wearing a tiger-headed hat popped out from under her blanket, blinking its big, round eyes excitedly at her.
Meng Qianqian smiled, understandingly, "When did you sneak into my bed?"
Baoshu handed Meng Qianqian a warm water bag before wriggling her way comfortably into Meng Qianqian's embrace. She tilted her chin up and proudly stuck out her little feet.
Meng Qianqian pinched her soft, tender cheeks.
Baoshu turned her right cheek towards Meng Qianqian, as if asking to be pinched on that side too.
Meng Qianqian laughed.
Lu Yuan let out a mocking laugh, "Lu Lingxiao has been captured, yet you're still in the mood for this?"
"What does his capture have to do with me?" Meng Qianqian asked as she took out a clean handkerchief from the bedside cabinet.
Baoshu obligingly tilted her chin up, making it easier for Meng Qianqian to place the handkerchief under her.
Lu Yuan gave a cold laugh, his eyes still on the storybook, "You're not going to plead for him?"
"If I plead for him, will the Grand Marshal let him go?"
"No."
Meng Qianqian smiled ambiguously.
Lu Yuan continued reading the storybook, "If it were another woman, she would at least go to the Marshal's mansion to plead, whether successful or not, at least she wouldn't be criticized for it."
Meng Qianqian said, "Is reputation that important?"
Lu Yuan glanced at her, his eyes unreadable, "It's indeed not important."
Meng Qianqian took a clean bowl and spoon from the bedside cabinet and poured in the ewe's milk, stirring it with a spoon, "Moreover, the Grand Marshal won't kill him."
Baoshu eagerly opened her mouth wide, "Ah—"
Lu Yuan smiled, "Oh? Why is that?"
Meng Qianqian carefully fed Baoshu, "He has made great contributions at the border. Killing him now would dishearten the people, and with the recent narrow victory over Beiliang, they are already dissatisfied. Killing a general before a battle is a big taboo."
"You actually understand this?"
Lu Yuan's smile was captivating and dangerous, a natural charm mixed with an underlying threat.
Meng Qianqian replied calmly, "The Lu family has many military strategy books. As a widow for the past five years, I've had plenty of time to read them."
Lu Yuan withdrew his gaze, asking casually, "What if I insist on killing him?"
Meng Qianqian paused, "Then, as his widow, I would have to mourn him for another three years."
Lu Yuan replied indifferently, "Rest assured, I won't kill him."
"May I ask how the Grand Marshal plans to deal with him?"
"His crime deserves death, but he will be spared. He will receive twenty strokes of the cane, be demoted, and have his rewards stripped from him..."
As Lu Yuan spoke the last sentence, Meng Qianqian's two fingers pinched his sleeve.
Lu Yuan: "What are you doing?"
Meng Qianqian: "Please, Grand Marshal, show some leniency."
Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes, "Are you going to plead for him?"
Meng Qianqian looked at Lu Yuan and said sincerely, "We were once husband and wife. Seeing him end up like this, I can't bear it... Grand Marshal, please, for the sake of how well I've taken care of Baoshu, grant me this one request. Can the reward... be changed to a beating with a board instead?"
Lu Yuan: "...'
The following day, before the morning court session, the young emperor met with Lu Yuan in the imperial study.
Dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, the young emperor performed a respectful greeting to Lu Yuan.
The young emperor returned the salute, "Honored Father."
Lu Yuan smiled, "Your Majesty has grown taller."
The young emperor glanced at the eunuch by his side, "All of you, withdraw."
The eunuchs looked at Lu Yuan and bowed before exiting the imperial study.
Lu Yuan, with a smile on his face, asked, "How has Your Majesty's studies been recently?"
The young emperor hesitated, "This emperor... would like to discuss something else today, if that's acceptable."
Lu Yuan's smile turned gentle, "Your Majesty is the emperor. Whatever Your Majesty wishes to discuss, we shall discuss."
Mustering his courage, the young emperor said, "Last night, Lu Shilang came to see me regarding Lu Jiangjun's matter."
Lu Yuan spoke in a calm and unhurried manner, "Oh? Lu Jiangjun intended to have me lie to Your Majesty in court, committing the crime of deceiving the emperor. I ordered his arrest. Does Your Majesty think I was unjustified?"
The young emperor clutched the Black Armored Guard token in his hand tightly, "Honored Father has done everything for me and for the people of Great Zhou... However..."
Lu Yuan walked over with a smile, his tall figure overshadowing the young emperor, "However what, Your Majesty?"
Two days passed, and the news of Lu Lingxiao's arrest by the Privy Council spread like wildfire throughout the capital.
Lu Luo asked anxiously, "How could this happen, Miss? Is the token ineffective?"
Lin Wan'er gestured, "Impossible. The emperor respects Grand Marshal Chu the most. The emperor will definitely ask the Grand Commandant to release him."
There was something else Lin Wan'er didn't say—Lu Yuan controlled the government and was a corrupting influence on the administration. By delaying the emperor's assumption of power, the emperor was likely already dissatisfied with Lu Yuan.
The emperor needed the loyalty of the Black Armored Guard to help him eliminate Lu Yuan!
For three days, Lu Mu refused to eat. The old matriarch couldn't bear to see her like this and reluctantly made her way to the Hall of Seaton: "How about we go and see that brat..."
Meng Qianqian smiled, "I'll listen to Grandmother."
The two rode in a carriage to the Privy Council.
Everyone assumed that the old matriarch and the first young madam would be turned away, as this was a man who dared to disregard even the emperor's face.
Unexpectedly, the manager of the Privy Council respectfully welcomed them in, "Old matriarch, Madam Lu, please take a seat."
"I know you!" The old matriarch exclaimed as she recognized the manager, "I've hit you before."
Manager Cen smiled, "The old matriarch has a good memory! Last time, it was this Chen who didn't know his place. Please don't take it to heart, Old matriarch!"
"Hmm."
The old matriarch proudly lifted her head, indicating that she had forgiven him!
Lu Yuan entered the flower hall and smiled as he glanced at the two women. He cupped his hands towards the old matriarch, "I didn't realize the old matriarch had arrived. Lu has failed to welcome you from afar."
The old matriarch spoke sternly, "It was you who arrested that brat? I'm here to take him back. Release him at once!"
The people present broke into cold sweats. Wasn't she afraid of death, speaking to the Grand Commandant like that?
Respect for elders and love for the young—these principles didn't apply to the Grand Commandant!
However, what made their jaws drop once again was that the Grand Commandant didn't lose his temper.
Lu Yuan smiled, "Lu Jiangjun has violated military discipline and incurred the wrath of His Majesty. According to the law, he should be demoted by one rank and receive three hundred strokes of the cane. The punishment is currently being carried out. How many strokes has he received so far?"
The last sentence was directed at the Jinyiwei guard outside.
The Jinyiwei guard replied, "One hundred."
The old matriarch counted with her fingers, "It seems there's still a long way to go... How long will it take... Can we stop the beating?"
Lu Yuan's meaningful gaze fell on Meng Qianqian's face, "Of course, as long as Madam Lu is willing to kneel and plead for Lu Jiangjun."
The old matriarch gestured for him to stop, "You might as well continue the beating!"
Lu Lingxiao: "Grandmother, are you really my birth grandmother?!?"
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
