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Chapter 338: Petitioning the Retired Emperor
Chapter 338: Petitioning the Retired Emperor
Upon hearing these words, Meng Qianqian instantly snapped awake.
She propped herself up with her hand and looked at his dark circles suspiciously, "Did you not sleep at all last night? Have you been sitting here all night? Just to... collect a 'debt'? You... you're late for court, aren't you?"
Lu Yuan insisted, "So, you're still not going to repay the debt?"
Blame me?
Meng Qianqian had used up all her shock for the day.
A quarter of an hour later, Lu Yuan left the room feeling refreshed and energized.
Nursemaid Wan greeted him, "Good morning, Son-in-Law! It's dry in autumn and winter, remember to apply lip balm."
Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow, "I've applied it, three times!"
Meng Qianqian covered her eyes, feeling like she had lost all her dignity that morning.
Ban Xia entered the room to help Meng Qianqian change clothes, "Son-in-Law, you've worked so hard. Your injuries have barely healed, and now you've pulled an all-nighter studying by candlelight."
Meng Qianqian was taken aback, "Studying by candlelight? He was in the study room last night...?"
"Yes," Ban Xia replied.
Meng Qianqian clenched her fist.
He wasn't sitting on the bed all night; he had gone to attend to important matters!
His dark circles had nothing to do with her, yet he shamelessly blamed her!
A treacherous minister!
A truly treacherous minister!
Yu Zichuan sat atop the carriage, polishing his bow.
He had been polishing for half an hour, changing cloths several times, when Lu Yuan finally arrived, looking satisfied.
Yu Zichuan's gaze fell on his lips, "What did you eat? I want some too."
Then, Yu Zichuan was unceremoniously thrown off the carriage.
Lu Yuan, after entering the palace, did not go to the Golden Hall for court but instead headed to the Bright Palace, where the Retired Emperor resided.
As expected, the Retired Emperor was seated in the warm pavilion, fiddling with a chessboard.
"Your Majesty, the Grand Marshal seeks an audience."
Fu Gonggong quietly reported.
The Retired Emperor held a black chess piece, gazing at the chessboard, undecided. He placed it down and shook his head, then picked up another piece.
Fu Gonggong dared not rush him and silently waited.
"It won't work, it just won't work."
The Retired Emperor shook his head and threw the piece back into the chess box, "Let him in."
"Yes."
Fu Gonggong held the feather duster and retreated, soon returning with Lu Yuan and leading him into the warm pavilion.
After several heavy rainstorms in the capital, the temperature had dropped significantly, but today was a rare clear day. The warm pavilion was cozy and pleasant, and the two attending eunuchs were even sweating lightly.
"Subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Lu Yuan bowed with cupped hands.
The Retired Emperor spoke nonchalantly, "That's enough. It's not like you haven't been arrogant in front of me before."
"Your subject is guilty," Lu Yuan said.
The Retired Emperor glared at him, "Did you learn that from the Chancellor?"
Lu Yuan replied softly, "Your subject dares not."
"Is there anything Lu Yuan dares not do?" The Retired Emperor pressed his hand down.
Fu Gonggong promptly set up a meditation cushion in front of the Retired Emperor.
Lu Yuan knelt on the cushion.
Fu Gonggong knelt by the tea table.
"Try this newly arrived tea," the Retired Emperor said.
Fu Gonggong quickly poured a cup of hot tea for Lu Yuan.
Lu Yuan picked up the teacup and took a few sips before commenting, "Good tea."
The Retired Emperor asked, "What's good about it?"
Lu Yuan replied, "It's good because it was bestowed by Your Majesty."
The Retired Emperor lifted his gaze to Lu Yuan, "Lu Yuan, you've become quite cunning. Speak, what's going on between you and the Chancellor? Someone came to me early this morning, asking me to investigate and give the Chancellor a fair judgment. You did the right thing by not going to court today; in the Golden Hall, they would all be pleading for the Chancellor's innocence."
Lu Yuan's expression turned serious, "Your Majesty, I dare not hide anything. The Chancellor sent someone to assassinate me, and I turned the tables on him by bribing his trusted subordinate to stage a fake death and switch identities."
The Retired Emperor picked up another black piece from the chess box and casually asked, "Was that subordinate Luo San?"
Upon hearing these words, Lu Yuan immediately understood that Minister of Rites Xing had already met with the Retired Emperor and truthfully reported Hai Zhu's confession.
"Yes."
Lu Yuan readily admitted.
However, he did not mention that Luo San was Chancellor Xun's own son.
One must always leave a way out for themselves, even when dealing with the Retired Emperor who had greatly favored him.
The Retired Emperor was a little surprised. "So, it seems that you did indeed trick the Chancellor yesterday."
Lu Yuan replied, "Yes, this subject and Luo San disguised ourselves as each other. The Chancellor mistook me for Luo San and took me back to the Chancellor's Mansion, leading to the subsequent events."
The Retired Emperor sighed with regret. "What a wonderful grand performance! If I had known, I would have gone to witness it myself. It's rare to find someone who can outwit the Chancellor. Tell me, where should I place my next move?"
Lu Yuan said, "This subject is not clever enough to unravel this chess game."
The Retired Emperor said, "I'll have your daughter-in-law come to the palace another day to try. She's quite skilled at chess."
"Yes."
Lu Yuan responded.
"Did you find anything at the Chancellor's Mansion?" the Retired Emperor asked.
"I found some evidence of wrongdoing. Please take a look, Your Majesty."
Lu Yuan reached into his wide sleeves and produced a stack of account books and secret letters.
He had carefully examined these pieces of evidence the night before, keeping a few for his future plans and submitting the rest.
The Retired Emperor flipped through the account books and secret letters, his anger growing with each page. He slammed the book onto the table with a loud slap!
The eunuchs in the room all knelt down, not daring to breathe a word.
The Retired Emperor's wrath shook the heavens, "No wonder the national treasury is in deficit! It's all because of this Chancellor Xun! He's truly a pillar of my empire!"
Eunuch Fu quickly spoke up, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger and take care of your health!"
The Retired Emperor, his face flushed with anger, said, "The Great Zhou's empire will eventually be ruined in my hands. What use is this frail body of mine?"
Eunuch Fu glanced at Lu Yuan, seeking help.
Lu Yuan spoke calmly, "Your Majesty, although this evidence is sufficient to implicate the Chancellor's Mansion, it was found by me. If the Chancellor insists on not admitting guilt and claims that I framed him, it might be difficult to handle, and moreover..."
The Retired Emperor calmed down and slowly said, "Moreover, many of the charges were carried out in the name of the Duke's Manor. If we truly pursue these charges, you will also be implicated. I know you were forced by him, but it won't be easy to convince the commoners. You're right, I acted too hastily."
Lu Yuan sighed, "This subject is not worried about himself, but for the Great Zhou's empire."
The Retired Emperor understood the hidden meaning in Lu Yuan's words, "Does he have another trick up his sleeve?"
Lu Yuan chose his words carefully, "He has been recruiting soldiers and buying horses in the Western Regions, building a private army. Combined with the forces he has conquered in the Western Regions and the military power in the Western City, if he rebels, the consequences will be unimaginable."
As for the military funds, it was best not to mention them. His family was not particularly wealthy, with financial responsibilities both above and below. His mother spent money like water, and his little son only knew how to receive without giving back.
"He dares to raise a private army... He dares..."
The Retired Emperor felt dizzy and lightheaded.
Eunuch Fu quickly crawled over to support him, "Your Majesty!"
He gave Lu Yuan a puzzled look, as if to say, "You were supposed to calm him down, but instead, you've made him even more agitated?"
Lu Yuan lowered his head and practiced the Celestial Dragon's tea-making skills, "This subject is at fault."
The Retired Emperor gritted his teeth, "Continue! I want to see just how many conspiracies he has hidden behind his facade of loyalty and patriotism!"
(End of Chapter)
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