https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-36-The-Grand-Governor-Takes-the-Initiative-Part-2-/12582422/
Chapter 35: The Grand Viceroy Takes the Initiative (Part I)
Chapter 35: The Grand Viceroy Takes the Initiative (Part I)
Lin Wan'er quickly knelt down and respectfully performed the kneeling ritual.
Hearing the title "Your Majesty," Green Vine was so frightened that she lost her wits, and even her kowtow was done with trembling caution.
She never expected that they would have the opportunity to meet the Son of Heaven! In the capital, how many noble ladies were unqualified to meet the Emperor?
Lin Wan'er wore a thin veil, which the young emperor assumed was for concealing her face when going out, and he didn't think further about it.
The young emperor asked solemnly, "Your father and brother perished at the border, and I am deeply grieved. May I ask if there are any other relatives or distant cousins in Miss Lin's family?"
Lin Wan'er shook her head.
The young emperor already knew that she had been poisoned mute by the people of Beiliang, and a trace of pity flashed in his eyes. "How did your father and brother sacrifice themselves?"
The eunuch behind him brought a small table that had been prepared and placed it in front of Lin Wan'er.
Lin Wan'er took the brush, dipped it in ink, and wrote on the paper: "Three years ago, General Lu obtained important military information from Beiliang's capital city. He rushed back to the Yumenguan Pass to report to General Han in the middle of the night. Along the way, they encountered a group of Beiliang bandits and were rescued by my father and brother. While escorting General Lu back to the military camp, the Beiliang bandits returned with a group of dark guard experts, and my father and brother... ultimately met their tragic end at the hands of those Beiliang people."
The young emperor looked at her gradually clenching fingers and her eyes, which were gradually turning red, and suddenly felt reluctant to continue questioning her.
The eunuch glanced at the emperor and finished asking on his behalf, "What about the Black Iron Token?"
Holding back her tears, Lin Wan'er continued writing: "Before my father passed away, he gave the Black Iron Token to General Lu, asking him to find me in Jixian County."
"I see."
The young emperor nodded and asked, "Did General Han know your father's identity?"
Lin Wan'er shook her head, dipped the brush in ink again, and wrote: "My father hid his true identity, and General Han only thought that my father was a common soldier who had risen to the position of vice general."
The military camp's official ranking system was slightly different from that of the court. Below the rank of general, appointments could be made by the general himself without the approval of the Ministry of Household.
The young emperor asked, "Do you know the whereabouts of the other eleven guards?"
Lin Wan'er wrote, "This subject knows nothing."
After a moment of thought, the young emperor said, "Your father asked Lu Lingxiao to leave the Black Iron Token with you. Besides entrusting his child to your care, he must have had another intention."
If it was solely for entrusting his child, there would be no need to reveal his identity. The gratitude for saving his life would be enough for Lu Lingxiao to take care of her for the rest of her life.
Lu Xingzhou understood the implied meaning of the young emperor's words. His eyes lit up, and he immediately said, "Wan'er, when you were at home, did the eleven guards ever come to visit your father?"
Lin Wan'er recalled for a moment and wrote, "Some people did come, but my father didn't tell me who they were, nor did he allow me to ask."
"That's it!" Lu Xingzhou exclaimed as he looked at the young emperor with excitement. "Although we don't know where the eleven guards have gone, I feel that perhaps one day, they will take the initiative to contact Wan'er! Wan'er, if the eleven guards come looking for you, you will report it to His Majesty, won't you?"
The young emperor fixed his gaze on Lin Wan'er without blinking.
Lin Wan'er slowly nodded.
Lu Xingzhou secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The young emperor continued, "How have you been doing in the Lu family?"
Lin Wan'er wrote, "This subject is well."
Kneeling on the ground, Green Vine leaned forward slightly, as if she wanted to say something but stopped herself.
The young emperor's gaze fell on Lin Wan'er's half-hidden face, veiled by a thin layer of silk. "What happened to your face?"
He hadn't paid close attention earlier, but now that he looked carefully, something seemed amiss.
Lin Wan'er touched her face and lifted the slightly drooping veil. "It's nothing.
The young emperor frowned.
The eunuch quickly stepped forward and pulled off her veil, revealing a face marked with fingerprints and bruises to everyone present.
Even Lu Xingzhou was astonished, let alone the young emperor.
"Who dared to hurt you?" the young emperor demanded.
Lin Wan'er remained silent.
The young emperor turned his cold gaze on Green Vine, standing beside her. "You! Speak! If you dare to hide anything, you will be guilty of deceiving your emperor!"
Green Vine's voice trembled as she replied, "It... it was the First Madam!"
"This is outrageous!" the young emperor exclaimed, clenching his fists.
Lu Xingzhou glared at Green Vine and then lifted his robe, kneeling down. "Your Majesty, please forgive me for my failure to discipline my family. I am at fault!"
Just as the young emperor was about to erupt in anger, a guard entered, whispering something into his ear.
His expression changed slightly, and he clenched his fists even tighter before slowly relaxing them.
Understanding the emperor's mood, Lu Xingzhou seized the opportunity to say, "Your Majesty, Wan'er and I have been away for a long time. The elder madam and my mother must be worried. I shall take my leave first, Wan'er."
Lin Wan'er bowed her head and, together with Green Vine, followed Lu Xingzhou out.
The young emperor emerged from the pavilion and gazed at the towering mountain ranges in the distance before heading toward a small courtyard behind the temple.
Lu Yuan sat on the floor of a luxurious and elegant Zen room. The room was sparsely furnished with a folding screen, a small table, two meditation cushions, one large and one small, and a stove keeping a pot of hot tea warm.
The imperial physician had just finished changing his dressing.
As he fidgeted, his wounds weren't healing very well, so the physician advised against covering them. Thus, he was only wearing a thick purple robe draped over his upper body.
When the young emperor entered, he saw Lu Yuan sitting on the floor, his wounds visible, reading a Buddhist scripture while leaning against the wall.
This casual and disheveled appearance was certainly not appropriate for the imperial court.
However, who in the capital would dare to criticize the Grand Viceroy?
"Teacher," the young emperor addressed him.
"Your Majesty," Lu Yuan replied, his eyes still on the scripture. He paused for a moment before turning his head and offering a slight smile. "Why have you come? I am severely injured and unable to perform the proper greetings. Please forgive me."
The young emperor sat down on the floor opposite him. "Teacher, you are too humble. I heard you were recuperating at the Viceroy's Mansion..."
Lu Yuan waved his hand dismissively. "It's just an excuse."
"Do you know who did this?" the young emperor asked.
Lu Yuan smiled. "We're still investigating. Rest assured, once we find out, I will report it to you immediately."
The young emperor lowered his gaze, feeling a bit lost as he fiddled with the tassel on his waist pendant.
Lu Yuan returned to reading his scripture.
Breaking the sudden silence, the young emperor said, "I came to Hanshan Temple today... and saw Miss Lin."
Lu Yuan paused for a moment. "The daughter of Shen Hou?"
The young emperor nodded. "Yes."
"Your Majesty, you are free to meet whomever you wish. There's no need to inform me," Lu Yuan said with a smile.
The young emperor fell silent, awkwardly fiddling with the tassel.
Lu Yuan lazily turned a page of the scripture. "Master Lakuo is in the neighboring room. Since you're here, why don't you pay him a visit?"
The young emperor stood up and turned to leave the Zen room.
At the door, he faced the distant mountains and said to Lu Yuan, "Take good care of your injuries, Teacher. I still need you by my side to govern the empire!"
On the other hand, the old madam saw that Lin Wan'er had returned and, knowing that her son had accomplished his task, decided to head back to the mansion.
The nanny appeared at just the right moment. "Oh, there you are, Miss. We were just about to leave."
She reached out to pick up Baoshou.
However, the little girl shook her head and buried it in Meng Qianqian's embrace.
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
