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Chapter 383: Meeting the Grand Matriarch
Chapter 383: Meeting the Grand Matriarch
Princess Wanping, as long as she didn't involve Lu Yuan, was a brilliant woman, and Meng Qianqian believed that with her protection, Lu Mu would surely turn the crisis into a blessing.
Naturally, to reassure Princess Wanping, Meng Qianqian told her about the flower pot incident.
Princess Wanping, who had fought her way through the treacherous palace, immediately understood the situation.
"Just leave it to me, Princess. When you return from Miaojiang, I will ensure that you have a safe and sound Lu Lady," Princess Wanping said.
"And the Grand Matriarch," Meng Qianqian added.
Princess Wanping looked at Meng Qianqian in disbelief, "In the capital, who dares to target the Grand Matriarch? Are they asking for death? My father respects the Grand Matriarch more than he does my imperial grandmother."
Since the topic had come up, Meng Qianqian took the opportunity to ask, "Princess, why does the Retired Emperor hold the Grand Matriarch in such high regard?"
After hearing too many rumors, it's inevitable that one's imagination becomes richer.
Meng Qianqian recalled Lu Mu mentioning that the Grand Matriarch had a son who died at a young age.
Could it be... um... was she saying that the son was the Retired Emperor?
Seeing Meng Qianqian's eyes light up with excitement, Princess Wanping knew she was thinking something else, "What are you thinking? Have you been reading too many folk tales? Do you really think royal bloodlines are that easily confused? Although my father wasn't born to my imperial grandmother, he was indeed the late Emperor's own flesh and blood."
Meng Qianqian's delicate body trembled, "Could it be that the Grand Matriarch and the late Emperor..."
Princess Wanping's expression darkened, "Meng Xiaojiu, from now on, you should read fewer folk tales for me!"
Meng Qianqian pouted, "If I don't read them, can't I still talk about them?"
Princess Wanping glared at her, "Do you realize that if others hear this, it could lead to beheading?"
Meng Qianqian replied without hesitation, "Princess, you're one of us."
Princess Wanping's breath caught in her throat.
She finally understood why Lu Yuan was so captivated by this young lady.
A single sentence could infuriate someone, and another could sweeten their heart.
Princess Wanping placed the soup spoon back in the bowl, wiped her mouth gently with a handkerchief, and asked, "You've been a daughter-in-law in the Lu family for five years, and you don't know why my father respects the Grand Matriarch so much?"
Meng Qianqian shook her head, "Does the Princess know?"
Princess Wanping spoke strangely, "Haven't you heard about General Lu assisting my father's ascension to the throne?"
Meng Qianqian replied, "I've heard about that. General Lu has the merit of following the dragon, so the Retired Emperor respects him as an elder. After his passing, the Retired Emperor personally went to the Lu family to offer condolences."
Princess Wanping said, "That's right."
Meng Qianqian pondered, "Could it be that the Retired Emperor made such a fuss over the merit of following the dragon? The Retired Emperor has protected the Lu family for many years. Back then, when Lu Xingzhou's father issued counterfeit coins in the capital, the Retired Emperor spared his life and only fined him silver."
The fine was substantial, emptying the Lu family's wealth, leaving them deeply in debt.
Princess Wanping could guess what happened next, even without Meng Qianqian explaining. The Lu family needed money, and everyone in the capital knew it, but no one was willing to risk their own fortune to fill the Lu family's financial hole.
Lu Xingzhou's father had no choice but to turn to the Meng family in Youzhou.
Thinking of this, Princess Wanping suddenly felt some sympathy for Meng Qianqian.
Those five years in the Lu family must have been extremely difficult for her.
The world is unfair to women, and few dare to challenge societal norms. Many would rather burn their wings than jump out of the fire.
But Meng Qianqian did it.
Princess Wanping, born into nobility, was unaffected by the rules that bound other women, and she couldn't truly empathize with Meng Qianqian's struggles.
However, she didn't have a heart that would say, "Why not eat meat porridge?"
Having seen too much female submission, Meng Qianqian's resistance appeared brave and unconventional in her eyes, making her shine and earning her admiration.
"My father's situation back then was more difficult than you can imagine. General Lu risked his life for my father, so it's only right that my father treats his widow and descendants well. My father is a man of deep wisdom, but he's not ungrateful or unfaithful. Don't let the matter I told you about last time influence your opinion of my father."
Meng Qianqian had no preconceptions about the Retired Emperor.
Throughout history, emperors have often been cunning, and a pure-hearted emperor like Zong Zhengxi is a rare gem.
Even Zong Zhengxi will one day grow into a true emperor.
Lu Yuan's choice of him is not solely based on his kindness or their familial relationship; deep within, he must possess the thunderous might to rule the world.
For now, he's just a little crybaby.
Thinking of something, Princess Wanping added, "Speaking of the merit of following the dragon, I once heard my mother mention that my father met a noble person."
Meng Qianqian touched her chin, "A noble person?"
Princess Wanping recalled, "I was young at the time, so I don't remember the specifics, but I do remember my mother mentioning that noble person, and she also mentioned the Grand Matriarch."
Meng Qianqian asked, "Didn't you ask the Retired Emperor about it later?"
Princess Wanping shook her head, "I pretended to be asleep. My mother hugged me, and she secretly mentioned it to a trusted aide. Although I was young, I understood that this wasn't something my mother should know. If I asked, it would bring disaster upon her."
Meng Qianqian's curiosity got the better of her, "Was that trusted aide a person of Chancellor Xun?"
Princess Wanping gave Meng Qianqian a sharp look.
Meng Qianqian said, "My mistake."
Princess Wanping retracted her glare.
Meng Qianqian raised an eyebrow, "If you want to get by, there should be some greenery above your head."
Princess Wanping: "..."
The Majestic King of Miao enjoyed a hearty meal at the Bright Palace and then left to find Magistrate Wang for a drink. After being reprimanded by Magistrate Wang twice, the two became drinking buddies.
Magistrate Wang greatly admired the Majestic King's willingness to admit his mistakes, a much better attitude than the stubborn old conservatives at court who only knew how to blow their beards and stare with wide eyes.
Majestic King: "You can scold me, but you can't scold my grandson!"
"Magistrate Wang, let's begin!"
Magistrate Wang frowned. "Must we do this?"
The Majestic King slammed his hand on the table and said, "Today, I went to the Bright Palace again and not only snatched the Retired Emperor's food, but I also broke his vase. Don't you think I deserve to be scolded?"
Magistrate Wang found the Majestic King's words reasonable and cupped his hands in agreement. "Then, I shall begin."
The Majestic King nodded. "Mhm."
Magistrate Wang began his reprimand.
After the reprimand, the Majestic King took out a book, flipped to the last page, and said, "Magistrate Wang, sign here, and we can go for a drink after that."
Magistrate Wang signed, sealed, and they went for a drink without delay.
The Majestic King was very satisfied.
All this scolding was for his grandson, and he wanted to show it to Xian'er and earn some credit with her.
Bright Palace.
Just as the Majestic King left, Lu Yuan arrived.
"Are you here to freeload a meal too?" the Retired Emperor asked, fiddling with the chessboard without looking up.
Lu Yuan cupped his hands and said, "Your Majesty, I humbly request permission to take the Shang siblings to Miaojiang for treatment."
"I've heard about it from your maternal grandfather," the Retired Emperor replied.
The Retired Emperor hesitated, put down his chess piece, and sighed, "On your way to Miaojiang, make a detour to the southwest and visit an old friend on my behalf. I had a promise with him, but I'm too old to travel now. Fulfill the promise for me."
After speaking, the Retired Emperor gave a signal to Fu Gonggong.
Fu Gonggong stepped forward, holding a brocade pouch, and said, "Grand Marshal."
Lu Yuan accepted the pouch.
The Retired Emperor instructed, "Only open it when you reach Miaojiang and follow the instructions inside."
The pouch felt heavy, suggesting that it contained not only a letter but also other items like a travel pass or a token, which seemed to be a token of trust between the Retired Emperor and his old friend.
Lu Yuan's expression turned serious. "Your Majesty, I shall follow your orders."
After Lu Yuan left, Fu Gonggong asked with a complicated expression, "Your Majesty, are you really sending Grand Marshal Lu to the southwest?"
The Retired Emperor gazed at Lu Yuan's departing figure and sighed, "I don't know why, but the more I look at him, the more I feel he resembles that person."
Fu Gonggong exclaimed, "Do you think... Grand Marshal Lu is that person's descendant?"
The Retired Emperor said, "Isn't the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion in the southwest? It's not an easy place to deal with. If Lu Yuan is indeed his descendant, the path of revenge will be much smoother."
Fu Gonggong worriedly asked, "What if he isn't?"
The Retired Emperor confidently replied, "If he isn't, then he can just pretend to be, can't he?"
Fu Gonggong's eyes widened. "So, you're planning to have Lu Yuan pretend to be that person's descendant to take down the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion?"
"But what if he's exposed? That person is not someone to be trifled with."
The Retired Emperor said, "Lu Yuan has pretended to be Luo San before, and he even deceived Chancellor Xun. Having him pretend to be a descendant is as easy as turning his palm."
Fu Gonggong asked, "Are you planning to drag Lu Yuan into this without informing Grandmatriarch Lu?"
The Retired Emperor looked at the chessboard on the table and murmured, "He left me this chessboard when he departed. I've been playing it for many years, but I still haven't solved it. I hope he wasn't fooling me..."
---
The trip to Miaojiang was decided, and they would set off as soon as the snow stopped.
"Can't we leave after the New Year?" Li Mumu asked, reluctant to let them go.
Meng Qianqian spoke softly, "We can't delay any longer for Changle's sake. We must set off as soon as possible."
Li Mumu was so worried that she couldn't sleep all night, and her eyes were red and swollen. "Traveling in such cold weather, I don't know how chilly it will be."
Meng Qianqian wiped her tears with a handkerchief. "Mumu, I'm fine. My cold syndrome has healed long ago."
Li Mumu choked up. "I'm just worried about my young master."
Meng Qianqian: "..."
Li Mumu called Banxia to pack their clothes.
Banxia had to take care of Shang Changle, so she was determined to go.
And Tan'er.
The last time Meng Qianqian went to battle without her, Tan'er complained for a long time. This time, she insisted on going to Miaojiang with them.
Tan'er hugged herself and declared, "I want to go kill the Thousand-Mechanisms Pavilion too! I'm grown up now! I can kill people!"
Banxia said, "You're always fighting. Have you packed your bags?"
Tan'er: "Nope."
Banxia urged, "Then go pack quickly!"
"I'll pack!" Tan'er marched off proudly.
When Banxia went to check her bag, she was almost driven half-mad by what she found.
"What did you pack? All these knives and swords, where are your clothes?"
In the end, Banxia had to repack everything for her.
Li Mumu asked, "Is Baoshu going too?"
"She's almost two years old and can travel now. It's a good opportunity for her to meet her great-grandmother."
The Miaojiang Goddess could never leave Wushan, so Baoshu would have to meet her.
Baoshu was thrilled to finally be able to accompany her mother on a trip. She happily packed her little bag at home.
"Bring the Golden Beans," she said.
"Bring the Golden Treasures," she added.
"Bring the Golden Tickets!"
"Bring the Wolf Brother!"
"Bring them all!"
On the day of their departure, Liu Qingyun's carriage was filled with gold and jade.
Baoshu, dressed in a little tiger cub's cotton-padded jacket, sat in the middle of her little treasure trove, surrounded by a tiger cub, a dog, a cat, and a little wolf.
Baoshu: (￣︶￣)
An early chapter, do you have any votes?
(End of Chapter)
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