Chapter 487: The Face-Slapping Begins

Chapter 487: The Face-Slapping Begins

This was the second time Zi Wu Xian Sheng provoked and questioned Gongsun Yanming, and if Gongsun Yanming didn't agree this time, it would seem as though the Qilin was afraid of battle.

For the decisive and ruthless Liang Emperor, the most despised were the cowardly.

He turned to look at the Liang Emperor and said calmly with a bow, "This matter concerns the country and the people. It should be decided by Your Majesty."

The Liang Emperor said, "Agreed."

Gongsun Yanming's eyes flickered slightly, "Your Majesty is wise."

Zi Wu Xian Sheng spoke bluntly, "If your divination skills were half as good as your flattery, perhaps you wouldn't have mistaken the Qilin."

Liang Emperor: Not only has the master gone crazy, but his tongue has become sharper as well.

After leaving the imperial study, Zi Wu Xian Sheng dusted off his wide sleeves and said to Gongsun Yanming, "Your master dares not divine the great fortune. Do you know that you have violated the taboo and will suffer backlash?"

Gongsun Yanming replied, "I am willing to serve Your Majesty without hesitation."

Zi Wu Xian Sheng said, "When your master was alive, he once mentioned his two most proud disciples. You two each have your own talents, but unfortunately, one lacks ambition, and the other is too ambitious."

Without asking, one could guess who the other proud disciple was.

Gongsun Yanming looked at the flowers and plants in the courtyard, "So that's what my master said about me and my senior sister. What else did the old man say?"

"You can ask him in the underworld!"

Zi Wu Xian Sheng left with a swagger.

Gongsun Yanming glanced at his departing figure and paused for a moment before leaving as well.

He didn't return to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion but went to the Zhai Xing Tower of the Qin Tian Supervision Bureau.

Soon, Prince Jin arrived at the Zhai Xing Tower with Lu Qi.

Lu Qi was brought back to the huang cheng by Gongsun Yanming, and with the two families now connected by marriage, it would be unbelievable if they avoided each other.

So, they interacted openly.

"National Master."

In the book pavilion of Zhai Xing Tower, Lu Qi paid his respects to Gongsun Yanming as a junior.

Gongsun Yanming politely returned the greeting, "I dare not accept such a title."

Prince Jin smiled, "Why not? National Master has shown grace to Qi'er, and he is also Qi'er's father-in-law. Qi'er has told me that in his heart, National Master will always be his respected elder."

The implication was that Gongsun Yanming and Lu Qi's relationship was first that of father-in-law and son-in-law, and then that of ruler and subject, giving Gongsun Yanming ample face.

Gongsun Yanming bowed, "This subject is honored and grateful."

He invited Prince Jin and his son to sit down.

A disciple served tea, then quietly retreated to the side.

Prince Jin got straight to the point, "National Master, I heard that you and Zi Wu Xian Sheng paid a visit to the Father Emperor today regarding the matter of the Crown Prince's position, is it not?"

Gongsun Yanming replied, "My master is adamant that Lu Lin Yuan is the true Qilin and has proposed a competition with the prince."

Prince Jin laughed coldly, "A competition? Competing in what? Who is more shameless?"

Ever since Lu Yuan went to the Crown Prince's Mansion to acknowledge his lineage, he hadn't done a single thing that was presentable.

Every time Lu Qi stayed up late to study, Lu Yuan would either indulge in eating, drinking, and playing, or sleep soundly.

He had learned this from his unambitious father.

"Didn't the Father Emperor refuse?"

Lu Qi asked.

"His Majesty agreed," Gongsun Yanming answered.

Prince Jin's smile faded.

This was not good news.

If this had happened before His Majesty ascended the throne, it might have been understandable.

However, Lu Yuan's identity as the Qilin had already been announced to the world. At this point, allowing the two to compete meant that the Father Emperor's heart was already leaning towards the Crown Prince's Mansion.

"Is Lu Lin Yuan that good? In less than a month, he has swayed the Father Emperor's heart."

As the former only imperial grandson, Lu Qi couldn't accept having another brother competing for favor.

Prince Jin's reaction was quite calm.

He understood that the Father Emperor's love was limited.

Once upon a time, as the eldest son, he had been the Father Emperor's favorite, but after the birth of the second, third, and fourth sons, he watched helplessly as they took the Father Emperor away from him.

And there was nothing he could do.

Because the Father Emperor hated nothing more than sibling rivalry.

"The Father Emperor has aged and is not as stubborn as he once was. The two children have swayed his heart. I don't blame you, Your Highness. After that miscarriage, Qin Wang Mansion was cursed with childlessness. Since then, Qin Wang Mansion has indeed had a thin line of descendants. Lu Lin Yuan's advantage over you is that he already has a daughter, and your Father Emperor worries that your lineage will have no heirs."

"Is that so?"

Lu Qi murmured.

Prince Jin sighed, "At your age, it's understandable that the Father Emperor is concerned about you not having a wife and children."

Lu Qi said, "If I were to have a wife and children, I wouldn't be worthy of such a good girl as Liuying."

Prince Jin thought for a moment and said, "If it weren't for the repeated interruptions, your wedding with Liuying wouldn't have been delayed until now. Once she is pregnant, who could question your ability to have heirs?"

Thinking of something, he said, "Speaking of which, if Lu Lin Yuan is indeed Lu Yuan, then Zhao Zhao is not his biological child."

"Regarding Lu Yuan's past in the Great Zhou, Prince Jin also sent people to investigate."

"Lu Yuan's child was taken on the way to the one-year-old birthday banquet."

"He got married in April, and it has been a year since then, yet the Duke's Mansion has not announced any good news."

"The one who truly cannot have an heir is Lu Yuan."

"Unfortunately, with the revelation of Lin Yuan's identity, no one is allowed to question it."

Lu Qi recalled, "He once put the Miaojiang Gu in my carriage; it was Lu Yuan."

"Isn't it just Lu Yuan?" Prince Jin said indifferently, "In the Great Zhou, he was merely a wall-climbing grass that followed the wind, relying on currying favor with the Prime Minister to become the Grand Duke, and then gaining the protection of the Emperor Taishang by betraying the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister imprisoned the Emperor Taishang, and the Emperor Taishang overthrew the Prime Minister. Lu Yuan is just a petty man seeking personal gain, with no real abilities."

Lu Qi said, "I heard he won a battle in the Great Zhou's border."

Prince Jin didn't seem to care much, "That's because he had the help of the Twelve Guards. Since the Crown Prince's Mansion wants to humiliate itself, you don't need to give them face. Just win and show the whole world!"

Lu Qi nodded, "I understand, Father."

Gongsun Yanming frowned, "A person with no abilities cannot survive in such a huge vortex unscathed. It's better for Prince Jin and the Prince to be cautious."

On the other hand, Lu Yuan also heard about the competition.

He picked up Bao Zhuzhu and said, "Let's go find your mother."

"Let go of Bao Bao! Bao Bao doesn't believe you!"

Bao Zhuzhu, who had been cheated out of his money yesterday, decided never to fall for his father's tricks again.

"Mother said she's going to the palace. Bao Bao will wait in the palace!"

Lu Yuan's lips twitched. The little one was getting harder to deceive.

Lu Yuan looked at the little guy seriously, "I'm your father; you should listen to me."

Bao Zhuzhu covered his ears, "I won't listen! You're a turtle!"

Lu Yuan said, "I'm a turtle, what are you?"

Bao Zhuzhu humphed.

The two argued, but in the end, Bao Zhuzhu was too small to resist his father's strength.

Bao Zhuzhu was dragged by his father, his fur bristling in anger, "You wait until Bao Bao grows up!"

Bao Zhuzhu was truly infuriated by his father! Just as Lu Yuan and Bao Zhuzhu left the palace, before they could get into the carriage, they ran into Prince Jin and his son, who were also leaving the Zhai Xing Tower.

The two had just come out of the tower ), and the faint scent of sandalwood still lingered on their bodies.

Bao Zhuzhu's nose itched, and he sneezed lightly.

Prince Jin smiled gently, "What a coincidence, Yuan'er. Are you taking Zhao Zhao back to the Crown Prince's Mansion?"

He used the word 'return,' implying that he was telling Lu Yuan that their home was the Crown Prince's Mansion, not the palace, and they shouldn't keep hanging around the palace.

Lu Yuan said, "Call someone."

Bao Zhuzhu politely called out, "Grandpa, Uncle."

Prince Jin's smile turned indulgent, "Zhao Zhao is so well-behaved."

Lu Yuan curved his lips, "I'm taking Zhao Zhao out for a while. My royal grandfather is reluctant to part with Zhao Zhao, so he wants Zhao Zhao to stay in the palace. Don't keep thinking about the Crown Prince's Mansion."

The little guy also knew how to show off. He spread his small hands, "Grandpa wants Zhao Zhao to be a princess!"

Prince Jin's smile froze.

Lu Qi gave a meaningful glance to the father and daughter.

He was looking for proof that the two didn't resemble each other at all, but unfortunately, the little guy kept moving around in Lu Yuan's arms, making it impossible for people to see clearly.

Furthermore, after spending time together, people would unconsciously imitate each other's movements.

Lu Yuan and the little guy unintentionally looked at each other's grumpy faces, and they were indeed very similar.

"I heard that I'm going to have a competition with my second brother." Lu Yuan suddenly revealed the truth, catching Prince Jin and Lu Qi off guard.

Prince Jin regained his senses and said warmly, "It's just a regular competition. Your royal grandfather only wants to see your brothers' abilities. Don't overthink it."

Lu Yuan smiled with a hint of playfulness, "But I heard that my royal grandfather doesn't believe in my second brother's Qilin identity and wants me to compete with him to determine who's superior."

Prince Jin clenched his fist.

Lu Qi stepped forward and looked at Lu Yuan firmly, "I know who you are, and I know what you're planning. I won't let you succeed."

Lu Yuan curved his lips, "Oh?"

The most ⊥ new ⊥ small ⊥ said ⊥ at ⊥ six ⊥ 9 ⊥ ⊥ book ⊥ ⊥ bar ⊥ ⊥ head ⊥ published!

Lu Qi spoke seriously, "None of your methods from the Great Zhou will work in the Liang Kingdom."

Lu Yuan smiled even more deeply, "Is my second brother so confident that he's just trying to boost his own courage?"

Lu Qi's eyes turned cold, revealing a side completely different from his usual self, "You shouldn't have provoked me, and you shouldn't have delusions about the Qilin identity. It would have been better to live a life of honor as the royal grandson."

Lu Yuan smiled, "My second brother is so kind-hearted, but I'm different. If I win, I'll make sure my second brother can't escape the consequences. I'll eat the meat, and you can watch; I'll drink the soup, and you can smell it! From then on, glory and wealth will have nothing to do with my second brother."

"Slurp~"

Upon hearing about eating meat and drinking soup, Bao Zhuzhu drooled uncontrollably again.

(End of Chapter)

Lu Yuan: "Grow up."

He turned to Prince Jin and Lu Qi, saying, "Big brother, little brother, we'll take our leave first."

Bao Zhuzhu: "Eat meat and drink soup."

Father and daughter left in a carriage.

Prince Jin spoke in a cold tone, "Let's see if he can even make it to the day of the competition."

"No need," Lu Qi replied, "I can beat him."

Prince Jin shook his head, "You don't even know what you're competing in, and you want your father to remove this stumbling block for you? Even if your imperial grandfather blames me, you'll still be the only imperial grandson left. If he kills you, there'll be no one to inherit the empire."

Lu Qi turned to face Prince Jin, emphasizing each word, "Father, I say, I can beat him."

Prince Jin paused.

He had never seen such a stubborn look on his son's face before, as if a perfectly gentle and flawless shell hid a soul driven to madness.

"Qi'er..."

"Father, I'll go prepare for the competition first."

Lu Qi's usual gentle demeanor returned, as if the previous intensity was just a figment of Prince Jin's imagination.

Lu Yuan took Bao Zhuzhu to the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion and, under the pretext of visiting as a young child, met with Meng Qianqian.

Bao Zhuzhu had no idea that her father was being serious this time. She thought it would be another day of being used as a tool, so she fell asleep as soon as she got into the carriage.

"Where are we going?" Meng Qianqian asked, holding the little one.

Lu Yuan hummed, "You only know how to hold her."

Meng Qianqian curved her lips, "Isn't Crown Prince Chang Sun pursuing me? I didn't say I agreed."

Lu Yuan: ... I should've kept my mouth shut.

The two of them, with Bao Zhuzhu fast asleep, headed to the Crown Prince's Mansion.

The secluded courtyard had been renovated and restored by Lu Zhaoyan.

Ji Li, Chen Long, Si She, Shang Guan Ling, and Yu Zi Chuan were all present.

Zi Wu Xian Sheng was also there.

He deliberately chose a spot where it was impossible for the two little ones to show their affection.

Unexpectedly, when he looked up, a heartwarming scene of a family of three approached.

Chen Long immediately went to hold the little one.

And the seat next to him became vacant.

Meng Qianqian sat down.

Shang Guan Ling offered his seat to the Grand Marshal.

Perfect, now she was sitting right across from Zi Wu Xian Sheng again.

Zi Wu Xian Sheng let out a long sigh.

If he had done something wrong, may the heavens strike him down with lightning, rather than letting him die from an overdose of dog food.

Si She spoke first, "Crown Prince Chang Sun, I heard you're officially competing with Lu Qi for the Qilin identity."

"That's right."

Lu Yuan nodded.

Chen Long, holding the sleeping child, frowned, "You must not lose, sister. We can't afford to lose face on this matter)."

Lu Yuan: "Can you speak properly?"

"What are they competing in?"

Si She asked.

Everyone sensed the change in Si She; he was becoming increasingly invested in matters concerning the imperial city.

Just as he had promised Meng Qianqian, he would support her like he had supported the Grand Marshal.

Chen Long said, "The details haven't been announced yet. How would he know?"

Yuan: "Hey, don't underestimate people. My... father also has connections in the court."

It was time to compare fathers.

Lu Zhaoyan wasn't completely ignorant of the ways of the world these years.

He might not fight, but he wouldn't give up the means to protect himself either.

Lu Yuan said, "His Majesty summoned the veteran ministers in the court for an urgent meeting at the Hall of Supreme Harmony and argued for an entire hour. His Majesty won the argument."

Ji Li snapped open her folding fan, "Did he win by force?"

Lu Yuan's face turned serious, "Don't speak the truth."

The Liang Emperor would not be held hostage by his ministers. If a minister voiced opposition and His Majesty insisted on his way, he would rather smash his head against the wall.

The Liang Emperor immediately declared, "If not by force, then by this. It can pierce through the skull, ensuring death."

The minister fell silent.

"The competition will have both literary and martial trials."

At the Prince Jin's Mansion, Prince Jin informed Lu Qi, "Your uncle just sent word. I'm not worried about the literary trial. At worst, he's an idiot. Whether it's the Four Books and Five Classics or astronomy and mathematics, he can't possibly beat you."

"When will it start?"

Lu Qi asked.

"Tomorrow."

"So soon?"

Lu Qi was a bit surprised.

Prince Jin spoke calmly, "The sooner, the better. It won't give him time to prepare any tricks. As for the minister setting the questions, your uncle hasn't found out, but I assume it will be one of the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers. The topics will likely revolve around the Four Books and Five Classics."

At this point, Prince Jin smiled and said, "My son has already memorized the Four Books and Five Classics. How can he possibly be my son's opponent?"

The next day, early in the morning.

Lu Qi and Lu Yuan were summoned to the Jinluan Pavilion to begin the first round of the literary trial.

This was a competition with no suspense.

The prince and the officials lined up on both sides.

Everyone was waiting for Lu Yuan to embarrass himself.

But when the exam questions came out, everyone was stunned.

Yu Gonggong waved his feather duster and announced, "The first trial is agriculture."

Prince Jin: "..."

Farm!

(End of Chapter 49)

Chapter end