Lu Qing still hadn’t vented all his frustration, especially since the three men they had just dealt with were working for Prince Su and now were being scapegoated on his behalf.
However, despite all the anger and resentment, there was nothing else to be done.
Lu Qing bowed slightly. “Your Highness, your benevolence is great.”
Prince Su waved his hand, dismissing them. “You may leave now,” he said, slightly frowning when he noticed they were still standing there. “What are you waiting for? Go.”
The four men hesitated for a moment, seemingly surprised they had been spared. With heads still bleeding, they struggled to maintain composure as they quickly exited.
Once they were out of sight, Lu Xingyan finally moved his hand from his niece’s eyes. Yet, Lu Youtang had been peeking through her uncle’s fingers the entire time. She caught glimpses of the men smashing their heads into the pillar, and now, the bloodstains remained on the post.
The sight left Lu Youtang terrified. Her fear of Prince Su deepened, her hands trembling as she clung tightly to her uncle, refusing to let go.
Prince Su turned to Lu Qing with a smile. “Since this misunderstanding has been cleared, would the esteemed elder care to sit down and talk privately with me?”
Lu Qing nodded and signaled to Lu Xingyan to take Lu Youtang and Ming Yuan outside. He had a good idea of what Prince Su wanted to discuss.
Lu Xingyan led his niece out of the hall.
Lu Youtang kept looking back, her grip on Lu Xingyan’s sleeve tight. “Third Uncle, that man is so scary. Isn’t Grandfather coming out yet?”
Lu Xingyan was silent for a moment before replying, “Don’t worry, Tang’er. Grandfather is inside with the ancestors. He’ll be fine.”
Indeed, Gu Xingzhao was sitting beside Lu Qing, listening as Prince Su ranted about how cold and ruthless the emperor in the capital had been. He also hinted at his own grand ambitions before finally offering Lu Qing an olive branch.
“To me, you’ve always been a great mentor and friend. Your teachings have stayed with me every day. Once my plans come to fruition, I’ll restore your reputation and reinstate you as the great Elder Lu you once were. The Lu family will rise to its former glory.”
Prince Su’s attitude had once again shifted to a gentle, unpretentious demeanor, as if he were still the humble student in front of his teacher.
Gu Xingzhao glanced at Lu Qing with concern. The best course of action now was to agree with Prince Su’s offer temporarily. Lu Qing knew this as well.
After all, survival was the priority, and reputation would only matter if one lived to preserve it. If Lu Qing were to die, the story that would remain would be whatever those in power chose to tell.
Lu Qing bowed slightly. “Thank you for your kindness, Your Highness. However, to avoid suspicion from the emperor, I must continue on the path of an exiled man in the North. I regret that I cannot follow you, Your Highness.”
Surprisingly, things went smoothly. Prince Su, delighted, hurriedly helped Lu Qing up. “No matter. I understand your loyalty, Elder Lu. When the time comes, I’ll personally invite you back to govern the country with me.”
Lu Qing subtly withdrew his hand. “I’m merely an exiled criminal, but it is an honor that Your Highness still values me. I am deeply grateful.”
Prince Su continued speaking with Lu Qing, exchanging words as though they were a teacher and his devoted student. Even Gu Xingzhao nearly believed the charade.
If she didn’t know that Prince Su was only using Lu Qing to win over the people’s hearts, she might have thought he truly valued talent.
Yet, seeing the old man having to bow his head like this left Gu Xingzhao feeling uneasy.
After leaving the mansion, Prince Su escorted the Lu family all the way to the gates.
“Your Highness, there are many eyes watching. It’s best you stop here,” Lu Qing said.
Only then did Prince Su halt his steps, his expression heavy with concern. “The journey north is long and fraught with danger. Take care, Elder Lu.”
He glanced at Lu Xingyan, who stood beside Lu Qing. “If you ever desire a position by my side, Third Young Master, the door will always be open.”
Gu Xingzhao raised an eyebrow, impressed by Prince Su’s keen eye. He had noticed Lu Xingyan’s potential.
Lu Xingyan only nodded slightly. “Thank you, Your Highness.”
There was no trace of emotion on his face. Normally, hearing such an offer from Prince Su would have had anyone kneeling in gratitude, but Lu Xingyan’s calm reaction seemed to intrigue the prince even more.
“I’m pleased,” Prince Su said, smiling. “Lord Lu, make sure you take care of this son of yours.”
As they left, Prince Su couldn’t help but grumble internally about his incompetent subordinate Yu Heng, who had botched the opportunity to bring the Lu family to him. He was now certain that it was his personal intervention that won over Lu Qing.
Lu Qing, however, was far from content with the situation.
Finally out of Prince Su’s view, Lu Xingyan didn’t ask his father about the details of their conversation. Instead, he used the leftover silver from their earlier purchases to buy two packets of candied fruits for his niece.
Lu Youtang, her spirits lifted, quickly forgot about the day’s events. She happily shared the candies with Ming Yuan.
Gu Xingzhao checked their injuries. Lu Youtang’s head wound wasn’t too severe, and thanks to Lu Qing, Prince Su had already ordered someone to tend to it. Still, Gu Xingzhao planned to bring back some scar ointment. In this era, appearances were important, and she couldn’t afford to have a scar.
Ming Yuan, on the other hand, had more serious injuries. Her wounds were deep, with flesh torn and mixed with dirt and fabric, yet she hadn’t uttered a word of complaint. Now, she was sitting calmly, sharing sweets with Lu Youtang. The Golden Scales Guard were indeed tough.
As they left Ji county and the number of people on the road thinned, Lu Qing finally spoke. “I estimate that Prince Su will make his move no later than the end of the month.”
Lu Qing had initially pinned his hopes on his grandson to carry on the Lu family name. However, he now saw that his grandson still needed more training.
Before today, he wouldn’t have shared his thoughts with his younger son. But now that Lu Xingyan’s health had stabilized and he showed more talent and calmness than his brothers, Lu Qing believed he could potentially carry the Lu family name forward.
“When two powers clash, it’s always the common people who suffer,” Lu Xingyan said softly.
Lu Qing’s tone grew serious. “I have pretended to submit to Prince Su, so our journey north should be free of danger for the time being. But this is only temporary. Neither the current emperor nor Prince Su are wise rulers. If we want the Lu family to survive, we’ll need to forge our own path. Do you understand?”
Lu Xingyan was silent for a moment before nodding. “Yes, Father, I understand.”
After all, once Prince Su succeeded, what guarantee was there that he wouldn’t treat the Lu family the same way Emperor Xiao Zhan had?
Lu Qing smiled and patted his son’s shoulder. “How’s your health recently?”
Lu Xingyan replied, “I feel fine.”
Though, as he spoke, his chest felt tight. He could feel the ancestors watching closely, but he decided to keep that to himself.
Gu Xingzhao had been trying to tease him but quickly backed off when she saw his discomfort.
Had it been Lu Xingyao, he would’ve been overjoyed with the attention. Ah, what a difference.
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