The Pang mother’s and daughter’s were taken away, and the courtyard finally returned to silence.
Zhu Yu called over a guard to the side and asked him to bring Chief Historian Wen Qiming over.
"Father, during the ti you and Lu Qing left the capital for the Black Iron Mine, Chief Historian Wen made significant contributions. If it weren’t for his usual ticulous thinking and attention, we wouldn’t have been able to gradually remove those secretly colluding with the Pang Family during this ti," Zhu Yu said to Zhu Cheng. "I don’t understand many of these matters, and during this period, I relied on Chief Historian Wen’s assistance entirely.
I called him over to report to you in detail about all the people involved and the hypocritical, duplicitous things they did," she continued.
Zhu Cheng looked at Zhu Yu, his expression becoming more complex. He sighed slowly, showing a mix of relief and regret.
He had never paid much attention to this illegitimate second daughter of his before, thinking she was just a silent and honest girl, with nothing noteworthy except for her beautiful appearance, just like her mother.
That’s why he had listened to Pang Yuzhen at the ti, and reassuredly let her take the imperial edict to marry the rumored indulgent and arrogant Prince Xiaoyao, thinking that at worst, he could account to Emperor Jin and wouldn’t trouble himself.
Recently, he had truly witnessed his second daughter’s real capabilities, which left him feeling a mix of joy and worry.
The joy was that, by accident, he had sent Zhu Yu to marry in what turned out to be a blessing.
Lu Qing was not the prodigal son of rumors but was, in fact, insightful and capable. If he had known this earlier, he might selfishly have sent Zhu Ning to marry him instead.
But now everyone could see that if he had indeed sent Zhu Ning to marry him, the esteed son-in-law might have been disinterested in maintaining ties with the Zhu Family due to an unwise and shortsighted wife.
If not for Lu Qing and Zhu Yu noticing the signs and bravely coming to warn and assist, this Shuo King’s fate would have either been a sudden rebellion from the Pang Family or a rebellion charge from the Holy Emperor...
The worry was that he never knew this daughter of his possessed courage not inferior to a man’s, even surpassing many in intelligence and calmness.
Her earlier words were so fitting! Not only did she adeptly stabilize the capital’s situation during their absence, ensuring the rear remained safe, but she also wisely inford him of everything with great tact.
Not to ntion Zhu Ning, even Zhu Feng, the most composed among his legitimate children, might not have handled matters any better than she did.
Such an admirable daughter, whom he personally married off to Jin Country...
"Father?" Zhu Yu, seeing Zhu Cheng looking at her without speaking, called out to him again.
Zhu Cheng ca back to himself, quickly nodding to Zhu Yu and patting her shoulder: "You did very well, easing my worries brings great comfort to your father!"
Just then, a personal soldier rushed in from outside and clasped his fists at Zhu Cheng and Lu Qing: "My Prince, General Yi has also arrived."
Zhu Cheng slapped his forehead upon hearing this, turning to Lu Qing: "See how forgetful I am! I completely forgot about General Yi’s matters in the chaos!
Dear son-in-law, hurry, let’s quickly bring General Yi in!"
Lu Qing nodded, neither opposing nor showing the sa eagerness as Zhu Cheng.
Zhu Yu looked at Lu Qing with so surprise, not knowing what background this "General Yi" had.
Emperor Jin had always been concerned about military power, and none of the vassal states had military power at hand, not even the Jie King, who only posed a threat with their fierce people and universal conscription. They actually had no Commander’s Seal or private armies.
On Zhu Cheng’s side, even more so, if he had military power, he wouldn’t have been so constrained in dealing with the Pang Family’s influence, having to gather personal soldiers.
Therefore, this "General Yi" could not have co from Shuo Country.
When had the imperial court of Jin ever had a general with such a singular surna? And why was he aiding Zhu Cheng in Shuo Country?
Zhu Yu, not thoroughly versed in Jin Country matters, found herself full of questions.
Observing the look she cast towards him, Lu Qing rely smiled subtly, not offering any explanation.
Instead, Zhu Cheng, noticing Zhu Yu’s puzzlent, cheerfully explained to her: "My daughter, you may not know this, but my son-in-law and I have indeed survived a desperate situation this ti!
If it weren’t for General Yi’s tily assistance, who knows what the situation would be now?
We were besieged by the Pang father and son, and your foolish brother. After finally breaking through and escaping, we were pursued to a pass, where we happened to et General Yi, who was gathering his troops and patrolling.
Seeing us in dire straits from the Pang pursuit, he intervened and reinforced us, and with his soldiers’ help, we were able to round up the Pang Family rebels, only Pang Yutang managed to escape.
This General Yi not only helped us suppress the rebels and turn the tide, but also effectively proved the Zhu Family’s innocence. It showed that the private manufacturing of weapons was entirely the Pang Family’s doing.
This makes it easier for to explain things to the Holy Emperor!"
Zhu Yu nodded, peeking at Lu Qing, seeing his calm and composed manner, and imdiately recalled the ssage he had her send to the Shadow Guard earlier.
This "General Yi" seed to be soone Lu Qing had prepared in advance.
The question was, who could this person be?
The first na that popped into Zhu Yu’s mind was Situ Jing, perhaps he, due to the Situ Family’s habit of not taking sides, purposely pretended to be "General Yi"?
But as soon as this speculation arose, Zhu Yu dismissed it imdiately.
Situ Jing, accused by Lu Qing in his role as the "Golden-faced Imperial Censor," was no longer in Li State and had already gone elsewhere to take up a post.
A military general like him, if he left his post unauthorized and even took soldiers with him privately to Shuo Land, it would be as if he was looking to lose his head!
With Situ Jing’s cautious nature, he would never take such a risk for Lu Qing.
But aside from him, Zhu Yu really couldn’t figure out which other military general Lu Qing could have such a deep relationship with.
Following behind Zhu Cheng towards the door, she was speculating wildly in her mind.
As they neared the entrance, several personal soldiers, with a respectful yet cautious deanor, had ushered in a man dressed in gray and white military wear.
"General Yi, please co in! You were wounded while aiding us. Since your injuries have not healed yet, please rest for a few days at my manor!" Zhu Cheng, having been in haste to chase Pang Yutang, had been regretfully neglectful to let his benefactor travel alone behind. He now hurried forward to extend his courtesies.
User Comments
0 comments from readers