The faint smile on Lu Qing’s face caught Lin Kun, who prided himself on being brave and martial, off guard with a chill in his heart.
In these past days, he had had many dealings with Lu Qing, and felt that this Lord Imperial Censor carried an inherent noble aura that was not to be offended. Although his emotions were always steady and calm, his eyes, which seed to see through everything, made people instinctively feel they couldn’t easily provoke him.
And that Chief Historian Yu indeed seed to be this Lord Imperial Censor’s confidant, not only accompanying him everywhere, inseparable, but also being able to freely express his views on many matters. The Lord Imperial Censor wouldn’t stop him, even greatly appreciating it.
In other matters, Lin Kun would absolutely not want to offend Chief Historian Yu, whether publicly or privately.
But now, with the safety of his Young Master at stake, he couldn’t care about much else.
Chang Yu, observing Lu Qing’s expression and hearing the faint anger in his tone, felt uneasy. Before Lin Kun could speak again, he hurriedly spoke up: "Lord Imperial Censor, please don’t mind, Uncle Lin’s behavior was out of concern for . I am willing to go with you to the Prince Lan Mansion for a visit!"
"That’s impossible!" Lin Kun was anxious and with gritted teeth said, "The Lord Imperial Censor also knows that all four of our Prince’s sons have already passed away, leaving the Young Master as the sole heir in our mansion.
If there were no risk in this endeavor, why not let your Chief Historian disguise as the Young Master and accompany you?
If this journey is fraught with danger, and you are so concerned about your own Chief Historian, how can we let the Young Master go off into such an adventure with you?!"
Lu Qing surveyed Lin Kun, gracefully stood up, and brushed off his clothes and sleeves: "We have co to you with sincere intentions to extend our assistance, yet as allies, you think of how to dismantle the bridge before we even cross the river.
Whether your Young Master can reclaim the position of Prince Lan concerns your own interests and even your lives.
In such crucial matters of interest, you are unwilling to bear even a bit of risk yourself. How can I then trust that such people in the future could undertake the duty of governing a country?
For the Holy Emperor, the most important thing is for the citizens of the Lan Country to live in peace and not cause any disturbances.
As for whether the Prince of Lan bears the surna Chang or so other, it does not really matter."
After he finished speaking, he glanced at Zhu Yu and the talisman who were already standing and said, "Let’s go."
The four of them stood up to leave, and Liao Yu, who was originally sitting by the door, also stood up. Though he said nothing, his posture was plain to see—if Lu Qing and his group left the mountain village, the 100-plus n under Situ Jing’s command would also leave.
Seeing this, Chang Yu hurriedly stepped forward, blocking the way of Lu Qing and Zhu Yu.
"Lord Imperial Censor, please wait!" His stature was much leaner than Lu Qing’s, and at this mont, he tried to puff out his chest to bolster his presence, "Uncle Lin was just overly protective and montarily lost his composure. Please, my lord, don’t hold it against him!
I, Chang Yu, though young and inexperienced, have read so Holy Books.
I have heard that under my grandfather’s rule, the Lan Country was prosperous, with people living in peace and the whole land flourishing.
The subsequent disasters, and the current people’s plight and chaos, are not due to a lack of virtue or ability on the part of my Chang Family.
You, my lord, spoke rightly before, that reclaiming the position is most advantageous to my Chang Family, and even if there is risk, it should rightly be borne by .
I am not one who craves power or kingship; I simply want to uncover the truth behind all this chaos and restore the prosperity that the Lan Country should have under my Chang Family’s governance.
For this purpose, I am willing to bear everything it entails willingly, neither shirking nor retreating.
Please, Lord Imperial Censor, take to the Prince Lan Mansion!
If, after success, I am unable to govern Lan Country properly, at that ti I will request the Holy Emperor to appoint a new prince, without a word of complaint from !"
"Young Master!" Lin Kun still wanted to speak.
Chang Yu gestured for him to stop: "Uncle Lin, I know you want to protect , afraid of any missteps.
But we only have these few dozen people, and wanting to reclaim all that should belong to our Chang Family is like a dream.
Even so, for all these years, although we have always been seeking opportunities, we have never retreated due to the danger we might face, nor had thoughts of giving up.
Now with the assistance of the Lord Imperial Censor, and having moved General Situ’s soldiers to assist us, our chances of success have increased incredibly. How can we, at such a ti, ask our benefactors to bear more risk for us?!
To act in such a way would be no different than those greedy to gain endlessly; it is not the conduct of a true man.
If I cannot even face such a minor risk, what qualification do I have to aspire to be Lan Country’s future prince?"
Though young, Chang Yu spoke with great certainty, each word resonant, his youthful face showing an air of heroism and determination.
Lin Kun was rendered speechless. Hearing Chang Yu’s words, he alternated between feeling ashad and moved by the Young Master’s growth and sense of responsibility, causing his cheeks to flush, and his eyes to redden.
He took a deep breath and clasped his fists toward Lu Qing and Zhu Yu before kneeling on the ground with a thud.
"Lord Imperial Censor, I lost my head earlier and said things I shouldn’t have! Whether you punish or not is your choice, even if you beat to death today, as long as you agree to help the Young Master reclaim the Prince Lan Mansion, I am willing!" he said firmly, looking at Lu Qing with determination.
Lu Qing silently observed the two in front of him, nodded, and instructed Fu Lu to help Lin Kun rise.
"Very well, though Guard Lin previously had so inappropriate words and conduct, this incident has shown the courage and responsibility that Chang Yu should have as the Young Master of Lan Country.
Since that’s the case, proceed as originally planned. Everyone should rest today, and from tomorrow, per the previous instructions, move out in batches."
This ti, no one raised objections, and they all responded in unison with a salute, saying "Yes."
That night, a group left first. Over the next day, more people departed progressively, and by the morning of the third day, Lu Qing and his group also prepared to set off. Before departing, Lu Qing called Chang Yu into his room, where they spoke behind closed doors. Shortly afterward, the talisman ca out to convey a ssage, indicating that Lin Kun was at the door seeking an audience.
Lu Qing asked Zhu Yu to go out, and when Lin Kun saw Zhu Yu, he felt sowhat embarrassed and awkward, considering that earlier, he wished for the Chief Historian to take risks for his Young Master.
"Chief Historian Yu." Perhaps out of guilt, Lin Kun was especially courteous to Zhu Yu, "I wish to see the Lord Imperial Censor, I have a matter to ask."
"The lord is busy at the mont," Zhu Yu said helplessly, shaking his head, "and may not be able to see you at this ti.
If there is sothing, Guard Lin, perhaps you could let relay it?"
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