Chapter 92: Blocking The Emperor’s Path
Eunuch Ma chattered endlessly in Lu Yun’s ear, but he actually didn’t listen to a single word. He only vaguely remembered that he seemed to say something about speaking a few good words on his behalf in the future, but there was no need to deliberately reply; just vaguely acknowledging was fine.
Following Eunuch Ma to the carriage, those few officials jumped down excitedly upon seeing Lu Yun and repeatedly bowed in thanks to him.
“Thanks to Brother Lu, we had the chance to see His Majesty. It was worth the trip!” A tall man in his thirties, a local official named He Yunxiao, warmly patted Lu Yun’s shoulder: “Brother, I really don’t know how to thank you!”
“Yes, yes!” The few officials nodded repeatedly: “We dare not thank you verbally for such great kindness. In the future, if Brother Lu needs anything, just say the word!”
“Brother lords are too serious.” Lu Yun did not dare to be arrogant and hurriedly returned the courtesy: “Previously, I received much care and guidance from you brothers, so I didn’t embarrass myself before His Majesty. I should be the one thanking you.”
“No, no!” Seeing him so humble, the few officials felt even more favorably toward him and chatted enthusiastically around Lu Yun. They no longer had their initial reserved demeanor…
Eunuch Ma was also nearby, occasionally interjecting a word, until he heard the command from on the mountain. Then he lightly coughed and said: “Lords, Young Master Lu, we must welcome the imperial carriage.”
The crowd then stopped talking and stood solemnly by the carriage. When the Initial Emperor’s imperial carriage slowly descended the mountain path, they followed the eunuch’s command and bowed together to welcome His Majesty the Emperor.
After the Initial Emperor’s imperial carriage departed into the distance, escorted by ceremonial guards, Lu Yun and the officials rose and prepared to board the carriage. At this moment, a young eunuch ran over and said to Lu Yun: “Young Master Lu, my lord His Highness invites you to ride together.”
Lu Yun had a photographic memory and remembered that this little eunuch was the long-time attendant by Huangfu Zhen’s side. Just as he was about to agree, Huangfu Xuan’s chief steward Cao Ping also came over. “Young Master Lu, my lord His Highness invites you.”
Lu Yun
“Eunuch Cao, we must respect first come, first served!” Huangfu Zhen’s long-time attendant was of lower rank than Cao Ping but was not intimidated by him at all.
“This isn’t lining up to buy things, of course it depends on Young Master Lu’s own preference!” Cao Ping snorted coldly, only looking at Lu Yun.
Lu Yun looked troubled, as if he pondered for a long time, then said with a bitter smile: “I can’t afford to offend either side, so I’ll go nowhere.” With that, he ducked and boarded the carriage.
The two eunuchs looked at each other in dismay. After a moment, they both snorted in unison and went back separately to report.
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Hearing that Lu Yun wouldn’t come, Huangfu Xuan’s face looked rather unpleasant. Only when Cao Ping said that Huangfu Zhen hadn’t taken Lu Yun either did he feel a bit better. He sighed and said: “Forget it, don’t put Young Master Lu in a difficult position…”
“Second Highness seems to value Young Master Lu highly too,” Cao Ping said softly: “Not just to spite His Highness.”
“Yes.” Huangfu Xuan nodded, his expression stiff: “From childhood, they competed with me in everything. I yielded to them before, but this time, I absolutely won’t yield again!”
“Fortunately, there’s still plenty of time…” Cao Ping comforted: “After returning to the capital, Your Highness can still invite Young Master Lu to the residence for a game of chess.”
“Mm.” Huangfu Xuan nodded and silently began calculating.
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Meanwhile, hearing that Lu Yun had chosen neither side, Huangfu Shi said displeased: “Ungrateful thing!”
“Sigh, we can’t say that.” But Huangfu Zhen shook his head: “I rather admire this young man.” Then in a deep voice: “I’ve met the elite direct lineage disciples of all the noble clans, and he is in no way inferior to any of them.”
“Second Brother rates him so highly?” Huangfu Shi and the other were astounded. The elite direct lineage disciples of the noble clans were all future pillars destined to shoulder their family clans—true dragons and phoenixes among men. “Lu Yun just knows how to play chess, right? I haven’t seen any other skills from him.”
“I read faces.” Huangfu Zhen smiled: “If you don’t believe me, let’s bet. Within half a year, he will become famous in the capital city.”
“Heh heh, no need for a bet.” Huangfu Shi and the other knew well that this second brother was adept at scheming; whenever he proposed a bet, it was as good as won. “We’ll wait and see.”
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The caravan slowly set off.
In the carriage, He Yunxiao and the others looked at Lu Yun with renewed respect. They never expected this youth to befriend several Highnesses in just a few days of kung fu and become the hot commodity they were fighting over.
They knew that Lu Yun was not a direct lineage disciple of the noble clans, so for those haughty Highnesses to take a liking to him, it could only be due to his abilities and character. The few officials secretly raised their evaluation of Lu Yun several levels in their hearts, regarding him as someone they must sincerely befriend.
Therefore, on the way back to the city, the officials all vied to show goodwill to Lu Yun. Even that previously arrogant secretary Qin Shou shamelessly insisted that Lu Yun visit his home after returning. Only after Lu Yun set a date with him did he stop pestering contentedly.
By the way, this secretary’s given name was Shou. Because the name had some ambiguous connotations, he had been unwilling to give his full name before. Now, to curry favor with Lu Yun, he no longer cared about whether it sounded beastly or not…
Local officials like He Yunxiao also wanted to meet him again before leaving the capital to strengthen their rapport.
“Thank you all for your kind invitations,” Lu Yun had no choice but to look troubled: “But after returning, I must participate in my family’s competition, so before that, I need to focus and study diligently.”
“I see…” He Yunxiao and the others said with disappointment: “Then we’ll have to leave it for next time.”
“There will definitely be a chance.” Lu Yun smiled: “In the future, if the brothers return to the capital, little brother will host a welcoming banquet for you.”
“Then it’s settled!” He Yunxiao and the others finally relented.
The Summer Palace was very close to Luojing City. An hour later, the northwest gate of the capital city, Xuanhui Gate, came into view.
“Ah, finally back…” Qin Shou stretched lazily, relieved: “Once home, I can properly rest and recover.”
The others nodded one after another. These days at the Summer Palace, though they did nothing, their hearts had been tied in knots every day, truly exhausting.
“Eh?” He Yunxiao suddenly said strangely: “Why did we stop?”
“Yeah, we haven’t entered the city yet…” The two officials sitting at the doorway lifted the carriage curtain a crack and peered ahead. They were immediately startled: “Oh no, something’s happened!”
“What is it?” Qin Shou and He Yunxiao and the others also hurried over to look. They saw the army escorting the imperial carriage on high alert, blocking a black mass of disaster victims outside the caravan.
“Where did so many disaster victims come from?” He Yunxiao said in surprise: “Didn’t the Capital Magistrate clear the area in advance?” As a local parent official, he naturally knew that local officials would clear the area beforehand when superiors arrived, to avoid letting them see improper sights and causing trouble that would put themselves in a bind.
It was common sense even for a local official like him; there was no reason the Capital Magistrate wouldn’t know!
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Seeing over ten thousand disaster victims kneeling darkly before the Emperor’s carriage, everyone knew something big was about to happen!
“How does Xun Jia serve as Capital Magistrate?!” Huangfu Shi said sullenly: “How could Grandfather entrust the capital city to someone like this!”
“Something’s wrong…” Huangfu Zhen furrowed his brows tightly: “Today’s events are too suspicious…”
In the carriage, Lu Yun didn’t crowd to the doorway to watch the excitement, but he heard more clearly than anyone.
“Your Majesty, you must stand up for us and punish the wicked!”
“Yes, Your Majesty, we went to the Ministry of Personnel for justice but were driven out of the capital city. Fortunately, we encountered Your Majesty!”
No need to listen further; Lu Yun understood—his plan to throw a brick to attract jade had succeeded!
Evidently, the Initial Emperor had taken up Uncle Bao’s baton and was using the disaster victims to stir things up… The reason the Initial Emperor had suddenly returned to the capital early was probably to create this scene of disaster victims blocking the carriage to lodge complaints!
But one thing: with the Initial Emperor’s profoundly meticulous personality, why was he taking the initiative this time? Could he have received some stimulation?
In any case, for Lu Yun, this was good news. It could save much kung fu later and reduce the risk of exposure; he just needed to quietly watch the Initial Emperor and the Xiahou Clan fight it out.
