Chapter 81: Deep Meaning
The one who arrived was Lu Yun, still dressed in a set of green robes, holding a book scroll in hand. The evening breeze gently brushed his hair strands, giving him an indescribably elegant and leisurely air.
At noon, Lu Yun had been on the Flower Viewing Platform, getting sunburned until his hair was frizzy. This was after he had specially taken a bath before coming, changed into clean clothing, to have this excellent appearance now.
Seeing Huangfu Xuan here, Lu Yun seemed startled and quickly cupped his hands, saying, “Brother, you’ve come again.”
“Why did you come so late?!” Huangfu Xuan’s tone was truly unkind.
“This Setting Sun Tower, as the name implies, is a place to watch the sunset.” Lu Yun said with a puzzled face, “Why would I come so early?”
“…” Huangfu Xuan was instantly speechless, glaring at Lu Yun for half a day before chuckling in exasperation, “Forget it, it’s good that you’ve come.”
“Brother, have you run into some difficulty again?” Lu Yun asked with a smile.
“Yes, I’ve encountered a problem, but this time you can’t help me either.” Huangfu Xuan gave a bitter smile, placed his hand on the railing, and cast his gaze toward the direction of Luojing City, saying, “Accompany me to watch the sunset.”
“Alright.” Lu Yun nodded and walked to Huangfu Xuan’s side, standing shoulder to shoulder with him.
The two stood atop this Setting Sun Tower, watching the afterglow of the setting sun illuminate Luojing City’s tall city walls, majestic palaces, vast gardens, and splendid pavilions with golden light flashing, making this ancient capital city appear even more sacred and inviolable!
Leaning on the railing and gazing into the distance, the irritation in Huangfu Xuan’s chest finally eased a bit, yet his expression grew even more despondent as he said, “In this Luojing City, with its thousands of households, why is there no place for me?”
Hearing this, Lu Yun’s heartstrings trembled. For the first time in front of Huangfu Xuan, he revealed some genuine emotion, saying, “That’s because no one can put Brother’s mind at ease.” He felt a thread of shared misery; if not for the existence of Lu Xin and Lu Ying, he feared he would have the same sentiments as Huangfu Xuan.
“Yes…” Huangfu Xuan nodded deeply in agreement, saying, “Though I have family, we are like strangers. Though there are those who love and care for me, I cannot see them. Every time I think of this, I wish to escape this cage, even if it means wandering the world with the four seas as my home—my heart would feel much freer.”
“…” Lu Yun nodded and said softly, “If Brother doesn’t want to stay in Luodu, when you see Your Majesty, you can request an external post.”
“External post?” Huangfu Xuan’s heart stirred, but he immediately shook his head, “Impossible.”
“Why impossible?” Lu Yun asked, puzzled.
Huangfu Xuan answered irrelevantly, “Today, I saw Your Majesty.”
“Oh?!” Lu Yun’s face was instantly full of envy. He cupped his hands and smiled, “Congratulations, Brother. Joyous tidings, Brother. Soar to success is just around the corner!”
“Heh…” Huangfu Xuan was disinterested and said, “But Your Majesty asked me three questions, and I couldn’t answer a single one.” With a face full of disappointment, he closed his eyes and said, “The times are unfavorable, and my steed will not go. Yu, oh Yu, what am I to do?”
“…” Lu Yun felt extremely awkward, thinking to himself, why is he comparing me to Yu Ji? He could only skip over Huangfu Xuan’s lament and ask, “What exactly were the questions? Brother, why don’t you tell me.”
“Alright…” Huangfu Xuan then told Lu Yun about the Emperor’s three questions.
After hearing them, Lu Yun looked at Huangfu Xuan with a strange gaze and said, “Brother, forgive my rudeness, but what exactly is your status? Why would Your Majesty ask you such questions?”
“Same as you, no official position or duties,” Huangfu Xuan said indifferently, “Just a matter of background.” He clearly wasn’t ready to tell Lu Yun his identity yet, so he teased, “Even your clever brain couldn’t answer those three questions, right.”
“What’s so difficult about that?” Lu Yun smiled mysteriously and said slowly, “Not only do I know how I would answer, I also know how the Minister of Personnel should answer, how the Chancellor should answer, how an ordinary official should answer, and how Your Highness the Prince should answer.”
“Oh?!” Huangfu Xuan’s eyes lit up instantly. He grabbed Lu Yun’s arm, breathing somewhat rapidly as he asked, “You’re not joking?”
“Brother is so worried, would I joke at a time like this?” Lu Yun subtly withdrew his arm and smiled at Huangfu Xuan, saying, “That’s why I asked what your status is.”
“Is that important?” Huangfu Xuan frowned slightly.
“Of course. Different people have different answers,” Lu Yun nodded and said, “You can’t mix them up.”
“What do you mean?” Huangfu Xuan asked eagerly, “Since we’re idle anyway, why don’t you tell me all of them.”
‘Another idle anyway…’ Lu Yun muttered inwardly, but on the surface he said solemnly, “If it’s the Minister of Personnel overseeing the six ministries, he naturally must answer clearly, as it’s his duty. But if it’s the Chancellor harmonizing court affairs, there’s no need to know these details. He can say to Your Majesty: ‘These matters all have officials in charge. If Your Majesty wishes to know, I can go inquire with them.'”
“…” Huangfu Xuan had been full of expectation, but upon hearing this, he couldn’t help but feel disappointed, saying, “Then Your Majesty would surely say, what do I need a Chancellor like you for?”
“This subject as Chancellor is naturally to assist Your Majesty with military and state affairs.” Lu Yun smiled faintly, responding in the tone of the Chancellor, “Your Majesty appointed this subject as Chancellor knowing his talents. In this subject’s humble opinion, the Chancellor is to assist Your Majesty in balancing Yin and Yang, harmonizing the four seasons, pacifying foreign states externally, soothing the people internally, and ensuring all officials fulfill their duties. Since all officials fulfill their duties, this subject has no need to spend energy on those trivial matters.”
“…” Huangfu Xuan listened dumbfounded. After a good while, he gave a thumbs up and said admiringly, “Brilliant, truly brilliant! For that moment just now, I almost thought you were a real Chancellor!”
“Brother flatters me.” Lu Yun smiled shyly.
“Then if it were a prince, how should he answer?” Huangfu Xuan pressed, this was what he truly cared about.
“The most difficult father-son relationship under heaven is that between Emperor and prince. The Emperor holds both high expectations and wariness toward his adult sons, so if asked this question by the Emperor, the prince must be extremely vigilant!” Lu Yun said measuredly.
Huangfu Xuan stood there stunned with shock on his face, not even pursuing why Lu Yun, at such a young age, could say such insightful words about worldly affairs, human nature, and the Emperor’s mentality.
“Could Father Emperor be testing us?” Huangfu Xuan murmured to himself.
“What?” Lu Yun pretended not to have heard clearly.
“Nothing.” Huangfu Xuan suddenly snapped awake and looked deeply at Lu Yun, saying, “Father and son are one body, why must the Emperor guard against the prince?”
“First, he worries the prince is wildly ambitious, colluding with external ministers, coveting the supreme position. Second, he worries the young prince is ignorant and will be used by treacherous relatives and villains as a tool against the Emperor.” Lu Yun said indifferently.
“I see…” Huangfu Xuan was already fully convinced by Lu Yun’s judgment. If speaking of suspicion, his father Emperor far exceeded his own tenfold or a hundredfold! Rashly hearing Huangfu Zhen offer to share worries would surely arouse inexplicable vigilance!
Even if not worrying that Huangfu Zhen coveted the supreme position, he would certainly worry about the Xiahou Clan standing behind them!
The four words “treacherous relatives and villains” fit perfectly on Xiahou Ba!
But thinking of their father-son affection, harmonious marriage, Huangfu Xuan felt he might be overthinking it.
However, in such matters, it’s better to believe they exist than not. He composed himself, looked at Lu Yun, and asked hoarsely, “Then I… I mean the prince, what exactly should he say?”
