Chapter 14: A Future For You
Two days later, Lu Xin was invited into the Imperial Envoy’s Headquarters.
When he arrived outside the Flower Hall, he unfastened his sword and handed it to the Xiahou Clan guard, then removed his shoes and socks before hurrying into the hall, where he saw that besides Xiahou Lei at the head seat, there was also a man with a sickly complexion kneeling and sitting on the left side.
Lu Xin respectfully bowed to the Imperial Envoy Lord, and Xiahou Lei laughed heartily: “Virtuous nephew Lu, no need to be so polite, please sit quickly.”
A guard promptly added a cushion for Lu Xin at the lower seat. Lu Xin expressed thanks and sat upright with perfect posture.
“Come, let me introduce you. This is my nephew Bupo.” Xiahou Lei introduced him to Lu Xin.
“This official pays respects to the Marquis!” Lu Xin hurriedly bowed respectfully to Xiahou Bupo again. He had actually seen Xiahou Bupo in the Capital City before, but this clearly was not the time to bring up their connection.
“Ah, virtuous younger brother, you are too courteous.” Xiahou Bupo showed no arrogance, smiling as he returned the courtesy to Lu Xin: “You are also from the Lu Clan, and we seven clans share the same root and suffer together, so let’s address each other as brothers.”
“I dare not.” Lu Xin said, flattered and surprised: “How can a sparrow dare to be ranked alongside a swan?”
“Ah, virtuous younger brother, you are too modest.” Xiahou Bupo shook his head with a smile: “Although this foolish brother is a few years older than you, I know you are the Top Scholar among your generation, and many people still give a thumbs up when mentioning your articles even now!”
“I am ashamed; a scholar is useless in a hundred ways.” Lu Xin had to admit that Xiahou Bupo had a way with words. Even he felt warmed by just a few sentences, with his favorable impression doubled.
“Hahahaha!” Xiahou Lei burst into loud laughter: “Bupo, this fellow is cut from the same cloth as you! Terribly boring!”
“Virtuous younger brother Lu is respectful and self-possessed, which is precisely the virtue of us scions of noble families.” Xiahou Bupo shook his head with a bitter smile, then said seriously: “Let’s get to the main matter.”
“Right, the main matter.” Xiahou Lei nodded and said in a deep voice to Lu Xin: “I was traveling in plain clothes and nearly suffered an assassination, but fortunately Lord Lu arrived in time, turning peril into safety!” He paused and continued: “The first reason I asked you here is to formally express thanks.”
“Imperial Envoy Lord, you are too polite. This official was merely fulfilling his duty and dares not claim credit!” Lu Xin humbly lowered his head. He thought to himself that Xiahou Lei must have convinced Xiahou Bupo to conceal the detail that the incident happened during his visit to a brothel. But for the brother of a Clan Leader to be assassinated was too grave a matter; it would surely have to be reported upward.
“Ah, repaying virtue with virtue and enmity with enmity is the creed of our Xiahou Clan!” Xiahou Lei waved his hand: “If we do not reward you heavily, who will draw a blade for our Xiahou Clan in the future?”
“Indeed.” Xiahou Bupo also nodded with a smile: “Speaking of which, virtuous younger brother Lu rendered great service to our Xiahou Clan ten years ago. But you have always refused my second brother’s kind intentions, leaving him quite concerned.” In fact, just three days ago, the uncle and nephew had no idea that the minor Commandery Lieutenant guarding outside the headquarters was the same Lu Xin who had trapped the Qianming Empress in the Phoenix Temple years before.
Only yesterday did they learn about Lu Xin’s background. But this did not prevent Xiahou Bupo from saying some effortless pleasantries.
“The matter from ten years ago…” Lu Xin gave a bitter smile upon hearing this: “This official was frightened by the torrent of infamy and did not dare return to the Capital City, thus having no choice but to disappoint General Xiahou’s good intentions.”
“Virtuous younger brother, you are mistaken,” Xiahou Bupo firmly shook his head: “The Qianming Emperor Huangfu Yan acted tyrannically and reaped what he sowed. We righteous men set things right, our merit benefiting the nation. What is there to fear from mere infamy? It is nothing but the muddled words of those pitiful blockheads. For you to have wasted ten prime years over this is truly a pain to friends and joy to enemies!”
“I am ashamed…” Lu Xin said with a downcast expression: “This one is pedantic and cowardly, only realizing this in the past two years, but alas, everything has been delayed.”
“Ah!” Xiahou Lei laughed loudly: “Realizing it now is not too late!” He paused, then lowered his voice: “I will now grant you a promising future!”
“Marquis, whatever instructions you have, this official will go through fire and water!” Lu Xin’s eyes clearly flickered with flames—that was the fire of desire.
“I cannot say yet.” Xiahou Lei smiled: “I will give you an Imperial Envoy document. Go back, assemble the troops, have everyone board the ships, and await my next orders.” He then added meaningfully: “I originally planned to approach your Commandery Governor, but with virtuous nephew here, no need to trouble him!”
“This…” Lu Xin said awkwardly: “If the Commandery Governor Lord asks, how should this official respond?”
“Let him come ask me.” Xiahou Lei burst into loud laughter: “Though asking would be pointless.”
“…” Hearing Xiahou Lei say this, Lu Xin still hesitated. He seemed very reluctant to offend the Commandery Governor.
Xiahou Bupo saw through his thoughts and smiled: “Younger brother, you worry too much. Handle this assignment well, and from then on you will soar to success like a flying dragon in the sky. Do you still need to care about the face of a mere Commandery Governor?”
“This official understands.” Lu Xin then bowed to accept the order.
“Go then. Remember to keep it confidential.” Xiahou Lei nodded.
“This official takes his leave.”
In the Flower Hall, watching Lu Xin’s departing figure, Xiahou Lei asked: “What do you think of him?”
“A talent worth cultivating.” Xiahou Bupo lightly tapped his knee with his finger: “But he seems overly cautious, somewhat indecisive.” He paused, then smiled self-mockingly: “Yet I have a feeling this is not his true nature. Not something everyone can see through at a glance…”
“Just say if he can be used?” Xiahou Lei said impatiently.
“He can be used.” Xiahou Bupo nodded and spread his hands: “Besides, Second Uncle has already assigned the task to him; how could this nephew object?”
“Hehe…” Xiahou Lei grinned, then lowered his voice again: “How is the interrogation of those two we brought back?”
“They truly stumbled into it by mistake; it seems the one who tried to assassinate Second Uncle is someone else.” Xiahou Bupo said softly: “But for now, rooting out that person will be difficult.”
“They aren’t after that matter, are they?” Xiahou Lei’s expression tightened.
“Probably not.” Xiahou Bupo slowly shook his head: “If they knew, they absolutely would not beat the grass and startle the snake at this time.” His gaze sharpened as he continued: “Moreover, with Second Uncle making such a fuss, it should completely lower those people’s vigilance—an unintentional stroke of luck.”
“Hehe…” Xiahou Lei’s old face reddened; he knew he had lost face this time, and quickly changed the subject: “Also, Miss Qianqian has been interrogated by you for two days; any progress?”
“She knows no martial arts and seems to have no particular purpose.” Xiahou Bupo said softly.
“See, I told you!” Xiahou Lei slapped his thigh and sighed in relief: “She is innocent.” He smiled at Xiahou Bupo: “Well, give Second Uncle some face and let her go…”
Xiahou Bupo gave a bitter smile: “At a time like this, Second Uncle is still pitying the fairer sex?”
“You don’t know,” Xiahou Lei coughed, lowering his voice: “That day, with the help of her zither music, I unleashed the Sun Seal…”
“Oh?!” Xiahou Bupo was startled. The Dragon Elephant Subduing Demon Divine Skill had nine layers, each corresponding to a form of the Dragon Elephant Great Hand Seal. The Sun Seal was the eighth seal, symbolizing a breakthrough of the Dragon Elephant Divine Art to the eighth layer—the realm of a Heavenly Rank Grandmaster! “Second Uncle has actually broken through to Heavenly Rank?! What wonderful news!”
“Ah, no…” Xiahou Lei looked at his hands, shaking his head with a sigh: “These past two days, I have repeatedly circulated qi, but can do no more.” He paused, looking at Xiahou Bupo: “Thus, that zither music is key; we must keep Miss Qianqian!”
Hearing this, Xiahou Bupo nodded: “If that’s truly the case, she is indeed of great use to our Xiahou Clan. But we can discuss it after matters here are settled.”
“Then do not wrong her.” Xiahou Lei agreed.
.
Lu Xin returned to the Prefectural Governor’s Office with the Imperial Envoy’s order. The Commandery Governor Lord naturally obeyed obediently, though his tone carried some dissatisfaction: “Lord Lu has climbed high branches and will soar to success from now on; don’t forget us poor friends from humble days.”
What more could Lu Xin say? He let it be. After leaving, Lu Xin sent his attendant to inform the family, then went to the military camp to muster troops.
At the Lu Residence, upon hearing the official’s message, Madam Lu was unconcerned. Once the official left, she returned to the Buddhist hall to chant scriptures. These years, the couple had been like strangers; whether Lu Xin returned or not made no difference.
Lu Yun understood that this was his father notifying him something important was about to happen. Otherwise, Lu Xin was already occupied with official duties and had been out for nearly a month; there was no need for this extra step of sending word home that he would not return.
Enduring until the afternoon, Lu Yun felt he could not delay, closed his book and said to Lu Ying: “Elder Sister, I need to go out for a few days.”
Lu Ying nodded and softly asked: “How long?”
“I don’t know.” Lu Yun shook his head; he truly did not.
“Be careful with everything.” Lu Ying looked at him and said gently: “Don’t worry about Mother; I’ll say you went to the estate to check accounts in Father’s place.”
Seeing that his sister had already thought of an excuse for him, Lu Yun felt even more guilty and nodded: “I will.”
With that, Lu Yun left the study room as if fleeing. Watching his disappearing back, Lu Ying sighed faintly, her eyes full of worry.
