Chapter 60: Saving Face
“Good! Good!” Hearing Lu Xin’s statement, Lu Shang was greatly comforted in his old heart, saying two “goods” in a row, patting the back of his hand and saying: “Although the steward position cannot be rushed, it is still possible to move your official position in the court a bit.”
“Nephew has just taken office less than two months ago, and moving rashly at this time would be hard to explain.” Hearing Lu Shang say he wanted to promote him, Lu Xin was not happy but worried instead. He was transferred back to the capital by the Xiahou Clan, and his current official position was also granted by the Xiahou Clan. If he were to be transferred away after just a few days, they would definitely be unhappy.
“You are a grandmaster of our Lu Clan, how can you only be a mere fifth-rank temple assistant? Where does that leave our Lu Clan’s face?” Lu Shang waved his hand dismissively, saying indisputably: “Don’t worry, if that old Xiahou fellow has any objections, I will handle it with him.”
“Yes…” Since Lu Shang had put it this way, if Lu Xin kept pushing back, it would be ungrateful.
“By precedent, our clan should hold a banquet to celebrate for you.” Seeing he was not dazed, Lu Shang softened his tone: “I will go back and check the dates, and hold a grand one soon, inviting Xiahou Ba over then. I, as the head of a clan, asking for one of our own clan’s disciples—what face would he refuse to give?”
“This is too much trouble for Uncle.” Lu Xin said softly.
“Naturally because you deserve it…” Lu Shang slowly closed his eyes, as if he had used up all his strength, and no longer spoke to him.
.
By the time Lu Xin returned to Congshan Ward, it was already afternoon, and he saw carriages and horses crowding his doorway, with guests filling the place.
As soon as they saw him return, the guests swarmed over with a whoosh, congratulating him noisily. Among those congratulating were not only people from Congshan Ward but also many from North of the Luo River; not only people from the Lu Clan but also from other noble clans.
As for the reason for the congratulations, it was naturally to celebrate his advancement to grandmaster, with hope for a steward position. Incidentally, there were also congratulations for him having a good son… At the court assembly, Lu Yun had received the emperor’s commendation and was to accompany the emperor, which had evidently spread throughout the capital city.
What surprised Lu Xin was why news of his own advancement to grandmaster had spread so quickly? Could it be that all those stewards were big mouths?
Seeing his puzzled expression, a guest smiled and explained: “This morning, the Investigative Bureau posted the new grandmaster list, and Virtuous Nephew is on it!”
“Oh…” Lu Xin immediately thought of how, before court, Zuo Yanqing had pulled Lu Shang aside for a private word. Now he suddenly understood—Lu Shang had learned of his background from the Investigative Bureau. As for how the Investigative Bureau knew, it was naturally inseparable from the Funiu Mountain incident.
Lu Xin could not help but be shocked. Ten years ago, the Investigative Bureau did not have such capability. It seemed that in these years, they had grown far too powerful and absolutely could not be underestimated again…
At this time, Lu Xiang, surrounded by a crowd of peers from North of the Luo River, came out from inside the room. Listening to their praises of his son and grandson one after another, the old man was so happy his beard twitched, and he pretended to be humbly modest: “What’s there to publicize about this? He’s already this age and only barely advanced—quite useless, really.”
Everyone broke out in sweat upon hearing this… One must know that opening the Ren and Du Meridians is extremely difficult. Even with the corresponding cultivation method, one must have exceptional aptitude and train bitterly through summers and winters. Among dozens of people cultivating the Heaven and Earth Righteous Law, not even one grandmaster emerges. Not to mention others—just take you, Lu Xiang, who practiced the Heaven and Earth Righteous Law his whole life and still did not advance to grandmaster, yet you have the nerve to call your own son useless?
But today no one dared to speak carelessly and upset him. Everyone could only let Lu Xiang spout nonsense and had to chime in agreement from the side. No choice—who made his son a grandmaster?
In his joy, Lu Xiang announced again to open a flowing banquet, inviting everyone to drink alcohol and celebrate. This time was completely different from last time—last time he went to the north to invite, and few came. This time without him inviting, over a hundred came from the north, including six or seven elders.
The scale of this banquet also far exceeded the last one. Even filling the streets of the entire Congshan Ward was not enough; many guests had to eat and drink in neighbors’ homes to barely fit.
The honored guests naturally sat in Lu Xin’s home. Besides the various elders of the Lu Clan, people came from the Imperial Clan, Xiahou Clan, Cui Clan, Pei Clan, Xie Clan, and Wei Clan. The highest-ranking guests were from the Xie Clan—most other families sent only one elder or steward as representative, but the Xie Clan sent three elders, two stewards, and Madam Lu’s father and uncles in one go, filling a whole table by themselves.
Moreover, they were extremely warm toward Lu Xin, repeatedly claiming he was half a son of the Xie Clan. They also said Lu Yun was so outstanding because their Xie Clan daughter had taught him well…
This could not help but remind Lu Xin of how, not long ago when he took his wife and son to visit the Xie Clan, those people had been cold toward him. Forget seeing the sect master or vice sect master—not even an elder or steward; he only had a meal with Madam Lu’s parents and quietly returned…
But as soon as his grandmaster identity was exposed, the Xie Clan’s elders and stewards came in a group. Though it was human nature, such obvious initial arrogance followed by later deference still made him feel very uncomfortable.
The steward from the Xiahou Clan was none other than Xiahou Bupo. The Xiahou Clan’s emphasis on martial arts far exceeded that of the Lu Clan, and they naturally had clan rules that only non-grandmasters could not serve as stewards, but Xiahou Bupo was the sole exception. He was weak and sickly, his martial arts forever unable to reach grandmaster realm, yet Xiahou Ba pushed him to the steward position against public opinion, and moreover as the Steward of Observation in charge of intelligence. The importance and trust placed in him could not be greater.
As one of the Xiahou Four Heroes, Xiahou Bupo was undoubtedly the most honored guest at the table and was naturally arranged to sit at the head. He looked at Lu Xin beside him with a full face of smiles, teasing: “Virtuous younger brother is truly a true person who does not reveal himself—you hid it so well from us.”
“The Xiahou Clan is full of experts; how could my mere cat-like kung fu be fit to show off?” Lu Xin said softly.
“That’s not how it is—if I had known then, I could naturally have strived for a higher official position for you.” Xiahou Bupo said with a face full of apology: “Now it’s awkward—you, a grandmaster, are only fifth-rank; it’s our Xiahou Clan’s fault.”
“Brother Xiahou, please don’t say that. Lu only has full gratitude toward the Xiahou Clan, with absolutely no other thoughts.” Lu Xin hurriedly stated.
“The Xiahou Clan doesn’t want your gratitude…” Xiahou Bupo stopped halfway through his words. But the meaning was obvious—they wanted Lu Xin’s loyalty.
Learning today that Lu Xin was actually a grandmaster truly shocked Xiahou Bupo greatly. His first thought was whether Lu Xin might be the one who assassinated Xiahou Lei and took their imperial seal. But immediately, he dismissed the idea, because when Xiahou Lei was attacked, it was Lu Xin who brought troops to rescue him. During the attack on Bai Liu Village, Lu Xin never left their sight and had no opportunity to act.
Therefore, Xiahou Bupo could only conclude that Lu Xin had extremely deep scheming. Far from feeling displeased, he valued him even more. To achieve the Xiahou Clan’s great cause, the biggest obstacle was those noble clans. The Xiahou Clan did not dare to move against any noble clan lightly, as it would provoke united resistance from the others. Thus, alliance and cooperation, joining with some to attack others, became the only way.
In Xiahou Bupo’s view, if he could elevate Lu Xin to a high position in the Lu Clan, it would greatly benefit the Xiahou Clan’s efforts to gain the Lu Clan’s support. Even if Lu Xin could not change the Lu Clan’s attitude, at least he could plant a nail inside them, making it twice as effective in the future whether to incite internal chaos in the Lu Clan or to eliminate them.
Lu Xin naturally did not know Xiahou Bupo had thought so far ahead; he was still worrying about how to face the Xiahou Clan in the future. He could only say vaguely: “I will not forget favors and betray kindness.”
“Good, with those words from you, it is not in vain for Second Uncle and my pains.” Xiahou Bupo did not believe empty words at all, but he was confident he could control this man in the future, and this was not the occasion for deep talk. He thus dropped the subject and only chatted idly: “Second Uncle originally wanted to come congratulate you too, but unfortunately he is still under house arrest, so he can only have me toast you a cup on his behalf.”
Upon returning to the capital city from Jiangnan, Xiahou Lei was dragged by Xiahou Ba to the ancestral hall for family law punishment! Xiahou Lei was still loyal enough to take Xiahou Bupo’s share as well, getting solidly beaten with two hundred strokes. Even with his grandmaster strength, he was beaten to the point of being bedridden for a month. Afterward, Xiahou Lei was confined for half a year and still had not stepped out of the manor gate once.
“I have long wanted to visit the old marquis, but it was not convenient to call rashly. Please convey Little Brother’s respects to him, and when the opportunity is right, I will certainly visit the marquis personally to give thanks.” Lu Xin hurriedly drained his cup.
“No one can visit my Second Uncle now. Let’s wait until he is released, then gather properly.” Xiahou Bupo smiled and nodded, saying to Lu Xin: “Go greet the guests; no need to keep watching over a sick ghost like me.”
