Chapter 84: Finally Met
“No harm done. After we get back, I’ll go consult Grandfather. He will surely have a countermeasure.” Huangfu Zhen looked at his two younger brothers and said, “In any case, we must be even more cautious from now on. We absolutely cannot be so reckless again!”
“Second Brother, it’s our fault…” Huangfu Shi and Huangfu Xuan looked at Huangfu Zhen embarrassedly, with no more grudges in their hearts. The two playfully straightened up, about to kowtow to him in apology.
“Enough, stop with the playful antics.” Huangfu Zhen laughed and cursed, hurriedly supporting the two, his face full of emotion as he said, “We came from the same mother’s womb, destined to share honor and disgrace, fortune and misfortune. How could you think ill of me?”
“Second Brother, we won’t do it again.” The two shamefully lowered their heads.
While the three brothers were talking, Huangfu Shi’s attendant eunuch hurried in, knelt by his ear, and whispered a few words. Hearing this, Huangfu Shi burst into laughter: “Let’s not feel bad anymore. The fun over at Eldest Brother’s side is really something!”
“What happened over there?” Huangfu Xuan asked anxiously.
“He drove all the reading companions and lecturers in Yaoguang Hall out of the Summer Palace.” Huangfu Shi said gloatingly, “It’s said to be Father’s decree.”
“Haha!” Huangfu Xuan immediately laughed uncontrollably and said, “Looks like Eldest Brother has angered Father! I wonder how he’s coping.”
“Heh, with Eldest Brother’s foul temper, he’s probably butted heads with Father again.” Huangfu Shi laughed.
“Alright, stop gloating.” Huangfu Zhen restrained his smile and said, “Eldest Brother can toss and turn however he likes; that’s his business. We just need to mind ourselves.” He glanced at his two younger brothers and said, “You two should tease him less in the future. After all, he’s family. It’ll make us a laughingstock, and Father won’t be pleased.”
“Who considers him family…” Huangfu Xuan muttered, “He’s the son of a nun.”
“Shut your mouth!” Huangfu Zhen flew into a rage and said, “If you spout nonsense again, see how I deal with you!”
“Fine, fine, I won’t say it, won’t say it…” Seeing Second Brother truly angry, Huangfu Xuan obediently shut his mouth.
.
Meanwhile, that day Lu Yun was still diligently reading on the Flower Viewing Platform, pondering how to make his parallel prose both rhyme and substantial, when he heard someone calling him from afar: “Lu Yun, Young Master Lu…”
Lu Yun put away the book scroll, stood up from the flowers, looked toward the direction of the voice, and called out loudly: “Eunuch Hu, I’m here!”
“Aiyo, my little ancestor, why are you hiding here!” The arrival was none other than Eunuch Hu. He was covered in sweat, clearly very anxious but not daring to flare up at Lu Yun. With small quick steps, he ran up to him, tugged at Lu Yun’s sleeve, and said, “Hurry back with me.”
“What’s wrong, Eunuch Hu?” Lu Yun pulled out his sleeve and bent down to gather the stack of books on the ground.
“Of course it’s good news! Tremendous good news!” Eunuch Hu winked and said, “Your Majesty wants to summon you!”
“Really?” Lu Yun was also happy to hear it, thinking perhaps the First Prince had a change of heart.
“Would I lie?” Eunuch Hu urged anxiously, “Your Majesty’s man is still waiting. Let’s hurry back.”
“Alright then…” Lu Yun had wanted to say, I’ve waited so many days; it’s only fair they wait a bit for me. But he knew what mattered, so he just thought it and didn’t dare say it.
After packing the books, he followed Eunuch Hu back to his residence, where sure enough, a eunuch in red eunuch attire was waiting there with an impatient look on his face.
“Why so long?” The eunuch looked at the two displeased.
The normally arrogant Eunuch Hu, in front of that red-robed eunuch, was like a mouse before a cat, all smiles as he went over, apologized profusely, and offered a gift on Lu Yun’s behalf. Only then did the eunuch’s face clear up. He sized up Lu Yun and said, “You’re Lu Yun, huh? Hurry and change clothes, then come with me to face the Son of Heaven.”
Lu Yun naturally wouldn’t stoop to the level of such a bully. He acknowledged and went to the back to change into court attire for meeting the Son of Heaven.
The officials who came with him were all green with envy seeing Lu Yun summoned. They bustled around helping him dress while humbly asking him to, if possible, remind His Majesty on their behalf.
Though Lu Yun had been coming and going early these past days, they had shared bunks and were familiar. He agreed to everyone’s requests, of course adding, “Little Brother can only do his best. Who knows, when I see His Majesty, I might not even get a word out.”
“Impossible.” An official from the Ministry of Personnel surnamed Xu said, “Virtuous younger brother, you are brilliant in appearance and talent, a dragon among men. You’ll surely stand out at this audience!”
“Yes, yes,” the other officials nodded repeatedly, “Seize the opportunity well, soar to high officialdom, and pull us old brothers up too.”
The officials helped Lu Yun dress neatly, chattering on with reminders about precautions when meeting the Emperor. Only then did they send this first-to-succeed little brother out the door.
.
Lu Yun followed the red-robed eunuch up the white stone steps, through Zhaoyang Gate, into the Inner Palace.
Passing Zhaoyang Gate, Lu Yun sighed softly. It really wasn’t easy…
But this long wait wasn’t without benefits; at least it gave Lu Yun enough time to adjust his emotions, temporarily burying his true identity and purpose deep in his heart, treating himself as an ordinary scion of a noble family fortunate to be summoned by the Emperor.
So while waiting under the eaves outside Yingfeng Pavilion for the Initial Emperor’s summons, Lu Yun felt his mind perfectly calm, completely different from when he first met Xiahou Bubai and nearly had qi deviation from excitement.
Though on Lu Yun’s must-kill list, the Initial Emperor ranked ahead of Xiahou Bubai, one of the top three archenemies!
The Initial Emperor didn’t summon Lu Yun immediately, but now that he was before the Emperor, Lu Yun had no reason to be anxious. It was midday, the blazing sun curling the banana leaves slightly in the courtyard. The palace servants and imperial guards all stood motionless in the shade. Yingfeng Pavilion inside and out was utterly quiet.
Though it was a good chance to observe surroundings, Lu Yun didn’t even dare lift his head. From the moment he entered the Inner Palace, he felt stared at by several Earth Rank Grandmasters. When entering Yingfeng Pavilion, a chill rose from his soles straight to the top of his head!
That was the fear only felt when targeted by a Heavenly Rank Grandmaster…
Lu Yun had no doubt that any misstep would bring a joint assault from these top experts. Even at full cultivation, he probably couldn’t escape alive!
Knowing when to keep one’s head down was no shame. Lu Yun had no intention of challenging the Imperial Palace imperial guards. Eyes on nose, nose on heart, he silently awaited the Emperor’s summons.
After some time, the red-robed eunuch came out and said softly to Lu Yun, “Young Master Lu, please come in.”
Lu Yun nodded, took a deep breath to slightly quicken his heartbeat, then stepped through layer after layer of gauze curtains, following the eunuch into the waterside pavilion of Yingfeng Pavilion.
A cool breeze blew in the waterside pavilion, a world apart from outside.
Lu Yun saw the Initial Emperor in a dark blue silk robe, lazily squatting by a chessboard, having just finished a game with a burly bearded old man.
“Old Grand Tutor, your chess skill seems to be getting rusty.” The Initial Emperor toyed with a jade chess piece in his hand, disinterestedly saying to the old man, “Even giving you so many pieces, it’s still a scholar moving house—you lost.”
“Hehe, Your Majesty’s chess skill is exceptional; even those national masters get routed.” The old man stroked his beard with a bitter smile. “This old subject is showing off before an expert; it’d be strange if I won.”
Lu Yun realized that was the current Grand Tutor, Xiahou Clan Leader Xiahou Ba. His body trembled fittingly on cue. This immediately drew Xiahou Ba’s attention. His tiger eyes flashed over, instantly enveloping Lu Yun in his powerful aura.
Lu Yun paled his face, deeply lowered his head, making his reaction just like that of an ordinary aristocrat scion first seeing Xiahou Ba.
Xiahou Ba sized up Lu Yun for a moment before withdrawing his gaze.
