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As they parted ways, Sheng Huaixing and Wang Yuan each said a sentence to them, “Until we meet again—”
Qin Heng and the others also said, “Until we meet again.”
Such a powerful group of people, Sheng Huaixing and Wang Yuan both believed that they would eventually return to the power center of Chang’an City.
After bidding farewell, Xu Zheng, as the chief warden, led five other junior wardens to escort the Qin family and others towards the city gate.
Lu Desheng nodded at Sheng Huaixing, Wang Yuan, and others, then immediately followed along, walking with his daughter. He kept following, and following.
Qin Heng led the third elder to walk ahead, trying to leave space for Lu Desheng, Qin Sheng, and Lu Songli.
“Daughter, are you really going to be exiled to Pingzhou? Can’t we not go?” Lu Desheng’s voice was full of reluctance.
“Father—” Lu Songli was helpless. This was not something she could choose. The Empress Dowager was watching, and even if she resisted, she would be forced into exile. Don’t ask her how she knew, she had a strange intuition.
Xu Zheng and the others had been quietly arranged in advance, thinking that he couldn’t bear to part with his daughter, so they bid a slight farewell. Plus, he was dressed in official attire, which was quite intimidating. Little did they know that his farewell led all the way to the city gate, and he still couldn’t bear to leave.
Thus, on the sparsely populated street, a strange scene unfolded.
Five or six officials escorted a group of prisoners towards the city gate, with an official in court dress following along.
Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that this group of prisoners were actually from the Marquis of Pingxi’s Qin family, and the official was Lu Desheng, the Imperial Censor! And, this Imperial Censor seemed like he was about to cry?
This rare sight was widely talked about, attracting many onlookers. Even some court officials happened to be on this road for business or leisure, and upon hearing about this spectacle, they leaned out of the tavern windows to watch.
These officials felt a sense of relief in their hearts, thinking, Lu Desheng, oh Lu Desheng, you have your day too!
“Father, please don’t cry, many people are watching you.”
When Lu Desheng heard this, he felt even more uncomfortable, tears streaming down his face. Why should he care about what others think, when his daughter is about to be exiled! Sob—
Madam Qin looked on with a sense of guilt. They had married the daughter of another family into the Qin family, but before she could enjoy any happiness, their home was raided, and they were sent to exile.
“Father, did you come to find me? Is something wrong?” Lu Songli could only divert his attention. Usually at this time, her father should be in the palace burning paper for the late Emperor’s mourning. Their decision to depart for Pingzhou was rather sudden, he shouldn’t have received news from the palace so quickly. His appearance was quite coincidental. So Lu Songli thought that he might have encountered something in the palace.
Upon this reminder, Lu Desheng remembered that he did indeed have something to tell his daughter.
So, as he bid farewell, he told his daughter about what had happened in the palace just now, how Lin Ran appeared with the third testament, and the contents of the testament.
Xu Zheng quickly sent two junior wardens to follow up, while he stayed with Lu Desheng and the others. He now realized that this father-in-law was really willing to say anything.
Listening quietly, Lu Songli found that as she expected, Emperor Kang Cheng allowed her father to use the testament to gain some benefits, but he would never allow him to act recklessly. This third testament was designed to prevent any accidents from the first two testaments.
Emperor Kang Cheng truly lived up to his title as a wise ruler, always prioritizing the greater good. Personal emotions must always make way for the nation and its people.
“Father, it’s okay, it’s just a false alarm. You did well, you are safe,” Lu Songli comforted him.
Comforted by his daughter, Lu Desheng felt accomplished. He lowered his voice and said, “Daughter, you don’t know, when the new emperor heard the contents of the third testament, his face turned so dark.”
It could be said that he and the new emperor were the most affected by the third testament. He was shocked that he had almost lost his head, while the new emperor was completely controlled by the third testament.
“Father, the late Emperor was truly kind-hearted.”
Lu Songli felt that the content of the third testament, in all fairness, was well-considered by Emperor Kang Cheng, taking everything into account.
The appointment of these four ministers was not only intended to control the new emperor, but also to assist and guide him. After all, the new emperor was not like the Crown Prince, who had received education as a successor from a young age, ready to take on the heavy responsibility of the empire. In fact, these four could be considered the whetstones that Emperor Kang Cheng prepared for him.
If the new emperor could understand the intent behind his father’s arrangement, these two years would be a period of transition and growth.
She could only say that Emperor Kang Cheng was truly a master strategist.
However, this handover was not done well. With Song Mo’s slightly stubborn and obstinate personality, he probably only saw the late Emperor’s malice and failed to understand his good intentions. This was a flaw in not receiving the orthodox education of a successor.
If Emperor Kang Cheng had sat down with his son and calmly handed over the reins before his death, and as a father, given him some positive encouragement, perhaps the new emperor could truly grow in the direction he hoped and planned.
But this could not be blamed on Emperor Kang Cheng, he had already done very well. Until his death, he was dedicated to serving the empire of Da Li.
Next, it was Lu Songli’s turn to give her father some advice.
“Father, don’t be too high-profile in your actions from now on,” Lu Songli instructed him.
“I know, I know.”
“Father, you really have to take this to heart. Otherwise, what if the new emperor thinks you’re too useful and doesn’t allow you to request a transfer to a different location?”
Lu Desheng immediately panicked when he heard this. His daughter was right, he should keep his abilities and talents hidden. If the new emperor forcefully kept him, he would have nowhere to cry.
Yes, after Emperor Kang Cheng’s death, he planned to run away. He was alone and unsupported in the court, and the Empress Dowager had a big opinion of him. The new emperor had just ascended the throne, his seat on the dragon chair was still unstable, and he would definitely not be willing to confront the Empress Dowager for his sake. Just thinking about it made the future seem bleak.
Lu Desheng had already planned to apply for a position outside the capital, and the location he requested was his daughter’s exile destination. This was his only request. The size of the position didn’t matter, because the new emperor wouldn’t be too happy to let him hold power in the provinces.
Moreover, he had emphasized this single request three times in his petition!
Lu Desheng thought that at the very least, the new emperor could arrange him near his daughter’s exile location, right?
Unfortunately, he couldn’t leave yet. First, he still had to stay in Chang’an to help with the aftermath. Second, it was not a good time to travel during winter, especially since he had to bring his two young children along. They would set off in the spring, after the ice and snow melted.
As they spoke, they had already reached the city gate.
Xu Zheng stepped forward and presented the relevant travel permits and documents to the gatekeeper.
“Father, let’s part ways here. The road outside the city is not easy to travel on, you shouldn’t go outside the city.” There was no regular snow clearing outside the city, and as an old man, what if he fell?
Lu Desheng was about to say something when he saw a woman in palace attire walking down from the city tower.