Chapter 38

Shen Wei did not show any change in her expression upon hearing this.

She simply placed the tea cup on the side table, adjusted her sleeves, and stood up. “Alright, let’s go.”

Mo Qi, not daring to delay, hurried to help her toward the Dacheng Zhai. During the walk, she couldn’t help but ask, “Why did the crown prince come to the house today? In the past, during festivals, the crown prince or Prince Jin would visit, but since the Duke of Rong passed, although the crown prince often sent gifts, he hasn’t come in person.”

Shen Wei replied flatly, “I’m not sure. We’ll find out soon.” Though she spoke as if she didn’t know, she was already aware. The crown prince’s visit was certainly related to the reward for Lu Qihuai. According to the plot’s progression, today the crown prince would likely bring an imperial edict to bestow a title upon Lu Qihuai.

If she remembered correctly, the edict would promote Lu Qihuai to the position of “Third-Rank Deputy Governor.” This was not just a simple promotion for a young man; it was a significant advancement. She suspected that after today, there would be much more to discuss in Bianliang City. Perhaps…

There was no need to wait until tomorrow.

Since the spring hunt, the Lu family had occasionally received invitations, and naturally, Shen Wei’s household had also received several… Now, everyone was aware that His Majesty’s favor toward the Lu family had not only remained the same but had even increased. Moreover, with the previous incident where Lu Qihuai personally saved the emperor in the hunting ground, it was likely that as soon as the Crown Prince entered the Lu family’s door, the news had already spread outside.

Mo Qi, hearing this, didn’t say much. She continued to support Shen Wei and walked forward, but her gaze unconsciously fell on the faces of the people around them. Deep down, she felt like the mistress seemed to know something.

However, as soon as this thought crossed her mind, she suppressed it…

The mistress wasn’t an immortal, so how could she have the ability to foresee the future? She really was being overly suspicious.

—–

By the time Shen Wei reached Dachen Zhai, most of the people from the Lu family had already gathered. She let go of Mo Qi’s arm, adjusted her clothes, and, after the maid drew the curtain, she walked inside. At this moment, many people had already seated themselves in the large hall. Aside from Lu Bu Yang, who hadn’t yet finished his duties, the others were all present… including Lu Qihuai, of course.

Moreover, there was also a young man wearing the Crown Prince’s attire sitting in the lower right seat.

His face was gentle, though not like the emperor she had seen during the spring hunt. His brows resembled those of the empress, but he appeared clearer and more gentle than she remembered… Shen Wei recalled that Zhao Xu was passionate about calligraphy, painting, and poetry, but not interested in court politics.

In one passage from a book, Zhao Xu and Lu Qihuai had drunk together beneath the moon.

At that time, Zhao Xu had already regarded Lu Qihuai as a trusted confidant. During their moonlit drink, he had said, “If possible, I would love to take a small boat and float away, lost in the mountains and rivers, forgetting all the great matters of this world, leaving behind all the court affairs and responsibilities.”

Shen Wei thought, if it were possible, the Crown Prince would likely throw everything away.

But born into the royal family, some things were not so easily abandoned.

Just as Shen Wei thought this, she noticed Zhao Xu glancing at her from where he sat. She quickly retracted her thoughts and hastened her steps, intending to greet him.

Zhao Xuan’s face still carried a smile. He put down the teacup and, before Shen Wei could bow, he chuckled and said, “Please rise, Madam. You are my elder, there is no need for such formalities.”

Upon hearing his words, Old Madam Xie also smiled and said to Shen Wei, “Alright, since the Crown Prince has spoken, please sit.”

Shen Wei nodded gently in response, then sat down according to the proper etiquette.

Once she was seated, Zhao Xu spoke again with a smile: “I came here today not only to check on Old Madam Xie’s health and Xuan Yue’s injury but also for another matter…” As he spoke, he took out an imperial edict from his sleeve. The members of the Lu family’s expression changed when they saw the edict, and they immediately kneeled down.

This time…

Zhao Xu didn’t stop them.

He smiled, stood up, opened the edict in his hand, and began to read aloud: “By the Emperor’s command, I have observed that the Lu family’s eleventh generation eldest grandson, though young, is exceptionally brave. Although the situation in the court is stable, barbarians occasionally infringe upon our borders. Seeing that the court lacks young talent, and recognizing this child’s loyalty and courage, I hereby appoint him as a third-grade military governor. So be it.”

Zhao Xu’s voice was clear and gentle, but each word fell upon the ears of the Lu family members like a thunderclap… Especially for Madam Wang and her son. If it weren’t for the timing, they likely would have already been shouting in anger.

A third-grade military governor…

Not to mention the title, even the rank was far too high.

Lu Bu Yang had worked diligently in the court for many years, yet he could only hold the position of Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Who would have thought that Lu Qihuai, upon arrival, would be directly appointed to such a high-ranking position? Every time Madam Wang thought of this, knowing it was because Lu Qihuai had saved the emperor in front of everyone, her heart felt as though it had been sliced with a knife.

If her son had been the one to save the emperor that day, then all these rewards should have gone to him!

This illegitimate son, without power or influence, had already gained the old lady’s favor. Now, with such a future ahead of him, wouldn’t the position of Duke of Rongguo be his for the taking? Madam Wang clenched her hand on the ground, her eyes reddening. How foolish she had been to think that such a son in the household would be a good thing to disrupt Shen Wei’s peace. That’s why, when Shen Wei had fainted, she had mentioned it multiple times in the old lady’s ear.

Who would have thought that it would backfire like this?

She truly regretted it now!

Zhao Xu finished reading the edict. Originally, he intended to personally hand it over to Lu Qihuai, but seeing his appearance, he smiled, put the edict away, and placed it on the high table. He then helped Old Madam Xie sit up and, facing the others, gently said, “Alright, please rise.”

Once everyone had stood—

Zhao Xu turned to Lu Qihuai and said softly, “Your father is lenient toward your injuries. You may take time to recover before assuming your post.”

Lu Qihuai, hearing this, immediately bowed deeply and expressed his gratitude, “Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Crown Prince.”

“Quickly, rise. Your injury is not fully healed…”

As Zhao Xu spoke, he helped him up and then said to Old Madam Xie, “Now that the edict has been delivered, I should be leaving.”

Without waiting for anyone to respond, he turned to Lu Qihuai and said, “If Xuan Yue doesn’t mind, could he accompany me for a bit?”

Lu Qihuai, though still injured, had no trouble walking. Hearing this, he smiled and replied, “It would be my pleasure.”

The two of them walked out together.

Inside the room, the expressions of the others were all different. Old Madam Xie was assisted back to the Rohan bed, her hand clutching Buddhist beads. She looked at Madam Wang and Lu Qiyan, whose faces were darkened and sighed inwardly. She glanced at Lu Qixuan, who had his brows slightly lowered. Although his face hadn’t changed, his body was visibly tense.

When she thought of the events with the Huo family, her hand, which had been holding the prayer beads, paused for a moment.

However, it was only a brief moment before she resumed her movement with the prayer beads and said, “Alright, I still need to go offer my prayers. You all may leave now.”

Upon hearing this, no one said anything further. After bowing to her, they retreated.

Outside, Lu Qi Xuan looked at the two figures disappearing into the distance. His gaze darkened, then he turned to Wang Shi and said, “Mother, please return with Yan Di.”

At this point, Wang Shi was not in the mood to respond to him. She only softly acknowledged with an “Mm,” then allowed the maid An Xiang to help her move ahead.

On the narrow path, Zhao Xu walked ahead.

Lu Qi Huai followed a half-step behind on the left side… taking a step back was a show of respect for the royal family.

Zhao Xu had long been accustomed to such gestures from others, but when he remembered how this young man had behaved at the hunting grounds, he wondered if he might act differently. Thinking of this, he half-turned his head to look at Lu Qi Huai. He saw that although the young man’s brows were slightly lowered, his face still wore the same calm expression as before, as if for him, this kind of action was simply a common one.

For some reason, looking at him like this, Zhao Xuan felt an inexplicable sense of pleasure. Even though the young man’s actions were no different from others, his expression told him that this person was different.

Zhao Xu thought of this, a smile appearing on his face. His tone softened even further.

They were approaching the gatehouse, and he stopped walking, turning to Lu Qi Huai. “This position has always been favored by Prince Jin’s trusted people, yet now I have requested Father Emperor to give it to you… Furthermore, today I brought this up in the court, and others may think you are my person.”

He paused for a moment before continuing, “You will face many things in the future, Xuan Yue. Are you afraid?”

Lu Qi Huai, hearing this, only smiled lightly. “At my age, taking on such a heavy responsibility has already made me a thorn in the eyes of many. I should be grateful to His Highness. If not for you, how would I have such an opportunity? As for fear…” At this, his smile deepened slightly. He looked up at the sky, his expression indifferent, his voice faint. “Actually, there’s nothing to fear.”

Zhao Xu looked at Lu Qi Huai, seeing the young man’s calm face and steady gaze…

Clearly, this young man was younger than him by a little, yet for some reason, Zhao Xu saw a demeanor in him that didn’t belong to his age… This demeanor was too rebellious and too free-spirited, as if to him, the people of this world were nothing more than a bunch of ants.

But when Zhao Xu looked again…

Lu Qi Huai’s face returned to its previous expression. His brows lowered, and he spoke gently, “Your Highness, your carriage has arrived.”

Hearing this, Zhao Xu said no more. He withdrew his gaze and lightly patted Lu Qi Huai’s shoulder, smiling as he said, “I’m waiting for you to recover. When you do, I will drink with you, Xuan Yue.”

After saying this, he didn’t speak of anything else and turned to walk ahead.

Lu Qi Huai watched Zhao Xu’s departing figure without saying anything. After he got into the carriage, Lu Qi Huai stood up straight… but before he could turn around, a voice from behind spoke indifferently: “Cousin truly has great skill.”

Lu Qi Huai heard the voice but showed no extra emotion.

He casually turned around and looked at Lu Qi Xuan, noticing the expression on the young man’s face and the undisguised jealousy in his usually calm eyes. Lu Qi Huai gave him a faint smile, though it was more like a sneer.

After that, he didn’t pay Lu Qi Xuan any mind. He casually adjusted his clothes and walked straight ahead.

Seeing him leave, Lu Qi Xuan stretched out his hand to stop him.

However, before he could speak, he saw the indifferent look in Lu Qi Huai’s eyes. This expression wasn’t the first time he had seen it, but for some reason, he couldn’t help but retract his hand, standing there watching as Lu Qi Huai silently continued forward.

In this exchange, Lu Qi Huai hadn’t spoken a single word.

But Lu Qi Xuan felt as though his face had been slapped hard, burning with pain. He looked at the direction in which Lu Qi Huai had left, clenching his fists under his sleeves, his eyes darkening.

At Taoran Studio,

The dining table was set, and Mo Qi stood beside Shen Wei. Her face radiated undisguised joy as she praised Lu Qi Huai. After praising him, she heard the maid outside and smiled at Shen Wei, saying, “Madam, it’s time to eat.

Shen Wei merely smiled faintly, closing the book in her hand and raising it.

Mo Qi understood and smiled as she helped her rise, guiding her outside. On the way, she couldn’t help but continue, “Madam, with the eldest young master backing you, even the second madam won’t dare to speak carelessly in front of you.”

The second madam had been so arrogant, but wasn’t it because the second master had earned His Majesty’s favor?

Now that the eldest young master had also become an official, how could she still have the audacity to be disrespectful to Madam? The more she thought about it, the happier her face became.

Shen Wei watched Mo Qi’s joy, but didn’t speak. She merely shook her head helplessly and allowed Mo Qi to assist her out. After sitting down and wiping her hands with a handkerchief, she heard the maid announce, “Madam, the eldest young master has arrived.”