Font Size:
Chapter 72: On the Road
Lu Jinnian didn’t really know how to pass the time, nor had he figured out how to explain things clearly to Miaozhen.
He thought about simply avoiding the situation altogether—gradually cutting ties, and over time, Miaozhen would likely get the hint.
But he was tormented inside and couldn’t bear to let Miaozhen suffer in silence like that.
What, was he going to avoid Longxing Temple for the rest of his life? If they met again, how would he explain?
Sooner or later, he had to give a proper explanation.
But he couldn’t let go of these feelings either.
He happened to visit his mother for a chat, hoping a change of topic might help take his mind off things.
As soon as Wen Ruyu asked, he told her everything.
“So, the one leading the army into battle was the Empress Dowager’s own nephew? Is he very young?” Anyone with some experience or a few more years under their belt wouldn’t have suffered such a crushing defeat.
“I heard he’s in his thirties. It was his first time going to war, probably lacked any real experience. A friend mentioned that a general’s head was chopped off by the Xiongnu and displayed outside their tent.”
“He saw that happen?” Wen Ruyu was horrified just hearing it.
Lu Jinnian chuckled, “That’s not even the worst part. Liu Chang was in charge of the rear guard, ensuring supplies got through. He had 20,000 men under him, including 2,000 elite soldiers. When the front line started losing ground, they asked him for reinforcements.
He took the soldiers and the supplies and ran straight back to the capital. Left the front lines with nothing. The Xiongnu encircled them. Lord Wang held the city to the bitter end, but the imperial reinforcements were too late, and the entire city fell.”
“He didn’t even make it to the frontlines before running away?” Even Wen Ruyu thought that was absurd.
Lu Jinnian threw up his hands, animated as he spoke. “Exactly! The Xiongnu are brutal. Once they shut the gates, all surrendered soldiers were executed. And not just that—any man taller than a horse’s back was buried alive. The women were taken away. Only the elderly and young children were left. They were truly forsaken.”
Wen Ruyu asked, confused, “Wasn’t he appointed general by the Empress Dowager? Why wasn’t he on the frontlines?” Can a general really just do that?
Even Lu Jinnian thought it was outrageous. He slapped his thigh and said, “He’s the General Who Pacifies the West, and there’s also a Commander Protector. He sent his subordinate, General Wang, to the front lines, and he himself ran off.”
“So, it was the commander-in-chief who ran away?”
Lu Jinnian nodded. “And took the money, provisions, and elite soldiers with him. That’s why the court is so furious. General Wang probably wasn’t a member of the Empress Dowager’s faction. Willing to go to the border probably meant he was a patriotic and loyal minister. A real shame.”
“Then why would the Empress Dowager send someone like that to the front and make him general?”
“She probably underestimated the Xiongnu. Thought it’d be an easy win and wanted to get her nephew a noble title. Didn’t expect the person she picked to be so unreliable.”
Wen Ruyu sipped her tea and said, “That’s not picking someone, that’s pre-arranging it. It’s only when the time comes to actually use someone that you see the problem with favoritism.”
She’d been in this world for a year and had grown close with her children and daughters-in-law. They’d slowly adjusted to the changes in Wen Ruyu too.
When news from outside was sparse, she’d call her youngest son over to chat.
“Even before your brothers went to the capital, they’d said there was a conflict between the old ministers and the Empress Dowager’s relatives. Now that her nephew has made a mess of things, they’ll definitely seize the chance to impeach him.”
Wen Ruyu nodded, now better understanding the political situation.
Her youngest son had always had a good attitude and a broad vision—just too much drama when it came to love.
Standing nearby, Qin Rong remained expressionless, silently listening. When she saw that Wen Ruyu’s tea was empty, she refilled her cup.
Wen Ruyu glanced up at her.
Just then, Zhao Shu walked in from outside. She was pregnant, and since the third daughter-in-law had recovered from her illness, most of the household affairs were back under Lin Xiaoyin’s management.
Zhao Shu, having gotten used to being busy, now felt bored with fewer tasks. Since Madam Wang didn’t visit often, Zhao Shu would stop by to chat with her mother-in-law, whom she genuinely liked.
For some, chatting with their mother-in-law is a chore, but for Zhao Shu, it was relaxing.
Wen Ruyu was the kind of mother-in-law who liked gossip, could take a joke, didn’t impose her opinions, and genuinely cared for her daughters-in-law. She never constantly talked about “father,” “sons,” or “grandsons.” Women don’t really enjoy conversations that revolve solely around men anyway.
Seeing Lu Jinnian was there, Zhao Shu sat down and asked, “Fourth Brother, did you take care of that matter I asked about the other day?”
Lu Jinnian, clever as he was, immediately knew she was referring to the matter at Longxing Temple.
Feeling guilty, he didn’t dare look at his mother. He only responded to his sister-in-law, “Almost done. Just a few more days.”
Wen Ruyu noticed the exchange. “What matter?”
“Oh, nothing much,” Zhao Shu said casually. “Didn’t Fuer just have her baby? We’re preparing some birthday gifts. I planned to get a longevity lock from Longxing Temple. Already asked someone to place the order. Fourth Brother said he’s going that way with some friends, so I asked him to pick it up. Doesn’t matter when, as long as it gets done.”
This was the same excuse Lu Jinnian had given her before.
Now that Zhao Shu was repeating it in front of the old lady, Lu Jinnian didn’t look nearly as composed—he was practically sweating.
Zhao Shu, seeing this, didn’t press further.
Wen Ruyu could tell they were hiding something. It was probably another one of Lu Jinnian’s shameful secrets.
Seeing how nervous he looked, she didn’t ask more—until he left. Then she pulled her daughter-in-law aside to ask what was really going on.
Zhao Shu didn’t dare tell the full truth. She only said that Lu Jinnian seemed to be getting involved again with someone and that she’d already told him to cut it off quickly.
Wen Ruyu didn’t think it was too serious. She just told Zhao Shu to keep an eye on him and make sure it didn’t escalate.
She added, “If he doesn’t behave, just dock his monthly allowance. Take away every last copper, and he’ll come to his senses.”
Zhao Shu agreed immediately.
If Lu Jinnian didn’t have the guts to bring a man home and say he wanted to be with him forever, then he should behave himself and live properly.
He couldn’t go around messing with women, and he certainly couldn’t mess with men either.
She was managing the Lu household, and if Lu Bainian wanted to live here, he had to follow her rules.
Otherwise, he could leave—and stop spending her hard-earned silver.
Light rain, rowing upstream to the capital.
Lu Songnian woke early to wash up. The boatman had caught a few fish and was preparing breakfast, which was included in the fare. Even the bodyguards traveling with Lu Songnian got to enjoy the fish.
Fish was cheap by the river, but after eating fish for so long, Lu Songnian was craving beef or lamb.
Beef was hard to come by. The family had bought some for the New Year and made a crock of beef jerky—but they’d finished it long ago.
Breakfast was simple—pickles, plain porridge, and a fried river fish.
Lu Songnian didn’t read right after breakfast. Instead, he went to check on Lu Ke.
The recent rain had brought heavy humidity. Lu Ke had caught a chill while studying late and had fallen sick—not too seriously, but he was physically weak and often caught minor illnesses, which was frustrating.
Inside the cabin, Lu Ke quickly had his servant offer Lu Songnian a seat.
He was sitting on a small bed, eating sweetened porridge, chatting with his older brother.
Looking at his frail younger brother, Lu Songnian sighed, “Why is your body always so prone to getting sick?”
Lu Ke had already finished the porridge in a few bites and set the bowl aside. “It’s probably a bit of water sickness. The spring rains bring dampness, and traveling by river makes it worse.”
Maybe because of the illness and his melancholy mood, he also became more reflective about what his older brother had endured.
“Big Brother, you traveled to the capital before, also by water. That must have been tough too.”
Lu Songnian waved it off. “At first, yes. But I was focused on selling goods and earning money for the family. I hardly remember the hardship now.”
He examined Lu Ke’s complexion and said, “You’re too sensitive. Always overthinking. Even a slight outside change makes you sick. That’s no good.”
Lu Ke, seeing how sincerely his brother cared, opened up a bit more. “To be honest, I was heartbroken when Xiaoyin lost the baby earlier this year. And hearing that the border was defeated by the Xiongnu made me angry. If I hadn’t chosen the civil service path, maybe I’d really have joined the army.”
Lu Songnian laughed. “So you don’t want to be a scholar—you want to be a general? With your temper, you’d be a hot-headed commander.”
Lu Ke was a little embarrassed by that.
Changing the topic, he asked about home: “I wonder how things are at home.”
Lu Songnian said, “We’ve got two brothers back there, so we can worry a little less while we head to the capital. They might get confused over matters of love, but they know how to behave.”
Lu Ke coughed twice. “Before we left, I heard the old lady was expanding the house again. The family’s just starting to save up, but she’s willing to spend on herself.”
Rain started falling outside. Lu Songnian stood up, brushed his clothes smooth, and went to close the windows. “The shop’s doing well—all her ideas. Let her be. The old lady has never made a wrong decision.”
The soft drizzle continued. The boatman put on a straw raincoat and hat and began singing folk songs to pass the time.
The oar circled through the water, sending ripples southward…
That evening, Wen Ruyu dined with her sons and daughters-in-law.
The weather was warming up, and for some reason, her children always worried she’d be lonely, so they often kept her company.
In truth, even if they didn’t come, she had plenty of maids around and never felt lonely.
After dinner, they chatted for a long time before she finally went to bed.
She had a bit of wine with the meal and fell asleep early.
The next morning at dawn, she stretched lazily, intending to stay in bed a bit longer.
Suddenly, she noticed a figure outside the bed curtain. She was startled at first, but on closer look, she saw it was Chu Ying.
Wen Ruyu frowned slightly, put on a robe, lifted the curtain, and looked at him.
The boy was around 14 or 15, with refined, handsome features. Dressed in female attire, he looked a bit soft and delicate.
The light at dawn wasn’t clear yet. He stood with his back to the light, posture straight, with serious eyes that still shone.
He was the Crown Prince of Prince Cheng’s household—nobility by birth. Even when trying to hide it, he still exuded a natural sense of pride. Now that he wasn’t pretending, he truly did carry himself with a kingly air.