“You’ve been loyal and devoted, yet he seeks to eliminate you, exiling your entire Lu clan, and even going so far as to disguise assassins as bandits to kill you!”

“Master, with such a ruler… why continue to be loyal?”

Every word Yu Heng spoke was like a knife twisting in Lu Qing’s heart. Even Gu Xingzhao couldn’t bear to listen. After a lifetime of unwavering loyalty, he was thrown into a dungeon, facing death at every turn, with his entire clan exiled and nearly wiped out. This must be a tremendous blow to the old man.

It was one thing not to mention the past, but now, recalling it must feel like being tortured in boiling oil. Looking at Lu Qing now, his expression had grown increasingly grim.

But Yu Heng continued, “The emperor is becoming more and more tyrannical, and you have seen it with your own eyes. He collects women from all over the land, burdens the people to build palaces, and any loyal minister who dares to speak out is either dismissed from office or, like you, nearly dies in the imperial prison. Those who are lucky enough to survive are exiled with their entire families, nearly being wiped out…”

Gu Xingzhao shook her head repeatedly. *This Yu Heng is still trying to provoke Lu Qing at this point. Clearly, he isn’t a devoted disciple. What kind of disciple is afraid that their teacher won’t be angry enough?*

The atmosphere was heavy, so she pulled out a pack of sunflower seeds from New Year’s Eve. She was actually starving, but she couldn’t leave just yet, worried that Yu Heng might drive the old man into a faint, and then there would be no one to save him.

Fortunately, Yu Heng noticed Lu Qing’s worsening expression and stopped mentioning the past, lowering his voice for a new round of persuasion.

“Master, the northern lands are harsh and cold. How can your frail body endure it?”

Gu Xingzhao blinked. “Lu Qing, is he cursing you to die?”

Hearing the ancestor’s words, Lu Qing’s face darkened even more.

Yu Heng continued, “Now that Prince Su is extending a hand to you, why not take this opportunity to defect to him with your family? If his grand plans succeed, Prince Su will surely restore you to the favor you enjoyed when the late emperor was in power!”

Gu Xingzhao added, “So, he’s basically saying that if you don’t defect to Prince Su, your entire family will perish, right?”

Suddenly, Lu Qing sprang up from the bedside, striking the ground several times with his cane. “I am loyal to the court, which exists to bring prosperity to the people!”

Yu Heng tried to persuade him further, “If you’re truly dedicated to the people’s welfare, and the emperor has abandoned you, why not choose Prince Su…”

Lu Qing was so angry his beard quivered. “If the emperor is no good, what makes you think Prince Su is any better?!”

Gu Xingzhao chuckled, helping Lu Qing finish his sentence: “They’re both scoundrels.”

Yu Heng quickly tried to calm him down, “Master, please don’t get too upset. We can discuss this…”

Lu Qing spat on the ground. “Discuss my foot!”

Gu Xingzhao was delighted. *Who would have thought this refined and elegant old man could curse like that? Today’s trip was definitely worth it.*

Seeing that Lu Qing’s opinion of Prince Su was so negative at this moment, Yu Heng decided it was best to change the subject. “Master, where is the divine being who protects you? I wish to express my gratitude for being saved today. How should I go about it?”

Lu Qing initially wanted to refuse, but then he reconsidered. Given that Yu Heng was one of Prince Su’s trusted aides, he was likely wealthy. The journey of exile was long, and they would need the ancestor’s protection more than ever. But he himself was penniless… why not use this opportunity?Noticing Lu Qing’s thought process, Gu Xingzhao’s eyes lit up!

Lu Qing kept a stern expression as he asked, “Are you truly sincere in your desire to give thanks?”

“Please, Master, guide me.”

Yu Heng nodded. One of his main purposes for visiting Lu Qing was to test the truth of the rumors about the divine being.

To be honest, he didn’t believe in the divine manifestations. His earlier reaction had been influenced by the excitement of his two attendants. But now that he had time to think, he realized that none of it could be true.

Though he couldn’t explain where his master had acquired such extraordinary medical skills, the idea of a divine being was certainly a ruse. Otherwise, how could the Lu family have fallen so far as to be exiled?

However, Yu Heng had another plan in mind. The rumors of the Lu family’s divine protector were already widespread. If he could secure Lu Qing’s support, it would mean gaining the divine being’s favor as well. This would lend legitimacy to Prince Su’s future endeavors.

Now, he needed to go with the flow and ensure that the story of the Lu family’s divine being spread far and wide, especially within the capital. If the emperor believed it, he would surely panic. Should the emperor act again, Lu Qing would have no choice but to defect to Prince Su….

Originally planning to wait for Yu Heng’s “offering,” Gu Xingzhao’s hunger had become unbearable, so she returned to the modern era to grab a bite.

When she saw the large box of cold meals at the entrance of the supermarket, she slapped her forehead, realizing she had forgotten to deliver the meals she had ordered to the Lu family. She had been so busy saving lives that she had completely overlooked this important task.Gu Xingzhao hurriedly reheated the meals in the microwave. It wasn’t too late yet, so she decided to deliver them to the Lu family for dinner.

Meanwhile, the Lu family was growing increasingly anxious as Lu Qing and Lu Xingyao had yet to return. Even the usually calm Lu Xingyan was starting to feel uneasy.

When Gu Xingzhao arrived with a large box of meals, she found Song Shi in tears, while Lu Zhou and the others were arguing with the guards.

She frowned, worried that things might escalate.

“System, can I talk directly to the Lu family now?”

[Replying to the host, you can only communicate with the primary bound guardian, Lu Qing, and not with other family members.]

Gu Xingzhao thought for a moment and then returned to the supermarket to fetch a pen and paper.

Lu Yang, unable to bear the tension, suddenly stood up. “It’s so late, and Father hasn’t returned. Something must have happened. Those guards don’t care if we live or die. We have enough people; let’s just break down the door and go get him!”

Lu Zhou remained silent, seemingly agreeing with his brother’s suggestion.

Lu Xingyan hesitated for a moment but did not oppose the plan. With Father and Xingyao not returning, something must have gone wrong. At this point, it seemed like their only option…Seeing that both his brothers had agreed, Lu Yang rolled up his sleeves and shouted to the other family members, “Father has always treated you well. Today, I ask you one question!”

The family members looked at each other and then collectively supported Lu Yang, “We are all members of the Lu family. Whatever you say, Second Master, we’ll do. As long as it means we can rescue the old master!”

The Liu family, who had been sheltered by the Lu family, also stood up. “We’ll join you!”

In an instant, emotions were running high. Everyone was grabbing whatever they could find as a weapon. Even Princess Shunyu, hiding in a corner, picked up a stick no thicker than her little finger. She was terrified but forced herself to stand strong.

Lu Yang, the tallest and strongest among them, positioned himself at the front, took a running start, and prepared to crash into the door!

The women shrieked in fear, covering their eyes, too scared to watch.

With tensions this high, even Mrs Xu couldn’t help but worry, fearing that Lu Yang might hurt himself.

Meanwhile, Lu Youtang tugged at her mother’s hand, her bright eyes full of innocence. “Mother, are you worried that Father might break the door?”

Xu Shi’s anxiety was shattered by her daughter’s comment. Indeed, with Lu Yang’s large frame, it was the door that would probably suffer the most.