Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 90
“Are you not going to keep covering your tracks anymore?”
The curtain hanging by the window suddenly blew with a gust of wind and the strings tied on both sides were lifted high.
Lu Yan walked over and picked up a white-glazed plum vase with a lotus pattern and examined it carefully. After a long silence, he said, “This son is upright. Why should I bother covering it up?”
“Great.”
Princess Jing’an took a deep breath and said, “What an upright person. In that case, I have a few questions to ask you.”
Lu Yan readily followed suit and said with a smile, “I’ll tell you everything I know.”
Princess Jing’an knew his ability to deal with people, so she asked directly: “When did you and the daughter of the Shen family meet?”
Daughter of the Shen family.
When these words came out, even Princess Jing’an’s personal nanny was startled. Liu Momo’s eyes trembled and she quickly lowered her head and whispered to the maid beside her: “Go, keep an eye outside.”
The smile in Lu Yan’s eyes did not diminish, but his smile had a trace of seriousness, “At the beginning of the year, in the Chu Mansion in Yangzhou.”
Princess Jing’an narrowed her eyes and looked at her son.
At the beginning of this year, he was indeed still in Yangzhou. According to her information, the girl from the Shen family was also in Yangzhou at that time…
The timing was right.
“So, are you admitting it?”
Lu Yan nodded, “This son previously promised my mother to finalize the marriage at the end of this year, I always kept my promises. Also she is seventeen, just the right age.”
The meaning of these words couldn’t be more obvious. He was not going to take her as a concubine, he was clearly going to marry her.
Three books and six ceremonies[mfn](The Three Books and Six Rites , also known as the Three Matchmakers and Six Certificates , are traditional Chinese marriage customs and etiquette. The “Three Books” refer to the documents used in the “Six Rites” process, including the Engagement Letter, the Gift Letter, and the Welcoming Letter. The “Six Rites” refer to the entire marriage process from proposal to marriage.)[/mfn], a formal marriage.
Princess Jing’an frowned and asked, “Do you know what you are talking about?”
“This son knows.”
Lu Yan turned his head to look out the window, and listened to the sound of pattering rain.
This conversation between him and his mother in his previous life took place in October, three months later.
In the October of his dream, there was a slight chill, and Chang’an was no longer what it is now.
His Majesty was obsessed with the art of immortality and practiced Taoism in seclusion. The Sixth Prince entered the East Palace and controlled the government. Empress Xu was afraid of the military power of the Duke of Zhenguo’s Mansion, so she gave Xu Yiqing to him.
At that time, most of the court had become the confidants of the Xu family, loyal officials were imprisoned, and treacherous officials were in power…
Thinking of this, Lu Yan said calmly: “Marquis Yunyang was originally a pillar of the Jin Dynasty. The collapse of the canal west of the city last year was nothing more than a frame-up. If he had not participated in the court struggle…”
Princess Jing’an interrupted him directly, “You still know that he participated in a court struggle! Imprisoned unjustly? Forming a party for personal gain is a serious crime! How can it be unjust!”
Lu Yan curled the corners of his lips but said nothing.
“Son, are you going to disregard the Duke of Zhenguo’s Mansion for the sake of a woman?”
“Not for her.” Lu Yan’s eyes were burning as he said word by word, “I have no right to interfere with who will be the crown prince of the Jin Dynasty, nor will I interfere, except for the King of Wei! The Xu family’s wicked intentions are obvious to everyone. Mother, think about the plague in June. If the plague had spread in Chang’an, would our Zhenguo Mansion really be able to remain unscathed!”
Princess Jing’an’s gaze froze, and the sound of rain suddenly amplified several times.
She knew exactly what the plague was about.
The epidemic in Luoyang could be considered a natural disaster, but bringing people infected with the plague into the capital was a man-made disaster…
The Grand Princess threw the palm-leaf fan in her hand onto the table with a “slap” sound and said coldly, “Why are you raising your voice at me?”
Lu Yan’s eyes relaxed and he raised his hand to pour a cup of tea for the Grand princess. He very considerately tested the temperature with the back of his hand and said, “Mother has a bad stomach and cannot drink cold tea. Please change it to hot tea, momo.”
Momo Liu nodded quickly and said, “Yes, yes, I’ll go right away.”
After a while, momo Liu returned with the tea kettle in her hand. She saw the mother and son still staring at each other in silence. It was as if a dark cloud had floated into the room…
Lu Yan stood up and poured another cup of tea for the Grand princess.
Then he put his fist to his lips and coughed twice, and then coughed twice again.
The Grand princess glanced at him, and suddenly remembered how he had been busy and toiled away a while ago. She couldn’t help but take a deep breath and cursed inwardly: Debt, it’s all debt.
“Then let me ask you again, have you ever bullied anyone?”
Lu Yan replied calmly, “This son is not that kind of person.”
The Grand princess picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then said solemnly: “If you have made up your mind, I don’t want to force you, but you have just been promoted, and there are many people in the court who are watching you. At this moment, you must be very careful in what you say and do.”
“This son knows his limits.”
The Grand princess picked up the fan on the table and threw it on his shoulders. “Get out! Get out now.”
“Thank you mother.” Lu Yan whispered.
Lu Yan pushed open the door and Yang Zong handed him the umbrella. Just then the rain stopped and the clusters of flowers in the yard were covered with water droplets exuding a refreshing fragrance.
In this life, everything is different.
Yang Zong glanced at Lu Yan, hesitating to speak.
“Just say it.” Lu Yan said.
“Young master has informed the Grand princess so quickly. Will there be any trouble with the young mistress?”
“No.” Lu Yan smiled and said, “If mother really didn’t like her, why would she go to help her out?”
He admitted it a long time ago, didn’t he?
——
After Lu Yan left, the Grand princess placed her index finger on her temple and rubbed it slowly.
Liu momo advised, “It’s a good thing that the heir apparent is willing to come and explain to you. It shows that he has a clear mind about what is important. Didn’t the princess worry that the heir would be bewitched by a seductress outside? Now it seems that you were worrying too much.”
The Grand princess snorted, “Can you believe any of his lies? Momo, think about what he did after returning from Yangzhou! According to what he said, he fell in love with the girl from the Shen family at the beginning of the year, so why did he stay out all night and stay in Pingkang Lane all day after returning?”
“At first I thought it was strange. He has such high standards, but he didn’t even like the decent concubines I chose for him. How could he suddenly fall in love with the courtesan?” The Grand princess rolled her eyes in anger. “He is not only a reckless person… I think he is simply shameless and unruly! He has lost all his dignity!”
Liu momo asked tentatively, “Does the princess think that the Shen family girl used some kind of seductive trick?”
“If she is really a seductress,I will just get rid of her.” Speaking of Shen Zhen, the Grand princess sighed again, “Speaking of which, I have watched Shen Zhen grow up. Not to mention seduction, I am afraid that she can’t even lie smoothly with her personality.”
The Grand princess looked up at the beams, and recalled the year when the wife of Yunyang Marquis passed away. How old was she at that time? At that time her small body was wrapped in a plain linen dress.
The Grand princess calculated the time when Lu Yan started staying out all night, and then calculated the time when the Shen family had the accident and suddenly she felt a surge of blood rushing to her head.
After a while, Liu momo said: “The heir apparent was really cruel to the eldest son of the Xu family. I heard from others that even if the eldest son of the Xu family wakes up, he may not be able to have children.”
The Grand princess thought of Xu Wei and couldn’t help but sneer, “He is not cruel at all.”
Liu momo twitched her lips. “The Xu family will not let this matter go. If they really find out that the heir was behind it, what should we do?”
“If he can’t even do this thing cleanly, then he shouldn’t be the Governor of Jingzhao Prefecture.”
Hearing her tone, Liu momo smiled and said, “So, the Grand princess agrees?”
“What can I do if I don’t agree?” The Grand princess’ eyes flickered. “I have already said all the things I should have said. As his mother, I know his temperament the best.”
Then the Grand princess stood up and chuckled.
If he is protecting her to this extent, he must have already kept her in his heart.
——
Every summer, when the flooding season arrives, disasters of varying degrees will follow one after another. The flood in the 17th year of Yuanqing obviously proved whatTaoist Master Ge said while shaking his head, that it was out of control.
Not only the Yellow River, but also the Bian Canal and the Yongji Canal in the northeast suffered one by one.
The Yellow River broke its banks and the river channel swayed to the south. For several days in a row, the Ministry of Works and other departments quarreled fiercely at the morning court. When one decision on river management was proposed, another was rejected. Because of Shen Wenqi’s previous experience, no one wanted to take responsibility.
Everybody was thinking “Do not seek merit, but seek no fault[mfn](It means not seeking to achieve merit, but only hoping to avoid mistakes. It is a metaphor for people who do not seek to make progress or are content with their lot.)[/mfn]“, so the strategy for flood control was delayed.
More and more people in the Yellow River basin were affected by the disaster. Floods spread to eastern Henan, southwestern Shandong and other places. Not only did eight thousand people died, but the Huihe River was also destroyed, and the water transport was blocked. The situation became increasingly critical.
The people accused the court for inaction.
But at present, those people in the Ministry of Works have little ability,and Emperor Chengyuan knows in his heart that if the decisions they propose are really implemented, it will be like giving silver to the river for nothing.
Emperor Chengyuan took a deep breath, waved his hand, and called Eunuch Sheng, saying, “Go to the prison of the Ministry of Justice and bring that Taoist Master Ge, or whatever Tasosit Master, to me!”
Eunuch Sheng said, “Your Majesty, it is Master Zhu. Master Ge has been beheaded.”
“Then find this Taoist Master Zhu for me!”
Eunuch Sheng passed the message out, and within two hours, the Minister of Justice came to the hall with Master Zhu.
Emperor Chengyuan glanced at Master Zhu and said, “Since you can even predict the fate of a country, let me ask you, how should we deal with this flood?”
Master Zhu knelt straight down and thought to himself: This was not predicted by me, it was clearly predicted by that Lord Lu!
Obviously, he didn’t dare to say these words out loud.
“You can say whatever you want,I won’t punish you.”
Taoist Master Zhu bent his forehead to the ground and said according to what Lord Lu had instructed before: “My ability is limited. Although I can see through a little bit of the secrets of heaven, I know nothing about flood control.”
Emperor Cheng Yuan’s glare pierced his face directly.
Taoist Master Zhu immediately trembled again and said: “But I have seen that the talents of the Great Jin Dynasty are abundant and this flood will definitely be overcome safely.”
Emperor Chengyuan gave a low “oh” sound.
Abundant with talents.
At the morning court today, the hall was filled with people, all wearing gorgeous clothes and black hats on their heads, but no one was willing to go to the Yellow River to control the flood.
Emperor Chengyuan slammed the table and said angrily: “What talented people! You name one person for me!”
Taoist Master Zhu had sweat on his forehead and whispered, “I don’t know his name, but I can tell…he is a guilty person.”
Emperor Cheng Yuan narrowed his eyes and pondered for a long time.
T/N – I have some good news!! I’m now going to update every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, starting from this week!!. 🥳🥳💃🏻 So look forward to a new chapter this Friday!!
Hurray!! Thank you for the new update schedule!