APSIL -Chapter 175 So That Was the Reason

It only took a moment before Lu Wan personally opened the door.

When he saw that the person standing outside was not only Lu Sanlang but also Zhang Shou, his already gloomy expression immediately became even darker.

He had intended to scold Lu Sanlang for bringing an outsider inside without reporting first, but Lu Sanlang spoke before he could.

“Father, tonight I encountered the Second Prince publicly humiliating a woman on Chongwenmen Inner Street!”

Lu Wan’s anger had already reached its peak, but after hearing those words, his expression suddenly changed.

A portion of his fury instantly transformed into shock and suspicion.

At this moment, Zhang Shou spoke at exactly the right time: “Minister Lu, are you planning to discuss how to handle this matter out in the courtyard?”

Handle this matter?

Could it be that Lu Zhu had actually acted like those reckless young men and openly confronted the Second Prince in the street?

Unable to believe that his once seemingly foolish but now clearly cunning youngest son could have done something so lacking in calculation, Lu Wan immediately regained his composure.

He nodded stiffly.

“My wife is currently ill and resting. Doctor Zhang, please accompany my son to my study.”

However, the moment his words fell, a voice came from inside the room.

“I’m not dead yet!”

“Since Doctor Zhang is Sanlang’s teacher, he is practically one of our own family members. What is there that cannot be said in front of me?”

“Sanlang, bring Doctor Zhang inside. If your father doesn’t want to listen, then just tell me and Doctor Zhang instead!”

His usually gentle and virtuous wife had suddenly become as explosive as if she had swallowed gunpowder.

Lu Wan was both shocked and angry.

Yet he could not lose his composure in front of an outsider like Zhang Shou, nor could he continue arguing with Madam Zhen.

Thus, he could only watch helplessly as Lu Sanlang smiled brightly, repeatedly agreeing, and then invited Zhang Shou inside with an attitude even more respectful than the one he showed his own father.

Lu Wan could only snort coldly and step aside.

Then he angrily shut the door.

Although Madam Zhen had already lowered both curtains around the bed, allowing Zhang Shou to enter their private chamber still made Lu Wan feel extremely uncomfortable.

But the moment Lu Sanlang began speaking, that frustration immediately turned into shock.

“Father, Mother, tonight I went to the bookstore to buy some of Grandmaster Ge’s newly printed books.”

“When I came out, I encountered the Second Prince riding recklessly through Chongwenmen Inner Street.”

“If he had simply taken his people and left, that would have been fine.”

“But he absolutely should not have humiliated the daughter of Minister Liu from the Ministry of Works, who happened to be there buying jewelry!”

“I hate people who bully women the most!”

The moment he heard this, Madam Zhen’s eyes immediately brightened.

Unlike Lu Wan, she understood this youngest son the best.

The hidden meaning behind Lu Sanlang’s words was obvious.

He had probably taken a liking to that girl…

Otherwise, why would he have dragged his teacher Zhang Shou into this matter?

However, realizing that offending the Second Prince was indeed troublesome, she quickly asked: “Then did you clash with the Second Prince?”

“A true man cannot stand by and watch a girl being bullied!”

Lu Sanlang immediately described the confrontation with great passion.

Then he angrily said: “I was standing on the side of justice!”

“But the Second Prince actually became furious out of embarrassment and accused me and Miss Liu of being some kind of shameless couple!”

This time, Madam Zhen completely forgot about the Second Prince’s noble imperial status.

She slammed her hand against the bed.

“That is absolute nonsense!”

“The Lu family and Minister Liu’s family have never had any previous relationship!”

Only then did Zhang Shou, who had remained silent since entering the room, calmly speak.

“Lu Sanlang said that although he was angry at the time, he also knew that one person’s strength could not defeat many.”

“So he loudly exposed the Second Prince’s bullying behavior in public.”

“Unexpectedly, just when the Second Prince was enraged and preparing to risk everything, the First Prince suddenly appeared and forced the Second Prince to retreat.”

As a Minister of War who had spent more than twenty years navigating official politics, Lu Wan immediately sensed something unusual from this incident.

He also understood that this was unlikely to have been arranged by Zhang Shou or Lu Sanlang.

Even Zhu Ying could not possibly manipulate two princes.

The only possibility was that the two princes had been fighting each other, and Lu Sanlang had simply been dragged into the conflict as an outsider.

But…

Why was it Minister Liu’s youngest daughter?

While Lu Wan was frowning deeply, Lu Sanlang suddenly dropped a bombshell.

“The Second Prince could leave whenever he wanted.”

“But I have to take responsibility for that girl’s reputation!”

“That’s why I urgently returned to the Imperial Academy to find Teacher.”

“Father, Mother, weren’t you planning to arrange a marriage for me?”

“I think Minister Liu’s daughter would be a very suitable match!”

“Ridiculous!”

Lu Wan almost instinctively shouted those two words.

Then he angrily rebuked: “This is simply childish!”

“I already publicly said I would take responsibility!”

Lu Sanlang confidently pushed back against his father.

Then he glanced at Zhang Shou.

“If even Teacher personally speaking on my behalf is not enough, I will go find Grandmaster Ge!”

“Rebellious son!”

Lu Wan was finally rendered speechless.

He took a deep breath.

Then he looked at Zhang Shou.

“Since Doctor Zhang was willing to make this trip late at night for my son, please come to my study.”

“There are some matters I wish to discuss with you.”

Compared with their first meeting, when Lu Wan had viewed Zhang Shou as merely a young junior, he now unconsciously regarded him as someone with a certain status, influence, and equal standing.

What slightly relieved him was that Zhang Shou did not refuse.

Instead, he readily agreed.

This time, fortunately, his wife no longer caused trouble, and Lu Sanlang also did not interfere.

Watching Lu Wan practically flee with Zhang Shou toward the study, Madam Zhen finally asked Lu Sanlang to call Nanny Jin back to guard the door.

Then she angrily slapped the bed again and glared at her youngest son.

“What exactly happened tonight?”

“Tell me honestly.”

“Do not try to fool me with the same story you used on your father!”

“Mother, how can you compare yourself with Father?”

Lu Sanlang immediately smiled.

“Of course I will tell you the truth!”

He then explained the entire sequence of events.

After finishing, he naturally used every trick he had to comfort and persuade his mother.

He cried when needed and acted pitiful when needed.

In the end, he successfully moved Madam Zhen.

Before his mother, Lu Wan and his two elder brothers, Lu Dalang and Lu Erlang combined, still could not match his ability to act cute and please her.

---

Before entering the study with Zhang Shou, Lu Wan had ordered all servants to stay away from the entrance.

They were only allowed to remain outside the courtyard gate.

After personally closing the study door, he saw Zhang Shou calmly admiring the calligraphy hanging in the center of the room.

Then Lu Wan got straight to the point.

“Doctor Zhang, there is no need for hidden words between intelligent people.”

“The family I originally intended to arrange Lu Zhu’s engagement with tomorrow was precisely Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works’ family.”

Zhang Shou maintained an expression of sincere admiration toward the calligraphy.

But internally…

A huge awkward feeling appeared.

What?

Hadn’t Zhu Ying said Minister Liu had a good relationship with Duke Zhao, Zhu Jing?

Lu Wan had previously been the person secretly supporting attacks against Zhu Jing.

Even if he had now changed his stance after being exposed, it shouldn’t mean he suddenly switched sides so completely that he immediately wanted to marry into the Liu family.

And more importantly—

Why had he hidden this from everyone, even his own wife?

Although he had not figured it out yet, Zhang Shou calmly nodded.

“Ah, so that was the case.”

Though he was not expressionless by nature, Zhang Shou had perfected the skill of appearing mysterious and unreadable in his previous life.

Maintaining a calm expression as if Mount Tai were collapsing before him was not difficult.

And this expression successfully created a misunderstanding in Lu Wan’s mind.

Lu Wan assumed that the Zhu family had already discovered the situation.

That powerful Duchess Dowager must have informed Zhang Shou beforehand.

Then Zhang Shou had quietly guided Lu Zhu into this trap.

Of course, the First and Second Princes appearing was probably an unrelated accident.

Given the Zhu family’s personality, they generally did not wish to become too close with imperial princes or princesses.

But they also would not easily become enemies with them.

“Since such a thing happened, perhaps it was simply fate.”

“Tomorrow, I will still go to Minister Liu’s residence and finalize the engagement.”

“Although Lu Zhu acted recklessly and impulsively, his actions should have left a good impression on the Liu family.”

At this point, Lu Wan hesitated.

Then he somewhat awkwardly said: “Could I trouble Doctor Zhang to invite Grand Tutor Ge to accompany me?”

Zhang Shou could not help but laugh.

“Minister Lu thinks that if Teacher accompanies you, the Second Prince will not dare do anything afterward?”

“There is no need.”

“I still have enough responsibility.”

“I will accompany you to Minister Liu’s residence.”

“Although Teacher is Lu Sanlang’s grandmaster, he has already reached the age where he should enjoy retirement.”

“It would neither be necessary nor appropriate to trouble him.”

“However, when the wedding takes place, inviting him as the main guest would be excellent.”

Lu Wan had only hoped Zhang Shou would share some of the pressure.

Mentioning Ge Yong was merely a test.

If Zhang Shou had immediately agreed, Lu Wan would have found an excuse to refuse later.

Because a teacher without responsibility was worthless.

Therefore, Lu Wan finally smiled.

“Very well.”

“Tomorrow morning, you and I will go together to the Liu residence.”

“And for convenience tomorrow, would Doctor Zhang stay overnight at the Lu residence tonight?”

Is he afraid I will run away?

Zhang Shou continued calmly looking at Lu Wan.

Then he answered straightforwardly: “Of course.”

After Madam Zhen accepted Lu Sanlang’s explanation, she sent a trusted servant to inquire about the conversation between Lu Wan and Zhang Shou.

What she learned was that Zhang Shou had been invited to stay overnight.

And not in a guest room.

Not in another courtyard.

But…

In Lu Sanlang’s own residence.

Although she did not understand how Lu Wan had suddenly become so easy to convince, she finally felt relieved.

“Good, good.”

“You finally got what you wanted.”

“Hurry back and properly thank your teacher.”

“Amitabha, I have met Minister Liu’s youngest daughter before.”

“She has always been obedient and well-behaved.”

“She is actually quite a good match for you…”

Lu Sanlang smiled awkwardly and agreed.

At the same time, he secretly rejoiced.

If his mother knew that Miss Liu had actually confronted the Second Prince and nearly forced him into an embarrassing situation, she probably would not think so positively.

However, what interested him most was:

How had Zhang Shou convinced his incredibly difficult father?

After helping his mother sleep, he hurried back to his own courtyard.

After arranging guards around the area to prevent anyone from eavesdropping—especially his two elder brothers—he finally heard a piece of news from Zhang Shou that left him completely stunned.

“My father…”

“He originally wanted me to marry Miss Liu?”

Why?

He had worked so hard to display his manly courage.

How had he ended up fulfilling his father’s original plan anyway?