APSIL -Chapter 178 Everyone Protects Their Own

Although Lu Wan had never particularly liked his youngest son—whose only notable trait, in his eyes, was being plump—seeing Lu Sanlang like this still filled him with exasperated disappointment.

He admitted that Zhang Shou was exceptionally handsome, refined, and, more importantly, possessed talent worthy of that appearance. Even so, he hated seeing his own son behaving like Zhang Shou’s attendant.

Fortunately, now was not the time to lecture the boy.

With a cold snort, Lu Wan mounted his horse, deciding that what he couldn’t bear to watch, he simply wouldn’t watch.

Though sedan chairs and carriages were available, as the Minister of War in the prime of his life, he refused to show even the slightest hint of frailty by riding in one. Naturally, both Zhang Shou and Lu Sanlang were also given horses.

Yet after they set out, Lu Wan casually glanced behind him—and nearly burst with anger again.

The horse Duke Zhao’s manor had sent for Zhang Shou early that morning was clearly well-trained and obedient, responding as though horse and rider shared one mind. At the same time, it looked magnificent, spirited, and every bit a fine steed.

Lu Sanlang’s horse, on the other hand…

Its head drooped low, utterly lifeless, as though silently protesting the crushing weight of its master.

Completely unaware of his father’s frustration, Lu Sanlang was instead filled with excitement.

Although the youngest son of Minister Lu was fairly well known among the capital’s nobility—once for his endless scandals, now mostly because of people’s astonishment at his transformation—he had never been qualified to enter the imperial palace, much less attend a solemn morning court.

So as they approached the Left Chang’an Gate of the Outer Imperial City, he couldn’t help looking around in every direction with unconcealed curiosity.

Ordinarily, Lu Wan would already have been scolding him nonstop.

Today, however, he forcibly suppressed the urge, wanting to see how Zhang Shou, as the boy’s teacher, would react.

Yet even after they dismounted, Zhang Shou never uttered a single word criticizing Lu Sanlang for acting like a country bumpkin seeing the capital for the first time.

Because Zhang Shou simply didn’t think it was embarrassing.

He himself had toured royal palaces and ancient castles in many countries in his previous life. The imperial palace before him inspired neither overwhelming awe nor curiosity.

As for Little Fatty?

This was his first visit.

What was wrong with letting him satisfy his curiosity?

While both father and teacher ignored Lu Sanlang’s behavior for their own reasons, someone else found it intolerable.

Just as Little Fatty’s feet touched solid ground, a voice rang out.

“This is the Left Chang’an Gate, not some marketplace or tavern. Since this is Young Master Lu’s first visit, shouldn’t he at least know to be cautious and keep his eyes straight ahead?”

Lu Sanlang immediately turned toward the speaker.

It was Vice Minister Zhao of the Ministry of War—the father of Zhao Ying, whom his own father had always used as the model son to compare him against.

His eyebrows shot up.

He very nearly sneered, “So you’re the father of that Young Master Zhao who’s foolish enough to make excuses for his own stupidity?”

Fortunately, Lu Sanlang still possessed enough sense.

With both his father and teacher standing before him, there was no place for him to speak.

Sure enough, Zhang Shou calmly answered first.

“In ancient times, when the Sage ascended Mount Dong, the State of Lu seemed small. When he climbed Mount Tai, the whole world seemed small.”

“Since this is Lu Sanlang’s first visit here, it is only natural that his heart should be stirred. Of course he wishes to carefully observe the heart of the empire, to see with his own eyes those distinguished statesmen whose words determine the fate of the realm, and broaden his horizons.”

“If excessive caution causes him to miss the chance to observe and learn, that would truly be regrettable.”

Vice Minister Zhao immediately let out a mocking laugh.

“Doctor Zhang is comparing his student to the Sage?”

Zhang Shou looked at him steadily before replying with a faint smile.

“Must one be a Sage before one may learn from the Sage’s broad vision?”

“Or does Vice Minister Zhao believe that the distinguished ministers before us—revered among the common people as stars in the heavens, each outstanding in either literature or military affairs—are not worthy of Lu Sanlang’s admiration and study?”

“Or…”

“…does Vice Minister Zhao merely believe that his own virtue and talent are too meager to deserve such admiration?”

Lu Wan had never expected Zhang Shou to argue so shamelessly.

It was the unmistakable attitude of:

I’m defending my student. So what?

Watching Vice Minister Zhao’s face darken from the rebuke, Lu Wan secretly felt delighted.

He had only ever used Zhao Ying to motivate Lu Sanlang.

He had never actually been close to Vice Minister Zhao.

Now that the man had spoken so harshly about his son, how could Lu Wan not be furious?

So he casually added, “Doctor Zhang, why waste words with someone who only knows how to cling rigidly to old conventions?”

“After all, when His Majesty first established the Hall of Nine Chapters, Vice Minister Zhao was among its strongest opponents.”

“And yet afterward, he secretly instructed that talented son of his—Zhao Ying—to take the entrance examination.”

“In the end…”

“…he failed the interview and returned empty-handed.”

“I’ve never quite understood what he was trying to accomplish.”

Lu Sanlang stared blankly.

He had thought his father wasn’t speaking up for him.

Who would have imagined…

When Lu Wan finally struck, his words were sharper than a knife.

One stab.

Straight through the heart.

Remembering what Zhang Shou had told him the previous night—that the marriage his father had arranged for him was actually with Vice Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works’ youngest daughter—Lu Sanlang suddenly felt, for the first time in his life, that the old man he usually found so annoying actually had a rather lovable side.

Vice Minister Zhao habitually boasted about his three sons.

His eldest was a jinshi.

His second had passed the provincial examination.

His youngest had ranked first in the county examination and eighth in the prefectural examination.

Compared to Lu Wan’s household—with one jinshi, one mere xiucai, and one former good-for-nothing son—his own family had always seemed far superior.

Thus, in the past, he had never feared confronting Minister Lu.

Whenever they disagreed, he pushed back without hesitation, determined not to let himself, as Vice Minister, be overshadowed.

Today, however…

He had been utterly crushed because of his own son.

And whose fault was that?

After Zhao Ying had narrowly missed first place in the Shuntian Prefecture Examination due to weaker mathematics, Vice Minister Zhao had thought it wise to let him study in the Hall of Nine Chapters.

Instead…

The boy hadn’t even passed the interview.

His face flushed crimson, Vice Minister Zhao was just about to argue further when two voices suddenly came from the front of the civil officials’ ranks.

The speakers were none other than two Grand Secretaries.

Grand Secretary Wu said, “A young man attending court for the first time may naturally make small mistakes. Since none are intentional, why overcorrect?”

Then Grand Secretary Kong added, “Everyone once had a day when their heart surged with excitement upon entering court.”

“Do not forget your own beginnings.”

Recognizing the two Grand Secretaries, Vice Minister Zhao swallowed his anger.

He wasn’t truly afraid of them.

Still, he wisely held his tongue.

After all, his youngest son’s examination paper was still under review at the Shuntian Prefecture Office. He had no desire for further complications.

Sure enough, shortly afterward, Prefect Wang Jie of Shuntian, Guozijian Chancellor Zhou Xun, and several others all greeted Zhang Shou warmly.

Even Lu Sanlang received words of praise.

Grinding his teeth inwardly, Vice Minister Zhao quietly made up his mind.

Since Zhang Shou is blind enough to value that fat Lu boy while rejecting my son Zhao Ying…

Then don’t blame me for being merciless.

No matter how much effort the Shuntian authorities had put into cleaning up last night’s incident, they could never keep the whole affair from him.

The fact that the Emperor had exceptionally allowed Lu Sanlang to attend morning court today already proved that the matter would certainly be discussed.

Neither Zhang Shou nor Lu Sanlang knew much about the etiquette of a regular morning court.

On the way, Lu Wan had explained only one principle.

“Just follow everyone else.”

Zhang Shou agreed.

From what he knew of the dynasty’s founding institutions, today’s audience at least wouldn’t require endless kneeling and kowtowing.

Indeed, the ceremony proved remarkably simple.

Since relatively few officials attended, they entered the Hall of Fengtian instead of standing outside in the vast palace square.

Sheltered from the wind and standing near the rear of the hall, Zhang Shou had plenty of room.

After joining the other officials in a formal bow, he quietly listened while sorting through his thoughts.

He had already guessed why he and Lu Sanlang had been summoned.

Almost certainly because of last night’s incident.

Yet he wasn’t nervous.

Not because he thought it insignificant—

But because, at this point, nervousness wouldn’t solve anything.

The regular court session was no empty ceremonial display.

It was where actual state affairs were discussed.

Every agenda item had been compiled the previous evening, so no unexpected topics would suddenly appear.

The first several matters concerned military campaigns and administration on the northern and southwestern frontiers.

Listening carefully, Zhang Shou learned that Duke Zhao’s campaign was progressing smoothly, and that some previously captured civilians and soldiers had even incited one of the northern tribes to rebel.

His mood immediately lightened.

The remaining large and small affairs became much easier to follow.

Throughout the proceedings, the Emperor spoke very little.

Most of the time, after ministers reached a conclusion, he merely responded with a single word.

“Approved.”

One matter followed another.

Nearly half an hour passed.

Then the Emperor finally spoke again.

“Today’s regular business is almost concluded.”

“However, there was one incident last night—not major, yet not insignificant either.”

“After much consideration, I have decided it should be discussed today.”

“Prefect Wang of Shuntian.”

“You may explain it to everyone.”

Wang Jie stepped forward expressionlessly.

He first glanced toward the Second Prince.

The prince kept his head lowered, but resentment still lingered plainly on his face.

Forget repentance.

He looked far more inclined to blame everyone else.

Suppressing a sigh, Wang Jie then looked at the Eldest Prince.

The eldest prince still wore the same imposing and dignified expression as always.

Once, Wang Jie had thought him every bit the appearance of a wise ruler.

Now…

He silently mocked that impression.

Gathering his thoughts, he began his report.

Although he had not personally witnessed the events on Chongwen Gate Avenue the previous night, the testimonies of constables and eyewitnesses allowed him to reconstruct the incident in full detail.

Even though the Shuntian authorities had never summoned Lu Sanlang himself for questioning, Wang Jie still reproduced Lu Sanlang’s rebuke of the Second Prince almost word for word.

The senior officials present had already learned the story through various channels.

As they listened, many quietly exchanged meaningful glances.

Before long, countless obvious and subtle gazes settled upon the Second Prince—the culprit of the affair.

Even the Eldest Prince was not spared.

After all…

His appearance at precisely that moment had been far too timely.

When Wang Jie finished recounting the events, he concluded calmly, “Before the eyes of the public, the Second Prince galloped recklessly through a crowded street. That is his first offense.”

“He insulted an innocent young woman without provocation. That is his second offense.”

“When Lu Zhu, Head Student of the Hall of Nine Chapters at the Imperial Academy, stepped forward out of a sense of justice, the Second Prince slandered him by alleging an improper relationship between the two. That is his third offense.”

“And had the Eldest Prince not intervened to stop him, the Second Prince would very nearly have ordered a public whipping in the street.”

“That is his fourth offense.”