APSIL -Chapter 179 A Head-On Confrontation

The Second Prince truly was afraid of Wang Jie.

Not because the Prefect of Shuntian had always been on friendly terms with Zhang Shou and Lu Sanlang as teacher and student, and would deliberately pin false accusations on him. On the contrary, Wang “Big Head,” famed for his iron-faced impartiality, was the last person who would ever do such a thing.

What the prince feared was Wang Jie’s uncompromising nature. Right was right, wrong was wrong. Every mistake would be laid out one by one, each offense clearly defined and judged.

So although Wang Jie had exposed all of his misconduct, he had carefully classified it as misconduct, not crime.

The Second Prince instantly felt as though a mountain had been lifted off his shoulders. Dropping to his knees, he spoke with utmost sincerity.

“Father, your son knows he was wrong.”

Behind Zhang Shou, Lu Sanlang immediately burned with resentment.

After causing such an uproar throughout the capital, Wang Datou was simply going to let the matter pass? Making a great show of raising the hammer only to tap it lightly?

Since he’d already thoroughly offended the Second Prince anyway, the little fat fellow drew a deep breath and prepared to take the most important step of the day.

Yet before he could move, Zhang Shou turned his head toward him.

Though the young teacher said nothing, after studying mathematics under him for so long, Lu Sanlang instantly understood the silent warning. He obediently remained where he was.

Sure enough, before the Second Prince’s apology received any response, Wang Jie spoke again.

“‘Knowing one’s mistake’—are those words not rather too lightly spoken? Since the founding of our dynasty, the Taizu Emperor decreed that when a prince breaks the law, he is punished the same as a commoner. Later, both Emperor Yingzong and Emperor Ruizong deeply detested members of the imperial clan acting lawlessly while escaping punishment. They repeatedly issued edicts ordering strict investigations into crimes committed by imperial relatives. What happened last night has already become the talk of the entire capital. Do you know how the officials and common people throughout the realm will regard the court’s laws? Previously, your actions were merely misconduct. But because of this alone, they have become a crime of the gravest kind.”

The Second Prince never imagined Wang Datou’s trap had been waiting for him here.

Still kneeling with his forehead nearly touching the floor, hatred surged through him.

But even knowing he was in serious trouble, he refused to surrender.

Immediately straightening up, he shouted loudly, “Father! It is true that I lost my virtue while drunk—but Lu Zhu did it on purpose! He deliberately shouted to ruin my reputation!”

This time, Lu Sanlang could no longer restrain himself.

Yet once again, someone beat him to it.

He saw Zhang Shou move.

Taking a single step forward, Zhang Shou emerged from the ranks.

“Your Majesty, if every person who loses his virtue while drunk may blame others for damaging his reputation, then perhaps the Great Ming Code should include another clause declaring that all acts committed while intoxicated are exempt from punishment—whether theft, murder, or even treason?”

A chill shot straight through the Second Prince’s spine.

Instinctively he turned toward the speaker, glaring furiously.

There stood Zhang Shou at the rear of the hall, his expression icy.

The prince opened his mouth to retort.

But Zhang Shou spoke again before he could.

“Your Highness claims Lu Zhu loudly ruined your reputation. May I ask, how many men did you have with you at the time? How many did Lu Zhu have? And how many attendants accompanied Miss Liu—the innocent young lady whose reputation you were destroying? If Lu Zhu had not shouted loudly enough to draw attention, would you have had any reason to fear harming the innocent? I distinctly remember him saying that had the Eldest Prince not stepped in to stop you, your whip would already have landed on them.”

As he spoke, Zhang Shou walked steadily forward.

Passing the rows occupied by fourth- and fifth-rank officials, he stopped directly before the Second Prince.

“Furthermore, I find something rather curious. When ordinary families arrange marriages, they still require their parents’ approval and a matchmaker’s proposal. Your Highness is an imperial prince. If your marriage were truly approaching, protocol dictates that the Ministry of Rites would first conduct the selection before Your Majesty made the final decision. So where exactly did your information come from? And why were you so certain it was true?”

Though the questioning was sharp and relentless, the Second Prince suddenly felt as though he had seized a lifeline.

His eyes lit up.

Leaping to his feet, he pointed angrily at the Eldest Prince.

“Where did I hear it? From my elder brother! He deliberately got me drunk and then filled my head with misleading hints. Otherwise, even if I lost control while intoxicated, why would I have acted so foolishly?”

People swollen with self-importance really were the easiest to provoke.

Zhang Shou almost burst into laughter.

Especially when he saw the Eldest Prince—who had until now acted as though the matter had nothing to do with him—turn beet red like a pig’s liver, trembling with rage.

Suppressing his amusement, Zhang Shou frowned slightly.

Ignoring the brothers now glaring daggers at each other, he bowed deeply toward the emperor.

“Your Majesty, as Prefect Wang has said, viewed narrowly, last night’s events amount merely to the Second Prince’s misconduct while intoxicated. But viewed broadly, the matter concerns not merely the reputations of two families. It concerns the honor painstakingly built by our imperial ancestors and the respect and reverence the people hold toward the imperial house. For that reason, last night, at my student Lu Zhu’s request, I visited the Lu residence and discussed his marriage with Minister Lu.”

Outside the palace gates, Zhang Shou had already spoken first to defend Lu Sanlang.

Now, in the Hall of Supreme Harmony during court, he had once again stepped forward before anyone else.

At that moment, Minister of War Lu Wan suddenly felt a profound sense of crisis.

No matter how disappointing my son may be, he’s still my son.

But at this rate… one day Lu Zhu might end up calling Zhang Shou “Father.”

Lu Wan had never believed the self-important Second Prince had any hope of becoming Crown Prince.

Otherwise, the previous night, he would never have calmly agreed to the marriage under the combined persuasion of Zhang Shou and Lu Sanlang.

Without hesitation, he stepped forward.

“Your Majesty, I dare not utter falsehoods before the throne. For the past several days, I have already been discussing a marriage alliance with Vice Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works. I intended to betroth my son Lu Zhu to Vice Minister Liu’s youngest daughter. We had originally planned to deliver the betrothal gifts today. My wife even caused quite a scene at home because I had kept the identity of my future daughter-in-law from her and never consulted her. Everyone in my household knows of this.”

Ignoring the astonished gazes around him, Lu Wan bowed deeply.

“Therefore, Minister Zhang and I have already agreed that after court today, we shall go together to Vice Minister Liu’s residence to formally conclude the engagement.”

Although he had received Lu Wan’s handwritten letter by urgent courier the previous night, Vice Minister Liu—already overwhelmed himself—had remained somewhat uneasy.

Especially after hearing the Second Prince continue speaking such outrageous nonsense before the entire court.

He had been so furious he almost forgot all etiquette and wanted to beat the shameless scoundrel who had slandered his beloved daughter.

Now, however, his heart finally settled.

Not only that—

He suddenly felt that the Lu family, whom he had previously regarded with some suspicion, was unexpectedly dependable.

After all, who would continue with an engagement after hearing rumors that the emperor might choose the girl for the imperial family?

As for his future son-in-law’s teacher…

Though young, Zhang Shou was equally trustworthy.

No wonder Duke Zhao, Zhu Jing, had chosen him as his future son-in-law.

Stepping forward without hesitation, Vice Minister Liu declared loudly, “Your Majesty, rumors have already spread throughout the capital. If my daughter were not strong-willed, she might well have taken her own life already. I boldly ask that Your Majesty bear witness today to the marriage alliance between my family and Minister Lu’s. Let the entire realm know that everything the Second Prince previously claimed was utterly false.”

The Eldest Prince had only just been bitten by his younger brother’s accusations and was still burning with humiliation and anger.

But seeing both the Lu and Liu families publicly declare their positions, he immediately realized the situation could still be turned around.

Without delay, he called out, “Father! My second brother’s words are utterly ridiculous. How could I possibly know anything about the marriages of imperial princes and princesses? The union between Minister Lu’s family and Vice Minister Liu’s is clearly a match made in heaven.”

A match made in heaven?

The Second Prince nearly exploded with rage.

If this marriage truly succeeded, how could he ever show his face again?

The more he thought about it, the more convinced he became that Lu Sanlang and Liu Qing had deliberately set a trap for him.

Before he could speak again, however, the emperor chuckled from the dragon throne.

“I truly didn’t expect Minister Lu to move so quickly. What is this? Trying to steal my daughter-in-law? Though I suppose it cannot be called stealing—I have never heard from the Ministry of Rites that any candidate had been chosen.”

Pausing briefly, the emperor smiled.

“You did not abandon your original intentions simply because of idle rumors circulating outside. That sense of responsibility deserves praise. Since both your families have brought up the matter before today’s court, I shall serve as witness.”

After another brief pause, he added casually, “Later, I shall personally bestow a piece of calligraphy upon the newlyweds.”

The moment those words were spoken, both Lu Wan and Vice Minister Liu were overwhelmed with joy.

Even Lu Sanlang was ecstatic.

He nearly pinched himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming.

Among noble families, receiving a few bolts of imperial silk from the palace as a wedding gift was already considered an extraordinary honor.

Fine jewelry or auspicious ornaments signified exceptional imperial favor.

A youngest son like himself would never normally receive such treatment.

Yet now…

The emperor had personally promised to write calligraphy for the couple.

That was the sort of distinction reserved for someone like Zhu Ying, the treasured daughter who came and went through the palace as though it were her own home.

Although the emperor had not called his name directly, seeing both his father and future father-in-law kneel, Lu Sanlang hurriedly waddled forward to express his gratitude.

Just as his knees touched the floor, an untimely voice rang out.

“Your Majesty, with respect, I believe this is inappropriate. Minister Lu and Vice Minister Liu are indeed pillars of the state. But what benefit do their children bring the nation that warrants Your Majesty’s personal calligraphy? Furthermore, if the two families had already arranged an engagement, is it not rather too much of a coincidence that Lu Zhu and Miss Liu happened to meet on the street?”

Zhang Shou immediately recognized the speaker.

It was Vice Minister Zhao of the Ministry of War.

He was not surprised someone had raised the issue.

The coincidence really was too great.

Had it truly been nothing more than chance, he would never have sent Zhu Ying into the palace the previous night to explain the entire matter to both the emperor and the empress dowager.

Nor would he have revealed everything to Lu Wan.

Without changing expression, Zhang Shou glanced sideways at Lu Wan.

Sure enough, the Minister of War once again demonstrated his willingness to shoulder responsibility.

“Your Majesty, Vice Minister Zhao is correct. It was indeed no coincidence. When noble families in the capital arrange marriages, they often send relatives beforehand to observe the prospective bride or groom. I feared my son, being excessively overweight, might fail to make a favorable impression and force the Liu family into an unwilling marriage. So I informed Vice Minister Liu beforehand. My son has been studying at the Imperial Academy these days and only has evenings free. Thus I arranged for the young pair to meet briefly at night.”

Lu Sanlang felt that today his father had completely overturned every impression he had ever held of him.

All the resentment accumulated over so many years vanished into thin air.

Forget however many times his father had beaten or scolded him in the past.

For this one day alone—

He swore that from now on, he would be a truly filial son.