APSIL -Chapter 180 Setting a Trap and Stirring Up Trouble Again

For the first time in his life, Lu Sanlang felt what it meant to be a filial son.

Though he said nothing, the gratitude overflowing in his heart was written all over his face.

As for Zhang Shou, when he saw Vice Minister Liu immediately step forward and voluntarily take responsibility, what had originally been a private meeting arranged by two young people had now become an openly acknowledged meeting approved by both families’ elders. Seeing Vice Minister Zhao’s face turn livid, as if preparing to retort, Zhang Shou calmly spoke first.

“With the marriage between the Lu and Liu families about to be finalized, one party leaves a jewelry shop with a few attendants and maidservants, while the other happens to be returning from a bookstore after buying books. The two merely exchange a glance on the street. Compared to the lovers in operas secretly meeting in back gardens or coincidentally encountering one another while offering incense at Buddhist or Daoist temples, isn’t this already far more proper and restrained? Or does Vice Minister Zhao believe that such a simple meeting was a trap deliberately laid for the Second Prince?”

Vice Minister Zhao had no intention of falling into Zhang Shou’s verbal snare.

The Second Prince, however, felt that he had finally found his opening.

“That’s right! It was a trap set for me!”

The moment he finished speaking, Zhang Shou rebuked him sharply.

“Utter nonsense! Second Prince, did either the Lu family or the Liu family know your whereabouts? Their marriage is a joyous occasion, yet you chose to slander both families in the middle of the street. What possible benefit would trapping you bring them? Besides…”

He let out a cold laugh.

“This is truly laughable. What ability do they have to set a trap for you? Do the Lu and Liu families have some grudge against you?”

The rapid succession of questions left the Second Prince completely speechless.

Meanwhile, the Eldest Prince noticed that Zhang Shou’s attacks were aimed solely at the Second Prince. Recalling how Zhang Shou had openly acknowledged that he had intervened to stop his younger brother, he instantly realized what he needed to say.

Taking several strides forward, the eldest imperial prince knelt heavily beneath the imperial steps, bowing low until his forehead nearly touched the ground.

“Father, just as Prefect Wang of Shuntian said, my second brother’s mistake may appear minor, but in truth it is a grave error! Yet not only does he refuse to repent, he even twists words and shifts blame—first onto me, then onto the Lu and Liu families. Such conduct shows a complete lack of responsibility!”

Earlier, he had already realized that the Emperor’s praise of Minister of War Lu Wan centered on Lu Wan’s willingness to take responsibility by publicly confirming the marriage before the entire court. Having grasped that point, the Eldest Prince deliberately built his entire argument around the word responsibility.

When he straightened his back, his face was filled with heartfelt anguish.

“Father, as the elder brother, it is my fault for failing to guide my younger brother properly. But I swear before Heaven that I never spread rumors before him. The Ministry of Rites’ selection of imperial consorts is an affair of the utmost secrecy. How could I possibly know anything about the candidate list? Furthermore, one should seek virtue in a wife. How could my second brother openly disdain a Vice Minister in public simply because he deems the man’s rank insufficiently noble?”

The more the Eldest Prince spoke, the more impassioned he became, his voice unconsciously rising.

“Vice Minister Liu rose step by step—from licentiate to provincial graduate to jinshi—through the examinations. He served diligently for many years before becoming Vice Minister of Works. Whether myself or my second brother, we stand in this court only because we were born into the imperial family. How dare we look down upon the talented men of the realm?”

The Second Prince’s eyes flashed.

Furious, he immediately shouted back.

“Who are you trying to fool with this act of being the perfect elder brother? Who was it that mocked Vice Minister Liu for being weak and incompetent back then?”

Even if you never actually said those words, I’m dragging you down with me!

The Eldest Prince had anticipated this move.

Without so much as furrowing his brow, he offered no further defense. Instead, he slowly bowed once more.

“It is because I, as the elder brother, failed to set a proper example. I willingly accept punishment.”

Watching from the side, Zhang Shou inwardly sighed.

If this man doesn’t compete for Best Actor, what a waste.

He glanced at Vice Minister Liu. The latter’s expression remained cold and stern, showing not the slightest trace of gratitude for the Eldest Prince’s defense.

Looking around at the other officials, their expressions were equally subtle. Only a handful appeared genuinely moved, though what they truly thought remained anyone’s guess.

The Second Prince had already blurted out that it was the Eldest Prince who leaked the information about the candidates for prince consort.

Even if he hadn’t, how many officials attending court were fools?

Who couldn’t see that this affair was merely another round in the struggle between two imperial princes?

Had the Eldest Prince managed to restrain himself after instigating matters instead of conveniently appearing at the scene as though he had just happened to scare everyone away, perhaps those words might actually have deceived someone.

The Crown… no, the Eldest Prince thinks the ministers of this court are far too naïve.

Just as Zhang Shou was thinking this, he suddenly noticed Lu Sanlang fidgeting restlessly while kneeling. His movements were small enough that, with everyone’s attention fixed on the two princes, few noticed his breach of decorum.

There was, however, one exception.

Vice Minister Zhao of the Ministry of War had been glaring at Lu Sanlang the entire time, occasionally casting cold, venomous looks his way.

Seeing that gaze never leave Lu Sanlang, Zhang Shou immediately understood.

The Zhao Ying whom he had eliminated during the examination—and who had afterward been thoroughly ridiculed by Lu Sanlang—was precisely why Vice Minister Zhao bore such hostility toward both teacher and student.

Sure enough, before the two princes could resume their quarrel, Vice Minister Zhao suddenly spoke in a deep voice.

“Even if, as Doctor Zhang claims, the Lu and Liu families had no intention of framing anyone, that still is no reason for His Majesty to bestow calligraphy upon them. Otherwise, in the future every official in the empire could bring the marriage affairs of their children into the Hall of Fengtian for discussion. What sort of precedent would that set?”

Growing increasingly agitated, he shot a contemptuous glance at Lu Wan and Lu Sanlang before fixing Zhang Shou with a provocative stare and saying with a thin smile, “Besides, even if Minister Lu’s youngest son truly possesses some talent in mathematics, he has hardly, like his teacher Doctor Zhang, repeatedly captured rebels, cracked secret codes, and rendered achievements that no one could dispute.”

As he spoke, Vice Minister Zhao slowly swept his gaze across the hall.

The implication was unmistakable.

I’ve created such a perfect opportunity for all of you. Those who have long wanted to target Duke Zhao Zhu Jing, and those dissatisfied with Zhang Shou’s meteoric rise—why aren’t you joining in?

Just as Vice Minister Zhao had hoped, with a dignified Vice Minister of War personally taking the lead, all but the highest-ranking officials—the Grand Secretaries and Ministers—remained calmly watching the spectacle.

The rest began to stir.

Several officials immediately stepped forward, unanimously echoing Zhao’s words, insisting that Lu Sanlang possessed neither distinguished achievements nor prestigious credentials and therefore was unworthy of receiving the extraordinary honor of an imperial courtesy name.

Among those attending court that day was Guozijian Chancellor Zhou Xun.

He couldn’t help glancing at the composed Zhang Shou, vaguely recalling having once heard of a remarkably similar scene.

Unfortunately, he hadn’t witnessed it himself and could no longer remember exactly when it had happened.

Others had forgotten.

Zhang Shou, however, instantly felt a powerful sense of déjà vu.

It reminded him of the literary gathering at Moonlight Tower.

Back then, hadn’t that famous compiler of eight-legged essay anthologies loudly proclaimed that Zhang Shou lacked official rank and family background, yet dared to overwhelm a hall full of respected seniors with only half an essay?

Wasn’t that the very definition of arrogance?

Seeing Lu Sanlang’s face flush crimson, clearly on the verge of exploding, Zhang Shou smiled faintly.

“His Majesty bestowing courtesy names upon newlyweds is hardly unprecedented. It is neither a promotion nor the granting of a noble title. Yet all of you repeatedly oppose it, even going so far as to belittle Lu Sanlang at every turn. Is it because you simply cannot bear to see a wastrel whom you’ve always looked down upon suddenly earn His Majesty’s praise and favor?”

The moment those words left his mouth, many of the officials who had just been arguing so passionately became furious.

You handsome-looking Doctor Zhang truly have a poisonous tongue!

Who enjoys targeting Lu Sanlang, that infamous playboy?

Even if he’s turned over a new leaf, he hasn’t even entered official service yet! We’re officials of at least the fifth or sixth rank. Why would we waste our breath on him?

And as for you, Zhang Shou—you wouldn’t deserve our attention either if you weren’t Duke Zhao Zhu Jing’s future son-in-law and Grand Tutor Ge’s final disciple!

Before anyone could answer, however, Zhang Shou strode forward, pulled up Lu Sanlang—whose knees had clearly reached their limit—and dragged the bewildered fat youth around for everyone to see.

“One should never judge a person by appearances, just as one cannot measure the sea with a bucket. Lu Sanlang may indeed be stout, and he truly was neglectful of his studies in the past, but recognizing one’s mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue…”

After first clearing Lu Sanlang’s name, Zhang Shou launched into an endless stream of praise regarding his student’s outstanding performance since classes resumed at the Hall of Nine Chapters.

He placed particular emphasis on Lu Sanlang’s exemplary leadership as dormitory head, especially his diligence in teaching on behalf of the instructors and supervising his fellow students.

The officials were utterly dumbfounded.

Never had they imagined that, during an imperial court session, someone would openly lavish praise upon his own student.

Even Lu Wan, listening to all these glowing compliments, couldn’t help wondering whether the Zhang Shou before him was describing the same youngest son he knew.

Leading by example. Humble and open-minded. Helpful to others. Fearless in the face of hardship…

Could such words really describe Lu Zhu?

The Emperor, meanwhile, thoughtfully stroked his chin.

Watching Zhang Shou play every bit the devoted teacher defending his disciple, and seeing Lu Sanlang transform from utter bewilderment, to tearful gratitude, and finally to standing proudly with his head held high, he remembered the other side hidden beneath the gentle and honest exterior of the handsome young man whom Zhu Ying had taken a liking to.

The corners of his lips slowly curved upward.

He quietly waited for someone to become so enraged by Zhang Shou’s speech that they would lose their composure.

Sure enough, in the past Zhang Shou had always shielded himself by invoking my teacher, leaving others with no easy way to attack him.

Today, however, he was so openly championing Lu Sanlang that someone finally snapped.

The first official to answer Vice Minister Zhao’s call to attack was Section Chief Chen from the Ministry of Personnel.

Unable to restrain himself, he sneered, “Doctor Zhang has so many students from humble backgrounds in the Hall of Nine Chapters. Are you saying none of them can compare to the former playboy of the Lu family?”

“That’s right.”

Zhang Shou answered calmly.

“Aside from Qi Liang, whom I’ve personally taught since childhood, none of the others can compare to him.”

Seeing Chen’s face fill with shock and disbelief—as though wondering whether Zhang Shou had lost his mind—Zhang Shou chuckled.

“You may visit the Hall of Nine Chapters and ask for yourself. After five days, who still refuses to acknowledge Dormitory Head Lu? His position wasn’t won through family influence. Whether by virtue or by ability, Lu Zhu earned it fairly.”

Now genuinely angered beyond reason, Section Chief Chen’s eyebrows shot upward.

In a stern voice, he demanded, “Since Doctor Zhang insists on praising his own wares like Old Lady Wang selling melons, then allow me to ask one question. That locked cipher box entrusted by the Bureau of Military Equipment to your Hall of Nine Chapters—have you and your precious Dormitory Head Lu managed to open it yet?”