APSIL -Chapter 183 Justice and Family Education

Until the court session ended that day, the Emperor never mentioned Vice Minister Zhao again, much less Chen, the Ministry of Personnel Section Chief who had dramatically thrown down his official hat in court.

Yet every official filing out of Fengtian Hall understood the situation perfectly.

Vice Minister Zhao of the Ministry of War might merely have fallen out of imperial favor, leaving his future hanging by a thread. But Chen—a mere sixth-rank Section Chief in the Ministry of Personnel—was truly finished.

Who could blame anyone but himself?

Unable to endure a few sharp words, and lacking the thick skin expected of an official, he had actually thrown away his black official hat in open court.

As everyone reflected on the twists and turns of that morning’s audience, only a handful noticed that the First Prince and Second Prince—who should have been the central figures—had somehow faded into the background by the end.

The Emperor had seemingly forgotten them altogether.

He had not even mentioned how the Second Prince would be punished.

Instead, nearly everyone’s attention had settled upon Zhang Shou and his disciple, Lu Sanlang.

No one had expected the marriage of the once-notorious chubby young wastrel to receive such extraordinary attention from the Emperor.

No one had expected Zhang Shou to casually open that chest which had remained sealed for decades before the eyes of the entire court.

And no one had imagined that the Emperor would then bestow the relic inside—the personal keepsake of the Founding Emperor—upon him.

The sheer envy it inspired was enough to drive people mad.

Completely ignoring the countless strange looks directed their way, Zhang Shou chatted cheerfully with Vice Minister Liu and Lu Wan.

As for Lu Sanlang…

The younger generation’s representative obediently followed behind, pricking up his ears to eavesdrop on their conversation while simultaneously keeping watch to make sure no one else was eavesdropping on them.

In the end, Lu Wan decided that to avoid any unforeseen complications, they should return home immediately and deliver the betrothal gifts today.

Vice Minister Liu naturally agreed wholeheartedly.

“I’ll return to the Ministry of Works first to ask for leave.”

With that, he hurried away.

The moment his future in-law left, over half the smile vanished from Lu Wan’s face.

Outside the Left Gate of Chang’an, waiting for them was not the mount they had ridden to court but a carriage bearing the Lu family’s insignia.

As they boarded, Lu Wan saw Lu Sanlang happily following right behind Zhang Shou and climbing aboard as well.

Instantly annoyed, he barked, “If you’ve got something to say, then say it! Do you think Fengtian Hall is the Imperial Academy?”

Lu Sanlang’s habitual rebellious streak surfaced immediately.

Lifting his chin proudly, he replied, “Was I wrong? That Vice Minister Zhao doesn’t know a damn thing about mathematics, yet he still wanted to interfere with Jiuzhang Hall. Who does he think he is? His son is an idiot who makes excuses for being stupid, and he’s exactly the same. He’s just jealous that you’ve got such an outstanding son like me!”

Seeing Lu Wan’s face cycling through every imaginable expression, Zhang Shou couldn’t help laughing.

“Lu Zhu, why are you blurting out such inconvenient truths?”

He grinned.

“Your father already defended you so fiercely in front of everyone today. What? Are you expecting him to praise you to the heavens the way Vice Minister Zhao used to shamelessly brag about his own son? Is that what would make you happy?”

Lu Sanlang was just about to say What’s wrong with that? when he caught sight of his father’s increasingly dangerous expression.

Remembering that his engagement was about to be finalized, he wisely shut his mouth.

Lowering his head, he folded his hands obediently and sat down.

The next moment, Lu Wan snorted coldly.

“Hmph. If luck hadn’t been on your side, and you hadn’t followed Doctor Zhang in opening that chest, do you think today’s court session would’ve ended so easily for you?”

He glared at his son.

“From now on, keep your eyes open. Remember who you can provoke—and who you absolutely cannot. And if you really do provoke someone…”

He paused before squeezing out a sentence through clenched teeth.

“…then eliminate them completely.”

Lu Sanlang looked up in surprise.

Zhang Shou, however, smiling as always, asked, “Then why didn’t Minister Lu eliminate the Duke of Zhao completely back then?”

The next time I lecture my son, I absolutely cannot do it in front of Zhang Shou…

Lu Wan thought bitterly.

This fellow looked every bit the refined gentleman, yet he always found the tiniest opening and stabbed straight through the heart.

After suppressing his embarrassment and irritation with great effort, Lu Wan answered instead of dodging the question as he had done at Ge Yong’s residence.

“The official world has never been a place where friend and foe are easily distinguished. There are enemies who look like friends, friends who look like enemies, and countless people who are neither. What I did back then… was mostly for appearances.”

After all, even Grand Scholar Kong of the Grand Secretariat—his own powerful backer—had already been forced to retreat.

If he had continued relentlessly attacking Duke Zhao, Zhu Jing, wouldn’t he simply have been courting death?

Indeed, that was one reason he had deliberately chosen Vice Minister Liu’s daughter for his youngest son.

Liu, after all, had always maintained a good relationship with Zhu Jing.

Satisfied with the answer, Zhang Shou let the matter drop.

Even Lu Sanlang, who looked eager to keep pressing his father, was silenced by a glance from his teacher.

For the rest of the journey, Zhang Shou and Lu Wan seriously discussed the procedures and arrangements for presenting the betrothal gifts at the Liu residence.

As for the groom himself…

Well…

In this era, younger people getting married had essentially no human rights.

Had it not been for someone as warmhearted as Zhu Ying, Lu Sanlang would simply have waited for an arranged marriage without ever seeing his bride beforehand.

Not only was Lu Sanlang forbidden from accompanying them to the Liu residence—

He was kicked out of the carriage halfway there by the combined efforts of Lu Wan and Zhang Shou.

Zhang Shou instructed a servant to ride to the Imperial Academy and spread the news of what had happened in Fengtian Hall that day.

He also told him to announce the Emperor’s rewards in advance.

Meanwhile, Lu Wan said with mixed emotions, “You keep calling yourself the Hall Leader. Then remember to act like one.”

“Don’t worry, Teacher.”

In front of outsiders, Lu Sanlang had no trouble calling him Teacher.

Then, noticing Zhang Shou glaring at him, he quickly flashed a cheeky grin.

“And don’t worry either, Father. Everyone knows your son has turned over a new leaf. A prodigal who reforms is worth more than gold!”

Watching him run off at top speed, Lu Wan slowly lowered the hand he’d raised to smack him.

Still…

He couldn’t quite shake the frustration.

Returning home with Zhang Shou, Lu Wan first sent someone to inform his wife of the good news.

Then he ordered the steward to bring out the prepared betrothal gift.

Unsurprisingly…

It was a lively, snow-white goose.

Why not a live wild goose?

The reason was simple.

The Founding Emperor had decreed that wild geese were noble birds. Capturing them alive often injured them, and generations of custom had already greatly reduced their numbers.

He therefore ordered that everyone—from imperial princes and nobles to civil and military officials alike—must use white geese instead of wild geese as betrothal gifts.

It had become one of the classic examples of his reforms to improve social customs.

Normally, a father needn’t personally appear for the betrothal ceremony.

But this marriage proposal had already become the talk of Fengtian Hall itself.

Moreover, Lu Wan wished to demonstrate his sincerity.

Naturally, the Minister of War went in person—and dragged Zhang Shou along with him.

Even Lady Zhen, who had still been bedridden the previous day, nearly insisted on accompanying them to meet her future in-laws.

Fortunately, Lu Wan had heard from Vice Minister Liu that his wife was somewhat carefree by nature.

He firmly insisted that Lady Zhen remain home and recover.

Only after arriving at the Liu residence, completing all the formalities, and finally being invited by Vice Minister Liu into the study for tea did Lu Wan become especially grateful that his wife had stayed behind.

“My wife suddenly fell ill,” Vice Minister Liu explained.

“So my daughter is attending to her. Once she’s free, she’ll certainly come pay her respects to the two of you.”

Vice Minister Liu was one of the strongest supporters of the Founding Emperor’s various ancestral teachings.

He saw nothing improper about having his daughter meet her future father-in-law and her future teacher.

After personally pouring tea for both guests, he carefully asked, “The Emperor made no mention today of the Second Prince. Minister Lu… Doctor Zhang… What do you think the final outcome of this affair will be?”

How should I know?

I’ve already experienced the Emperor’s unpredictable temperament several times…

Zhang Shou silently complained.

After thinking for a moment, he answered cautiously, “Most likely… a formal reprimand, followed by confinement?”

After all, neither the First Prince nor the Second Prince had yet been granted a princely title.

There was no rank to strip from him.

Personally, Zhang Shou rather hoped the Emperor would at least order a beating.

Though…

Who knew whether the imperial family even had such punishments?

Lu Wan, meanwhile, answered calmly, “The Second Prince already ranks behind the First Prince by birth. Combined with his impulsive temper, His Majesty will surely teach him a profound lesson this time. He doesn’t currently oversee any official duties. Brother Liu needn’t worry about offending him.”

Vice Minister Liu’s brows shot upward.

“He insulted the reputations of both our families! I don’t care if I offend him! What I fear is that His Majesty’s punishment won’t be severe enough, and he’ll return to his old ways. Even if I have to resign my office, I’ll seek justice for my daughter!”

Seeing Vice Minister Liu determined to pursue the matter to the bitter end, Lu Wan fell into thought.

Then he suddenly glanced sideways at Zhang Shou.

“That depends on whether Doctor Zhang is willing to ask Miss Zhu to intervene.”

“The Emperor is wise and discerning.”

Zhang Shou refused to mention that Zhu Ying had already entered the palace the previous night.

“Yingying is only a junior. How could she possibly influence His Majesty? Besides, we already spoke quite harshly in Fengtian Hall today. If His Majesty truly intended to smooth things over, he would never have exposed the entire matter publicly. That alone shows he sees everything clearly. He will certainly give the Lu and Liu families justice.”

Vice Minister Liu nodded repeatedly.

Lu Wan’s eyes flickered as he laughed the matter away.

Just then, someone knocked softly on the study door.

“Master,” came the servant’s voice.

“Miss Zhu has arrived. She originally came to visit Fourth Miss, but after hearing that Minister Lu and Doctor Zhang were here delivering the betrothal gifts, she asked to see Doctor Zhang.”

Both Lu Wan and Vice Minister Liu immediately turned to stare at Zhang Shou.

Completely unruffled, Zhang Shou calmly took another sip of tea before smiling.

“Speak of Cao Cao, and Cao Cao arrives.”

“I’ll go see Yingying.”

Watching Zhang Shou rise and leave so openly, showing not the slightest concern about propriety between an engaged couple, Vice Minister Liu remembered what his daughter had told him about the previous night’s “chance encounter.”

His expression became rather peculiar.

Once Zhang Shou had left, he turned toward Lu Wan.

“Brother Lu…Did your Third Son tell you what really happened during that street encounter last night?”

Lu Wan immediately understood.

The Liu family’s youngest daughter had clearly confessed everything as well.

He could only cough awkwardly.

“That boy told me the entire story. The youngsters were simply inexperienced. Miss Zhu meant well. I hope Brother Liu won’t take offense.”

Upon hearing that Lu Sanlang had also confessed honestly, the last trace of awkwardness vanished from Vice Minister Liu’s heart.

Laughing loudly, he waved his hand.

“Not at all! They didn’t know our families were already discussing marriage. They merely tried arranging a meeting on their own. It’s not as though they secretly pledged themselves to one another. They only exchanged a glance on the street. How could that possibly be a crime? If anything…It was fate.”

Hearing his future in-law repeat the same explanation he had used in Fengtian Hall—that the elders had arranged the meeting—Lu Wan finally felt the last weight lift from his heart.

Smiling broadly, he raised his teacup.

“In that case, I’ll substitute tea for wine. My thanks, Brother Liu.”

“Not at all! I should be thanking you instead. Your Third Son stepped forward to defend what was right. What an admirable young man! Brother Lu, your family education is truly excellent.”

Caught completely off guard by the compliment, Lu Wan nearly choked on the mouthful of tea he had just swallowed.

Inside, he could only laugh bitterly.

My family education?

Was Lu Zhu really raised so well because of my teaching?

That fat little rascal…

To this day, I still have no idea how Zhang Shou managed to turn him into the person he is now.