AUBTN -Chapter 360 The Chancellor’s Visit

“It no longer matters whether it was the Emperor’s intention. What matters is that rumors of the Lu family’s growing power have already spread throughout the court.”

The Chancellor of the State Lu Xiang shook his head, a flash of determination crossing his clouded eyes.

“This world will ultimately belong to you young people. Though His Majesty has not made anything explicit yet, the blade is already hanging over our heads. Rather than waiting for suspicion to grow and for divine wrath to fall, I might as well resign from office first and retire from court.”

“Chancellor!” Shen Jue stepped forward abruptly, utterly shaken.

Resign?

Lu Zhixing had spent most of his life struggling in the court, only barely reaching the position beneath one person and above ten thousand. How could he possibly be willing to give it all up?

A sudden sense of indescribable frustration rose in Shen Jue’s heart.

He had always prided himself on being deeply scheming and flawlessly calculating—but in the end, he had underestimated the young Emperor.

He had failed to detect the Emperor’s intent to strip away power.

“Chancellor, do not act rashly. Things may not have reached this point. The Prince has said he will certainly rescue Lu Yan!”

Shen Jue said firmly, his tone leaving no room for doubt.

But Lu Xiang only looked at him gently, as if regarding a stubborn junior, and slowly shook his head.

“The Prince’s goodwill is appreciated. But Your Highness must understand—this time, only one of us can be saved: me, or Yan.”

Only one.

“If His Majesty hesitates, Your Highness should simply abandon me.”

Those words struck Shen Jue like a heavy hammer to the chest.

“Chancellor… are you saying you want me to trade you for Lu Yan?”

Lu Xiang remained silent—but his meaning was already unmistakable.

He looked at the Chancellor, who seemed to have aged ten years in an instant, as if he were sacrificing his entire political life just to ease the Emperor’s suspicion.

All in order to pave a smoother path for Lu Yan.

Shen Jue felt his throat tighten. After a long silence, he finally nodded solemnly.

“I understand. I will convey your intention.”

The atmosphere in the study grew suffocating.

After a moment, Lu Xiang suddenly changed the subject, urgency creeping into his voice.

“By the way, I heard that Miss Qing is seriously ill?”

“You need not worry, she is fine,” Shen Jue replied, his expression softening slightly.

“The imperial physicians have already examined her and prescribed medicine to clear fever and relieve emotional stagnation. My wife is staying by her side in Wutong Courtyard without leaving even a step.”

Lu Xiang paused slightly, then let out a relieved smile.

“That’s good… that’s good.”

He sighed deeply.

“Before, I looked down on that girl greatly. I thought she was too noisy, too impulsive, lacking any proper demeanor of a noble lady—completely unworthy of Yan.”

But now, he gave a bitter smile.

“After everything that has happened, I finally understand.”

Shen Jue’s lips curled into a faint smile.

“Yan may seem cold and rigid, acting decisively and ruthlessly—but in truth, he has firm principles and would rather break than bend.”

Tears welled in Lu Xiang’s eyes.

“He is too lonely… too tightly wound. In this world, only that girl’s vibrant, lively energy can hold him back. Only she can bring a touch of human warmth into his life.”

Lu Xiang stepped back and bowed deeply to Shen Jue.

“Your Highness, I ask for nothing else. Only that you, for my sake, ensure that girl’s safety.”

Shen Jue immediately reached out to support his arm, his gaze sharp yet solemn.

“Rest assured, Chancellor. As long as I, Shen Jue, live, they will remain safe in this manor for as long as I breathe.”

After sending Lu Xiang off, Shen Jue stood alone in the empty study.

The candle on the desk crackled softly, bursting into a small flicker of flame.

He stood silently, the scene of Chancellor Lu’s departing figure—resolute yet filled with paternal warmth—replaying endlessly in his mind.

“When parents love their children, they plan for their future in far-reaching ways.”

Shen Jue murmured softly, a bitter, self-mocking smile curling at the corner of his lips.

He had once carried a sea of blood-feuds and walked alone in darkness for far too long. He had long forgotten that such pure familial affection still existed in this world.

Lu Zhixing had been willing to abandon overwhelming power for his son, while he himself could only continue to be the “living Yama” in this treacherous and ever-changing court.

At the same time, he finally understood the young emperor’s determination to establish a cabinet. The boy who once depended on his wings had finally, in a place he could no longer see, grown sharp fangs of his own.

He had learned the art of imperial balance.

A cold wind swept through, snapping Shen Jue back to reality.

He took a deep breath and forcibly suppressed the tangled schemes and calculations weighing on his mind.

Yu Qing had collapsed—she must be terrified right now.

Shen Jue grabbed his cloak, threw it over his shoulders, and pushed open the study doors, striding quickly toward the direction of Wutong Courtyard.

Inside Wutong Courtyard, the scent of medicine mixed with a bitter heaviness filled the inner chamber.

On the bed, Yu Qing lay with her eyes tightly shut. Even in sleep, her brows remained deeply furrowed.

Fine beads of cold sweat kept forming on her forehead, and she occasionally muttered incoherently.

Su Hewan sat by the bedside, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead with a warm cloth.

“Damn eunuch… give me back Lu Yan…”

Hearing Yu Qing’s gritted sleep-talking, Su Hewan let out a helpless sigh.

Suddenly, faint footsteps came from outside the door.

The personal maid Puyu lifted the curtain carefully and entered.

“Princess Consort, the Master has arrived. He is waiting in the courtyard.”

Su Hewan’s hand paused slightly.

She placed the cloth back into the basin, stood up, carefully tucked the blanket around Yu Qing, then turned to instruct Puyu in a low voice:

“I understand. Stay here and watch over the Princess Consort. If she shows any signs of fever, come find me immediately.”

“Yes, my lady.”

Su Hewan stepped out of the inner chamber. The cold autumn night wind brushed against her face, scattering the heavy medicinal scent clinging to her clothes.

She looked up—and immediately saw the man standing in the center of the courtyard.

Shen Jue stood with his back to her, hands clasped behind him.

He still wore that black cloak, its hem drifting slightly in the night wind.

Su Hewan softened her steps as she walked over.

Hearing the movement behind him, Shen Jue turned around.

His dark, ruthless gaze softened the moment he saw her, though a deep exhaustion still lingered at the edges of his eyes.

They stood a few paces apart, silently looking at each other.

After a moment, Su Hewan’s eyes flickered with complexity as she looked at him and softly asked the question:

“Why did you do it?”

Shen Jue took two steps forward and, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, took her slightly cool hand and led her to the stone table beneath the osmanthus tree.

A red clay stove had already been prepared on the table, and the tea on it was boiling with a gentle gurgle.

He bent slightly, picked up the teapot, poured her a cup of steaming tea, and pushed it toward her.