Chapter 162 "I have selfish motives."...

Lu Donglou's remarks were like a drop of water falling into boiling oil, causing a tremor throughout the room.

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

The Minister of War was the first to object: "The northern desert is the first line of defense for our dynasty against the southward invasion of the barbarians. It is a military stronghold. All the generals who have served here have been loyal ministers and brave generals. They have built the border fortress with their own flesh and blood. How can we entrust this important task to a woman?"

Unfazed by Lu Donglou's gloomy and cold gaze, he spoke eloquently: "Commander Lu, you are the eldest son of Commander Lu, a confidant of His Majesty, and an informant planted in the Northern Desert. How could you collude with Liang Xian to conceal his health condition, knowing the truth but not reporting it, and even allowing him to write such treasonous words in his will? The Northern Desert is the border fortress of the imperial court, not Liang Xian's private fiefdom!"

"Your Majesty, I have a different opinion from Minister Shi."

The Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, having received a signal from Princess Tong'an, quickly prepared his speech in his mind and stepped forward to deliver his report.

"General Liang guarded the border for three years, winning one great victory after another. He repeatedly repelled the Hu people outside the pass, saving the court from sending troops on distant expeditions. This saved countless manpower, financial resources, soldiers, and provisions. It is evident that he was loyal to the emperor and loved his country, was skilled in leading troops, and his character and talent were obvious to all."

"Such a loyal and capable general, who devoted himself to the cause until his death, strongly recommended his daughter to succeed him in his will. He must have been acting out of a sense of public duty. After all, Lady Liang has both military achievements and prestige. If she were to directly inherit the position of border general, it would not only appease the anxiety of the local soldiers and civilians, but also deter the northern barbarian bandits, ensuring a smooth transition. It would be a win-win situation."

The Minister of War glared angrily: "What kind of behavior is this? If General Liang were still alive, it would be one thing; he might be willing to indulge his daughter's nonsense, since he would bear the consequences of any defeats. But how old is Lady Liang this year? She has only managed a few lucky victories, yet she dares to try and interfere in border defenses? It's like a toad yawning—what a boastful tone!"

"How does Lord Shi know that Lady Liang's victory was merely a fluke, rather than being influenced by her family's learning and tradition? There's an old saying that brothers fight tigers together, and fathers and sons go to war side by side. If fathers and sons can do it, why can't fathers and daughters?"

The Vice Minister of Personnel turned his head and looked around, raising his voice: "During the reign of Emperor Taizu, several female marquises and generals were conferred titles, such as General Tian Yunying, General Chang Guansuo, and General Li Ying. The descendants of these heroines now stand in the court. Lord Shi, aren't you pointing your finger at them and cursing your ancestors?"

Although the descendants of the female generals who were mentioned have achieved nothing of note, they united as one at this moment, glaring angrily at the Minister of War, their clenched fists cracking.

The Minister of War, a civil official by profession, felt somewhat guilty and broke out in a cold sweat when faced with his colleagues' unfriendly expressions. He stammered, "I had no such intention. These founding female generals are all outstanding figures of their generation, and their honors are the result of their genuine military achievements..."

"But that was during the early days of the dynasty, when the situation was special, and we had no choice but to lavishly reward female marquises and generals. Now that we have enjoyed peace for a long time, the way of yin and yang is for men to farm and women to weave, for men to be in charge of external affairs and women to be in charge of internal affairs. Our Great Ye has produced many talented men. Can't we find a loyal and brave general to guard the border? Why must it be Lady Liang?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? The Liang family father and daughter have earned a reputation in the border army and are trusted by everyone. Changing generals rashly would require rebuilding the team. What if the barbarians seize this opportunity to invade the interior?"

"That's right. Border military affairs have always been complicated. In the past, there have been scandals involving embezzlement of military supplies and collusion with the royal family of the northern desert. It is rare that the Liang family has defended the northern border like an iron barrel. I wonder if anyone in the court dares to boast that they can do better than General Liang?"

“What’s so good about Liang Xian? If he had reported his injury in time last winter, the court might have sent someone to replace him on the border, trained the troops, and brought him back to the capital to recuperate. He stubbornly concealed it himself. Who knows if he had some other motive, like paving the way for his daughter to establish his authority?”

"You're ridiculous..."

"You're being ridiculous..."

The court was in complete chaos, with ministers arguing fiercely and practically ready to roll up their sleeves, grab their ceremonial tablets, and start fighting each other right there in court.

Pei Jinghuai immediately slipped into a corner where he wouldn't be affected by the battle. He was no longer sleepy and looked around intently, trying to remember how these usually refined elders cursed without using any vulgar language, so he could tell Shen Lingyue about it when he got back.

She'll definitely like it.

Emperor Qingxi sat high above, coldly watching his ministers argue and make a ruckus, while Lu Donglou, the "culprit" who had caused this great turmoil, stood with his hands at his sides, neither humble nor arrogant, his face calm.

He casually tossed Liang Xian's will into Chief Eunuch Huang's arms, and the next second he roared from the depths of his lungs, "...All of you, shut up!"

The ministers who had just been grabbing each other by the collar and raising their fists quickly returned to their places, and apart from the hats, hair ornaments and sachets that had fallen to the ground, everything was quiet as if nothing had happened.

Emperor Qingxi's head was buzzing. Pointing at the lone boot in the middle of the hall, he said irritably, "Whose shoe is this? Put it back on right now! The stench is wafting all the way here. Didn't you wash your feet before going to bed last night?!"

Pei Jinghuai pinched his nose and watched as a strange old man covered his face and ran forward, quickly hugged the boot to his chest, and then darted back into the crowd.

His speed was so fast that even a young man in his early twenties like him couldn't keep up.

Emperor Qingxi's expression remained unchanged, and he said calmly, "Since you all hold differing opinions, the matter of selecting a border commander will be discussed later. If you have other recommendations, please submit them. In the meantime..."

He glanced at Lu Donglou and said meaningfully, "The border military affairs will continue to be temporarily managed by Liang Xian's daughter."

Chief Steward Huang flicked his whisk: "Court adjourned—"

Emperor Qingxi rose and walked towards the rear hall, coldly tossing out a sentence: "Come to Donglou, I have something to ask you alone."

Lu Donglou followed without saying a word, entered the inner room, and knelt down before Emperor Qingxi could sit down.

Emperor Qingxi ignored him, took a soft cushion and put it behind his back, then ordered a palace maid to bring tea, and tapped the table and chairs idly.

About fifteen minutes later, Lu Sheng arrived, looking travel-worn. He knelt down next to Lu Donglou as soon as he entered the room.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I have failed in my duty to raise my son and I am willing to accept punishment!"

Emperor Qingxi raised his hand and said, "Get up, this is none of your business."

He stared at Lu Donglou's lowered head and snorted coldly, "Sons grow up and become independent. We're all old now and can't control them anymore."

Lu Sheng dared not disobey. He stood up and slapped Lu Donglou's shoulder hard. "You unfilial son! His Majesty sent you to the border to be the eyes and ears of the court, the sharp blade of the monarch. Why didn't you report such an important military matter as Liang Xian's serious injury immediately?"

He was handling official business at the Northern Garrison Command today and did not attend the court assembly. By the time he received the news that Lu Donglou had suddenly returned to the capital, it was already too late for him to come over.

Before Emperor Qingxi could speak, Lu Sheng launched into a tirade against his eldest son. He was so agitated that he coughed repeatedly, his heavy breathing sounding like a broken bellows, as if he might faint at any moment.

"Alright, stop scolding him. Quickly, serve Commander Lu a seat and some tea."

After decades of close friendship, how could Emperor Qingxi not see that he was feigning weakness to curry favor, taking the initiative, and advancing by retreating?

But Lu Sheng is the same age as him, and all his injuries were earned by risking his life for him back then. How can we criticize his love for his son?

Lu Sheng, despite being offered a seat, dared not sit down. Suppressing his incessant coughing, he looked at Emperor Qingxi with pleading eyes, "Your Majesty, Donglou has committed a grave error this time. If you must punish someone, then punish me. My wife and I only have two sons, Xilou and Donglou. I swore to her that I would raise them to adulthood properly..."

Emperor Qingxi sighed and told Lu Donglou to stand up and reply.

"I have always regarded you as half a son. Do you know where you went wrong this time?"

Lu Donglou lowered his head and looked away, "Your Majesty, I should not have concealed Liang Xian's health condition, nor should I have rashly returned to the capital and publicly revealed Liang Xian's last testament, thus causing a dispute among the court officials."

"Hmph, so you knew you were wrong, yet you still insisted on doing it. Who gave you the courage? Did you really think that just because you're Lu Sheng's son and the next Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, I wouldn't dare kill you?"

As he finished speaking, Emperor Qingxi's tone suddenly turned somber, his voice carrying the weight of thunderous fury and an overwhelming imperial aura.

What angered him was not Liang Xian's insistence on recommending his daughter, but rather Lu Donglou's sudden outburst in court, catching him completely off guard.

The entire land should be under the emperor's control, but his most trusted minister has his own selfish desires. If everyone follows suit, where is the emperor's authority?

Lu Sheng, who had only been sitting for a short while, knelt down again and tugged hard at Lu Donglou's clothes. "You unfilial son, I think you've really gone mad!"

Lu Donglou bent his knees and looked up to meet Emperor Qingxi's unreadable expression. His expression was calm, and he seemed to have a sense of composure as if he were facing death.

"Your Majesty has ordered me to guard the border. Your Majesty has granted me the authority to act expediently. My return to the capital this time is entirely for the peaceful and smooth transition of the northern border. I have absolutely no intention of concealing anything or colluding with the border generals."

Emperor Qingxi was amused by his words. "You dare say you have no selfish motives? Donglou, I watched you grow up, and you still want to play tricks on me?"

His sharp gaze seemed to pierce through Lu Donglou's heart. "I'm giving you one last chance. Tell me the truth, what exactly is your relationship with Liang Xian's daughter?"

Lu Donglou pursed his lips and remained silent.

Emperor Qingxi snorted coldly, then turned and ordered Chief Eunuch Huang: "Send my imperial decree to the northern desert via an urgent message: Liang Xian's daughter has seized military power without authorization, deceiving the emperor. According to the law—"

"His Majesty!"

Lu Donglou finally couldn't hold back any longer and raised his head, a hint of emotion flickering in his deep, dark eyes.

"All the faults are mine alone. I am the one who disobeyed the imperial decree and deceived the emperor. But it is true that Lady Liang led the troops to defend against the enemy and protect the people. Just because she is a woman, does that mean she cannot carry on her father's will?"

Emperor Qingxi tapped the armrest with his finger, making a loud thud, and calmly said, "Then tell me, what exactly is your relationship with her that makes you so willing to go to such lengths for her, even defying imperial decrees?"

Lu Donglou lowered his eyelashes and uttered eight words in a low voice.

"Over time, they fell in love and secretly pledged their lives to each other."

Upon hearing this, Lu Sheng felt a wave of dizziness wash over him.

The next second, however, they heard Emperor Qingxi's unrestrained laughter.

"I knew it!"

He was half annoyed and half relieved. He pointed at Lu Donglou twice from a distance and said to Lu Sheng, "See? Even your old iron tree has a day when it blooms!"

Lu Sheng forced a smile that looked more like a grimace.

If it were any other time, it would be fine. Even if Lu Donglou had taken a fancy to General Liang's daughter, or even if she were a girl from a humble background, such as a peddler, hunter, or tenant farmer's family, as long as his son liked her, he would immediately hire a matchmaker to propose marriage and bring her home in a grand procession with eight sedan chairs.

How could he make such a foolish and impulsive move for the sake of his children's personal feelings?

Emperor Qingxi finished laughing, and his face darkened.

"Donglou, don't think I'll let you off so easily. You must accept punishment for your mistakes. Do you know your crime?"

"Your Majesty, I will leave my fate to you. I only ask that you give Lady Liang a chance to prove herself."

Lu Donglou calmly said, "This time when I returned to the capital, I also brought with me the captain of the personal guards of Lady Liang. She has followed Lady Liang through life and death several times and fought on the battlefield. I ask Your Majesty to allow her to enter the palace to report the military situation in the northern desert in detail, so that a decision can be made."

He bowed deeply and said, "I have my own selfish reasons, but I am by no means the kind of person who would disregard the lives of the people on the border for the sake of personal feelings. I humbly request Your Majesty's wise decision."

...

After the court session ended, the ministers went home, walking out of the palace in twos and threes. They still couldn't help but discuss the shocking news that Lu Donglou had brought back to the capital that day, and they vaguely divided into two factions, rubbing their hands together and preparing for a big battle.

The three members of the Pei family, father and sons, met and walked in the middle without leaning to one side. No matter who came up to talk to Pei Xian or tried to test his attitude, he always greeted them with a cheerful and easygoing demeanor.

"I have no particular ideas; I will listen to Your Majesty."

Pei Jinghuai clicked his tongue and said to Pei Jingyi with a look of disdain, "Is our father always like this when he's out?"

He could hear people secretly cursing Pei Xian, calling him a fence-sitter and a slippery old mudfish.

This reputation is really awful.

Why can't he learn from his wife's maternal grandfather?

"Is there a problem with not getting involved in things?" Pei Jingyi glanced at him and casually reminded him, "Don't forget how you and your sister-in-law got your marriage arranged."

Pei Jinghuai's expression changed instantly, and he gave Pei Xian a thumbs up, "Good dad!"

On the other side, Zhou Chuan walked among the military officers with a heavy heart, still feeling lingering fear about Lu Donglou's sudden return to the capital.

The last time Lu Donglou returned to the capital, it almost ruined his career. If it weren't for his eldest son-in-law's intervention, he would be back home eating his own food now, and he wouldn't have the chance to attend court anymore.

My colleagues are all arguing about who will be the next commander of the northern desert, and some are even eager to try their luck.

After all, these military officers who stayed in the capital wouldn't have any money to make if they didn't fight, and they couldn't just sit around and do nothing; they also had to plan for their children and grandchildren.

Zhou Chuan was also vaguely tempted, wanting to go to the northern desert to guard the border, make meritorious contributions, and find a chance to make a comeback.

But he was more afraid. Even a great figure like General Liang Xian met a tragic end, wrapped in a horse's hide. He wanted to earn merit, not to die.

Besides, his youngest son with Lin Qiyu is not yet three years old, and is at the most adorable age, running around everywhere. He really couldn't bear to leave his beloved wife and young son behind...

As he was lost in thought, he turned his head and saw a tall and slender woman with her long hair tied up high and wearing a neat short dark blue outfit. She was being led by a eunuch into the palace through another passageway.

From several dozen meters away, Zhou Chuan couldn't see clearly, only her profile as she turned to talk to the eunuch.

He rubbed his eyes in disbelief several times, staring intently at the receding figure until it entered the palace gates.

...Why does he look so much like his second daughter, who ran away from home and hasn't been heard from for several years?

Zhou Chuan snapped out of his daze, strode to the palace gate, slipped some silver to the guards, and whispered, "Who was that girl who just entered the palace?"

"General Zhou, you're too kind. I heard that he came back from the northern desert with Magistrate Lu. I think he's the captain of General Liang's daughter's personal guard?"

The imperial guard stuffed the silver ingot into his sleeve and added with a smile, "It's quite a coincidence, I just overheard that eunuch calling her 'Little Zhou, the centurion,' which is the same surname as yours."

Zhou Chuanzhen stood there, motionless for a long time, the Imperial Guards' mutterings still echoing in his ears.

"That's why everyone says the people in the north are fierce and valiant. General Liang's daughter dared to go into battle and fight the enemy, and women can even be granted the title of centurion..."

-----------------------

Author's Note: I've been behaving myself, and I turned on the air conditioner today [crying][crying] It's only October, and this isn't a beaver! !!!

[Let me see] I'm posting this early today, there'll be more tonight!