Chapter 68: Not Giving Up an Inch

Lu Xingzhi stood straight, wearing a snow-blue round-necked robe made of brocade. The person who chose the material must have put some thought into it.

Anyone who sees it will have to admire that this color makes Mr. Lu look as tall and straight as a pine tree, and it also adds a touch of uprightness and elegance, which is perfect for him.

Zong Si took a glance, his expression slightly cold.

"Xingzhi has reached the age of marriage. If you have someone you love, I can arrange a marriage for you." Emperor Jingwen said with a meaningful smile.

Lu Xingzhi said sternly: "I don't know her feelings yet, and I don't want to force her."

Emperor Jingwen teased, "You are so considerate to her, you will win her heart sooner or later."

However, Lu Xingzhi no longer mentioned this matter, but spoke to Emperor Jingwen about the affairs of Liangzhou. Some of the bandits were eliminated, and some were pacified. The crimes committed by the pacified bandits were made up by reclaiming wasteland and building huts for the people.

"This is what Lord Ning proposed." Lu Xingzhi said, "Lord Ning believes that Liangzhou is poor. If the people are not well fed, Liangzhou will not prosper. Many of those who become bandits are also forced to do so because of poverty. Since there is a shortage of manpower, it is better to give the bandits a chance to reform. In order to get this opportunity, the bandits will do their best."

The local officials may not be wholeheartedly serving the people, but these bandits, in pursuit of justice, can sincerely serve the people.

Emperor Jingwen looked confused, "You and Zhenyuan are familiar with each other."

Lu Xingzhi said: "I and he are both in Liangzhou, and the public affairs involved are involved, so it is inevitable that we will run into each other."

Emperor Jingwen pondered for a while before he sympathized with Ning Zhenyuan and said, "Governing Liangzhou is not an easy task. He has worked hard."

When he said this, he set the tone for Ning Zhenyuan's exile and recognized him as a meritorious official.

Zong Si looked at Lu Xingzhi. Ning Zhenyuan was able to successfully stabilize the situation in Liangzhou, and he must have helped a lot behind the scenes.

When the two of them left the palace together, Lu Xingzhi looked at Zong Si and said, "Your Highness, do you have anything to ask me?"

Zong Si said: "You helped Ning Zhenyuan a lot behind the scenes."

"Isn't this exactly what the prince wants to see?" Lu Xingzhi said.

Zong Si said nothing.

"The prince did not interfere in the Liangzhou incident, but this incident was exactly what he wanted." Lu Xingzhi said, "Although I have relieved Ning Zhenyuan of his worries, I have also relieved the prince of a major worry."

Zong Si looked at him and asked, "What is the biggest worry for me?"

"The prince has interests in Liangzhou, but he would rather see the people live and work in peace and contentment. He is just afraid that he will overreach and the emperor will be wary, so it is difficult for him to do anything. The prince was willing to help Lord Ning earlier, so that he could be smoothly transferred to Liangzhou. He also wanted to change the situation in Liangzhou."

Zong Si's expression did not change. In his heart, he was thinking about Lu Xingzhi. It was the matter of Li Fang. On the day of Princess Kangyang's birthday banquet, when the two of them had a private conversation, his view was very sharp: the person who wanted to destroy Princess Kangyang's mansion might not be in Yongzhou.

If it weren't for Lu Xingzhi, he wouldn't have guessed so quickly that Emperor Jingwen was involved in the Kangyang incident.

However, his identity was somewhat suspicious. Zong Si remembered that Ning Fu had lived a lifetime. If Ning Fu had lived a lifetime, there might be a second person who was also the same.

"Xingzhi is really as predictable as a god." He stared at him and said.

Lu Xingzhi paused, looked up at him, and saw clearly the coldness and temptation in his eyes.

He knew that he had always been sharp and suspicious, and no one understood Zong Si better than him.

"The person who made clothes for me was Fourth Miss Ning." Lu Xingzhi suddenly said.

Zong Si looked at him for a moment and said, "Xingzhi, if you have something to say, just say it."

Lu Xingzhi was silent for a long time before he spoke.

"When I was in Liangzhou, I often had the same dream. In the dream, the fourth girl and the prince were secretly good friends for a while, but later the prince got tired of her and introduced the fourth girl to me. I was a little dissatisfied at first, but later I was forced to marry the fourth girl. Then I realized how good she was, and we have been living in harmony ever since."

Zong Si's face gradually became expressionless.

He couldn't help but think of that day when, on his bed, Nymph called out "Mr. Lu" who bothered him. Now thinking about it, she might have recognized the wrong person, perhaps out of habit.

In her previous life, it was the man who often slept with her that made her develop this habit.

"In the dream, Fourth Miss Ning is my wife." Lu Xingzhi stared at him and said.

Zong Si curled the corners of his mouth, his eyes darkened, but he said nothing. For some reason, he didn't express his opinion.

Lu Xingzhi bowed respectfully and said, "Although it was just a dream, I feel deeply distressed and I am also afraid that the dream will come true. Therefore, I hope that the prince will not get close to her in reality."

…

Before Lu Xingzhi left the palace, the news that he had been appointed as the Dusi had already spread out of the palace.

The second son of Lu is only of adult age now, but he has been granted an official title of the fourth rank and still holds real power. If he is appreciated by the emperor, he will most likely become a favorite of Emperor Jingwen in the future.

Let’s not talk about this official position for now. There are many high-ranking officials in the capital, but not everyone can become a close minister to the emperor.

Therefore, the Lu Mansion was deserted before, but today it is crowded with people coming to congratulate them.

Ning Fu was called here by Madam Ning today. She had been to the Lu Mansion several times and was familiar with Madam Lu. Even the maidservant beside Madam Lu knew her. When she saw her, she smiled and said, "Fourth Miss, Madam Ning, I'll find a stool for you."

Mrs. Lu has never entertained so many people before. She usually just grows flowers and plants, and she is a little too busy now.

"Madam Ning, your daughter is really beautiful." Madam Rong looked Ning Fu up and down and said with a kind smile, "I haven't seen you for a long time. I think your appearance is more beautiful than before, and you have a bit of feminine charm."

This was said unintentionally, but the listener took it seriously. The charm of a woman is mostly possessed by married women. However, Ning Fu inadvertently thought of the incident with Zong Si, and her mood inevitably took a turn for the worse.

However, although Ning Fu is beautiful and many ladies like her, everyone in the capital is a shrewd person. Given Ning Zhenyuan's current situation, it is difficult to guarantee his future career. It is better to be safe than sorry. Even if he likes her, he dare not get involved with her.

Rong Min on the side curled her lips, feeling a little unhappy. She had a crush on Lu Xingzhi and had come to Madam Lu to make herself familiar, but she was afraid that Ning Fu was going to take advantage of Lu Xingzhi.

It was not enough for him to stick to Prince Xuan's Mansion before, but now seeing that Lu Mansion is making progress, he is trying to get closer to Lu Mansion again.

When Nymph was walking alone into the garden to look at the flowers and plants, she suddenly felt a figure appear in front of her.

When she looked up, who else could it be if not Lu Xingzhi?

"Mr. Lu." Ning Fu stood up and said. Now she was as tall as his chin, which used to only reach his shoulders.

Women dress up to please themselves. The queen always has this in mind. When she becomes beautiful, she hopes to be stunning in the eyes of the young man who likes her. But she is disappointed. Lu Xingzhi's eyes are calm.

Then the nymph saw him wearing the robe she had made herself. She thought it was well made and it suited him perfectly as she had thought.

"You've grown taller." He looked at her and said that she was becoming more and more like the one he remembered her in, so his tone became softer.

"Yes, he has grown taller." said Nymph.

Lu Xingzhi looked at her beautiful face, which was as pretty as a lotus emerging from water, thought for a moment, and said, "I got a promotion."

"People outside the palace already know that Master Lu is now a fourth-rank military commander. Master Lu will definitely have a bright future." Ning Fu was really happy for him. His efforts were always worth it.

"So what if I have a bright future?" he asked.

"Although future is not the most important thing, since Mr. Lu has suffered so much, he deserves a good future."

"Does the fourth girl like a young man with a bright future?" Lu Xingzhi looked at her and asked.

Ningfu was speechless for a moment, her ears burning. She always felt that his words, although serious, were somewhat provocative.

When Lu Xingzhi saw her lowering her head and carefully pondering whether he was a serious person, a smile flashed in his eyes. She could tell that he was not that serious, so he said, "There are many guests in the mansion today. I'm sorry that I can't chat with the fourth lady anymore."

"Mr. Lu, please go and get busy," she said.

"Fourth Miss." He thought seriously for a moment and said seriously, "Hibiscus and Peony are not as good as you."

Nymph was stunned for a moment, and only after he walked away did she realize that he was praising her beauty, but he was too serious and she did not react for a while.

When Madam Ning saw Lu Xingzhi, she was extremely satisfied. There was no other young man in the capital who satisfied her so much in every aspect, whether it was his ability, appearance, talent, or the way he treated people, there was nothing wrong with him.

No matter how good other people are, they are just from higher family backgrounds, and are far less pleasing to her eyes than Lu Xingzhi. And this pleasing eye is very important. If someone is not pleasing to her eyes, no matter how good he is, she will never like him in her life.

"Madam Ning, Fourth Miss, please come visit more often in the future." Madam Lu said enthusiastically when they were about to leave.

Lu Xingzhi stood aside and did not stop him.

Madam Ning was not stupid, but she said that there was no sudden enthusiasm between people, and most of them had a purpose. Madam Lu also deliberately mentioned Afu, and it was obvious that she had other intentions.

If you are interested in this, then you can have the best of both worlds.

"You have to move around more in the future." Mrs. Ning responded with a smile.

However, after returning to the Ningguo Mansion, Madam Ning took the initiative to talk to Old Madam Ning about Lu Xingzhi for the first time: "What does the old ancestor think of the second son of the Lu Mansion?"

"The one who returned to Beijing today?" Madam Ning couldn't help but feel a little hopeful and happy, and asked hurriedly, "He is so successful at a young age, and he is one of the first batch of young masters. Do you mean that the Lu family is interested in A-Fu?"

"It will take some time to see, but I think Lu Er is satisfied with Afu." Madam Ning said. Even today at Lu's house, he would sometimes look back at Afu despite his busy schedule.

He is not like this to other people and is always cold and indifferent.

Madam Ning couldn't help but laugh and said, "If it's him, I'd be more than satisfied. I can rest assured about Afu's marriage. But for now, we have to keep it a secret to prevent it from being ruined."

On the day of Ning Fu's coming-of-age ceremony, Old Madam Ning saw Lu Xingzhi in person, and her satisfaction was even greater.

The Second Young Master Lu was a handsome man, and apart from his family background, he was no worse than the prince of Prince Xuan's Palace whom she had considered before in every aspect.