Chapter 227

That evening, Rong Rong, for the first time ever, left the palace and came to the Zhenguo Marquis's residence.

This surprised the old lady who was having her meal so much that she was speechless.

The old lady quickly got up and led Rong Rong to the flower hall for a short rest. Just as the two sat down, Lu Linfeng rushed over.

Also, Lu Youning.

Seemingly unable to believe what he was seeing, or feeling inferior for not protecting the other person well, Lu Youning stood outside the door for a long time without coming in.

"Big brother, your leg is all better!" Rong Rong ran out happily, her delicate face full of joy.

She excitedly pulled Lu Youning into the house, while Lu Youning gazed greedily at Rong Rong.

Lu Youning couldn't remember how long it had been since he last saw Rong Rong. Even though he could clearly picture Rong Rong's voice and smile in his mind, the image in his mind could never compare to Rong Rong herself.

Lu Youning obediently followed Rong Rong's movements and slowly walked into the house. He wore a gentle smile on his face, just like the great hero who had encountered Rong Rong four years ago and decided to bring her back to his mansion.

But no one knows how much pain he is in right now.

Rong Rong had just called him "elder brother".

Since their engagement, Rongrong has always called him Brother Youning.

Rong Rong's current way of addressing him seems to be a reminder that they are no longer engaged, but brother and sister.

Lu Youning's smile remained unchanged, but a faint bitterness lingered in his heart.

Lu Linfeng and Lu Youning exchanged a glance, saying nothing, but they both understood each other's meaning.

They certainly won't give up.

However, even the most determined gaze and calm expression crumbled when Rong Rong spoke next.

"His Majesty knows all your plans, your private armies, your schemes, and even your people."

"Is the Marquis of Zhenguo's mansion planning a rebellion?"

These were words that would clearly lead to execution and the extermination of nine generations of one's family, words that would send chills down one's spine, yet Rong Rong uttered them with a smile.

The old lady immediately went limp and slumped into a chair. She vaguely knew what her son wanted to do, but she didn't know that the Empress already knew before he even started.

"Send the old lady back to her room to rest." Lu Linfeng sighed and sent someone to take the old lady away. After that, the two brothers looked at Rong Rong in silence.

"Stop now. The Empress has promised not to pursue this matter." Rong Rong didn't say anything more. Both brothers knew this, but the Zhenguo Marquis's Mansion would have to pay a price.

Neither of them asked what they would have to give in return.

Lu Linfeng looked intently at Rong Rong, "You don't want to leave the palace?"

Rong Rong asked in surprise, "Even if you were to take that position, wouldn't I still be in the palace?"

Following Xiangxiang's Empress is fine too, the difference isn't that big, Rongrong doesn't care.

Lu Linfeng's throat was dry, and he seemed unable to utter a rebuttal. Whoever sat in that position would keep Rong Rong by their side.

So, should we give up? We've prepared for so long, and we so desperately want Rong Rong.

Lu Linfeng, who was usually confident, was unusually at a loss for what to do.

Lu Youning made the decision for him, "Okay! I'll do anything you want!"

Lu Youning didn't say the second half of the sentence. He thought it was better to keep some things and feelings buried in his heart.

What should have been a bloody rebellion ended so lightly.

The empress did not kill a single person; she simply packed up all those who had betrayed her and dumped them at the Zhenguo Marquis's residence.

Lu Linfeng remained in the court, but he was far from the center of power. However, no one dared to underestimate or provoke him, because everyone knew how important the Marquis of Zhenguo's mansion was to Rong Rong.

That was Rong Rong's home.

Those few who learned that the Marquis of Zhenguo's family had managed to escape unscathed from a rebellion were all deeply impressed.

If it weren't for Rong Rong, who would have imagined that such a serious crime could be pardoned by the emperor?

Lu Youning has recovered his health and returned to being the invincible war god who struck fear into the hearts of his enemies.

He volunteered to guard the border and never return, and the Empress granted his request.

On the day of his departure, Rong Rong specially left the palace to see him off.

This past year has felt like a dream for Lu Youning. When he finally woke up, he was back in his original place.

Guarding the border and staying on the battlefield was what he aspired to do since childhood.

Extra one:

Late March should have been a season of abundant harvest, but due to severe drought, the entire Anchang County suffered a complete crop failure.

Even more terrifying was that every household had no surplus food. People could only catch rats and gnaw on tree bark, eating everything edible, yet people still starved to death every day.

The magistrate of Anchang County had already reported to the imperial court requesting relief grain, but the message had been sent out for a long time without any response.

Just a few days ago, the county magistrate finally learned that the disaster relief grain had been allocated and would arrive in Anchang County soon.

At this time, the county magistrate and the county assistant magistrate, as usual, came to the city wall and looked into the distance, hoping that the relief grain team would arrive soon.

As early as last month, the county magistrate had already opened the granaries to distribute grain to relieve the people, but unfortunately there was not much grain in the granaries, and it was quickly eaten up.

The county magistrate also mobilized local wealthy merchants to donate grain, but to little avail.

The county magistrate had no powerful backing; he was just a scholar from a farming family who passed the imperial examination and became an official. In terms of background, the county magistrate was not as powerful as those wealthy merchants.

"Sir, tell me, how much relief grain will we receive this time? Will it be enough for the people to live safely until the autumn harvest?"

The county magistrate looked anxious, but despite asking the question, he held no hope whatsoever.

Everyone knows that the disaster relief grain allocated by the imperial court is often skimmed off at each level, leaving very little actually reaching the disaster victims.

Perhaps the only consolation is that their county magistrate is a truly good official. When the grain arrives, he will immediately help the disaster victims. Even if he himself is so hungry that he eats tree bark, he will never take a single grain from the people!

It is precisely because of their personalities that they cannot get along with wealthy merchants, and thus they have remained a minor county magistrate for so many years.

He is clearly talented, hardworking, and virtuous, with many achievements, yet he will never be promoted and will probably stay in Anchang County until he dies.

"That should be enough," Qin Hongyun replied calmly, his eagle-like eyes fixed on the distance.

Hearing these words and observing Qin Hongyun's expression, the county magistrate had no idea what his master was thinking.

To be honest, although he knew that his father came from an ordinary farming family, every time he saw his father, he felt that his father must have come from a scholarly family.

His overall demeanor, his eloquent writing, and his tall and handsome figure all gave him the air of a refined gentleman.

Perhaps it was only his decisive and efficient style of doing things that clearly distinguished him from ordinary young masters, highlighting his pragmatic and capable characteristics.

"Reading truly nourishes one," the county magistrate remarked once again.

Unfortunately, although their father was the top scholar appointed by the late emperor, he offended powerful figures and refused to submit, so he was sent here to serve as a county magistrate, a position he held for seven years.

The youngest top scholar in Dafeng's history, who was only twenty years old, wasted seven years in this way.

The county magistrate lamented his master's fate countless times, but the master didn't think much of it. In his view, as long as it was for the benefit of the people and to do practical things, everything was worthwhile.

Perhaps what adults regret most is that they are of low status and have little influence. Even when they are doing things for the people, they cannot do more or benefit more people because of their low rank.