Chapter 54 Plotting [VIP]

Chapter Summary: The unexpected agreement between the brother-in-law and the sister-in-law.

"Erlang, what are you doing here? And what do you want with His Majesty?" Lu Cheng was surprised by Xu Luchuan's arrival. He sheathed his sword but then reached out his hand.

Just as Xu Luchuan was about to speak after being stopped by him, Liu Zhizhou's gloomy voice came from behind.

"Guanglu Xun, release him."

As the emperor spoke, Lu Cheng slowly released his grip on Xu Luchuan's hand.

Liu Zhizhou stood under the eaves, his view obscured by the rain, yet he still gazed intently into the distance. He watched Xu Luchuan for a long time, and Xu Luchuan hurriedly stepped forward to greet him: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

But Liu Zhizhou did not reply.

He suddenly said, "So, the person my sister can't let go of... is you."

Xu Luchuan looked up in surprise. Before he could even reveal his identity, Liu Zhizhou had already guessed it.

This should have been the first time Xu Luchuan publicly acknowledged his relationship with Liu Shiyu, but the timing was unexpected. He raised his head and firmly replied to the young emperor, "I am your subject, but Your Highness is also someone I cannot bear to part with."

“I knew you would appear. It’s just that you arrived sooner than I expected.” Liu Zhizhou smiled as he spoke, seemingly relieved that Liu Shiyu hadn’t misjudged him. He turned around. “Grand Master of Ceremonies, Xu Youjian, is not an outsider. Let him in.”

Lu Cheng was stunned by their conversation and stood there dumbfounded. Seeing this, Liu Zhizhou called out again, "Guanglu Xun."

"Yes. Yes, Your Majesty." Lu Cheng finally came to his senses, and Liu Zhizhou said no more before stepping into the main hall.

Xu Luchuan rose to his feet, preparing to enter the hall, when Lu Cheng pulled him back again. "Your Majesty, what do you mean by this? Could it be that you, Erlang, and the Eldest Princess..."

The words "private affair" were too difficult to utter. Lu Cheng swallowed his words.

Xu Luchuan noticed his surprise, but now was not the time to discuss such matters. He gently brushed Lu Cheng's hand away and said, "Uncle, some things are difficult to explain in a few words. Once these matters are resolved, I will give you and Father a proper explanation."

Lu Cheng knew that things had priorities, so he simply waved his hand and said, "Go."

Xu Luchuan hurriedly bowed, bid farewell to Lu Cheng, and stepped into the main hall.

In the main hall, Liu Zhizhou sat alone at his desk, looking somewhat weary. He was actually only a child, yet he was already mature beyond his years, with no trace of childishness left in his eyes.

Xu Luchuan stepped onto the platform. Liu Zhizhou did not exchange pleasantries but immediately went straight to the point: "Right Supervisor, since you have chosen to come see me, you must have a plan to resolve the predicament of Jinling and your elder sister. Tell me, what do you intend to do?"

Liu Zhizhou looked at Xu Luchuan, and he actually had his own ideas. However, he wanted to hear more about whether Xu Luchuan shared the same thoughts.

Only then would Liu Zhizhou consider whether or not to cooperate with his "brother-in-law".

“The one who tied the knot must untie it.” Xu Luchuan spoke in the hall, equally blunt. “Your Majesty and I both understand that the Tang family is trapped because of the tense situation in Yongzhou. That’s why Wei Jingshan dared to cause such trouble in Jinling. Wei Jingshan was raised by the Tang family, and only the Tang family can completely dismantle him.”

"Once Yongzhou is pacified and the Tang family returns to the capital, all problems will be easily solved."

Having been in the Court of Justice for so long, Xu Luchuan had become intimately familiar with all the case files related to the Tang family's instigation of Liu Shiyu to overturn cases and investigate corruption in recent years. He could see that although the Tang family had always acted tyrannically and ruthlessly, they were wholeheartedly devoted to Shao Yuan and had never harbored the slightest disloyalty.

Therefore, Xu Luchuan believed that only the Tang family could eliminate Wei Jingshan.

Liu Zhizhou seemed to agree with his idea, but then he asked, "What you say is true, but how easy is it to pacify Wuxing? In that case, wouldn't your solution be just empty talk?"

"I have a way to make Wuxing retreat without firing a single shot," Xu Luchuan said, pausing before bowing respectfully before continuing, "However, this matter requires Your Majesty's approval."

"What is the solution?" Liu Zhizhou asked, rising from his seat. Xu Luchuan replied with lowered eyes, "A peaceful negotiation and marriage alliance, to forge a lasting bond."

After he finished speaking, Liu Zhizhou stood silently in front of the desk.

When Xu Luchuan rose again and looked at the person before him, he no longer treated him with the courtesy due to a subject. Instead, he looked at him with concern, as if he were looking at his brother-in-law, and said, "Your Majesty, it seems that this is the best solution now, but it is ultimately a matter of your happiness. Your Highness would certainly not want Your Majesty to compromise."

"Therefore, I hope you will think it over carefully before making a decision."

"Why are you so sure that Wuxing will withdraw his troops if peace talks and a marriage alliance are proposed?" Liu Zhizhou was not dissatisfied with the sacrifices made. He was an emperor; how could he act as capriciously as an ordinary person? If the war could be stopped, it would not only save Liu Shiyu, but also Shaoyuan's empire.

All he wanted was for Xu Luchuan to give him a reason to convince him.

"Yes, Your Highness."

"Your Highness, during a casual conversation, we mentioned that Wu Xing had twice requested a marriage alliance. Your Highness said that Wu Xing has been content with his isolated position for many years and has always sought peace with Shao Yuan. If it weren't for the instigation of treacherous people, why would Wu Xing suddenly send troops out without any reason? I believe that this was not Wu Xing's original intention."

"No one really wants to be Shao Yuan's enemy."

"As long as Your Majesty trusts me, I am willing to risk my life to vouch for my mission to Wuxing."

Xu Luchuan stood tall in the hall, his voice resounding.

Liu Zhizhou agreed with his words, but he walked around the long table without saying a word and went to the back of the palace.

Only when his black dragon robe landed in front of the palace gate did Liu Zhizhou look at the still-falling rain and say, "As long as you can leave Jinling City safely and deliver the message to Yongzhou, I will have no objection to this marriage alliance and diplomatic mission."

Liu Zhizhou agreed, and the matter should be settled.

Xu Luchuan turned around and stood behind him, then said something intriguing: "Unfortunately, in Jinling these days, I'm afraid only the dead can leave safely."

"What are you going to do? You wouldn't happen to be... If you die, how am I supposed to explain this to my elder sister?" Liu Zhizhou was clearly surprised. But Xu Luchuan remained calm and said nothing.

Looking back, Liu Zhizhou lowered his eyes, turned around, walked to the desk, and solemnly wrote down the decree for the marriage alliance.

He placed all his hopes on Xu Luchuan.

After putting down his pen, Liu Zhizhou stuffed the unusual imperial edict into a bamboo tube and said softly, "Minister of Justice, receive the edict."

"Your subject receives the decree." Xu Luchuan knelt before Liu Zhizhou, who then placed the bamboo tube into his hand. "No matter the outcome, promise me you will return alive. As long as we live, we still have hope. My sister has already lost too much; don't let her lose you too."

Xu Luchuan tucked the bamboo tube into his sleeve, clasped his hands in a fist and replied, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I will return alive. I promised her, and I will not fail her."

"All that I have done is for a temporary separation."

Liu Zhizhou nodded, then waved his sleeve, signaling him to leave. Xu Luchuan then bowed and withdrew from the main hall.

Standing under the eaves of the rear hall, Xu Luchuan pulled his hood up again, intending to disappear into the night once more. He drifted away. But Lu Cheng blocked his path once more, only this time his sword remained sheathed.

He called out as usual, "Erlang."

Xu Luchuan turned his head to look at Lu Cheng, whose eyes were full of concern. Xu Luchuan did not say anything.

"Although your uncle doesn't know what you and His Majesty were talking about, your uncle has a bad feeling. So, Erlang, your uncle hopes that no matter what happens, you can tell Qin Guo. You must trust your father; he will always be your support."

"Rely on him? Could he be?" Xu Luchuan suddenly sneered, but Lu Cheng said, "He is."

"Your uncle knows that you harbor deep resentment towards Qin State. He may not be a good father, but he will always be an upright and honest man. If this matter concerns Shao Yuan and his subjects, he will surely protect you."

Xu Luchuan remained silent; in fact, he did need Xu Qinguo's assistance.

However... his fragile trust in him prevented Xu Luchuan from deciding whether or not to ask for his help.

"Alright." Xu Luchuan's attitude softened somewhat after being persuaded by Lu Cheng. "Thank you, Uncle. I will handle it accordingly. Please take care in front of the Emperor. I'll be going now."

"Drive carefully," Lu Cheng said, stepping aside to let him pass.

After he finished speaking, Xu Luchuan hurriedly ran into the heavy rain, climbed over the courtyard wall, and disappeared into the vast expanse.

The pieces in this game have just been set up, and the one who will break the deadlock has just sat down. Everything is gradually turning around, even though this journey seems somewhat difficult. But as long as Xu Luchuan puts aside life and death and perseveres, he can emerge from this downpour and reach the heavens.

As Xu Luchuan stepped over the Wanshe Palace, which he had dreamed of countless times, he felt the rain sliding down his cheeks.

Looking back, even the stars followed.

Just like when they came, the two of them fell into the Palace of No Spring.

Looking back at the desolate palace wailing in the cold wind, and listening to the violent thunder rumbling past his ears, Xu Luchuan suddenly spoke before the secret passage: "Lian Xing, listen to this thunder and heavenly fire approaching."

This seemingly riddle-like statement was something that Lian Xing understood without saying a word.

He only asked one question: "Are you... really determined to do this? Aren't you afraid it might actually happen?"

"It's just a matter of living towards death. In the struggle between black and white, he can't always have the upper hand." Xu Luchuan said, turning around and stepping into the dark passage. "How are things going with Guihai and Baichuan? Just remember, don't show your face before that day."

"All arranged, all set," Lian Xing replied, following behind him. Xu Luchuan fell silent upon hearing this and walked step by step into the darkness.

It was past midnight when we left Wanshe Palace.

Xu Luchuan gazed into the distance, but the dazzling lights of Nanjing were no longer visible. He instinctively clutched their last bargaining chip tightly to his sleeve.

He has to win this game.

He not only had to rescue Liu Shiyu, but he also absolutely could not let Shaoyuan be ruined by a treacherous person like Wei Jingshan.

Upon returning to the Xu family home, Xu Luchuan did not go back to Jihanzhai, but instead went to Xu Qinguo's Chengfeng Pavilion. Lian Xing stopped on the eaves and did not follow. He waded through the puddles in the courtyard and approached the door of the house, where the lights were still on.

Standing in front of the door, Xu Luchuan was about to knock when he heard Xu Luwei's excited voice coming from inside.

“Father, even the Prime Minister in court is choosing to stand by and watch, remaining unmoved. Are you truly determined to gather your students to jointly impeach Wei Jingshan at this time? Wouldn't doing so be tantamount to suicide? Your son truly doesn't understand why you are so persistent.”

[Author's Note]

I was a bit busy today! Sorry I'm late~ Little Stele bows deeply~