Chapter 81: Lu Tingwan, you haven't changed

Cheng Xianzhi took Liu Qiyuan's confession and entered Guangling Palace. Liu Qiyuan's confession stated that five years ago, Lu Mingqian, who was in charge of the six ministries, secretly diverted military pay from the Ministry of Revenue and weapons from the Ministry of War and gave them to Liu Qiyuan in the northwest to use against the Turks.

However, these weapons were not used in the battle against the Turks. Instead, Liu Qiyuan secretly exchanged them and sent them to Prince Ning to help him in his rebellion.

Liu Qiyuan had the support of the Jiang family. At that time, the Jiang family had no reason to support Prince Ning to ascend the throne. Instead, Queen Mother Jiang secretly instigated and used Liu Qiyuan and Lu Mingqian to let Prince Ning and Li Tingfeng fight each other, so as to get rid of Prince Ning and dampen Li Tingfeng's enthusiasm for ascending the throne as the new emperor.

The mystery from five years ago was solved after Liu Qiyuan entered Kyoto.

Inside Guangling Hall, Li Tingfeng read Cheng Xianzhi's confession and coughed heavily. "Liu Qiyuan, Lu Mingqian is so brave."

"Your Majesty, the emperor's health is paramount," Cheng Xianzhi said calmly. "Now that the truth is known, Liu Qiyuan's execution will not quell the emperor's wrath and his crimes."

"Lu Mingqian! Xianzhi, pass on my order to confiscate the Lu family."

Cheng Xianzhi anticipated Li Tingfeng's decision and interrupted, "Your Majesty, Lu Mingqian's death is not a pity, but settling the matter now would be too easy for the Jiang faction. I do have a plan."

It is simply wishful thinking for Lu Mingqian to get away with it once and for all in the Liu Qiyuan case.

*

But Lu Tingwan couldn't understand why his father was involved in the Han Zhangling case. The Han Zhangling case file involved Prince Ning's rebellion, which was a case not easily mentioned in Kyoto.

She pondered further, wondering if her father was involved in Prince Ning's rebellion? Liu Qiyuan was imprisoned in the Dali Temple. If her father had really been involved in this incident, then...

Lu Tingwan's heart sank as she went to the Lu Mansion. Lu Mingqian had just returned from Jinhua Palace and entered the mansion when the servants informed him that Lu Tingwan had been waiting in the study for a long time. Lu Mingqian was surprised because she had never been close to him. In the past, when they met in Jinhua Palace, they always maintained proper etiquette and there was no closeness between father and daughter.

For some reason, Lu Mingqian was a little afraid of his daughter. Knowing that he couldn't control her or influence her decisions, he didn't want to care about her anymore.

He swept away the dust outside, stepped into the study, and said in a pretentious tone, "What brings you, the Marquis of Guardian and Head of Jinhua Palace, here, my dear daughter?"

Lu Tingwan bowed without a word, "Father, Liu Qiyuan has been convicted and escorted back to Kyoto. This matter has caused a great uproar in the court. Do you know why the Dali Temple has not yet sentenced him?"

"Liu Qiyuan is a prominent general in the northwest. How can we make such a hasty conclusion based on Cheng Xianzhi's few words and some so-called evidence? The three courts will jointly investigate, and not a single step can be missed."

"Then Father, isn't he worried? Did the Dali Temple find out anything during the interrogation?"

Lu Mingqian's eyes were sharp as he warned Lu Tingwan, "Don't think that just because you have Cheng Xianzhi's support, you can come back and act bossy. Who's in charge of this Lu Mansion?"

Lu Tingwan said, "Yan Li is not interested in who is in charge of the Lu family. I just want to warn my father that Liu Qiyuan has been executed. If there is any inseparable connection with the Liu family, it is time to sever it now and execute him to avoid being implicated."

"You came back today just to say something sarcastic?"

Lu Tingwan asked bluntly, "Liu Qiyuan colluded with the Turks. Was father involved?"

Lu Mingqian glared, "Lu Tingwan! Who gives you the right to speak to me like this?"

He only sneered, "Father gave me the name Lu Tingwan. Even if you don't like me, I don't have any extravagant expectations for this family. After all, I have your blood in my veins, and I don't want to see my father make one mistake after another, and end up with his body torn apart."

"Rebellious son!" Lu Mingqian's face flushed red. "Whose daughter are you anyway? Do you wish your father would lose his job and title?"

"What kind of magic potion did Cheng Xianzhi feed you? If I had known this would happen, I shouldn't have brought you back to Kyoto to marry you off as a substitute for my sister."

"Hmph," Lu Tingwan smiled bitterly, "Father admitted that he brought me back not because I was alone and helpless in Jiangling, but because he wanted me to marry off my elder sister from the beginning. Since my elder sister is obedient, why don't you let her marry?"

"But because my sister has someone she loves, you couldn't bear it, so you had to listen to Madam's advice and set your sights on me. Father, do you know how happy I was that day when I first saw such a majestic mansion and the grandeur of the Prime Minister's Mansion? Your concern, your sister and Madam's kindness, made me happy."

"You two stand together as a harmonious family, but Ah Wan feels like an outsider, not as close to you as the servants in the mansion."

"You, you..." Lu Mingqian was so angry that he said, "Get out, get out now."

"Father, there's no need to rush me away. Ah Wan will leave on his own after he finishes speaking."

"My visit today has nothing to do with Cheng Xianzhi. I just want to advise you. Liu Qiyuan is in prison, and Cheng Xianzhi will do everything he can to pry his things away. It's been several days now. Why hasn't Liu Qiyuan been punished yet? Does father really have to wait for an imperial edict to see what's happening?"

"If the emperor knew you were involved, there would be only two possible outcomes. First, the emperor would conceal the evidence and give father the opportunity to confess before the emperor. He could then use you to testify against the person behind the crime and, through father's hand, bring down the Jiang family."

"Secondly, if you don't confess, Liu Qiyuan will reveal everything. Then, it will depend on whether Queen Mother Jiang can protect you and the Lu family. Jiang Haiyi commands a large force at Shanhaiguan. The Emperor won't touch the Jiang family for now, but what about the Queen Mother? To protect herself, the Queen Mother will definitely abandon the Lu family. Will father still persist in his delusion?"

Lu Mingqian rested his hands on the table, his eyes red. Seeing his reaction, Lu Tingwan became more certain of his guess. So, the man in black that Wu Kui mentioned seeing that night five years ago was Lu Mingqian.

If Liu Qiyuan opens his mouth, it is unknown whether he is involved in the collaboration with the enemy. However, if the old matter from five years ago is brought up again, Lu Mingqian will have nowhere to escape. The only way to reduce the Lu family's guilt is to make amends.

"What I regret most is that I brought you back to Kyoto." Lu Mingqian said hoarsely, extremely disappointed. "No, I should have strangled you to death when your mother gave birth to you."

A warm feeling flowed down Lu Tingwan's eyes. He said nothing more than this, feeling exhausted. "If father is innocent, then just pretend that Ah Wan has never been here today."

The wind on a summer night was very cool. Lu Tingwan did not stumble out of the Lu family's house like she did on a snowy night last year. Her steps were firm and steady.

The Jiang and Lu families were deeply entwined, and Lu Mingqian was unwilling to abandon his last glimmer of hope in the Empress Dowager. He wanted to take a gamble, hoping Liu Qiyuan wouldn't give it up, and that the Empress Dowager would protect the Lu family. There was still a chance.

But if you confess your crime before the emperor, you will die.

Lu Tingwan was not very confident that she could convince Lu Mingqian, but since they were father and daughter, she had only done this.

Thank you for your kindness!

Then do it one last time.

*

Liu Qiyuan was sentenced to death and died in prison. The emperor did not attack the Lu family. Instead, he reused Lu Mingqian and took back the real power that had been previously taken away by Cheng Xianzhi.

The storm seemed to have passed, and Lu Mingqian was able to breathe a sigh of relief. He was glad that he did not listen to Lu Tingwan that night.

The rumors in the palace reached the ears of Queen Mother Jiang and became a thorn in the side. It was rumored that Liu Qiyuan had revealed a secret in prison before his death.

Empress Dowager Jiang is cautious and suspicious. The emperor has been acting abnormally recently and has shown goodwill to Lu Mingqian many times. She is worried that Lu Mingqian has already defected.

Cheng Xianzhi suggested concealing the evidence of Lu Mingqian's guilt and not launching an attack for the time being, secretly and quietly pushing the Jiang and Lu families into confrontation.

In this contest between Queen Mother Jiang and the Lu family, although they seem to be united, they actually have their own agenda. Cheng Xianzhi is watching the fight between the snipe and the clam in the dark, and it is good for the fisherman to gain the advantage.

But this time he didn't want to get involved. It happened that there were frequent floods in Tanzhou during the hot summer, so Cheng Xianzhi asked for permission to lead the Ministry of Works to Tanzhou to build water conservancy projects to relieve the city from flooding.

He was going to Tanzhou, and he was going to take Gongsun Xue with him. As for the other person...

Given Queen Mother Jiang's cautious nature, she wouldn't keep Lu Mingqian any longer, lest he become too much of a nightmare. Lu Tingwan had been worried for days, exhausted, and after much deliberation, he concluded that there was only one person who could break the impasse.

She walked with heavy steps from Yansheng Hall to the study, and it took her less than a cup of tea to use up a stick of incense.

Not long after Cheng Xianzhi sent Han Zhou away, Gongsun Xue came to discuss with him the necessary supplies for the trip to Tanzhou. Cheng Xianzhi asked her to make her own arrangements. When Gongsun Xue went out, she happened to meet Lu Tingwan.

Lu Tingwan was preoccupied with other things and bowed slightly to Gongsun Xue when he saw her.

Gongsun Xue took the initiative to talk to her: "Second Madam has returned from the palace?"

Lu Tingwan responded indifferently. Gongsun Xue then asked, "Your Excellency has been ordered to go on a diplomatic mission to Tanzhou. This time, you will be away for at least three months. Her Majesty has allowed you to bring your family along. You serve the Queen Mother in the palace and are highly valued. I wonder if you will also go with her on this trip to Tanzhou. I'll have my servants prepare."

"Thank you, Madam, for your consideration." Lu Tingwan didn't say whether he would go or not. "I have something important to discuss with you, Madam, so I won't bother you anymore."

Gongsun Xue knew that Lu Tingwan had become more closely connected with Cheng Xianzhi since returning from Tanzhou, and she didn't know what kind of deal they had.

But Cheng Xianzhi seemed to treat her as another Han Zhou, perhaps with more vigilance and different feelings than Han Zhou. She didn't know if it was her own illusion.

As Cheng Xianzhi was flipping through the documents, there was a knock on the study door. He didn't ask who was coming, but just said, "Come in."

After a long time, there was no movement or person. Lu Tingwan took a deep breath and stepped in. There was a figure pressing towards him from behind the screen, and Cheng Xianzhi raised his eyes.

Lu Tingwan was wearing a light blue palace dress with an orange satin tied around her waist. The wide sleeves and the hem of her skirt were embroidered with a hundred-flower pattern with the same stitching. Her already delicate and petite facial features were delicately made up. This was her attire in the palace.

After not seeing him for half a month, he seemed to have been transformed into someone more calm and handsome, even his temperament seemed to reveal a bit of aloofness. Cheng Xianzhi stared at him for a moment.

After leaving it aside, he said lightly: "Are you back?"

Lu Tingwan said "hmm" softly.

She seemed to be hesitant to speak, and there was silence in the room for a long time. Cheng Xianzhi seemed to know that she came for an important matter. Seeing that she was reluctant, he did not rush to ask, but waited for her to figure out how to speak before responding.

"If, if," Lu Tingwan stammered, "if a minister in the court abuses his power for personal gain and the evidence is irrefutable, what will Your Majesty do after discovering it?"

Cheng Xianzhi looked at her and said, "Liu Qiyuan is a lesson for us."

"Cheng Xianzhi," Lu Tingwan sighed and asked again, his question completely unconvinced, "if he colluded with Liu Qiyuan, framed loyal officials, and harmed the people, can he be spared if he surrenders himself?"

Cheng Xianzhi tilted his head to look at her, but his expression showed no surprise at all. "The Liu Qiyuan case has been settled. The case has been completely resolved. How can there be any talk of collusion with remnants?"

"He, he," Lu Tingwan gritted her teeth. Even if she didn't come forward to provide evidence, sooner or later the Queen Mother would push the Lu family into the matter to protect herself. By then, many people would be implicated, and the situation would be impossible to reverse. "If my father is suspected, or, or, he, he..."

"Hmm?" Cheng Xianzhi showed a hint of surprise, then smiled, "Lu Mingqian? So, you want to sacrifice your own family for the sake of justice?"

"If the truth comes out and I'm punished by the Emperor, it's better than turning myself in, right?" She was a little incoherent and felt like she had nowhere else to turn.

"If Lu Mingqian has committed any crime, just tell him and see if he is willing to reveal it himself. Why is he running to me?" Cheng Xianzhi said steadily.

"Father won't listen to me," Lu Tingwan said with a dejected look. There was only one way to save the Lu family. "If you intervene, Father will be wary. Under your pressure, he'll have no way out and will definitely admit his guilt before His Majesty."

Cheng Xianzhi lowered her gaze. She was thinking too simply. If she were to pressure Lu Mingqian to surrender, not to mention the suspicion of shielding him, if Lu Mingqian got desperate and bit back, bringing more trouble upon herself, it wouldn't be worth it.

Besides, he was not unaware of the filthy things behind Lu Mingqian, but if he wanted to destroy someone, he had to make him crazy first.

This matter had its own role to play, but he, from the very beginning, had no intention of taking action and would not get involved, so he had to ask for permission to go to Tanzhou.

"I won't interfere in the Lu family's affairs."

"Cheng Xianzhi," Lu Tingwan's last shred of hope was shattered, leaving her with no one to turn to. Her eyes misted over, and her voice was unsteady. "Only if you step forward can the Lu family have room to maneuver. I know you and my father have different political views and positions. I'm not asking you to cover up his crimes, but only if you step forward and expose them can the Lu family be spared from this fate."

"I'll set off for Tanzhou tomorrow," Cheng Xianzhi stood up, now more than half a head taller than her, and extended his hand to her, "Come with me."

Cheng Xianzhi rejected her request, he refused!

The lines on her palm were almost blurred, and the pale bones of her slender fingers were a touch pink, a beautiful sight. She knew Cheng Xianzhi's answer, so Lu Tingwan didn't go over and took a half step back.

"The road to Tanzhou is dangerous, please take care, sir." Her voice was desolate and she said nothing more.

She originally had no hope. Cheng Xianzhi had done his best by not seeking revenge for personal gain, and there was no reason for him to save the Lu family from disaster just for her.

Cheng Xianzhi watched the desolate figure disappear into the courtyard, and slowly withdrew his palm.

He stared into the night, and said to himself in the darkness, "Lu Tingwan, you haven't changed. You always thought you could save everyone."