"Your Majesty is wise. On the one hand, you should immediately send people to check on the situation in Mucheng. On the other hand, you can also let the prefect of Mucheng deal with the situation first, so that he can act immediately if it really becomes a disaster."
Lu Yucheng knew that his father was a straightforward person, and that he was going to go against the emperor as soon as he entered the palace, so he quickly interrupted him.
The Duke of Zhenguo glared at his son.
Lu Yucheng winked at him.
The Duke of Zhenguo remained silent.
Enough, enough. What's the use of him saying anything more? This emperor is not the former one. He only cares about imperial power; he has no regard for the people.
well……
Hearing Lu Yucheng's words, the old emperor's expression softened. He said to Zhang Zhongwei, "Go, immediately send someone on horseback to Mucheng to find out the situation. If it is indeed serious, have the prefect open the granaries and distribute grain to ensure that the people can have a peaceful New Year with enough to eat and wear. There must be no cases of people starving or freezing to death. Otherwise, I will not forgive them."
After receiving the order, Zhang Zhongwei immediately instructed someone to send it.
The Duke of Zhenguo was somewhat relieved.
Seeing that the Duke of Zhenguo was no longer going on and on, the old emperor didn't want to talk to him any longer, so he said, "Duke of Zhenguo, Prince, you must be tired from your journey. Go back to your residence and rest. Remember to attend the palace banquet on the seventh day."
The two rose, knelt in gratitude, and prepared to leave. The old emperor then said, "Xiaoyun was also injured on her wedding day. It's getting late today. If you're not tired, Prince Lu, why don't you go to Prince An's residence to see her tomorrow?"
Xiaoyun is injured?!
Both the Duke of Zhenguo and Lu Yucheng were shocked. They had not received any news and thought that Xiaoyun would be fine. The assassination happened at night. Shouldn't Xiaoyun be waiting for Prince An in the bridal chamber in the backyard at that time? How could she be injured?
Surely an assassin wouldn't enter a bridal chamber and kill someone.
The two were extremely anxious and hurriedly left the palace.
The old emperor watched their hurried retreating figures, scoffed, and his face, like an icicle hanging from the eaves, exuded a chilling aura.
You all know you're worried about your child being injured, but why didn't you think about how I'd worry about my son having to go to Mu City before he could even have a proper New Year?
Ha, you don't know the pain until the knife is at your own throat, huh!
Consort Ye followed closely in, pretending not to see the old emperor's dark and sour face. She personally poured a cup of tea and handed it to the old emperor, saying, "Oh dear, Your Majesty, I am right in front of you, how can you not see me? Is it because I am not pretty enough, and Your Majesty has grown tired of me?"
The old emperor immediately put on a smiling face and pinched Consort Ye's fair and smooth cheek: "You only know how to please me. On the Lantern Festival, I will take you to the city tower to light the lanterns, and together you will be worshipped by all the people."
"Your Majesty, you are so kind! I love Your Majesty the most!" Consort Ye said seductively, clinging to the old emperor's arm.
She nestled into the old emperor's arms, her hands restlessly tracing circles on his chest: "Your Majesty, why did the Duke of Zhenguo have such a dark face when he left? Didn't he just return from the southern border? How dare a mere subject show such disrespect to Your Majesty?"
Upon hearing this, the old emperor's face immediately darkened: "You saw it?"
"I saw him, and there was also Prince Lu shaking his head. I don't know what the two of them were whispering about, I couldn't hear clearly."
"Hmph, what can they possibly be muttering about? I think they've been staying in the southern borderlands for too long, completely forgetting that I am the emperor of this Great Zhou."
Consort Ye leaned against the old emperor with a smile: "Yes, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo has married Prince An, who has been in the Northern Army for ten years..."
Upon hearing this, the old emperor rubbed his fingers together, already knowing what was going on.
Upon reaching the palace gate, the Duke of Zhenguo glared at Lu Yucheng: "Why did you block your father in front of the Emperor just now? Do you know how many people will starve and freeze to death in four or five days?"
“Father, now that you understand the Emperor’s meaning, why upset him further? In any case, our people have already left all our belongings there. The governor of Mu City can hold out for a few more days, even if it’s four or five days later.”
"How can that be the same? Only when the prince goes in person will the people have hope for their lives and know that the Great Zhou court has not abandoned them."
Lu Yucheng helped the town official onto his horse: "Alright, Father, if you're worried, I'll set off for Mucheng tomorrow after I see Xiaoyun."
The Duke of Zhenguo glared at his son with his tiger-like eyes: "What kind of behavior is this! Fine, four or five days it is. I hope Heaven will have mercy and this heavy snow in Mucheng will stop soon. It's already past the New Year, and the beginning of spring is almost here."
The Duke of Zhenguo sat on his horse, turned around and looked at the deep palace behind him, then spurred his horse and headed towards the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
"Father, I would like to go to Prince An's residence to see Xiaoyun first."
He just needs to turn one corner, and the Prince An's Mansion will be there; then he can see Xiaoyun.
The Duke of Zhenguo said with a stern face, "Go back to your residence first to bathe and change. If you go to the Prince of An's residence looking like this, people who don't know the situation will think you're there to interrogate someone. What kind of behavior is that? Besides, the Emperor ordered you to go tomorrow. What kind of behavior is it to go today!"
Lu Yucheng was extremely anxious, but he also knew that his father was very particular about rules, so he could only whisper his agreement.
At the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, the gates were wide open. His second wife, Madam Fang, stood on tiptoe at the entrance, looking around: "Didn't they say they had already arrived? Why haven't they come yet? Quickly, send someone to check again."
The old woman beside her laughed and said, "Madam, you are too impatient. The Duke and the young master still need to go to the palace to pay their respects to the Emperor."
Fang impatiently slapped away the old woman's hand that was supporting her: "Oh, I know, I know, you've said that eight hundred times already, it's like I'm deaf. I'm just in a hurry."
The old woman smiled sheepishly, "Haven't you asked that question eight hundred times already?"
The sound of horses' hooves approached from afar.
"They're here, Madam. The Duke and the Young Master have returned."
Fang hurriedly lifted her skirt and walked down the steps.
The father and son dismounted, tossing their riding whips to the gatekeeper. Madam Fang immediately stepped forward: "Your Excellency, Duke..."
As she spoke, tears welled up in her eyes.
She wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, but her other eye was fixed on the Duke of Zhenguo.
The Duke of Zhenguo frowned slightly and said calmly, "Let's go into the mansion first."
“Mother.” Lu Yucheng bowed respectfully to Madam Fang.
Fang's eyes were indifferent, but a forced smile appeared on her face: "The young master has also returned."
Behind Fang, her two daughters and son also greeted their father and elder brother, saying, "Greetings, Father; greetings, Elder Brother."
The Duke of Zhenguo glanced at his three daughters and one son, whom he used to see every three years when he returned to Shengjing. Now, only two daughters and one son were waiting for them at the gate of his mansion.
The eldest daughter has grown up, gotten married, and is no longer a member of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
His heart clenched for no reason, and he nodded slightly before stepping inside.
Lu Yucheng laughed and said, "Second sister, third sister, second brother, you've all grown quite a bit taller. Your eldest brother almost doesn't recognize you anymore. I brought you gifts, and I'll have someone deliver them to your courtyard in a bit."
The family entered the house in a lively and cheerful atmosphere.
The Duke of Zhenguo and his son went to bathe and change clothes first.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com