Chapter 175 Announcement
At the same time at the Duke's Mansion.
The Duke and his wife finally found out that Lu Qian was going to Youzhou to join the army.
Even when the sun was shining brightly, the atmosphere in the spacious and bright hall was solemn and depressing.
Bang--
“Nonsense!”
Lu Tanwei angrily slammed the table and paced back and forth in the hall. "Youzhou is our dynasty's fortress. It's been in constant conflict with foreign tribes and wars. If he wanted to join the army, he could have gone to his second uncle to gain some experience. Why would he run to Youzhou?!"
Wang wiped her eyes with a handkerchief, weeping uncontrollably. The old lady, on the other hand, remained calm. She took a sip of tea and said, "In the final analysis, you simply don't trust your son. You'd rather he be a worthless person blessed by the family inheritance than experience even the slightest bit of hardship."
This statement was too straightforward, and Lu Tanwei choked on the spot.
"A Qian is used to a life of luxury. The conditions in Youzhou are harsh. Can he bear it?" Wang said.
It wasn't that she didn't want Lu Qian to suffer, but she was worried that he couldn't endure it. Besides, what was wrong with being a second-generation rich kid? It was okay to be a little naughty when you were young, and you would become more mature once you had a wife and children. With the achievements accumulated by his ancestors, Lu Qian would never have to worry about wealth and glory in his life. Why would he go to such a dangerous place to fight?
The elders were talking, and the two younger ones were sitting on the chairs at the side, with their heads down and no words.
"No, I have to go to Youzhou myself and bring the person back." Lu Tanwei rolled up his sleeves and was about to go out.
Song Lingyi was startled and was thinking about how to persuade her when she heard the old lady shout, "Come back!"
The old lady spoke, and Lu Tanwei dared not disobey and sat back in the armchair obediently.
"Once A Qian has made up his mind, even eight horses cannot pull him back. Do you think he will come back if you go to Youzhou?" The old lady put the teacup heavily on the table.
"How dare he not reply!"
The elders were arguing fiercely nearby, but Lu Yu didn't react much. She leaned forward slightly and lowered her voice, "Cousin, why did my brother suddenly chase you to Huaizhou City?"
Song Lingyi didn't know how to answer this question for a moment. She picked up the tea, avoided her cousin's inquiring gaze, and said with a smile, "This tea is really fragrant."
The topic turned abruptly. Lu Yu pouted in dissatisfaction, narrowed her almond-shaped eyes, and gradually raised a meaningful smile at the corner of her lips. She read out with emotion:
"I can guess even without you telling me... After my cousin left, I suddenly realized I had fallen deeply in love with you. I traveled a long way to Huaizhou City to confess my love for you, but my cousin only had feelings for His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. With no other choice, I left Youzhou in anger to win back my cousin's heart."
"puff--"
Song Lingyi spat out a mouthful of tea.
The arguing in the hall suddenly stopped.
"Lingyi, tell me, what should we do now?" Wang gave her a look, indicating that she should persuade the old lady to agree that they should bring Lu Qian back to Beijing.
Song Lingyi wiped her mouth and looked embarrassed.
How could a junior like her express her opinion on such a matter? Besides, she was also covering for Lu Qian's trip to Youzhou, so it would be inappropriate for her to turn against him at this critical moment.
After two moments of silence, the old lady at the head of the table grew increasingly grim and said sternly, "When will you two understand that Ah Qian is a human being, not a puppet to be manipulated by others?"
"Is spoiling him to the point of ignorance and watching him live a life of mediocrity really what's best for him? You always say he's a playboy and a troublemaker, yet you never try to dissuade him or punish him. Now that he's figured it out and has a clear goal, you're opposing him again."
The old lady stared at the silent Duke and his wife and continued, "You need to think carefully about whether you are doing this for his own good, or if you want to control his life."
Lu Tanwei was speechless for a moment.
"Can you really let Ah Qian go to Youzhou?" Wang's eyes were red with tears. "The two children have never left home since they were young. Ah Qian doesn't know the dangers of the world. What if something happens to him?"
Hearing this, Song Lingyi mustered up her courage and interjected, "Don't worry, Auntie. My brother is certainly not inexperienced in the ways of the world. This time in Huaizhou City, he infiltrated the bandits' den alone and nearly became sworn brothers with the pirate leader. He even saved many civilians right under the pirates' noses. He's got plenty of clever ideas."
The Duke and his wife had not heard of this matter and looked at each other in bewilderment.
He is so brave and resourceful, is he still their son?
"So amazing?!" Lu Yu was shocked, her almond eyes lit up like stars, "No wonder my brother wants to join the army."
"One thing at a time."
Lu Tanwei waved his hands, unwilling to believe that his son, who had been a playboy for eighteen years, would suddenly become both wise and brave.
"He's just a little clever, a blind cat catching a dead mouse. Going to Youzhou is no joke. It means going to the battlefield and fighting with real guns and swords."
Song Lingyi's eyes flickered as she smiled faintly, "Uncle didn't see it. If it weren't for my brother saving me from the pirates in time, I would have been torn to pieces. They say that when a man is away for three days, he should be looked at with new eyes. He is not as bad as you think."
"You all heard it, didn't you?"
The old lady chuckled: "You two are too prejudiced against A Qian. He has finally calmed down. Don't discourage him."
The argument in the hall had just subsided when the doorman hurried in to report, his expression both surprised and delighted.
"Duke, the eunuch is here to announce the imperial decree."
Lu Tanwei naturally knew that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince was going to marry his niece, but she didn't know that the imperial edict would come so quickly. She was afraid that His Majesty, who was living in the temporary palace, had not received the news yet.
He looked at his niece with a little surprise and thought to himself: Yes, if my niece had not gone to Huaizhou City, the imperial edict of enthronement should have come faster.
The family came to the front yard to listen to the order.
First, the poem praised Song Lingyi for her virtue, generosity, gentleness and kindness, and recommended her to be the Crown Princess.
The reading lasted for a long time until the words "imperial order" were heard. Song Lingyi kowtowed again along with the elders and said loudly, "Your Highness receives the order."
Feng Tong respectfully handed the imperial edict to Song Lingyi and said with a smile, "I congratulate Miss Song. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has ordered the Imperial Observatory to select a date. The Six Departments and the Ministry of Rites are also preparing the procedures for the enthronement ceremony. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince values you very much."
Song Lingyi held a bright yellow jacquard brocade with a dark pattern in her hand. She rubbed the black rhino horn shaft with her fingertips. A smile played on the corner of her mouth, and she nodded slightly: "Thank you, Eunuch Feng."
"Miss Song, there's no need to be polite to me."
As he was speaking, Qingyue stepped forward and handed a bulging purse to Feng Tong.
"Thank you for taking the trip, eunuch. Please accept this as a small token of my appreciation." Wang said with a smile.
When eunuchs from the palace came to the mansion to announce the imperial decree, dignitaries would always give them some silver as a reward. This was an unwritten rule. Feng Tong did not refuse too much. After accepting the purse, he led the eunuchs out of the Duke's Mansion.
As soon as the others left, Lu Yu immediately rushed over to read the imperial edict.
"Oh my god, His Royal Highness is so quick."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com