Chapter 58. He said his surname was Lu.
Xi Mo said, "Four nights ago, several masked assassins broke into our house with the intention of assassinating Young Master Song."
Lu Jinlan hurriedly asked, "Then Lin Cheng... has something happened to him?"
Xi Mo quickly shook his head: "Young Master Song suffered a minor injury, but it's not fatal."
Lu Jinlan breathed a sigh of relief, then said helplessly, "Next time, tell me the result first. Who are you trying to scare? Wait here, I'll go and report the situation to His Highness."
Xiang Ruzhen and Yan Wuxin were also listening nearby, so they simply got into Zhao Zhiyu's carriage with her.
After Lu Jinlan explained the situation, Zhao Zhiyu asked, "Who do you think did it?"
Lu Jinlan sneered, "It must be the Ling family's doing again. I think the Ling sisters really hate me. I've never even met them, yet they've sent assassins to kill me multiple times. Seeing that they couldn't kill me, they sent someone to harm my fiancé in order to ruin my marriage. How fortunate I am that two influential figures, Lord Ling and Grand Commandant Ling, have actually gone against me."
Yan Wuxin said, "In Beizhou, we caused them to lose 100,000 Ling family troops in one fell swoop. The Ling family and the Song family were mortal enemies to begin with, and now they're settling both old and new scores."
Xiang Ruzhen said, "A woman is innocent, but she is guilty of possessing a treasure. You haven't even taken over the Song family army yet, but you've already shown your talent. They're probably afraid that you'll hold a large army and oppose them in the future, so they simply want to nip you in the bud before you've become powerful enough."
Lu Jinlan snorted coldly, a ruthless glint in her eyes, "Unfortunately, I am not a mediocre person who can be slaughtered at will."
Zhao Zhiyu patted her shoulder, "Jinlan, you're already in the middle of this vortex. You need to get used to being enemies and learn to be patient. The Ling family is powerful, and no one can shake them right now. But I can tell you, we will definitely see the day the Ling family falls."
Lu Jinlan nodded and said solemnly, "Then when it's time to bring down the Ling family, please be sure to call me along, Your Highness. No matter who goes against the Ling family, I will definitely lend a hand."
Xiang Ruzhen also said, "As an important minister of the country, to openly seek personal gain and disregard human life is unscrupulous and should have been investigated and punished long ago. If that time comes, please call me, Your Highness."
Yan Wuxin silently raised his hand, "Then call me too, I love joining in the fun."
Everyone chuckled, and Lu Jinlan suddenly remembered something. She said to Zhao Zhiyu, "There's something I've been meaning to ask you. When we visited the Marquis of Dingbei's residence last time, did the Ling family know His Highness's identity?"
Zhao Zhiyu sighed, "As you all probably know, Marquis Ling's husband is the Empress's younger brother, so I should call her my aunt. However, royal family ties are weak, and relatives don't visit each other as frequently as ordinary families."
"For safety reasons, the princesses grew up in the deep palace and rarely saw outsiders before they came of age. Ling Zhaoren and I are cousins, and she doesn't even know me. Normally, it's not surprising that she doesn't know. But the Marquis of Dingbei does know me. The first time I escorted Ling Zhaoren to the Marquis's residence, she was watching from the shadows. She thought I didn't see her, but I did."
Xiang Ruzhen was taken aback, "Then on the day she invited us to her residence, she was still like that..."
Zhao Zhiyu smiled bitterly, "Yes, she knew I was a princess, yet she still insisted on humiliating us like that. That's why I got angry that day. She wanted to humiliate me the most; you're probably just a result of my actions."
Yan Wuxin said, "Such disregard for imperial authority suggests that the rumors circulating in the streets may be true, and that the Ling family truly harbors rebellious intentions."
Zhao Zhiyu said disdainfully, "The Ling family has had this idea for a long time, but if they really want to take action, we'll have to see if they have the ability."
Zhao Zhiyu then looked at Lu Jinlan: "I hate the Ling family even more than you do, but until the time is right, we can only swallow our pride and bear it. Although the Ling family sees you as a thorn in their side right now, you don't need to worry too much. You and General Song are both loyal to the Empress Dowager, and I will stand by your side. The Empress Dowager will also find a way to secretly protect you and Young Master Song. If you want to go back early, then go back. The Ferghana horse can travel a thousand miles a day, and you will be able to see him soon."
Lu Jinlan cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Your Highness!"
The three jumped off the carriage. Lu Jinlan instructed Ximo to follow the group and take the several large boxes of Northern Prefecture artifacts she had brought back to the capital. She herself would travel light and return to the capital first.
Xiang Ruzhen helped her tie her sword to her horse and whispered, "Although I don't usually like to say mushy things, after thinking it over, I still should tell you this once. I will always stand by your side. No matter what forces you oppose, as long as you don't rebel, I will always stand by your side."
Lu Jinlan laughed and said, "With such a powerful ally as you, what do I have to fear?"
Yan Wuxin smiled and said, "Then I also have something to say."
She looked around and, seeing that no one was around, whispered in Lu Jinlan's ear, "You know I'm not as principled as Ruzhen. Even if you rebel, I'll stand by your side."
Lu Jinlan shook his head with a smile, thinking to himself: I'm just bored and have nothing better to do than start a rebellion.
She leaped onto her horse, saying, "See you in the capital, gentlemen."
*
After bidding farewell to everyone, Lu Jinlan rode at breakneck speed, traveling day and night. The journey that should have taken five days was completed in just one day and one night, and she arrived in the capital.
However, by the time she reached the city gate, it was already midnight. She had been so focused on getting there that she didn't remember there was a curfew until she saw the tightly closed city gate.
Lu Jinlan reined in her beloved horse and looked towards the city wall. The guards on night duty on the city wall heard the noise and were also looking at her with torches.
Lu Jinlan cupped her hands in greeting and pleaded, "Ladies, I have an urgent matter at home. Could you please open the city gate and let me in?"
The person above said rudely, "Do you think this is your own front door? You can't just open it whenever you want and come in whenever you want. Even if it's urgent, you have to wait until dawn. The door opens at 5 a.m., so find somewhere to wait first."
Lu Jinlan gritted his teeth and had no choice but to use some title, "I am a cavalry captain and special envoy who is accompanying the imperial envoy on a case. I have returned to the capital early due to a family emergency. You'd better let me in."
Lu Jinlan didn't say the rest, but the officer above sensed the threat and said respectfully, "Please wait a moment, Captain, while I go and inform them."
Before long, the night watchman peered down. The man was tall and thin, with a long face and a pointed chin. Leaning against the city wall, he looked like a large praying mantis. The person next to him introduced him: "This is our gatekeeper, Lord Luo."
Lu Jinlan took out a money pouch from her bosom. "Lord Luo, please do me a favor and let the ladies take this money for drinks."
Lord Luo shook his head. "Captain, we guard the city gates and cannot drink alcohol. We appreciate your kindness. We heard you accompanied the imperial envoy on a mission out of the capital, but let me tell you, many officials on missions back to the capital have been stopped at the gates by us. The city gates cannot be opened at night unless there is a battle report or an imperial edict ordering you to enter the capital immediately. Otherwise, even if you were accompanying the Emperor on official business, I cannot make an exception for you."
"She's really hard to talk to," Lu Jinlan muttered, then began to appeal to her emotions, "Ladies and gentlemen, please don't be so serious. My fiancé was injured by an assassin, and I'm in a hurry to go back to see him. How about this, you let me in tonight, and I'll invite you all to my wedding feast another day?"
Lord Luo remained unmoved. "Sir, didn't we tell you we don't drink alcohol? Alcohol and women lead to ruin, so you should also dine on less."
Lu Jinlan was so angry she almost laughed. She hadn't found the situation this difficult, even when handling cases in Beizhou. Logically, the gatekeeper was a seventh-rank official, while Lu Jinlan was a fourth-rank official; in terms of rank, Lu Jinlan was higher than her. But unfortunately, the gatekeeper was simply fulfilling her duties and wasn't afraid of any subsequent trouble.
He was averse to wine and women, unmoved by money, and unafraid of power. This lowly gatekeeper had truly opened her eyes.
Lu Jinlan rode his horse for a moment, then muttered to himself, "Fine, you win. I, Lu Jinlan, am truly out of options today. Farewell."
"Wait a minute!" Lord Luo suddenly called out to her, "You said your name is Lu Jinlan?"
Lu Jinlan was taken aback. "Yes."
Lord Luo slapped his thigh, "You should have said so earlier! Open the city gates now!"
Lu Jinlan thought to herself: Is this a fan or an old acquaintance? But I don't remember seeing her anywhere before.
This person is strange. Just now, she almost wore herself out trying to persuade him, but he refused to open the city gate as soon as he heard her name.
Lu Jinlan quickly dismounted and entered the city gate. Lord Luo hurriedly came down from the city wall and knelt down in front of her with a thud. "This humble one is Luo Dali. I did not know that Lord Lu had come here. I have offended you earlier."
Lu Jinlan quickly went to help her up, "Lord Luo, please get up quickly, what are you doing?"
Luo Dali said excitedly, "My lord, you may not know this, but I am from Changsheng County in Beizhou. The drought in Beizhou is raging, and my fellow villagers in Changsheng County are having a very difficult time."
"Although I knew that the imperial court had sent an imperial envoy again, I didn't dare to have any hope. But a few days ago I received a letter from home saying that the family's household registration certificate was damaged. Thanks to your righteous words and your willingness to go through the trouble, my family was able to receive the disaster relief funds."
"Many of my relatives have drunk the porridge provided by your soup kitchen. My sister kept praising you in her letter, saying that thanks to you, the people of Beizhou were able to receive disaster relief funds so quickly. Many families are waiting for this money to buy rice and medicine."
“Lord Lu, I’m a bit of an oddball. I don’t believe the court’s constant praise of this official or that official with such extravagant titles. But I do believe that an official who is praised by the people must be a good official. Your good deeds in Beizhou are a great blessing to the people of Beizhou. On behalf of my fellow villagers, I kowtow to you.”
"Oh dear, get up quickly!" Lu Jinlan hurriedly said, "No need for formalities, it's all what I should do. Serving the people, otherwise what would I be doing?"
She estimated that Luo Dali was a few years older than her. Having lived in this world for more than half a year, she had come to understand the prestige of holding an official position in the capital for someone from a remote area. Especially after visiting Xiang Ruzhen's home, she understood even more the hardships faced by students from poor families.
Luo Dali's hometown is a poor county in Beizhou, yet she remains unmoved by money, which earns Lu Jinlan even more respect.
Overwhelmed with emotion, she patted Luo Dali on the shoulder. "Thank you for letting me in. When I get married, I'll send you a wedding invitation. You must come to my wedding banquet!"
Luo Dali said awkwardly, "Of course. What I said just now was for outsiders to hear. I won't drink any other wine, but I must drink Lord Lu's wedding wine."
This unexpected event completely dispelled Lu Jinlan's fatigue. It was the dead of night, and the streets were deserted. Lu Jinlan galloped home on horseback, feeling exceptionally joyful.
The doorman was fast asleep in the gatehouse when she was woken up by her urgent knocking.
Who is it?
“I am your young master.”
"Oh dear! Why are you back at night?" The doorman quickly got up and opened the door.
Lu Jinlan tossed her the riding crop, "Quickly take my horse to the stable and feed it properly, it's exhausted."
The doorman responded repeatedly, and several old servants came out upon hearing the commotion, following behind Lu Jinlan and asking, "Young Master, would you like something to eat? We'll prepare some hot water for you right away. Which courtyard are you staying in?"
Lu Jinlan tugged at the cloak's tie. "No need to trouble yourself. I'll make do for the night and we'll talk tomorrow morning. Where's Young Master Song?"
*
Since Lu Jinlan left the capital, Song Lincheng has been sleeping poorly for more than a month.
He wrote several letters to Lu Jinlan, but her replies always brought only good news, praising her entirely. However, news arrived from their home in Lingzhou, revealing that she had already encountered assassins before even reaching Beizhou. The more she kept quiet, the more worried he became. Concerned about the dangers of her journey, he couldn't sleep at night.
After the assassination attempt that night, Song Lincheng developed an even worse problem of having nightmares. These past few days, he has kept his sword by his pillow while sleeping, and he goes out to check at the slightest sound or disturbance.
That night, Song Lincheng had just fallen asleep when he suddenly heard a commotion outside. He was jolted awake, drew the sword from beside his pillow, and rushed out.
Lu Jinlan was talking to the servants when she turned her head and saw Song Lincheng carrying a sword and walking hurriedly towards her.
Their eyes met, and Song Lincheng instantly dropped the sword in his hand. He quickly stepped forward, and Lu Jinlan opened her arms, and the two hugged each other tightly.
We had so much to say to each other that we didn't know which sentence to say first.
The two returned to their room, and Lu Jinlan said, "Let me see your wounds first. I was really scared when I heard you were attacked. That girl Xi Mo never gets to the point; she almost scared me to death."
Song Lincheng chuckled softly, unbuttoned his clothes, revealing his arm wrapped in bandages.
"It's just a cut, a minor flesh wound. You think I'm going to die?"
Lu Jinlan said helplessly, "After all, assassins are meant to take lives, and besides, those assassins are quite skilled in martial arts, aren't they?"
"Yes, how did you know? Come to think of it, I feel like the assassin was a man."
Lu Jinlan said, "I have also encountered this group of assassins, which is why I was afraid that you would fall victim to their evil deeds."
"It was indeed very dangerous, but fortunately someone saved me."
Who saved you?
Song Lincheng said, "I don't know him, but the person who saved me was also a man. I asked him why he saved me, and he said I would find out later. He also told me not to tell anyone else."
Lu Jinlan asked thoughtfully, "What does that person look like? Did you see his face?"
“He was wearing a mask, so I couldn’t see his face. But when I asked him his name, he said his surname was Lu.”
"Surname Lu?"
"Yes, his name is Lu Qilang."
Lu Jinlan smiled slightly, "Where is this person now?"
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Author's Note: My darlings, I'm going to work out the outline and plan out the upcoming plot today, so there will be fewer updates. See you tomorrow!
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