Chapter 138: Farewell
Before leaving, Sheng Huaixing and Wang Yuan said to them respectively, "See you later——"
Qin Heng and others also said, "See you later."
Sheng Huaixing and Wang Yuan both believed that such a powerful group of people would sooner or later return to Chang'an City, the center of power.
After saying goodbye, Xu Zheng, as the chief bailiff, led five other junior bailiffs and escorted the Qin family and others out of the city gate.
Lu Desheng nodded to Sheng Huaixing, Wang Yuan and the others, then immediately followed, following his daughter forward. He kept following, and kept following.
Qin Heng pulled the third brother forward, trying to leave as much space as possible for Lu Desheng, Qin Sheng, and Lu Songli.
"My daughter, are you really going to be exiled to Pingzhou? Can we not go?" Lu Desheng's voice was full of reluctance.
"Dad..." Lu Songli was helpless. This wasn't her choice. The Queen Mother was watching. She would force her into exile even if she had to. Don't ask her how she knew. She had an inexplicable intuition.
Xu Zheng and the others had been secretly prepared in advance, thinking he was reluctant to leave his daughter and would offer her a little farewell. Plus, he was dressed in official uniform, which made him quite intimidating. Who knew he would escort her all the way to the city gates and still be reluctant to leave?
Then a strange scene appeared on the street where there were few pedestrians.
Five or six officers were escorting a group of prisoners towards the city gate, and an official in court robes followed them all the way.
After a closer look, I found that this group of prisoners were actually the Qin family of Pingxi Marquis Mansion, and the official was actually Lu Desheng, the Imperial Censor! Moreover, this Imperial Censor Lu looked like he was about to cry?
Word of this bizarre sight spread, attracting many onlookers. Even some imperial officials, passing along the road on business or simply stopping for a meal, happened to hear about the spectacle and would peer out of restaurant windows to see it.
These officials felt relieved in their hearts, Lu Desheng, Lu Desheng, you have come to this day!
"Dad, stop crying. There are so many people watching you."
When Lu Desheng heard this, he felt even more upset, tears streaming down his face. Why should he care about what others think? His daughter was going to be exiled! Woohoo—
Old Madam Qin felt very guilty when she saw this scene. Their Qin family married a good girl, but she didn't enjoy the happiness for even two days before her property was confiscated, and she was imprisoned and exiled.
"Dad, you came to see me. Did something happen?" Lu Songli could only try to distract him. Normally, at this time, her father would be in the palace, burning paper and mourning for the late emperor. Their decision to leave for Pingzhou was rather sudden, and he shouldn't have received the news so quickly in the palace. His appearance was quite coincidental. So Lu Songli thought that perhaps he had encountered something in the palace.
After Lu Songli reminded him, Lu Desheng remembered that he came to see his daughter because he had something to tell her.
So while he was seeing her off, he told his daughter what had just happened in the palace. Lin Ran appeared with the third edict and the contents of the edict.
Xu Zheng quickly sent two young bailiffs to follow him, while he himself guarded Lu Desheng and the other two. He now realized that this uncle-in-law really dared to say anything.
Lu Songli listened silently. As she had expected, Emperor Kang Cheng would allow her father to use the will to gain some benefits, but he would never allow him to do anything reckless. This third will was designed to prevent any unexpected events from happening with the first and second wills.
Emperor Kang Cheng was worthy of being an emperor, always prioritizing the greater good. Personal emotions always gave way to the country and the people.
"Dad, it's okay, it's just a false alarm. You did very well, you are safe." Lu Songli comforted him.
Comforted by his daughter, Lu Desheng felt better again. He lowered his voice and said, "My daughter, you don't know how dark the new emperor's face turned when he heard the contents of the third edict."
It could be said that he and the new emperor were the two most affected by the third edict. He was shocked that he almost lost his head, while the new emperor was completely controlled by the third edict.
"Dad, the late emperor really had good intentions."
Lu Songli felt that, honestly speaking, Emperor Kangcheng had considered the content of this third will very carefully, taking into account all aspects.
The appointment of these four regents wasn't simply intended to control the new emperor, but also to assist in his education. After all, unlike the crown prince, the new emperor wasn't educated from a young age as a successor, ready to shoulder the heavy responsibilities of ruling the country. These four men could even be considered the sharpening stones Emperor Kangcheng had prepared for him.
If the new emperor could understand the purpose of his father's arrangement, the two years would be both a transition and a period of growth.
She could only say that Emperor Kang Cheng was truly shrewd and calculating.
However, this handover was not done properly. Given Song Mo's slightly paranoid and stubborn personality, he probably only thought of the late emperor's ill intentions and failed to understand the late emperor's good intentions. This is the flaw of not receiving orthodox education as a crown prince.
If the father and son sat down and calmly handed over the power before Emperor Kangcheng's death, and Emperor Kangcheng, as a father, gave him some positive encouragement, perhaps the new emperor could really grow in the direction he hoped and planned.
But this cannot be blamed on Emperor Kang Cheng, he has done a very good job. Until his death, he was still working hard for the country of Dali.
Next, it was Lu Songli's turn to give her father earnest advice.
"Dad, from now on, don't act too high-profile." Lu Songli instructed him.
"I know."
"Dad, you really have to listen to this. Otherwise, what if the new emperor thinks you're too useful and doesn't allow you to be transferred out of town?"
When Lu Desheng heard this, he immediately became nervous. His daughter was right. He should keep his abilities and talents to himself. If the new emperor forced him to stay, he would have nowhere to cry.
Yes, after Emperor Kangcheng's death, he had planned to flee. He was alone in the court and the Empress Dowager was very dissatisfied with him. The new emperor had just ascended the throne and had not yet firmly sat on the throne. He would definitely not be willing to go against the Empress Dowager for him. Just thinking about it made him feel that his future was bleak.
Lü Desheng had already planned to apply for an official position in another province. His only requirement was that the location he applied for be the place where his daughter was exiled. The size of the position didn't matter; the new emperor wouldn't be too happy to let him hold such power anyway.
Moreover, he emphasized this only requirement three times in the memorial!
Lu Desheng thought, at worst, the new emperor could at least arrange for him to be near his daughter's exile place?
Unfortunately, he couldn't leave just yet. First, he had to stay in Chang'an to help clean up the mess. Second, it was difficult to travel in winter, and he had two young children to take with him. They would wait until spring, when the ice and snow melted, and then they would set off.
As they were talking, the group had already arrived outside the city gate.
Xu Zheng stepped forward and showed the gatekeeper the relevant pass and other documents.
"Dad, just send me here. The road outside the city is difficult to walk on, so you don't have to leave the city." No one sweeps the snow regularly outside the city. He is an old man, what if he falls?
Just as Lu Desheng was about to say something, he saw a woman in palace dress walking down from the city wall.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
