Chapter 36 A Clever Heart "Are you... feeling sad for General Lu?..."
It wasn't until Ning Sui and Huai Yin came to check if she was injured that Meng Yu suddenly realized what was happening. Ignoring her legs, which were red from being scalded by the tea, she tried to pick up her pen in shock, but her fingers were trembling uncontrollably.
Seeing her own reaction, Meng Yu was surprised for a moment. Without daring to think about it, she quickly pressed her wrist, forcibly suppressing the trembling, and picked up her pen again: "Lu Xiuyi is dead. What happened?"
Ning Sui lifted Meng Yu's skirt and saw that her knee was burned red. In her haste, she only glanced at the words Meng Yu had written and, without thinking, hurriedly stood up: "I heard that she jumped into the Yue River to investigate something, but a huge rock rolled down and swept her away. They still haven't recovered her body. Hejingtang is nearby. I'll go buy some burn ointment. You and Huaiyin wait here."
The news struck like a thunderbolt, leaving Meng Yu's head buzzing. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She stood there, pale-faced, unable to move for a long time.
“They say evil deeds live on for a thousand years, but I don’t think this news is true,” Huaiyin said casually as she half-squatted down, while gently blowing on Meng Yu’s scalded knee with a look of heartache. “Miss, just bear with it, Miss Ning will be back soon.”
There was no sound from above, and Huaiyin looked up in surprise.
But Meng Yu's lips were pale, and she looked like she had lost her soul, her expression empty, with a hint of sadness in her eyes.
Huaiyin suddenly realized something, and an incredulous look flashed across her face: "Miss, are you... sad for General Lu?"
Huaiyin's words brought Mengyu back to her senses. She slowly raised her hand, not trying to hide anything: "Yes. We've known each other for a while, and he didn't do anything substantial to harm us. Besides, he lost his life in Yuehe, all for the sake of controlling the floods and for the people of Yuezhou. After all, it was a life, and it would be a lie to say I'm not sad."
Hearing her say that, Huaiyin also felt a pang of sadness: "That's right, even if we see a dying dog on the road, we can't hide our sadness."
***
Achoo!
The man in front of the fire was straightening his half-dry clothes when his nose suddenly itched slightly, and before he could react, he sneezed.
Dark clouds loomed overhead, strong winds rose, and a torrential downpour was imminent.
Lu Xiuyi quickly gathered his clothes and put them on. When the thin fabric touched the deep scratch on his back, the pain made his brows furrow. To make matters worse, there was a long hole in the back of his clothes. When the cold wind blew in, it blew on the wound, making the pain even more intense.
The moment he was swept away by the boulder in the river, the sharp stone pierced his clothes and tore through his flesh. If it weren't for a woodcutter passing by downstream who managed to pull him out of the river with tremendous effort, he might have lost his life there.
To prevent the floodwaters from overflowing the dikes, the woodcutter carried him to a distant forest. Only three days had passed since he was swept away by the river, and Chuze would surely send people to search for him from upstream to downstream. Now he only needed to walk to a place near the downstream of the Yue River and wait for a while.
Before even reaching the riverbank, Lu Xiuyi was already staggering due to excessive bleeding and not having eaten or drunk anything for days. To make matters worse, he tripped over some stones on the road and was about to fall face down when he suddenly rolled over, his back hitting the stones on the ground.
The pain was excruciating and piercing.
Large raindrops pelted his face, and Lu Xiuyi finally couldn't hold on any longer and slowly closed his eyes.
Fortunately, just then, Chuze's voice came from afar, filled with heart-wrenching cries: "Young Master, Young Master..."
He's not dead yet...
Why are you crying so bitterly? It's bad luck.
Lu Xiuyi opened his mouth, but still couldn't say a word.
When he woke up again, the first thing he saw was a waterfall blue pillow. He then realized that he was lying face down on the couch. As soon as he moved his shoulder slightly, the piercing pain in his back instantly spread to every part of his body.
"Young Master, you're finally awake." Chu Ze entered the room carrying medicine, his face beaming with joy upon seeing Lu Xiuyi conscious.
Seeing that he had rolled over and gotten off the bed again, Chu Ze quickly put the medicine on the table, walked over and helped him lie back on the soft bed, explaining, "The wound on your back was soaked in the river water and became infected and inflamed. You need to lie down for two or three days."
Lu Xiuyi knew very well the extent of his injuries; he wouldn't die anytime soon. "Where is Prince Yu?"
"During the time you were missing, His Highness Prince Yu led people to expand and repair the dikes."
Lu Xiuyi frowned: "Prince Yu did the right thing. The most urgent task at present is naturally to expand and repair the dike. There is only one thing: you must go to the county government office in person now and have Magistrate Zhang immediately issue an order prohibiting the villagers from cutting down trees, with violators to be executed on the spot. Also, write a letter to the Forestry Bureau and have them transport all the shrubs that can prevent wind erosion and stabilize the soil to Yuezhou."
After a moment's thought, Chu Ze immediately understood: "Young Master, could it be that the root cause of the floods in Yuezhou is that mountain forest?"
Lu Xiuyi nodded: "The soil erosion around the Yuehe River is severe. When I went down into the river, I saw that the places where the mountains and forests used to stabilize the soil had been washed away and the bottom had been leveled. If this problem is not solved at its root, the Yuehe River will inevitably flood every rainy season. Moreover, man-made dikes will inevitably wear out over time, and then we will have to spend manpower and money to maintain them."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ze hesitated: "To make this happen, not to mention the huge amount of manpower and resources required, the time involved alone is already quite challenging. Moreover, even if the national treasury can allocate funds, there is still a budget. If it is exceeded, those ministers will definitely have various reasons to object."
“I wholeheartedly agree with what General Lu has said. As for manpower and funds, you need not worry. Even if Father Emperor does not agree, I will take full responsibility for this matter.”
With that loud and clear voice, a person appeared at the door. Lu Xiuyi glanced at him and saw that he had rolled up his sleeves and his luxurious brocade robe was covered with some dirt, as if he had been traveling a long way.
Prince Yu walked over with his hands behind his back: "General Lu risked his life, I admire you."
"Your Highness, despite your high position and great power, haven't you also humbled yourself to work with the common people to expand and repair the dikes?" Lu Xiuyi said expressionlessly, glancing at Chu Ze. Chu Ze understood and turned to leave.
The Prince of Yu said casually, "He is simply fulfilling his duties."
"The same applies to me."
Prince Yu pulled up a chair and sat down next to him, raising his lips in a smile: "General Lu is not as dissolute as others say."
Lu Xiuyi retorted without hesitation: "Your Highness is not as stingy and incompetent as others say."
Prince Yu didn't mind at all, and instead laughed and said, "I suddenly realized that I am quite compatible with the general's temperament. Although you are helping Prince Rui, you are still my cousin after all. I wonder if General Lu would mind if I called you Ziye?"
He was so quick to get the information that Lu Xiuyi was caught off guard. After saying it was alright, he said directly, "I am a straightforward person. Your Highness, please speak your mind directly. There is no need to beat around the bush like this."
Upon hearing this, Prince Yu stared at him for a moment before suppressing his smile and saying solemnly, "Prince Rui is licentious, tyrannical, and cruel, treating human life as worthless. I suppose Ziye knows this better than I do."
Lu Xiuyi didn't speak, but the furrowed brows confirmed that it was what Prince Yu had said.
"I know you are not as incompetent as the outside world claims, but do you truly intend to place the incompetent Prince Rui on the throne? My Great Qi may seem peaceful and prosperous now, but treacherous ministers within plot to disrupt the court, and the Northern Liang is eyeing us covetously from the outside. Beneath this seemingly clear pool, undercurrents abound. Ziye, I desire nothing more than to reclaim our lost territories, bring peace and prosperity to the land. Will you lend me your assistance?"
Lu Xiuyi frowned and pondered for a long time, then smiled coldly: "Anyone can say high-sounding words. Your Highness, I am not a three-year-old child. You can't just make a big pancake and stuff it at me empty-handed and I will eat it. Under imperial power, I don't believe anyone is so noble."
Prince Yu had anticipated his response, so he wasn't angry. He simply smiled and said, "If you believe me so easily, I won't dare to employ you."
If your companions are too foolish, they will only be a hindrance and will not help your great cause at all.
"You should rest for now; this matter is indeed worth considering carefully."
After saying this, Prince Yu got up and left, but when he reached the door, he suddenly remembered something and turned back to say, "I heard that when Ziye was young, he went to Tongzhou for a trip and almost lost his life."
Lu Xiuyi's gaze suddenly sharpened: "What do you mean?"
"Speaking of which, Lu Jiayan is only two years older than you. He was not yet twenty at that time and was still quite naive. How could he have such ruthless methods? Moreover, how could Prince Rui have happened to be passing by at that time and place?" The young prince smiled faintly and pointed out the doubts in a few words. "Ziye is born with a keen mind. How could you not understand the key point? You have the talent of a general. Don't bear the name of an executioner for some unworthy people and things."
Without waiting for Lu Xiuyi to speak, he turned and left.
The downpour had stopped. There weren't many trees in the inn, and the sunlight streamed down, making the room bright and airy. Yet, Lu Xiuyi felt a chill instantly envelop his entire body.
The deepest scar hidden in his bones was brutally exposed, as if someone was pushing him forward, reminding him that it was time to see things clearly.
After resting for four or five days, Lu Xiuyi's health had improved significantly. During this time, he was bored, so he asked the soldier who knew sign language to come over and teach him for a long time.
The day he stepped out of the house, the sky was clear and the magistrate brought good news: the water level of the Yuehe River had dropped, and the strong and healthy people volunteered to follow Prince Yu to expand and repair the dikes.
Lu Xiuyi summoned Chu Ze: "The Marquis's mansion used to have a steward surnamed Zhou. He left after working there for less than half a year. Go and find out whether he is alive or dead."
Upon hearing this, Chu Ze tried his best to search his memory for fragments related to this Steward Zhou, but after thinking for a long time, he could only recall a few vague memories, all of which were nothing more than daily matters. He asked in confusion, "He is someone from almost ten years ago. Why is the young master looking for him?"
“Back then, you and I almost lost our lives in Tongzhou. He might know the truth about this.” Lu Xiu gently rubbed the pad of his right middle finger, where there was a small wound that was still somewhat uneven even after so many years.
This wound is from back then.
Chu Ze frowned slightly: "We investigated back then, and it wasn't Lu Jiayan who did it, was it?"
"It wasn't him."
***
Five days later, Chuze brought news.
“Young Master, after this matter was over, the reason why Steward Zhou left back then was indeed as you said. He overheard the entire assassination attempt. That’s why he changed his name and went to live in a small coastal town. The guards held his entire family hostage, and he did indeed confirm what Prince Yu said. It wasn’t you, Young Master, who sent the assassin to Tongzhou back then, but the Marquis.” Chu Ze slowly said each word, and even so, he still felt a surge of anger in his chest.
Let alone his master?
He and Chuze were very close, yet his voice seemed to come from afar, making his ears tremble and his legs go weak.
Back then, when he found a single clue, he immediately concluded that Lu Jiayan was responsible. However, he never dared to investigate further because he was afraid that the results of his investigation would indeed be as they are today.
Now that the truth is right in front of him, even though he was prepared, it still makes him dizzy.
At this moment, the words of the Prince of Yu echoed in my ears: "Ziye is born with a clever mind, how could he not understand the key point?"
It's not that he can't understand, he just doesn't want to believe it.
Even though Lu Huaiyuan treated him badly, even though he favored Lu Jiayan so much, even though his mother went too far, even tigers don't eat their cubs. He still couldn't believe that his blood-related father could be so cruel, and he still couldn't believe that he would really put him to death.
He also longed for his father's love, and he also longed for his father to teach him calligraphy, play chess with him, and practice martial arts with him, just like he had with Lu Jiayan.
But he had never had such a day in his entire memory.
The truth is too cruel, and reality is too bloody.
Human hearts are made of flesh and blood; how easy is it to get someone to completely accept it?
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