Chapter 36 Proposing to Lu Xiaolu
Qin Daoji's wound was quite deep. After he was treated, Xue Ci had already summoned all the officials to discuss the current situation.
The inn was not big enough, so the main hall of the yamen was requisitioned to house the wounded, and all office work and discussions were moved to the back office.
Qin Song helped Qin Daoji into the inner yamen, where everyone immediately stood up to greet them, and Xue Ci gave up the main seat.
"Please continue, everyone." Qin Daoji sat down, without dismissing Qin Song.
Everyone glanced at Qin Song, their expressions varied, but no one dared to utter a word, and the sounds of discussion resumed.
"Thank you all for your hard work. The grain you brought back is enough to support the people of the city through the New Year. I, Xue Ci, sincerely thank you all for the sacrifices made by the people of Yunzhou."
As Xue Ci was about to rise to pay his respects, Qin Daoji raised his hand and said, "Alright, enough with the pleasantries, let's get down to business."
Xue Ci sat down again and continued to report on the current situation: "The disease in the city is spreading rapidly, with more and more patients, and the key to the problem remains elusive. There is a significant shortage of doctors and medicine. However, the war situation is relatively stable. After a fierce battle last night, the enemy forces in the west are no longer a threat. But the confrontation with Danzhou in the north will take time. General Tao has been fighting for five consecutive days, and most of the city's defense troops have fallen. All we can do is supply food and wait for the triumphant return."
Qin Song poured Qin Daoji another cup of tea and listened quietly to everyone's voices. She wanted to stand behind Qin Daoji and eavesdrop quietly, but Li Yu gave her half of the long bench and subtly gave her a wink.
Qin Song never made things difficult for herself. Since there was a place to sit, she naturally didn't want to stand and sat down without any qualms.
Some of the people present glanced at it briefly, but did not make any further reaction.
Only Lu Youchuan, sitting in his cubicle observing the commotion in the hall, harbored a deep resentment towards this scene, wishing he could hold the knife to the boy's neck.
Li Yu was so excited about sitting openly with Qin Song that she didn't notice the pair of eyes lurking in the shadows.
Qin Daoji frowned after listening to Xue Ci's words, then took a sip of hot tea: "Then, Lord Xue, what do you think is the most pressing problem right now?"
Xue Ci closed the document in his hand and replied, "Repel the enemy and cure the epidemic."
He paused for a moment, then continued, "The grain that you gentlemen brought back has relieved the city's urgent food shortage, but it can only last until early spring at most. The grain will eventually run out. The best solution is to capture Danzhou, take back the territory that belongs to us, and replenish our supplies with the enemy's grain. So the current tasks are mainly two: repel the enemy and attack the city, and revitalize the people and control the epidemic."
Xue Ci pointed out the problems that everyone had seen, but as the local official in charge, he did not reveal more details than the officials present had.
Everyone looked at him, waiting for him to continue, but he smiled politely, seemingly having nothing more to add and only waiting for everyone to discuss it.
Qin Daoji sat sternly, clearly in a bad mood, but he didn't directly criticize anyone. Instead, he turned his gaze to the others in the room and asked, "What do you all think?"
The group looked at each other, seemingly wanting to say something, but no one spoke first.
After a moment of silence, Li Yu, whose official rank was not high, broke the silence: "What Lord Xue said is reasonable, but I would like to add something."
All eyes turned to him, and he calmly began to speak.
"On this journey to procure grain, we have traveled to three neighboring cities. The grain reserves of the local government offices are very limited, and most of it was purchased with silver allocated by the Ministry of Revenue. The three southern cities are located in the Central Plains, so their grain reserves should be sufficient. However, we need to verify the truth of their claims."
Given the current situation in Yunzhou, besides procuring grain, medicinal herbs are also urgently needed, and these still need to be sourced from surrounding cities. If silver continues to be allocated, the Ministry of Revenue may find it difficult to sustain the effort.
After Li Yu finished speaking, there was another silence. Because of Li Yu's speech, Qin Song, who was sitting next to him, was taken the opportunity to be looked at.
Li Yu's hands, resting on his knees, grew increasingly stiff, mirroring his expression. The gaze from the shadows also became more and more palpable.
Fortunately, Qin Daoji, who was sitting firmly in his seat, coughed a few times as if to deceive everyone, and they immediately looked away.
Following Li Yu's words, the officials from the Ministry of Revenue successively described the Ministry's remaining silver, mostly pleading poverty.
Qin Daoji gently placed the teacup down, making a crisp sound. "If Prefect Xue has nothing more to add, let's stop here for today. Let's do as Prefect Xue says. We are powerless to intervene in the war in the north, but you all need to do your best to solve the epidemic in the city."
His tone was somber, clearly indicating his displeasure.
No one dared to disobey, so they set off to perform their respective duties.
Li Yu was assigned to the medical clinic to assist in isolating patients with serious illnesses.
As he was leaving, he kept turning back to look at Qin Song, but the two of them couldn't exchange more than a few words.
Once outside the gate, he beckoned to Ah Zhao: "Stay close to Miss Qin at all times, and keep a close eye on that masked guard."
·
The room fell silent. Qin Song stepped forward and helped Qin Daoji back to his residence.
Stepping out of the back gate of the government office, Qin Daoji glanced at the guard wearing a dog-head mask and standing to the side with a knife, and coldly ordered, "You come too."
Qin Song was surprised for a moment, but Lu Youchuan seemed unsurprised and followed Qin Song into the inner hall.
Upon arriving at their residence, Qin Song and his daughter went inside, while he remained outside for the time being.
Qin Daoji sat at the wooden table in the outer room. Qin Song brought a thin blanket and covered his legs. She was about to pay her respects and leave when Qin Daoji stopped her. "Song'er, tell me your opinion."
His question was simple, but Qin Song knew he was referring to the Yunzhou matter that they hadn't finished discussing earlier.
"In my daughter's opinion, there are many suspicious things about this matter. The three cities in the south are located in the Central Plains and are rich in rice. There have been no natural disasters in the past two years, and the situation in the Central Plains is stable. The granaries should not be empty. The reason behind this needs to be investigated as soon as possible."
Furthermore, the western border is adjacent to Dengyang, another city-state of Dayu. How the enemy forces from the west managed to bypass Dengyang and launch a surprise attack on Yunzhou is also a major mystery.
Qin Song voiced his doubts, and although Qin Daoji's brows were furrowed, a hint of certainty appeared in his eyes.
He didn't rush to reply, but instead asked the person outside the door, "Imperial Censor Lu, what do you think?"
Qin Daoji was direct and to the point. Qin Song's expression froze, and his surprised gaze shifted from Qin Daoji's face to Lu Youchuan outside the door.
However, only she broke down; Qin Daoji and Lu Youchuan both remained calm, as if they had already tacitly understood each other.
Indeed, they had been fighting in the officialdom for several years, and they probably recognized each other outside the clinic that day.
Lu Youchuan calmly pushed off his mask, steadily entered the room, and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Lord Qin."
"I am but a lowly fifth-rank official, Censor Lu, you flatter me greatly." Qin Daoji neither rose nor smiled. "Let's get straight to the point. What brings Censor Lu on his secret trip to Yunzhou?"
Lu Youchuan stood respectfully beside Qin Song and cupped his hands again, saying, "This junior has a request."
When his political adversary referred to himself as a "junior," Qin Daoji suddenly looked up and stared at him intently.
Lu Youchuan frankly expressed his wish: "The matter of Yunzhou involves the forces in the capital, and the attitude of the surrounding cities is ambiguous. There must be some hidden reasons. Moreover, a serious disease is rampant in the city, and the enemy situation in the north is still unclear. Yunzhou is fraught with danger. I implore Lord Qin to allow me to bring your daughter back to the capital to avoid unnecessary trouble."
Qin Daoji's expression suddenly turned serious: "Imperial Censor Lu, you have overstepped your bounds."
Lu Youchuan remained upright, exchanged a glance with Qin Song, and slowly said, "Lord Qin, please calm down. This junior did not make this suggestion hastily. This junior sincerely wishes to marry your daughter. I had already informed my teachers to come and propose marriage, but due to the affairs of Lin'an, it was delayed and could not be put on the agenda. It is indeed abrupt to propose it now, but Lord Qin does not need to reply to this junior immediately. You only need to agree to let your daughter return to the capital with this junior, away from the strife in Yunzhou. Regardless of our political views, this junior will do everything in my power to ensure your daughter's safety."
Qin Daoji and Lu Youchuan are both people who are used to being in control, and they have clashed many times. Now that Lu Youchuan has taken the initiative to back down, Qin Daoji still doesn't have a good look on his face.
He stood up. "Imperial Censor Lu is far too naive. Why should I entrust my daughter to you?"
Qin Daoji, who rarely bowed or scraped before His Majesty, had been navigating the officialdom for decades. His arrogant and domineering presence made Qin Song feel somewhat suffocated.
Lu Youchuan showed no fear and remained steadfast: "We both know what Lord Qin is planning. If the evidence is irrefutable, I cannot guarantee that I will let Lord Qin off the hook. But if that day comes, I promise to protect your daughter even at the cost of my life. I urge Lord Qin to consider this carefully."
Qin Song's heart stirred slightly, and he stole a glance at Lu Youchuan. Qin Daoji, however, sneered, "I may have plotted against the emperor, but I have never feared the Censorate. My daughter has her own destiny, and there is no need for Lord Lu to worry about her. You should fulfill your duties in your position. Lord Lu should not be preoccupied with personal feelings. If you are truly concerned, you should return to the capital immediately to clean up the cabinet and rectify the court. As for my daughter's marriage, I will make my own decision."
Both sides adopted a hardline stance, making the situation irreconcilable.
Qin Song, who was standing to the side, quickly interjected, "Father, you haven't asked me what I think yet."
Qin Daoji and Lu Youchuan both looked at her at the same time.
Under the intense gazes of two men, Qin Song boldly slid his five fingers into Lu Youchuan's palm.
The moment his fingers touched her, the man, who had been so composed, suddenly stiffened at the touch, and his gaze, now turned to her, was filled with burning passion.
Qin Song smiled at him, then looked at her father and said, "I am willing to marry Lord Lu."
Lu Youchuan's usually impassive expression finally softened, his eyes brimming with joy, and his hands, which had been pressed together, tightened slightly.
Qin Daoji, however, did the exact opposite. He lowered his eyes and stared at his daughter's movements, his brows furrowing even more: "Really?"
Lu Youchuan was also eagerly awaiting her answer, his palms seemingly sweating slightly.
Qin Song gripped his hand tightly and nodded earnestly, but then added, "However, the situation in Yunzhou is urgent right now, and I would never abandon my father. Let's discuss the marriage proposal after we return to the capital, shall we?"
Lu Youchuan's joy faded considerably, and his thin lips moved slightly, still wanting to persuade her to leave.
Qin Song subtly moved her fingers and gently patted the back of his hand, signaling him to listen to her.
Lu Youchuan closed his eyes and ultimately chose to respect her opinion.
After leaving Qin Daoji's room, it was already dark. The two stepped out of the corridor and remained silent for a while, their hands clasped tightly together.
Qin Song knew his gaze was fixed on her face, but she did not respond to him.
Because that was just a delaying tactic.
She was very grateful for Lu Youchuan's steadfastness; he actually took the initiative to promise her father that he would protect her, which was exactly what she wanted.
She doesn't deny that she was attracted to him, especially when he said he wouldn't cover up for her father against his conscience. That moved her even more than when he flattered her father.
Moreover, she was very fond of his tender care in bed, but unfortunately, she agreed to marry him with ulterior motives.
Her father must have had a plan against her, and one day a storm was brewing, so she despicably seized upon the powerful bargaining chip of the Left Censor-in-Chief.
Lu Youchuan was always taciturn. After leaving her father's residence, he remained silent. Qin Song always felt that he had anticipated her schemes.
So I felt a little guilty and didn't dare to look up at him.
Just as he was about to turn out of the east wing gatehouse, Lu Youchuan suddenly stopped. "A-Song, see me off."
"Leave now?" Qin Song finally met his eyes.
Lu Youchuan gently stroked the back of her hand with his fingertips, looking down at her: "Hmm. Could you take me to the post station outside the city?"
·
After finishing his business at the clinic, Li Yu rushed back to the yamen and went straight to Qin Song's residence.
Ah Zhao stood guard not far from Qin Song's door. When he saw Li Yu, he bowed and reported, "After the young master left, Miss Qin's door was kept tightly closed and has not been opened."
"It hasn't been opened?" Li Yu had a vague sense of unease. "What about the guards?"
"I haven't seen anyone yet," Ah Zhao reported truthfully.
The door was tightly shut, and neither of them was visible.
Looking towards the tightly closed west wing courtyard, a fearful guess arose in Li Yu's mind.
Fortunately, Chen Xing, who had been helping the cook prepare the meal, returned from the kitchen and immediately approached Li Yu upon seeing him: "Greetings, young master. Are you here to see Jiang Yue again?"
Before Li Yu could respond, A Zhao asked, "Miss Qin, are you feeling unwell? Why have you been staying inside?"
Shen Xing scratched his head: "Miss isn't in the room."
The inexplicable sense of crisis in Li Yu's heart reached its peak, and he immediately turned around and went to find Qin Song.
It wasn't until they found their beloved at the post station outside the city, where they shared a room together.
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Author's Note: Little Li Yu is about to completely break down, but she also needs some smut! Tomorrow is Qixi Festival (Chinese Valentine's Day), and the update will still be at 9 AM, so be sure to come early!!
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I've been secretly writing this at work lately, so there might be more typos. Please bear with me, and I welcome everyone to help me find the errors! [kissing emojis]
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