Chapter 470 Dispute
Outside the palace gates, Pei Yuan bowed to the group of students.
"Today's success is entirely due to the efforts of everyone. On behalf of the Lu family and the 50,000 Lu family soldiers, I would like to express my gratitude to you all."
He bent down deeply.
Shen Chu and Shen Mo bowed together.
The students hurriedly bowed in return.
"You're too kind, Prince Lu."
"It is the duty of us scholars to admonish the sages."
"What are your plans for the future, Young Master Lu?"
Everyone started asking questions all at once.
Pei Yuan turned to look at Shen Chu and said, "I plan to take my wife and children back to Liangzhou to rebuild the Lu family army."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
"Well done, Prince Lu! You have the people and the land of our great Wei in your heart."
"I heard that the Marquis of Anding has had his property confiscated and has been imprisoned. Liangzhou is now without a ruler, and I'm afraid the Northern Rong people will be restless."
“When Prince Lu goes there, he will surely deter the Northern Rong people.”
Pei Yuan cupped his hands in greeting to the crowd, and then left in silence with Shen Chu.
Just as they turned the corner of Tianjie Street, Li Chengxuan and Ling Ce darted out from the alley next to them.
"How is the situation in the palace?"
"Ah Chu, I'm so glad you're alright."
Li Chengxuan and Ling Ce spoke almost in unison.
Especially Ling Ce, who looked travel-worn and exhausted, as if he had traveled a long way.
But his eyes were filled with excitement as he looked at Shen Chu, his eyes slightly red.
After a moment, he raised his hand and roughly rubbed Chen Chu's head, saying in a hoarse voice:
"It's good that you're alive and alright. Your senior brother knows you're okay and is already on his way back."
Having not seen his senior brother for three years, Shen Chu was overwhelmed with emotion upon seeing him again.
But now is not the best time to catch up.
The group talked as they walked.
She briefly mentioned her relationship with Yun Haixin, and then described the situation in the palace.
Pei Yuan said in a deep voice, "The capital is about to fall into chaos. A-Chu and I are going to Liangzhou."
"You should also pack your things and leave Beijing to avoid the trouble."
Li Chengxuan scratched his head.
“My mother and several aunts are already packing at home. We are just waiting for my grandmother to come out of the palace so we can leave and stay at her hot spring resort for a while.”
Princess Chengyang had served three emperors, and she had already made proper arrangements for her family affairs before entering the palace.
Shen Chu wasn't worried about them.
The one in a more difficult position is Ling Ce.
Ling Ce frowned. "I need to discuss this with my father-in-law and An Ning when I get back."
He and Li Anning got married last year and had a daughter.
Ling Ce followed Marquis Weiwu in the Jingxi Camp, serving as a captain just like Li Chengxuan.
He usually helps Pei Yuan with chores and spends most of his time running around outside.
The Fengyun Pavilion in Luoheng was recently taken over by Ling Ce and his men.
Shen Chu was somewhat worried.
Before entering the palace, she had visited Marquis Weiwu, hoping to persuade him to come to her aid should a fight break out in the palace.
But Marquis Weiwu refused her.
Over the years, Marquis Weiwu has refused to get close to any of the princes, remaining loyal only to Emperor Longqing.
Helpless, Shen Chu had no choice but to recount the actions of the Longqing Emperor.
Marquis Weiwu did not fully believe them, and in the end only promised that he would find a way to save their lives if they were in danger.
But he will not betray His Majesty.
That's why Shen Chu was so nervous when she followed the Grand Princess of Chengyang into the palace.
Pei Yuan patted Ling Ce on the shoulder.
"The emperor has already issued an edict of self-reproach. Go back and have a good talk with Marquis Weiwu. Chaos has broken out in the capital."
If he cannot extricate himself in time, he will inevitably become a victim of the princes' struggle for the throne.
Ling Ce nodded.
Shen Chu instructed Ling Ce, "We will wait for you at Jingguo Temple for two days. If Marquis Weiwu agrees, you will come with us to Liangzhou."
After discussing it, everyone agreed to go their separate ways.
Shen Chu and Shen Mo returned to the Ning'an Marquis's residence to pick up Aunt Qiao, and also sealed off the Shen family ancestral hall.
When Pei Yuan returned to the Prince Rui's residence, Jin Bao and Sun Yan had already packed up the travel expenses and essential items.
Hongxiu, Lu Zhong, and Du Song were also there.
Upon seeing them enter, Lu Zhong excitedly knelt down on the ground.
Pei Yuan helped him up. "Uncle Zhong, what are you doing?"
Lu Zhong, a man of steel, cried his heart out.
"The young master has avenged the Lu family army. The Duke and his wife, as well as the spirits of the 50,000 Lu family soldiers, can finally rest in peace in heaven."
Lu Zhong burst into tears.
Pei Yuan's eyes welled up with tears, but after a long while, he simply patted Lu Zhong's shoulder, offering silent comfort.
Cry! Lu Zhong has been suppressing his emotions for over a decade; he desperately needs a good, cathartic cry.
Jinbao, wiping away tears, sobbed, "Your Highness, you can go now."
Pei Yuan said, "Don't call me Your Highness anymore, just call me Crown Prince from now on."
Emperor Longqing issued an edict of self-reproach, acknowledging his guilt and restoring the reputation of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion.
He can now walk the world with dignity under the name Lu Zhan.
Jinbao nodded.
"From now on, he shall be called the Crown Prince. If Consort Yu could know this in the afterlife, she would surely be pleased."
Back then, when Consort Yu brought Pei Yuan into the palace, she made excuses to send away all the people who used to serve the Sixth Prince.
Jinbao was a young eunuch whom Consort Yu rescued from the Cold Palace, where he was nearly starving to death.
It was Consort Yu who saved Jinbao's life, and Jinbao has always kept that in mind, serving Pei Yuan faithfully all these years.
"Alright, now is not the time to cry," Pei Yuan instructed Jin Bao.
"Give some silver to the servants in the mansion, return their indentures, and let them find their own way out."
Sun Yan and Hongxiu went to meet Achu; we'll meet at the city gate in a bit.
In the evening, three carriages appeared at the city gate.
Although the city gate looked calm, the guards were clearly distracted; these were seasoned veterans who had been guarding the capital for years.
Although no definite news has been received yet, the atmosphere of unrest in the palace has already been detected.
Within a single day, the Zhou family of the Marquis of Anding's residence was raided, Prince Heng was placed under house arrest, and His Majesty issued an edict of self-reproach.
The city is now in a state of panic.
Despite seeing Shen Chu and Pei Yuan sitting in the carriage, no one made any move to stop them.
They successfully left the city and headed straight for Jingguo Temple.
When we arrived at Jingguo Temple, Yun Haixin was playing with Little Apple and Little Potato in the courtyard of the meditation room.
Shangguan Ye and Shangguan Yi were kicking pebbles out of boredom.
Hearing footsteps, Shangguan Yi stood up alertly and looked over.
When they saw that the people who came in were Shen Chu, Pei Yuan, and others, they immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
He glanced at Pei Yuan, then glared at Shen Chu with displeasure.
"You insisted on coming back just to live this kind of life? You haven't even had two days of peace, and you're already turning into a stray dog?"
Shen Chu frowned. "What do you mean, 'a stray dog'? Don't speak so rudely."
Shangguan Yi crossed his arms and snorted coldly.
"Isn't it unpleasant to hear because I'm telling the truth?"
"If a man cannot provide a stable life for the woman and children he loves, it only means that he is incompetent."
Shen Chu was furious. "Shangguan Yi, what nonsense are you spouting? You don't even know the truth. What gives you the right to say such things about him?"
Shangguan Yi roared, "Just because I like you, I can give you and your two children a more stable life."
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