Hang Li was startled and instinctively wanted to step forward, but Tang Ning waved her hand, signaling him that everything was fine, and then she looked towards Lu Qin.
"Lord Lu, is there something wrong?"
"Song Tang Ning, you're doing this on purpose!!"
"Doing what on purpose?"
The sound of firecrackers from outside was extremely loud, and Tang Ning tilted her head in feigned confusion: "What is Lord Lu talking about?"
Lu Qin's face was dark with anger. "You and Xiao Yan deliberately had my father write the plaque in advance, and then you arranged for His Majesty to come today to write the inscription. You clearly wanted to humiliate my father and the Lu family."
Tang Ning furrowed her brows. "So, Lord Lu is blaming His Majesty for taking the opportunity to write the inscription instead of Lu Zhongshu? Why didn’t you say something earlier? If you had said it sooner, and knowing that Lu Zhongshu wasn’t willing to yield, I certainly wouldn’t have asked His Majesty to inscribe it."
"Song Tang Ning! Don’t try to deflect the conversation!!"
Lu Qin's anger grew even more intense as he took a step forward and coldly said, "My Lu family doesn’t need to have the inscription for your academy, but you absolutely should not humiliate my father in front of everyone, trampling on the face of the Lu family."
"Song Tang Ning, the grievances between the Lu family and you have long been settled, yet you’re still so aggressive, scheming with Xiao Yan, that eunuch, to do such vile things. You’re truly a poisonous woman, no wonder San Lang didn’t want you in the past!"
Upon hearing this, Tang Ning couldn’t help but laugh. "Lu Zhi Nian didn’t want me? I thank the heavens for that. As for your Lu family, what face do you still have left?"
"Your women have private affairs, your eldest son is corrupt and despicable, and even the heirs in your Lu family don’t know who they belong to. What face are you talking about? As for the eunuchs, Lord Lu, don’t raise your voice too much. Everyone already knows about my brother. If Lord Lu were to be exposed for not being capable, it would be the biggest joke in the capital."
"Song Tang Ning!!!"
Lu Qin’s face changed dramatically. He suddenly took a step forward, trying to grab Tang Ning’s arm.
However, Hang Li stepped in front of her, pushing Lu Qin back forcefully, causing him to stagger.
Tang Ning looked at Lu Qin, whose eyes were about to split with rage, and smiled gently. "His Majesty is still outside. Lord Lu, are you intending to fight with my guards here, or would you rather let everyone know that the esteemed second master of the Lu family is incapable?"
Lu Qin gritted his teeth. "Song Tang Ning, you’re shameless!!"
"I don’t care whether I’m shameless or not, Lord Lu, but you should think carefully about whether you still want to keep your face." Tang Ning said with a faint smile. "The distinguished second master of the Lu family, acting just like a palace eunuch. Who knows, one day when Lord Lu wakes up, your name might be all over the capital."
"You..."
Lu Qin was shaking with anger, glaring at Tang Ning, his eyes filled with venom and hatred.
He never expected that the most deeply hidden secret of his would be known by this woman in front of him, nor that she would use it to blackmail him. He thought he had dealt with the doctor who had seen him, and no one knew about the humiliation he had suffered when he had publicly lost control of his bodily functions. But now, if anyone knew that he was impotent...
Lu Qin couldn’t bear to imagine how those who were once unfriendly to him would mock and despise him, or how people in his family would gossip behind his back. How would he ever establish himself in the capital again?
Tang Ning, however, didn’t care about the expression on his face. "Rong Sheng Academy does not welcome members of the Lu family. Lord Lu, please do not enter again in the future, or you might dirty my academy."
She patted her sleeve and turned, leading Hang Li toward the exit.
The sound of firecrackers outside had already ceased, but Lu Qin’s ears still rang with the noise. He glared at Tang Ning’s retreating figure, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
...
After the academy’s inscription and plaque were put in place, the officials accompanied His Majesty into the academy. It seemed that Emperor An had grown interested, as he not only asked Tang Ning about matters regarding the academy but also played a game of chess with several of the academy’s teachers. Later, he stayed for a meal.
The officials accompanied him for a while, but Emperor An eventually grew tired of their presence and told them to disperse. Lu family father and son, carrying the discarded "plaque," left under the curious gazes of everyone.
Cui Lin, never missing an opportunity to mock, sneered, "Some people, thinking they were coming to gain face, ended up embarrassing themselves. Even something as simple as a plaque for an academy couldn’t get Lu Zhongshu’s calligraphy..."
He clicked his tongue, his smile sharp.
Lu Qin, usually hot-tempered, remained silent this time, but Lu Chongyuan shot a cold glance at Cui Lin and said to Lu Qin, "Let’s go."
Seeing the Lu family father and son leaving, Feng Qiuli expressed some concern, "Cui Gong, why pour oil on the fire? Lu Chongyuan lost so much face today; he might hold a grudge against you..."
"If he wanted to hold a grudge, he would have done so long ago. Didn't you hear the things he said earlier? He probably already knows about the account books," Cui Lin said with a gloomy expression, his smile fading. "I thought Xiao Yan was truly capable, but when this perfect opportunity was handed to him, he couldn’t even destroy the Lu family and allowed Lu Chongyuan to make a comeback!"
Utterly useless!
Feng Qiuli said, "This isn’t just Xiao Yan’s fault. The second prince mentioned that Xiao Yan had made all the necessary preparations, and the matter with the Guan family would surely implicate the Lu family. But His Majesty let them off lightly."
Cui Lin frowned. "Are you saying that Lu Chongyuan holds some kind of leverage over His Majesty?"
Feng Qiuli nodded. "Otherwise, I can’t figure out why His Majesty would let the Lu family off so easily. And you saw earlier, Xiao Yan deliberately humiliated Lu Chongyuan in public. He must be furious because his previous efforts to manipulate things failed."
Cui Lin nodded. "That makes sense."
He knew about the issues between Xiao Yan and the Lu family, and how much effort Xiao Yan had put into taking down Lu Zhao and sowing discord between the fourth prince and the Lu family. He had been so close to success, yet everything turned around at the last moment. Anyone would be angry.
But...
What leverage could Lu Chongyuan have over Emperor An?
Emperor An stayed at the academy until it began to grow dark, seemingly reluctant to leave. As he stood up to depart, he spoke to Tang Ning with interest, "This academy is impressive. Those teachers are quite talented. It must have taken some effort to invite them. Make sure to manage the academy well in the future, don’t let it tarnish my name."
Tang Ning respectfully replied, "I will obey, Your Majesty."
Xiao Yan, walking beside Emperor An, fiddled with the sachet hanging from his waist, causing a faint fragrance to linger around him.
"Have you finished preparing for the academy's admissions?"
"Many students are interested in enrolling. Tomorrow, the academy will begin a five-day assessment to select those qualified to join."
Emperor An listened to Tang Ning’s words without surprise. There were many students gathered outside the academy today, but Rong Sheng Academy couldn’t accept everyone. It was normal to have an assessment and selection; otherwise, if anyone could just join, the academy wouldn’t be able to accommodate all these people.
As the sky grew darker, the surrounding people carefully escorted him with lanterns. When they reached the stairs in front of the academy, Xiao Yan helped Emperor An.
As Emperor An was about to descend, he suddenly felt a familiar itch in his body, followed by a violent headache that swept over him.
"Your Majesty?"
Xiao Yan noticed something was wrong and quickly supported Emperor An, glancing back. The Black Armored Guards immediately blocked anyone from approaching.
Emperor An’s headache grew worse, and his limbs weakened to the point where he could hardly stand.
Xiao Yan’s voice was calm, but his words were urgent: "Return to the palace immediately!!"
The people inside the academy saw the guards stir but had no idea what was happening. They didn’t dare approach, and Tang Ning quickly followed, though the guards didn’t stop her.
Looking at Emperor An's pale face, Tang Ning whispered, "Brother, what’s wrong with His Majesty?"
"His Majesty’s old illness has flared up. We must return to the palace immediately."
Tang Ning appeared startled and quickly followed, urging the guards to escort Emperor An out. However, before they even reached the academy doors, Emperor An was nearly on the verge of passing out from the pain.
She whispered, "Brother, His Majesty seems to be in great pain. Do you think he can make it back to the palace? It’s near Jiyun Alley. Why don’t we take him to your mansion first? Qin Niangzi is still there; she treated Ah Ru last night."
"This..."
Xiao Yan hesitated.
Emperor An, in the throes of pain, could hardly think clearly. He only heard the words "Qin Niangzi" and immediately grabbed Xiao Yan’s arm, hissing through the pain, "Go find Qin Niangzi."
Eunuch Feng urgently spoke, "This is impossible! If the emperor goes there, it will surely cause a disturbance. People have already speculated about His Majesty’s condition, and rumors about his health are spreading. The court is in turmoil. It would be better to bring Qin Niangzi here..."
Emperor An could hardly bear the excruciating pain. He knew that traveling back and forth would only make things worse, but despite his fuzzy thoughts, he understood the wisdom in Eunuch Feng’s words. If so many people rushed to Jiyun Alley, by the next day, word would spread that his health was in jeopardy, causing a major scandal.
"Xiao Yan, protect me and take me to my mansion."
"But Your Majesty's safety..."
"Let me switch to a different carriage, and you can take me back in my own carriage. If anyone sees, they’ll think it’s just me going home. Leave the guards here to wait at the academy. Once I feel better, we’ll bring Qin Niangzi back to the palace together. This way, no one will suspect anything." Emperor An, overcome with pain, just wanted relief. The intense agony clouded his thoughts, and without thinking further, he gritted his teeth and said, "Do as she says!"
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TN: What are they scheming now
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You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
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