When Lu Qin was arrested, no one in the Lu family dared to stop it. Even Lu Chongyuan stood quietly, allowing the imperial guards to storm into the inner residence and take Lu Qin away.
As Yu Yanfeng led his men to leave, Lu Chongyuan called out to him.
"Commander Yu, I had no knowledge of that scoundrel's actions. May I ask if His Majesty is safe now?"
Yu Yanfeng was somewhat satisfied with Lu Chongyuan's compliance. If he had resisted, things would have escalated into a major conflict at the Lu residence today. Thus, his attitude toward Lu Chongyuan was relatively polite. "His Majesty was injured, but thanks to Supervisor Xiao risking his life to save him, His Majesty's life was spared. However, Supervisor Xiao was severely wounded in the process."
"Upon learning that this was not an accident but a deliberate act, His Majesty was furious and ordered me to arrest the culprit. As for the rest, I am not privy to the details."
Lu Chongyuan knew that Yu Yanfeng had already said more than he should have. "Thank you, Commander Yu."
Yu Yanfeng left with his men, and the imperial guards withdrew shortly after. The fourth son of the Lu Qin, who had been held back and silenced by the servants, struggled fiercely. Seizing an opportunity, he bit the servant's hand, causing the servant to cry out in pain and release him. The young man, his eyes red with anger, rushed to Lu Chongyuan.
"Grandfather, why didn't you save Father? You can't let them take him away! Father is innocent! He would never attempt to assassinate His Majesty! He would never harm the Emperor!"
"Fourth Brother, your great uncle has his reasons," the eldest son of the Lu family whispered, trying to calm him down.
"What reasons? Those imperial guards are clearly on Xiao An's side! Father must have been framed by him! His Majesty is foolish to trust a eunuch! Grandfather, if you let them take Father away, they will kill him!" The fourth son, young and naive, cried bitterly, his eyes red with tears. "Grandfather, I beg you, save Father! Please!"
"Fourth Brother," Lu Jiu’an, seeing Lu Chongyuan's grim expression, spoke up. "Father made a mistake and left evidence for others to use. Since His Majesty has ordered his arrest, no one can stop it. Grandfather must consider the entire Lu family and the clan..."
Before he could finish, the fourth son slapped him across the face.
"Who are you to speak here? Lu Jiuan, Father never mistreated you despite being a concubine's son, yet you stood by and watched as he was taken away! You're an ungrateful wretch, a traitorous dog..."
"Enough! Have you made enough of a scene?"
Lu Chongyuan slammed his hand on the table beside him, creating a loud bang.
The fourth son's tirade was cut short. He looked at his grandfather's cold expression and the frightened or evasive gazes of the other family members in the room.
The young man's eyes gradually filled with resentment. "Am I making a scene? If I don't, will Grandfather just stand by and watch Father die?"
"Just like how you treated Third Brother and Uncle before—no matter how much you valued them, once they became useless or a burden to the family, you discarded them without hesitation. Even Auntie, who was never involved with Prince Cheng, was driven to her death by you..."
Before he could finish, a teacup flew toward his face. The fourth son cried out in pain as the hot tea and blood from his split skin drenched his face.
He looked up and met Lu Chongyuan's icy gaze. Frozen in place, his lips trembled with fear. "Grandfather..."
"Take the fourth young master away and confine him. He is not to leave without my permission."
"Father!"
Madam Lu, the second wife, rushed forward. Her husband had been suddenly taken away, accused of attempting to assassinate the Emperor. She had no idea what was happening. She had hoped her son's outburst would pressure the family into saving her husband, but she never expected her father-in-law to be so cold, not only refusing to help but also locking her son away.
"Father, Jing'er is just worried about his father. He didn't mean to disrespect you. Please forgive him!" she pleaded tearfully.
But Lu Chongyuan showed no mercy. "As a member of the Lu family, he disregards the bigger picture, lacks judgment, and speaks recklessly, insulting his elders."
"If you wish to plead for him, you may join him. Take the second madam and the fourth young master back to Xiang'an Courtyard and confine them for a month!"
"Father?!"
Madam Lu was stunned.
The rest of the Lu family was equally shocked. No one had expected Lu Chongyuan to lock away the second madam as well.
As the servants dragged away the weeping Madam Lu and the dazed fourth son, the hall fell into silence. No one dared to speak.
Lu Chongyuan's voice was cold and stern. "You all know the current state of the Lu family. Think carefully about what you say and do. If anyone dares to bring trouble to the family, do not blame me for being ruthless!"
Everyone shuddered. No one doubted the old man's severity. When the matriarch had made a mistake, she had been "ill" and confined to her quarters ever since. The eldest son had been executed for his role in the grain transport scandal, leaving behind a child who seemed to have lost all emotion. Now, even the second son had fallen...
If anyone made a mistake, the Lu family would not hesitate to abandon them.
Lu Chongyuan's voice cut through the silence. "Have I made myself clear?"
"Yes," the family members replied in unison.
"Then leave. Behave yourselves."
As everyone dispersed, Lu Jiuan paused at the doorway. He saw his grandfather, who had just been so imposing, suddenly pale, while Lu Jiuan, the second house’s illegitimate child, quickly stepped forward to support him. It seemed as though Lu Chongyuan had vomited blood.
This wasn't the first time.
The last time Lu Chongyuan had vomited blood and fainted, he had been seriously ill. Now, it was happening again...
Watching Lu Chongyuan's suddenly hunched figure and thinking of the continuous misfortunes that had befallen the Lu family recently, the eldest son couldn't help but feel a growing unease. He couldn't shake the feeling that the Lu family was heading toward ruin...
Meanwhile, Lu Jiuan, seeing Lu Chongyuan vomit blood again, couldn't hide his concern.
"Granduncle, I'll call for a doctor..."
"No."
Lu Chongyuan, blood staining his lips, looked deathly pale. "The Lu family is already in chaos. With your father just taken away by the imperial guards, if word gets out that I'm unwell, it will only make things worse..."
He spoke with difficulty, his breath ragged, a far cry from the powerful figure he presented in court. His throat rattled like a broken bellows on the verge of collapse.
Seeing that he refused to call for a doctor, Lu Jiuan could only help him sit back in his chair, gently patting his back to ease his breathing. After Lu Chongyuan had calmed somewhat, he fetched some water and helped him drink. Once Lu Chongyuan had suppressed the pain in his chest, he pressed Lu Jiuan's hand.
"Enough, I feel better now."
Lu Jiuan stopped. "Grandfather, don't worry. I'll find a way to save Father..."
"Don't bother. He fell into someone's trap. To save him would mean sacrificing the entire Lu family."
==========
You can read ahead to chapterr 400 (100+ extra chapters) here
Comments
Post a Comment