After Lu Jiu'an left the Tang residence, the anger in his heart was blown away by the scorching wind outside, and as his mind cleared, he calmed down.
He looked down at the red marks on his palm from where he had clenched his fists and couldn't help but frown. He shouldn't have been so quick to anger.
"Second Young Master, did everything go smoothly?" The one who followed him was Lu Chongyuan's trusted aide, named Shuo Shan.
Shuo Shan was not a member of the Lu family but an orphan Lu Chongyuan had picked up from an animal farm in his youth. For decades, Shuo Shan had remained by Lu Chongyuan's side, loyal to the core. Over the years, he had been helping the Lu family with their covert operations. Now that the Lu family was in trouble, with Lu Qin exiled and Lu Zhao about to be executed, Lu Chongyuan had summoned Shuo Shan back to the capital.
Lu Jiu'an knew Shuo Shan's identity and treated him with great respect: "Xiao Yan seems to have truly suffered severe injuries."
"That eunuch is always putting on an act," Shuo Shan said.
Lu Jiu'an shook his head: "Even if he were acting, he couldn't have fooled Left Imperial Physician."
Imperial Physician Sun had some connections with Lady Rongguo and might have helped Xiao Yan cover up, but Left Imperial Physician was a member of the Lu family. He would never help Xiao Yan put on a show.
"Left Imperial Physician examined him and said his pulse was weak, his internal organs damaged, and that he needed to rest in bed. Moreover, I observed Xiao Yan's condition just now. When he spoke, his voice lacked strength, his face was pale, and from the moment I entered until I left, he didn't move an inch, even when he was angry."
Lu Jiu'an was different from the other Lu family descendants. Lu Chongyuan had intended for him to become a hidden piece, taking over the Lu family's covert network. Naturally, he had trained in martial arts, so he knew exactly what someone with damaged internal organs would look like.
"Uncle Shan, Xiao Yan's injuries must be real. Otherwise, he couldn't have fooled the Emperor."
Shuo Shan's expression darkened upon hearing this: "I had hoped that if he were faking it, we might find some leverage, but I didn't expect that eunuch to go to such lengths to scheme against the Second Master!"
Lu Jiu'an's expression wasn't much better. He clenched his fists, the hidden pain in his palms stinging slightly.
"It's unlikely we'll find any flaws in Xiao Yan's situation. The Emperor currently feels indebted to him. Even though he's resting for over a month and can't attend to other matters, the Emperor shows no intention of taking away his command of the Black Armor Guards. In fact, he even wanted to give him control over the four camps outside the capital. If it weren't for Grand Tutor Liang and the other families strongly opposing it, Xiao Yan might have used this opportunity to rise even higher."
"Although we've managed to block him from gaining military power, the Emperor's desire to compensate him has only grown stronger. It won't be easy for us to move against him. The slightest misstep could remind the Emperor of the assassination attempt, and we might end up losing more than we gain."
As Lu Jiu'an spoke slowly, his eyes were filled with gloom: "And it's not just Xiao Yan. That Song Tangning—we've underestimated her all along. I thought she was just a tool in Xiao Yan's hands to use against the Lu family, but today I realized that she's likely been behind several of the Lu family's recent setbacks."
Shuo Shan frowned: "Song Tangning?"
Lu Jiu'an said gravely: "She's no ordinary woman. She's cunning and deeply calculating, and there's a bit of Xiao Yan's shadow in her."
Her words and actions might seem gentle, but she was vengeful to the core. When dealing with enemies, she was meticulous. Despite being only of marrying age, she was already adept at manipulating people's hearts. Rather than being a tool in Xiao Yan's hands, she was more like a sharp blade, just like Xiao Yan, harboring malice toward the Lu family.
The slightest carelessness could leave the Lu family battered and bleeding.
"I initially thought my father acted because of Xiao Yan, but now I suspect the problem lies with Song Tangning."
Shuo Shan's expression darkened as he listened to Lu Jiu'an: "Should I..."
A flash of killing intent crossed his face. Though he didn't finish his sentence, his meaning was clear.
If they couldn't touch Xiao Yan, killing a young girl wouldn't be difficult.
Lu Jiu'an quickly said: "Uncle Shan, no. Although Song Tangning has no clan to protect her, she has caught the Emperor's eye. Moreover, Xiao Yan is fiercely protective of those close to him. Behind her stands Lady Rongguo, as well as the Gu family of Zuozhou. Plus, the Rongsheng Academy is currently in the spotlight. If we move against her, it could bring serious trouble."
The faction of upright officials in the court, led by Cao Dejiang, now held Song Tangning in high regard. With the Rongsheng Academy at the height of its influence, the entire capital was watching the academy's admissions process. Given that Lu Qin had previously "harmed" Song Tangning, any harm coming to her now would undoubtedly stir up a hornet's nest.
Shuo Shan frowned: "So we just leave her be?"
"Of course not. If we can't move against her, it doesn't mean others won't."
Seeing Shuo Shan look up at him, Lu Jiu'an continued: "A young woman like her, so conspicuous and holding control over the Rongsheng Academy—there's no shortage of ambitious and greedy people in the capital. When I entered earlier, I noticed that the Fourth Prince seemed particularly interested in her..."
Shuo Shan: "Second Young Master, are you saying the Fourth Prince wants to take Song Tangning for himself?"
"Most likely."
Lu Jiu'an said gravely: "The Empress and her son have broken ties with the Lu family, losing the support of the aristocratic families. They will inevitably seek others to fill the gap in their court influence. Recently, Xiao Yan has visited Fengxi Palace several times, and the Fourth Prince came specifically to visit today. It's likely that they've already formed some connection."
"Xiao Yan is a eunuch, with no family or connections, making him difficult to control. But Song Tangning is different. If she could be brought into the Fourth Prince's household, he would not only gain Xiao Yan's support but also control over the Rongsheng Academy. Even the Gu family of Zuozhou might lean toward the Empress and her son."
However...
Lu Jiu'an narrowed his eyes. He had met Song Tangning and had some understanding of Xiao Yan's temperament. They would never be interested in the disfigured and lame Fourth Prince.
Moreover, the Fourth Prince was already married. His wife's family held military power, and the Fourth Prince would never abandon her.
That would mean Song Tangning could only become his concubine.
But was that possible?
Lu Jiu'an looked down at the bloodstains in his palm. A woman as intelligent and shrewd as her would never lower herself to become a concubine, and Xiao Yan would likely never agree to it. Yet, the Fourth Prince's eagerness earlier suggested he was "determined" to have Song Tangning.
Although he hadn't spent much time with the Fourth Prince, the Lu family knew his temperament and character better than anyone. If the Fourth Prince wanted Song Tangning, he would likely resort to underhanded methods. Given the Fourth Prince's capabilities, he might not succeed on his own, which meant the Empress would likely step in.
In such a situation, what would the Empress do?
Lu Jiu'an rubbed his palm, covering it with his sleeve, and said to Shuo Shan: "The Empress is deeply scheming and ruthless in her methods. If she and the Fourth Prince have set their sights on Song Tangning, they won't easily let go. Moreover, many in the capital covet the Rongsheng Academy."
The academy was both Song Tangning's foundation, giving her fame in the capital, and a hot potato that could potentially ruin her.
"Uncle Shan, perhaps we won't need to lift a finger. Someone else might avenge my father for us."
"We just need to watch quietly and, if possible, give things a little push."
Without dirtying our hands, we can ruin Song Tangning's reputation and avenge today's humiliation!
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