While Lu Yun and Luo Lingyu were engaged in conversation, the old Emperor didn’t stay long at Lu Erlang’s wedding banquet before departing. The Northern Kingdom’s Princess naturally followed.
Most guests at the wedding feast merely marveled at how truly powerful and influential the Lu family was – that even for a young lord’s wedding, they could invite the Emperor himself to attend. What tremendous favor this showed!
When seeing the old Emperor out, Lu Yun remained unmoved. Chen Wang thought for a moment and ordered more people to follow: “Protect His Majesty.”
Lu Yun’s eyes flickered. He thought Liu Shu was well-intentioned, knowing tonight wouldn’t be peaceful and fearing something might happen to his father, thus sending more guards for protection. However… Lu Yun guessed that with the Northern Kingdom’s Princess present, the Emperor would likely… Sure enough, as Lu Yun observed, the escorts returned troubled to seek Chen Wang’s guidance: “His Majesty berated us thoroughly, suspecting you of monitoring him. His Majesty forbids you from sending people to follow.”
Liu Shu: “…”
He was momentarily speechless, as the old Emperor’s lack of political acumen once again shocked this Prince’s understanding.
Lu Yun let out a soft laugh behind him.
Liu Shu turned his head, suspecting Lu Yun had already predicted this situation. He warned in a low voice: “Don’t, act rashly, he is, the Emperor, the Southern Kingdom’s, foundation.”
Lu Yun appeared particularly innocent: “What? Are you trying to control what I’m thinking? What does it matter what I think?”
However, with someone like Lu Yun, whatever he thought about had a way of easily becoming reality, giving Liu Shu no choice but to overthink. But because of Liu Shu’s previous forgery of an imperial edict to help Lu Sanlang, although the Emperor outwardly forgave him, deep down he developed some thoughts about his son. To the point that now Liu Shu’s good intentions were interpreted by the Emperor as “wolfish ambition.”
Liu Shu was extremely helpless, but the Emperor’s existence was too important, he must…
Lu Yun spoke carelessly: “When someone doesn’t appreciate your kindness, why bother working in vain? Work too hard, and they’ll suspect you of coveting their throne, guarding against you like a thief.”
“Ah Man, doing too much leads to more mistakes. Now it’s your turn.”
Liu Shu was secretly alarmed. Based on his understanding of Lu Yun, he didn’t feel these words were meant to comfort him. Rather, he felt Lu Yun was guiding him in a certain direction… The beautiful young lord frowned, his eyelashes trembling slightly, his eyes beneath them wavering as he pondered what Lu Yun intended to do.
He hadn’t yet guessed Lu Yun’s purpose when, beneath the celebratory music and praises of the wedding feast, the ground transmitted violent tremors. The guests panicked, stumbling and falling from the earth’s shaking, staggering about. At the same time, from an unknown source, intermittently, from all directions, came the sound of thunderous explosions.
Everyone was immediately terrified—
“What’s happening? What occurred? Where did something happen?”
“Ah, don’t run! Someone stepped on my hand!”
The Lu family’s young lords and attendants remained composed. Though their hearts were racing, they still came out to calm everyone. Particularly the attendants, who knew nothing and only maintained order at the wedding feast. But the Lu family’s young lords, more or less, knew what Lu Yun and Lu Xian intended to do. They kept looking back while sending people to the newlywed chamber to find Lu Erlang, their eyes scanning through the crowd, searching for Lu Sanlang.
Under the thunderous explosions in the earth, Luo Lingyu wasn’t frightened.
She had originally been standing with the women, leisurely preparing to visit the bridal chamber to see the new bride, Princess Ningping Liu Tang. Her husband Lu Yun was standing with Chen Wang talking, and after saying something unknown, Lu Yun’s ears twitched, and he suddenly turned to look for someone. In the lantern light, Lu Yun immediately spotted that gracefully figured lady. His expression was solemn, he strode over quickly.
The ladies standing with Luo Lingyu all watched in surprise.
They watched Lu Sanlang walk over, approaching the equally confused Luo Lingyu. Lu Yun reached out, extending both palms to cover her ears. He spoke, his voice like clear mountain spring water: “Hold onto me.”
Luo Lingyu was bewildered but obedient, reaching out under everyone’s watching eyes to embrace him, burying herself in her husband’s arms.
The women’s eyes showed various emotions – some admiring, some wistful, and several jealous. Before they could express these feelings, the ground’s trembling and distant reverberations came in waves. The women were shaken until they screamed and fell, covering their ears and ducking from the noise. While their faces turned pale, only Luo Lingyu was held in Lu Yun’s embrace, her ears covered by his hands. He stood straight as a pine tree, his palms warm, protecting her in his arms, letting her hear only his steady and firm heartbeat.
The young lady watched the scene descend into chaos, yet the disorder seemed far removed from her. Her beautiful eyes sparkled like stars on waves, her eyelashes trembling lightly. When she looked up at him, her heart suddenly calmed, feeling Lu Yun’s tenderness toward her.
Luo Lingyu lowered her head, her lips revealing a slight smile: with such a wonderful Xuecheng-gege… even if her second brother’s wedding appeared more magnificent, she wasn’t envious anymore.
The couple’s tenderness was rare amid the chaos, but after a brief moment, Liu Shu came over, his words short and urgent: “Sanlang, let’s go!”
Outside the chaos had begun, with attendants surrounding the Lu residence like soup spoons, not allowing any ceremony guests to leave. Large troop movements and rushing attendants, torch light illuminating faces – everyone realized something had happened.
At this moment, Lu Erlang in his bridegroom’s attire ran panting from the bridal chamber. Catching his breath, he came to Lu Sanlang and Liu Shu’s side: “It’s, it’s begun, hasn’t it?”
“Yes,” Lu Yun pushed Luo Lingyu toward Lu Xian’s direction, gesturing for her to stand behind him, “Second Brother, mobilize the private forces to protect the Lu family, don’t let anyone here leave. If enemies attack, the Lu family’s private army should be Second Brother’s steadfast support.”
As he spoke, the other Lu family young lords came over: “Sanlang (Third Brother)…”
Lu Yun stayed composed: “The rest follow me and His Highness Chen Wang outside. We don’t know the enemy’s numbers, we’ll split our forces to fight!”
Everyone nodded. Lu Erlang was stunned for a moment. He had thought Lu Yun would consider him dreamable and should let him go out to fight. Unexpectedly, he was to remain and protect the Lu residence…
Lu Yun glanced at Luo Lingyu.
He wanted to say something but held back the look in his eyes, slightly hesitant. The lady who had been pushed behind Lu Xian curved her lips though, giving him a slight smile: “Don’t worry, husband, I’ll help Second Brother.”
“…No need to help too eagerly,” Lu Yun thought of Lu Erlang’s dream where Luo Lingyu miscarried, his heart racing as he guessed that might happen tonight, he couldn’t help but instruct her, “Lingyu, take care of yourself first.”
Luo Lingyu was stunned briefly before quickly understanding, she nodded with a smile. The couple exchanged one last look, then Lu Erlang remained while the other young lords followed Lu Sanlang and Chen Wang toward the manor’s exit.
“What’s happening?” Seeing many Lu family young lords leaving the manor, the ceremony guests grew anxious, “What exactly occurred, why won’t you let us leave? Is the Lu family planning to detain us?”
Lu Erlang came to his senses, hurrying to comfort the guests and explain.
The women’s side was equally chaotic. After watching Lu Yun leave, Luo Lingyu returned to the brightly lit area. The bridal chamber was decorated festively and exquisitely, the new bride had already put down her fan and stood anxiously by her mother-in-law Madam Lu’s side.
When Luo Lingyu entered the room, Old Madam Lu and the other women quickly sent maids to invite her.
After calming the women, Luo Lingyu left the room to see the outdoor courtyard still in chaos. The private army maintained control while Lu Erlang laboriously explained one by one, but the explosions outside grew more frequent, and the Lu family’s decision not to let people leave seemed to make everyone more anxious.
Someone shouted: “What do our lives and deaths matter to you? Let us go! Not allowing us to leave, what exactly is the Lu family plotting?!”
Lu Xian tried to reason kindly: “Outside there’s fighting…”
“Well said,” Luo Lingyu walked over, standing behind Lu Xian, smiling and nodding to the red-faced guest opposite, while nudging Lu Xian, “Why must Second Brother stop people from leaving? If guests want to go, let them go. Our Lu family can’t detain people.”
Lu Erlang anxiously: “Sister-in-law, you!”
Luo Lingyu ignored the kind-hearted Lu Erlang, nodding to all those clamoring to leave, her smile gentle and graceful. She was polite – while Lu Erlang wouldn’t let people leave, she had the private army step back, openly and generously seeing people off from the Lu residence. The guests were now confused by her attitude, hesitating for a moment. Some still wanted to leave, while others no longer mentioned going out.
Seeing guests leaving, Lu Erlang was displeased: “Cousin, what are you doing? Is this how Third Brother instructed you before he left?”
Luo Lingyu snorted, completely unconcerned: “Second Brother, you’re keeping people from leaving with good intentions, but they think you’re trying to detain them. Better to let them go out and see the situation themselves. Those with the ability can safely return to their homes, lightening our burden; those without will slink back shamefully to thank us. It works out both ways, how nice.”
Lu Erlang: “…”
He sighed: “Cousin, you…”
So full of little schemes.
…
While Lu Erlang and Luo Lingyu each helped settle the rear courtyard of the Lu residence, the streets and alleys of Jianye City were filled with Northern Kingdom soldiers disguised as refugees. They began by setting fires in the city, inciting riots everywhere. The Capital Prefecture’s patrol army noticed first, but when they were about to suppress it, the Prefecture Lord received word that Prince Zhao’s rear courtyard was on fire and needed the Prefecture’s troops to help extinguish it.
The Prefecture Lord hesitated, unwilling to offend either side and could only split his forces. With this division of troops, the Northern soldiers disguised as refugees seemed to multiply in number, pressing against the Prefecture’s forces, completely disregarding them!
Under the bright moon and sparse stars, it was the perfect opportunity to capture Jianye! No weak point could be overlooked!
But these enemy forces only seized the initial advantage. Soon, they encountered their true opponents—the real fighting forces under the Grand Marshal, led by Chen Wang!
Large numbers of troops had been moved into the city, hidden in alleys, quietly waiting for this night!
Liu Shu, Lu Yun, and the other young lords split up, their forces divided to engage the enemy forces hidden in the streets and alleys. Weapons clashed, cold light glinting like needles, while overhead, clouds moved swiftly across the bright moon, gradually darkening.
The enemy grew desperate: “Brothers, kill! We have no chance to retreat!”
Lu Yun calmly: “Hold firm. Block their path.”
Lu Yun’s long eyebrows pressed down over his eyes: “Someone come, count their numbers, see if they match the previous refugee records of missing people.”
Liu Shu stuttered, fortunately, military orders were brief. He coordinated with Lu Yun, and under their concise commands, directed the army like a surge, searching everywhere for trapped enemy soldiers. With enemy troops disguised as refugees attacking Jianye, Liu Shu’s brows furrowed, feeling he had overlooked something—
These enemy forces, though numerous, did they think they could capture Jianye without inside help?
Unless, unless… they had inside assistance, or their target wasn’t here.
Liu Shu suddenly: “Not good!”
Lu Yun raised an eyebrow, receiving a cold glare from Liu Shu. Liu Shu had no time to blame Lu Yun, his sleeves flying up as they brushed shoulders. Liu Shu turned back, leaving in great haste: “Quickly! Search for someone, find the Emperor, His Majesty! Find His Majesty!”
The order was so clear!
Lu Yun thought regretfully that Liu Shu had figured it out. Hmm, but the time should have been delayed enough…
Liu Shu left with his troops, while Lu Yun remained to command against the enemy. Lu Yun: “Continue. Count heads! Kill!”
Standing at the rear of ten thousand troops commanding, the young lord’s expression between his brows was cold, majestically unmoved. His thoughts differed from Liu Shu’s. Liu Shu had no ambition for the throne, thus he always retreated step by step in his actions, seeking only stability, not achievements; but Lu Yun was unwilling to let Liu Shu continue retreating like this.
Retreat step by step, and you’ll only retreat until others dispose of you like a sick cat.
Rather than eventually having to take the path of rebellion, better to pave a grand road from the beginning!
…
That night seemed endless, the Prefecture’s forces were delayed, unable to arrive, because too many things happened at Prince Zhao’s rear courtyard that night.
Leading troops in the great battle, Lu Yun led his men to move, giving the latest order: “Contact His Highness Chen Wang, find His Majesty!”
If they could find His Majesty before Chen Wang and kill that troublesome old man, this situation would become more interesting.
…
After leaving the Lu residence, the Southern Emperor didn’t linger long before boarding his carriage to return to Taichu Palace in great pomp. Unexpectedly, clouds covered the moon, and sudden chaos erupted!
The path ahead was blocked, and the returning imperial procession encountered enemy forces. Enemy soldiers jumped out from the streets on both sides, charging toward the Emperor’s procession. The procession captain shouted, but the other side acted as if they hadn’t heard, directly starting to kill!
“Ah—” Screams were endless!
Northern soldiers: “Catch that dog emperor, don’t let him escape!”
The old Emperor panicked, hurriedly leaving his carriage, protected by eunuchs as he fled. Along the way, the escorts and eunuchs continuously fell dead. Hiding in an alley, the last eunuch fell dead, while the pursuit’s footsteps continued behind him. The old Emperor’s hands shook violently with fear. Disregarding imperial dignity, the old man gasped with each step, sweating profusely. From behind came a woman’s cry for help: “Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Wait for your consort…”
The old Emperor barely remembered his consort from the Northern Kingdom, and though his heart cried trouble, his steps slowed slightly. The old man supported himself against a wall with one hand, carefully beckoning behind him with the other: “Come here… ah, you!”
His beautiful, young consort had come. Not only had she come, but the Northern Princess led the way, her sleeves flying like clouds, leading a large contingent of Northern troops to meet the Southern Emperor.
The Southern Emperor was terrified, turning to run when behind him, a youth in gray martial robes jumped down from the wall! The young man descended like a fierce tiger from the mountain, uncommonly imposing. His sword struck down like splitting mountains and rivers, majestic in force, cutting off the old Emperor’s escape route.
His sword lay across the old Emperor’s neck.
Yue Zihan spoke coldly: “Come with me.”
He waved his arm, and the troops behind him followed, escorting him out of the city, taking the old man away. The Southern Emperor was captured with ridiculous ease, inviting the world’s derision. The old man’s face turned purple with rage as he was dragged by the youth, and tossed about like a sack. He burst out cursing: “Whore! You whore! To think I trusted you, you whore…”
The Northern Princess listened impassively to the old Emperor’s voice growing distant, giving a cold laugh.
Just an old man…
She turned, but suddenly froze, her blood turning to ice. Because in the dark alley behind her, under the faint blue night light, Lu Yun stood there.
The Northern Princess trembled: “You… saw His Majesty…”
Lu Yun: “What His Majesty? I saw nothing. Someone come, seize this Princess! Send people to Taichu Palace to ask why this Princess hasn’t returned yet, why His Majesty isn’t with this Princess.”
Northern Princess: “…”
After a moment of confusion, she understood. Lu Sanlang wasn’t rushing to save His Majesty, or rather… he couldn’t wait for His Majesty to die. What he was rushing to do was find a scapegoat for tonight’s events.
…
Lu Yun had again successfully delayed the time for the enemy forces to take away the old Emperor. Yue Zihan and the refugees fought fiercely, charging straight toward the city gate. They battled at the gate, and after losing half their numbers, they took the dazed old Emperor out of the city.
The old Emperor roared: “Release Us! Someone, save Us—”
The cold wind howled, its chill piercing to the heart. In the vast city of Jianye, fires everywhere, and battles in all directions, yet not one person came to save His Majesty. The old Emperor grew increasingly despondent as Yue Zihan took him out of the city, knowing his hopes were diminishing.
He would likely become the shame of the Southern Kingdom.
Suddenly, the earth trembled from far to near. Yue Zihan and the Northern troops who had captured the old Emperor looked up to see an army vast as fallen stars, horsemen breaking through like iron, approaching under the moon and stars.
Yue Zihan’s eyes gradually focused, his hand gripping the old Emperor tightening.
The old Emperor’s eyes were dim, but he struggled to make out the sight, immediately growing excited: “It’s my Southern army, it’s my Southern…”
He abruptly fell silent as the two armies faced each other. The old Emperor recognized the general leading the troops, a youth with brilliant presence looking down from horseback—it was Prince Hengyang Liu Mu—
The brothers faced each other, one old and weak, one still in his youth.
As if time had turned back, the late Emperor’s former dilemma appeared again before their eyes: for the throne, should one choose the eldest son who had gained the support of noble families, or the youngest son whom one loved most?
…
After so many years, when the youngest son was repeatedly harmed by his elder brother, faced with his brother in danger, would he save him, or watch coldly from the sidelines? When even the old Emperor’s son was plotting against him, how would Prince Hengyang Liu Mu choose?
The old Emperor’s heart filled with despair!