From the moment Lu Hong entered the palace, he never returned.

Lu Ping and A’Qian and the others waited within the estate, consumed with anxious unease, through an entire afternoon. It was not until dusk that the news arrived — a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

“Congratulations, Bureau Chief Lu.” Eunuch Ding, who had come to proclaim the imperial edict, said with a smile that did not reach his eyes. “His Majesty the Emperor, in his great devotion to Buddhism, has taken a deep appreciation of the eldest son of the Lu Family’s talent and learning, and has had the special grace of placing him as a monk in Puti Monastery. His Majesty holds him in such high esteem — he is certain to become the most renowned and honored senior monk in Puti Monastery in the days to come…”

Lu Ping’s face drained to a deathly white. He staggered back a step, his hands trembling beyond all control.

How had it come to this?

The Emperor had actually ordered Lu Hong to take monastic vows!

Lu Hong was only seventeen years old, at the very age of spirited youth and burgeoning achievement! With his character and learning, the day he passed the jinshi examination and entered the official career to bring glory to his family had been practically within sight.

And now, everything was finished.

A’Qian’s fine-featured face had likewise gone utterly pale. He had always harbored both envy and resentment toward Lu Hong, and whatever affection there had once been between the brothers had long since vanished without a trace. And yet — why, upon hearing news like this, did his heart ache so?

Eunuch Ding watched the Lua Family’s shock and bewilderment with cold, detached eyes, then continued, “There is no need to wait any longer. His Majesty has already had the eldest son of the Lu Family escorted to Puti Monastery. The abbot himself will personally perform the tonsure for him. To be accepted as a disciple by the venerable abbot — that is a great fortune for him. This, too, is only possible because he has been blessed by His Majesty’s benevolence. Will you not hurry and receive the imperial edict with gratitude?”

Lu Ping suppressed the anguish and torment churning within him and respectfully received the imperial edict with thanks.

After Eunuch Ding had finished proclaiming the edict, he added in an offhand tone, “Bureau Chief Lu — His Majesty has also issued an oral decree. Starting from tomorrow, Bureau Chief Lu need no longer attend the Ministry of War. Remain at home in good order for a month and reflect thoroughly upon your own failings. As for what those failings are, I trust Bureau Chief Lu understands better than anyone.”

These words landed like a blow upon the head.

Lu Ping’s face was entirely without color, and his mind became clear as a mirror.

The Emperor had certainly come to know of the things he had been doing in secret. And so he had dealt a severe punishment to Lu Hong, and issued this grave warning to him as well.

Eunuch Ding returned to the palace with an air of smug and lofty importance.

The Lu household sank into a silence so heavy it was difficult to breathe.

Lu Ping had lost all strength in his body, and was only able to slowly sit down with the support of his family. After a long while, he at last said, voice broken, “A’Hong — it was Second Uncle who harmed you! All the fault lies with Second Uncle…”

He wailed aloud and beat his chest in anguish.

If not for his own rampant ambition — if not for wanting to exploit Princess Changping’s fondness for Lu Hong as a foothold to attach himself to Prince Yan — if not for his coaxing and cajoling of Lu Hong to visit the Princess’s manor — if not for his hints to Princess Changping about taking Lu Hong as her Prince Consort — none of this would have come to today!

A’Qian stood to the side, his expression complicated, and even the usual brightness in his eyes was gone.

Lu Ping wept for a long while, until his voice had gone hoarse before stopping. In a ragged, strained voice he said, “A’Qian, the Emperor has grown suspicious and displeased with me. This capital is too dangerous — you must not remain here any longer. Set out at once and return to Jizhou.”

A’Qian pressed his lips together stubbornly. “No. I want to stay in the capital.”

“What good will your staying here do?”

In his desperation, Lu Ping no longer cared for propriety and spoke plainly without restraint. “A’Hong was sent to Puti Monastery to take his vows by the Emperor’s own command. Even after the Emperor departs from this world, the emperor who succeeds to the throne will never release him. A’Hong is finished in this life!”

“Of all the descendants of our branch of the Lu Family, A’Hong was the most promising. Now that A’Hong has come to this, do you intend to sacrifice yourself as well? Return to Jizhou at once!”

When Lu Ping insisted upon something, no one could go against him.

Whether A’Qian was willing or not, that very night he was escorted to the dock and set off by boat, departing the capital.

The news of Lu Hong taking his monastic vows at Puti Monastery would not ordinarily have attracted such particular attention. But what had recently transpired between him and Princess Changping had been the talk of the town — his every move was drawing exceptional scrutiny. Moreover, this had been an imperial edict handed down by the Emperor himself.

In the space of a single night, the news spread rapidly throughout the capital.

At the Ling estate.

Ling Daye and Ling Wuye sat across from each other with grave expressions, while Ling Ji and Ling Xiao and the others also sat together in silence.

Ling Daye gave a heavy sigh. “How did things come to be like this! A’Hong is still so young…”

To be ordered into monkhood by imperial edict sounded dignified enough on the surface — but in truth it was a thing sweet on the outside and bitter on the inside. It also meant that Lu Hong would never be able to leave Puti Monastery for the rest of his life.

Ling Wuye also furrowed his brows and sighed. “It seems the rumors were all true. A’Hong did indeed have certain ‘dealings’ with Princess Changping — otherwise the Emperor would not have vented his anger upon him.”

They were, after all, relatives by marriage, and now that such a calamity had befallen the Lu Family, every member of the Ling household felt unsettled upon hearing the news.

Ling Ji opened his mouth to say, “Father, Fifth Uncle — what’s done is done, and there is nothing we can do. Once this has blown over, we can use the pretext of going to Puti Monastery to burn incense and pay our respects, and quietly go to look in on Cousin Hong.”

Ling Daye and Ling Wuye both nodded together.

“I hear the Emperor also ordered Lu Ping to remain confined to his estate for a month of reflection.” Sun Shi murmured with concern. “From the look of things, Lu Ping had knowledge of this affair as well.”

Ling Daye and Ling Wuye exchanged a glance, pressing down the suspicion rising in their hearts. “In all likelihood he cannot escape being implicated. However, these matters have no bearing on our Ling Family. For these coming days, we should keep our distance from the Lu Family as well, so as not to get swept in.”

Sun Shi nodded and agreed.

Ling Jingyan could not help but interject. “Father, the Lu Family’s affairs have nothing to do with us and are hardly worth discussing. The most important thing now is to find someone at the palace to look into news of Shu Jie’er. The Empress has been deposed — Shu Jie’er was a female official serving in Jiaofang Hall. Who knows what has become of her now!”

At the mention of Ling Jingshu, everyone’s heart sank.

Ling Xiao also said urgently, “Xian Elder Sister is right. Shu Jie’er is inside the palace now — her situation must be difficult. If silver is needed to smooth things over, we can all pool together some silver to send in.”

Ling Daye gave a wry smile. “What you two say sounds easy enough. Things in the palace have been coming one after another — the Emperor was so vexed his old illness flared up, and right now he still lies in bed recuperating. Every single person right now is keeping their head down to stay safe. Who would dare take the risk of prying into palace matters? Are they tired of living?”

“And are we simply to stand by and do nothing, leaving Shu Jie’er with no word from us?” Ling Xiao, agitated, spoke in a tone that came out rather sharp.

Ling Wuye frowned and gave Ling Xiao a stern look. “Who said anything about doing nothing? It is simply that the situation right now is too volatile — however it is handled, we must at least wait through this difficult stretch before making further plans. You get back to your studies at the Imperial Academy and stay out of all of this.”

Ling Xiao turned his head to the side in a huff, a glimmer of moisture flickering in his eyes.

Sun Shi also spoke in reassurance. “A’Xiao, you and Xian Jie’er worry about Shu Jie’er — but when have we not also been anxious and concerned? The only thing is that palace affairs are not something we can meddle in or inquire about. No news right now is the best news there is. It tells us Shu Jie’er is not in danger of losing her life. Let us be patient and wait a little longer.”