abcnovels
Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Chapter 33
Lu XuanNing struggled to get up, and Old Marquis Lu stepped forward to support him. "Don't get up, stay lying down."
Lu XuanNing grasped his grandfather's hand tightly. "Grandfather, your grandson has been unfilial, causing you to worry." As these words came out, Old Marquis Lu felt his eyes grow hot. "Tell your grandfather, who harmed you. I will not let them off lightly."
The people in the room all withdrew. Lu XuanNing motioned for Old Marquis Lu to lean closer. Old Marquis Lu approached Lu XuanNing's side. Lu XuanNing spoke a name in a low voice.
Old Marquis Lu's expression changed. "How could it be him? He has always had a virtuous reputation, praised by all in the court and beyond."
Lu XuanNing untied his clothes, pointing to the injured area. "The evidence is here," he said, forcefully tearing open the wound.
"Ning'er, don't," Old Marquis Lu tried to stop him, but Lu XuanNing had already torn open the wound. He took out the evidence hidden inside his body. Afraid of being discovered, Lu XuanNing had stuffed it into his own flesh, which was also the reason his wound had not healed and kept causing him fevers. Old Marquis Lu's hands trembled as he accepted it, then shouted towards the outside, "Imperial Physician!"
Hearing the call, the Imperial Physician entered with his medicine box. He saw Lu XuanNing's torn wound and quickly approached to treat it. Due to the pain, Lu XuanNing fell into unconsciousness.
Old Marquis Lu carefully wiped the evidence clean, ensuring it was not damaged, and stored it safely. As the Imperial Physician emerged from the inner room, Old Marquis Lu approached him. "How is my grandson?"
"The Young Master's wound has become infected inside, but it has been cleaned and treated with medicine. However, the Young Master's injury is severe, and he will need to recuperate quietly." The Imperial Physician's words allowed Old Marquis Lu to breathe a sigh of relief, as long as his life was not in danger.
Li Ming entered. "Old Marquis, this subordinate has prepared wine and food for you to refresh yourself."
Old Marquis Lu solemnly bowed to Li Ming, who quickly shrank back, waving his hands. "This cannot be done, this cannot be done."
"Li Ming, you saved my grandson's life, and this bow is well-deserved." The Lu family had only this single heir for three generations. Old Marquis Lu cherished Lu XuanNing like the apple of his eye, and he felt immensely grateful to the Li family.
"Old Marquis, you honor me too much," Li Ming returned the bow.
Seeing Li Ming's sincere modesty, Old Marquis Lu did not say more. "Today is a joyful occasion, accompany this old man for a drink."
With the evidence removed from his body and his wound cleaned, Lu XuanNing's condition improved greatly. He also regained his energy and detailed the full situation to Old Marquis Lu. Lu XuanNing had set out from the borderlands to return to the capital to celebrate Old Marquis Lu's sixty-sixth birthday.
On the way, when passing through Nan'an City, Lu XuanNing remembered that his childhood teacher, Teacher Du, lived not far away in Nantong Prefecture. Not only was Teacher Du highly knowledgeable, but he was also gentle in nature and had a flexible and varied teaching style, most importantly never striking students with a ruler. Lu XuanNing had been very fond of him as a child, studying under him for five years. Lu XuanNing decided to take a two-day detour to visit Teacher Du in Nantong Prefecture.
Lu XuanNing and his entourage took the detour to Nantong Prefecture. Upon arriving, they inquired about Teacher Du's residence. Lu XuanNing brought gifts and knocked on Teacher Du's door.
Hearing the knocking from outside, the person inside felt their heart tighten, and asked in a trembling voice, "Who is it?"
"May I ask if this is Teacher Du's residence? My surname is Lu, and I was a student of Teacher Du. While passing through Nantong, I have come to pay a visit to my old teacher," Lu XuanNing said politely from outside the door.
"Just a moment," came the reply from behind the door, as a young servant went to speak with Teacher Du in the study.
Teacher Du pondered when he had taught a student with the surname Lu. Upon hearing the servant's words, he suddenly stood up. "It's him," he said, looking toward the dejected young man in the study. "Xi'er, there is a chance now."
Zhang Xi shook his head. "Uncle Du, don't deceive me anymore. Nantong Prefecture is now under their control, and there is no escape."
"Others may find it difficult to escape. But he will certainly be able to get out and deliver the items directly," Teacher Du did not finish, but gestured with his hand, and Zhang Xi understood his meaning.
"Uncle, what is his identity?" Zhang Xi asked with puzzlement in his eyes.
Teacher Du did not answer but instructed the young servant, "Young servant, quickly invite him in."
The young servant responded and swiftly went to open the door. "Apologies to the Young Master for the delay, as my master has been unwell these past few days."
"If the teacher is ill, have you called a physician?" Lu XuanNing inquired with concern.
The young servant did not respond but led Lu XuanNing into the study. Seeing the healthy Teacher Du, Lu XuanNing felt puzzled but remained respectful. "Student pays respects to the teacher."
"Young Master Lu, I truly did not expect you to come and see this old man," Teacher Du stepped forward to help Lu XuanNing up, inwardly marveling at how the little bean sprout had grown into a man. "How are the Marquis and the Old Marquis?"
"Father and grandfather are both well. My father is at the northern border, leading troops in training every day, in high spirits. This time, I have returned to the capital at the behest of my parents to celebrate my grandfather's sixty-sixth birthday." Lu XuanNing stood up straight and answered Teacher Du's inquiries. "Teacher, your complexion is haggard. Is there something amiss with your health?"
Teacher Du did not answer Lu XuanNing's question but instead introduced Zhang Xi to him. "Young Master, allow me to introduce my student, Zhang Xi. His father is Zhang Chen, the Prefect of Nantong Prefecture."
Upon hearing Teacher Du address Lu XuanNing as the Young Master and mention the Marquis from the northern border, Zhang Xi realized who he was. He immediately knelt before Lu XuanNing. "Young Master Lu, I beg you to help me."
Lu XuanNing looked at Teacher Du, puzzled by the situation. He had just arrived, and someone was already kneeling before him.
"Xi'er, get up," Teacher Du sternly instructed Zhang Xi.
Zhang Xi stood up. Teacher Du sighed. "Young Master, please forgive me for involving you in this trouble."
"Teacher, what has happened?" Lu XuanNing looked at Zhang Xi's desperate expression, then back at Teacher Du.
"Please, take a seat first and allow me to explain," Teacher Du gestured for Lu XuanNing to sit down.
Lu XuanNing sat and listened as Teacher Du explained the situation. After taking office as the Prefect of Nantong Prefecture, Zhang Chen unexpectedly discovered that Prince Yongkang's Mansion outside the city had found gold and iron mines and was secretly manufacturing weapons. Following the leads, he discovered that Prince Yongkang's Mansion was providing these weapons to the Baiyi Tribe, a tribe that has always been at odds with our nation and known for their cruelty, pillaging, and massacres. Such actions were tantamount to treason.
Zhang Chen compiled the evidence he had gathered, intending to send someone to deliver it to the capital and expose the matter. However, he was discovered by the spy planted by Prince Yongkang within the Prefecture Office. Prince Yongkang set a trap, summoning Zhang Chen under the pretext of an official meeting, then accused Zhang Chen of misconduct for making improper advances towards a lady of the prince's household while intoxicated, using it as an excuse to imprison him. The Zhang family residence was subsequently sealed off by the prince's guards.
Aware that this summons from Prince Yongkang meant he would not return, Zhang Chen had given the evidence to his son, Zhang Xi, beforehand, instructing him to seek out Teacher Du and find a way to deliver the evidence out of the city.
Teacher Du and Zhang Chen were longtime friends. Although Zhang Xi had become Teacher Du's student, their relationship was not widely known. This allowed Zhang Xi to hide at Teacher Du's residence, temporarily avoiding detection. However, Nantong Prefecture was now under the control of Prince Yongkang's troops, making it difficult for Zhang Xi to escape.
Lu XuanNing's arrival brought a glimmer of hope to Zhang Xi, who understood that leaving Nantong Prefecture was unlikely for him. He pleaded with Lu XuanNing to take the evidence away.
Lu XuanNing accepted the evidence and solemnly bid farewell to the two. "Teacher, Brother Zhang. Rest assured, even if I must risk my life, I will surely deliver this evidence to the Emperor."