Jiuxi

Chapter 793 [Turbulence Arising from the Ground]

When the usually calm Chen Lanyu was embarrassed by Lu Chen, the nobles present finally realized a problem.

Most people are burdened with various constraints and have to maneuver within the limits of the rules. For example, despite the extremely unfavorable circumstances in the past two years, Xiao Wangzhi never thought of turning the table over because he had to consider the overall situation, or he was not very accustomed to overly intense struggles.

However, Lu Chen is different.

Some people recalled that when he first entered the capital, although he was just an unknown captain, he did not give Li Yunyi any face at all, and even dared to contradict the third prince, not to mention that later he overturned a table of Mo Yuan's food in front of Guo Congyi and almost fought with Hou Yu directly.

In short, Lu Chen not only has the courage to turn against his enemies, but also has enough confidence to do so.

These nobles, who were accustomed to intrigue, suddenly realized that the capital would be in turmoil for a period of time.

Lu Chen finally let Chen Lanyu go and had a brief chat with the remaining military heroes, represented by Pingning Marquis Tang Yong.

Xiao Wangzhi said at the right time: "According to the court rules, the cavalry of the Ruishi Battalion cannot enter the capital. I have arranged a temporary camp in the east of the capital, and someone will lead them there to station."

This was implied in the question, and Lu Chen naturally would not object. So Ye Jitong led three thousand elite cavalrymen to the southeast, while Qin Zilong followed Lu Chen into the city with three hundred personal soldiers.

"Well, you should go about your business."

A faint smile appeared on Xiao Wangzhi's face.

Lu Chen's gaze passed over the nobles in front of him and fell on the Chunfeng Pavilion in the distance, and he saw a heroic figure standing in the pavilion.

He greeted everyone and then walked towards Chunfeng Pavilion. Xiao Wangzhi and a group of nobles led the way with smiles on their faces.

"My father ordered me to greet him, but Duke Rong and the military ministers are in front of him, so it's not easy for me to get close to them."

Li Bingxue looked at Lu Chen who was walking towards her, her tone quite gentle.

Lu Chen took another step forward and said with a flattering smile: "I haven't seen you for half a year. You have become more beautiful."

Li Bingxue looked at him steadily and couldn't help laughing out loud.

In fact, she had been a little nervous these days about this long-awaited reunion. When she thought that one of the most important purposes of his coming to Beijing this time was to spend the rest of his life with her, the usually sober and rational General Li began to get confused. The once free and easy woman who took the initiative to reveal her feelings became inexplicably worried.

Just now, I watched him greeting a group of nobles from afar. Although I couldn't hear their conversation, I could feel that he was becoming more and more mature, and his aura was rising.

As the saying goes, beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Li Bingxue certainly liked the way he looked when he seemed to be confident and in control.

I didn't expect this guy to be so lazy.

Li Bingxue's nervousness disappeared, and she raised her eyebrows and said, "There has been no news for more than half a year. Master Lu is really a busy man."

Since she returned to the capital in early autumn last year, the two have not had any correspondence.

Lu Chen coughed twice and asked with concern, "Is Uncle Li okay?"

"It's fine, don't change the subject."

Li Bingxue would not be led by him. She stared into his eyes and said, "I know you are very busy, but no matter how busy you are, you should not be so busy that you don't even have time to write a letter."

Lu Chen glanced at the backs of Xiao Wangzhi and others riding their horses slowly in front of him, and thought to himself, is this the cycle of fortune?

Just now he took the initiative to stab Chen Lanyu, and now it was Li Bingxue's turn to attack him.

Lu Chen thought for a moment and said, "They are almost gone. Can we talk while we walk?"

Li Bingxue did not refuse. The two of them mounted their mounts, with a group of military dignitaries leading the way in front and hundreds of fierce personal soldiers following behind.

Lu Chen held the reins with one hand and touched his forehead with the other. Finally, he said frankly, "Of course I miss you, but I always feel a little guilty about you, so I wrote several letters but didn't have them delivered to the capital. Last autumn, not long after I returned to Ruyin, Senior Sister and Chu Long went into labor one after another. Every time I think about the things I promised you that I haven't done yet, I really don't have the face to look for you."

Hearing this, Li Bingxue couldn't help but lower her eyes and said softly: "I am too stubborn, but I can't blame you."

In fact, as early as before the death of the late emperor, he asked her to lead the Feiyu Army to Dingzhou, and the biggest obstacle between the two had disappeared.

However, Li Bingxue was one step behind Lin Xi, and now even Wang Chulong had Lu Chen's child. The entanglement here was difficult to sort out.

You know, she expressed her feelings for Lu Chen even earlier than Lin Xi.

Of course, Lu Chen was not stupid enough to put the blame on her, and said sincerely: "So last year, Brother Li asked me not to return to Beijing for safety reasons, but if I don't go back, how can I be worthy of you? Not to mention that there won't be too much danger in returning to Beijing this time, even if it really is a sea of ​​fire and swords, I will definitely come."

The string in Li Bingxue's heart was suddenly plucked.

She turned to look at Lu Chen, smiled again, and asked, "When are you going to see my father?"

Lu Chen said without hesitation: "I will go to the palace to see the emperor first, and then go to visit Uncle Li."

Li Bingxue looked up at the sky and said slowly, "I'm afraid it will be dark soon when you come out of the palace. My father goes to bed early recently, so let's go tomorrow. Since you have already arrived in the capital, there is no need to rush."

Lu Chen nodded and said, "Okay."

Li Bingxue was able to let go of things easily and would not dwell on one thing. She then changed the subject and asked, "Have you decided on the names of the two children?"

Lu Chen replied, "It's settled. The boy will be named Lu Jiusi and the girl will be named Lu Xinyi."

"It sounds good."

Li Bingxue was not good at this either, but judging from her expression, she really liked it. She then said with emotion: "Compared to you, I actually want to meet the two sisters more."

Lu Chen said cautiously: "Well... from now on we are a family and we can see each other anytime."

Li Bingxue chuckled and raised her chin slightly and said, "Who said I want to marry you?" Lu Chen was shocked: "What? Are you interested in someone else?"

Li Bingxue was not as shy and timid as an ordinary girl. She said angrily and amusedly, "Yes!"

Lu Chen immediately rolled up his sleeves and gritted his teeth, "Who? I'm going to go find him now."

Li Bingxue urged the horse forward and said leisurely: "It seems his name is Lu Chen, go and beat him up."

Looking at her agile back, Lu Chen followed her with a smile.

After the group entered the city, they attracted a lot of onlookers from the people. Especially when they saw the hundreds of fierce cavalrymen following behind them, the passers-by couldn't help but be very excited. Some brave people even took the initiative to greet Lu Chen.

Lu Chen responded all the way. At this moment, including Xiao Wangzhi, all the nobles who were usually big figures became supporting roles.

Only when we entered the southern city did the surroundings become quiet.

After stepping onto the Imperial Street, Lu Chen said goodbye to everyone, asked most of his personal soldiers to return home, and only took dozens of people to the palace.

In the square outside Hening Gate, Yuan Yuji, the Junior Supervisor of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, was already waiting there.

"Your Majesty has ordered that the Duke of Shanyang enter the palace immediately!"

Lu Chen calmly accepted the order, and then followed Yuan Yuji into the majestic and solemn imperial city.

Chongzheng Hall, Imperial Study Room.

Li Zongben suppressed the surging thoughts in his mind and looked at the young minister who walked in.

"Your Majesty, I, Lu Chen, pay my respects to you."

Lu Chen bowed.

"No need to pay tribute."

Li Zongben's tone was quite calm, and he continued, "Yuan Yuji, give Mr. Lu a seat."

Yuan Yuji quickly brought over a round stool.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Lu Chen thanked him neither humbly nor arrogantly, then sat down with a calm expression.

The young king and his minister fell into silence.

Li Zongben naturally had a lot to say, but when he actually saw Lu Chen and looked at his handsome and calm face, he didn't know where to start for a moment.

According to common sense, a military hero like Lu Chen who has lived in the frontier for a long time would naturally be commended by the emperor after returning to the capital. Regardless of whether Li Zongben had suspicions in his heart, at least the emperor and his subjects should maintain a harmonious relationship on the surface, otherwise it would easily cause unnecessary turmoil.

Li Zongben did have such a plan, but when the words came to his lips, his tone changed: "I heard that Lu Qing's family and Linjiang Hou had a dispute in the suburbs just now?"

Yuan Yuji, who was standing solemnly aside, lowered his head. If he could speak at this moment, he would definitely ask, "Your Majesty, are you still asleep?"
Lu Chen also did not expect the emperor to make such an opening remark. He thought that Li Zongben would say a few empty compliments as he did before.

He had just said a few words to Chen Lanyu, and Li Zongben received the news right after. This really shows that Li Zongben has a good control over the capital. The question is, what did he want to say by bringing up this topic? Was he trying to stand up for Chen Lanyu?
Or is it just to show off your muscles?
If this is true, he is a little too impatient.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen's tone became a little lighter: "Your Majesty, I am sorry to trouble you. I have no dispute with Marquis Linjiang. We just said a few jokes."

"That's good."

Li Zongben nodded slightly, and then said with emotion: "Last year, the powerful enemy invaded the border, and I was very worried. Fortunately, Lu Qingjia stepped forward to help the crisis and defeated the enemy to protect the border and the people. I know your importance to the stability of the border, but if I can't talk to you in person about the future strategy, I will still be worried. More importantly, you have made great contributions to Da Qi, and I must let the world know that I am not a mean and ungrateful king."

The topic is back on track.

Lu Chen secretly felt bored. Instead of sitting here and listening to such polite words, he might as well go and chat with Li Tianrun. However, he still maintained basic respect on his face and said modestly: "Your Majesty, I have only fulfilled my duty. I do not deserve such praise."

Li Zongben smiled, but saw another head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs come in, kneel down and report: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Hospital..."

His voice stopped abruptly, apparently because he saw another young important official in the imperial study.

Seeing Lu Chen coming and going towards him, Li Zongben said generously: "The Lu family is my pillar of support. If you have anything to say, just say it. There is no need to hide it."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The head of the hospital lowered his head and said nervously, "Just now, the Imperial Hospital sent an urgent report. The chief of the Imperial Hospital, Gui Qiuliang, suddenly contracted a serious illness at home half an hour ago and unfortunately passed away."

If it was just an ordinary imperial physician, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would certainly not take the matter seriously. However, Gui Qiuliang was the highly respected director of the Imperial Hospital, and he specialized in treating the nobles in the palace. The news of his sudden death was more important, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs did not dare to delay.

Li Zongben frowned and asked, "What did you say?"

The master repeated it again.

Li Zongben said, "Let the Imperial Hospital find out the cause of Gui Qiuliang's death and report back."

The chief was about to accept the order when he heard Lu Chen say calmly, "Your Majesty, can I go and take a look?"

Li Zongben's eyes fixed and he looked towards Lu Chen.

The king and his minister exchanged glances.

It was as if some fragile balance was quietly broken.

(End of this chapter)