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Chapter 68 Uninvited Guest

It is said that the royal family is the most ruthless. It is not surprising when you think about it.

Look at how obvious the difference in treatment is among the four princes in this courtyard when measured by these opportunists.

Even Zhu Yu, a bystander, felt sad, let alone the person involved.

Duke Yan was naturally accustomed to being surrounded by people like the moon surrounded by stars, and his proud expression was mixed with a bit of complacency.

"The issue of agricultural tax is of great importance, but if we don't have a decent solution, speaking of it will only cause trouble for His Majesty." Zhao Bi stroked his beard slowly, looked at Lu Zhang beside him with a look of satisfaction, and said to the court officials around him who were fawning on him, "I didn't expect that His Highness Prince Yi, at such a young age, would be so thoughtful.

After reading the memorial from His Majesty Prince Yi, His Majesty was greatly pleased and praised Prince Yi for his ability to stabilize the country and his great talent and strategy.

"I also heard that the emperor has sent His Royal Highness Prince Yi to Congzhou to supervise this matter personally. This is really an important task!" Others immediately took the opportunity to praise him.

Duke Yan looked at Lu Zhang beside him with a look of satisfaction: "The agricultural tax is a serious matter, and it concerns the foundation of Dajin. It really needs to be entrusted to reliable people to handle it. There is no room for error."

"That's right! His Royal Highness Prince Yi has offered suggestions and supervised the work this time. I wonder how many people in Dajin will benefit from it. His reputation will last forever!" Someone next to him immediately echoed.

"Yes, as the saying goes, a tiger father has a dog daughter. His Royal Highness Prince Yi is able to have such a broad mind and vision today, thanks to Duke Yan's good education of his daughter. The Royal Concubine is also a heroine..."

Everyone started talking at once, following Duke Yan's words and praising Lu Zhang. They were trying to make Lu Zhang into an eternal genius who was unparalleled in the world.

Lu Zhang seemed a little uncomfortable with their chaotic praise. He was somewhat proud, but his eyes couldn't help revealing a bit of confusion.

When he passed by the stage, he finally saw Lu Qing and quickly bowed and said, "Brother, long time no see."

Lu Qing also bowed to him and said, "I haven't congratulated Prince Yi yet. I heard that the emperor had decreed a marriage for you. I was too busy to ask about it a while ago. I think the wedding should be coming soon, right?"

As the King Xiaoyao, who was famous for being idle in the capital, he opened his mouth by saying "I'm too busy to ask". As soon as Lu Qing said this, some people around him showed disdainful smirks.

"Thank you for keeping this in mind, brother. It is true. The bride will probably arrive in the capital at the end of the month and will get married. I invite you and your sister-in-law to have a drink together at the wedding." Lu Zhang ignored the reactions of those people and spoke politely to Lu Qing.

"Of course," Lu Qing agreed readily. Seeing Duke Yan looking at him with a sinister look, he suddenly changed the subject and asked, "I didn't see the guard with me today. Have you recovered yet?"

No one probably expected that Lu Qing would bring up this matter on his own initiative. As soon as the words came out, Lu Zhang's expression became subtle, and Duke Yan's face became even gloomier.

"Prince Yi has many guards and servants around him. He doesn't need to always keep just one or two of them with him." Seeing Lu Zhang's expression, Duke Yan answered Lu Qing's question for him. "That guard is very good. Prince Xiaoyao, don't worry about him."

After saying that, he pulled Lu Zhang's sleeve, quickened his pace, and walked away from Lu Qing.

As soon as the two of them left, those who followed them naturally followed, and soon Lu Qing and Zhu Yu's area became quiet.

"Who is Prince Yi going to marry?" Zhu Yu knew that Lu Qing had amazing hearing, so he asked in a very low voice behind him.

Lu Qing heard it clearly. He unfolded his folding fan and waved it a few times as if nothing had happened. "The eldest daughter of the Jie King."

Zhu Yu raised his eyebrows slightly. It would be a lie to say he wasn't surprised.

Among the five kingdoms in the world today, apart from Jin Kingdom, which is the strongest among the strong, among the other four vassal states, if there is anyone who can be ranked second after Jin Kingdom, it can only be Jie Kingdom.

Back when the empire was still unsettled, the Jie Kingdom, renowned for its fierceness and warlike nature, was the one that troubled Emperor Jin the most among the four vassal states. Even after the other three states had willingly submitted to the Jin Empire, the Jie Kingdom stubbornly held out for several more years. It could be said that of the four vassal states, the Jie Kingdom was the one that Emperor Jin was most wary of.

However, once Lu Zhang married the legitimate daughter of the Jie King, it would be equivalent to binding the interests of both parties to the past. If Lu Zhang wanted to inherit the throne a hundred years after Emperor Jin and sit on the supreme throne, the Yue family would obviously be the most powerful guarantee.

In comparison, the Zhu family of Shuo State, which was granted marriage to Lu Qing, was somewhat inferior.

Putting aside the issue of self-esteem, it is not difficult to see who Emperor Jin prefers just from these two arranged marriages.

He didn't even marry the most powerful Jie Kingdom to his eldest son Lu Chao!
Zhu Yu stood there silently, muttering to herself. Lu Qing seemed to be able to hear her inner mumbling. Suddenly, he turned his head to look at her, closed his fan, and tapped Zhu Yu's head lightly. "Don't try to guess. That guy looks like a very smart person. If you only look at his appearance, you'll never guess his true intentions."

After saying this, he stopped talking and looked at the actors performing on the stage, as if he was already immersed in the play.

Zhu Yu came back to his senses and rubbed his forehead.

After being hit by him like this, she suddenly understood.

On the surface, a powerful Yue family seems to be an excellent guarantee for a prince to ascend to the throne.

However, Lu Zhang is different from others. He has a powerful support - his maternal grandfather, Duke Yan.

Although Zhu Yu had only met Lu Zhang twice since their marriage, it was precisely during these two times that Lu Zhang followed Duke Yan closely, and often glanced at Duke Yan's expressions when speaking and doing things.

Duke Yan's power in the court and the country is obvious to all.

As the saying goes, there can't be two tigers in one mountain. After Lu Zhang got married, he had his in-laws' family on one side and his wife's family on the other. The two "supports" who were strong and had their own positions exerted their power at the same time. It was hard to say whether it would bring Lu Zhang a boost or a hindrance.

Thinking of this, Zhu Yu couldn't help but shudder. So this is what it means when someone says, "Your heart is as deep as the sea."

After a brief silence, today's birthday boy Cao Tianbao finally showed up.

This man is worthy of being the General who assists the country. He has made great military achievements. Even though he is already at the age of knowing the destiny, he is still tall and strong, with a sharp gaze. He speaks with full confidence and his voice is like a bell.

It was obvious that General Cao was in high spirits as he was celebrating the occasion. He greeted the guests with a hearty laugh. He first walked quickly towards Duke Yan and Lu Zhang to speak, and then politely greeted Lu Chao and Lu Ze.

However, when he saw Lu Qing, the smile on his face became much colder, and there seemed to be a bit of disdain between his eyebrows. He pretended not to see him and went to greet other people.

Although Lu Qing didn't care much about it, Zhu Yu heard on the way here that he and Cao Tianbao seemed to dislike each other, but he was still a little surprised by Cao Tianbao's rudeness.

Cao Tianbao was in a very good mood today, and his eyes were full of pride, which made people around him unable to help but ask him if there was any good news.

He just laughed and changed the subject without answering, and told the servants to prepare for the meal.

The birthday banquet was just about to begin when a group of people suddenly rushed in from outside. Several big men were carrying a large wooden box with several thick wooden sticks, and a big red flower was tied on the top.

A middle-aged man in his forties, dressed in linen clothes, walked in with the big wooden box. When he reached the front hall, he suddenly gave a command, and the big men shook their shoulders and threw away the wooden sticks on their shoulders.

The big wooden box fell to the ground with a bang. The sound startled the guests present and everyone looked over there.

(End of this chapter)