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Lu Qian paused.

"What, are you saying I'm not qualified enough as your uncle?"

"No! Grand Commandant, you've misunderstood!"

They think the Three Dukes aren't qualified enough for him to have his coming-of-age ceremony? That's something so many people would love to do!

Moreover, the Grand Commandant and the Prime Minister were both vying to reach adulthood, which was something Lu Qian could boast about for a lifetime!

Lu Qian will surely become famous as a result.

"Then it's settled."

"Thank you, Grand Commandant!"

Pang Tong was not satisfied with this title, saying, "Call me Uncle."

"This humble subject dares not."

Lu Qian really didn't dare.

In today's society, the social hierarchy is very strict. Lu Qian has not yet come of age, so he cannot enter officialdom or inherit a title. He is just a commoner.

Even if Pang Tong, as the Grand Commandant, likes Lu Qian, Lu Qian still needs to maintain boundaries.

This might become a pretext for others to use against him. In that case, how can he carry out the ancestral instruction to merely survive?

Pang Tong saw through Lu Qian's caution and couldn't help but burst into laughter.

"Shiyuan, you've just stolen my business like this?" Zhuge Liang seemed somewhat displeased.

Zhuge Liang cherished Lu Qian dearly. Zhuge Liang had no children of his own, and treated Lu Qian almost like his own son.

Coming of age is one of the most important events in a man's life.

The coming-of-age ceremony is usually presided over by an elder. In families of high social standing, a renowned scholar may be invited to preside over the ceremony.

Pang Tong laughed and said, "Gonghe has come of age and can be recommended for marriage. If you are not happy with that, then find a marriage for Gonghe."

Pang Tong spoke casually and unintentionally, while Zhuge Liang took it to heart.

Lu Qian was cared for by Zhuge Liang from a young age. His father sacrificed his life for his country, and his mother suffered a mental breakdown as a result.

Within the Lu family, only Lu Xun and Lu Qian were close.

However, Lu Xun and Lu Qian were of the same generation, so Lu Xun naturally could not make decisions about Lu Qian's marriage.

Therefore, as Lu Congtian's mentor, Zhuge Liang had a great responsibility to take charge of Lu Qian's lifelong marriage.

Seeing Zhuge Liang deep in thought, Pang Tong exclaimed in surprise, "I wonder which lady is so fortunate?"

"Grand Commandant, please stop making fun of me. Prime Minister, please don't take it to heart. I am in mourning and will be unable to marry anytime soon," Lu Qian said respectfully.

He could sense the good intentions of the two elders.

"Filial piety must be observed, and a wife must be married; neither should be neglected."

Seeing how much Zhuge Liang and Pang Tong cared about Lu Qian, the few military advisors standing by were incredibly envious.

Half a month later

The imperial court held a fairly grand funeral for Lu Congtian.

A cenotaph was erected for Lu Congtian.

The inscription reads: Tomb of Lu, Marquis of Duting during the Han Dynasty.

next day

Pang Tong visited the Lu family ancestral hall to preside over Lu Qian's coming-of-age ceremony.

Originally, the coming-of-age ceremony was held when a man turned twenty.

As times have changed and developed, in order to take power as advisors as soon as possible, the age limit for reaching adulthood has been gradually brought forward.

Now, people can reach adulthood at fifteen, marry, have children, and enter politics or the military.

Now that his father, Lu Congtian, has been exonerated, his memorial tablet has been spontaneously invited into the ancestral hall by the elders of the clan.

Lu Qian was capped, given a courtesy name, and paid respects to his ruler under his father's memorial tablet.

The courtesy name Gonghe was given to him by Zhuge Liang when he was young, and he was put into use directly upon reaching adulthood.

First, he was given a black cloth cap, then a leather cap, and finally a noble cap.

After each coming-of-age ceremony, the distinguished guest Pang Tong would give a congratulatory speech for Lu Qian.

Adult

Unfortunately, my elder brother Boyan could not see this, and my mother was unaware of it.

Most of those who participated in the coming-of-age ceremony were Lu Qian's uncles and elders, and they all expressed their hopes for Lu Qian.

"Gonghe is a man of great talent and appearance; he will surely become a pillar of our great Han Dynasty in the future."

"He was respectful and had an extraordinary demeanor. He was humble and polite, and took care of his mentally challenged his father in the street. His reputation for filial piety spread far and wide."

"My child, go and pay your respects to your Uncle Gonghe. You should learn from your Uncle Gonghe in the future."

At this moment, the elders are as approachable as can be.

It's hard to believe how quickly they managed to distance themselves from the stigma surrounding their father when he was branded a traitor.

They used to look down on Lu Congtian's background, but now they can't look down on Lu Qian's background.

The Grand Commandant of the court officiated at Lu Qian's coming-of-age ceremony, and Lu Qian inherited the title immediately upon reaching adulthood, a height they could only look up to.

Currently, apart from Lu Xun, who might be able to create such a starting point for his son, no one else in the Lu family can reach such a level.

Their fathers had a glorious past, and now Lu Qian is rising like their glorious fathers.

For them, being arrogant at first and then obsequious is simply a matter of self-preservation and avoiding harm.

No one else stepped forward to say that Lu Qian came from a poor family with an unorthodox lineage. They were practically begging to adopt a son or something to strengthen the blood ties.

Lu Qian responded to each of his elders, his attitude already revealing a chilling coldness.

Under Pang Tong's watchful gaze, Lu Qian solemnly bowed to the woman holding her young child in a corner.

This is Lu Xun's wife. During the time when Lu Xun was dismissed from his post, they had this son, named Lu Yan.

"Brother Boyan is not in Chengdu, and my sister-in-law is raising her child alone with great difficulty. Today, our uncles and elders sent many gifts. I will ask Ansheng and Yusheng to take some things to my sister-in-law's residence later."

Now that Lu Qian is an adult, he can no longer freely visit the homes of his unmarried sisters-in-law.

When Lu Xun was mentioned, the lady looked worried and thanked him first.

Ceremony complete

After thanking Pang Tong, Lu Qian inquired about the situation in Jingzhou.

Pang Tong countered with a question, "What does Gonghe think of the battle situation?"

Lu Qian had no hope for this. Lu Xun and Wen Ping held the isolated city to the death. Huang Quan was on the Han River, and Sun Quan was on the Yangtze River.

Although Li Yan led troops to the rescue, his intentions were self-evident.

Pang Tong laughed and said, "Let me tell you some military secrets. The Zhengfang forces have already set up camp at Lukou, which is in coordination with Xiakou."

"What?!"

Although Pang Tong did not specify the details.

But the fact that Li Yan set up camp at Lukou alone is enough to tell a lot!

"Is Li Yan truly committed to rescuing Jingzhou?!" Lu Qian exclaimed incredulously.

Whether Li Yan was truly sincere in his rescue efforts can be determined simply by examining the location of the standoff at Xiazhai.

If Li Yan had some ulterior motive, he could simply hold Jiangling. If Jiangling didn't fall, Nanjun wouldn't be lost, and Jingzhou would still be safe.

Li Yan continued his advance to Lukou, which was in a remote area that echoed Xiakou, indicating that he wanted to join forces with the Xiakou garrison to reclaim the land that had been seized by Sun Quan!

This is a signal of a counterattack!

Pang Tong did not answer the question in detail.

Lu Qian had not yet entered officialdom, so these secrets were of no benefit to him.

Given Lu Qian's intelligence, Pang Tong knew that he only needed to give Lu Qian a little bit of information, and Lu Qian would be able to deduce the situation with great accuracy.

The purpose of telling Lu Qian this information was to put his mind at ease and prevent him from worrying too much about Lu Xun.

"Gonghe, things in the court are unpredictable. I could recognize all colors when I was three, but even at forty I can hardly distinguish between right and wrong."

Pang Tong gave a self-deprecating laugh.

It is a laugh at Li Yan's sincere rescue, a laugh at Ma Chao's sudden death, and a laugh at one's own indecisiveness.

Lu Qian silently repeated Pang Tong's words.

At three, one recognizes all colors; at forty, one can hardly distinguish black from white...

"Qian, I have learned a lot!" Lu Qian bowed deeply.

These words benefited him greatly.

Compared to Zhuge Liang's protectiveness, Pang Tong preferred to let Lu Qian know the rules of the game.

Because these old folks will die sooner or later. They can't keep nurturing their growth forever.

If Lu Qian didn't know the rules, he wouldn't even know how he died!

Just like Lu Congtian!