Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Lu Tong was a bit surprised to see Murong Jie there and asked, "Your Highness the Sixth Prince? Why are you here?"

He had just returned from outside and was unaware of his son's antics. Lu Yunqi gave a dismissive reply: "I invited His Highness the Sixth Prince to be our guest, and today I'm bringing him along to the palace banquet. Alright, Father, don't worry about it—let's head out!"

With that, he grabbed Murong Jie and pulled him into the carriage.

Lu Tong and Lu An boarded another carriage. As soon as they were inside, Lu Tong asked, "What's going on with Qi'er? Didn't he use to despise the Sixth Prince the most?"

Lu An hadn't been to the palace over the past couple of days but had heard some rumors. He pressed his lips together and said, "Little brother is still young—he might be curious about that sort of thing. His interest in the Sixth Prince is probably just a passing fancy; he'll get bored of him after a while..."

Lu An knew this couldn't be kept secret, and Lu Yunqi clearly wasn't trying to hide it either.

Better for Lu Tong to hear it from him directly than through someone else's mouth—that way, he could also try to talk some sense into him on the side.

Sure enough, Lu Tong snapped, "Nonsense! Even if the Sixth Prince isn't favored, he's still a prince. Aren't you afraid of offending the imperial family and getting the old emperor to punish him?"

Lu An said, "Godfather, you worry too much. The emperor is a total pushover—he wouldn't dare punish my little brother. Besides, he relies on you for everything right now. How could he offend our Lord Nine Thousand Years' household over such a trivial matter? If you ask me, Godfather, you're just too loyal to the Murong family. We should just overthrow that old emperor! Then we'll put little brother on the throne, and the Lu family will take power."

Lu Tong stopped him: "No. The late emperor showed me kindness. I promised him I would support the Murong family for twenty years. Nine years have passed, one more remains—after that, I can retire with honor."

Lu An understood—one year from now, the Murong imperial family would be done for!

The useless don't deserve the throne. Don't think he didn't know—the old emperor was terrified of his godfather and might very well kick him to the curb once he was no longer useful. The Murong family had always been like that: granting power when needed, and wiping out entire families when not.

The carriage rolled along through Jiazi Avenue all the way to the imperial palace, and the guards at the gate didn't even stop them—they simply let the carriage through.

As dusk fell, the palace was lit up with lanterns and decorations. Servants bustled about, the great hall was piled with delicacies, palace music played melodiously, dancers twirled gracefully, and maids stood at attention on both sides. Even the princes stood outside the hall to welcome the all-powerful Lord Nine Thousand Years.

Lu Tong stepped down from the carriage with Lu An's support. The two of them waited for Lu Yunqi and Murong Jie, then walked together toward the hall.

As soon as they entered, all the palace maids and eunuchs bowed to Lu Tong, and the princes nodded respectfully at him.

Lu Tong didn't even blink. He led his son straight into Qianyuan Hall, cupped his fists toward the emperor, and said in a booming voice, "This old minister pays respects to Your Majesty."

The old emperor beamed as he waved his hand: "Ziqiong, please, have a seat! You've worked so hard lately, winning such a great victory! I've put together this banquet today to welcome you back and celebrate your nineteenth triumph."

After the late emperor's passing, Lu Tong had led a campaign every year, winning nearly every battle.

It was as if he were blessed by fate itself—invincible wherever he went.

His son, however, was a different story. After all these years, he'd only managed to produce one son, and that son was a spoiled, good-for-nothing playboy.

As the saying goes: when the moon is full, it wanes; when water overflows, it spills; when things reach their extreme, they reverse. The father is a hero, the son is a dud—that about sums it up.

Someone brought over a grand armchair for Lu Tong and placed a golden nanmu table before him, which was quickly laden with the finest delicacies.

Lu Yunqi, meanwhile, was escorted by the chief eunuch Fu Hai to sit among the princes. Murong Jie was originally supposed to be seated at the very back, but Lu Yunqi pulled him over to sit beside him, whispering in his ear, "Sit by me and pour my drinks and fix my plate."

Murong Jie didn't resist. He poured him a cup of wine, then served him a piece of savory roasted lamb before sitting up straight in proper kneeling position.

The old emperor chatted cheerfully with Lu Tong: "Ziqiong, you're still spry in your old age—unlike me, whose body is failing more and more."

Lu Tong played the loyal subject: "Your Majesty, what are you saying? You are the Son of Heaven, blessed by the heavens above. Your fortune will surely be long and prosperous."

The emperor waved his hand: "Those are just empty flattery—nothing to take seriously, hahaha! Alas, I know my own body well. I have twelve sons, and aside from the eleventh and twelfth who are still young, none of them are to my liking. If any of them ever takes the throne, they'll likely need to rely on your guidance, Ziqiong."

Hearing this, Lu Tong respectfully rose to his feet, cupped his fists, and said, "This old minister will dedicate himself wholeheartedly, to the very end."

The emperor was pleased and cheerfully began drinking and feasting with Lu Tong, ordering the dancers to perform a lively wooden-shoe dance.

After several rounds of wine, the old emperor's face was flushed red. Finally remembering the day's true purpose, he waved his hand and said, "Silly me! Today's banquet was originally held for Young Lord Lu's marriage arrangement. How could I have forgotten that?"

Lu Yunqi heard the old emperor calling on him and inwardly groaned: You went through all this trouble just for me?

The old emperor waved his hand, and all the palace maids and dancers stepped out. The emperor's three princesses were brought forward.

Following the Murong family tradition, the sons and daughters were ranked separately. The eldest princess was Murong Xian, the second Murong Shu, and the third Murong Hua.

Each of the three princesses had her own unique beauty—the eldest was the empress's own daughter. However, none of them looked pleased, clearly unwilling to be married off to this little good-for-nothing from the Lu family.

But as imperial princesses, having enjoyed everyone's respect, they were bound to serve the royal house.

The old emperor beckoned to Lu Yunqi with a warm smile: "Qi'er, come here, to your imperial uncle."

Lu Yunqi put away his carefree attitude, stepped forward, and bowed to the emperor: "Greetings, Imperial Uncle. May you enjoy health and blessings."

The old emperor smiled and said, "Good, good, good. Qi'er is such a good boy. Time flies—you've grown up so fast. If I remember correctly, you should be eighteen now, right?"

Lu Yunqi replied, "To answer Your Majesty, Yunqi is indeed eighteen."

The old emperor nodded with satisfaction: "You truly take after your father—so handsome. I'm sure you'll inherit Ziqiong's legacy as well."

Lu Yunqi thought to himself: You dog emperor—what filthy words!

But neither of them called it out. Lu Yunqi maintained the surface harmony, graciously accepting the compliment.

The emperor coughed a few times, looking like a candle flickering in the wind. He was only three years older than Lu Tong, yet seemed a decade older—his health was clearly failing.

He beckoned to the three princesses and said, "Qi'er, what do you think of my three daughters? Is there one you fancy? If you like any of them, just say so. Your imperial uncle will make the decision and grant you the marriage."

Lu Yunqi thought to himself: This old emperor is getting more senile by the day. Even if he desperately wants my father to consolidate his rule, he shouldn't be offering up his own daughters like goods for a wastrel to pick from.

But since you're letting me choose, then I'll choose carefully.

So he turned to look at the three princesses and began scrutinizing them one by one.

The third princess, Murong Hua, immediately wore a displeased expression, thinking: I am an imperial princess—how dare this wastrel pick and choose over me as if I were merchandise?

She was about to flare up when the eldest princess stopped her, whispering a warning: "If you don't want your mother to suffer for it, keep your mouth shut!"

Murong Hua was furious but dared not speak. Lu Yunqi genuinely sympathized with these princesses, but if he didn't put on a proper show, it would be hard to fool the emperor.

He circled around the princesses, then curled his lips and turned to bow to the emperor: "Imperial Uncle, can I choose anyone I want?"

The old emperor coughed for a long while again. After the chief eunuch Fu Hai handed him a cup of tea and he suppressed the coughing, he spoke to Lu Yunqi: "Of course. Since your imperial uncle is letting you choose, I'll back your decision. You may pick whoever you like."

Lu Yunqi chuckled and said, "Thank you, Imperial Uncle. But... Imperial Uncle, these three princesses are of noble status—no matter which one I were to marry, Yunqi knows he's unworthy. However, there is another person I rather fancy, and I hope Imperial Uncle will grant my wish."

"Oh?" The old emperor's expression showed a hint of confusion. He asked, "Another person? You mischievous boy—I only have three princesses. Where would another come from? Still, if you have another noble lady in mind, that's fine too. Whether she's a county princess or a young lady from any household, I'll grant you the marriage."

Look at that attitude—utterly indulgent. No wonder the original owner had gotten so full of himself he'd forgotten his own name.

Lu Yunqi said, "She's not a county princess, nor a noble lady..."

"Not? Could she be a commoner or a virtuous woman? Hahaha, you child—if you fancy a common girl, as long as her background isn't too lowly, you can take her as a concubine. No need to bring it up in the great hall. What I'm choosing for you is a principal wife—the future consort of the heir. That position requires a woman of noble birth to match."

Lu Yunqi's face took on a mysterious expression as he said, "Imperial Uncle, it is not a commoner woman, nor a proper married woman from a good family. That person... is also present in this great hall right now. I can point them out, and I beg you, Imperial Uncle, to grant me your blessing for marriage."

Lu Yunqi's words piqued everyone's curiosity, and the Emperor was equally intrigued, narrowing his eyes in thought: "Neither a princess nor a noble lady, nor a maiden or a common wife—surely not a palace maid, dancer, or palace attendant? Well, that would not be out of the question either. Even if it were one of my own female attendants, I would grant you the marriage if you so desire. Stop being so coy, you little rascal, and point them out at once!"

Lu Yunqi gave a respectful fist-and-palm salute and replied, "Yes, Imperial Uncle. The one I hold dear is... him, the Sixth Prince, Murong Jie."

With that, he turned and pointed directly at Murong Jie, who was seated upright nearby.

At that moment, a gloomy, damp male ghost began to silently crumble apart.

==========Author's Note:==========

Lu Yunqi: Hehe, Murong Jie, just you wait, I'm gonna gross you out, buddy~!!!

Murong Jie: Why am I being rewarded?

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