Chapter 420: The Release Letter for the Concubine

Chapter 420: The Release Letter for the Concubine

"You can't stay in the capital to indulge her nonsense anymore."

Lu Shen was taken aback, "Grandfather, what do you mean?"

"Find a way to avoid that dim-witted woman."

"Huh? How should I avoid her?"

Grand Chancellor Lu frowned, thinking about the recent discussions in the imperial court regarding sending someone to Yu City.

This was an opportunity, but it also carried significant risks.

He had considered assigning this task to Lu Shen, but he worried that the risk was too great and something might happen to Lu Shen.

After much deliberation, he decided to give the task to someone else.

However, he was still concerned that Lu Shen might not be able to withstand the woman's antics and might do something foolish behind his back.

At his age and with his poor health, he could not keep a constant watch on him.

It would be better to send him far away to avoid this matter.

Grand Chancellor Lu made up his mind and discussed the matter with Lu Shen.

"Go to Yu City and capture a few of the ringleaders who led the attack on the Prefecture Office and pursued Prince Chen. Execute them in public to establish your authority. This will be your chance to make a name for yourself, and I can speak well of you before the Emperor."

Upon hearing the details, Lu Shen felt a jolt in his heart and showed no signs of joy at the prospect of establishing himself.

"Grandfather, I fear this won't be easy. To us, they are rebellious peasants, but to the suffering people, they are heroes who saved their lives. Grandfather, this isn't a good assignment. In those impoverished areas, they dared to pursue even Prince Chen; if provoked, they might eat me alive."

Grand Chancellor Lu was pleased with these words, "Good, you have some sense. I didn’t misjudge you. But you are still young and inexperienced. This task is indeed dangerous, but it’s not impossible."

Lu Shen humbly sought advice, "Grandfather, how can I handle this?"

"Think about what the people need and what the Emperor needs."

After some thought, Lu Shen said, "Does the Emperor need to execute a few people to intimidate the rebellious peasants?"

"Exactly, it doesn't necessarily have to be their 'heroes.' A few heads are all it takes, and there are plenty in the local jail."

Lu Shen suddenly understood, "Grandfather, you are wise. I understand now."

"Yes, go ahead. Think carefully about everything. I await your good news."

"Yes, Grandfather. I take my leave."

The rest was up to him to muster his energy and continue attending morning court sessions to secure this assignment for Lu Shen.

The idea was his, and at his age and with his poor health, he knew the Emperor valued sentiment and would adopt his suggestion.

Lu Shen secured the assignment smoothly.

Xie Peiyu reported the success immediately after receiving the news.

Zheng Jinyu smiled, "Then proceed to the next step. Send people to Yu City to spread rumors."

"Of course, people have already been sent. We'll see if he makes it back alive."

Zheng Jinyu's smile faded. This damned Lu Shen, she wished he would die out there.

But if he died, the Lu family's dynamics would change.

The second and third branches might not be as clever as the first, but they were not as outrageous as Lu Shen and his father.

The direct descendants of the second and third branches were still young, and their future was uncertain...

Moreover, letting him die in a peasant uprising would be too easy for him.

Zheng Jinyu asked Xie Peiyu, "Is it likely that Lu Shen won't return from this trip?"

"Not necessarily. The Lu family will certainly send skilled protectors around him. If we don't interfere, he has a good chance of survival. Do you want him to live?"

"If so..." She pondered, "Let's not complicate matters. Whether he returns safely depends entirely on his own abilities."

...

Lu Shen practically fled the capital.

Erya cried to him, feeling that once he left, she would suffer at Fang Jinxiu's hands.

Men's inherent flaw—once they get what they want, they no longer cherish it.

Erya did not heed Zheng Jinyu's advice and did not play hard to get, leading to Lu Shen gradually losing interest after satisfying his desires.

Even when Erya pleaded with him to take her along, he refused.

He only gave her some money, a release letter for the concubine, and assigned two men to protect her.

"Don't blame me for not caring. I'm doing the Emperor's work, and many eyes are watching. Taking you along is impossible. Keep this well. If things get desperate, leave. When I return, I'll find you. These two will protect you, but whether they can ensure your safety is uncertain. Take care of yourself."

With that, he pushed her away and left.

Erya sobbed uncontrollably, holding the money and the envelope Lu Shen gave her.

Fang Jinxiu had ordered Lu Shen to save Zhou Shi, insisting he must save her before leaving. However, he used the excuse of obeying the Emperor's command and left before dawn.

When Fang Jinxiu woke up and found Lu Shen had fled, she was furious but helpless.

She wasn't really going to abort the child in her womb; she was just trying to scare them.

Hearing Erya's cries, Fang Jinxiu flew into a rage and shouted, "Grab that wretched woman for me."

Who in the entire household, besides Lu Shen, would care about a lowly concubine?

No one cared about her.

Madam Lu glanced at her and then turned to leave.

She secretly wished that Fang Jinxiu would kill Erya. When she had wanted to buy this dead girl as a maid, Erya had dared to be difficult with her, forcing them to give her the status of a concubine.

She had long found Erya to be an eyesore.

When Erya saw Madam Lu leaving, she sensed danger and turned to run.

Lu Shen had instructed the guards assigned to protect her to help restrain Fang Jinxiu's servants, but when Fang Jinxiu thrust out her belly, they wilted, not daring to interfere.

That brief moment of hesitation gave Erya enough time to escape. She was from the countryside and was quite agile.

The few old women by Fang Jinxiu's side failed to catch her, allowing her to get away.

Furious, Fang Jinxiu stomped her foot and went to find Madam Lu. "Mother, what is the punishment for a concubine running away?"

Madam Lu was taken aback. "Your sister ran away?"

Fang Jinxiu: "..."

"She's not my sister."

Madam Lu pursed her lips and said, "Fine, I won't meddle in your sisters' affairs. You can charge her with whatever you like."

Fang Jinxiu sneered, "You said it yourself. If you don't meddle, I can do whatever I want to her."

"Of course, but if Shen Er comes back and blames you, don't come crying to me."

Fang Jinxiu thought to herself, so what if he blames me? She's just a woman, and one he's about to tire of. Can she be more important than my son?

The child in her womb was her golden ticket. Even if she killed Erya, he couldn't do anything to her.

After leaving Madam Lu, Fang Jinxiu immediately sent people to find Erya, with orders to beat her half to death before bringing her back.

Meanwhile, after escaping from the Lu residence, Erya sought refuge with Zheng Jinyu.

"Sister, if I fall into her hands, I'm doomed. Please save me."

Zheng Jinyu took a sip of tea and calmly said, "Since you knew she wouldn't let you go, why didn't you leave with Lu Shen?"

"I wanted to, but he wouldn't take me. He said he was going on official business and it wouldn't look right to bring a concubine along."