Chapter 45: Secret Funds

Chapter 45: Secret Funds

Chang'an briefly reported the matter of the small courtyard in the southern city. As expected, Lu Feng didn't even frown and calmly said, "Go and take your thirty lashes."

Chang'an breathed a sigh of relief. During the days when Lu Feng was not in the capital, not only Jiang Wanrou but even he, a seven-foot-tall man, felt uneasy, as if he had lost his anchor.

Lu Feng asked a few more questions about Jiang Wanxue. Since the last assassination attempt, Jiang Wanxue had fallen ill, this time it was genuine, suffering from shock and the cold autumn weather, and she had been having a hard time recovering.

After a moment of silence, Lu Feng instructed, "Have the imperial physician examine her thoroughly."

Chang'an was slightly surprised. Lu Feng never beat around the bush; when he said "take a good look," he meant exactly that—he wanted the Princess of Gong to be unharmed.

Previously... he hadn't noticed the master's concern for the Princess of Gong.

Lu Feng had been away from the capital for four months. Chang'an had more contact with Jiang Wanrou and had come to respect the mistress deeply from the bottom of his heart, feeling a bit indignant for her.

He nodded and said, "As you command. However, the mistress might not be able to explain clearly..."

Lu Feng glanced at him sideways, "Add ten more lashes."

Chang'an dared not speak further and bowed and retreated.

***

Lu Feng did not need any tokens or credentials to see the emperor and moved without hindrance to the Hall of Mental Cultivation (Yangxin Hall) where the emperor resided.

As soon as he stepped in, Lu Feng's brow furrowed slightly. At that moment, the emperor hurried over. He was tall and wore a black round-collared robe embroidered with nine-clawed golden dragons, the collar slightly wrinkled, clearly just gotten out of bed.

"Good, good! It’s good to have you back."

The emperor's eyes like a tiger’s were filled with joy as he looked Lu Feng up and down, then raised his hand to pat his shoulder.

Everything was understood without speaking.

Despite the loss of many brothers and the escape of the traitor Chen, Lu Feng had originally prepared to accept punishment for his failure. But now, seeing the emperor's eager gaze, he suddenly turned his head and said, "Your Majesty should take care of yourself."

As a martial artist with keen senses, he had noticed as soon as he entered that there was a smell of medicine in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

The emperor, with his majestic stride, had been on the throne for over twenty years and rarely summoned the imperial physicians. Lu Feng had never imagined that the supreme ruler would fall ill like an ordinary man.

"Bah, I caught a chill in the autumn wind. I said it was nothing, but those imperial physicians made a big deal out of it."

The emperor waved his hand dismissively, took Lu Feng's hand, and made him sit down, saying kindly, "Come, let me see. You’ve lost weight, Jun Chi, since your trip."

"Your wife has given you a pair of fine children. Listen to me, take a few days off from your duties and enjoy some family time."

Lu Feng avoided the emperor's eyes and said in a deep voice, "The traitor Chen has not been eliminated. I have no time for such things."

Usually, the emperor sat high on his dragon throne, and Lu Feng stood below, not feeling out of place. But now, sitting on either side of the table, they didn’t look like ruler and subject but like a father and son chatting.

However, the emperor, being a military man and long accustomed to his high position, couldn't say much in the way of warm words, and even less could be expected from Lu Feng. For a moment, they sat in silence.

Suddenly, Lu Feng lifted his robe and knelt down, "I have failed your command, Your Majesty. Please punish me!"

"The traitor Chen is cunning. I've been trying to catch him for decades without success. How can I blame you?"

The emperor sighed deeply and comforted him, "Your mission was not entirely in vain. You've learned about Chen Fu, destroyed his lair, and seized his treasures and weapons. That counts as a great achievement for you."

Lu Feng shook his head, "Destroying Chen's lair was the achievement of Lord Pei and Lords Xu and Liu. It has nothing to do with me."

"How is it not related to you?"

The emperor glared at him with annoyance, "Pei Zhang clearly stated that it was you who first discovered the secret passage, pursued the traitor Chen all the way north, and cornered him in the capital. Who dares to claim you have no merit? I would be the first to object!"

The emperor, like many rulers, had the flaw of extreme favoritism and disdain. Lu Feng was his biological son, whom he felt guilty about but could not publicly acknowledge, and his favoritism knew no bounds.

Moreover, Lu Feng was not one to seek fame and glory; he worked diligently. The emperor clearly saw the dark circles under his eyes, and such an outstanding yet humble child truly pained the emperor's heart.

Reflecting on this, he sighed again and spoke in an unusually consultative tone, "Now that the remnants of the Chen faction are in the capital, they pose little threat. The autumn festival is nearing, and I want you to return to your ancestral lineage."

Lu Feng was about to speak when the emperor cut him off abruptly, "You shut up first and listen to me!"

"I often wonder if perhaps, back then, I was mistaken."

A trace of sorrow crossed the emperor's majestic face as he looked up at the carved dragon eaves above, his tone melancholic, "These words, I have never told anyone else. In fact, back then... I never thought I could win."

He had just fought a fierce battle with the Duke of Lu, leaving him severely weakened. Prince Chen had seized the capital before him, with its towering walls and a moat outside, making it easy to defend and hard to attack. Had Prince Chen not pushed him too far, he wouldn't have resorted to a desperate fight.

Just as Prince Chen had planned for his lineage while leaping from the city wall, on the eve of the battle, he had also secretly arranged for a group of elite soldiers. If they lost, they would die, but they had sworn an oath when they made their blood pact—not to be born on the same day, but to die on the same day. A man's death should be honorable, and there was nothing to fear.

But what fault lay with the innocent children? He had left an escape route for himself and his brothers. He already had two sons, but Chang Yuan had only one descendant, who tragically died under the swords of the Chen army. He couldn't bear it! Chang Yuan had fought alongside him in battles across the land, and after his death, he was buried in a horse's hide. In the future, there would be no one to visit his grave. He couldn't bear it!

He had adopted this child for Chang Yuan, and with the determination to die, he went to the battlefield. Unexpectedly, he won.

The emperor said, "Grudges and grievances, it's been over twenty years, and now I see them as nothing more than dust."

Four years had passed since the Duke of Lu died. As autumn arrived, the emperor was struck by an evil wind and caught a cold. Indeed, as the emperor said, it was of no consequence. But he was a warrior emperor, the founding emperor of the Qi dynasty, who in his prime could lift a massive cauldron. Now, a simple cold had left him bedridden.

Once again, the emperor faced the reality of his age.

His son now had three children of his own. He could no longer ignore his age.

As he listened to the emperor's heartfelt words, Lu Feng's expression darkened, his head bowed, his face hidden in the shadows.

Hearing no rebuttal, the emperor slightly relaxed and softened his voice, "Back then, you were young and impetuous, insisting on joining the Forbidden Dragon Bureau, and I allowed it. Over the years, you have acted fiercely, offending many people, and you know it well."

Lu Feng said indifferently, "The Forbidden Dragon Bureau does not handle wrongful cases. Those we kill are all corrupt officials, idle and greedy. They deserve to die."

"Even if they deserve to die, it shouldn't be you who does it!"

The emperor glared, "Now that I am old and frail, I can still shield you from the storm. But what if one day, I kick the bucket and pass away? People shout 'long live the emperor,' but I'm not a turtle king who can live for thousands of years!"

"Jun Chi, being too rigid can lead to breaking. I can tolerate you, but when a new emperor ascends, how will you handle yourself?"

"I've thought about it. During the autumn festival, you and I will worship heaven and earth together, and I will restore your status as a prince. Slowly, you can lay down the burden of the Forbidden Dragon Bureau. Now that you have three children to enjoy, you should savor the joys of family life."

As one ages, one's temperament changes. The emperor genuinely planned for Lu Feng's future. This son had suffered many hardships since childhood, with a leg disability, and had offended many inside and outside the court. This was the best outcome the emperor could think of for him. The Commander of the Forbidden Dragon Bureau might sound prestigious, but in essence, it was just a sharp blade in the emperor's hand. He couldn't bear to sacrifice his own son to it. Would the new emperor tolerate him?

It was better to retire at the height of one's career and live a life of wealth.

Lu Feng knelt before the emperor. After a long while, he spoke, his voice slightly stiff, "The Forbidden Dragon Bureau, I cannot let it go. Without capturing the traitor Chen alive, my heart remains unsettled."

"Once the matter of the traitor Chen is settled, I will leave it entirely to Your Majesty's decision."

"Good, good! Good child!"

The emperor, overwhelmed with emotion, helped him up and patted his shoulder, his voice excited, "It's only right. The case of Prince Chen will be entirely entrusted to you. If you need men or horses, just ask."

The emperor had thought it would take much persuasion to convince Lu Feng, but this time it was surprisingly easy. As for Lu Feng's mention of "once the matter of the traitor Chen is settled," he didn't pay much attention. Chen Fu's lair had already been raided, and the remaining defeated soldiers had fled to the capital. With tens of thousands of elite troops in the capital and a tight net, how could he escape?

In the eyes of the emperor, understanding the old grievances and having his son return to the family lineage was just around the corner.

The emperor's face lit up with joy as he sighed, "As for the Lu family, I will not treat them unfairly. The two sons of Changyuan, wait, what are their names..."

Lu Feng suddenly interrupted him, "Your Majesty, my wife has just given birth to a pair of dragon-phoenix twins. I came to the palace in a hurry and haven't had the chance to see them yet."

The emperor, in high spirits, did not stop him and laughed heartily, "Good, good! A pair of dragon-phoenix twins at once, we must celebrate grandly! Your wife is the great hero this time, she deserves a reward!"

Previously, the emperor had been angry with Jiang Wanrou because of Huai Yi's weak health, but now he treated her equally, praising her for the two healthy children.

The emperor's way of showing approval was simple and direct: giving power and money.

As for "power," it was to be set aside for now. Firstly, Jiang Wanrou had already been granted the highest rank of "Lady" several years ago, second only to the princess consort, and there was no higher title to bestow. Secondly, in the emperor's eyes, Lu Feng would soon be a prince, and he had even prepared the title. Her status should be elevated by her husband, Lu Feng.

Meanwhile, as Jiang Wanrou rested in Jin Guang Courtyard, a sudden imperial edict arrived, awarding her a thousand taels of gold, a hundred acres of fertile land, a hundred bolts of silk, ten measures of East Sea pearls, ten pieces of Hetian jade, several coral trees, and various sets of jewelry and head ornaments... a set of tribute glass vessels, a pair of jade Ruyi scepters.

The eunuch reading the edict had to pause several times to catch his breath, and Jiang Wanrou received the decree in a daze. Only after the procession of eunuchs had left did she come to her senses and hurriedly said, "Cuizhu, Jintao, go and see off the esteemed officials."

Goodness, this is overwhelming! Jiang Wanrou had the edict enshrined in the ancestral hall, pondering the emperor's sudden generosity.

As the manager of the household, she had naturally saved a considerable amount of private funds over the years, which would serve as a safety net and confidence for her and Huai Yi in case of any unforeseen events.

The emperor's gift surpassed her savings from years of managing the household. Just the thousand taels of gold alone was more than generous, not silver, but shining gold!

It could match the annual tax revenue of an entire prefecture.

...

That evening, the couple sat together in their chamber, and Jiang Wanrou said anxiously, "I don't know what the emperor's intentions are, I feel undeserving of such generosity."

"The items have already been added to the public treasury. I want to ask you, my husband, if... if there's no issue, I’ll arrange for some to be shared with the second and third branches, as well as the ancestors tomorrow."

"Distribute what?"

Lu Feng, holding a book in his hands, said indifferently, "What’s yours, you keep."