Chapter 5: Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The position of Rector of the National Academy is, at best, a third-rank civil official overseeing cultural education, and at worst, a powerless civil official with no real influence.

However, concurrently serving as the Crown Prince's tutor gave the position a different significance.

Lu Wuyou knew that Fang Zhihe was deliberately making things difficult for him, but he felt no resentment. Compared to being Chancellor, this kind of leisurely civil post actually gave him plenty of free time.

After the court session ended, the civil and military officials all wore grim expressions, looking at the former General Lu, who was stuffing the imperial decree into his bosom, as though they wanted to comfort him and also curse the emperor for being so ungrateful to a loyal minister.

But Lu Wuyou wore a smile, as if he had gotten the best end of the deal. Unable to fully tuck away the decree, he left it half-sticking out as he chatted and laughed with a few close colleagues.

Quan Meng, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, said to him, "How did you manage to anger..." He glanced back, but the emperor had already left.

Lu Wuyou raised an eyebrow. "How could I have angered him? He's just petty."

"Oh dear! Brother Yuntai, you mustn't be so reckless! There are eyes and ears everywhere!" Quan Meng said nervously, his face wrinkled in worry.

Lu Wuyou found it amusing. "It's fine. After all, I'm still a minister with merits."

Why would a minister with such merits drop from first rank to third? Quan Meng wondered to himself.

Lu Wuyou read his mind from his expression, but didn't mind. He asked softly, "So... when was the Crown Prince appointed?"

As the surrounding officials dispersed, Quan Meng paused, then pulled Lu Wuyou to a secluded corner and whispered, "He was appointed at birth. I wondered back then... His Majesty doesn't even have an empress, and the prince's surname happens to be the same as yours."

Lu Wuyou frowned instinctively. "Fang Zhihe has no empress? Does he at least have a lover?"

"Oh dear! I told you not to be so reckless! How can you call His Majesty by name! Brother Yuntai!" Quan Meng looked around nervously.

Lu Wuyou fell silent. In the letters Fang Zhihe had sent him five years ago, he had indeed mentioned Lu Yuan's existence, but... why hadn't he mentioned making Lu Yuan the Crown Prince?

A crown prince with a different surname—Fang Zhihe really was something...

A rush of inexplicable emotions welled up in Lu Wuyou's mind, leaving him confused and unwilling to think about it further.

"I've been in the military for years, out of touch with the capital. The reconnaissance soldiers are only allowed to report military matters, so I'm not well-versed in court affairs," he explained, then asked, "Did His Majesty not say whose child this is?"

Quan Meng hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth and said, "He didn't say, but... the entire court knows—everyone knows that you, Lord Lu, are the one His Majesty has feelings for. As for the prince's surname, everyone says it's because His Majesty misses you."

Lu Wuyou was stunned for a few seconds. Although he had openly humiliated Fang Zhihe without restraint, he had never thought of it that way. He knew exactly what kind of person Fang Zhihe had been back then—how could he have done something so... blatant?

If he hadn't brought up that matter of longing, everyone would have simply thought the emperor and his minister were at odds.

Lu Wuyou lowered his eyes, silent for a moment, then raised his head and cupped his hands to Quan Meng, smiling. "Brother Wenting, thank you for today. This matter has left me uneasy, so I won't treat you to a drink now. I'll host a banquet for you another day."

Quan Meng quickly shook his head. "Brother Yuntai, you flatter me. I only revealed this today to ease my own conscience. In past years, you fought bravely on the battlefield and won every battle. We in the civil service did little for you, and I feel deeply ashamed... His Majesty's treatment of you now may be uncertain. It's good for you to understand more, but please, Brother Yuntai, keep this to yourself. Don't confront His Majesty head-on—it's not worth it and will only bring trouble."

Lu Wuyou bowed to him. "Thank you. I will remember this."

After seeing Quan Meng off, Lu Wuyou turned and walked toward the Eastern Palace.

His son was about to turn six, and he had never seen him even once. Fang Zhihe had had it easy, becoming a dad for free.

Hills and water complemented the pavilions, flowers and grass shimmered in the blue ponds, and streams wound through every terrace and tower.

Many kites hung from the trees along the path. The servants, dressed like butterflies in colorful outfits, came and went, making Lu Wuyou furrow his brow in bewilderment.

He snapped out of it only when he met the young master of the Eastern Palace.

The young master wore a puffy white padded jacket, a student cap on his head, and a white silk ribbon around his neck. His face was painted like the most vivid flower. Standing on a platform with a frown, he shouted, "Hey! Who goes there?!"

Lu Wuyou looked at him, his expression softening. "Xiaoyuan, your father has come to see you."

Lu Yuan's mouth fell open. His watery eyes reflected Lu Wuyou's tall figure. "...Nonsense! My father is the emperor!"

Lu Wuyou hummed without denying it. He took a longevity lock from his pouch, held it up by its red string, and showed it to Lu Yuan. "Your father sent this to me. Is it yours?"

Lu Yuan's eyes widened as he looked at the longevity lock, shimmering like golden light. He couldn't resist reaching out to touch it. When he felt the name "Lu Yuan" engraved in the center of the lock, he looked up at Lu Wuyou and exclaimed in surprise, "...Big Father?"

"Good boy, Xiaoyuan." Lu Wuyou picked up Lu Yuan with one hand and wiped the smudged paint off his face with the other, saying gently, "From now on, I will also be instructing you in your studies. In front of others, just call me Teacher."

Lu Yuan responded, "Father said that when I see you, I must not call you Father unless he agrees." As he spoke, he covered his mouth, probably realizing he had just done so.

Lu Wuyou smiled and ruffled his hair. "What are you doing in the palace? Why is everything so colorful?"

Lu Yuan looked around and said, "Ah! Father's birthday is coming! I'm rehearsing a birthday play for him!"

Lu Wuyou paused, the smile in his eyes fading a little.

"Big Father..." Lu Yuan tugged at Lu Wuyou's sleeve.

Then a voice followed: "You sure are quick to call him 'Big Father'!"

Lu Yuan looked up in surprise at the door. His usually gentle and scholarly father hurried in, holding up the hem of his robe, his words dripping with jealousy.

Lu Yuan blinked innocently. "Teacher, did you hear someone call out 'Big Father'?"

Lu Wuyou said, "No."

Lu Yuan bowed to Fang Zhihe. "Father."

Fang Zhihe gave the father and son a cold look. "What kind of lesson is this? On the very first day, you've already mastered this man's shamelessness. Lu Yuan, do you need to copy the Ten Precepts to reflect on your behavior?"

Lu Yuan made a pained face. "Father, I won't call him that anymore."

Lu Wuyou cut in, "Your Majesty, don't go too far."

Fang Zhihe was taken aback, and his heart ached. He lowered his eyes, "You've worked hard, Minister Lu."

Lu Wuyou didn't reply. Instead, he reached out and pinched Lu Yuan's cheek. "I heard your tutor is the reclusive Gu Chenyi. So, have you learned anything from him?"

Lu Yuan blinked and laughed. "Teacher Gu likes hitting people."

"Did he hit you?"

"Usually he tells Father, and then Father hits me."

Lu Wuyou glanced at Fang Zhihe, who was standing there dazed. "Your father's quite something."

Fang Zhihe held his gaze. "Yuntai, a child's education must not be neglected. This is for his own good."

"I'm not saying Your Majesty is wrong. But I've been curious for five years: how did Your Majesty manage to have a son for me?"

"And he looks half like you, half like me?"

Fang Zhihe's mind went blank, leaving him speechless.