Lu Chao had just returned from the imperial mausoleum when he stepped into the courtyard and spotted an elderly man reclining leisurely in his own armchair.
Lu Chao was momentarily taken aback, then teased with a grin.
“Master, you always appear like a gust of wind—silent and sudden. My poor little heart can’t handle these scares of yours!”
Murong Yun lifted his eyelids slightly and spoke in a calm, measured tone.
“So the brat went to the mausoleum and came back, huh?”
Lu Chao nodded eagerly and briefly recounted what he had seen in the underground palace to Murong Yun.
After a brief pause, a puzzled look crossed his face. He leaned forward and lowered his voice.
“Master, the prince said you’re planning to go to the underground palace? Don’t tell me it’s to dig for treasure? Take me along, will you?”
Murong Yun raised an eyebrow, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips as he shook his head mysteriously.
“You’re quite the curious one. But the treasures down there aren’t something you can just dig up. You might even lose your life trying. Best you stay put and behave—knowing too much might give you nightmares at night.”
Lu Chao pouted.
“My nightmares are only about you!”
Murong Yun laughed and scolded, “You little rascal, so disrespectful! Keep talking nonsense like that and I’ll make you copy the Tao Te Ching a hundred times!”
Lu Chao clasped his hands together in mock pleading, then scratched his head.
“Master, although building the water diversion system in the underground palace is difficult, it’s not impossible. I know the Ministry of Works has plenty of skilled craftsmen. Why wouldn’t His Majesty agree to let me take charge of the project?”
“No need to worry about that. Just wait for the news.”
Lu Chao listened, somewhat confused, but Murong Yun simply smiled without saying more.
Sure enough, early the next morning, Lu Chao received a royal edict commanding him to take full responsibility for designing the water diversion system in the underground palace, with all other Ministry of Works personnel required to cooperate. The decree sent shockwaves through the court.
There was much speculation. Some marveled at how someone so young had been entrusted with such a heavy task, while others secretly resented the emperor’s seemingly rash decision. The senior officials in the Ministry of Works wore grave expressions; though they dared not voice their displeasure, resentment quietly brewed in their hearts.
“Minister! What is His Majesty’s intention? To have us seasoned officials serve as mere assistants to a boy who hasn’t even come of age?”
“This is clearly a scheme to use us to help him climb the ladder of power!”
The Ministry officials grumbled bitterly, their words dripping with dissatisfaction and resentment.
“Ahem, gentlemen, I understand your feelings. His Majesty does not appoint based on favoritism. This decision is for the sake of the nation’s future. Lu Chao’s destiny aligns with the country’s fortunes. The emperor is merely using his name to ensure the state’s prosperity. All of you are pillars of the court; I hope you can put aside your grievances and focus on the greater good.”
The officials exchanged glances. Though still unhappy, they dared not cause a scene in front of the minister’s earnest words. Yet their expressions varied, each clearly harboring their own thoughts.
The underground palace was heavily guarded, filled with intricate traps—sneaking in was nearly impossible. The blueprints in Lu Chao’s hands were the key to gaining legitimate access. Three days later, he would present these plans to the emperor. If he could persuade the emperor, he would earn the pass to come and go freely within the underground palace.
That day, Lady Lu lightly knocked on the door and entered the room to find Lu Chao bent over his desk, head lowered in concentration.
“Chaochao, the day after tomorrow is the little imperial grandson’s full-month celebration. Didn’t you say Zheng would be coming along as well? Don’t forget to remind her.”
Hearing this, Lu Chao paused mid-stroke, suddenly remembering.
“Mother is right. My memory is terrible. Zheng even asked me to remind you yesterday, but I was too busy and completely forgot.”
He had gone to great lengths to build a bridge with Xiao Zheng, and now it was finally serving its purpose.
Lady Lu smiled warmly, her eyes full of affection.
“Busy as you are, you must still take care of your health. Also, tell Zheng not to be so distant. Lately, she’s been sending a little horse to Xingyao, and gifts to your father and me—it’s really too extravagant.”
The last time Xiao Zheng sent over a young colt, Xingyao instantly fell in love with it. He was so excited that he insisted on taking the horse out for a walk before dawn every day. Fortunately, Lady Lu’s dowry included a spacious estate on the outskirts of the capital, perfect for keeping the horse.
What was more fortunate was that the estate was not far from the Grand Princess’s Taoyuan Mountain. With the Grand Princess’s backing, Xingyao felt completely at ease. Naturally restless by nature, he had become even more lively and spirited.
Lu Chao’s eyes twinkled with amusement.
“She likes you all, so she treats you well. Don’t worry, just keep the gifts. I’m good to her too.”
Lady Lu’s lips curved into a subtle smile at his words, a hint of amused affection flickering in her eyes.
No one knew where Xiao Zheng had found a famous painting, but she had sent it over through a messenger. The moment Lord Lu unrolled the scroll, his eyes lit up—he clearly adored it. Yet, being the old-fashioned man he was, he put on a stern face and started lecturing Lady Lu beside him.
“Look at this—what is she trying to do? Is she attempting to bribe me with this painting? Hmph. If she were to resign and stay home to tend to her husband and children, then I, Lord Lu, would accept her as my daughter-in-law. But this painting—I absolutely cannot keep it. You must send it back immediately!”
Lady Lu was not offended; instead, she teased with a smile.
“Oh, don’t flatter yourself too much. She never said it was for you. Maybe it was meant for me. If you don’t want it, I’ll gladly keep it.”
This left Lord Lu speechless; he puffed his beard and glared, grumbling, “Women and petty men are the hardest to deal with!”
Who would have thought that later, Lady Lu would accidentally catch Lord Lu secretly copying the painting. He chuckled quietly to himself but said nothing, pretending not to notice.
After Lady Lu left, Lu Chao, unusually lost in thought, stood by the window, his gaze drifting into the distance.
Since Lu Chao had taken up his post, Xiao Zheng had hurried back to the suburban camp. Before leaving, as usual, she climbed over Lu family’s wall. Dressed in black night clothes, her slender figure seemed even more fragile, her expression tinged with a trace of bleakness and loneliness.
The night breeze brushed past, carrying with it a faint, almost imperceptible scent of blood, causing a tightening in the chest.
Lu Chao watched her retreating figure, his heart a tangled mix of emotions.
He didn’t know how to comfort her, so he rambled on—about the changing weather and trivial matters of his duties. Xiao Zheng listened quietly, occasionally replying with a faint murmur.
During the morning court session, it was learned from colleagues that Captain Ma, who had accompanied Xiao Zheng to the capital, was exiled to the southern frontier for embezzling military funds, while Xiao Huan was honored for his merits and appointed as a captain of the Imperial Guard.
In just a few short days, Xiao Huan became a favorite of the Emperor, rising to prominence overnight. The Xiao family, with two generals serving, was once the envy of all—a supreme honor. But who could have imagined that beneath this glory lay hidden turmoil? In less than half a month, two of the Xiao Army’s subordinate commanders were consecutively impeached, stirring heated discussions throughout the court and beyond.
Some said that Xiao Huan truly lived up to his heritage as a descendant of the Northwest Marquis—strict in military discipline and never shielding his subordinates, even if they were his own men caught in wrongdoing. Yet others whispered that infighting had erupted within the Xiao Army. Xiao Huan and a certain female general had long harbored grudges; though they avoided open confrontation, they kept their distance, each pursuing their own agenda.
