Volume 2: Residence in the Capital Chapter 175: So That's What Happened
It was only a moment before Lu Wan opened the door himself. Seeing that there was not only Lu Sanlang but also Zhang Shou in front of him, his already sullen face suddenly darkened. He was about to blame Lu Sanlang for bringing outsiders in without informing them, but Lu Sanlang said first: "Dad, I saw the second prince bullying a woman in public on Chongwenmen Inner Street tonight!"
Lu Wan was already extremely angry, but when he heard this, his face suddenly changed, and a small part of his anger instantly turned into suspicion. At this time, Zhang Shou said at the right time: "Does Minister Lu want to discuss the response in the courtyard?"
Respond? Could it be that Lu Zhu would actually be like those fools and confront the Second Prince in the street?
Unable to believe that his youngest son, who used to look stupid but is now so smart, could be so unprepared, Lu Wan regained his composure in an instant and nodded stiffly, saying, "My wife is ill in bed. Dr. Zhang, please come to my study with my son."
But just as he finished speaking, Zhen's voice came from the room: "I'm not dead yet! Since he is almost like one of my family members. Is there anything you can't say in front of me? Sanlang, bring Dr. Zhang in. If your father doesn't want to listen, it's the same if you and Dr. Zhang tell me!"
His wife, who had always been gentle and virtuous, suddenly became as angry as if she had eaten gunpowder. Although Lu Wan was shocked and angry, he could not behave too badly in front of Zhang Shou, an outsider, and he could not continue to argue with Zhen. Therefore, he could only watch Lu Sanlang agreeing with a smile on his face, and then invited Zhang Shou into the house with an attitude that was more attentive than what he showed to himself as his father.
He could only snort coldly and make way, then angrily closed the door. Although Zhen on the bed had lowered two curtains, he was naturally upset that Zhang Shou entered the room like this. But when Lu Sanlang opened his mouth to say the next words, his frustration immediately turned into horror.
"Dad, Mom, I went to the bookstore to buy some newly printed books by Master Ge tonight, but when I came out, I ran into the Second Prince riding his horse openly on the street. If he had just rushed away with his men, that would have been fine, but he should never have humiliated the daughter of Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works who was there to order jewelry in front of me! I hate people who bully women the most!"
As soon as these words came out, Zhen's eyes lit up immediately. She knew this youngest son best, unlike her husband Lu Wan. It was obvious that Lu Sanlang had a hidden meaning in his words. He must have taken a fancy to the girl... Otherwise, why would he keep Zhang Shou, his teacher, around? But thinking that offending the second prince was indeed a problem, she quickly asked, "Did you have a conflict with the second prince?"
"As a man, I certainly can't just sit there and watch someone bully a girl, so I stood up and righteously rebuked him!" Lu Sanlang passionately recounted the exchange, and then said angrily, "I was in the right, but the second prince was so angry that he slandered me and Miss Liu as a pair of bastards!"
This time, Zhen finally forgot about the Second Prince's status as a nobleman. She pounded the bed and said angrily, "This is sheer nonsense. The Lu family and Minister Liu's family have never had any relationship before!"
Until this time, Zhang Shou, who had been silent since entering the house, finally spoke calmly: "Lu Sanlang said that he was filled with righteous indignation at the time, but he also knew that one fist could not defeat four hands, so he shouted about the second prince's deceitful behavior in the street. Who knew that just when the second prince was furious and ready to make a desperate bet, the eldest prince suddenly appeared and scared the second prince away."
As a minister of the Ministry of War who had been immersed in the political world for more than 20 years, Lu Wan had heard something unusual in this incident, and knew that it was not designed by Zhang Shou or Lu Sanlang. Even if it was Zhu Ying, it was impossible for him to mobilize the two princes. It could only be that the two princes were fighting each other, and thus involved Lu Sanlang, an outsider.
But...why is it Minister Liu’s youngest daughter ?
Just when Lu Wan was frowning, Lu Sanlang said something earth-shattering: "The Second Prince can leave, but I have to be responsible for the reputation of the girl! That's why I urgently went back to the Imperial College to find the teacher. Didn't my parents plan to arrange a marriage for me? I think the girl from Minister Liu's family is quite suitable!"
"Ridiculous!" Lu Wan blurted out these two words subconsciously, and then angrily shouted, "You are simply kidding!"
"I have already said all the responsible words in public!" Lu Sanlang confidently pushed back his father, then glanced at Zhang Shou and said, "If the teacher's personal intercession is not enough, I will go find Master Ge!"
"Rebellious son!" Lu Wan was finally choked with anger. He took a deep breath, then looked at Zhang Shou and said, "Dr. Zhang, since you are willing to come all the way here for my son, come to my study and talk. I have something to discuss with you in detail!"
Compared to the first time he met Zhang Shou, when he treated him as a young junior, Lu Wan now could not help but treat him as a peer with a certain status and influence. What made him a little relieved was that Zhang Shou did not refuse, but nodded happily. And this time, his wife, who had been pestering him all night, finally stopped causing trouble, and Lu Sanlang did not stop her.
Seeing Lu Wan and Zhang Shou fleeing, Zhen had Lu Sanlang call Jin Mama back to guard the door. Then she pounded the bed again in anger and glared at her son, "What happened today? Tell me the truth. Don't fool me with the same words you used to fool your father!"
"Mom, how are you and Dad the same? Of course I'm telling the truth!" Lu Sanlang immediately smiled and told the whole story. As for after he finished speaking, he naturally tried his best to comfort and console Zhen, and finally succeeded in moving her.
In front of Zhen, Lu Wan and his two brothers Lu Dalang and Lu Erlang combined could not match his skill in coaxing people.
Before Lu Wan led Zhang Shou into the study with a cold face, he ordered all the servants to stay away from the main door and stay outside the courtyard gate. After he personally closed the door of the study, he saw Zhang Shou calmly admiring the calligraphy in the middle hall, and said directly: "Dr. Zhang, let's not beat around the bush in front of others. The family I was going to betroth Lu Zhu to tomorrow is the family of Minister Liu of the Ministry of Works!"
Zhang Shou looked like he thought the calligraphy was really well written, but his mood was... a big word, embarrassing!
Didn't Zhu Ying say that Minister Liu and Duke of Zhao Zhu Jing had a good relationship? Since Lu Wan was the mastermind behind the attack on Duke of Zhao Zhu Jing, even if his position was exposed, he would stop now, but he wouldn't suddenly change his mind so quickly and marry Minister Liu's family right away, right? Also, it doesn't matter if he keeps this news secret from others, but why did he keep it secret from his wife Zhen?
Without figuring it out for the time being, Zhang Shou nodded calmly and uttered four words that seemed to speak a thousand words: "So that's it."
Although he didn't have a paralyzed face, for Zhang Shou, who had maxed out his skill of being unfathomable in his previous life, it wasn't difficult for him to maintain a calm expression even when facing a huge situation. Therefore, his expression successfully gave Lu Wan an illusion.
Lu Wan only thought that the Zhu family had noticed something, so the powerful lady informed Zhang Shou in advance, and Zhang Shou quietly led Lu Zhu into the trap - of course, the eldest and second princes must have come in for other reasons. With the character of the Zhu family, they were not willing to get too close to any prince or princess, but they would not easily make enemies.
"Since this has happened, it is also fate. I will still go to the Liu family to make an appointment tomorrow. Although Lu Zhu is simply reckless and impulsive, his actions should have left a good impression on the Liu family anyway." At this point, Lu Wan hesitated for a moment, and finally said awkwardly, "Can Dr. Zhang ask Grand Tutor Ge to go with me?"
Zhang Shou couldn't help but chuckle, "Minister Lu thinks that if the teacher goes with you, the Second Prince won't dare to do anything in the future? No need, I still have some responsibility. I will go to Minister Liu's house with you. Although the teacher is the ancestor of Lu Sanlang, he is already at the age of retirement. It is unnecessary and should not be bothered by him. When you get married, it would be nice to invite him to be the guest of honor."
Lu Wan originally just wanted Zhang Shou to share some of the pressure, and mentioned Ge Yong just as a test - if Zhang Shou really agreed, he would definitely find an excuse to shirk . Of course, after that, he would never take his son's nominal teacher seriously again. What's the point of an irresponsible teacher!
Therefore, he finally showed a smile on his face: "Well, tomorrow morning, you and I will go to Liu's house together. And for more convenience, how about asking Dr. Zhang to stay at Lu's house tonight?"
Are you afraid that I will run away?
Zhang Shou continued to look at Lu Wan calmly and said very straightforwardly, "Of course you can."
So, when Zhen accepted Lu Sanlang's explanation and sent her confidant to find out how her husband Lu Wan and Zhang Shou talked, she learned that Zhang Shou was staying overnight with Lu Wan, and the place where he stayed was not a guest house, but... Lu Sanlang's yard! Although she didn't understand why Lu Wan suddenly became so easy to persuade, she still felt relieved.
"Okay, okay, your wish has finally come true. Go back and thank your teacher... Amitabha, I have seen Minister Liu's little daughter before. She has always been very well-behaved and obedient. She is a good match for you..."
Lu Sanlang agreed with a dry laugh, secretly feeling lucky - if his mother knew that Miss Liu had contradicted the Second Prince and almost made him lose face, she probably wouldn't think so. However, he was most curious about how Zhang Shou had convinced his most difficult father, so after helping Zhen to sleep, he hurried back to his own courtyard.
As a result, he arranged for defense all around to prevent anyone from eavesdropping - he was mainly on guard against his two brothers. As a result, he got a piece of news from Zhang Shou that completely shocked him.
"My father...he originally wanted me to marry the girl from the Liu family?"
Why? He worked so hard to show his masculinity, but in the end, he still followed his father's wishes?
