Chapter 184 - The Return To The Capital
Chapter 184 – The Return To The Capital
The Governor's mansion, Ningzhuo
They pulled away and Lu Yaozhu grabbed her hands, he put his finger through hers. Flexing them a few times and tapped her knuckles. Even with his high pain tolerance, Lu Yaozhu could tolerate pain for long. Lu Yaozhu wasn't awake for long, two hours later, he slept off. After taking another bowl of the prescribed medicine. For the next few days, Lu Yaozhu spent the majority of the day sleeping.
Five days later, Lu Yaozhu sat up on the bed with his back leaning on the headrest of the bed while Su Liya fed him some cut fruit. The pain wasn't as bad as it was during the first few days, according to the doctor during his visit a day ago, the injuries were healing properly. Luckily the scouts reported days earlier that the Chu state army had pulled back but Lu Yaozhu had the soldier on high alert, in case of a sudden attack.
Su Liya picked up a slim half-moon shaped slice of Apple with the small fruit salad fork and brought it to Lu Yaozhu's mouth. Biting into the piece of Apple, Lu Yaozhu took it into his mouth. When the door was suddenly pushed open and Yu Tao rushed in.
"General the Emperor sent some reinforcement over, they are led by General Ma," Yu Tao said bowing.
"Huh?
"That was quick"
Su Liya and Lu Yaozhu said respectively as soon as they heard the news, Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya shared a look. Lu Yaozhu wasn't expecting such a quick response from the Emperor neither was Su Liya.
"How many men were sent?" Lu Yaozhu asked.
"His Majesty sent down 50, 000 men"
"Since the army from Chu state is leaving, it is about time we cleaned house. Call the Four commanders and General Ma over"
"Yes", Yu Tao left the room.
Lu Yaozhu glanced at Su Liya, " Yaya, I am curious about the game his majesty is playing. Sending a veteran like General Ma down here with double the number of the expected reinforcement. Is it completely out of character or is this a means of pleasing my aunt?"
"Ha! I doubt his majesty can be that romantic. He must be up to something, the possibility of his Majesty suddenly growing conscience is rather slim. This screams of foul play"
"Foul play or not, only time will tell. The commanders will be here soon, I don't want them to know you are here. Go seat behind the screen until the leave" he said gesturing to the widescreen on the other side of the room that dedicated the bedroom from the Bathroom. Su Liya nodded and walked to the screen. She was about going on when Yu Tao rushed in to report
"Young master, General Ma is here to announce an Imperial command"
Su Liya glanced up to Lu Yaozhu eyes wide, this sudden decree was news to her. Lu Yaozhu caught her gaze and shook his head, he was as surprised as she was.
"Let him in," he said
A minute later Yu Tao led the General inside and stepped back. General Ma and Lu Yaozhu were not strangers to each other, General Ma had served under his father for over five years. He had high respect for this soft-spoken General, Lu Yaozhu although bed written hissed as he strained a stitch while making a move to put his hands together in respect to the general.
He had a little bit of a relationship with General's since he had served under the veteran twice at the start of his career
Su Liya rushed forward immediately and helped him up. General Ma immediately waved his hands, "Aiyoo, you are injured. Don't be silly these things aren't necessary, Xiao Er. The old General doesn't deserve such greetings".
(T\\\\N: Xiao Er used by General Ma means Little second)
Lu Yaozhu let Su Liya help him up, gently squeezing her hands in thanks when she was done. "Uncle is just like family, I can't be so shameless as to let you greet me".
"It is heartwarming to see that you haven't changed, after all these years. Your father will be glad, Imagine my surprise when I received the military decree to come here. You did well for your self little second."
"You flatter me, General. I am just trying to do my best"
General Ma laughed softly, his gaze softened as it got to Su Liya, "I heard that you got married, this must be your wife!"
"Yes, it is" Lu Yaozhu replied smiling.
Su Liya bowed respectfully at the general, "Liya, greets General Ma".
"You have huge luck, Xiao Er. Your wife is not only pretty but also well behaved"
Su Liya blushed heavily, Lu Yaozhu glanced at her and smiled, "careful General, you will make my wife shy."
"We won't want that right, forget it" General Ma waves it away and with a more serious expression continued, "Xiao Er, his Majesty has relieved you of duty down her and called you back to the capital. Looks like you won't be in charge of the troops again. I don't know what his Majesty is up to but those were his instructions. I will take over things down here"
Lu Yaozhu's smile broke for a second before his lips were once again curved into a charming smile. "His Majesty must have his reasons, who am I to question that. I will inform the commanders when they get here. A will head for the capital in two days".
"That is a wise decision, I no longer attend court regularly but things in court are not looking so well for the Crown Prince. It might not be a good idea to report to court so soon"
"I understand, thank you, General.
"Don't mention it, it is the least I could do after your father saved my life multiple times. The world needs loyal officials, most especially in times of unrest. Right now, there aren't many, we should preserve the few left" General Ma said, he gaze far away.
Not long later, Yu Tao who stood by the entrance announced the arrival of the commanders. General Ma took out a stamped letter from the Emperor and handed it over to Su Liya. Su Liya took the letter from him and stepped away. Under the pretence of keeping the letter away, she went into the bathroom.
The commanders and General Ma gave Lu Yaozhu a formal greeting and stepped back. Lu Yaozhu who sat upon the bed with two pillows placed at his back to support him stopped them from following the entire procedure. The commanders exchanged greeting with the general before the meeting commenced.
"I have been called back to the capital by his majesty and will be leaving in a few days. However, I don't feel comfortable leaving without handling The two traitors in our midst. Governor Wang of Duanyue withheld military intelligence and covered free passage to the enemy. He should be arrested and punished according to the law. We cannot be fooled by the Chu state's sudden withdrawal from the battle."
He glanced at General ma, "General Ma has been put in charge of the north, he will replace me. His Majesty wants everything handled properly and I believe that you are all up to the task. I am glad to leave it to you all to handle"
The next day the governor of Duanyue and his accomplices were arrested, they were transported to the capital with Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya who left two days later.
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Madam Lu's common room, the Duke's mansion.
Madam Lu leaned by her side as her maid massaged her shoulders gently. She was dressed in simple clothes and wore no other accessory apart from a small jade hairpin placed on her small high bun. A few steps away at her right a young maid read softly out of an open book in her hands.
The arrival of steward Lu broke the serenity of the room, he didn't mean to ruin the mood but he was left with no other choice. He stopped a few steps away from Madam and cupped a fist in one hand bowed, "My Lady, there has been an accident" he said softly.
Her previously shut eyes opened and she sat forward, "did something happen to my boys?"
"No, my lady. His grace is still in the south. While our second young master is on his way back to the capital. It is about the Eldest madam, we were just informed that there was a fire at the Minister of Finance's mansion"
"What! Was anyone injured?"
"The eldest young master perished in the fire"
"The eldest young master would be, Zhu Faye. Has Fengyin been informed?"
"Not yet, my lady. I don't want to make her worry".
"The Doctor already cleared her move around, you can let her know…. or maybe let me take care of that. We need to ensure that she is calm before letting her go. Just keep an eye on everything, let me know if there is something new".
"Yes, my lady" he bowed and left the room.
Madam Lu watched him until he was out of sight before calling her decree guard over. "You reported that Fengyin paid a visit to the minister's mansion a few hours earlier. Did she meet with Zhu Faye?"
"Yes, madam."
"For how long?"
"She stayed for about twenty minutes before leaving".
"That has to be the longest twenty minutes of Zhu Faye's life. Surely she wouldn't be behind this", she muttered been her breath, then dismissed
her guard