dognovel Chapter 118 Sacrificing Family for the Righteous
Chapter 118 Sacrificing Family for the Righteous
These words were extremely harsh, implying that pleading for Lu Mingzhu would implicate the Lu family.
Upon hearing this, all the maids in the hall knelt down.
The young emperor on the high platform was already showing signs of anger, fearing that he might implicate them and cause them to suffer.
Standing beside the emperor, the head eunuch Chen Zhongliang recounted the sordid deeds of Lu Baolin once more. The many maids and eunuchs in the hall trembled with fear, wishing they had no ears, and prostrated themselves on the ground, shaking with terror.
If they hear these palace secrets, how can they possibly survive?
Moreover, Lu Baolin's behavior was hardly that of a well-bred lady.
Lu Zhiheng remained calm and composed, raising his sleeves and bowing with his hands clasped. His posture was as upright as a pine tree, and he said neither humbly nor arrogantly, "My cousin is truly unruly and has committed such a grave mistake. Sending her back to the palace is far too lenient a punishment."
"In my opinion, it would be better to send her to the cold palace to fend for herself. I will simply assume that the Lu family never raised such an arrogant and disloyal daughter."
"If Your Majesty still harbors resentment, even if you send her to the Xuandu Temple to become a nun, Madam Lu will not utter a single complaint!"
Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in the emperor's eyes.
Although I knew that the Prime Minister Lu disliked that cousin, I didn't expect him to be so "righteous in his betrayal of his own family".
However, he then gave a meaningful smile and said, "Minister Lu, Lu Baolin is, after all, your cousin. Aren't you being too harsh?"
After he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.
A chilly breeze swept through the hall, causing the bright yellow curtains at the four corners to sway gently. Inside the hall, a monarch and a minister stood facing each other, one above the other.
"Your Majesty, what I just said came from the bottom of my heart. Lady Lu was immoral and committed such a heinous crime. The Lu family cannot escape blame. If she is treated leniently, other concubines will follow suit, and wouldn't the harem be in turmoil?"
"The Lu family has received the Emperor's favor and should naturally share His Majesty's burdens. If Lu Mingzhu is not severely punished today, it will be difficult to rectify the atmosphere in the palace. In that case, the Lu family will be the criminals that everyone should kill."
Lu Zhiheng spoke each word with a firm and resounding tone, his expression cold and indifferent.
The emperor gazed at the handsome young minister in the hall, speechless for a moment.
When a subject is so understanding and considerate of him, wouldn't it make the monarch seem petty if he were to pursue the matter further?
After a moment of silence, Pei Yuanling slowly spoke: "Minister Lu is wholeheartedly concerned for my country and its people, which I naturally understand. However, Lu Baolin is, after all, a member of your Lu clan. If I were to punish him as severely as you say, I fear some people would say that I am ruthless and heartless."
Lu Zhiheng lowered his head: "Knowing the law and breaking it is an even greater crime. How can you make an exception for her just because she is my cousin?"
Pei Yuanling glanced at him, and the hall fell silent once more.
"Enough. The Empress has decided on the punishment, and I should not interfere. Minister Lu, please do not add anything more." Pei Yuanling's eyes held a warning look.
This prompts the other party to stop, as further discussion would be unkind.
"What's going on? Why is everyone kneeling?"
Just then, Chu Qingyin walked in carrying a dark red, carved, double-layered food box.
Today she wore a light purple palace dress with a sheer gauze overlay. The fabric was as light and thin as a cicada's wing, fluttering gently in the breeze as if it were one with the surrounding air.
The collar of the palace dress was embroidered with delicate silver thread trim, outlining graceful lines and highlighting Chu Qingyin's slender, fair neck.
"Yinyin, what brings you here?" Upon seeing the person who arrived, Pei Yuanling's dark eyes flickered slightly.
"The weather is getting hotter and hotter, so I personally brewed some mung bean soup to cool you down and brought it to Your Majesty."
Chu Qingyin smiled sweetly, her eyes crinkling. She glanced at the man below her out of the corner of her eye, then lowered her head. "I was unaware that Lord Lu was discussing matters here. I apologize for my rudeness."
Having said that, she prepared to leave the main hall.
"It's alright, you've come at the right time. The discussion is already over." Pei Yuanling raised his hand, a rare smile appearing on his usually stern face.
Upon seeing this, Chen Zhongliang quickly gave an order to the kneeling maids to all step back.
Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon, and only four people remained in the hall.
Chu Qingyin received the order and didn't hesitate. Carrying the food box, she moved in as if no one was there, not even sparing a glance for the Grand Secretary who was still standing to the side.
"My dear consort, you are so thoughtful." Pei Yuanling took the food box, and naturally took her delicate and slender fingers, leading her to sit down on the soft couch on one side of the main hall.
"Lord Lu, would you like to stay for a drink?" Seeing that the person kneeling on the ground still hadn't stepped back, Chu Qingyin glanced at him sideways, her voice clear and crisp, her tone light and slightly mocking.
It's obvious that they've come to plead for Lu Mingzhu.
Their eyes met. Chu Qingyin's eyes were alluring, and a smile played on her lips. Her thin clothes revealed her delicate skin, and red marks were faintly visible on her fair neck.
Lu Zhiheng's eyes darkened slightly, her Adam's apple bobbed, her face remained expressionless, but her mind involuntarily conjured up images of Pei Yuanling visiting her after being drugged last night...
"What are you still standing there for, Minister Lu? It's hot in the summer. Since my beloved concubine has spoken, you should stay and have a drink with her."
Pei Yuanling felt a surge of displeasure as he looked at Lu Zhiheng's gaze towards Chu Qingyin.
As a man himself, he understood Lu Zhiheng's gaze all too well; though it was only for a moment, it was exceptionally clear.
To dare to openly covet the emperor's concubine, Lu Zhiheng is truly audacious.
"Thank you for your generous gifts, Your Majesty and Consort Gui."
Judging from the way they were expressing their gratitude, onlookers would have thought it was some great favor, but it turned out to be just a bowl of mung bean soup.
Lu Zhiheng seized the opportunity, stood up, dusted off imaginary dust from his knees, and actually went to get a chair himself, sitting down beside the two of them.
Before Pei Yuanling had even offered him a seat, he so casually chose a place to sit, which was far too disrespectful to the emperor and even seemed to suggest arrogance.
Chu Qingyin had only been polite to him, but she didn't expect him to be so unceremonious. So she had to personally serve him a bowl of mung bean porridge and have Chen Zhongliang take it over.
Then he looked at Pei Yuanling beside him, his eyes seeming to hold a hint of resentment.
Fortunately, she brought two porcelain bowls with her today, and there was enough mung bean soup to go around, so she wouldn't have trouble sharing. It was just a pity that her portion was drunk up by the unceremoniously Lu Zhiheng.
"Consort Chu is truly skilled; this mung bean soup is smooth, sweet, and refreshing, and it really dispels a lot of the summer heat." A smile appeared on Lu Zhiheng's handsome face.
"You flatter me." Chu Qingyin's expression was indifferent, unwilling to say anything more, and she turned to ask the emperor beside her if he wanted to drink another bowl.
Seeing the two of them so affectionate, Lu Zhiheng unconsciously tightened his grip on the porcelain bowl. Before Pei Yuanling could cast a glance at him, he lowered his eyelashes to conceal the dark look in them.