CHAPTER 203: CHAPTER 203: BROTHERS

The Commandery Princess and her party left.

Leaving Lu Cong and Lu Xuan standing face to face.

After a long silence, Lu Cong managed to find his voice: "Though the Commandery Princess is young, her actions are bold and grand."

Lu Xuan replied without a change in expression: "Of course, the Commandery Princess is not an ordinary girl of the inner chambers; she is the Commandery Princess personally titled by the late Emperor. The entire Nanyang County belongs to the Commandery Princess. Nanyang County’s hundreds of thousands of citizens, four thousand Nanyang Army, two thousand trusted aides, and all the officials in the Prince Mansion, all obey the Commandery Princess."

Therefore, the Commandery Princess being a bit temperamental is normal!

Lu Cong looked at his cousin, whom he hadn’t seen in years, with a slightly complex expression: "Cousin, having such a good daughter is truly a blessing earned over several lifetimes."

Of course, to enjoy such great blessings, one must endure some unimaginable frustrations.

Lu Xuan kept up appearances and chuckled: "You’re right, cousin. Having such a daughter makes this life worth it."

The first half of life relied on his wife and father-in-law, the second half on his daughter. Riches and honor, even with a little frustration and annoyance, it’s worth it.

Lu Cong, having been an official for many years, was shrewd and calculating. Coming with the intention to seek favor, he naturally did not expose Lu Xuan’s shortcomings, hastily agreeing with a smile.

Lu Xuan regained composure and said with a smile: "This is your first time at the Prince Mansion, cousin. Today, let me take you around the mansion. Tomorrow, I’ll lead you out of the mansion."

Lu Cong accepted gladly.

Nanyang Prince Mansion was built over thirty years ago. At that time, the late Emperor was in his prime, deeply fond of his younger brother, thus the mansion was constructed vast and luxurious. Over the past thirty years, flowers and trees were transplanted, artificial hills and strange stones were added. In early spring, the scenery is quite beautiful.

Lu Cong wandered in the Prince Mansion for half a day, becoming more and more amazed as he walked.

At noon, Lu Xuan arranged a small banquet in the garden pavilion, where the two brothers sat across from each other for a light drink, enjoying the picturesque view, discussing poetry and chatting idly—quite harmonious.

After three rounds of drinks, Lu Cong suddenly sighed and, with some drunkenness, spoke of past events: "Honestly, my luck isn’t good. While in office, I considered myself a diligent and good official. But a flood disaster struck my jurisdiction, and two counties were submerged."

"I tried my best to settle disaster relief, but the number of refugees kept increasing, and more people kept dying."

"The refugees became hungry-eyed; they broke into wealthy homes for food and even stormed the government office. Alas, my wife and daughter perished in the chaos..."

Lu Cong’s eyes were filled with tears, choking and speechless.

Afterwards, he was held accountable by the court and lost his position. He should have served over ten years in prison, but thanks to the efforts of the then-living Prince Nanyang, he was spared the imprisonment. Allowed to return to Fanyang County’s ancestral home.

This part of the past, Lu Xuan clearly knew. Before Prince Nanyang intervened, he specially called him into the study to detail the matter.

His father-in-law’s willingness to help Lu Cong was all for the sake of him, the son-in-law. He couldn’t help but feel grateful, yet deep down he actually wasn’t very pleased.

Why care about Lu Cong’s fate?

Prison time and prison meals were Lu Cong’s bad luck. What did that have to do with him? He even felt a bit satisfied inside.

Back then, Lu Cong took pride in being a legitimate descendant with outstanding academic talent, hardly even acknowledging him. Now, this situation seemed like karma.

Lu Xuan inwardly scoffed, raising his wine cup to gently advise: "This is all in the past. Thinking about it more now is of no use. No need to be too sad, cousin."

"As long as the green hills remain, there’s no worry about firewood. You are fine now, which is fortunate. Perhaps a good opportunity will arise in the future, allowing you to rise again."

As soon as he finished speaking, his hand was caught: "Cousin! Do you really want to help me?"

Lu Xuan forced a smile, trying to withdraw his hand, but Lu Cong’s grip was too strong, and he couldn’t pull it away for the moment.

In this awkward position, Lu Xuan helplessly let out a bitter laugh: "We are cousins, one stroke cannot write two Lu characters. If I can help cousin, I certainly will—the slightest doubt I will have none. But cousin has seen my situation firsthand. In the Prince Mansion, I’m just a rich idle person."

"The Commandery Princess is my daughter; the officials still treat me with respect. However, it stops there. When my father-in-law was alive, he set rules that I could not interfere with the mansion’s affairs. The Commandery Princess now is growing up, governed peacefully with the full assistance of Chief Historian Chen and Chief Historian Feng—utterly without need for her father."

"How can I help cousin?"

These words were not entirely an excuse, at least ninety percent were genuine feelings of helpless sighs.

Lu Cong still tightly clung to Lu Xuan’s hand, softly pleading: "No matter what, you are the father of the Commandery Princess. I, a condemned official, would have no qualification to enter the Nanyang Prince Mansion, nor have the Commandery Princess call me Great Cousin, if not for you."

"I only ask for you to speak to the Commandery Princess once for me, asking for a job from her. No matter the official rank—just having a job to do is enough."

"Why bother, cousin." Lu Xuan sighed: "Cousin was an Advanced Scholar back then, starting as a County Magistrate all the way to a fifth-rank Prefectural Governor, a successful official career. Now requesting a casual assignment at the mansion, if word got out, wouldn’t it be laughable."

Lu Cong said dejectedly: "A fallen phoenix is worse than a chicken. As you call it, that was back then, why bring up the past? These three years, what kind of days did I live in the ancestral home? Everyone ridiculed behind my back, hardly stopping short of calling me the Lu Family sinner to my face."

"Because I’m a guilty official, I even affected my son. Dalang is fifteen this year, born with a talent for reading, yet cannot sit for the Imperial Examination."

"Living like this, what’s the point?"

As Lu Cong spoke, he wept silently: "Cousin, in my youth I was reckless, causing rifts between us. I sincerely admit my faults and apologize. Three years ago, Prince Nanyang saved my life, all for your sake. I’ve kept these things on my heart."

"This time, I came to plead face-to-face shamelessly. If only you would speak for me, let me stay at the Prince Mansion to find a job. In the future, I’ll follow your lead, acting as you wish."

The last sentence hit precisely upon Lu Xuan’s weak spot.

Lu Xuan was moved.

In the mansion, he was struggling alone; having Lu Cong’s full support could provide more support in the future...

Seeing Lu Xuan ponder in silence, Lu Cong understood that he had touched upon Lu Xuan’s thoughts, quickly whispered: "Cousin still has a son and daughter; they both bear the Lu surname, belonging to the Lu Family. Ying’er is intelligent and gifted, bound to succeed in the future. She must have someone close to act. Once I’m settled, I’ll have people bring Dalang over, letting him stay by Ying’er’s side, following her orders."

Lu Xuan thought it over and finally reluctantly said: "Alright, one stroke can’t write two Lu characters. I have to help cousin this time."

"We’ll wait for some days until the Commandery Princess returns from the field manor—then I’ll ask the Commandery Princess."