CHAPTER 471: CHAPTER 417: THE NAIVE GOVERNOR, THE IRON-CLAD FATHER

Shang Wuyou lowered his gaze, saying nothing.

Gongsun Yu paced back and forth in the study, visibly angered, and asked through gritted teeth, "What else did Chen Long tell you?"

Shang Wuyou replied, "Si Snake discerned that my younger sister has been poisoned. It’s the world’s deadliest poison—Soul-breaking Grass. Chen Long said it was done by the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Gongsun Yu slammed his fist onto the desk. "Nonsense! Your sister is the Third Young Lady of the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion, your parents’ beloved gem. Who would dare poison her? Clearly, they’re the ones crying wolf! They’ve harmed your sister and framed the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion to drive a wedge between you and your father!"

He turned around and looked at the silent Gongsun Yanming. "Elder Brother, in my view, all of this is a plot by the Loulan people. The Loulan people are vile and detestable. If this grievance isn’t avenged, we are no true gentlemen! Elder Brother, I shall personally travel to Loulan to demand justice!"

"Didn’t Wuyou say Changle is in Witch Mountain?"

Gongsun Yanming set down the teacup in his hand and looked toward Shang Wuyou.

His gaze wasn’t overtly harsh, yet it carried an unyielding sharpness that pierced straight to the soul.

Gongsun Yu snapped back to attention and asked Shang Wuyou, "Right, Wuyou, how is Chen Long connected to Witch Mountain?"

Shang Wuyou replied, "Chen Long has deep ties with the Governor Mansion of Great Zhou. Grand Commander Lu Yuan is the Miao King’s maternal grandson."

Gongsun Yu mused aloud, "If that’s the case, the master who blocked us that night might very well be the Miao King. If it’s him, it’s no wonder we couldn’t defeat him. Who could have imagined that Lu Yuan is his direct grandson? The enmity between Great Zhou and Loulan runs deep, but the Miao King conspires with Loulan—could Miaojiang be planning rebellion?"

Shang Wuyou glanced at his second uncle. "Second Uncle seems quite well-acquainted with Lu Yuan."

Gongsun Yu sneered, "That notorious Great Traitor controlling the Jinyi Guards, leveraging the Emperor to command vassal lords, throwing the court into chaos, oppressing the people, deciding life and death as he pleases, infamous for his sins—who hasn’t heard of him? If he’s the Miao King’s direct grandson, it wouldn’t be the least bit surprising for the Miao King to collude with Loulan in rebellion. After all, that man’s ambitions are known throughout the nations."

Shang Wuyou muttered under his breath, "Has his reputation sunk that low?"

Gongsun Yu continued, "By the way, how did you manage to escape?"

"Wuyou, if the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion asks how you left Witch Mountain, just say the Goddess allowed you to go."

Shang Wuyou tightened his fingers. "The Goddess allowed me to go."

Gongsun Yu exhaled deeply. "So, it was the Goddess."

Shang Wuyou noted the fading suspicion in his father and second uncle’s eyes and frowned slightly.

"If I say it was the Goddess who let me go, will anyone believe me?"

"The Goddess’s prestige is enough to convince the Thousand Mechanism Pavilion."

Meng Xiaojiu, you truly foresaw everything, didn’t you?

Gongsun Yanming addressed Shang Wuyou, "The Thousand Mechanism Pavilion publicly claims that you are accompanying Changle in Lingshan for convalescence. If anyone inquires, just say Changle remains in recovery and you’ve returned to the capital for your eldest sister’s wedding send-off."

Shang Wuyou softly replied, "Understood."

Gongsun Yanming continued, "Your eldest sister misses you dearly. You should visit her."

"Mm."

Shang Wuyou nodded.

Once he left, only the two brothers remained in the study.

Gongsun Yu looked at Gongsun Yanming with a conflicted expression, hesitating repeatedly before finally speaking. "Elder Brother..."

Gongsun Yanming lifted his teacup and spoke serenely, "Send someone to Witch Mountain. By any means necessary, bring Changle back."

Gongsun Yu froze briefly before responding solemnly, "Understood, Elder Brother."

-

Lu Yuan woke up the next morning to find the sun already risen.

The Crown Prince’s unconventional father was absent.

Today, Lu Zhaoyan was supposed to attend court, but last-minute news arrived—His Majesty had canceled the court session, instructing the Crown Prince to take Prince Jian to the Guardian Temple to visit a reclusive master and invite him to join the court as an official.

Removing his court robes and swapping them for casual attire, the Crown Prince had just stepped out when he heard an argument echoing from the corridor.

"You may not enter without a summons from His Highness!"

"Did he say I couldn’t enter?"

"This..."

"If not, then I *can* enter."

"Young Master! Please, don’t make things difficult for me!"

Lu Zhaoyan closed his eyes briefly and said, "Let him in."

"Yes."

The maid stepped aside for Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan gestured toward Ji Feng, who stood motionless in the corridor. "See that? He hasn’t budged. So you don’t need to, either. Understood?"

The maid smiled awkwardly.

Lu Yuan swaggered up to the unconventional father’s door. "Yo, skipping court today?"

Lu Zhaoyan replied dryly, "You know about this?"

Lu Yuan answered frankly, "Your clothing’s different from yesterday."

Trying to fool him? Not a chance.

Lu Zhaoyan said, "I’ll be heading out shortly. Ji Feng will stay behind. If you need anything, ask him."

Lu Yuan immediately rejected the notion. "He’s not my dad. Why would I look for him?"

Lu Zhaoyan said, "Yesterday, Prince Ming brought you back to the mansion. You can look for him if you prefer."

Lu Yuan countered, "He nearly killed me. I don’t trust him."

Lu Zhaoyan was already aware of Prince Ming instructing Steward Jia to deal with Lu Yuan—it had only been a misunderstanding. He didn’t believe Lu Yuan couldn’t grasp that point.

Clearly, he was making trouble on purpose.

It was Lu Zhaoyan’s first time encountering someone so argumentative. How could a woman as free-spirited as her bear such an unreasonably obstinate son?

He asked, "What is your name?"

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow. "Whatever you name me, that’s what I’ll go by."

Lu Zhaoyan: "..."

Lu Zhaoyan decided to stop engaging him.

But as soon as he walked away, Lu Yuan, like a proud little shadow, began tailing him.

Lu Zhaoyan held his forehead. "How long will you follow me?"

Lu Yuan shamelessly replied, "Until you acknowledge me."

Elsewhere, Prince Jian was already prepared to set off.

Dou Qingyi adjusted her son’s outfit with care. "The recluse you’ll visit this time has an eccentric temperament. Your Imperial Grandfather has visited him three times and been refused three times. If you can persuade him to join the court, it’ll be a great merit for the nation."

Lu Qi, inspecting a brocade box in his hand, asked doubtfully, "Mother, is this really useful?"

Dou Qingyi spoke with tenderness, "Your father-in-law has already done the research. The esteemed master has a fondness for such items. Take it with you, and you won’t return empty-handed."

Lu Qi voiced his unease, "Mother, who is this man? Why does Grandfather hold him in such high regard? Can’t we simply issue a royal edict to compel him to join the court?"

Dou Qingyi touched up her son’s hair. "This person hails from Witch Mountain, sharing the same lineage as the Goddess. His talents are extraordinary. It is said that he once declared he would serve no king, but only follow the Qilin. Whether you bring him gifts or not doesn’t matter—your presence alone will ensure he agrees to come forward.

The court has doubters who question your Qilin destiny, thinking it’s merely the State Preceptor’s personal assertion. This is your golden opportunity to prove to all that you are the Guardian Qilin."

Lu Qi answered resolutely, "Understood, Mother. I will bring him back."

As a son, it wouldn’t be proper for Lu Qi to keep the Crown Prince waiting. Thus, he arrived at the carriage early.

But after waiting and waiting—his legs growing stiff—his father finally appeared.

Beside his father stood another figure.

Lu Qi initially presumed it to be Prince Ming. On closer inspection, he realized it was a young man he didn’t recognize.

"Father."

Lu Qi cupped his hands and bowed courteously.

Lu Zhaoyan nodded and stepped into the carriage using a wooden stool.

Lu Qi gave Lu Yuan an odd look. Was this his father’s strategist?

Perplexed, Lu Qi climbed into the carriage.

But his father delayed giving the order to depart, seemingly waiting for something.

Waiting for Prince Ming?

Lu Zhaoyan quelled his growing frustration. "Weren’t you the one who insisted on coming along? Why aren’t you boarding yet?"

Lu Yuan scoffed, "Given my current status, I wouldn’t dare ride in the same carriage with His Highness. I’ll walk then—no matter if my legs break; it’s not as if anyone cares."

Lu Zhaoyan finally lost patience. "Get in the carriage, now!"

"You invited me."

Lu Yuan snorted and boarded the carriage, giving a pointed look at Lu Qi seated beside Lu Zhaoyan. Smirking arrogantly, he said, "Make room for me."