The moment the plaque appeared, a sharp voice rang out again.
“Prime Minister Du Yuheng of the Great Li Empire has arrived!”
Another voice immediately followed.
“Great General of Martial Valor, Mu Junxian, has arrived!”
“General of Eastern Conquest, Gui Pingheng, has arrived!”
“Minister of War, Lu Chen, has arrived!”
“Minister of Revenue, Gao Yongchang, has arrived!”
“Commander of the Imperial Guards, Shen Congwu, has arrived!”
“Head of the Imperial City Division, Li Jiuxuan, has arrived!”
…
Each announcement signaled the arrival of one of the Great Li Empire’s most powerful figures!
This was the true power and network behind the title of State-Stabilizing Duke!
This was what it meant to be second only to the Emperor!
“Congratulations to the State-Stabilizing Duke for reopening the residence!”
One after another, congratulations echoed without pause.
Even Mu Zian was stunned.
He had never imagined that reopening the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence would cause such a commotion.
“Today, to receive your congratulations is my greatest honor! I only hope that in the future, we can join hands to support the heavens and safeguard the Great Li Empire for millennia!”
As congratulatory voices filled the air, a delicate, clear voice rose above them all.
“The Ninth Princess has arrived!”
Dong! Dong! Dong!
The urgent beat of drums sounded, and the gathered civil and military officials automatically made way.
Next, two palace maids appeared, holding up a curtain of white gauze, and behind the gauze was a graceful figure in a splendid palace robe.
It was none other than Princess Xiao Xiuning, the Ninth Princess of the Great Li Empire.
Xiao Xiuning was not only the Emperor’s most beloved daughter but also famed throughout the capital for her talents. A single piece of her calligraphy could fetch 100,000 taels of silver, often deemed priceless, with countless nobles and wealthy young men vying for her works.
Her appearance instantly pushed the atmosphere to its peak!
If the civil and military officials’ visit reflected their personal ties to the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence, the arrival of the Ninth Princess symbolized the Imperial Family’s stance!
Mu Zian was momentarily dazed by her beauty.
But he quickly collected himself and said, “Your humble servant greets Your Highness, the Ninth Princess.”
Behind the gauze, Xiao Xiuning smiled and replied, “Congratulations, Little Duke, on reopening the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence. I have brought a small gift to offer my congratulations—please accept it.”
“Having Your Highness here graces the residence immensely. Please, allow me the honor of inviting Your Highness inside for a brief stay.”
Instantly, the once desolate State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence bustled with life again.
The current Prime Minister, the six Ministers, the four Generals, the Commander of the Imperial Guards, and the Emperor’s most favored Princess!
The State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence announced its return to the world in the grandest possible way!
Meanwhile, inside the Lu family residence, the Lu family’s Matron was trembling.
“Have you confirmed it? Did all the officials really go over?”
Lu Ming’s face was grim, and his voice trembled as he replied, “Great-Grandmother, it’s worse than that! The Emperor’s most beloved Ninth Princess, the Prime Minister, the Great General of Martial Valor, all of them are there!”
Lu Ming could barely breathe, and cold sweat drenched his forehead.
Any one of those figures could easily crush the Lu family a hundred times over.
And now they were all gathered at the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence, more united than during court assemblies.
Such terrifying power!
Lu Ming could only think of one phrase:
When you’re outside the court, you’re a frog peering at the moon from the bottom of a well; when you’re inside, you’re like a speck of dust looking at the vast sky.
That’s exactly how Lu Ming felt now.
The Matron’s heart churned with regret.
This moment of infinite glory should have included the Lu family!
Yet now they cowered like stray dogs in their tiny courtyard.
The gap was unbearable.
“Where is Lu Yunxue? Call her here to see me!”
She slammed the table, roaring.
Moments later, a weary Lu Yunxue appeared before her grandmother.
Seeing the old woman’s fury, Lu Yunxue frowned in confusion.
“Grandmother, what happened?”
Lu Ming glared at her and snapped, “Sister, do you know? Mu Zian has reopened the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence!”
Lu Yunxue looked indifferent. “So he reopened it. What of it?”
“Do you know how glorious it is? The Prime Minister, the Great General, the six Ministers, and even the Ninth Princess herself have gone to congratulate him!”
Lu Yunxue was shocked but quickly regained her composure.
“It’s nothing but social courtesy, Grandmother. Mu Zian is just a pampered good-for-nothing. Even if he inherits the title, so what? ‘Heavy is the head that wears the crown.'”
“A useless man like him can’t hold such a vast estate. You think those officials truly went to celebrate? They went to watch him make a fool of himself. The more flamboyant he is today, the more miserable he’ll be tomorrow.”
“Moreover, such ostentation is tantamount to forming factions. You think the Emperor will turn a blind eye?”
“Mu Zian is courting death. Fortunately, our Lu family cut ties in time; otherwise, we’d be implicated too.”
The Matron’s tightly furrowed brow finally relaxed.
Lu Yunxue continued calmly.
“Grandmother need not worry. Let him bask in temporary glory. Tomorrow, at the Victory Banquet, all the court officials will be present, even the Emperor himself. That will be the true stage.”
“With my and Brother Pei’s achievements, we will secure a place in the imperial court! The State-Stabilizing Duke is a thing of the past. Only Brother Pei and I represent the future pillars of the court. The Emperor surely sees it that way too!”
The Matron grew excited and clasped Lu Yunxue’s hands tightly.
“Ah, my Xue’er is truly promising! Mu Zian is just a good-for-nothing riding on his father’s fame. He doesn’t deserve my self-reliant granddaughter!”
Lu Ming, listening from the side, still felt uneasy. Something didn’t sit right.
…
Under the moonlight, silence enveloped the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence.
An oil lamp flickered in the room. Though today’s reopening seemed lively, Mu Zian knew the officials came not for him but for his father, Mu Zhanying’s, name.
In their eyes, he was still the same frivolous, love-struck wastrel.
To truly restore the State-Stabilizing Duke’s Residence, he needed real achievements.
You cannot rely on mountains; they will crumble. You cannot rely on people; they will run. Only yourself.
Thus, his goal was clear—military merit!
Although the Great Li Empire appeared peaceful, it was rife with hidden dangers.
Internally, the aristocratic families fought for power; rebellions flared endlessly. Externally, the Xiongnu tribes eyed them greedily. Friction along the borders threatened war at any moment.
But to Mu Zian, these dangers brimmed with opportunity.
Just then, the flame before him suddenly flickered violently.
The wind outside howled, and the trees rustled.
Mu Zian narrowed his eyes and said quietly, “A dark night for murder, a windy night for arson. Since you’re here, why hide?”