The first snow in the capital fell before New Year’s Eve, and General Lu’s first order of business upon returning to the capital was to enter the palace to pay his respects to the Emperor.
The deputy generals and others brought back by Lu Shu were all stationed outside the capital; without an imperial decree from the Emperor, they were not permitted to enter the capital arbitrarily.
Shen Du, who was just about to enter the palace, happened to run into Lu Shu, who was returning to the capital to report on his duties, right at the palace gates. Shen Du stepped down from his carriage, and a nearby guard immediately raised an umbrella for him, shielding him from the wind and snow.
Shen Du lifted his gaze to look at the man sitting atop the horse. With just a single glance, Shen Du could confirm that this was indeed the male protagonist.
The male protagonist described in books existed only as words on a page, but now that he was standing right before Shen Du, Shen Du could clearly feel the lingering killing intent left behind by countless battles, as well as the male protagonist’s gaze, which seemed capable of piercing straight through a person’s thoughts.
“Riding horses is forbidden within the palace. I must trouble General Lu to walk a short distance with me.” Before Lu Shu could reply, Shen Du directly led the way inside. Lu Shu glanced at Shen Du, then dismounted, handed his horse over to a nearby guard, and strode after Shen Du.
Hearing the sound of Lu Shu’s armor clanking, Shen Du could not help curving his lips into a light smile. The snow was heavy tonight, and the palace paths were covered in a thick layer of snow that made a delightfully crisp sound when stepped upon. Meanwhile, the snow from midair fell onto the umbrella surface, creating a muffled rhythm of intersecting sounds that caused Shen Du to pause in his steps.
There was no one else on the palace path except the two of them and Shen Du’s attendants. Shen Du turned slightly to look at the silent Lu Shu behind him. “For the rest of the way, I must trouble General Lu to hold the umbrella for me.”
Hearing this, Lu Shu nearly failed to maintain his expression, and a nearby guard obediently passed the handle of the umbrella into Lu Shu’s hand.
The male protagonist shouldn’t beat me up, right? System, will the male protagonist hit people? What happens if you beat up the Imperial Tutor? If he and the female protagonist argue later on, will he subject her to domestic violence? Looking at Lu Shu’s expression, Shen Du felt a sudden, inexplicable sense of relief when he turned his head away, not daring to look any longer.
Shen Du thought of Ming Ling, who looked so slender and fragile. If she really ended up together with the male protagonist and things became unpleasant, Ming Ling would probably be the one suffering the loss. System, do you think I should assign a few more guards to the female protagonist?
Hearing Shen Du speaking, the system took a look and replied: The male protagonist doesn’t beat people; he only kills people. I have a feeling he wants to kill you right now.
This was just teasing Shen Du. In the original text, the male protagonist did not kill innocent people; he had his own moral bottom line, or else the story could never have passed censorship.
Lu Shu took hold of the umbrella handle and gave it a heavy shake, casting off the snow piled up on the canopy before stepping forward.
That heavy sound of footsteps seemed to convey Lu Shu’s dissatisfaction directly to Shen Du.
“Does General Lu still remember the marriage bestowed by the late emperor three years ago?” Shen Du did not beat around the bush and went straight to the point.
Lu Shu let out an acknowledgment and then spoke, “Naturally I remember, but later the border city was besieged, and I received orders to attack a small neighboring border state. That departure lasted a full three years without return.”
“The Bureau of Astronomy has selected an auspicious date for the wedding after the new year. Does General Lu have any objections?” The moment Shen Du uttered these words, Lu Shu’s hand trembled slightly out of tension.
The snow resting on the umbrella canopy fell directly onto Shen Du’s head. Shen Du’s hands inside his cloak tightened again and again, and he clenched his teeth with a cold smile: “Does General Lu have any dissatisfaction with what I have said? If you are dissatisfied, you can simply state it directly.”
Why resort to such roundabout retaliation! Shen Du could feel the chill upon his head; if it weren’t for the sake of the male and female protagonists, why would he be standing out in the freezing wind late at night, walking the palace path himself!
If he caught a cold later on, it would definitely be the male protagonist’s fault!
Seeing Shen Du quickly reach out to brush the white snow from his head and clothing, Lu Shu let out a slightly embarrassed, soft cough. Overwhelmed with tension and hand tremors, he failed to hold it steady, so Lu Shu gripped the umbrella handle even tighter.
Afterward, Lu Shu shook his head and continued holding the umbrella for Shen Du: “It’s just that perhaps after the new year would be too rushed? The general’s residence has been uninhabited for years and hasn’t been renovated either. I’m afraid such a hurried arrangement would only wrong Miss Ming.”
Shen Du’s gaze landed on the heavily guarded Imperial Study not far away: “I already sent people to thoroughly renovate the general’s residence long ago, waiting only for your return. Furthermore, since the marriage was bestowed by the late emperor, the palace will assist in arranging it, so you needn’t worry. I only hope you will treat the person by your side well in the future.”
Shen Du turned around to look Lu Shu up and down. Judging by his appearance, he was indeed a match for the gentle Ming Ling. After that, Shen Du said nothing more, instead quickening his pace toward the Imperial Study.
Grand Eunuch De, who had been waiting outside early on, had sharp eyes and spotted Shen Du approaching through the snow. He quickly grabbed the paper umbrella from Grand Eunuch De Shun’s hand and ran forward to shelter Shen Du.
“Why didn’t those guards stay by Lord Shen’s side? If Lord Shen falls ill, His Majesty will be worried.” Grand Eunuch De wore a nervous expression, his tone dripping with genuine concern.
Shen Du didn’t mind in the least, waving a hand to dismiss the thought: “Lord Lu helped me hold the umbrella all the way, so I didn’t get caught in the snow.”
Watching Shen Du enter the Imperial Study, Grand Eunuch De’s casual mention of Lord Shen just moments ago reminded Lu Shu of the Imperial Tutor Shen Du, who stood above all others and beneath only the Emperor.
The fact that Shen Du wielded absolute, unchecked power in the imperial court was something Lu Shu had caught wind of even while far away at the border.
De Shun removed Shen Du’s cloak, brushed away the white snow on it, and placed the nobleman’s cloak in the warm side hall to let the snow melt away.
Just as Shen Du stepped into the Imperial Study, a thought suddenly struck him, and he turned back to say, “General Lu, His Majesty should have been waiting for your report on your duties for a while now. There’s no need to wait for an announcement; come on in together.”
Lu Shu hesitated slightly, but Grand Eunuch De smiled and nodded toward him. Grand Eunuch De was a trusted confidant of the late emperor, and Lu Shu naturally recognized him, instantly understanding that this was also the Emperor’s intention.
Thus, Lu Shu followed behind Shen Du, even watching as Shen Du unceremoniously found a warm spot to sit down for himself. It was only then that he truly grasped what those carrier pigeons’ letters meant when they described someone as standing above ten thousand people yet beneath just one.
Not only did Shen Du not kneel when meeting the Emperor, but he even seated himself without waiting for permission, illustrating just how towering his authority was in his hands. Coupled with his status as Imperial Tutor, even the Emperor himself would say nothing against it.
Xie Min sat behind the desk. Upon seeing Lu Shu, a flash of unpleasantness crossed his face, but remembering that Shen Du was right beside him, he found it difficult to act out. He simply picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip.
“Your subject, Lu Shu, pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Lu Shu bowed to Xie Min without a moment of hesitation, his whole demeanor appearing respectful. Even though the late emperor had once issued a decree stating that Lu Shu need not kneel when seeing the sovereign, Lu Shu still performed the full kowtow ceremony every single time.
This scene, falling into Shen Du’s eyes, put his mind even more at ease.
Lu Shu is much better than those ambitious, treacherous civil officials. The memorials those court officials submitted recently have become increasingly unbearable; looks like I need to find some trouble for them. Tsk, but Lu Shu is kneeling straight down like that, won’t his knees hurt?
Taking advantage of the moment he was drinking tea, Shen Du carefully eyed Lu Shu’s knees, never expecting that the young emperor beside him would turn to look right at him because of the voice in his head.
The Imperial Study was dead silent until Shen Du noticed something was amiss and gave a light cough to remind the daydreaming young emperor to snap out of it.
Only then did Xie Min prompt Lu Shu to rise and take a seat.
Grand Eunuch De hurried forward to pour hot tea for Lu Shu. Once Grand Eunuch De left the Imperial Study and closed the door behind him, Lu Shu slowly began detailing the recent military reports. Having spent three years at the border while the political landscape in the capital shifted rapidly, especially with the ascension of a new emperor,
Lu Shu had not returned and had long since lost touch with the power dynamics within the capital. Yet Lu Shu was not anxious; the Lu family had always remained neutral, meaning even if undercurrents surged in the capital, it had nothing to do with the Lu family.
Lu Shu’s father, Lu Mingyan, and his mother, Lu Mingzhu, had guarded the borders for the late emperor and ultimately died there.
This was precisely why the Lu family was deeply valued by the late emperor.
“At the palace banquet, I will bestow honors and rewards upon you and the others, but the matter my teacher is primarily concerned with is the marriage between you and Elder Ming’s daughter.” Xie Min spoke softly, then walked directly over to Shen Du holding the auspicious dates just submitted by the Bureau of Astronomy, handing them to Shen Du with both hands.
Shen Du took them, looked them over, and nodded.
“I think right after the spring equinox looks quite good. There are also two major events earlier in the year, and furthermore, General Lu can use this period to cultivate a bond with Elder Sister Ling. The palace will also have time to make preparations so it won’t seem too rushed. What does Your Majesty think?” Shen Du asked with a smiling tone, gently inquiring of Xie Min beside him.
Xie Min nodded in agreement: “I think so as well. If General Lu has no objections, the wedding date shall be settled thus.”
Naturally, Lu Shu had no objections. He had met Ming Ling a few times back when his parents had not yet fallen in battle, and he held a quite favorable impression of her.
His parents had even mentioned that upon returning victorious, they would go to propose marriage on his behalf. But later, his parents passed away, and Lu Shu observed three years of mourning. To his astonishment, the very moment the mourning period ended, the late emperor issued a decree bestowing the marriage.
And the one bestowed upon him was the very person he adored in his heart.
“Since Your Majesty and Lord Shen have decided, this subject has no objections.”
“Elder Sister Ling is my adopted older sister, so I only hope General Lu will treat her well in the future and not let her suffer any grievances.” Shen Du smiled lightly, his gaze falling upon Lu Shu with absolute earnestness.
Hearing of the connection between Shen Du and Ming Ling, Lu Shu suddenly remembered that Shen Du was none other than Ming Qing’s student. He hurriedly straightened his posture, eager to leave a good impression on his future brother-in-law.
“The palace banquet is in a few days. Your Majesty, remember to have Commander Kang dispatch more personnel; calculating the time, Prince Lin’an should be reaching the capital soon.” Shen Du spoke casually, and Xie Min gave an acknowledgment, considering it an agreement to Shen Du’s words.
Shen Du turned his gaze back to General Lu and spoke softly, “On the day of the banquet, I must trouble General Lu to keep a close eye out and protect His Majesty. This is His Majesty’s first palace banquet since ascending the throne.”
According to the clichéd plots of novels, it was either an assassination or a poisoning.
Lu Shu nodded hurriedly: “Rest assured, I will protect His Majesty.”
Hearing Lu Shu’s words, Xie Min found them somewhat laughable. In his past life, he had actually been murdered by someone like this, how truly foolish of him. But Xie Min believed he would not be foolish a second time.
Once he grew weary of this world again, everyone would leave right along with him.
With a dark gaze, Xie Min watched Lu Shu and Shen Du depart. Afterward, Grand Eunuch De entered and saw Xie Min with his eyes half-closed. Emboldening himself, he stepped forward to speak: “Your Majesty, Lord Shen said before leaving that you should rest early and not work too late, your health is paramount.”
Grand Eunuch De heard no response from Xie Min. Just as he wanted to step closer and offer further persuasion, he saw Xie Min open his eyes. That cold, indifferent gaze made Grand Eunuch De feel a chill run down his spine. The forward step he had initiated froze instantly in place, leaving him daring only to stand right where he was and carefully watch Xie Min.
Xie Min lowered his gaze, muttered an acknowledgment, and then uttered a single sentence: “Let us rest.”
Shen Du maintained his routine of attending and leaving court, almost always arriving right at the buzzer and leaving early, giving those officials plenty of time to curse him behind his back. Sometimes Shen Du genuinely felt he was a great boss, neither driving a toxic rat race nor dragging his subordinates into overtime, and even leaving them ample room and time to badmouth him.
Yet these foolish things kept delivering evidence of their wrongdoings right into his hands.
Organizing the newly investigated dirt within his study, Shen Du thought cheerfully to himself.
Didn’t I remind you of all these? The system chimed in chillingly. As a powerful statesman, Shen Du practically never investigated anything on his own; in the original novel, all the evidence those officials had previously placed in the original owner’s hands was something Shen Du knew nothing about.
The plot had almost reached a point where it couldn’t progress at all.
Fortunately, the system simply told Shen Du directly, and Shen Du only needed to repeat it for his personal secret guards to go investigate.
Yes, yes, yes, I really couldn’t remember how many people’s dirt the original owner had collected, right? I’m getting old and my memory isn’t what it used to be. Bear with me, bear with me. Shen Du smiled sheepishly, but heard no further response from the system.