Crowned by the Treacherous Big Shot-Chapter 35 The Initiative of the Grand Commander (Part 1)

Chapter 35: Chapter 35 The Initiative of the Grand Commander (Part 1)

Lin Wan’er hurriedly knelt down, performing a respectful kowtow.

Lu Luo was so shaken upon hearing "Your Majesty" that she was utterly bewildered, her kowtows trembling with fear.

She had never dreamed that they would have the chance to meet the Emperor!

In the Capital City, many titled ladies were not even permitted an audience with the Emperor.

Lin Wan’er wore a thin veil, which the young Emperor assumed was simply meant for modesty while traveling, without further thought.

The young Emperor said solemnly, "Your father and brother perished at the border, which grieves Me greatly. Does Lin Young Lady still have any family or distant relatives?"

Lin Wan’er shook her head.

The young Emperor was already aware of her muteness, caused by poisoning at the hands of the Beiliang people. A trace of pity glimmered in his eyes: "How did your father and brother meet their end?"

The eunuch behind him brought forth a small writing desk that had already been prepared and placed it before Lin Wan’er.

Lin Wan’er picked up the brush, dipped its tip in ink, and wrote on the paper: "Three years ago, General Lu discovered critical military intelligence in Shengjing, Beiliang, and hurried back to Yumen Pass to report to Great General Han. Midway, he encountered a group of Beiliang bandits and was rescued by my father and brother. While escorting General Lu back to the military camp, the Beiliang bandits returned with many skilled Hidden Guards. My father and brother... were ultimately slaughtered by them."

The young Emperor watched her hand slowly clench tighter, as her eyes grew red. Suddenly, he hesitated to ask more.

The eunuch glanced at the Emperor, then completed the questioning on his behalf: "Where is the Mystic Iron Order?"

Lin Wan’er suppressed her emotions and continued writing: "Before my father passed, he entrusted the Mystic Iron Order to General Lu and told him to come to Jixian County to find me."

"I see."

The young Emperor nodded. "Did Great General Han know of your father’s true identity?"

Lin Wan’er shook her head, dipped the brush into ink again, and wrote: "My father concealed his identity. Great General Han only assumed my father rose from the rank of an ordinary soldier to become a Deputy General."

The military’s appointment system differs slightly from the court’s. Below the rank of General, positions can be appointed independently by the Great General, without requiring approval from the Ministry of Revenue.

The young Emperor asked again, "Do you know the whereabouts of the other eleven guards?"

Lin Wan’er wrote: "I do not."

The young Emperor contemplated briefly and said, "Your father entrusted General Lu Lingxiao with the Mystic Iron Order and asked him to leave it with you. Besides seeking refuge for you, it surely served other purposes."

If it were merely to seek refuge, there would be no need to reveal his own identity. The act of saving General Lu’s life alone was sufficient to ensure his care for her throughout her life.

Lu Xingzhou understood the unspoken meaning behind the Emperor’s words. His gaze shifted, and he immediately spoke up: "Wan’er, when you were at home, did any of the eleven guards visit your father?"

Lin Wan’er recalled for a moment and wrote: "Someone did come, but my father never told me who they were, nor was I allowed to ask."

"That settles it!" Lu Xingzhou said excitedly to the young Emperor. "Though we don’t know where the eleven guards are now, I believe they might one day seek Wan’er out! Wan’er, if the eleven guards come to you, you’ll inform His Majesty, won’t you?"

The young Emperor fixed his gaze on Lin Wan’er.

Lin Wan’er slowly nodded.

Lu Xingzhou discreetly breathed a sigh of relief.

The young Emperor continued, "Are you well cared for in the Lu Family?"

Lin Wan’er wrote: "The circumstances of this subject’s life are stable."

Lu Luo, still kneeling, leaned forward slightly, about to speak but hesitated.

The young Emperor’s gaze fell upon Lin Wan’er’s faintly visible veil: "What’s the matter with your face?"

Previously, he hadn’t closely observed her, but upon closer inspection, something seemed amiss.

Lin Wan’er touched her face and lifted the slightly slipped veil once more, writing: "Nothing."

The young Emperor frowned.

At once, the eunuch stepped forward and tore off her veil, revealing a face marred with bruises and the faint remnants of finger marks.

Not only was the young Emperor taken aback, but even Lu Xingzhou was visibly surprised.

The young Emperor demanded furiously, "Who injured you?"

Lin Wan’er remained silent.

The young Emperor turned a chilling gaze to Lu Luo by her side: "Speak! If there’s the slightest deceit, you’ll be punished for defying the Emperor!"

Lu Luo trembled and stammered, "It... it was the Eldest Young Madam!"

The young Emperor clenched his fists tightly. "How outrageous!"

Lu Xingzhou glared fiercely at Lu Luo, lifted his robes, and knelt down. "I failed to discipline my household properly. This subject is guilty!"

The young Emperor was about to rebuke him when a guard entered, lifted the curtain, and whispered a few words into his ear.

His expression subtly changed, and his clenched fists gradually relaxed before he finally let go.

Noticing these changes, Lu Xingzhou wisely said, "Your Majesty, this subject and Wan’er have been away for quite some time. The Old Madam and my mother must be worried. This subject shall now take leave. Wan’er, let us go."

Lin Wan’er kowtowed, then followed Lu Xingzhou and Lu Luo out of the pavilion.

The young Emperor stepped out of the pavilion and, gazing at the mountain ranges in the distance, walked toward the small courtyard at the back of the temple.

Lu Yuan was seated on the wooden floor of an opulent yet refined meditation room, sparsely furnished—only a screen, a low table, two meditation cushions (large and small), and a stove keeping tea warm.

The Imperial Physician had just finished changing his bandages.

Because he moved around recklessly, his wounds were healing poorly, and the Imperial Physician had asked him not to confine himself indoors. He wore only a thick purple robe over his upper body.

When the young Emperor entered the room, he saw him injured, sitting against the wall, reading a Buddhist Scripture.

His disheveled appearance was a breach of decorum before the Emperor.

Yet in the Capital City, who could dare accuse Grand Commander Lu of impropriety?

"Master Lu."

The young Emperor spoke.

Lu Yuan paused in his reading, turned his head, and curved his lips into a smile. "What brings Your Majesty here? This subject is gravely injured and cannot rise to greet Your Majesty; please forgive me."

The young Emperor sat cross-legged on the floor across from him. "Master Lu need not be so formal. I heard that Master Lu has been recuperating at the Governor Mansion."

Lu Yuan replied calmly, "Only a guise."

The young Emperor asked, "Does Master Lu know who was behind this?"

Lu Yuan smiled. "Still investigating. Once I discover the culprit, I will report to Your Majesty immediately."

The young Emperor lowered his gaze and nervously fiddled with the tassel of his waist accessory.

Lu Yuan resumed reading his scripture.

The young Emperor broke the sudden silence. "Today, I visited Hanshan Temple... and met Lin Young Lady."

Lu Yuan paused briefly. "The daughter of the one born in the Year of the Monkey?"

The young Emperor nodded. "Indeed."

Lu Yuan smiled. "Your Majesty may see whomever You wish; there’s no need to inform this subject."

The young Emperor said nothing further, awkwardly twisting his tassel, as if trying to braid it into a rope.

Lu Yuan lazily flipped another page of the scripture. "Master Liao Kong is just next door. Since Your Majesty is here, perhaps You could visit him as well."

The young Emperor stood up and turned to leave the room.

At the doorway, he faced the distant peaks and, with his back toward Lu Yuan, said: "Master Lu must take good care during recovery and return to the court swiftly. I still need Master Lu’s assistance in governing the realm!"

Elsewhere, the Old Madam noticed Lin Wan’er had returned. Understanding that her son had finished attending to matters, she decided to head back home.

The nanny appeared at just the right moment. "So this is where Young Lady is! My apologies for interrupting everyone."

She reached out to take Bao Shu into her arms.

Bao Shu shook her little head and burrowed herself into Meng Qianqian’s embrace.