Chapter 33

Chapter 33

Lu XuanNing struggled to get up, and Old Marquis Lu stepped forward to support him. "Don't get up, stay lying down."

Lu XuanNing grasped his grandfather's hand tightly. "Grandfather, your grandson has been unfilial, causing you to worry." As these words came out, Old Marquis Lu felt his eyes grow hot. "Tell your grandfather, who harmed you. I will not let them off lightly."

The people in the room all withdrew. Lu XuanNing motioned for Old Marquis Lu to lean closer. Old Marquis Lu approached Lu XuanNing's side. Lu XuanNing spoke a name in a low voice.

Old Marquis Lu's expression changed. "How could it be him? He has always had a virtuous reputation, praised by all in the court and beyond."

Lu XuanNing untied his clothes, pointing to the injured area. "The evidence is here," he said, forcefully tearing open the wound.

"Ning'er, don't," Old Marquis Lu tried to stop him, but Lu XuanNing had already torn open the wound. He took out the evidence hidden inside his body. Afraid of being discovered, Lu XuanNing had stuffed it into his own flesh, which was also the reason his wound had not healed and kept causing him fevers. Old Marquis Lu's hands trembled as he accepted it, then shouted towards the outside, "Imperial Physician!"

Hearing the call, the Imperial Physician entered with his medicine box. He saw Lu XuanNing's torn wound and quickly approached to treat it. Due to the pain, Lu XuanNing fell into unconsciousness.

Old Marquis Lu carefully wiped the evidence clean, ensuring it was not damaged, and stored it safely. As the Imperial Physician emerged from the inner room, Old Marquis Lu approached him. "How is my grandson?"

"The Young Master's wound has become infected inside, but it has been cleaned and treated with medicine. However, the Young Master's injury is severe, and he will need to recuperate quietly." The Imperial Physician's words allowed Old Marquis Lu to breathe a sigh of relief, as long as his life was not in danger.

Li Ming entered. "Old Marquis, this subordinate has prepared wine and food for you to refresh yourself."

Old Marquis Lu solemnly bowed to Li Ming, who quickly shrank back, waving his hands. "This cannot be done, this cannot be done."

"Li Ming, you saved my grandson's life, and this bow is well-deserved." The Lu family had only this single heir for three generations. Old Marquis Lu cherished Lu XuanNing like the apple of his eye, and he felt immensely grateful to the Li family.

"Old Marquis, you honor me too much," Li Ming returned the bow.

Seeing Li Ming's sincere modesty, Old Marquis Lu did not say more. "Today is a joyful occasion, accompany this old man for a drink."

"Father and grandfather are both well. My father is at the northern border, leading troops in training every day, in high spirits. This time, I have returned to the capital at the behest of my parents to celebrate my grandfather's sixty-sixth birthday." Lu XuanNing stood up straight and answered Teacher Du's inquiries. "Teacher, your complexion is haggard. Is there something amiss with your health?"

Teacher Du did not answer Lu XuanNing's question but instead introduced Zhang Xi to him. "Young Master, allow me to introduce my student, Zhang Xi. His father is Zhang Chen, the Prefect of Nantong Prefecture."

Upon hearing Teacher Du address Lu XuanNing as the Young Master and mention the Marquis from the northern border, Zhang Xi realized who he was. He immediately knelt before Lu XuanNing. "Young Master Lu, I beg you to help me."

Lu XuanNing looked at Teacher Du, puzzled by the situation. He had just arrived, and someone was already kneeling before him.

"Xi'er, get up," Teacher Du sternly instructed Zhang Xi.

Zhang Xi stood up. Teacher Du sighed. "Young Master, please forgive me for involving you in this trouble."

"Teacher, what has happened?" Lu XuanNing looked at Zhang Xi's desperate expression, then back at Teacher Du.

"Please, take a seat first and allow me to explain," Teacher Du gestured for Lu XuanNing to sit down.

Lu XuanNing sat and listened as Teacher Du explained the situation. After taking office as the Prefect of Nantong Prefecture, Zhang Chen unexpectedly discovered that Prince Yongkang's Mansion outside the city had found gold and iron mines and was secretly manufacturing weapons. Following the leads, he discovered that Prince Yongkang's Mansion was providing these weapons to the Baiyi Tribe, a tribe that has always been at odds with our nation and known for their cruelty, pillaging, and massacres. Such actions were tantamount to treason.

Zhang Chen compiled the evidence he had gathered, intending to send someone to deliver it to the capital and expose the matter. However, he was discovered by the spy planted by Prince Yongkang within the Prefecture Office. Prince Yongkang set a trap, summoning Zhang Chen under the pretext of an official meeting, then accused Zhang Chen of misconduct for making improper advances towards a lady of the prince's household while intoxicated, using it as an excuse to imprison him. The Zhang family residence was subsequently sealed off by the prince's guards.

Aware that this summons from Prince Yongkang meant he would not return, Zhang Chen had given the evidence to his son, Zhang Xi, beforehand, instructing him to seek out Teacher Du and find a way to deliver the evidence out of the city.

Teacher Du and Zhang Chen were longtime friends. Although Zhang Xi had become Teacher Du's student, their relationship was not widely known. This allowed Zhang Xi to hide at Teacher Du's residence, temporarily avoiding detection. However, Nantong Prefecture was now under the control of Prince Yongkang's troops, making it difficult for Zhang Xi to escape.

Lu XuanNing's arrival brought a glimmer of hope to Zhang Xi, who understood that leaving Nantong Prefecture was unlikely for him. He pleaded with Lu XuanNing to take the evidence away.

Lu XuanNing accepted the evidence and solemnly bid farewell to the two. "Teacher, Brother Zhang. Rest assured, even if I must risk my life, I will surely deliver this evidence to the Emperor."