CHAPTER 130: CHAPTER 129: THE PERSON YOUNG MASTER LU FEARS MOST

Song Wei squinted his eyes upon hearing, "Since he’s so aggressive, wouldn’t it be more in his nature to just stay home? Why does he still come to the Imperial College?"

"That, I am not sure about."

As the two spoke, they walked forward.

Soon, they saw the scene that Wen Wan had anticipated—

Five or six lackeys surrounded a luxuriously dressed youth, who had a new entrant into the college pinned to the ground. The youth extended a foot and mercilessly stepped on the back of the student’s hand, grinding it as if scrubbing off mud.

There was a bit of mud on his deer leather boots. He looked down at the student with an arrogant and mocking gaze, "Lick the mud off my boots, and I’ll let you go."

Throughout the entire Imperial College, only this rebellious scion refused to wear the uniform. From afar, even without seeing his face, one could identify him.

The student had been cruelly kicked a few times by those lackeys earlier. Now, with his hand crushed underfoot, he let out a cry of pain, his forehead covered in cold sweat. Upon hearing the youth’s words, his back stiffened, and a final trace of defiance flickered in his eyes.

Following the defiance, came despair.

A scholar inherently possesses a degree of pride, and even more so for this student—each one is a top scholar from their region, admired and praised. Yet upon arrival at the Imperial College, they face such bullying. How could anyone tolerate it?

"That little bastard is bullying again!"

Xu Shu clenched his fists tightly, cursing through gritted teeth in a lowered voice.

Song Wei averted his eyes, unwilling to watch any longer, "We won’t gain anything by confronting him directly. Let’s go find Master Sacrificial Officer!"

Hearing this, Xu Shu slowly released his fists, agreeing with Song Wei’s suggestion.

They quickly arrived at the office of the Master Sacrificial Officer and reported what they had witnessed.

The Master Sacrificial Officer listened, troubled in his heart but not showing it on his face. As the highest authority of the nation’s premier academic institution, maintaining demeanor and authority was essential.

"I understand. I will have someone deal with it soon. You two should return to your classes!"

Xu Shu glanced at Song Wei, signaling him to leave.

Song Wei hesitated for a moment but then spoke up, "In my opinion, given Young Master Lu’s status, it might not be appropriate for you to intervene directly. Why not ask Princess Changping to step in?"

On the way here, he had been pondering under what conditions could such a tyrant be forced not to come to the Imperial College voluntarily, compelling the Master Sacrificial Officer to expel him instead?

There was only one answer: Young Master Lu feared someone.

It’s said he feared neither the Emperor nor the Empress Dowager.

So, the only ones he might fear are his own parents.

The Master Sacrificial Officer’s eyes lit up at Song Wei’s words.

Though he had agreed straightforwardly earlier, he was actually quite troubled. Every time he encountered problems with this Little Overlord, he felt like pretending to be dead, because if he didn’t, he’d end up in a no-win situation. He was getting too old to handle much more.

Song Wei’s suggestion gave him hope, a last straw to grasp at.

In the past, it wasn’t that he didn’t think about seeking the Eldest Princess’s help, but she is cold and reclusive. The Master Sacrificial Officer feared accidentally offending her and risking his head, so he had always turned a blind eye, allowing Young Master Lu to do as he pleased, turning the vast Imperial College into chaos.

Xu Shu noticed the Master Sacrificial Officer’s hesitation and spoke up, "If the Princess can’t be reached, perhaps we could ask Prince Consort Lu for help. After all, he is Young Marquis’s father; he wouldn’t ignore the situation."

The Master Sacrificial Officer nodded, "That’s a valid point."

Once Song Wei and Xu Shu left, he promptly sent someone to the Princess Mansion to invite Prince Consort Lu Xingzhou.

——

At the Princess Mansion

Upon hearing the report, Prince Consort Lu furrowed his brow slightly, then turned to the person from the Imperial College, his expression kindly, "In that case, you may return first. I will follow and meet with Master Sacrificial Officer to apologize."

Once the two left, Prince Consort Lu got up and headed to the backyard.

The door to the Eldest Princess’s room was tightly closed, and he didn’t go forward to knock. Instead, he asked the maid, "Is Ah Yin up?"

The birth name of Princess Changping was Zhao Xunyin.

The maid replied, "The Eldest Princess rose early and is currently in the small Buddha hall, praying. She instructed that no one is to disturb her."

Prince Consort Lu nodded, "If Ah Yin asks later, just say I went to the Imperial College."

Though he said that, he knew better than anyone that she wouldn’t inquire about his affairs; it’s been like this for over a decade.

——

The 贡生 severely beaten by Young Master Lu was already taken to the infirmary at the Imperial College.

When Lu Xingzhou arrived, Song Wei was about to enter the exam hall. He glanced back, failing to clearly see what the Prince Consort looked like, only noticing that he was tall with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, walking with a steady and robust stride, exuding an aura of fortitude and masculinity typical of military training.

In just a quick glance, Song Wei looked away and stepped into the exam hall to begin his test.

——

Lu Xingzhou found Lu Yanqing, who was drinking with a group of dissolute friends in a pavilion, showing no semblance of student decorum whatsoever.

Seeing this, Lu Xingzhou approached slowly, standing tall just behind Lu Yanqing, "No classes today?"

The deep, emotionless voice made the other profligate students shiver simultaneously. They all raised their eyes to find it was the Prince Consort, and quickly put down their wine glasses, finding excuses to leave.

Only Lu Xingzhou and his son, Lu Yanqing, were left in the pavilion.

Lu Xingzhou sat down, looking at him at eye level, "Why did you hit someone?"

Lu Yanqing smirked, seemingly proud instead of ashamed, "If someone doesn’t behave, I just give them a quick lesson!"

"Come with me to the infirmary to see the student, and then admit your mistake in front of Master Sacrificial Officer."

Lu Xingzhou’s face showed no anger, but there was a hint of displeasure in his voice.

"Admit my mistake? Why should I?" Provoked by his father, Lu Yanqing’s arrogance flared up again, "He dirtied my shoes, and the fact that I didn’t have him beaten to death is lenient enough. And you expect me to lower myself and admit my mistake? Dream on!"

Lu Xingzhou’s expression darkened, although he tried to maintain a calm tone, "If I had arrived any later, you could have caused a fatality."

Lu Yanqing scoffed. Back on Ningzhou’s Da Huan Mountain, he had managed to cover up dozens of deaths, so why should he worry about a mere life of a penniless scholar’s family making trouble? Not that they could; even if they did, his grandmother would smooth things over for him.

Lu Xingzhou was well aware of Lu Yanqing’s nature, fostered crooked by the Empress Dowager for years, making it incredibly challenging to correct now.

With a sigh, Lu Xingzhou said, "Fine, if you refuse to go, then as your father, I’ll go in your stead."

Lu Yanqing protested, "Father, you’re not allowed to go either. I did nothing wrong. Anyway, I’ll cover all the medical expenses for that poor student, which is generous enough. Asking me to admit fault? I’d rather kill his whole family!"

Lu Xingzhou looked at Lu Yanqing, his handsome and resolute face no longer bearing the decisive and stern demeanor found on the battlefield against the enemy, but rather, it reflected the earnest care and expectations of a loving father, "At such a young age, you’re not learning well, talking of nothing but violence. If your mother knew, wouldn’t she be heartbroken?"

At the mention of his mother, Lu Yanqing’s rampant arrogance instantly subsided significantly. He pursed his lips and lowered his head, fiddling with his fingers, remaining silent.