CHAPTER 402: CHAPTER 370: OLD MARQUIS LU ENTERS THE PALACE TO SEE THE EMPRESS DOWAGER (PART 2)

Song Wei felt relieved and thought of his other son, "I saw Yuanbao when I entered the palace yesterday. He told me he wants to take the exam this year."

Wen Wan calculated, the autumn exam is only a few months away, "He’s only fourteen years old, is he confident?"

"Even if he’s not confident, let him gain some experience," Song Wei said. "Having the initial experience means he can avoid many issues in future exams."

He himself had encountered the issue of a leaking roof during the examination due to inexperience, and coincidentally, he was gravely ill at the time. As a result, he muddled through three exams and barely passed, almost failing.

Wen Wan asked, "If he participates in the imperial examination, can he leave the palace?"

Song Wei pondered, "From His Highness’ words, it seems Yuanbao must marry before being allowed to leave."

"Then the child has a long way to go." Wen Wan suddenly felt some sympathy for Yuanbao, "You were a special case, marrying only at twenty-eight. Though Yuanbao doesn’t have to wait that long, he should at least be over eighteen, right? He’s too young now, and I’m afraid he’s not mature enough to be responsible for a girl. From fourteen to eighteen, it’s not a short period."

"That’s exactly what I intend." Song Wei nodded in agreement, "I plan to arrange a marriage for Yuanbao when he turns eighteen."

Wen Wan further said, "Eighteen is four years away. Your official rank might rise further by then, which means Yuanbao’s options can be broader. He won’t be in a situation where he fancies a wealthy family’s daughter, only to have them think our families are not a proper match."

Song Wei held a tacit attitude towards these words.

Throughout history, marriages have often emphasized family status. While mismatched families aren’t unheard of, how many have favorable outcomes?

The dramas might depict it beautifully, but in reality, it’s better to be more realistic.

As the evening drew near, Wen Wan gathered the needlework and called their son, who was playing and sweating profusely, so the family of three returned to the courtyard.

Entering the house, they saw many gift boxes on the table. Wen Wan looked at her husband and asked where they came from.

Song Wei said, "A special gift from the Emperor."

Wen Wan opened to take a look and saw that most were supplements beneficial to a girl, once again showing confusion.

The truth was already apparent, and Song Wei did not hide it anymore, "The Emperor knows about your existence."

Upon hearing this, Wen Wan suddenly realized why her husband was always heavily used and rewarded, why they owned a thousand acres of fertile land and lived in a luxurious mansion. It turned out it wasn’t solely due to Song Wei’s merits.

More importantly, it was because of her identity as the "Emperor’s Niece."

——

Not getting the painting, Song Wei personally went to the Lu Family.

The gatekeeper, hearing he was Song Wei, the Emperor’s favorite, was stunned for a moment before hurriedly going inside to report.

Old Marquis Lu was out on business, and it was Lu Pingzhou who got the news.

Lu Pingzhou invited Song Wei in and personally went to meet him.

In the front hall.

Just as Song Wei stepped in, Lu Pingzhou followed. Seeing him, he grew cordial and clasped his hands in salute, "So it’s Mr. Song, I’ve long admired your reputation."

Song Wei promptly returned the salute, "A junior greets Mr. Lu."

As they spoke, Song Wei quickly assessed Lu Pingzhou. The man’s features were somewhat similar to Lu Xingzhou’s, but the difference lay in Lu Xingzhou’s profound and resolute appearance, whereas Lu Pingzhou leaned more towards handsome and elegant.

After the pleasantries, Lu Pingzhou invited him to sit.

With not much to discuss on a first meeting, Lu Pingzhou got straight to the point, "I heard from the servants that Mr. Song came specifically to see my father. Unfortunately, my father just stepped out on business and it might be a while before he returns. If Mr. Song can wait, you may as well have a few more cups of tea here. If there’s anything urgent, just tell me, and I’ll pass the message on to him later."

The purpose of Song Wei’s visit involved his master’s privacy, so it wasn’t convenient for him to disclose it. He smiled and said, "I happened to have some spare time today, so waiting a little longer is no problem."

Hearing this, Lu Pingzhou ordered more tea for Song Wei.

He had heard some rumors about Song Wei, and upon meeting him now, found that he differed from what he had imagined, "Being heavily used by the Emperor soon after entering Hanlin and solving two major cases, Mr. Song is indeed a young talent."

Song Wei maintained a humble demeanor, "You flatter me, Mr. Lu. The reason for my participation in the case was merely because it happened in my hometown, and the Emperor could make use of me."

Lu Pingzhou didn’t think so, "Often, luck is part of one’s strength as well, Mr. Song need not be so modest."

Afterwards, Lu Pingzhou brought up the recent Northwest battle and asked for his opinion.

Song Wei honestly said, "As a civil servant, I’m not very familiar with border warfare. I only heard General Chang Wei is brave and skilled, so this Northwest rebellion should be no problem for him."

Listening to this, Lu Pingzhou suddenly chuckled, "If my second brother were still here, what business would Xu Guangfu have?"

Song Wei understood that the "second brother" Lu Pingzhou mentioned was his father-in-law, the War God Lu Xingzhou, who had terrified enemies twenty years ago.

However, Lu Pingzhou, without knowing his relationship with Lu Xingzhou as father and son-in-law, proactively mentioned the "War God." His intention surely wasn’t just idle chatter; perhaps he wanted to gauge the Emperor’s current attitude towards Lu Xingzhou from Song Wei, a close aide of the Emperor.

Thinking of this, Song Wei deeply sensed the depths of Lu Pingzhou’s mind.

After all, among the offspring of large families, how many are simple-minded? Moreover, the one before him was the eldest son.

Knowing the other’s intentions, Song Wei deftly avoided the trap, skillfully steering the topic away.

Before long, a servant came in to report that the Old Marquis had returned to the residence.

Lu Pingzhou glanced at Song Wei and said to the servant, "Go inform the Old Marquis that Mr. Song is in the residence, and ask him to come directly to meet the guest."

Shortly after, the servant brought Old Marquis Lu to the front hall.

Lu Pingzhou stood up and respectfully called out, "Father."

Song Wei also stood, refraining from directly calling him master due to others being present, and formally greeted, "Junior greets the Old Marquis."

Old Marquis Lu waved Lu Pingzhou away, stating he had matters to discuss privately with Mr. Song.

Without asking further, Lu Pingzhou left the front hall with the servants.

After everyone had left, Old Marquis Lu turned to Song Wei, "You come empty-handed, so you didn’t get the painting?"

With his son not present, he shifted from his previous solemn demeanor back to his mischievous tone.

Song Wei was accustomed to this, and nodded, "Originally, I wagered with the Emperor, and the stake was that painting; only after I won did I learn it was Empress Dowager’s beloved item. She wouldn’t part with it, so I had to give up and came specially to explain to Master."

This outcome was fully within Old Marquis Lu’s expectations, "She’s been secretly at odds with me for decades, understands me better than myself, and refuses to display antiques in Shou’an Palace, yet insists on keeping one piece of Thousand Feet Snow, clearly waiting for me to come begging."

Song Wei asked, "Will Master go then?"

"Besides entering the palace to ask her, there’s no other way." Old Marquis Lu’s gaze drifted, "I know her too well; she’s been waiting for this day. Unless I give her a satisfactory answer, she’ll never easily hand over the painting."

He found out after decades of searching that the last of the four paintings was in her possession, but only knew it was with her; the specific location was undiscoverable.

It’s clear she’s kept a move in reserve waiting for him.

...

After Song Wei left, Old Marquis Lu pondered for a long time before finally deciding to enter the palace in person.

Donning his official robe, he boarded a sedan chair and headed straight to the Imperial City.

Chief Eunuch Jiang Quan received the message and immediately came in to report, "Empress Dowager, Old Marquis Lu requests an audience."

The Empress Dowager was worshipping, upon hearing, she placed her hands down, eyelids slightly trembled, turned to Jiang Quan, "What did you say?"

Jiang Quan thought the Empress Dowager hadn’t heard clearly and repeated, "Your Majesty, Old Marquis Lu requests an audience."

"He’s come after all."

The Empress Dowager laughed, her eyes full of self-deprecation.

Decades ago, she lost to a painting, overnight turning from childhood lovers to a palace concubine.

Supported by hatred, she defeated many women to become the mistress of the six palaces, mother of the nation, yet after decades of waiting, still failed to hear that explanation.

Who would have thought decades later, she’d lose to a painting again.

Empress Dowager Renyi suddenly felt her life was both tragic and absurd.

...

A tea’s time later, Old Marquis Lu appeared at Shou’an Palace, upon entering, he directly kneeled to pay respects.

The Empress Dowager did not let him rise, her tone somewhat cold, "As far as I recall, Old Marquis Lu hasn’t entered the palace for forty-three years. It’s rare for you to lower yourself, directly coming to Shou’an Palace. Why, do you have something for me?"

Forty-three years ago, she was seventeen; it was also that year he left the capital overnight for a painting, missing the day to propose, forcing her to become the late Emperor’s woman.

Old Marquis Lu recognized her veiled sarcasm but never lifted his head to see what she had become after decades, directly stating his purpose, "This old minister has a request, hoping Empress Dowager will fulfill it."

The Empress Dowager slightly tightened her grip on the tea cup, her gaze sharp, "There are so many people with requests every day, I’m no Bodhisattva that can concern myself with everything under heaven?"

Knowing full well the other party wouldn’t easily give in, Old Marquis Lu still said, "I heard Empress Dowager has a painting by Mr. Liu, might this old minister borrow it for a look?"

The smile at the corners of the Empress Dowager’s mouth appeared increasingly cold and sarcastic, "Old Marquis puts it like that, if I refuse, wouldn’t it seem heartless?"

Old Marquis Lu fell silent for a while.

The Empress Dowager waved, letting Jiang Quan lead all the servants away.

Once the door closed, she looked again at the man kneeling on the ground, "First time coming to the palace in forty-three years, besides that painting, do you have nothing to say to me?"

Old Marquis Lu did not respond, he reached into his wide sleeve to pull out a scroll, crawled forward, and held it high to offer the Empress Dowager, "After so many years, my explanation might hardly satisfy you, but upon seeing this, you’ll naturally understand why I suddenly left without a word."

The Empress Dowager hesitated to take it, her hands trembling as she opened it, upon seeing the contents, she fell into silence, not speaking for a long time.