"A mere military official dares to cross the path of the great Tai Sui?"
At the mansion of the Grand Marshal of Xia, Lü Qiyue roared in fury.
Lü Qiyue, his son Lü Cang's twisted and distorted account, did not believe it.
What kind of person was his son? Lü Qiyue knew better than anyone. Relying on being the only son, pampered since childhood, he was arrogant, overbearing, bullied men and women, and committed every evil.
During this suppression of the rebellion, Lü Cang claimed to have made great contributions, which Lü Qiyue also did not believe. Could he charge into battle and make military achievements? It was as fantastical as a myth. Make achievements? More like snatching them.
Lü Qiyue only obtained this opportunity for Lü Cang to lead troops to suppress the rebellion in order to let him gain experience, accumulate military merit and seniority, so that he could be promoted in the future.
Although Lü Qiyue did not believe Lü Cang's fabricated story, he was still extremely angry. The reason was that even if one did not consider the monk, one should consider the Buddha's face, or to put it another way, even a dog must be judged by its owner. Min Wuyan's actions were completely trampling the honor of the Lü family underfoot. If this matter spread, where would the Lü family's face be? It would undoubtedly greatly damage the prestige of the Lü family.
Min Wuyan's military staff had struck Lü Cang's buttocks, but in reality, it had struck Lü Qiyue's old face.
"Master, your son-in-law is here."
Just as Lü Qiyue was considering his next move, an old servant came in to report.
"Wuji? Quickly let him in." Lü Qiyue was overjoyed and immediately instructed the old servant.
Hong Wuji was cunning and resourceful. After entering officialdom, he understood the emperor's intentions, strongly advocated for harmony, and reached a peace agreement with Yan. Therefore, he gained considerable favor and was quickly promoted to Censor of the Imperial Censorate of Xia, in charge of supervising all officials in the court and holding the imperial seals, with a stipend of four hundred households.
Of course, Hong Wuji's rapid rise to prominence was inseparable from the strong support of Lü Qiyue and his Lü family.
Among Lü Qiyue's many sons-in-law, he was most satisfied with Hong Wuji.
"Greetings, Old Grandfather Tai Shan!" After entering the inner chamber, Hong Wuji glanced at Lü Cang and respectfully performed the rites.
"Son-in-law, please dispense with the formalities." Hong Wuji's respectful demeanor made Lü Qiyue quite satisfied. He nodded and asked, "How is Xiangzhi?"
"I spoke recklessly and offended Madam. Today, I have come to ask for your forgiveness, Old Grandfather Tai Shan!" Hong Wuji replied with downcast eyes.
Lü Xiangzhi, Lü Qiyue's daughter, had returned to her maiden home crying a few days ago, saying that Hong Wuji was extremely indifferent to her. Lü Qiyue was naturally aware of this.
"Alas, every family has its own troubles." Lü Qiyue sighed and said, "Xiangzhi has been pampered since childhood. Son-in-law, for my sake, I hope you will be more tolerant."
"I dare not..." The old servant brought a felt mat, and Hong Wuji, having just knelt down, quickly got up and stood respectfully. "Madam is gentle and virtuous, and I, your son-in-law, have been troubled by matters, hence my neglect of Madam."
"Oh? What troubles you?" Lü Qiyue asked.
"State affairs and family affairs," Hong Wuji replied, glancing at Lü Cang again.
"Family affairs? Why family affairs?" Lü Qiyue asked again.
"Isn't it about Brother Fang's affairs?" Hong Wuji replied with a smile.
"Fang'er's affairs? You mean, you know?" Lü Qiyue asked in surprise.
Lü Cang also looked at his brother-in-law in surprise.
"Everyone in the court knows about Lü Cang's affairs now." Hong Wuji replied.
"Min Wuyan, you bully me too much, you insult me too much!" Lü Qiyue said hatefully.
As Lü Qiyue had predicted, the Lü family, with their great tree, attracted much jealousy and hatred. Now that Lü Cang was in trouble, everyone was gloating and watching the Lü family's predicament. Perhaps some people even wanted to use this incident to make a big fuss.
"Lord Tai Shan, please calm your anger..." Hong Wuji knelt down again and said, "Min Wuyan, a mere military official, has insulted a high-ranking minister. We cannot let this matter pass so easily."
Hong Wuji and Min Wuyan indeed had a history of serving in the military together. He had served as a staff officer in Min Wuyan's army. However, times had changed. Min Wuyan and Hong Wuji had different political views. One did not forget the northern expedition to retake lost territory, while the other only knew how to flatter the emperor and seek personal peace. The two had gradually drifted apart, becoming like strangers. Moreover, with Hong Wuji's guilty conscience, they were essentially sworn enemies.
"Good, son-in-law, what brilliant plan do you have?" Lü Qiyue asked with great joy.
Hong Wuji was the Censor of the Imperial Censorate, in charge of supervising all officials in the court. With a few censors, he could easily fabricate excuses and condemn Min Wuyan to death.
"Resolve the major issues and bring peace to the people." Hong Wuji replied.
"Resolve the major issues and bring peace to the people?" Lü Qiyue asked in great surprise.
Lü Cang's buttocks had not yet healed and he had been lying on the ground. Hearing this, he ignored the pain and, with a push of his hands, actually leaped up and pointed at Hong Wuji, shouting, "Hong Wuji, are you truly gloating? My Lü family has suffered such a great humiliation, and you want to bring peace? Without my Lü family, where would you be today? If you can't help, fine, but you want to resolve the major issues? My third sister is who? She actually..."
"Enough, stop your nonsensical talk!" Lü Qiyue reprimanded him before Lü Cang could finish.
Lü Qiyue knew that Hong Wuji had more to say and it was certainly not about resolving major issues and bringing peace.
Lü Cang had no choice but to retreat dejectedly and lie on the ground like a toad again.
"Min Wuyan made great contributions in suppressing the rebellion. His Majesty has already promoted him to Governor of Xiangfan, in charge of the Xiangfan army." Hong Wuji said in a low voice, disdainfully glancing at Lü Cang. "Min Wuyan is currently favored by the Emperor, and his subordinates are elite soldiers and wise generals. Therefore, we cannot act against him at this time."
"Governor of Xiangfan? Who recommended him?" Lü Qiyue was dejected and asked weakly.
Hong Wuji shook his head slightly.
The aristocratic families controlled the court. They had fiefs, and with fiefs came money and grain. With money and grain, they would have troops. Emperor Yang Liang of Xia, to counter or guard against them, would always promote some trusted ministers or generals. Did this require recommendation? If a recommendation was needed, any minister could do it as a formality, and Yang Liang would not refuse.
Therefore, at this moment, Emperor Yang Liang of Xia's promotion of Min Wuyan was self-evident.
"So, does this mean I have to swallow this insult?" Lü Qiyue asked again.
"Currently, it seems so." Hong Wuji nodded. "If one cannot endure small grievances, one will ruin great plans! Old Grandfather Tai Shan, Lü Cang's matter cannot bring him down. Even if he could be brought down, he could not be put to death. Moreover, acting at this time would be seen as petty by Old Grandfather Tai Shan. Therefore, it is best to resolve the major issues and bring peace. This will not only show the magnanimity of the Lü family but also avoid offending the current emperor."
"Brother-in-law, what about my revenge...? Was this beating in vain? The humiliation of my Lü family..." Lü Cang asked.
"Not so!" Hong Wuji glanced at Lü Cang and said lightly, "Wild beasts always hide in the dark when hunting prey, while the prey is in plain sight."
"Haha, son-in-law, you speak wisely. This is indeed the most prudent plan!" Lü Qiyue nodded in approval with a laugh.
Although Lü Qiyue nodded and laughed, a shiver ran down his spine involuntarily.
...
"Please take the honored seat!"
Lü Qiyue respectfully invited the Grand Master of Luxiang, Huo Yao, into his mansion.
Lü Qiyue's official rank was far higher than Huo Yao's, but he did not dare to neglect Huo Yao, because the Huo family was a powerful aristocratic family from Wu Commandery in Jiangdong, deeply entrenched in Jiangdong.
Lü Qiyue, following Hong Wuji's advice, temporarily suppressed his anger and put on an act of magnanimity. He announced that Lü Cang would be confined to his home for three months and sent conciliatory words to Min Wuyan, thus earning widespread praise.
After Lü Qiyue's household servants worked diligently, the guests and host took their seats. Lü Qiyue said to Huo Yao, "Has Lord Lu heard of my son Fang's affairs?"
"Lü Cang?" Huo Yao was stunned for a moment and then laughed, "A minor military dispute, nothing to be concerned about. Your son is still so young, yet he is a Cavalry Commandant. He has achieved success at a young age, hehe, success at a young age."
Huo Yao did not understand Lü Qiyue's intention and merely replied casually.
"Hehe, thank you, Lord Lu, for your praise!" Lü Qiyue sighed and said, "My son is unrestrained and incorrigible. However, as a father, I should teach him with kindness. Therefore, Qiyue intends to find a marriage for him. What is your opinion, sir?"
Lü Qiyue and his son Lü Cang had not been idle during these three months. Lü Qiyue was busy arranging a marriage for Lü Cang so that he would "focus his heart and turn to goodness."
In this world, aristocratic families often resorted to marriage alliances to forge or strengthen their ties. The purpose of these alliances was naturally to seek profit, status, or economic benefits, or to maintain the family's prestige.
As an aristocratic family, the Lü family naturally sought a match of equal standing. Thus, they set their sights on Huo Yao's legitimate daughter, Lu Huo Wanrou, and wished to marry her.
Lu Huo Wanrou, Huo Yao's legitimate daughter, was exceptionally talented, intelligent, and as beautiful as a celestial being. She was one of the Four Great Talented Women of Jiangnan and one of the Ten Great Beauties of Jiangnan. Lü Qiyue and his son had long heard of her.
Lü Cang was in his early twenties, and Lu Huo Wanrou was sixteen. Their ages were also comparable.
With similar family backgrounds, a match of equal standing, and comparable ages, this marriage was naturally a fait accompli, or at least so Lü Qiyue and his son believed.
As marriages were arranged by parents and matchmakers, the matchmaker would naturally visit first. However, they had given prior notice, and both families had some intentions, so it would not seem too abrupt.
Therefore, after the court session, Lü Qiyue directly invited Huo Yao to his mansion.
There was also a hidden sense of inferiority in Lü Qiyue's heart. Who was Lü Cang? A notorious prodigal son in the capital, unrestrained and dissolute. On the other hand, Lu Huo Wanrou was one of the Four Great Talented Women of Jiangnan and one of the Ten Great Beauties of Jiangnan... Therefore, Lü Qiyue was lowering his status today and humbling himself to propose marriage proactively. httpδ:/m.kuAisugg.nět
After the Xia imperial family moved south, many northern aristocratic families followed them to Jiangnan. The Lü family was one of them. At that time, the northern aristocratic families controlled the court and continuously suppressed and excluded the Jiangnan aristocratic families. Therefore, Lü Qiyue's proactive proposal at this time could indeed be considered a condescending act.