Chapter 118: A game of smoke and shadows 2 (2/2)
The Governor's Mansion, Ningzhuo
The Imperial dispatch officer left hours earlier than the Imperial guards and thanks to his swift house, arrived at Ningzhuo a day earlier than the Imperial guards. Lu Yaozhu wasn't surprised by his Emperor's swift arrival, he had seen first-hand how quick his Emperor was in eliminating all resistance.
The Emperor had been waiting for an opportunity to get rid of the Lu family, how would he let an opportunity like this escape him. Emperor Zhong believe that Fortune favours the brave, he was both swift and fast in his actions.
Lu Yaozhu met the imperial dispatch officer as soon as he arrived at Ningzhuo and relieved him of the documents before sending him on his way. He suspected that the Imperial guards would arrive the next day and instructed the servants to arrange the necessary lodging for them.
Lu Yaozhu and Su Liya had already planned with Physician Shen, two days earlier Su Liya was given a potion that would make her appear to be terribly ill. Physician Shen was called in very early that day the next day after Su Liya was discovered to be vomiting non-stop. After checking her pulse, Su Liya was reported to be suffering from stomach sickness and was ordered to be bedridden for twelve days.
Because of her ill health, Su Liya was exempted from returning to the capital with Lu Yaozhu. Lu Yaozhu accompanied the Imperial guards and the prisoners back to the capital. They didn't stay back at night to rest as often as Lu Yaozhu and his company did during the last trip, in just eight days they were at the capital.
Lu Yaozhu was welcomed by the heads of the joint judicial offices and the ministry of justices at the city gates. The officials from the ministry of justice escorted the prisoners to the detainment cells located at the offices of the ministry of justice while Lu Yaozhu entered the Palace to pay respects to the Emperor.
Today was a day off from court, there was no one at the palace. Lu Yaozhu met the Emperor at the Imperial study. Emperor Zhong was replying to some memorandum submitted earlier by court officials from the various offices. While the daily court session did not hold today and the officials were given a free day, the Emperor was free to rest.
He had to go through the various memorandum submitted before the next court season tomorrow. Emperor Zhong felt a headache coming, he placed the memorandum in his hand back on the table and rubbed his temple gently. He picked up the cold tea on his right arm took a sip, Caihong came in as he returned the teacup to his previous position.
”Your Majesty, General Lu has arrived, he is standing outside and requesting to pay respect”, Caihong said in a quiet tone.
Emperor Zhong sighed and gazed outside the door, ”This nephew of mine is filial, he stops by at our palace as soon as he arrived at the Capital. It is a pity that I can not meet him now, this Emperor is tired and his eyes wary. Tell the general to get some rest, there is no need for these unnecessary formalities when we are all family. Tomorrow is another day”
The Emperor had been working non-stop since having breakfast, it was no surprise that he was too tired to see anyone. Caihong understood the Emperor's words, ”Yes, your Majesty”. He silently retreated but was called back by the Emperor a few steps from the door.
”Eunuch Caihong, inform the domestic department to send over some replenishing tea leaves, Governor Lu travelled from a far distance and instead of going home straight stopped by here. We can not let him go empty-handed”
”The servant understands, your Majesty”.
Emperor Zhong didn't say anything more and just leaned back on the backrest of his seat while rubbing her temple gently. Caihong was an old hand, he knew how to handle everything. There was no need to worry.
Caihong relayed the Emperor's words to Lu Yaozhu when he got out and instructed him to wait. When the tea leaves arrived he handed them to Lu Yaozhu. Lu Yaozhu said his thanks to the Emperor's Chief Eunuch and returned to the Duke's mansion.