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Chapter 584 Funeral
“You’re right. He did have that intention back then. I only realized this after I returned to the capital and discovered how powerful the Duke of Yan’s influence had become.” Lu Qing nodded in agreement with Zhu Yu’s words and added, “He didn’t send Lu Chao to Shanqing Temple entirely to keep him away from the dangers in the capital.”

At that time, the affairs of the court were very busy, and that person was also overwhelmed with work, so he really couldn't take care of Lu Chao all the time.

It was precisely because of his high position that he understood even more that the more he valued Lu Chao and took care of him in every way, the more dangerous Lu Chao's situation would become. It is easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against a hidden arrow. If he made the slightest mistake, he and his wife's only child would lose his life.

Therefore, he was cold to Lu Chao. Rumors circulated that he would feel saddened by seeing Lu Chao, who looked very much like Empress Wang, and that someone had calculated that this child was the one who caused Empress Wang's death. Therefore, he disliked this son. These rumors were actually spread by him himself.

Sending Lu Chao to Shanqing Temple for recuperation served two purposes: firstly, to give him a chance to escape the hidden dangers in the capital; and secondly, to give him the opportunity to spend time with me and cultivate a brotherly bond.

After all, the other brothers and Lu Chao were half-brothers. They were all sons of the emperor. No matter how brotherly they appeared on the surface, they might have harbored ambitions to take high positions in the future.

But I am different. I am not a royal heir, so even if I have ambitions, they are not legitimate. Therefore, if I can befriend the Lu Dynasty and stand in its camp in the future, it will undoubtedly be a great help to the Lu Dynasty in inheriting the throne.

The previous Chi Fuwei was originally his spy placed by my side, to help me pass on messages for the Golden-Faced Censor.

Later, we set up a scheme at the Lizhou camp, pushing Situ Jing to Lu Chao's side. I reckon it was after that that he truly started to trust me.

"This is another reason why I feel so conflicted." Zhu Yu felt extremely puzzled. "You say he treats you badly, but he tries every means to save your life and teach you skills."

But if you say he's so good to you, yet he's always scheming against you, guarding against you, watching you closely, making you learn skills, and then making you do some dirty work that offends people..." Zhu Yu felt that Emperor Jin was such a contradictory person that it was baffling.

“He treated me very well and was willing to cultivate me, but what he wanted to cultivate was never a capable son, but a useful minister.”

The brutality of the struggle for the throne back then was beyond our imagination. The fact that he was able to win in the end is enough to show that he was not a person who acted impulsively, but a shrewd and ruthless person with a deep mind.

Therefore, his words and actions cannot be judged by emotions.

His treatment of me stemmed from two reasons: firstly, a sense of duty to my grandfather and father, and secondly, a desire to cultivate an ally who would never be swayed by the Duke of Yan. Lu Qing explained to her, "Originally, he allowed the Duke of Yan to cultivate his own faction, actually to discern which of the many ministers in the court were on whose side."

After that, Chi Fuwei never appeared around me outside of Jin Kingdom again, which can be seen as a sign that he was reassured about the alliance between me and Lu Dynasty.

Lu Qing's words cleared up Zhu Yu's previous confusion, but she still couldn't help but purse her lips: "Really, you and Lu Chao were really kindred spirits, and your brotherly relationship was very good. But after he did this, it just makes people feel a bit disgusted."

"It's alright. I know what kind of person Lu Chao is, and he knows what kind of person I am. That's enough." Lu Qing smiled faintly. "Whether for public or private reasons, we will both stand on the same side. Whether it's for our own interests or for the interests of the people, it's the same. As for that one, as the ruler of a country and the sovereign of the world, he also has his own plans. Over the years, he has allowed various forces to operate freely. Besides distinguishing factions, this is also a form of checks and balances."

He was biased towards Lu Chao, but towards me, from returning my grandfather's golden silk armor to the day we last met, he even casually mentioned that someone in my family had "died" in a place near that location. I suppose that could be considered a way of showing consideration for our past relationship.

Although Zhu Yu still felt somewhat annoyed and indignant on Lu Qing's behalf, she also knew that Lu Qing was right.

Then, on a second thought, she jumped up from the stool: "Oh dear, shouldn't we find He Min and let him do his job?"

"Well, let's see how things are outside first. If this matter puts He Min in danger, then all our efforts will have been in vain."

Lu Qing nodded, knowing that Zhu Yu's previous confusion should have been resolved. He then called Fu Wen in and asked him about the situation he had been asked to keep an eye out for outside.

“Master, Madam, the shoe store is open as usual today, but only their manager is greeting customers. I haven’t seen Gu Lingyun.” Fu Wen replied, “Ever since Madam returned with the custom-made clothes, I have been keeping a close eye on her, and Gu Lingyun has not shown her face again.”

“It looks like it’s hidden…” Lu Qing thought for a moment. “In that case, you go back with He Min. This is a good opportunity for him to go home and get things sorted out, and to take care of his daughter’s funeral arrangements. The body probably won’t be able to stay in the morgue any longer.”

After you've taken care of these things and finished his tasks, you can bring him back safely. Make sure nothing happens to him.

"Yes!" Fu Wen clasped his hands in a fist salute, then turned and strode off to find He Min.

The two set off quickly. Liu Yueyao sent a spacious carriage to take them out of the city. After all, once He Min returned to handle his daughter's funeral, he probably wouldn't go back to his original estate again, so he would need to pack some things to bring back.

In addition, Liu Yueyao also gave He Min a bag of loose silver. He Min initially refused to accept it no matter what, but Liu Yueyao smiled and said, "Mr. He, there is no need to refuse. You have been teaching everyone to read in the pavilion these days. Consider this your reward. The extra amount is an advance payment."

Go back and get your daughter a decent coffin. Since something like this has happened, she deserves a dignified funeral.

He Min did not refuse again, and accepted it with profuse thanks. Before getting into the car, he bowed deeply to Lu Qing, nodded to him, and then set off with Fu Wen.

The day after the two set off, which was also the day after the Lady of Yan's birthday banquet, Duke Zhao Bi of Yan chose to take the initiative. During the morning court session, he brought the robe that had been soaked the day before into the palace, knelt down in front of the main hall, and burst into tears.