Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 420 Eve
Demon or monster...

Judging from Gu Zhanting's situation and the situation in the Demon Realm, the possibility of a demon is still greater.

Demons are limited by the conditions of their innate formation. Although they are strong individually, they are generally scattered and difficult to form a significant force, unlike monsters which are formed as a race.

Long Qinghuang's side couldn't eliminate all the remaining rebels, especially those who weren't previously in the Holy Mountain and Demon Capital. Long Niang could only apprehend them for the time being.

Recently, Long Qinghuang's main actions have likely been to screen out remnants of the rebel party throughout the entire Demon Realm, but what about those who fled to Daqian? It's unclear how many Gu Zhanting has taken in.

And this Grand Elder was probably already there. Lu Xingzhou had long suspected that the Huo family still had a First-Rank Elder hidden away... He just didn't know what role this Elder played in all these messy affairs of the Great Qian Dynasty.

"Old Yang, when you go back this time, keep an eye on this Grand Elder, but don't alert him. If you find that things are hopeless, it's better to do nothing and just lie down and sleep than to alert him, understand?"

"understood."

"Whether you find anything or not, I will remember it. There will always be a place for you here in the future."

Yang Dechang was overjoyed and stood up, bowing with his hands clasped: "Thank you very much, Magistrate."

The change from "young master" to "county magistrate" signifies a shift in the subject. If previously he was working for "the young master of the Huo family," now he is working for Lu Xingzhou, the county magistrate of Danxia.

Lu Xingzhou waved his hand: "No need to be so polite. By the way, what's your relationship with Huo Qi like?"

Yang Dechang said, "I am an elder of the Huo family, and Huo Qi still trusts me quite a bit."

Yang Dechang was indeed an elder of the Huo family. The reason they chose to send him to Xiazhou to observe whether Lu Xingzhou was Huo Shang was because he had seen Huo Shang as a child. He was an elder of the family for many years, having watched many of the young masters grow up, and the entire Huo family trusted him greatly. This time, his failure to properly protect Huo Lu led to his assassination. Most people would have been punished, but he only lost real power; there wasn't much of a serious penalty, and he might even be reinstated soon.

This lenient treatment might normally elicit gratitude from most people, but given that the victim was the eldest son, there's no gratitude to show. Instead, people feel it was an undeserved disaster, causing all those years of hard work to be wasted.

If Yang Dechang were to target the Huo family, he might not be able to do it. But if he were only asked to target Huo Qi, then Yang Dechang would not have any psychological barriers.

“Old Yang…when the time is right, he can put in a good word for the eldest young master. If he does nothing, he might not be able to win the competition for the heir…”

Edward Yang smiled slightly, understanding perfectly.

…………

At the same time, Huo Xingyuan was meeting with the emperor.

"You mean, Lu Xingzhou was attracted to Jiang Yuan at first sight?"

"Yes, they couldn't wait and started messing around in my own home..." Huo Xingyuan was somewhat amused and exasperated: "Even my Huo family isn't that lecherous..."

Gu Zhanting glanced at him. "Come on, back when Sheng Yuanyao was in Xiazhou, your Huo Yu was making advances. Later, Sheng Yuanyao returned to the capital and complained to Sheng Qingfeng about it, and since then, Sheng Qingfeng has completely severed ties with your Huo family. No matter how lecherous Lu Xingzhou is, he's never done anything this ugly."

You still have the nerve to say the Huo family isn't that lecherous? You're definitely a Huo family member, no doubt about it.

He certainly wouldn't mention these things, but pondered for a moment and said, "Jiang Yuan's marriage proposal was originally put forward by Jiang Duxu himself, its meaning being to establish a closer relationship with me. You can act as this bridge for me, but Lu Xingzhou can't... Although that kid is capable, he..."

"Your Majesty," Huo Xingyuan said in a low voice, "In the entire Great Qian Dynasty, who isn't one of Your Majesty's people? Back then, Lu Xingzhou traveled thousands of miles to the capital just to gain prestige at the Pill Academy. He recognized the Great Qian Pill Academy, not the Tianyao Holy Land. Even in this matter in the Northern Frontier, Lu Xingzhou went to provide assistance, wasn't he just relieving the Great Qian Dynasty's predicament? That had nothing to do with Ye Tinglan."

Gu Zhanting nodded.

His attitude towards Lu Xingzhou had never been bad; he bestowed titles and mansions upon him because he felt that this young man still possessed at least a basic sense of loyalty to the emperor and patriotism. Perhaps his stance might waver somewhat, and he might associate closely with important figures like the Grand Preceptor—this is a common human psychology; deep down, they still recognize the Great Qian Dynasty.

To put it bluntly, in the eyes of most people, isn't the Imperial Advisor also a member of the Great Qian Dynasty? As long as the emperor bestows favors, he is still on the emperor's side, and Gu Zhanting still believes in this.

Especially considering Lu Xingzhou's resolute return to China despite the temptations of the Demon Realm, Gu Zhanting had a very good impression of him. Although Lu Xingzhou seemed to be on Long Qinghuang's side regarding the Demon Realm, Gu Zhanting didn't think he played a decisive role. Being under someone else's roof and forced to offer advice was nothing unusual.

Therefore, Gu Zhanting's desire for the Huo family to manage their internal affairs properly and avoid such a "chaotic" situation stems from the fact that Gu Zhanting has high hopes for Lu Xingzhou and hopes that Huo Xingyuan can resolve the conflict with Lu Xingzhou.

The real issue is that a person who is loyal to the emperor and loves his country is not the same as a person who does personal favors for Gu Zhanting...

Gu Zhanting has a lot of lousy work to do with the Huo family, but he won't let the Pei family do it. This doesn't mean he doesn't trust Pei Qingyan.

Lu Xingzhou is now somewhat resembling Pei Qingyan. Even if Gu Zhanting considers him as a potential future prime minister, he won't mix personal matters with it; they are two separate things.

Another problem with Lu Xingzhou is that he's Shen Tang's man. If Gu Zhanting relies on Lu Xingzhou, Shen Tang will only help him in the future. Of course, she's also his daughter, so from Lu Xingzhou's perspective, it's not wrong, but this makes Gu Zhanting's feelings complicated.

His feelings towards Shen Tang were already complicated.

“Your Majesty,” Huo Xingyuan said in a low voice, “Shen Tang is Shen Tang, and Lu Xingzhou is Lu Xingzhou. There is at least one difference. Even if Shen Tang told Lu Xingzhou her identity, she couldn’t possibly tell him the whole story of how she broke her leg… Even if she did tell him, in the eyes of the people, a child shouldn’t hold a grudge against his parents for breaking their leg. In other words, in Lu Xingzhou’s heart, he not only has no estrangement from Your Majesty, but also has something to ask of you…” Gu Zhanting’s heart stirred slightly.

Huo Xingyuan said, "If Lu Xingzhou regards His Majesty as his father-in-law, then private matters become family matters."

Gu Zhanting paced back and forth a few times.

Not to mention Lu Xingzhou, even Shen Tang herself, Gu Zhanting didn't think she would hold a grudge, so he often felt a sense of guilt and wanted to help her.

No matter what, even if the position is given to Shen Tang in the future, she will still be a member of our own bloodline.

If Lu Xingzhou becomes part of the family, then naturally there will be private matters that can be entrusted to him. Even if it is entrusted to Shen Tang herself, Shen Tang will most likely cooperate very well.

"So you mean I should simply bestow Yitang upon Lu Xingzhou in marriage?"

"Excellent... In this way, Lu Xingzhou will surely be grateful to His Majesty. From now on, we will be truly family. Why should we worry about Lu Xingzhou not being able to get things done?"

Gu Zhanting glanced at him with a half-smile: "Huo Qing..."

Huo Xingyuan hurriedly bowed and said, "Your subject is here."

"This matter didn't need to be so complicated... Even if Lu Xingzhou has taken a liking to Jiang Yuan, so what? First come, first served. Your birth dates have already changed, so just continue with the process and that's it. Why should we consider giving it to Lu Xingzhou?"

"I truly felt ashamed of this child back then, and this is the best way to let bygones be bygones."

"I'm afraid it's more than that." Gu Zhanting sneered, "Not only have you reconciled, but you've also become the father of the imperial son-in-law, and may even become the father-in-law of the emperor in the future. You've really placed all your bets on Yitang."

Indeed, this was the real reason why Huo Xingyuan was willing to go to such lengths. Huo Xingyuan, having his hidden thoughts exposed, immediately knelt down: "Your Majesty is in the prime of life. Even if I die, Your Majesty will still live on for thousands of years. I have never considered such things."

Gu Zhanting remained noncommittal, pacing back and forth a few more times. After a long while, he said, "If it were anything else, I could consider your suggestion. But this matter concerns the Ancient Realm, and it is of great importance. I cannot trust you."

Huo Xingyuan was taken aback, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart. Then he heard Gu Zhanting say, "We can't let Lu Xingzhou act as a bridge in the Jiang family's affairs, or it will cause problems. But I can appease Lu Xingzhou by bestowing a marriage upon him with Tang, and he should be satisfied."

Huo Xingyuan: "..."

That's not wrong. Lu Xingzhou should be satisfied to some extent. He has Shen Tang, so he may not need Jiang Yuan anymore.

This is very likely Lu Xingzhou's bottom line demand.

But this won't help Lu Xingzhou reconcile with the Huo family... However, considering that I entered the palace to fight for his marriage to Shen Tang, it should be alright? At least the relationship will ease a lot.

As for the Jiang family's affairs, it's not necessarily up to Gu Zhanting to decide. Jiang Duxu is Gu Zhanting's collaborator, not his subordinate, and Jiang Duxu's own wishes are very important. How this matter is discussed depends on Jiang Duxu; Huo Xingyuan can't play much of a role.

He said nothing more and withdrew respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty's thoughts are reasonable. Then I shall take my leave."

…………

Lu Xingzhou had just seen Yang Dechang off when the door was kicked open before it was even closed.

Upon closer inspection, it was Sheng Yuanyao.

Lu Xingzhou paused, looking at Sheng Yuanyao's slightly red eyes: "What... happened?"

"Lu Xingzhou!" Sheng Yuanyao grabbed his collar and shoved him into the courtyard: "You went to steal Huo Xingyuan's wife and even got engaged! You've only met her a few times? Huh? She's an assassin who tried to kill you and me! Are you really that desperate?"

Lu Xingzhou closed the door helplessly: "It's not what you think. My relationship with her is just a collaboration. I helped her ruin her engagement with Huo Xingyuan, and she told me about the Ancient Realm. In addition, the Jiang family will be a very important link in future matters concerning the Ancient Realm."

"Why risk your own marriage?" Sheng Yuanyao shouted. "What if it really works out? Are you saying that even if it does, you won't lose anything?"

Lu Xingzhou opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.

Sheng Yuanyao shouted, "What about me? You can discuss marriage with a woman you just met, what am I to you! Are we really brothers? You bastard!"

The fist slammed into his chest, but Lu Xingzhou grabbed it and whispered, "You're willing?"

"Huh? You're asking me this!" Sheng Yuanyao was furious. "If I didn't want to, would I be hugging and kissing you? Do you take me, Sheng Yuanyao, for some easy person? I don't want to interfere with Shen Tang's relationship, but not to give it to a newcomer! If you were to discuss marriage with Shen Tang, I wouldn't say anything, but you're discussing it with a newcomer, what am I to you!"

Seeing the usually carefree Gua Mei suddenly become so tense, Lu Xingzhou lowered his head and gently kissed her forehead, whispering, "If you're willing... wait for me for one night, just one night."

(End of this chapter)