World's First Traitor System (375)

Chapter 375 - Father-in-law Lu Chunqiu

Lu Fubao was exceptionally beautiful, her appearance and demeanor was beyond reproach, and possessed the bearing of an Empress.

For a moment, the five patriarchs were spellbound!

Lu Zhi was the first to recover and quickly knelt in a formal bow.

“Your servant, Lu Zhi of the Zhuo Commandery, greets Your Majesty, the Empress!”

Zhang Xutuo, Dou Wangsun, Yin Junling, and Kou Ziyi were a beat slower to react, but their expressions were no less respectful as they too bowed to the ground.

Upon the imperial steps, Lu Fubao remained composed regardless of praise or criticism. She raised her head slightly and gazed down at the five families with a smile of absolute confidence.

Only after they had completed their formal greetings did Lu Fubao’s clear and melodious voice echo through the Golden Luan Palace.

"Esteemed ministers, please rise.”

Her words, though simple, conveyed the authority of a ruler, affirming her subjects' loyalty, a command that was as natural as the rising of the sun.

The five patriarchs were astounded.

The Great Jin Empress’s presence was overwhelming, instilling them with respect at their first meeting!

This was exactly the effect that Lu Fubao intended.

She stood there, not only representing herself, but also her husband, Fan Li, and the supreme authority of the Great Jin Emperor.

Hierarchy was essential!

The five patriarchs began to sweat.

They suddenly regretted their decision to enter the capital without an invitation, for this was sa sign of disrespect.

To force their way into the palace was even worse.

What would the Empress think of them?

Having left their homes, if they now offended Great Jin, where would they find a place for themselves?

“What brings my esteemed ministers to the palace?” Lu Fubao asked with a smile, as if she were unaware of their reasons.

“This…”

Lu Zhi and the others began to sweat profusely.

They had no personal agenda, they had only feared that with the Emperor absent, the nation would descend into chaos. Thus, they had come seeking to restore order.

But now, it seemed they had worried needlessly.

No!

It couldn’t be needless worry!

The Empress was brilliant, and the ministers were diligent and hardworking, but Great Jin’s court was too new. The kingdom was developing, and there were too many affairs to handle with so few people.

The five families needed to serve in the court!

It wasn't to usurp power, heavens knew, they acted with only the good of the kingdom in their hearts!

“Your Majesty, we have come to….”

Lu Zhi was interrupted by the voice of Eunuch Qin Shun.

“Reporting to Her Majesty, the Empress, the Imperial Father-in-law has arrived.”

The five patriarchs were stunned.

Imperial Father-in-law?

That wasn't an official title.

A father-in-law’s prestige came from his daughter’s position. While noble, he was not a government official. The Golden Luan Palace was a place for discussing affairs of state. It was inappropriate for a family member to come here to meddle with the government.

This thought had barely entered Lu Zhi’s mind when he remembered something.

The old man cried out in shock!

“The... the Imperial Father-in-law… could it be…!?”

There had been so many surprises today that he had almost forgotten that the Empress was that man’s daughter!

“Father,””

From atop the dais, Lu Fubao’s voice was filled with joy. She gracefully stepped down and walked quickly towards the approaching figure.

The five patriarchs looked towards the entrance and saw an elderly man. He wore simple white robes, resembling a hermit. His eyes, deep and knowing, hinted at a wisdom, learning, and cultivation that transcended ordinary men. His smile was both warm and welcoming, like a loving elder. It was as if everyone was his beloved younger generation.

"Father, you've come."

Lu Fubao stood before the old man and bowed deeply.

"Your daughter greets her father.”

If she were not in the Golden Luan Palace, Lu Fubao would have surely run to Lu Chunqiu and called him "Daddy."

“Hehehe.” Lu Chunqiu laughed, “You have become an Empress. You look the part, I’m glad that all my efforts to teach you have not been wasted.”

“Husband… His Majesty isn't here, please support your daughter,” Lu Fubao said.

“Of course, of course,”

As Lu Chunqiu spoke, his gaze swept across the five men in the palace.

The five patriarchs, previously standing, instinctively bowed their heads upon meeting his gaze!

“Teacher!”

Lu Zhi and the other four had once studied in Lu City. However, none of them had stayed long enough to become a formal disciple of Lu Chunqiu.

Nevertheless, they had all learned the Lu family’s Confucian teachings, and had benefited greatly from them.

Among the five patriarchs, Lu Zhi was the most dedicated Confucian scholar, and often considered himself Lu Chunqiu's student!

“Oh?”

Lu Chunqiu nodded with a smile, but remained silent.

He casually picked up the memorial that Lu Fubao had just reviewed, like a teacher checking his student's homework.

Lu Chunqiu read it carefully, and the five patriarchs watched him with bated breath, afraid to disturb him.

"Ah!"

Lu Zhi sighed inwardly.

‘I studied in Lu City, and it has already been several decades. My teacher's students are countless. How can he possibly remember someone as mediocre as myself?’

He then remembered that, in Confucianism, the highest ideals were to "continue the learning of past sages, secure the well-being of the people, and bring peace to the world for all generations."

But the Han Dynasty, which he had devoted his efforts to supporting, was now just a distant memory.

‘As a student, I didn't leave even the slightest impression in my teacher's mind.’

‘As a subject, I also failed to support my country and guide it towards the correct path.’

‘I, Lu Zhi, am known by many, but I have proven myself to be an empty vessel. How can I face my teacher today?’

Lost in his self-condemnation, tears began to flow.

The other four patriarchs, with thoughts similar to Lu Zhi’s, were also moved.

Though they didn’t shed any tears, their eyes were bloodshot, their hearts filled with self-reproach.

“Hmm?”

Lu Chunqiu finished reading the memorial and was pleased with his daughter’s handling of the affairs of state.

Then, he noticed someone sobbing, and looked at them curiously.

"Lu Zhi, why are you weeping?"

Lu Zhi was taken aback. Ignoring the tears on his face, he replied, trembling, “Teacher, you… you still… still remember your student?”

“How could I not?” Lu Chunqiu smiled. “When I inherited the title of Marquis Wenxin and first began teaching, I had only three hundred and sixty-five students. You were among them, the oldest. I naturally remember you.”

He paused briefly and continued, “All these years, you have toiled tirelessly for the Han Dynasty. Though the results were… unfortunate, I am still proud of you for your efforts.”

"Teacher!"

Lu Zhi kneeled to the ground, tears streaming down his face.

Since the Han Dynasty had fallen, Lu Zhi had been consumed by guilt and self-blame, and had even contemplated taking his own life and following Emperor Liu Xie in death. If not for his family ties and responsibilities, he would have done so long ago.

Lu Chunqiu’s words struck a chord within his heart, moved him to tears.

“You four are good too,”

Lu Chunqiu’s gaze swept over Zhang Xutuo, Dou Wangsun, Yin Junling, and Kou Ziyi.

“You have upheld your duties, served your rulers faithfully, and acted with the well-being of the people in mind, I was honored to guide you.”

The four men were moved and declared they did not deserve such praise.

As they spoke, the five patriarchs noticed several figures standing outside the Golden Luan Palace.

They were scholars, clad in the robes of Confucian academics. Some of them were familiar, even renowned figures. And without exception, all these scholars were Lu Chunqiu’s disciples!

“Teacher, why have you suddenly come to Great Jin?” Zhang Xutuo asked, bewildered. His tone conveyed confusion and respect.

“Oh, I have brought men to serve His Majesty.”

Lu Chunqiu replied casually.

"To be honest, we are all now serving the same kingdom. I led seventy-one scholars from Lu City to Great Jin to serve in the court and fill the empty positions in the government."

The five patriarchs were all stunned!

Everyone knew that Lu Chunqiu had three thousand disciples, among them were seventy-two outstanding Confucian scholars.

Aside from Yan Yuan, who had passed away, the other seventy-one had become experts in various fields, but had not yet formally joined any court.

With their talent and cultivation, all kingdoms would have welcomed them with open arms.

But Great Jin?

To receive all seventy-one scholars!

With that, how could Great Jin be considered an insignificant kingdom anymore?

Within a few years, it would rival all others, a power to be reckoned with!

The five patriarchs were shaken. The last traces of concern they had held for Great Jin vanished completely. Great Jin was a kingdom with endless potential, needing only time to grow.

And with its location amidst the Southern Ridge Mountains, far from the central plains, it would be safe and secure, and the flow of time would be ample.

Lu Chunqiu and Lu Fubao saw the change in their expressions and exchanged a knowing glance.

Lu Chunqiu had come to support Fan Li, to reinforce his position.

To defend against external enemies was important, but stabilizing their hearts was even more crucial.

The five families were the cornerstone of Great Jin’s growth, and their allegiance, despite Fan Li’s capture, was never to be questioned.

"Teacher, we were impetuous earlier and have committed a grave offense..."

Lu Zhi, now humbled, knelt before Lu Fubao.

The other four knelt alongside him.

Lu Fubao, seeing their remorse, finally breathed a sigh of relief. Her father’s presence had been more effective than all her attempts to control the situation.

"My esteemed ministers, you acted with the good of the kingdom in mind, what fault is there in that?”

Lu Fubao was about to reassure them and completely settle their unease when suddenly, a three-year-old girl toddled into the Golden Luan Palace from a side door, reaching out to Lu Fubao.

“Mommy, hold me, Chan’er wants a hug.”

Lu Chunqiu didn’t know about Diao Chan!

Though he accepted his daughter’s decision to leave Great Chu and marry Fan Li, he had always felt conflicted.

Without the proper betrothal gifts and formal ceremony, his daughter, the daughter of a dignified Marquis, had just gotten married like that?

Although he would always support his daughter and her choice, in principle, these were essential!

And so, Lu Chunqiu had come to support Fan Li, and also to prepare a proper wedding ceremony when he returned.

But now, seeing the small, delicate girl, his feelings grew complex!

“My Fubao, has already had a child? And I didn’t even know?”

“Fan Li, whether you are a powerful minister or the Emperor, you will not forget that I am your father-in-law!”