Jiuxi

Chapter 629: 627 [Waiting Alone for the Dream to Wake Up]

In Taipingfang, the Wang family mansion.

Just talking about the area and regulations of a particular house, they did not exceed the limit. After all, Wang An and Wang Cheng did not have an official status yet, and the former obviously understood the way of keeping a low profile and forbearance.

However, most of the houses on this street were bought by the Wang family. The Wang family provided the money and Lu Tong provided the labor, and there was also Lu Chen's face. In addition, Wang An's generosity far exceeded the selling price, so no one dared to make things difficult for them maliciously.

Wang Cheng and his family live in the three-story house with east and west courtyards next to the main house.

In the main room of the east courtyard, Jinshu looked out the window at the bright morning light. His eyes fell on the desk beside the large desk. He looked at the figure immersed in calligraphy and walked forward to say with concern, "Miss, it's still early. Do you want to sleep a little longer?"

Wang Chulong kept writing and said calmly, "Since you are up, why should you sleep any more? Besides, I slept enough last night and don't feel tired at all."

Jinshu couldn't help but pout, thinking silently: "Miss, you clearly waited until the end of the night before lying down, and you only slept for less than three hours in total, and you tossed and turned and didn't sleep well at all. That gentleman was really..."

"What are you mumbling about?"

"Ah? Miss, I didn't say anything."

"I can tell what you are thinking from your expression. Are you silently blaming Lord Lu in your heart?"

Wang Chulong stopped writing, blew gently on the ink, then looked up at her closest maid with a half-smile.

Jinshu subconsciously shrank her neck and whispered, "How dare I criticize you, Master? I just thought that since you have already returned to Guangling and know that Miss is here, you could just send someone to tell her."

"It's not in accordance with etiquette."

Wang Chulong looked at the calligraphy on the table and said, "He has been exhausted from the long journey and hasn't seen Mr. Lu for years. He must have a lot of things to discuss. Even if he wants to go out to meet guests, he should go to see Sister Lin first. They met when they were little, supported each other along the way, and experienced countless hardships together. How can I compare with Sister Lin?"

If it were someone else, these words would inevitably be misunderstood as being pretentious, but Jinshu knew in her heart that her young lady said this because she really thought so.

She lowered her head and said, "Miss, please don't blame me. I will never let my imagination run wild again."

Wang Chulong hesitated for a moment, but finally explained: "He handed all the secret personnel of the Lu family to me. How deep is his trust? If I can't even understand his intentions, but keep entangled in some trivial details, wouldn't I be betraying his trust? From now on, you must remember this firmly."

Jinshu responded obediently, "Yes, Miss."

The reason why Wang Chulong made such a special explanation was because her wedding date was approaching and Jinshu would definitely be one of her dowry maids.

This maidservant has always been close to her. If she doesn't change her habits soon, there will be trouble in the Lu family's backyard in the future. After all, it is impossible for a dignified county lord to have only two wives. The Lu family has been a single-line family for two generations, and it is Lu Chen's responsibility to have more children.

At this time, another personal maid named Yusu walked into the main room and said respectfully, "Miss, the master has asked someone to tell him that Master Lu will be at the main house soon."

Jinshu's eyes lit up.

Wang Chulong's eyes were gentle, and he nodded, "I understand."

After Yusu left, Jinshu said happily, "Miss, the master is coming!"

"No hurries?"

Wang Chulong smiled and shook her head, saying, "He will definitely need to talk to my uncle for a while, so just wait patiently."

Having said that, she couldn't hide the excitement in her heart.

In fact, she and Lu Chen haven't seen each other for a year. How could she not miss him?

If not for this, why would she have waited till midnight last night and even had a restless sleep.

Fortunately... we can finally see each other again.

Wang Chulong sighed secretly, raised his eyes to look at the lush greenery in the courtyard outside the window, and a complex emotion emerged in his long eyes.

On the other side, outside the main residence of the Wang family, the middle door was wide open, and Wang An, Wang Cheng and more than a dozen clansmen were standing there waiting respectfully.

Since the family moved to Guangling, the Wang family has been particularly low-key. Except for the Lu family and Guangling prefect Zhan Hui, they declined all other visitors, and they are well aware of the way of survival of the aristocratic family.

Wang An stood at the front, his eyes gentle and calm.

The head of the most powerful family in the north and former prime minister of the State of Yan did not feel uncomfortable with such a humble attitude.

The sound of horse hooves could be heard along the long street.

More than ten riders came slowly.

Wang An led the others forward, bowed and said, "I pay my respects to the Duke of Shanyang."

The etiquette is impeccable.

Lu Chen got off his horse, came up to Wang An, held his arms, and said sternly, "Uncle, why are you so polite?"

Wang An smiled and said, "The state gift is the most important, how can we neglect it?" "Never do this again in the future."

Lu Chen said in a resolute tone, and then looked at Wang Cheng and said, "Master Taishan, why don't you try to persuade Uncle Shi?"

Calling Wang Cheng "Lord Taishan" made him feel comfortable all over, and the other members of the Wang family looked at Lu Chen with particularly friendly eyes.

Wang Cheng quickly shook his head and said, "An Zhong is right. Why should Jing An be so rigid?"

After all, he was Lu Chen's father-in-law for sure. If Wang Chulong called him "Master" like everyone else, it would damage her dignity. So she had to call him by his courtesy name, which was not inappropriate.

Anzhong is Wang An's courtesy name.

Lu Chen was slightly startled.

As his status grew higher, people addressed him more respectfully. Now, except for a very few people in this world, no one is qualified to call him by his courtesy name.

Lu Chen, Lu Jing'an, this courtesy name comes from an old friend.

"Your name consists of just one character, Chen. Your father should be named after someone who is resolute, dignified, and stable. I thought about it last night and felt that the characters Jing'an and An are more appropriate. What do you think?"

These words quietly emerged in Lu Chen's mind.

Although the late emperor has passed away, the traces he left behind will not disappear, and memories often surge up in such inadvertent details.

Wang An looked at his expression and had a plan in mind. He then said inconspicuously, "County Lord, please."

At this time, Lu Chen had suppressed his melancholy and said with a smile: "Please."

The group arrived at the main hall, where servants served them tea. Wang Cheng and other clan members bowed and left, leaving the two masters some time to talk.

Lu Chen first expressed his praise on behalf of the emperor for Wang Shi of Zhai Lin's actions in restoring order, and Wang An then stood up to express his gratitude.

After going through the official procedures, Lu Chen said solemnly: "The Battle of Yongqiu can be carried out thanks to the amazing actions of my uncle in Heluo City. In fact, this matter is extremely risky. If you are not careful, you will fall into a desperate situation. I am very grateful that my uncle is willing to take this risk for Da Qi."

Wang An sighed and said slowly, "When I asked Chu Long to take the Dongyang Road troop deployment map to the south, the Wang family had no way out. Being indecisive will only lead to their own destruction. In the final analysis, this is the Wang family's own choice. If they don't have enough merit, how can they make up for the mistake they made twenty years ago? Don't worry about it, Lord."

"Having said that, not everyone has the courage to risk their lives."

Lu Chen sighed softly, and then said: "When I was in Heluo City, I witnessed the decisiveness of my uncle. What he did later made me admire him even more."

Wang An looked at his sincere expression and gradually understood the deep meaning behind these praises.

Unlike his elder brother Wang Cheng, he showed a vision and scheming far beyond his peers since he was young. When he took over the Wang family's foundation, he became more and more adept at maneuvering among the many powerful families in the north. Later, he quietly observed people's hearts in the court of Yan State for more than ten years. In terms of his scheming, he was definitely not comparable to ordinary people.

After thinking for a while, he said calmly and calmly: "It was just forced by the situation. I had no choice but to do it. I don't deserve such praise. Now that the Wang family has moved to Guangling under the care of your father, the burden on my shoulders can finally be unloaded. From now on, I just want to live a peaceful life and no longer work hard on paperwork."

Lu Chen secretly praised the wise man, but still shook his head and said, "Uncle, what you said is wrong. The Wang family has made great contributions to Da Qi this time, and the court will naturally not ignore it. Before leaving, His Majesty specially summoned me to discuss and prepare to let Uncle serve as an official in the central government. Since Master Taishan is obsessed with literature, he may be able to serve as the principal of Fengya Academy. There is no shortage of talented people in the younger generation of the Wang family, and the court needs them to serve."

The hall seemed very quiet.

Wang An said calmly, "My Lord, I didn't say anything pretentiously. Although the Wang family has made some minor contributions, the rebellion back then was known to the world. It is fortunate that Your Majesty and the officials in the court are willing to accept us again. Don't mention the matter of entering the central government directly, otherwise it will cause criticism from the world. If the children of the Wang family want to pursue a career in officialdom, they will act according to the rules of the court, either taking the imperial examination or joining the army. This is the right way. As for my brother...if he is willing to teach at the Fengya Academy, I will naturally not object."

Lu Chen looked at the calm demeanor of the middle-aged man and could not help but nod slightly.

This is the grace and confidence that the head of a noble family should have.

He does not need the Da Qi court to deliberately promote him. As long as the Wang family's children are given a fair opportunity to compete, they will be able to take advantage of the situation.

In fact, Lu Chen's words were half sincere and half testing.

As long as Wang Chulong marries into the Lu family, the Wang family will inevitably bear Lu Chen's mark.

This is not a simple matter involving just a few talented people. Once Lu Chen opens that loophole, many members of the Wang family will inevitably appear in the forces under his command.

On the one hand, as Lin Xi said, this force will be of great help to Lu Chen's career. As long as the Lu and Wang families are united, the fate of both sides will be closely related, and those Wang family members are worthy of Lu Chen's trust.

The problem is that once they gain real power, they will naturally form a very close-knit group.

This is a hidden danger that Lu Chen must consider, and it is also one of the very important reasons why he came to the Wang family today.

Thinking of this, Lu Chen said leisurely: "Uncle is indifferent to fame and fortune, but His Majesty will definitely not agree. Now I am just here to let you know, and there will most likely be an imperial decree to summon you to the capital later."

Wang An smiled slightly and said earnestly: "My Lord, to be honest, if I were interested in the officialdom, why would I stay in Guangling with the Wang family?"

Lu Chen looked into his eyes, and suddenly something occurred to him. He said, "So that's how it is. Not only do you not want to go to Jiangnan, but Guangling is just a stopover for the Wang family on the way."

Wang An was startled, then said sincerely, "My Lord, please see me."

(End of this chapter)