Chapter 283: Chapter 283: Lives and Fortunes Are at Stake

During the morning court session, the Emperor brought up the issue of the Yellow River floods and asked the assembled officials for a solution, but no one stepped forward.

Just as the Emperor was about to grow angry, Lu Zhan stepped out. "In accordance with Emperor Gaozu’s edict to ’manage floods and their causes concurrently,’ we should take a three-pronged approach. First, following Pan Jixun’s method of ’channeling water to scour away silt,’ we should build two hundred and eighty *li* of dikes.

Second, exempt the disaster-stricken areas from the grain tribute for this year and the next.

Third, dispatch an Imperial Censor to strictly investigate the powerful landowners who have built polder fields."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor’s expression softened. "What you say is quite reasonable, Mr. Lu. We will consider the plan you have proposed."

Afterward, the Emperor and his ministers discussed some military matters on the frontier.

Before dismissing the court, the Emperor, in front of all the officials, lavishly praised and encouraged Lu Zhan for his inspection tour of Jiangnan. He then brought up Zhi Yu, the County Magistrate of Jurong, expressing great regret over his passing. Out of pity for his orphaned daughter, Zhi Wan, he specially enfeoffed her as a County Princess and decreed her marriage to Lu Zhan.

Hearing this, Xuanyuan Hongjun stared at Lu Zhan with a dark expression.

Facing the Crown Prince’s grim stare, Lu Zhan remained calm and composed. He lifted the hem of his robe, knelt in the direction of the Emperor, and kowtowed. "Thank you, Your Majesty. This humble servant, on behalf of my fiancée, Zhi Wan, kowtows in gratitude for your imperial grace!"

"Rise, Mr. Lu, rise." The Emperor was delighted and had an eunuch deliver the imperial edict into Lu Zhan’s hands.

After the court session ended, Ouyang Lei walked beside Lu Zhan with a cheerful expression and said in a low voice, "Old Lu, that’s you for you. You actually managed to get a title for Cousin Zhi Wan and even secured an imperial marriage decree. This way, no matter what ideas the Crown Prince has, he won’t dare to act recklessly anymore."

Lu Zhan said nothing.

Duan Ling, who was usually talkative, was also rather quiet at this moment.

"What’s wrong with you two? Isn’t this a good thing? Why don’t you look happy?" Ouyang Lei asked, puzzled.

Duan Ling glanced at him, looking like he wanted to say something but held back.

"What do you want to say? Just say it! Since when did you become so indecisive?" Ouyang Lei was getting anxious.

Duan Ling looked at Lu Zhan, but the words on the tip of his tongue were swallowed back with a shake of his head. "It’s nothing."

’I’m worried for Old Lu and Cousin Zhi Wan.’

’Zhi Yu was the son of King Jin, which makes Zhi Wan King Jin’s granddaughter. Yet Old Lu requested posthumous honors for Zhi Yu and the title of County Princess for Cousin Zhi Wan. Isn’t this just drawing the Emperor’s attention to the two of them?’

’If the Emperor were to investigate and find something out, it would be a huge problem.’

’If you ask me, Old Lu’s move was far too risky.’

’But I can understand why he did it. The Crown Prince has been eyeing Cousin Zhi Wan covetously, and only the Emperor can keep him in check.’

’With the imperial marriage decree, Xuanyuan Hongjun won’t dare to make any rash moves.’

’Still, I think this method is too dangerous. One misstep, and the entire Duke Dingguo Mansion could be finished.’

Just as he was thinking this, he saw Xuanyuan Hongjun approaching them.

He gave Lu Zhan a thumbs-up, but his eyes were sinister. "Lu Zhan, what a brilliant move!"

"You flatter me, Your Highness," Lu Zhan said lightly.

Xuanyuan Hongjun stared at him for a moment, then suddenly strode forward and grabbed him by the collar. "Lu Zhan, oppose me, and you’ll find only a dead end!"

"Is that so?" Lu Zhan’s tone was faint and tinged with disdain. He suddenly gripped the web of the Crown Prince’s hand, forcing him to let go.

The pain from the web of his hand made Xuanyuan Hongjun’s face contort with fury. "Lu Zhan, you..."

"Allow this servant to offer Your Highness a piece of advice," Lu Zhan interrupted coolly.

"What?" Xuanyuan Hongjun glowered at him.

Lu Zhan said slowly, "It’s not yet known who will emerge victorious. Your Highness shouldn’t be so quick to jump to conclusions, lest you get carried away and end up sorely disappointed."

Xuanyuan Hongjun’s pupils contracted.

When he processed the words, he was overcome with rage. "Lu Zhan, you are insolent!"

Lu Zhan bowed deeply, a faint smile on his lips. "It would be impolite not to reciprocate. This servant takes his leave."

Duan Ling and Ouyang Lei also bowed to Xuanyuan Hongjun before hurriedly catching up with Lu Zhan.

Staring at the three men’s retreating backs, Xuanyuan Hongjun exploded in fury, turning to kick over the eunuch following behind him.

"Damn it!" Xuanyuan Hongjun roared.

Once outside the palace gates, Duan Ling and Ouyang Lei both squeezed into Lu Zhan’s carriage as if by silent agreement.

Lu Zhan had just sat down when he saw the two follow him in. He frowned. "What are you two doing here?"

"Old Lu, you’re going to see Cousin Zhi Wan, right? I haven’t seen her in a long time, and I really miss her. Let’s go together," Duan Ling said with a cheeky grin.

Ouyang Lei was slightly more serious. "I’m heading to the Ministry of Justice. I didn’t see my family’s carriage just now, so I’ll have to trouble you to give me a ride there." 𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

Duan Ling shot him a sidelong glance.

’How can this guy tell such a bald-faced lie?’

’The Ouyang Family’s carriage is parked right outside in plain sight, and he says he didn’t see it?’

Lu Zhan stared coldly at Duan Ling, two words escaping his thin lips, "Get out."

Duan Ling’s scalp tingled, but he retorted indignantly, "Old Lu, you’re showing favoritism! Why are you only kicking me out? Ouyang Lei’s carriage is right outside, why don’t you kick him out?"

Ouyang Lei had been gloating, thankful he hadn’t said anything foolish like ’missing Cousin Zhi Wan’ and asking for a beating. But when he heard Duan Ling drag him into it, he immediately gritted his teeth. "Why are you dragging me into this?"

"I’m just stating the facts," Duan Ling said righteously.

Ouyang Lei was furious, but remembering the important matter at hand, he ignored Duan Ling and turned to Lu Zhan. "Old Lu, you just offended the Crown Prince. I’m afraid he’s going to retaliate like a madman."

"And if I hadn’t offended him, would he have let me off?" Lu Zhan said coolly, a chill in his eyes.

Hearing this, Ouyang Lei fell silent.

’Old Lu is right. Given the Crown Prince’s petty nature, now that he desires Cousin Zhi Wan but can’t have her, he’s bound to take revenge on Old Lu.’

’It’s better to take the initiative than to wait to be attacked.’

’Besides, he’s not the only Prince in the Imperial Family.’

’And the Crown Prince has committed so many injustices. He is completely unfit to be a ruler.’

With this in mind, he immediately declared his stance. "Anyway, whatever you decide to do, I’ll support you."

Lu Zhan was taken aback for a moment. He reminded him, "Leizi, don’t be so quick to declare your position. Your family’s situation is different, more complicated."

"Are you talking about my aunt’s side of the family? Although my cousin is the Crown Princess Consort, she has not won the Crown Prince’s favor. If the Crown Prince were to ascend the throne one day, my cousin would surely be deposed. To be honest with you, my uncle has been dissatisfied with the Crown Prince for a long time.

Unfortunately, my cousin married into the Royal Family. She can’t even request a divorce," Ouyang Lei said with a sigh.

Lu Zhan was silent.

Turning to the serious topic, Duan Ling also looked at Lu Zhan with a solemn expression. "Have you already decided who you’re going to support?" Without waiting for Lu Zhan to reply, he continued, "What Leizi just said is what I wanted to say, too. No matter what you decide, we support you. I’ve found that Crown Prince unbearable for more than just a day or two. Besides, you both know my family’s situation. The title sounds nice, but we’re just an empty shell. It’s only a matter of time before our peerage is stripped away."

Lu Zhan and Ouyang Lei were, of course, well aware of the Huainan Prince Mansion’s situation.

Duan Ling’s grandfather had followed Emperor Gaozu in conquering the realm, performing many great deeds. When peace was established, he was made an Alien King. The Duan Family’s status rose with his, and they were unparalleled in their prestige.

But by Duan Ling’s father’s generation, the Prince Mansion’s power had gradually waned, until they were stripped of all authority.

Prince Huainan had submitted memorials many times, requesting that Duan Ling be allowed to inherit the title, but the Emperor never consented.

The Duan Family’s peerage was clearly destined to end with Duan Ling’s generation.

Now, Prince Huainan was old and had only Duan Ling, a son born to him in his later years. It was understandable that Duan Ling wanted to fight for a future for himself and his Prince Mansion.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Zhan spoke. "I understand your intentions, but this isn’t a child’s game. It involves our lives and fortunes. You must be cautious."