Chapter 106

  Lu Xiaofeng came out of his month-long confinement and was able to move around freely when the old empress dowager in the palace issued a decree summoning him.

  Xiaofeng girl then took her son into the palace to pay respects and left.

  Arriving at the palace, Lu Xiaofeng only then understood that it was actually the Emperor, her brother, who wanted to see her, not the Empress Dowager.

  She had a bad feeling at once.

  It is said: No trivial matter can be brought before the Three Treasures Hall.

  The key issue is, when there's nothing going on at Sanbao Hall, nobody stops you from entering, right?

  "Older brother of an emperor."

  "Look at this."

  Lu Xiaofeng took the memorial handed over by Emperor Renzong, opened it to read, and after finishing reading, he returned the original document. At the same time, he waited for the emperor's next words.

  Emperor Renzong indeed had the following statement, "This is the last memorial written by Lu Xin, the governor of Dengzhou."

  "Something's happened to him?" Lu Xiaofeng immediately sensed that something was amiss. The so-called "Tong Pan", these were all positions held by the emperor's trusted officials, and the memorials submitted by Tong Pan clearly stated every move made by the local governor, concerning national affairs and people's livelihoods.

  Emperor Renzong nodded heavily, "After Lu Xin submitted this memorial, it wasn't long before an official document was presented from Dengzhou, stating that Lu Xin had suddenly fallen ill and died."

  Lu Xiaofeng also understood, and this was indeed a problem.

  Pang Feng

  "Older brother?"

  Emperor Renzong sat slowly on the dragon chair and looked at her: "Do you know who the governor of Dengzhou is?"

  Lu Xiaofeng shook her head, how could she have known? She had always been uninterested in court politics.

  Emperor Renzong looked at her and said word by word: "That Governor of Dengzhou is Grand Mentor Pang's nephew, Imperial Consort's cousin, and also your cousin."

  Lu Xiaofeng's eyes widened in shock. Wasn't this too cruel? Can the old Pong family not produce such "talents"?

  Emperor Renzong couldn't help but smile, "Look at your expression," he paused for a moment before continuing, "The death of the Dongzhou judge, Lu Xin, is not the first case. This has left me with some doubts. I want to investigate the mystery of several judges' deaths, but I'm worried that the officials will gloss over it when facing the powerful."

  "There is Lord Bao." Lu Xiaofeng recommended a candidate to him.

  Emperor Renzong smiled slightly, "Bao Zheng is naturally a suitable candidate, but Bao still has other matters to attend to."

  Lu Xiaofeng pointed at himself, his tone full of suspicion, "Brother Emperor, you wouldn't be thinking of having me investigate, would you?"

  "What's wrong with that?"

  "You just said that too, the suspicion on Dingzhou's governor is huge, and he's also my cousin. You want me to investigate my own cousin, this is...not quite right?"

  "I believe you."

  Your trust is so heavy, if you are a little weaker, you will be crushed to pieces.

  "When does His Majesty want me to set off?"

  "It's better to be natural as soon as possible, because the new governor of Dongzhou is also going to take office soon."

  "My sister understood."

  "Who is it?"

  "Who is it?"

  Tang Zhen.

  "Who is Tang really?"

  Emperor Renzong couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, "This is truly... Tang was indeed Bao Zheng's disciple, his father was a supervising censor, he himself also had some backbone, not disappointing Bao Zheng this venerable teacher's reputation."

  "Is imperial brother asking me to go with Tang Zhen to take office?"

  "I want to borrow someone from you."

  "Borrow someone?"

  "That's right, borrow people."

  Lu Xiaofeng was somewhat perplexed - why would they want to borrow someone from her? Who did she have that could be borrowed?

  Emperor Renzong did not play dumb with her and directly said: "Borrow the Five Virtues of Trap Island for one use."

  Lu Xiaofeng suddenly realized, "Brother is asking them to escort Tang Zhen?"

  "Yes, Trap Empty Island Wu Yi originally came from the rivers and lakes, has nothing to do with officialdom, and is not constrained by rules, so it's just convenient for him to act."

  "I'll go and inform them by letter."

  "That Five Righteousness has been in the jianghu for a long time, if you weren't by my side to restrain them, I'm afraid they would be too arbitrary and unruly. Therefore, this trip to Dengzhou wouldn't be possible without you." Especially that White Jade Mouse Bai Yutang, it's said that only you have a way to control him, but this is something that Emperor Renzong doesn't dare to say.

  "Your Majesty is overpraising me, I don't dare to accept it."

  The emperor's face suddenly solidified, saying: "This time in Dengzhou, you must also be more careful. Although Cheng Yuan is your nominal cousin, you still need to guard against him being ruthless."

  "My younger sister understands."

  Emperor Renzong hesitated for a moment, "As for whether you want to travel with Tang Zhen, it's up to your own mind."

  "Yes."

  The Emperor Renzong couldn't help but sigh, "I also know that this matter is somewhat difficult for you. Your son is only just full moon, and now leaving the capital will mean a temporary separation from him." This mother-son bond was something he could understand.

  "Brother, don't worry, I'll take our son with me."

  Emperor Renzong: "......" Isn't it?

  "No problem, just be more careful on the road."

  "Alright, you guys must be careful."

  "Uh-huh."

  Lu Xiaofeng then turned around and went to the Empress Dowager's palace to take his son out of the palace.

  Little Phoenix returned to the Taishi Mansion, and she was slightly hesitant. Although she had spoken well in the palace, she also knew that her son was still young, and if she really wanted to take him on the road, Taishi Ye and his wife would not agree.

  However, the mother and son are closely connected, and the son has always been drinking her milk. Moreover, this trip to Dengzhou is unpredictable, and it's unknown when they will be reunited. What if by the time she returns, her son no longer recognizes her? That would be a tragedy.

  However, in the end, the imperial teacher and his wife finally agreed.

  After all, daughter is going to bring grandson back to Ancestor's home for worship, this matter indeed cannot be taken lightly and is a great ceremony.

  Lu Xiaofeng took the child and went to Kaifeng Prefecture.

  The people of Kaifeng Prefecture naturally wanted to surround and watch this little bean, Lu Ming.

  When she said she was going to leave Beijing, Zhan Zhao was surprised, "Ming Er is so young? Are you taking him on the road?"

  Gongsun Ce said: "Miss must not be going to Zhang's house."

  Bao Zheng's face showed a hint of surprise, and he asked in astonishment: "Why did Mr. Gong Sun say that?"

  Gongsun Ce said: "If you really went to Zhang's house, then there is no need to be in such a hurry at this moment."

  Bao Zheng went to see Lu Xiaofeng and asked, "Miss, is there something you need to take care of?"

  Lu Xiaofeng said: "Bao Daren, I heard you have a disciple named Tang Zhen?"

  Bao Gong was even more surprised, "There is."

  Lu Xiaofeng did not say anything else, only saying: "I indeed have something to take care of this time I left the capital, because the return date is uncertain, so I want to bring my son together."

  After Lu Xiao Feng held his son and went back to the room to rest.

  Bao Zheng, Gong Sun Ce and Zhan Zhao had arrived at the study to discuss matters.

  "Sir," Gong Sun Ce's expression was somewhat solemn, "Lu's daughter's departure from the capital this time is probably not simple."

  Bao Zheng nodded, "This official also thinks so. Tang Zhen will soon take up the post of Tongpan in Dengzhou, and she just happened to mention Tang Zhen. Could it be..." He looked at Xie Zhen.

  Zhan Zhao said: "She wants to go to Dengzhou?" At this time, going to Dengzhou, her physical condition was just after childbirth, even if she was not a person who didn't know the rules, she wouldn't do such a thing. There must be another hidden reason for this matter.

  "She entered the palace yesterday." The three of them suddenly spoke in unison.

  And then they had an answer.

  The trip to Dengzhou was not her intention, but the emperor's will, so she had no choice but to go.

  Zhan Zhao's face tightened, "That Dengzhou is a treacherous place." Several magistrates have already died there.

  "Don't worry," Gong Sun Ce hastily said, "Lu Niang isn't a reckless person. This time she went to Dengzhou, she must have made some preparations and won't act rashly."

  "But—"

  Bao Zheng's expression was very solemn, "The Emperor ordered me to investigate the border defense military affairs, Tang Zhen is about to take office, and also ordered Lu Niang to go to Dengzhou. It seems that the matter in Dengzhou is not small, this is what the Emperor did in response to seek perfection."

  "His Majesty has already ordered you to take charge of the government of Dengzhou, and Tang will soon be arriving at his post. Everything is already very stable, so how could..."

  Bao Zheng thought for a moment and said, "This matter involves Grand Preceptor Pang and the imperial concubine, with Lu's daughter in the middle. With her there, some things will be easier to handle."

  Moreover, the Emperor's intention also has a meaning of mutual complementarity between brightness and darkness."

  Gongsun Ce understood, "Tang Zhen and Master are the light, while Lu Niang is the dark."

  Bao Zheng nodded.

  Zhan Zhao furrowed his brow.

  Gongsun Ce said again: "Zhan Huwei, don't forget that Lu Niang is your sworn sister."

  Zhan Zhao's expression suddenly cleared up, Ah yes, the Five Rats of Trap Island!

  After discussing with the adults and Mr. Gong Sun about the details of the matter, Zhan Zhao returned to his own courtyard.

  "Uncle." Xiao He saw him enter the house and paid his respects.

  Lu Xiaofeng gently patted the child in his arms, slightly raised his eyes to take a glance, then lowered his head to look at his son who was sucking milk, with a face full of tender affection.

  Zhan Zhao sat down beside her, but didn't speak for a long time.

  Finally, it was Lu Xiaofeng who broke the silence between them. "Zhan Zhao, when you went on an adventure, I didn't try to dissuade you, although I was also very angry. But I knew that's what you had to do, so I won't be angry with you." Now, don't come and try to dissuade me either, because this is also something I have to do.

  "I'm just worried about you and Ming'er." He understood what she meant.

  "I'll be very careful." Lu Xiaofeng assured him.

  "Be extremely careful."

  "Uh-huh."

  Lu Xiaofeng saw that his son was already full and asleep, so he covered his clothes again, readjusted his holding posture, and touched his face to his son's small cheek, smiling.

  Looking at his wife's great maternal love, Zhan Zhao's heart also softened, and he stretched out his hand to hold them in his arms.

  "It's time to go back to Changzhou for a visit."

  "The matter in Dengzhou is settled, I will go to Changzhou as usual."

  "Alright." He would accompany her back then if nothing came up.

  "You'd better be careful even if you're by Bao's side."

  "Who did you bring?"

  Xiaohe and Feng Si couple.

  "......" Little Feng, isn't this also too arrogant of you?

  "What are you staring at?" Lu Xiaofeng gave him a sideways glance. "This is this young lady's trademark."

  Zhan Zhao had a hallucination of sweating, and all the labels came out.

  "Do you know what undercover means? Of course, the lower key the better, the more normal the more natural."

  Alright, she's always right!

  If it is wrong, refer to the first one.

  Zhan Zhao had been tempered in his mentality since he married Xiao Feng.

  Not to mention having a father-in-law like Fang Dashi, it's really being tempered to a certain extent.

  Lu Xiaofeng stayed in Kaifeng Prefecture for a few days before setting off on a fine morning to leave Bianliang City and head towards Dengzhou.