"Your Highness, Seventh Young Master truly has remarkable skills. These marigolds are grown so magnificently, it's simply breathtaking!"
"I never expected, never expected it. These marigolds could be so magnificent! These petals, truly as if forged from pure gold, a marvel of craftsmanship!"
"Your Highness, for the Seventh Young Master to personally cultivate these two mu of marigolds, it also demonstrates his filial piety! Congratulations, Your Highness, for having such a prodigy!"
"Indeed, they are splendid, shining with golden light. I thought I had arrived at the Golden Temple!"
Lu Shouyi listened to these flattering remarks, feeling exceptionally happy. He had invited his former military subordinates to the Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering today with a certain underlying meaning.
These marigolds, with their brilliant golden light, were incredibly opulent. Moreover, there was an ancient poem that said, "The whole city is covered with golden armor." He intended to use these marigolds to convey some hidden meaning.
"Haha, this is my son, Lu Chen! Chen'er, pay your respects to the esteemed uncles and elders!" Lu Shouyi then introduced Lu Chen to everyone.
"I pay my respects to all uncles and elders!" Lu Chen stepped forward and bowed.
Seeing Lu Chen's handsome appearance and his flowing white robes, everyone exclaimed, "He is indeed the Prince's son; this demeanor rivals the Prince's youthful grace!"
"Haha, is that so!" Lu Shouyi said with a broad smile.
However, someone remarked, "Your Highness, with Seventh Young Master's such grace and filial piety, why not let him inherit the title of Heir of Prince Zhennan?"
Lu Chen was the Prince's only son, and rightfully should be the Heir of Prince Zhennan. However, Lu Shouyi had never granted Lu Chen the title of heir, so everyone could only address him as 'Young Master'.
Upon hearing this, Lu Shouyi's expression changed, and then he gave a wry smile, "It seems the Heir of my Lu family is unlucky; whenever an heir is appointed, they perish. Never mind, we'll discuss this matter later!"
Everyone immediately fell silent. They all knew that this matter involved the Emperor, and Lu Shouyi's previous six sons had all met untimely and unclear deaths.
Lu Chen actually didn't care about the title of heir.
But Lu Chen had always been curious; he was the only son, so if not him, who else would be given the title of heir? Although Lu Shouyi had given an answer, saying that "appointing an heir is unlucky," Lu Chen vaguely felt there was more to it.
At this moment, Consort Liu also emerged with her maidservants, smiling, "Esteemed sirs, it has been a long time. I have personally brewed some tea to help you sober up."
The military officers bowed one after another. Some addressed her as the Prince's Consort, some as Madam Lu, and others directly as sister-in-law. For a moment, it felt as if they had returned to many years ago, a scene of warm camaraderie.
But just then, some discordant sounds suddenly emerged.
"Your Highness, these people did not announce themselves and barged in," Steward Fu hurried over to report.
And following him in were a group of imposing figures. They were all clad in brocade official robes, wearing flying fish caps, and had Spring Embroidered Sabers at their waists. They were none other than the Embroidered Uniform Guard, whom officials feared the most.
Seeing the arrival of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the lively scene immediately quieted down. Although the military officers present were not afraid of the Great General Xue Pinghai, they couldn't help but feel apprehensive upon seeing these arrogant Embroidered Uniform Guard.
Leading the Embroidered Uniform Guard in was Prefect Chen Zhao.
Lu Shouyi's expression turned grim. "Prefect Chen, you pay a sudden visit to my estate. May I ask the reason for your esteemed presence?"
Lu Shouyi's cold gaze met Chen Zhao's cold gaze. The two immediately became confrontational, and the entire garden seemed to freeze, as if the temperature had dropped several degrees.
"Hahaha," Chen Zhao suddenly sneered, his smile not reaching his eyes. "I heard that the Prince's estate is hosting a Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering. I, this Prefect, am also an admirer of chrysanthemums, so I came uninvited. I hope the Prince will understand!"
"So that's how it is."
Lu Shouyi also let out a cold laugh. "Actually, I intended to invite the Prefect, but I only invited some of my own people. It seems I have made a fool of myself in front of the Prefect."
"Your own people?" Chen Zhao sneered, "These are all your people, Lu Shouyi? It seems there are not many surnamed Lu among them, are there?"
Lu Shouyi smiled, "They fought alongside me for the country, spilling blood on the battlefield. Some even risked their lives to protect me. Is it wrong to call them my own people?"
"Very well, very well. The Prince is truly adept at winning hearts," Chen Zhao said meaningfully.
For a former Great General to speak of 'winning hearts' was almost an insinuation of treason against Lu Shouyi. Logically, Lu Shouyi should have quickly cleared his name.
But Lu Shouyi did not. He merely smiled faintly, "Since Prefect Chen has come to admire chrysanthemums, please take a seat, have some tea, and admire the chrysanthemums under the lamplight."
"Good." Chen Zhao immediately sat down casually in a Grand Tutor's chair, picked up his tea, and then turned to his subordinates, "Make a list of these people from the Prince's household, one by one!"
"Yes!" the Embroidered Uniform Guard responded.
The military officers present no longer had their earlier smiles; their faces were ashen. To them, the Embroidered Uniform Guard were the most terrifying presence. Anyone entering the Embroidered Uniform Guard's prison would have their spirit stripped away.
The Embroidered Uniform Guard did not recognize these military officers, so several teams of guards, carrying paper and brushes, stepped forward one by one to register each person's name.
"What is your name? What is your position?"
Facing the ferocious Embroidered Uniform Guard, the military officers' faces turned pale. Some stammered for a long time, unable to speak their names. Others tried to hide behind the crowd and leave, while some simply refused to speak...
Seeing this scene, Zhao Lei let out a cold snort and walked forward with his personal guards, blocking the Embroidered Uniform Guard. "What are you doing? So what if you are the Embroidered Uniform Guard? This is the Zhennan Prince's Estate! What right do you have to be so arrogant here?"
Fang Zhenfu, the leader of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, looked at Zhao Lei, a murderous glint flashing in his eyes. He stepped forward and said, "Zhao Lei, how dare you, a mere Head Instructor, obstruct the Embroidered Uniform Guard from carrying out their duties?"
"Carrying out duties?" Zhao Lei sneered, "What duties are you carrying out? Tell me clearly today! If you cannot explain, you will be held responsible for offending the Prince!"
Fang Zhenfu was immediately rendered speechless. This statement was indeed his misstep.
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Seeing his subordinate at a disadvantage, Chen Zhao spoke again, "Prince Lu, this is your Head Instructor, Zhao Lei, isn't it?"
Lu Shouyi replied, "That's right. Zhao Lei has followed me on campaigns far and wide."
Chen Zhao then asked, "I've heard that his leg techniques are superb?"
"He practices the family-inherited Gale Leg Technique. It's not superb, but it is indeed a good leg technique. In the past, when fighting the barbarians, he made significant contributions with his leg techniques!"
"Excellent!" Chen Zhao clapped his hands. "Coincidentally, my subordinate, Fang Zhenfu, is also a Leg Technique Master. Just appreciating chrysanthemums might be a bit monotonous. I suggest they spar with their leg techniques and see who is more formidable!"
Lu Shouyi knitted his brows. Frankly, he did not want a fight to the death within his estate. Moreover, Chen Zhao had come prepared; he knew Zhao Lei's strength, but Zhao Lei did not know the opponent's strength.
But just as Lu Shouyi was about to refuse, Zhao Lei and Fang Zhenfu had already begun to exchange insults.
"Head Instructor Zhao, I heard you were once the Head Instructor of leg techniques for the Zhennan forces. Surely you wouldn't dare to fight me?" Fang Zhenfu said with a sinister smile. "If you publicly admit you are a coward and kowtow to me in defeat, I might spare you!"
"Damn it, why are you so arrogant?" Zhao Lei was furious.
"I'm not arrogant," Fang Zhenfu laughed heartily. "I'm just mocking you for having no skill, only being good at killing women!"
Zhao Lei immediately thought of the incident with Jú Xiāng. However, he did not explain. Instead, he said with a cold smile, "Killing women is not my expertise. But beating some foul-mouthed dogs to death, that's my specialty!"
"You're seeking death!"
Seeing that the two were about to fight, Lu Shouyi could no longer refuse. He could only say sternly, "Prefect Chen, today I am hosting a Chrysanthemum Appreciation Gathering. I do not wish to see bloodshed. They can compete, but they can only use their legs, no weapons, and must stop when lightly touched!"
"Agreed!" Chen Zhao immediately called out, "Fang Zhenfu, did you hear that? Only legs, no bloodshed!"
He cunningly omitted the words "stop when lightly touched."
Fang Zhenfu was confident. He handed his Spring Embroidered Saber to another Embroidered Uniform Guard subordinate and then assumed a stance, sneering, "I heard you are best at kicking people in the back. That's precisely what I'm good at too!\