flstandardbreds Chapter 125: Woman Inherits the Title
Chapter 125: Woman Inherits the Title
Lu Mingyang lowered his eyes, feigning shyness: "Brother Yuanrui...it's because Young Master Song is kindhearted and takes pity on your humble servant."
Concubine Song was very satisfied with her reaction. She waved her hand and let her leave. She asked Yunmeng, "Do you think what she said is true?"
Yun Meng said, "She's a smart person, how could she not know that Princess Ningyuan just sounds nicer. Even if she's just the Second Young Master's favorite concubine, it's still much better than Princess Ningyuan."
"That's right!" Concubine Song smiled. "If she can inherit the title of Marquis of Chengyang, she can secretly help me. A woman like her won't arouse His Majesty's suspicion."
Yunmeng thought it was a bit far-fetched: "Your Majesty, can you agree?"
"Let's see how His Majesty reacts first. I know my limits."
……
The Longwei Escort Agency's personnel were arrested, and the Ministry of Justice quickly handled the case. Tomorrow is the day His Majesty summons them.
The moon was rising high in the sky. Lu Mingyang sat by the window, writing over and over again the words he wanted to say in response to the emperor.
Desire always grows little by little. Looking at the words she'd carefully considered countless times, Lu Mingyang felt both nervous and excited. If she could, she would personally rewrite the history of this world.
Chengtian Gate stood majestically on the central axis of the capital; behind it lay the imposing and solemn Hanyuan Hall. It was a place countless men across the land yearned to enter. Every decision of the imperial court concerning the world was announced here.
Lu Mingyang was in the middle of it and couldn't help but feel a high fighting spirit.
Inside the Hanyuan Hall, several ministers stood on either side. Lu Mingyang walked to the center, looked toward the emperor sitting on the dragon throne, and saluted loudly: "Your Majesty, your servant pays respect. Long live the emperor."
The emperor replied calmly, then stood up and said, "The Xihe Village case has been solved. In recognition of your meritorious service in the investigation, I have decided to reward you handsomely."
After saying this, he signaled Eunuch Su to read the imperial edict.
Eunuch Su opened the imperial edict and read it aloud. There were densely packed names on it, and it sounded like there were quite a few rewards. But apart from pearl hairpins and jewelry, there were only cloth and brocade. The biggest thing was a manor in the suburbs.
Then, she was invited out in a daze.
What’s going on? Where are all the passionate words I prepared?
Lu Mingyang walked down the white jade steps before he came to his senses and turned around and ran inside.
"Your Majesty, you issued a decree that whoever can solve this case will inherit the title of Marquis of Chengyang. Your Majesty is not joking."
The emperor on the dragon throne was slightly angry: "Of course I remember, but you are a woman, how can you inherit the title?"
"Yes!" The ministers on both sides also echoed.
Lu Mingyang spoke loudly, "Your Majesty, I know that as a woman I am not eligible to inherit the title. However, I am a direct descendant of the Marquis of Chengyang. And I was the first to solve the Xihe Village case. Whether it is emotional or logical, I should be qualified to personally select the successor to the title of Marquis of Chengyang, right?"
This request really wasn't excessive. Upon hearing this, some ministers echoed the sentiment. Shen Yan even stepped forward and argued her case. However, she wasn't just the daughter of the Marquis of Chengyang, she was also the Princess of Ningyuan.
The emperor said sternly, "Marquis Chengyang is not just an honor, it also requires loyalty to the country. How can you, a woman, understand the affairs of the previous dynasty?"
"I don't understand, I can ask you gentlemen for advice!"
Lu Mingyang said loudly, "I do not seek rewards. I only wish to choose a stepson with good character for my father so as not to disgrace his reputation. I only wish to choose a brother I can get along with so that our family can live in harmony in the future. Your Majesty will not grant this small request of yours. Why?"
"How outrageous!" The emperor was worried that his ministers would see through his thoughts, so he stormed out in anger.
In Xiefang Palace, Concubine Song had already prepared chrysanthemum tea to reduce internal heat. She poured it for the emperor and comforted him with a distressed look, "What happened at the court this morning that made Your Majesty so angry?"
"Ask the gentlemen for advice. I think she wants to ask Chu Mingzheng for advice!"
After some fragmented explanation, the emperor finally made things clear.
Concubine Song advised: "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Perhaps Miss Lu really wants to choose a good stepson for her father."
As soon as he finished speaking, Eunuch Su walked in and reported, "Your Majesty, after leaving the palace, Miss Lu went to the restaurant and met with Pei Mian, the son of the Duke of Pei."
With a bang, the teacup fell to the ground, and the emperor said angrily: "You rebellious son, you haven't recovered yet, and you are already making trouble for me."
Concubine Song felt the time had come and said, "Your Majesty is the Emperor. If Your Majesty doesn't want to, just reject it. Who dares to say anything? Why are you getting angry here? It makes me feel distressed."
"You don't understand!" The emperor sighed. This request was too small, so small that if he didn't agree to it, people would think he was petty.
"Huh!" Concubine Song's eyes lit up. "Your Majesty, according to your will, shouldn't you let her inherit the title of Marquis of Chengyang? If you let her inherit, then this problem wouldn't have happened!"
The emperor was amused by Concubine Song's cute appearance and said, "She is a woman, how can she inherit the title?"
"Why not?" Concubine Song told the emperor the story of Emperor Hui of Qi, which Lu Mingyang had told her, and reminded him, "There's a precedent here. If she wants to inherit the title, she can't marry."
The emperor was somewhat tempted by this, but he still shook his head: "This isn't our dynasty's rule. It's not so easy to change the rules. It will only lead to chaos in the future."
"Your Majesty!" Concubine Song held His Majesty's hand tightly, her eyes firm: "According to the rules, no rules can be greater than your will. You wrote the imperial edict yourself, who dares to say it is invalid!"
The emperor pondered the matter overnight and summoned several ministers to discuss the matter. The conflicting point was whether to follow the old rules or the imperial edict. In the end, they naturally decided that the emperor's will was the most inviolable.
After receiving the news, Lu Mingyuan rushed to Xunyang Pavilion and angrily slapped Lu Mingyang. At that time, Lu Mingyang had just received the news and the smile on his face had not yet faded.
"Eldest sister, please listen to my explanation. I'm not trying to rob..."
"Explain what?"
Lu Mingyuan angrily interrupted his sister, "Explain how well you played the game. You took advantage of His Majesty's suspicion of Prince Ningyuan and colluded with Concubine Song to get His Majesty to make an exception and allow a woman to inherit the title. Then, when the matter is done, you'll tell the Emperor that I was the one who actually discovered the truth, right?"
"Elder sister?" Lu Mingyang didn't expect that his elder sister trusted him so much, and his eyes instantly became moist.
Lu Mingyuan angrily said, "Lu Mingyang, do you know you're playing with fire? Noble Concubine Song will know you're deceiving her, so how could she let you go? Prince Ningyuan will also avoid suspicion and depose you from your position as consort. Do you want to die suddenly in a nunnery when the time comes?"
"Come on, follow me to see His Majesty!" She grabbed her sister's hand and left.
"I won't!" Lu Mingyang broke free from his elder sister's hand and untied the veil on his face. The hideous scars were exposed, shocking.
"Eldest sister, do you know how I got this scar on my face?"