Should he head north, like most court officials, to welcome the Cangming Holy King to the capital at the Imperial Gateway? Or should he turn east and return to his residence in the Eastern City, refusing to engage in improper acts or sycophancy, and simply remain passive and indifferent?
Under the gaze of the two, Lu Chen shook his head. Then, he bowed slightly to Wu Zongyun and calmly said, “Minister Wu has misunderstood…”
Upon hearing this, a trace of coldness flashed in Wu Zongyun’s eyes. However, Xiao Yun’s expression relaxed a bit as she looked at Lu Chen, showing a hint of admiration.
Lu Chen continued, “I have never had the intention of going to the Imperial Gateway. So, Minister Wu and I do not share the same destination.”
This statement made Wu Zongyun feel as if he were being mocked. Annoyed, he immediately changed his expression and sneered, “A good ‘never had the intention’? Young man, don’t be so hypocritical. If you weren’t originally planning to welcome the Cangming Holy King at the Imperial Gateway, then why did you leave at this time? Were you planning to go to the yamen for duty?”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yun also furrowed her brows.
Indeed, if Lu Chen hadn’t intended to welcome the Cangming Holy King like her, he wouldn’t have left his home in the first place. Although the Cangming Holy King had declared that he wouldn’t trouble anyone in Luocheng City who was unarmed, the situation had now changed dramatically. With the Cangming army about to enter the city, security measures would certainly be strict. It was very risky to be outside at this time. She believed that Lu Chen’s initial intention was probably the same as Wu Zongyun’s, but she had managed to dissuade him, and he didn’t want to admit it.
As for going to the Six Ministries Corridor for duty… Xiao Yun hadn’t even considered it because it was impossible. Even though it was the time for duty, the whole situation was in upheaval. Who had the time to deal with government affairs now?
Furthermore, all the government offices were located in Zijin City, which had now become a forbidden area where officials didn’t dare to approach. At this critical moment, anyone who went to Zijin City would be openly defying the soon-to-be-crowned Cangming Holy King, leading to a tragic outcome.
No one knew what fate awaited the Empress, but one thing was certain: those intending to commit wrongdoing disliked having outsiders around.
While the Cangming Holy King might tolerate Yongchu Dynasty’s officials maintaining their dignity, he wouldn’t tolerate them making reckless moves.
So, unless someone was an absolutely unwavering and devoted loyalist to the Empress, willing to abandon their own future for her, disregarding their sects and families, it would be impossible to go to Zijin City at this moment.
However, the Yongchu Emperor was nothing more than a puppet used by Empress Zhao to bridge the gap until Crown Prince Zheng reached a suitable age. How could any court official go to such lengths for an Emperor who had neither prestige nor any bestowed favors? It was already commendable enough for them to uphold their own bottom line and not welcome the Cangming Holy King, let alone anything more.
Wu Zongyun’s mention of this option was merely meant to taunt Lu Chen’s hypocrisy. It was an utterly impossible choice.
However…
There’s a saying that goes “Nothing in the world is absolute.”
In response to Wu Zongyun’s provoking remark, Lu Chen unexpectedly nodded lightly.
“Minister Wu is right. I am indeed planning to go to the Six Ministries Corridor to handle official business.”
Boom!
These words were like a sudden clap of thunder on a clear day, instantly causing Wu Zongyun and Xiao Yun’s minds to buzz. They were completely stunned and remained in a daze for quite a while.
They had never expected that Lu Chen would actually say the most impossible words.