Raising Wolves CHAPTER 23

 

 Raising wolves  

 Chapter 23

Translated by : DANMEI HEAVEN

The courtiers were left speechless by the young emperor’s near-outrageous excuse.

It was true that the imperial mausoleum’s walls had been damaged by rain. Ning Juan dared to invoke the ancestors—but who among them would dare question the ancestors?

For a moment, the hall fell into an awkward silence. Both the Wei and imperial factions were collectively stumped.

The atmosphere grew strangely tense.

Wei Herong, however, seemed amused. With a smirk, he raised his cup to Lu Qingzheng—the man who’d taught the emperor so well. "Imperial Tutor Lu has dedicated himself to His Majesty’s education all these years. A toast to you."

Lu Qingzheng’s poor health meant he should avoid alcohol and rich foods. Ning Juan’s expression darkened, ready to intervene.

But Lu Qingzheng shot him a sharp look, silencing him before turning to meet Wei Herong’s gaze.

The moment their eyes locked, Lu Qingzheng felt an odd sensation.

It was as if Wei Herong knew that he and Ning Juan weren’t as harmless as they appeared.

Yet Wei Herong seemed entertained, like a cat toying with mice, watching them struggle in his grasp.

—Wei Herong, you’ve miscalculated.

This was the same little tyrant, Ning Juan, who’d sent the protagonist fleeing in the original story.

Lu Qingzheng’s lips curved faintly as he calmly raised his cup in return. "You flatter me, Grand Secretary Wei. You’ve exhausted yourself assisting His Majesty, even taking memorials home to review. I’m deeply moved—the toast should be mine."

The cold wine burned down his throat, and only then did Lu Qingzheng realize his body truly couldn’t handle alcohol.

A fiery sensation spread from his stomach to his throat, his face and neck flushing hot, his head swimming as if floating on clouds.

Unprepared for such low alcohol tolerance, Lu Qingzheng forced himself to remain composed as he returned to his seat, his breathing slightly labored.

The mask hid his flushed face, so no one noticed anything amiss.

Thankfully, though his stomach burned, his mind hadn’t fogged over completely. Worried he might actually get drunk, Lu Qingzheng stayed put, sipping tea in an attempt to sober up.

Instead of sobering, the tea only made him need to relieve himself.

Blinking hard, he tested his limbs, confirming he could still move normally, then slowly rose. With flawless composure, he asked a eunuch for directions and steadily exited the hall.

Ning Juan’s gaze had been subtly tracking Lu Qingzheng the entire time. Seeing him leave, he barely restrained the urge to follow, tapping the table impatiently.

He loathed dealing with these hypocritical courtiers.

In this world, only Lu Qingzheng would look at him with sincere, warm eyes.

The eunuch assigned to guide Lu Qingzheng had been handpicked by Ning Juan to stay by his side. When Lu Qingzheng stepped out, the eunuch was still waiting outside.

The stifling atmosphere inside made Lu Qingzheng’s head feel heavier. Wanting to clear his mind, he wasn’t in a hurry to return. Waving a hand, he said, "I’ll get some air. You may go back first."

The eunuch hesitated. "His Majesty instructed this servant to stay by your side at all times."

Likely out of concern for his safety.

Lu Qingzheng’s first thought was, What could possibly happen in the palace? But then he reconsidered—something could indeed happen—so he didn’t dismiss the eunuch, strolling leisurely instead.

It didn’t help much.

After a while, the dizziness didn’t fade. Instead, the alcohol’s effects intensified.

Lu Qingzheng’s mind grew hazier, momentarily unsure of the date or time. Yet his steps remained steady, his demeanor as composed and dignified as ever, betraying no sign of intoxication.

Dazed, he stood in the garden, hands clasped behind his back, staring blankly at the blooming red roses.

Is Imperial Tutor Lu deep in thought, analyzing the court’s current state of affairs?

The eunuch watched him with reverent admiration, not daring to disturb him.

Just then, footsteps approached.

The eunuch, trained in martial arts, turned sharply, his heart skipping a beat. He announced loudly, "This servant greets Grand Secretary Wei!"

Lu Qingzheng’s sluggish mind took a moment to process the words. A sense of danger sharpened his awareness slightly. Slowly, he turned to face Wei Herong, nodding coolly. "Grand Secretary Wei also here for some air?"

Others might miss Lu Qingzheng’s true state, but Wei Herong’s sharp eyes saw through it. He narrowed his eyes slightly. "Lord Lu’s health is poor. If you’re drunk, you shouldn’t push yourself."

His tone carried hidden meaning.

Lu Qingzheng arched an eyebrow, replying evenly, "Thank you for your concern, Grand Secretary Wei. No matter how weak I am, I can still hold on for a few more years."

Wei Herong had also been plied with wine in the hall, and now seemed slightly drunk, lacking his usual arrogance and venom. He didn’t appear to be looking for trouble—instead, he smiled faintly. "No need for such hostility."

He idly brushed a finger against the blooming red roses and mused, "Seeing Lord Lu like this really brings back memories."

Wei Herong’s past before becoming an official had been nearly erased, but according to the intelligence gathered by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, he had once been an upright minister after passing the imperial examinations.

It wasn’t uncommon for someone who started out diligent and earnest to become embittered and corrupt after repeated setbacks.

Lu Qingzheng tilted his head slightly. "Oh? Was Lord Wei once like me?"

Wei Herong avoided answering directly. "When scholars across the land pass the imperial exams, who isn’t filled with fervor?"

The cold wind chilled half of Lu Qingzheng’s body, tickling his throat. He coughed a few times, his vision growing blurrier. "And then?"

Wei Herong’s hand rested on the tangled branches of the roses. Suddenly, he exerted a slight force, snapping off a vibrant bud.

The fully bloomed red rose fell silently to the ground, making the eunuch’s eyelids twitch.

Wei Herong said lightly, "It wasn’t worth it."

With that, he turned and left without another word.

Lu Qingzheng rubbed his throbbing temples, recalling what Ning Juan had told him about the bloody battle at the northern frontier over a decade ago, where the Duke of Wu had fought desperately.

It was Wei Herong and other officials who had delivered a lifeline to the north.

With Wei Herong gone, Lu Qingzheng’s tense nerves relaxed, and the alcohol rushed back to his head, scattering his thoughts.

He could barely tell east from west now, his mind muddled. Weakly, he said, "Please, take me to a pavilion to rest."

If he didn’t find a place to sit soon, he feared he might actually pass out.

The eunuch finally realized he wasn’t feeling well and quickly agreed, leading Lu Qingzheng down a pebbled path.

But after only a few steps, someone called out excitedly, "Imperial Tutor Lu!"

Again?!

Lu Qingzheng silently screamed for help, his dazed gaze landing on an unfamiliar middle-aged man.

The man clasped his hands and smiled. "Lord Lu, I didn’t get a chance to greet you earlier in the hall. It’s been so long."

Lu Qingzheng’s mind was a complete mess, but when drunk, he didn’t act out—instead, he became even calmer and more composed, able to hold a conversation with perfect poise. He nodded coolly. "Mm."

The man rambled on, and Lu Qingzheng struggled to parse his words. It seemed to be some sort of admiration for him, so he humbly smiled and nodded.

Top scholar? Well, he had been the provincial top scholar.

The man then began praising his daughter. "Did you notice my daughter at the banquet earlier? She’s sixteen this year—ha, not to boast, but she’s skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting, and her looks aren’t bad either..."

Lu Qingzheng’s drunken gaze was unfocused. He had no memory of this man, let alone his daughter, but he politely nodded along. "Your daughter is indeed exceptionally beautiful."

Encouraged by Lu Qingzheng’s praise, the man grew even more excited. "Lord Lu, you’re twenty-four this year, and your household is still so quiet... My daughter is unmarried and has long admired you. If I could form a marital alliance with you..."

Lu Qingzheng’s alcohol-slowed mind took a moment to process the key point before he finally understood.

Ah. A marriage proposal.

First, they pestered his student, now his teacher. Was this the Great Qi Matchmaking Agency?

He found it somewhat amusing and was about to refuse when he suddenly sensed something off.

An intense gaze had settled on his back, burning so fiercely it felt like it might bore a hole through him.

Then, a strong arm wrapped around his waist and yanked him backward.

The minister who had been chattering away paled and hastily bowed. "This humble official greets Your Majesty."

Ah, Guoguo?

Lu Qingzheng turned with a faint smile, then froze.

The youth behind him was different from the one in his memories.

Under the moonlight, half in shadow, the little emperor who usually acted like a clingy puppy now wore a cold, icy expression. His noble, handsome features were tense, his eyes glinting with a faint, dangerous light.

Like a wolf ready to snap the fragile neck of its prey, baring its fangs and claws, exuding aggression.

Ning Juan stared coldly at the sweating minister. "Finished?"

Lu Qingzheng didn’t speak. Only after the minister hastily excused himself did he let out a faint hiss, frowning slightly.

The arm around his waist was gripping too tightly.

It hurt.

But Ning Juan seemed oblivious. His face was entirely cast in shadow as he looked down, his voice soft but chilling. "Teacher likes Minister Zhou’s daughter? Wants to marry?"

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