Raising Wolves CHAPTER 31

Raising wolves  

 Chapter 31

Translated by : DANMEI HEAVEN

   Chapter 31

Zheng Yao didn’t dare make a sound.

Lu Qingze, finally recovering from the shock of the "making eyes" comment, couldn’t help but study Zheng Yao more closely.

Commander Zheng was quite a notable figure in the original novel.

The novel described Zheng Yao as "a vicious dog under the tyrant’s command," so terrifying that children in the capital wouldn’t dare cry at night. Households would scare their kids by saying, "If you keep crying, Commander Zheng will come for you!" His appearance matched this description perfectly—tall and burly, with a fierce face, a commanding presence, and eyes full of menace.

How nearsighted is Ning Guoguo to mistake that for a flirtatious glance?

Lu Qingze was quite amused and didn’t notice. The longer he smiled at Zheng Yao, the colder Ning Juan’s gaze became.

Zheng Yao, under immense pressure, slowly broke into a cold sweat: “…”

Imperial Tutor, please stop looking at me!!!

Lu Qingze watched for a while, feeling somewhat amused.

He’s even cracking jokes now—seems Ning Juan isn’t that angry after all.

He cleared his throat lightly, set down his chopsticks, and calmly rescued the visibly distressed and uneasy Lord Zheng: “Lord Zheng came here specifically—surely there’s another matter to attend to?”

Zheng Yao was no fool. If the interrogation hadn’t yielded results yet, why would he come here just to be scolded?

Hearing this, Zheng Yao remembered his actual purpose and quickly got to the point: “That’s right. Earlier, outside, I encountered a suspicious-looking young man and woman who claimed to know His Majesty and Imperial Tutor Lu. Since His Majesty and the Imperial Tutor came here incognito, how could there be people who recognize them? I found it suspicious and wanted to detain them, but the young man turned out to be quite skilled in martial arts, though he couldn’t speak…”

Lu Qingze felt increasingly that something was off: “What’s the girl’s name?”

“She said her name was Yu Liuyue.”

Lu Qingze replied with a complicated expression: “We do know them.”

She was the girl leading the refugees in the cave.

The mute young man who was skilled in martial arts was probably the same one they’d encountered outside Lingshan Temple.

Zheng Yao: “…”

Was he about to be scolded again?

Ning Juan frowned slightly: “Where are they?”

“Locked up… I’ll release them immediately!” Zheng Yao scratched his head. “Your Majesty, should I bring them here?”

Ning Juan didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Lu Qingze and tapped the table with his finger: “Were they injured?”

If they were hurt and covered in blood, it wouldn’t be pleasant to look at.

Better not bring them before his teacher and upset him.

Zheng Yao relaxed slightly, feeling relieved: “No, they weren’t. Before it could escalate into a fight, the young man was stopped by Miss Yu and came with us willingly.”

Only then did Ning Juan give a faint “Hmm” and leisurely wiped the corners of his mouth: “Bring them up.”

The two of them had almost finished eating, and the attendants cleared the dishes.

Hearing that no one was injured, Lu Qingze also felt reassured. Out of habit, he poured himself a cup of tea, cradled it in his hands, and blew on the rising steam, pondering Yu Liuyue’s purpose for coming.

Ning Juan suddenly glanced at him and smiled: “Teacher, you’ve forgotten again.”

Lu Qingze was puzzled: “What?”

Ning Juan picked up the silver mask lying nearby and gazed at that strikingly beautiful face, speaking softly: “No one else can see Teacher’s face, remember?”

Zheng Yao, Changshun, Chen Xiaodao.

These were the people who could look directly at Lu Qingze and whom Lu Qingze could return the gaze to—they were already the limits of his tolerance.

The young emperor’s voice was gentle and warm, as if merely concerned about the possibility of Lu Qingze’s “disfigurement” being exposed as a lie. Yet, Lu Qingze’s heart skipped a beat inexplicably.

But before he could analyze it, his vision was obscured by the mask, and he could see nothing.

When his sight returned, Ning Juan before him was smiling softly and innocently, as if the earlier moment had been an illusion.

Lu Qingze touched the cold mask on his face and suppressed the doubt in his heart.

After a short wait, Yu Liuyue and Lin Xi were brought up by Zheng Yao.

Seeing Ning Juan and Lu Qingze seated above, Yu Liuyue promptly pulled Lin Xi down to kneel and bowed swiftly: “This commoner, Yu Liuyue, greets Your Majesty and Imperial Tutor Lu. Earlier, at the cave, I spoke out of turn. I beg Your Majesty and the Imperial Tutor for forgiveness.”

Ning Juan, though particular about matters concerning Lu Qingze, was generally indifferent to such things: “No matter. Rise.”

Yu Liuyue hesitated slightly, as if afraid Ning Juan was merely paying lip service and still held a grudge. Lu Qingze spoke up gently: “We came here incognito to observe the situation in Jiangyou. Rest assured, His Majesty is magnanimous and won’t mind. Just now, Lord Zheng also misunderstood you—consider it even. There’s no need to dwell on it.”

Lu Qingze’s voice was clear and gentle, carrying a persuasive sincerity.

Zheng Yao’s eyebrow twitched. Unswayed, he only felt a faint melancholy.

Why hadn’t he ever experienced His Majesty’s magnanimity?

But this was something he dared not voice.

After hearing Lu Qingze’s words, Yu Liuyue finally stood up. Behind her, Lin Xi shrank back nervously, seemingly uneasy around so many people. But he remembered that Lu Qingze could understand his sign language and gave him a shy smile.

Lu Qingze nodded kindly in return.

Ning Juan sipped his tea expressionlessly.

Seeing how travel-worn the two looked, they must have rushed over upon hearing of the emperor’s arrival. Lu Qingze withdrew his gaze and said, “Please, sit. No need to stand on ceremony. His Majesty and I met Young Master Lin outside Lingshan Temple. I didn’t expect the two of you to know each other.”

The attendants, under Ning Juan’s glance, hastily brought chairs for the two.

Lin Xi and Yu Liuyue sat down awkwardly. The girl nodded slightly: “Lin Xi is my younger brother.”

Lu Qingze asked conversationally, “Oh? Do you have different surnames—one from your father, one from your mother?”

His tone was unhurried but not dismissive, putting Yu Liuyue at ease without her realizing it. After a brief hesitation, she replied candidly: “Lin Xi was an orphan my father found during a security escort years ago. But after all this time, he’s no different from my real brother.”

Lu Qingze wanted to probe further, but Ning Juan had little patience for watching him engage with irrelevant people. He interjected coolly, “You came here specifically to ask for something?”

Back in the cave, Yu Liuyue had already been somewhat afraid of Ning Juan, sensing an innate danger about him.

But as the leader of the refugees, she couldn’t show fear even if she felt it. Now that she knew Ning Juan’s identity—especially after having insulted him to his face—she felt awkward and uneasy in his presence: “There are two matters I’d like to ask of Your Majesty.”

Ning Juan said indifferently, “The two of you protected the refugees. That counts as merit. Speak.”

Yu Liuyue pursed her lips and lowered her voice: “The epidemic first appeared in Ji’an Prefecture. After it broke out, the authorities came to arrest people. We got separated from our mother in the chaos. Later, we inquired everywhere and finally heard from villagers that she was taken to Lingshan Temple. I stayed behind to care for the other refugees, while Lin Xi went to the temple. But there were too many people, and he couldn’t find her… I heard Your Majesty has ordered a registry of the refugees. Could someone help us check?”

It wasn’t a big request. Ning Juan nodded at Zheng Yao: “The registry was compiled precisely for reuniting families.”

He paused, his tone cool: “But there’s no guarantee she’ll be found. Be prepared for that.”

During the time the refugees were confined at Lingshan Temple, Pan Jingmin had sent people frequently to remove those suspected or confirmed to be infected.

Ning Juan had already guessed the fate of those refugees but still ordered the soldiers responsible to be interrogated.

That very morning, he’d learned where those refugees had been taken—he just hadn’t told Lu Qingze.

Pan Jingmin had ordered a deep pit dug at the foot of a mountain.

The infected refugees were deceived into being led there, told they would receive treatment. Instead, they were herded into the pit like livestock, shot dead with arrows, and then burned.

Pan Jingmin, fearing the ashes of the diseased might spread the epidemic, had the pit covered with thick layers of soil after each massacre.

When Ning Juan went to inspect it that morning, the pit was already filled with fragmented bones mingled with dirt, silently rotting, with no way to tell who was who.

Yu Liuyue’s nose stung, and her eyes grew hot. She’d known this was a possibility but had clung to a sliver of hope, not daring to dwell on it. She bit her lip: “I understand.”

Lu Qingze sighed silently and softened his tone further: “What’s the other matter?”

Yu Liuyue opened her mouth, her voice choked: “And… I beg Your Majesty to help find my father as well.”

Ning Juan raised an eyebrow.

Why ask to find her mother first, then her father?

Seeing Yu Liuyue on the verge of tears, Lin Xi patted her shoulder gently and gestured that he would explain. His hands moved swiftly.

Lu Qingze’s expression grew solemn as he watched. After a moment, he nodded: “I’ll explain in detail to His Majesty. You two should rest first. Stay here for now, and we’ll notify you as soon as there’s any news.”

Lin Xi signed again: Thank you.

Once the two had finally left with Zheng Yao, Ning Juan immediately shed his cold demeanor and leaned toward Lu Qingze, pulling his attention back: “Teacher, what did he say just now?”

Lu Qingze snapped out of his thoughts and turned to Ning Juan, explaining: “Yu Liuyue’s father is named Yu Zheng. He was a constable in Ji’an Prefecture, highly skilled in martial arts—Lin Xi learned his skills from him. But before the chaos in Jiangyou, Yu Zheng disappeared.”

Ning Juan nodded obediently: “Teacher looked very grave earlier. Is there something suspicious about Yu Zheng’s disappearance?”

Lu Qingze mused, “Lin Xi said that a few days before Yu Zheng vanished, he returned home looking very upset. He then resigned from his post and took his family back to their village. Soon after, he disappeared. After he went missing, people often lurked near their house at night, but Lin Xi drove them away before they could enter.”

Ning Juan said, “It seems he learned some secret or obtained something, fearing it would bring disaster to his family.”

“Likely so.” Lu Qingze took a sip of tea. “But after the flood, Lin Xi and Yu Liuyue fled the village with their mother. They probably didn’t have time to take anything from home. Whatever it was might still be there, and it could lead us to clues.”

Lu Qingze thought seriously for a moment, then looked at Ning Juan: “Since we’ve promised to help, we should send someone to Yu Village to search for that item later.”

This matter couldn’t be rushed—they’d have to wait for the floodwaters to recede.

He could only hope the item hadn’t been washed away.

Seeing Lu Qingze’s concern, Ning Juan naturally wouldn’t refuse: “I’ll have Zheng Yao ask for a detailed description of Yu Zheng’s appearance and send people to search for him.”

With that, he also felt parched and reached for tea, only to realize no one had poured it for him.

Outside the palace, especially in Jiangyou’s current state, even the emperor’s treatment wasn’t as privileged as usual, and his usual attendants weren’t around.

Lu Qingze, seeing Ning Juan’s slight pause, found it amusing. He picked up the teapot, poured a cup of hot tea, and pushed it toward him with two fingers: “Try it. Lushan Yunwu tea. Lord Zheng’s men found it in the treasury last night. Who’d have thought Prefect Zhao’s tea would rival the imperial tribute? Speaking of which, last night I reviewed the inventory reports from various prefectures and tallied them up.”

Ning Juan accepted the tea Lu Qingze poured for him, his earlier displeasure dissipating: “And?”

“Not good. The flood has destroyed crops, and continuous heavy rains have caused stored grain in some cities to mold. With the sheer number of refugees—many still in hiding—the remaining grain in Jiangyou’s prefectures likely won’t last long.” Lu Qingze paused. “Your Majesty, how do you plan to address the food shortage?”

Before heading south to Jiangyou, neither Lu Qingze nor Ning Juan had anticipated that Pan Jingmin and his cronies would reduce the prosperous region to such a state.

With both land and water routes difficult to traverse and the capital two thousand li away, sending urgent reports to the court and dispatching a relief commissioner would take nearly a month round-trip—far too slow.

So before leaving, Ning Juan had arranged for people to pose as refugees and spread word in the capital about Jiangyou’s flood and epidemic, as well as Wei Herong’s suppression of the emergency reports, stripping him of any power to interfere.

With obstacles reduced, Grand Tutor Feng could push for Fan Xingyan to be appointed commissioner, while the Vice Minister of Revenue secretly prepared relief supplies. Fan Xingyan could then depart immediately with the supplies for Jiangyou.

But the originally scheduled time was still days away. Even if Fan Xingyan traveled day and night, it would take half a month to arrive.

“Teacher needn’t worry. Last night, I issued an imperial decree pressuring Jiangzhe,” Ning Juan said lightly. “With me here, no matter how much Li Xun begrudges it, he’ll have to cough up some grain. In a few days, Changshun and Chen Xiaodao will arrive with supplies from Jiangzhe to address the immediate crisis.”

This would tide Jiangyou over until court-ordered relief arrived.

So he hadn’t forgotten Changshun and Chen Xiaodao by Daming Lake?

Lu Qingze rested his elbow on the table, propped his chin on his hand, and tapped Ning Juan’s forehead with a fingertip, smiling: “Is this why you left Changshun and Xiaodao there?”

That slender, bamboo-like finger approached, carrying a faint plum blossom fragrance. The casual tap sent a tingling sensation through Ning Juan’s chest, an electric thrill that made him want to act—like seizing that pale, delicate hand in his own.

His fingers, hidden in his wide sleeves, clenched and unclenched repeatedly before he suppressed the sudden impulse and exhaled carefully.

He couldn’t remember when it had started, but every time Lu Qingze drew near—even with simple contact—it left him tense, flustered, and yearning for more.

He couldn't help but think—if it were Lu Qingze, even if he were to stab a knife into his heart, he wouldn’t have the heart to dodge.

But how could Lu Qingze ever do such a thing to him?

The moment this thought surfaced, Ning Juan’s eyes brightened with a sparkling joy, like a puppy wagging its tail for praise: “Mhm!”

Lu Qingze, unaware of the depths of a teenager’s heart, was baffled by his sudden cheerfulness and instinctively reached out to feel the boy’s forehead.

Is he sick?

As he withdrew his hand, the boy’s face seemed to redden further.

Lu Qingze grew slightly concerned: “When you went to the relief shelter, did you cover your mouth and nose properly? I’ll call the imperial physician to examine you later.”

The transmission route of the epidemic hadn’t been fully determined yet. While airborne spread seemed unlikely—otherwise, everyone at Lingshan Temple would have been infected—it was still better to be cautious.

Seeing Lu Qingze take the initiative to care for him, Ning Juan didn’t refuse and nodded casually with a smile: “Alright.”

Zheng Yao happened to return to report news just then and, catching sight of His Majesty’s radiant expression in front of the Imperial Tutor, felt another pang of bitterness.

We pledged loyalty at the same time, so why…?

Though Pan Jingmin still stubbornly denied any crimes beyond mismanaging the flood control—insisting he had no collusion with court officials—good news arrived swiftly.

The next day, Yu Liuyue found her mother among the refugees.

A few days later, the floodwaters outside Ji’an Prefecture receded slightly, and Yu Village finally emerged from the deluge, seeing the light of day once more.

When the news arrived, Lu Qingze and Ning Juan were on their way back from Hongdu Prefecture. Hearing the report, they decided to detour and visit the vicinity of Yu Village.

The Imperial Guards had already cordoned off the area. Spotting Ning Juan and the others approaching, they saluted respectfully.

The aftermath of the flood was devastating—many houses had collapsed, and the ground was strewn with debris.

Zheng Yao didn’t dare let Ning Juan and Lu Qingze venture further: “Your Majesty and Lord Lu, please wait here. Young Master Lin will guide us to search.”

Though Yu Liuyue’s mother hadn’t contracted the plague, she had fallen ill from hunger and exposure. Yu Liuyue stayed at the official residence to care for her, so Lin Xi led the way instead.

Without his sister around, the boy shrank like a rabbit awaiting slaughter, silently trying to make himself invisible among the strangers.

Seeing that Lin Xi was around Ning Juan’s age, Lu Qingze felt a pang of sympathy and patted the boy’s head reassuringly: “Don’t be afraid. Lord Zheng won’t scold you.”

Lord Lu, please don’t touch him so casually!

Zheng Yao stole a glance at Ning Juan’s expression and broke into a cold sweat for Lin Xi’s sake. As a martial artist himself, he had a soft spot for talented youths like Lin Xi and quickly coughed twice: “If the floodwaters surge back, it’ll be trouble. Young Master Lin, lead the way.”

Lin Xi, who only felt safe around Lu Qingze, relaxed slightly after his reassurance and nodded, guiding Zheng Yao and the others toward his home.

In the distance, the floodwaters still hadn’t fully receded. Lu Qingze and Ning Juan waited on higher ground.

The fields below were in ruins, the roads indistinguishable. The losses—property, crops—were incalculable. Once the waters retreated completely, the people would have to labor tirelessly to rebuild their homes.

A damp, muddy breeze carrying the scent of decay swept over them, rustling their robes.

Lu Qingze stood with his hands behind his back and spoke softly: “Your Majesty, when I taught you about the people’s welfare before, it was all from books. Now that you’ve seen it firsthand in Jiangyou, what are your thoughts?”

Ning Juan replied, “What’s written in books captures only a fraction of reality.”

After a pause, his voice lowered slightly: “Teacher, I will be an emperor who ensures the people live in peace and prosperity, a ruler who brings stability to the land.”

He said will, not want to.

The young emperor’s voice carried the clarity and vigor of youth, yet also a growing maturity, each word ringing like metal striking stone.

Lu Qingze’s chest warmed, and the corners of his lips lifted: “Mhm, I believe in you.”

Ning Juan suddenly turned to him, eyes bright: “Teacher will stay by my side forever, right?”

Lu Qingze raised an eyebrow and teased lightly: “Your Majesty isn’t planning to ‘cast aside the bow once the birds are gone’?”

To his surprise, instead of taking it as a joke, Ning Juan’s expression darkened instantly: “Who said such things to you?”

Lu Qingze was taken aback and quickly soothed him: “No one, I was just joking.”

Ning Juan was genuinely furious. He glared at Lu Qingze for a long moment, too reluctant to vent his anger on him, and finally swallowed it back with gritted teeth. With a sharp flick of his sleeve, he refused to speak to him further: “Even if it’s Teacher, you can’t joke like that! Don’t say such nonsense again!”

Lu Qingze was genuinely stunned for three seconds.

He’s really angry?

He had always spoken casually with Ning Juan, occasionally slipping into playful banter without thinking—but he hadn’t considered Ning Juan’s sensitive nature. That was his mistake.

Just as he was about to apologize, Zheng Yao and the others returned from their search: “Your Majesty! We’ve found something!”

With too many eyes around, it wasn’t the time for private words. Lu Qingze swallowed his apology and turned his attention to what Zheng Yao had brought back.

It was a medium-sized ceramic jar, tightly sealed and buried under the kitchen corner of the Yu family home, so it hadn’t been washed away.

Uncertain of its contents, Zheng Yao held the jar cautiously and asked for instructions: “Your Majesty, shall we open it?”

Ning Juan glanced down at the jar and nodded coolly.

Zheng Yao stepped back a few paces, placed the jar on the ground, and used his blade to pry off the stopper.

Nothing flew out.

He righted the jar, peered inside, and his expression twisted oddly. Bending down, he retrieved its contents and hurried back to Ning Juan, presenting them with a bow: “Your Majesty, please examine this.”

When Lu Qingze and Ning Juan saw what was inside the jar, even they were momentarily stunned.

The item Yu Zheng had hidden—the thing that had brought disaster upon him—was actually an account ledger and a handwritten letter.

The two immediately sensed something amiss.

Ning Juan skimmed the letter, his gaze deepening, but didn’t read further. Instead, he looked up and asked, “Where is Zhao Zhengde, the prefect of Ji’an?”

“Still in prison,” Zheng Yao replied, puzzled. “With limited manpower, we’ve been focusing on the Pan family first. We haven’t gotten around to interrogating him yet.”

There were too many arrests, and Zhao Zhengde hadn’t made it to the top of the interrogation queue.

Ning Juan gave a slight nod and said no more: “Return to the official residence.”

With that, he ignored Lu Qingze, turned on his heel, and strode straight to the carriage.

Zheng Yao’s jaw nearly dropped in shock.

Wasn’t it always His Majesty’s habit to personally help Lord Lu into the carriage?

What happened? I was only gone for a short while, and the heavens have changed?

The masked man before him gave no visible reaction, but the slight downturn of his lips betrayed his displeasure.

Heavens, is it about to rain knives? His Majesty and Lord Lu are actually fighting!

Unable to suppress his burning curiosity, Zheng Yao waited until Ning Juan was out of earshot before whispering, “Brother Lu, what’s going on between you and His Majesty?”

“...” Lu Qingze rubbed his temples. “Don’t ask. I put my foot in my mouth. His Majesty is furious right now and probably doesn’t want to see me. Brother Zheng, can you let me ride with you later?”

He hadn’t expected the usually docile Ning Juan to get so angry.

Trying to talk now would likely only make things worse.

Zheng Yao’s rugged face paled in horror: “Absolutely not!”

Do you want me to die?!

Lu Qingze considered Ning Juan’s temper: “His Majesty probably won’t be willing to talk to me until evening. You can’t expect me to walk back, can you?”

Zheng Yao gave him a complicated look: “It’s not that I’m unwilling—it’s just, how could His Majesty ever let you suffer on horseback…?”

Let alone ride with someone else.

His Majesty was angry, not insane.

Moreover, it was clear Lu Qingze had misjudged the situation, applying His Majesty’s standards for others to himself.

Was Lu Qingze the same as everyone else? His Majesty had one set of rules for others, but for Lu Qingze, even if he didn’t go to coax him, Ning Juan would probably cool off on his own soon enough.

But these thoughts couldn’t be voiced—doing so would be presumptuous. Zheng Yao scratched his head in frustration, then noticed Lu Qingze striking up a conversation with Lin Xi.

Lin Xi had gotten mud on his face while digging earlier. Lu Qingze noticed and handed him a handkerchief: “Wipe it off?”

Lin Xi accepted it shyly and signed a thank you.

Zheng Yao’s scalp prickled, and he instinctively glanced at the carriage.

Sure enough, as the breeze stirred the carriage curtain, he caught a glimpse of His Majesty’s dark, piercing gaze fixed on the handkerchief in Lu Qingze’s hand, his eyes icy with displeasure.

Zheng Yao: “...”

The life of a loyal subordinate is full of hardships.

He tugged at his hair, then suddenly coughed loudly and boomed with exaggerated vigor: “What? Lord Lu, you want to ride a horse? But we don’t have enough horses!”

Lu Qingze: “?”

Before he could figure out what Zheng Yao was up to, Ning Juan leapt down from the carriage and stormed over, unable to hold back any longer: “Lu Huaixue, come here at once!”

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