Climbing to the Top: A Reborn Queen's Journey-Chapter 645: Good News

The Nanyang Prince Mansion suddenly erupted like boiling oil splashed with a basin of ice water.

Chief Historian Feng laughed heartily to the point of almost losing his breath.

Shen Mu Wen An and the other subordinates all beamed with joy.

This was truly the greatest piece of news! They all knew of the Commandery Princess’s lofty ambitions. Her journey to the Capital City for mourning seemed like a tragic one-way trip. Following that came the devastating news of palace coups and treasons, which left them anxious and sleepless for the Commandery Princess.

Who would have thought that such joyous news would suddenly arrive!

"The Commandery Princess is going to become the Empress!"

"Heavens, am I dreaming? Quick, pinch me!"

"Wait, shouldn’t we pack our bags and head to the Capital City immediately?"

"What nonsense! The Capital City is full of officials. The Commandery Princess doesn’t lack subordinates there. We should stay at the Prince Mansion and do our duties well, waiting for the Commandery Princess to summon us anytime."

These last few lines came from Chief Historian Feng, who almost laughed his mouth crooked.

At the command of Chief Historian Feng, the subordinates finally calmed down from their sudden ecstasy. They had no mind for work today, lounging around in the signature room grinning foolishly.

Chief Historian Feng returned to the Household Department, approving all requests for money and grain by signing and stamping every slip sent that day.

Tang Youyin had to cough to remind him: "Chief Historian Feng, the last slip was sent by Fang Changsui."

Fang Changsui, after all, was Lu Xuan’s personal long-term follower Fang Tong.

Lu Xuan, with a very low presence in the Nanyang Prince Mansion, had his expenditure slips sent in not always approved by Chief Historian Feng, usually approving one and rejecting the next.

Tang Youyin’s reminder made Chief Historian Feng recall an important matter: "Has the joyous news of the Commandery Princess’s ascension been conveyed to Lu Junma?"

Tang Youyin looked baffled: "I don’t know either."

Chief Historian Feng simply threw aside his pen: "I’ll personally go and congratulate Lu Junma."

After a stick of incense time.

Lu Xuan stood in his study, watching Chief Historian Feng’s mouth open and close, speaking absurd words, somewhat amused: "Such things should not be joked about lightly. If it spreads, it would be disrespectful to the new Emperor."

Rarely did Chief Historian Feng have such a pleasant demeanor, smiling as he explained: "The Commandery Princess specifically sent Meng Sanbao back to deliver the message, also instructing the Personal Guard Camp to immediately send a thousand trusted aides to the Capital City. Such a significant matter is indeed true without a shred of falsity."

"The Commandery Princess is indeed going to ascend the throne as Empress. This Da Liang’s realm will belong to our Commandery Princess in the future."

Lu Xuan: "..."

Lu Xuan’s expression froze, staring intently at Chief Historian Feng.

Chief Historian Feng continued to speak with delight: "The coronation ceremony will be held soon. However, the Commandery Princess has not called for us to head to the Capital City yet, indicating we are to stay at the Prince Mansion. We must patiently wait... Junma! Someone! Please summon Doctor Sun!"

...

Overwhelmed with joy, Lu Xuan fainted from a rush of blood.

Cheerful Doctor Sun swiftly administered acupuncture to Lu Xuan. In the time it took to have a cup of tea, Lu Xuan gradually regained consciousness. As soon as he opened his eyes, he repeatedly questioned: "Chief Historian Feng, I wasn’t dreaming just now, was I? Is Shao Hua really going to ascend the throne as Empress?"

"Does the court support her? Does the Grand Empress Dowager in the palace support her as well? What about Prime Minister Wang? What is Duke An’s stance? And Empress Dowager Li, the Li Family, Prince Wu’an, and Prince Huaiyang, did they not contest her?"

Clearly, Lu Xuan was privately keeping a close watch on the movements in the Capital City, mentioning every significant figure without missing anyone.

Chief Historian Feng smiled: "The specifics can be inquired in detail when Meng Sanbao returns from the Personal Guard Camp. In any case, it is absolutely true that the Commandery Princess will be ascending the throne."

Lu Xuan sat up briskly, eyes glowing with excitement: "I must pack and go to the Capital City at once. At such a critical moment, I must be in the Capital City to help Shao Hua establish herself in the palace court."

Humph!

Whatever accomplishments the Commandery Princess has achieved, what does it have to do with you? What ability do you have to assist the Commandery Princess? This is just to go to the Capital City for some tangible glory and benefits, causing trouble for the Commandery Princess, isn’t it!

Chief Historian Feng, less tactful than Chief Historian Chen, immediately wore a stern expression: "Without the Commandery Princess’s orders, no one from the Nanyang Prince Mansion is allowed to enter the Capital City without permission. To avoid causing incidents and becoming a nuisance to the Commandery Princess."

Lu Xuan straightened his posture, casting a sidelong glance at Chief Historian Feng: "Chief Historian Feng is quite mistaken. I am Shao Hua’s biological father. For Shao Hua to ascend as Empress, how could her father be absent? The stigma of being unfilial would lead to public criticism, potentially even writing me into history books. To the Capital City, I must go!"

Chief Historian Feng, for once, was at a loss for words.

Indeed, the Commandery Princess used to rule Nanyang County with an iron hand, caring little for appearances of filial piety. Outsiders had no insight into the real situation.

But now, with the Commandery Princess becoming Empress, every word and action is scrutinized. The Emperor must be a model for the masses, even if pretending to be filial. The coronation without her birth father’s presence does seem improper.

However, given Lu Xuan’s nature and conduct, how could there be no trouble if he reached the Capital City?

To put it bluntly, if Lu Xuan is determined to secure an official position or aims for a title like Duke, whether Jiang Shaohua agrees or not becomes complicated.

In Chief Historian Feng’s moment of hesitation, Lu Xuan had already jumped off the bed, loudly summoning two retainers: "Fang Tong, immediately send someone to the Prefecture School to bring Ying’er back. I intend to take Ying’er to the Capital City."

"Bian Dong, inform Aunt Mei to pack her belongings."

...

This unexpected twist left Chief Historian Feng quite vexed.

To argue in public is truly unbecoming. Chief Historian Feng departed silently first, issuing orders for the trusted aides to guard all entrances of the mansion. No one was to leave without his command.

Then, Chief Historian Feng immediately picked up a pen to write to Chief Historian Chen.

Fortunately, Lu Ying was at the Prefecture School, and retrieving her would take five or six days; packing would also require time. There would be a way to stop Lu Xuan.

That night, Chief Historian Feng slept uneasily, dreaming continuously.

He dreamt of the Commandery Princess dressed in a Dragon Robe, majestically seated on the Dragon Throne, then dreamt of Lu Junma with a smug face standing beside the Commandery Princess, arrogantly accepting the courtiers’ kneeling obeisance.

Knock, knock, knock!

A sudden, urgent knocking echoed.

Chief Historian Feng awoke with a start, sitting up from his bed: "Who is it? What has happened?"

"Chief Historian Feng, something terrible has occurred." The urgent voice of a trusted aide came from outside the door: "Lu Junma suddenly developed a high fever at midnight, convulsing and speaking nonsensically."

"Aunt Mei is frantic, beside herself; she asks for Chief Historian Feng to come and see."

Chief Historian Feng turned pale with fright and quickly dressed before rushing to Lu Xuan’s quarters.

By now it was past midnight; the Prince Mansion was previously quiet and serene. The frantic, hurried footsteps of Chief Historian Feng shattered the calm, instilling unease.

Several lamps were lit in Lu Xuan’s chamber, the face of the bedridden Lu Xuan was flushed, his body constantly convulsing, incoherently babbling, even foaming at the mouth.

Aunt Mei covered her face with her sleeve, weeping incessantly.