Commandant Lu had always known that his eldest son, although knowing he couldnât take his current position, was aware of his decision to elevate Lu Jin and fully support him, yet he wanted to cultivate the Lu family within the Zhou court to become deeply rooted and flourishing. So... it was for this reason that Lu Jinxian would mention at this time about Yuanpeng and Gaoyiâs mutual feelings potentially leading to a good marriage.
Commandant Lu felt that his son fundamentally misunderstood, and if he didnât correct this, it might develop unchecked and become uncontrollable in the future.
Under the eager and passionate gaze of Lu Yuanpeng, Commandant Lu calmed himself and asked an unrelated question, "Are your two younger brothers and Yuanqing present?"
"The two younger brothers are, but Yuanqing is still on duty and hasnât returned..." Lu Jinxian said.
Commandant Lu didnât respond immediately, placed the feather duster aside, and looked at Lu Yuanpeng who was hiding behind Lu Jinxian, saying, "If you fancy a girl from a common family, even if she is from a lowly origin, or the daughter of a farming family, if you wish to marry her, your grandfather will fulfill your wish, but Gaoyi is not an option!"
"Grandfather is worried that marrying the Bai family young... Gaoyi, I would become a prince consort, disgracing our Lu familyâs name?" Lu Yuanpeng was anxious, as he had considered this problem before and felt the biggest obstacle between him and Bai Jinzhi was her current status as Gaoyi.
Moreover, even Sima Ping had mentioned that whoever marries Bai Jinzhi would inevitably be labeled a prince consort, just as a woman married into a family is called someoneâs wife. The Lu Mansionâs status is that of a Commandantâs residence... the Commandantâs grandson becoming a prince consort feels odd.
However, those men who married into the Princessâs family would be called prince consorts, not to mention... Bai Jinzhi is the Gaoyi of the Zhou, once married, she will inevitably establish her own residence and the husband would have to live in the Gaoyi mansion, which in reality is not much different from marrying into the wifeâs family.
Seeing his grandfather silent, Lu Yuanpeng became more convinced that this was the reason, and hurriedly said, "Grandfather, but I truly have feelings for Gaoyi, we always had small quarrels in the Bai family army, Yuanpeng is determined to marry no one but Bai Jinzhi! Please, grandfather, make it happen!"
With that, Lu Yuanpeng knelt down again, knocking his head to the ground.
Commandant Lu felt pained seeing his grandson this way, but he still hardened his heart, stabilized his emotions, helped Lu Yuanpeng up, and said, "The Lu family has never expected you to hold up the portal, so... Grandfatherâs expectations of you are not high. It pleases him that youâve made a place for yourself in the Bai family army! However, on the matter of Gaoyi, Grandfather cannot agree!"
"Grandfather?!" Lu Yuanpengâs face turned pale, "Why is that?"
Commandant Lu gently patted his younger grandsonâs hand and said earnestly, "But indeed the age has come for you to discuss marriage, delaying any longer is not right! Grandfather has already arranged a marriage for you, and as long as the girlâs family agrees, it will be settled, providing you peace of mind."
Commandant Lu did not mention that Yuanpengâs match was with the daughter of the Wei family, as the girlâs family hadnât agreed yet, mentioning it prematurely could harm her reputation if it fell through.
Lu Yuanpengâs expression became increasingly grim, no wonder Sima Ping urged him to return quickly to find his grandfather, Sima Ping never spoke without reason, he must have heard something.
Lu Yuanpeng was shocked and knelt down again, "Grandfather! Apart from Bai Jinzhi, I want no one else!"
Seeing this, Lu Jinxian also spoke up, "Father, why not ask the third lady of the Bai family, if Gaoyi and my younger cousin are truly fond of each other..."
"Shut your mouth!" Commandant Lu erupted in anger for the first time.
Seeing his father genuinely angry, Lu Jinxian quickly knelt down, "Father, calm your anger!"
Commandant Lu, not wanting to reprimand his son in front of the younger generation, turned to Lu Yuanpeng and shouted, "Someone! Take the Sixth Young Master to the ancestral hall to kneel, and without my order, no one is allowed to release him, or give him food, not even a sip of water!"
At this time, confining Lu Yuanpeng is appropriate, as his impulsive nature might lead him to propose directly at the Bai Mansionâs gates, leaving no room for negotiation.
Guarding the Commandant Luâs study were the estateâs top masters, Lu Yuanpengâs skills were insufficient to contend, and he was quickly taken and dragged outside.
"Grandfather! Grandfather... Grandfather, I beg you, my feelings for Gaoyi are true!"
Commandant Lu did not even look at Lu Yuanpeng, and soon his cries faded away outside the study.
Commandant Lu lowered his gaze to Lu Jinxian kneeling on the ground, and said, "Jinxian, as your father, Iâve known... since you realized I would step down, you canât occupy this position... knowing I intend to fully support Lu Jin, youâve accepted it without complaint, helping me elevate Lu Jin! When I said our Lu familyâs offspring cannot make high connections, you listened! Youâve never disobeyed me, but deep down youâre dissatisfied, is it not?"
In reality, both father and son were aware of this, but they hadnât broken that barrier, on the surface, father and son seemed harmonious, with the son dutifully following the fatherâs words.
Lu Jinxianâs face also looked grim, seemingly making a final decision, he raised his head towards his father, "Father, itâs not for the sake of vying for power, itâs for the future of the Lu family, for our Lu clan. Father, our Lu family seems splendid now because youâre still here, you say that as long as our sons are outstanding like Yuanqing, our Lu family will never decline, but father, there are descendants in our family not as exceptional as Yuanqing, should they be ignored? Shouldnât we, as elders, live for more than just our lifetime? We must live for our descendants, so that the Lu family flourishes!"
Commandant Lu silently watched his son, not refuting his arguments, just looking at him calmly...
"Speaking a disrespectful word, father is now a Commandant, your position could clearly pave a better path for our descendants, but to show the Emperor youâre an uncompromising loyal minister, like King Bai Weiting of old, you cut off our offspringâs prospects. I think father, youâre too selfish. Even King Bai Weiting didnât suppress his offspring from marrying into high families!"
"Whatâs more, the current Emperor is not as narrow-minded as the Jin Dynasty Emperor, he will not be suspicious of our Lu family forming alliances. My younger brother, the grandson of the Commandant, and the Emperorâs cousin are a perfect match, why shouldnât it be a good marriage?"