Volume 3: Dragon and Snake Movement Chapter 420: Going around in circles to dig your own grave
Lu Sanlang was so excited that he almost exploded, but when he left, he hung his head. Zhang Shou strictly forbade him to leak the news, and even gagged him on the charge of leaking the forbidden words. However, he was always fat and generous, and when he left Zhang Garden and rode on his horse, he immediately became excited again.
"I can't tell you now. How can I hide it when we really start doing it? Oh, luckily Qi Liang went to Wang Datou's place, so no one can compete with me for the first credit... But Qi Liang would definitely prefer to work hard for Wang Datou. If he goes against the old masters in the court, he would definitely push me to take the lead even if he is still there! Hehehe, have my father and my eldest brother and second brother ever thought that I would still have such a glorious life!"
"Who made me the first headmaster of Jiuzhangtang? When the second and third batches come in, I will be the great senior?"
The more Sanlang Lu thought about it, the more proud he became. The more proud he became, the more he thought about it. In the end, his muttering almost turned into dancing. Fortunately, the followers who followed him were all sent by Madam Lu to follow him since they were young. They were used to the endless thoughts and unexpected behaviors of the Third Young Master, so they just pretended not to see it.
Even though they heard Lu Sanlang mentioning the master and the other two young masters in his mumbling, they still pretended to be deaf and dumb and followed silently. Finally, the complacent Lu Sanlang finally realized his own loss of composure, coughed hard twice, and sat up straight again. One of them stepped forward and whispered, "Young master, didn't the master send a letter this morning asking you to go home early tonight?"
Lu Sanlang had just been imagining the future with Zhang Shou, so how could he have thought about his original plan? Although he felt a little nervous at this moment, he still said nonchalantly: "It's okay, Dad is just dealing with trivial matters. Not only does he have people from Jiuzhang Hall to keep busy with him, but he also has Xie Wanquan to work like a slave for him. How can he care about me! Besides, there are still my elder and second brothers."
Several followers all laughed in their hearts. What about the other two young masters? One had originally finished studying at the Imperial Academy and was about to be appointed as an official, and the other was waiting to be promoted to a full-time position as an imperial censor in the Metropolitan Procuratorate. But now that the master has stepped down, the two have no idea what their next official position will be. They are like ants on a hot pot, and they can no longer put on their former airs in front of the third young master.
As one thing grows, another shrinks. How could Lu Sanlang not be proud when he is still as comfortable as a fish in water without his father's care?
The group escorted Lu Sanlang back to the gate of the Lu Mansion, and there was a small commotion at the gate. One of the gatekeepers came forward to help Lu Sanlang lead the horse, and when he helped the heavy little fat man down, he rushed to say, "Third Master, why did you come back so late? The master has sent people to ask several times. Your future in-law Liu has been here for a long time..."
The fat boy who was originally smiling and laughing suddenly became dumbfounded. Future father-in-law? Liu Qing's father? No way, his father asked him to come back early today just for something like this... Why didn't he tell me earlier!
The fat boy's calmness turned into nervous sweat. He almost threw away the reins, then lifted the front of his robe and rushed in. As a result, the doorman, who had only said half of his words and had not had time to show off the second half, was stunned.
Third Master, it's no use for you to run away. What I want to say is that I've been here for a long time, and I can't wait for you, so I'll go back first... You rushed in so hastily, and the master might get angry and beat you up! Don't take your anger out on me later, who told me to run away before I could finish what I was saying? Why are you so impatient?
Of course, Lu Sanlang would not hear the doorman's thoughts. He walked very quickly all the way, and was counting on his fingers the time when the guest would arrive at his house after the court session. He realized that his future father-in-law could not be having dinner at this time, and was most likely in his father's study, so he went straight there.
Just as he reached the door, he saw the Xiangfei bamboo door curtain suddenly lifted up, and then the eldest and second brothers came out with stern faces. When they saw him, the two brothers were both stunned, and then they showed a hint of mocking smiles. Seeing this scene, not to mention that Lu Sanpang was smart, even if he was a fool, he knew that something was wrong.
In an occasion like a meeting between relatives, it is okay for him as the person involved to be present, but who are his two brothers? Why should they stand there to accompany them?
Sure enough, perhaps because she noticed that the door curtain had not fallen, Lu Wan's voice came from inside: "Who's outside?"
Lu Erlang immediately shouted, "Dad, it's my third brother who's back."
After the initial silence, Lu Sanlang heard a roar from inside that was clearly suppressed anger: "Let that evil creature get out of here! His wings have grown strong enough to fly, but he just stays out there every day and doesn't care about his family..."
Before Lu Wan could say anything else, the little fat boy quickly slipped into the door - but before entering, he arrogantly rolled his eyes at each of his two brothers, and then sarcastically said in a very low voice: "I don't have my father to help me, but I can still fly with wings, but your wings have been broken by someone, right? Without my father, you can't be an official. Where is your usual arrogance?"
Before Lu Dalang and Lu Erlang could get angry, Lu Sanpang had already entered the study. Standing there and looking around, he found that there was no sign of his future father-in-law, Liu Shilang. Although he felt a little regretful, he was planning to go to the door in person to apologize some other day, but he didn't take it to heart at all.
Lu Wan, who was originally only half-heartedly angry, was furious at his nonchalant attitude. His own son spent all day in the Imperial College and took care of the cramped quarters. That was fine, he had already sent someone to tell him to come back early tonight, but he didn't take it seriously at all and went straight to Zhang Shou to show his courtesy!
Is that innocent teacher so much more important than his father and father-in-law?
In her anger, Lu Wan completely forgot that when she sent someone to pass the message, she did not mention at all that Minister Liu would be visiting her house tonight.
Although the little fat boy was used to making his father angry, he was indeed a first-rate person when it came to observing people’s expressions. When he retracted his gaze, he noticed that Lu Wan seemed to be annoyed, so he immediately stepped forward with a smile on his face and saluted, explaining, “Dad, I wanted to come back earlier, but today the young teacher went back to the Imperial College to check the homework, so I had to put away the things I had before…”
"Humph, Zhang Shou not only went to the Imperial College, but also came to the public school. You don't need to make excuses for me."
Lu Wan impatiently interrupted Lu Sanlang's explanation. Thinking of the news he had received, he was even more furious. Not only did Zhang Shou go to the public school, he also pulled Xie Wanquan aside to talk. According to his spy who reported the conversation between the man and Xie Wanquan, even if he heard the retelling, he was almost furious.
Of course, after listening to the spy's boastful report, he was actually very suspicious in his heart. You know, the guy next to Zhang Shou was able to sneak into the Lu family to deliver a letter to Lu Sanlang, so how could he not be able to prevent a mere spy with no skills? If so, it means that Zhang Shou was not afraid of anyone listening, and he even said it deliberately for him to hear.
But because of this, he felt aggrieved. Who made Zhang Shou actually instruct Xie Wanquan to find him to solve his lifelong affairs?
He is not Zhang Shou, and he has no ability to act as a matchmaker with a young lady like Zhu Ying who has nothing to do to help him! Thinking back to when he found a marriage for Lu Sanlang, it almost caused a big mess due to some mistakes. Thinking about it now, he feels unlucky!
Therefore, at this moment he stared at Lu Sanlang coldly, smiling cheerfully when he saw people, unlike his eldest son and second son who were cautious when they saw him. He felt mixed emotions in his heart. He was glad that this son finally had a promising future. The emperor probably didn't remember the eldest and second sons of the Lu family, but remembered this little fat boy. But what made him angry was that this son was simply raised for someone else!
He took a deep breath and then said stiffly, "Today your future father-in-law came to me to discuss the wedding date. I wanted to ask you what you think, but since you didn't come back, I'll just make the decision. Zhang Shou, whom you always call your teacher, hasn't gotten married yet, so you, as his disciple, should just be patient and wait until next year. What do you think?"
The fat man was immediately disappointed. He had made up his mind at the end of last year! Although he was a little busy later, he didn't think too much about the marriage. In addition, Zhang Chen and his friends were disloyal and went to Xingtai to do the textile business. He still had to manage the pan-entertainment industry in Beijing, so he seemed not to be enthusiastic about the marriage, but he really wanted to get married!
Now his father actually told him... to postpone it until next year? And he even brought up Zhang Shou's marriage to try to stop him from talking?
This is intolerable! Lu Sanlang took a deep breath and was about to protest, but Lu Wan put away her angry face and said earnestly: "If you want to get married and start a family quickly and make your mother happy, then don't be a jerk outside. At least come back to see your mother more often, and remember to pay more attention to the public school!"
When you were away, I often came back to see my mother... Dad, your focus is entirely on the second half of the sentence, right?
Lu Sanlang was truly convinced, but suddenly felt that his father, who he had always thought was cold and difficult to approach, was actually just arrogant on the surface and actually wanted him to get close to him. For his own lifelong happiness, he quickly nodded and said that he would definitely select the most reliable person in Jiuzhangtang to take over the teaching task at Daming Public School, but just after he made the promise, he suddenly slapped his forehead hard.
He was so busy trying to please his father that he forgot about another important thing Zhang Shou had told him!
Although he regretted it and was not sure whether his father was really on Zhang Shou's side, he had to say vaguely after thinking it over: "But Jiuzhang Hall has a big task recently, and I'm afraid the public school can't spare too many people. Dad, you can also choose a few smart students from the public school and cultivate them well. The young master mentioned the mentor system to me, maybe it can be used."
Lu Wan didn't pay attention to the second half of Lu Sanlang's words. Lu Sanlang said that Jiuzhangtang had another big task, which really made him dare not underestimate it. After all, Zhang Shou's ability to toss around, plus his little son who jumps up and down, is definitely more than two.
Thanks to these teacher and student, he has now learned some mathematical terms.
With her usual sensitivity and her father's deep understanding of her rebellious son, Lu Wan pretended not to care about the word "big task" and said impatiently, "I just asked you to do something, but you are so reluctant. You are simply an unfilial son! Since this task is not feasible, I will give you a task that can be easily completed. Listen to me!"
"That Xie Wanquan has now given up the idea of fame and fortune, and can calm down and do some practical things. But he and Yang Yiming have a teacher-student relationship after all. He was so decisive before, and many people in the literati and official circles have complaints about him. If he continues like this, not only will he have no hope of passing the imperial examination, but he also doesn't know when his life will end. So..."
"Help me to settle his lifelong affairs and let him have a good time in the public school. As long as you do a good job in this matter, I will go to your father-in-law and talk to him in person."
When the fat boy came out of the study, he looked at the moon in the sky which was still only half full, and began to doubt his life.
Is he his father's biological son? Why didn't his father do so much for his marriage? Now he wants to push Xie Wanquan's lifelong affairs to him? God knows, in order to prevent his father from randomly matching him up with other girls, he also asked Zhu Ying for help. Otherwise... He has only met a few girls in his 17 or 18 years of life!
With his appearance, he has no luck with women, right? It would be great if he had half the demeanor and appearance of Zhang Shou. As for his current fiancée, who is not picky about appearance but cares more about character, she is simply a blessing bestowed on him by God out of pity for his first half of life. Where can he find a wife for Xie Wanquan?
Lu Sanlang scratched his head in annoyance, and he went all the way to his mother, where he acted like a spoiled child again, making Mrs. Lu smile. Not only did she agree to help him scold his father, she also stuffed him with an extra stack of banknotes. However, Lu Sanlang thanked her again and again for the first one, but he pushed back the second one.
"Mom, I am now the most famous prodigal son in the capital. If I still spend your money, wouldn't it be a joke? Don't worry, I don't have to worry about expenses. If you want to help me... well, can you invite your future daughter-in-law out tomorrow so that I can talk to her?"
This is Lu Sanpang's strategy - as for why he didn't just hand over the matchmaking to his mother. Nonsense, if it was that easy, wouldn't his father just go to his mother? These ladies are the most talkative, and if it goes on for a while, the whole city will know about it. By then, it will backfire, and the whole city will know about it. The most frightening thing is that even if Lu Wan doesn't beat him to death, he will still bang his head against the wall!
Of course, creating an opportunity to meet his fiancée is also very important, otherwise he would just have to ask Zhu Ying for help!
Three days of leisure were stolen from the busy life. Although the first day was dedicated to the great cause of education... and the cause of eating, Zhang Shou was very conscious and took the initiative to invite Zhu Ying out for the next two days, and then very uncreatively chose to go out of the city to Haidian Zhaoyuan to escape the summer heat... and check homework by the way. As for the world of two people, they can only hold hands. Do you think that a lot of servants and followers are dead?
When he returned to the city to prepare for the opening of the Imperial College, he received Zhu Ying, Liu Qing's best friend, as soon as he got home in the afternoon. In the evening, she came to Zhang Shou and brought him a piece of news that made him laugh and cry. He had sent Xie Wanquan to find Lu Wan , but it was fake. He had deliberately said something to Lu Wan, but Lu Wan pushed the matter to Lu Sanlang, who then asked Liu Qing to do it. Liu Qing came to find Zhu Ying again...
Does this mean that the long-term worker is inferior to the short-term worker, and the short-term worker is inferior to the assistant? Or... is he trying to trick himself? Lu Wan is indeed an old fox!
