Chapter 5

Chapter 5

My plan was actually quite simple.

In the original plot, because Lu Yuzhang saved my life, I became as loyal as a devoted hound, sacrificing everything for him.

I really wanted to see how far Lu Yuzhang would go for me if I were the one to save him instead.

At the very moment the tension reached its breaking point, I stepped forward and said calmly, “Minister Du, congratulations.”

A mocking smile touched Du Ziguo’s lips. “Oh? What is there to congratulate?”

He had grown old.

He was no longer the man I used to see at banquets-the one who remained sober while everyone else was drunk.

His hair was graying at the temples, wrinkles branched from the corners of his eyes, and the vertical line between his brows added a touch of ferocity to his face.

Power is blinding. Scheming against people from morning till night must be quite exhausting.

Keeping a straight face, I smiled and said, “Miss Du sacrificed herself to take a blade for Father Emperor, saving his life. It is entirely thanks to Miss Du that Father Emperor is unharmed. However…”

“However what?”

“Miss Du’s wound is near her heart. Although the imperial physicians are doing their best to save her, the injury has ultimately damaged her constitution. She will also be left with a scar, which I fear may affect her marriage prospects…”

Du Ziguo’s expression tightened for a moment before quickly relaxing again.

He likely realized that since Du Xuefu had taken a blade for Father Emperor, any talk of him attempting to assassinate Father Emperor would naturally be dismissed as nonsense.

“This old official has his own plans. There is no need for the Princess to trouble herself.”

“I shall lead you there, Minister Du. Father Emperor is at Fengluan Palace.”

Du Ziguo was very satisfied with how sensible I was being.

He shot a brief glance at Lu Yuzhang and chuckled. “Young Master Lu is the Top Scholar of the new session. But this old man has seen dozens of Top Scholars in his time. Can you guess where those people are now?”

He laughed arrogantly and strode away.

I gave Lu Yuzhang a faint smile and turned to leave as well.

Since the founding of Daning, there have been over fifty imperial examinations, producing more than fifty Top Scholars.

But most of those people did not get very far in the imperial court.

Some were demoted, some were exiled, some died, some became mediocre officials just trying to stay alive, and others became Du Ziguo’s lackeys.

Lu Yuzhang was different from all of them.

In the original plot, he was the one who went the furthest. He stepped over my bones to overthrow a dynasty and ascended to his own peak of glory.

Now, I will never allow such a thing to happen.

After walking a long distance, I glanced back, only to find Lu Yuzhang staring at me. His gaze was deep and dark, like a frigid pool of water…