Chapter 80: A Father Pays His Daughter’s Debt

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Plop.

Lu Yuan Ze knelt straight and rigidly on the imperial court floor.

“Your Majesty, I am falsely accused! I have never exploited my daughter to borrow money, never!” His heart felt bitterer than gall. Indeed, he should never have fathered Lu Chao Chao. Jing Yao was the true blessing in his life.

The Emperor’s gaze was cold as ice. “So, what you’re saying is that Lu Chao Chao borrowed the money all on her own?”

Lu Yuan Ze’s confusion deepened. “Your Majesty, of course, she borrowed it herself.”

The Emperor grabbed a memorial and hurled it directly at Lu Yuan Ze’s forehead. The outer casing of the memorial was firm, and the Emperor used the full weight of his fury in the throw. Years of practice ensured his aim was unerring. The memorial struck squarely on Lu Yuan Ze’s forehead.

“You insolent fool!” The Emperor leapt to his feet in anger.

The sharp edge of the memorial split open Lu Yuan Ze’s skin, and blood streamed from the wound. Terrified by the Emperor’s wrath, he trembled and kowtowed, not even daring to clutch his bleeding forehead.

“She is just one year old! How would she know how to borrow money?”

“If not for the adults’ coaxing, how could she understand? She can barely walk steadily, and her speech is halting—yet you claim she borrowed money?”

“Lu Yuan Ze, do you have any conscience left? She is not even a year old. What could she possibly know?”

“To use a one-year-old child for profit, Lu Yuan Ze, you have the audacity of a dog!” With that, the Emperor picked up another memorial and flung it at his body. This was cathartic for the Emperor, a rare chance to vent his frustrations.

Lu Yuan Ze was beyond words. He truly hadn’t done it, truly hadn’t! Yet seeing Eunuch Wang subtly shake his head at him, he dared not explain further. After all, who in their right mind would believe that an eleven-month-old child could borrow money?

His indignation simmered.

“Lord Lu, how could you use a child to amass wealth? Even a child’s savings from several years of New Year gifts? Have you no shame?”

“Your daughter didn’t just borrow money; she even handed out talismans, claiming they ensured safety.”

“Ridiculous.”

“Lord Lu, we have shared camaraderie, so I won’t say much. But the money must be returned to the children.” Several officials encircled Lu Yuan Ze, pressing him.

“And my grandson’s eight copper coins and a jug of milk!” the Minister of the Imperial Sacrifices hurriedly added.

Lu Yuan Ze, though voiceless with grievance, thought that a one-year-old child couldn’t have borrowed much. Resolving to settle the matter swiftly, he promised, “I’ll repay it all! Tomorrow, I’ll personally deliver the full amount to each of your households.”

“I’ve already inquired thoroughly,” the Minister of Rites said calmly. “She borrowed quite a bit, leaving promissory notes at every house. We’ll hand them to you shortly.” This senior official, a veteran of the court, even commanded the Emperor’s respect.

The Emperor gave Lu Yuan Ze a sidelong glance. “Using your daughter to amass wealth—this crime deserves harsh punishment to set an example.”

“Guards, take Marquis Lu and give him thirty lashes.”

Lu Yuan Ze pressed his lips tightly but dared not plead his innocence. He was dragged out by the palace guards, each strike of the staff landing heavily on his body. His face turned pale, and his lips bled from being bitten in restraint. Inside, he cursed Lu Chao Chao for her foolishness, lamenting that she was not as well-behaved as Jing Yao.

After the morning court session, the Emperor summoned the creditors to the imperial study. They exchanged uncertain glances.

“She gave you all talismans?” Sitting on the dragon throne, the Emperor suppressed his joy.

Talismans? Such treasures, and she didn’t give them to me? Was it because I’ve done something wrong? I even gave her my jade pendant, a token of my presence that allowed free entry into the palace and command of ten thousand imperial guards. Have I been lacking somehow?

The Emperor grew increasingly aggrieved as he pondered.

The Minister of the Imperial Sacrifices reluctantly produced a crumpled yellow talisman, its ancient and mysterious designs evident despite its wrinkles. “My grandson lent her eight copper coins and a jug of milk. In return, she gave this Truth Talisman, claiming it compels honesty.”

“The little one has some nerve, tricking my grandson out of eight copper coins,” he muttered, casually twisting the talisman.

Eunuch Wang stepped forward and took the talisman without hesitation, leaving the Minister puzzled. He had no intention of presenting this child’s toy to the Emperor, but Eunuch Wang’s action left him no choice but to comply.

The Emperor’s gaze turned to the other ministers.

Official Zhou hesitated briefly before presenting a talisman. “My grandson lent her two hundred and eighty silver taels and received a House-Guarding Talisman in return. She claimed it would repel all malevolent spirits.” He handed it to Eunuch Wang as well.

The Grand Scholar of the Cabinet added, “My granddaughter lent her three hundred silver taels and was given a Weather Talisman. She treasures it immensely, believing it can summon wind and rain. She forbade me from damaging it, insisting it be returned intact.” Thus, he did not pass it on.

The Vice Ministers of Revenue and Rites each handed over a Longevity Talisman. “The little one claimed it could extend life by three years. She’s quite the swindler.”

The Emperor took the four talismans, coughing lightly to mask his glee. “These talismans are evidence. I’ll keep them.”

“You are all dismissed.” A smile tugged at his lips.

The Minister of Rites, his hair stark white, regarded the Emperor with suspicion, sensing an unusual cheerfulness. However, the group didn’t linger, leaving the palace together.

Heavy rain poured as they exited the palace gates, the ground slick with accumulated snow. The weather’s dreariness seeped into their spirits.

“The rain has been relentless for seven days. Reports from Lin Luo Province warn of worsening floods,” the Minister of Rites sighed.

The Cabinet Scholar Liu held the talisman in his hand, replying absentmindedly, “Indeed. If only the rain would stop and the sun shine for a few days.”

No sooner had he spoken than he felt a sudden heat burn his hand.

“Ah!” Startled, he dropped the talisman, which burst into flame without any external source. Within moments, it was reduced to ashes, its remnants falling to the wet ground.

Astonishment gripped them as they realized something extraordinary.

The torrential rain abruptly ceased. The dark clouds dispersed, and sunlight spilled across the land. It was as though the heavens had answered a plea.

Liu pointed at the sky, then at the ashes, struggling to articulate his shock. “This… this… this!”

“Could it really be the talisman?” he stammered, unable to dismiss the inexplicable coincidence.

The officials exchanged glances, recalling the Emperor’s suspiciously pleased reaction and his confiscation of their talismans. Without a word, they turned and hurried back towards the palace, their urgency palpable.

But the palace gates were shut tight with only Eunuch Wang greeting them with a genial smile. “His Majesty has retired early to rest. Please return tomorrow. Remember, my lords, what should and shouldn’t be spoken aloud.”

The Emperor intended to keep the matter quiet.

Frustration overwhelmed the officials, their regret evident as they lamented their foolishness. The Emperor retiring so early? Preposterous!

Those talismans… they were real!

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