Nine out of ten gamblers lose; I've run into a jerk!

Chapter 133 Military Report

Led by a palace attendant, Lu Zhen entered the Xuanzheng Hall of the Eastern Palace. Crown Prince Que Jin, without any airs, was already waiting for him in the hall.

"Your Highness, this humble subject pays respects." Lu Zhen raised his hand in a salute.

"No need for formalities. The crisis at Pingshan Pass was largely due to the insightful Marquis Yongyi, who personally went to the battlefield to ensure the safety of our Xuan Kingdom's southwestern borders."

"Your Highness is too kind. As for anticipating the enemy's moves, I dare not take credit for others' work."

"Oh~" Que Jin's eyes flickered slightly, as if he had become interested, and he asked, "Which outstanding talent has emerged from my Xuan Kingdom this time?"

"It was Shen... Chengming." Lu Zhen was unwilling to claim credit for someone else's work, and he didn't want to implicate Shen Qingxi, so he simply attributed the credit to Shen Che. After all, they were family, so it was better to keep the good stuff within the family.

"So it was Young Master Shen~" Que Jin said with a hint of amusement. "I heard that Young Master Lu and the Third Daughter of the Shen family are engaged. Your Excellency truly does not shy away from recommending relatives."

Lu Zhen's heart skipped a beat. No matter how approachable someone was, he was still in a position of power, and a casual remark from him was enough to make people ponder his words.

"Hey~ that was a joke Old Master Shen made when he was alive, don't take it seriously." Lu Zhen tried to laugh it off.

Que Jin raised an eyebrow. "Does Your Excellency mean that with the passing of Old Master Shen, the Shen family will no longer acknowledge their obligations?"

Oh my goodness! What does the Crown Prince mean by this? Does he dislike Shen Shi and want to label him as an unfilial son?

For a moment, Lu Zhen's mind was racing, and he sighed that the emperor's heart was unpredictable, but on the surface he put on the appearance of a heroic and unrestrained martial artist.

"Your Highness is too kind. Old Master Shen is grateful and repays kindness. How could I be the kind of person who would take advantage of someone's kindness? My son is unworthy of Lady Shen."

Que Jin smiled and couldn't help but think more highly of Lu Zhen. Great generals are hard to find, and people with good character are even rarer.

"I was just mentioning it casually. How will the people of Yucheng be resettled after the war?"

Seeing that Que Jin seemed to be speaking casually, Lu Zhen secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Your Highness..."

Que Jin steered the conversation back to the defense of the southeast with a few words, getting back on track for the dialogue between the emperor and his ministers.

Just then, a palace attendant rushed in to report.

"Your Highness, an urgent report from the military!"

Que Jin's expression turned solemn. He took the memorial presented by the eunuch, opened it, and immediately his expression changed drastically as he stood up abruptly.

"Your Highness, what has happened?" Lu Zhen knew something was wrong as soon as he saw Que Jin's expression, and his heart jumped into his throat.

"General Qi has recaptured Jiayong Pass, and the northern border... has been won..."

Lu Zhen breathed a sigh of relief. "Isn't this a good thing?"

Que Jin raised his eyes and looked at Lu Zhen with a complicated expression. "My lord, please sit down and talk."

Lu Zhen's pupils contracted, as if he had guessed something, but he forced himself to remain calm and said, "No need, what storms haven't I weathered?"

Que Jin gave the eunuch a wink, and the eunuch understood, handing the military report to Lu Zhen.

Lu Zhen took it and quickly opened it. The more he read, the paler his face became, and his hands trembled slightly. "Good, good, good! Hongfei is indeed my good son!"

"My lord..." Que Jin looked reluctant, the words "please accept my condolences" weighing as heavy as a thousand pounds, and he couldn't bring himself to say them.

“Your Highness, there is no need to comfort me. To die on the battlefield is the duty of every soldier…” Lu Zhen’s throat tightened, and he could not continue. “Your Highness, please allow me to take my leave.”

Que Jin nodded understandingly, "Your Excellency must be tired from your journey and should rest well first."

Lu Zhen bowed absentmindedly, turned around blankly, and after taking only two steps, he suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood and collapsed forward.

"Marquis Yongyi!" Que Jin exclaimed in shock, "Guards! Summon the imperial physician!"