Chapter 759 - 455: Sealed Wax Secret Letter

Lu Geng was sitting in front of a small table, eating ravenously. At the door, Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng suddenly entered and immediately knelt down in worship as soon as they arrived.

"Subordinates Wang Maochun, Chen Shanmeng, pay respect to Your Lordship!"

Lu Geng was drinking a bowl of soup. When the two called out, it nearly choked him. He wiped the soup from his mouth, glanced at the two kneeling at the door, and said, "Both of you, rise. This is not a formal court session, no need for such rigid etiquette."

Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng both stood up, and while they were rising, Lu Geng took the opportunity to drain the last bit of soup into his mouth.

Lu Geng burped contentedly, put down the empty soup bowl, looked at Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng, and laughed, "You two seem to be very well-informed!"

Wang Maochun glanced at the few utensils on the table, which were empty, and cupped his fists, saying, "Just before Your Lordship arrived, the sect’s document had already arrived. I especially called colleague Chen to come and pay respects to Your Lordship together."

Lu Geng smiled slightly, already understanding the meaning behind Wang Maochun’s words.

Chen Shanmeng also stepped forward half a step, cupped his fists, and said, "Since Your Lordship has arrived, we request that you preside over the Ministry of Justice to handle the case matters."

Lu Geng stood up and said, "There’s no rush for case management. Let’s wait until Yang Yi and Jiang Zhe arrive, and we’ll enter the Ministry of Justice together. For now, I need to see my younger brother first."

"Younger brother?" Wang Maochun was stunned for a moment and then suddenly realized, blurting out, "Has Lord Wang Yue also arrived?"

Lu Geng walked outside as he spoke, "Not Wang Yue, it’s Duan Rong!"

"Duan Rong?!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Maochun and Chen Shanmeng exchanged glances in surprise, and by this time Lu Geng had already walked out of the room, mounted his horse, and galloped out of the inn.

It was only half a year ago that Zhu He admitted Duan Rong into the sect as a Direct Disciple, news both had heard, but when did Duan Rong arrive at Divine Cloud Prefecture?

This morning, Zhu Zhengfu went to Guanglu Mansion to handle several important official matters, gave a few instructions to his three deputies, and then returned home. It’s not that he wanted to slack off; he had been focusing on public opinion in Divine Cloud Prefecture lately, neglecting other affairs, and had to put government office matters aside.

The news from the informants usually arrives at the mansion in the afternoon or evening.

At this time, Zhu Zhengfu took a few sips of Ginseng Tea, intending to rest on a recliner.

Just then, old housekeeper Zhu Yu rushed in in a fluster, moved a tea table at the entrance, which squeaked a bit as it shifted.

Zhu Zhengfu opened his eyes, and a hint of displeasure flashed in them. Before Zhu Yu could approach, he scolded, "After so many years, still so flustered, with no etiquette..."

Before Zhu Zhengfu could finish, Zhu Yu interrupted him, "Master, Lord Lu Geng has arrived!"

"Lu Geng!?" Zhu Zhengfu immediately straightened his back on the chair and eagerly asked, "Where is he?"

Zhu Yu said, "He has already entered the mansion, about to reach the rock garden."

"Quick, let’s go greet him!"

Zhu Zhengfu jumped up from the chair immediately. His plump body was agile as an old ape, darting out the door towards the rock garden.

As Zhu Zhengfu exited the room, he could already see the gatekeeper leading a burly, tall figure, circling around the rock garden, heading this way.

Zhu Zhengfu hurried over, knelt to the ground, and called out, "I did not know Lord Lu had arrived, and I failed to greet you from afar."

"Enough, Lord Zhu. I’ve come here several times! No need for these empty rituals!" Lu Geng asked, "Where is my younger brother?"

"Lord Duan?" Zhu Zhengfu raised his head and said, "Lord Duan is at the other courtyard!"

"Let’s go, take me there!" Lu Geng knew where the other courtyard was, lifted his foot, and walked toward it, with Zhu Zhengfu quickly following.

In the other courtyard, Duan Rong was teaching Ruyi to practice calligraphy. The two were gathered together, copying letters, occasionally sharing laughs.

Just then, Zhu Zhengfu ran in, knelt at the door, and said, "Subordinate pays respect to Your Lordship!"

Duan Rong was holding Ruyi’s fair and tender hand, copying the character for ’evening,’ with a faint smile on Ruyi’s lips.

Duan Rong frowned and glanced at Zhu Zhengfu kneeling at the door, wondering why Zhu Zhengfu, who usually came to pay respects in the evening and report the day’s public opinion, had come so early today.

Duan Rong was about to call Zhu Zhengfu up and ask him what was going on, when he saw a shadow cross the doorway.

At this moment, the doorway was bathed in sunlight, and Duan Rong, standing before the calligraphy table, saw a tall shadow silhouetted against a halo of sunlight enter, making it difficult to discern the person’s face in the radiant glow.

"Younger brother, all of us have been worrying about you daily at the peak. Especially our senior sister, who talks about you every day. You certainly seem to have found paradise with a beauty!" The man said as he stepped into the room, looking at Duan Rong.

As the familiar voice rang out, how could Duan Rong not know who it was?

At this moment, Lu Geng had already walked out of the sunlight’s glow, standing not far from Duan Rong.

"Senior brother Lu, why have you come?" Duan Rong asked in surprise.

Lu Geng sat boldly on the Grandmaster’s Chair next to him and said, "Why can’t I come? So, I’m disturbing your peaceful life with a beauty, reading at night, right?"

As Lu Geng spoke, he slightly lifted his bottom off the seat and stretched his neck to glance at the calligraphy on Duan Rong’s table, said mischievously, "Oh—so you’re practicing calligraphy! How literary!"

Lu Geng’s sudden arrival had just registered with Ruyi, who pulled her hand from Duan Rong’s grip, set down the brush, and stood to one side, her face flushed with embarrassment.