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

On the Eve of Chapter 132

With the clatter of hooves, Lu Zhen and his party finally arrived in Xuandu. Travel-worn and without even changing clothes or washing up, they went to the military headquarters to submit their invitations, but were not immediately summoned by Emperor Yongxi.

Only then did he learn that the Imperial Concubine had recently passed away and His Majesty was in deep grief. Lu Zhen had no choice but to return to his residence to await a summons.

"My lord~"

Lu Zhen looked up at the sound and saw his wife waiting outside the mansion gate with a group of people in the distance. His heart warmed.

Before I could even get my footing after dismounting, two little kids bumped into me.

"Father!"

"Daddy~"

Lu Zhen laughed heartily and reached out to rub the two children's heads. "Xun'er, Yuan'er, you've both grown quite a bit taller. Have you been naughty while Daddy's not here?"

“Yuan’er always listens to her mother, unlike her second brother who skips school every day!”

"Hey, you little brat, why did you betray your second brother right away?" Lu Yu glared angrily at Lu Yuan.

Lu Yuan snuggled into Lu Zhen's arms and made a face at Lu Xun, showing no fear whatsoever.

"Alright, alright, you two stop bothering your father."

Lady Yang, who had been quietly watching the father and his two sons play, stepped forward and separated the two children.

"Your Excellency must be tired. I have already instructed someone to prepare hot water. Please go and take a bath and change your clothes."

Lu Zhen nodded, and the two children came over, one in each hand, and hopped and skipped into the room.

Madam Yang shook her head helplessly as she watched their retreating figures. After the New Year, Xun'er would be ten years old and Yuan'er eight, yet they were still so lively and unruly. No wonder Madam Shen looked down on them; aristocratic families valued rules the most.

Over here, the two children were chattering away.

"Father, I don't like studying, and I want to go to the battlefield with my elder brother!"

"Your father and brother are enough for the battlefield. You should study hard in Xuandu and add some scholarly atmosphere to our family."

"Father is biased, hmph~" Lu Xun pouted unhappily.

Lu Zhen simply patted his head, showing no intention of backing down. He had learned a lesson from the aristocratic families: don't put all your eggs in one basket.

Lu Yuan, not wanting to be left out, tugged at Lu Zhen's sleeve, "Daddy, Yuan'er has been studying music, chess, calligraphy, and painting diligently!"

"Yuan'er is such a good girl, Daddy will have to reward you properly."

The prominent families always say that the Lu family, which is composed of military families, are nouveau riche. It's just that their ancestors started early, and after several generations of accumulation, the Lu family can also become a new prominent family.

Once inside the bathhouse, the two children were led away by the attending nanny, and things finally calmed down a bit.

Lu Zhen stretched out his arms to make it easier for Yang to undress him.

"Madam, have you visited Madam Shen recently?"

Yang paused in untying her sash, then sighed, "Since receiving the Marquis's letter, I have sent several invitations, but Madam Shen has made excuses to decline them all."

Lu Zhen understood everything, though he was mentally prepared, he still couldn't help feeling a little regretful.

"Forget it, you can't force things. Let's just let this matter go."

Madam Yang nodded in agreement, "That's true. Why bother trying to curry favor with others? A virtuous and capable wife is the most important thing. Didn't the Marquis rise to his rank and generalship through his own efforts?"

Lu Zhen twitched the corner of his mouth. "What Madam says is true."

He can't exactly say, "I also wanted to take a shortcut, but I didn't have the chance back then!"

Yang was gentle and virtuous, and Lu Zhen had no complaints about her. However, she came from a family of minor officials and lacked experience and decisiveness when faced with important matters. But with him and Hongfei around, this was not a problem. However, the next Lu family matriarch needed to be carefully selected.

Zichen Palace —

“Father, it is not appropriate to delay seeing Marquis Yongyi as he returns to court to report on his duties.”

The Yongxi Emperor, grieving the loss of his beloved concubine, looked much more haggard. He waved his hand and said, "You are the Crown Prince Regent. Summon him on my behalf tomorrow."

"Your subject obeys the decree."

Meanwhile, the lone rider from the north was finally on the verge of declaring war.