Chapter 2142: Bai Lie Is Mine

Lu Zhenxian didn't elaborate on how rare pearls are produced, as it was a method discovered by Lu Dingxun and a secret of the Lu family.

Emperor Jiuyou then asked, "Since then, has there been no other Son of Fortune?"

The elders all looked at Lu Zhensheng, but Lu Zhenxian said, "After that, no universally acknowledged Son of Fortune appeared."

The emphasis was on the words "universally acknowledged."

Lu Lianqing coughed, "The patriarch's second son, Lu Qinglin, serves as General Xu in Mu State, married the daughter of General Yu Tian, Xia Pei, and holds military power. He is currently expected to take over this title."

"Is that so?" Emperor Jiuyou said calmly, "Shouldn't a so-called Son of Fortune lead the family to prosperity and success? Lu Qinglin's flourishing career in Mu State is his personal success; what does it have to do with your Lu family?"

He spoke without reservation. Lu Zhensheng's face flushed slightly, while Lu Qing'an feigned deafness.

The Lu family members inside and outside the garden felt a secret satisfaction upon hearing this.

Lu Zhensheng had always been proud of his second son, but to other members of the Lu family, Lu Qinglin's achievements in Mu State often relied on support from Bailie. His parents and clan back home continuously provided him with resources, enabling him to thrive and become successful.

Emperor Jiuyou's gaze was like a torch, immediately pinpointing their delusion.

Lu Lianqing could only try to save face for the patriarch: "Qinglin has, of course, also been giving back to Bailie. In recent years, when Ya State frequently invaded, he lobbied Emperor Mu and even brought Mu's army back to drive out the Ya people."

Lu Zhenxian chuckled, "Second Uncle, you're joking. How often does Qinglin bring troops back? If we relied entirely on him, Bailie would have been gone long ago."

With Emperor Jiuyou by his side, what was there to fear? Besides, he knew very well why Emperor Jiuyou was there today. He opened his mouth and delivered a straightforward blow.

These words had been accumulating inside him for who knew how many years. Now that they were spoken, Lu Zhenxian felt completely unburdened.

Ah, what relief!

Lu Zhensheng's heart jolted; he didn't even have time to be angry.

Whatever conflicts existed between the Lu brothers, they had always maintained an appearance of fraternal harmony. Now, the Sixth Brother suddenly spoke so frankly, no longer even pretending. Was he trying to leverage Emperor Jiuyou's power to ascend to a higher position?

Regardless of what happened later, he and his son were in danger today.

Lu Lianyun, with a grey beard and drooping eyelids, had been carefully observing everyone's expressions. He suddenly spoke up, "Qingbang is also very capable. Qingbang led all those critical battles in crucial moments."

Upon hearing this, everyone inwardly criticized the old man for being an opportunist.

However, Lu Zhenxian waved his hand, saying, "With Qingbang's limited abilities and fortune, how could he be a Son of Fortune? Alas, even to be slightly associated with that person would be a great blessing!"

He explicitly stated that his son was not a Son of Fortune, which surprised everyone. They wondered what he was planning.

If he didn't put his son forward, how would he contend for the patriarch's position?

Moreover, Lu Qingbang's expression was normal, and even the impulsive Lu Feiyan looked as if it were obvious. Clearly, the siblings and their father had already discussed this.

"That person?" Lu Lianyun caught the key phrase. "Which person?"

He knew that Sixth Brother Lu didn't get along with the eldest, and wouldn't use such an envious and admiring tone to praise Lu Qinglin at this moment. Therefore, "that person" likely referred to someone else.

There were only a few members of the Lu family from the 'Qing' generation. Besides Qinglin and Qingbang, no one could think of a third person with the potential to be a 'Son of Fortune'.

Could Lu Zhenxian be referring to his daughter, Lu Feiyan? No, that didn't seem right.

Meeting the confused gazes of the crowd, Lu Feiyan spoke:

"Fourth Uncle, have you forgotten? We still have the main branch."

As soon as the words "main branch" were uttered, everyone's expressions soured.

It had been a long time since those two words were heard.

The main branch of the Lu clan had been single-line for generations, with a small population, and had died out more than twenty years ago. Because Lu Zhensheng's ascension to power was illegitimate, it had become almost a forbidden word.

Several Lu clan elders exchanged glances. What kind of situation was this? They secretly glanced at Emperor Jiuyou, who remained calm and silent.

With him present, Lu Feiyan wouldn't speak recklessly. So, this must have been pre-arranged!

Lu Zhensheng's face changed dramatically. Why had Emperor Jiuyou specifically mentioned the "Son of Fortune"? Could it be...?

Could Emperor Jiuyou be planning to support a so-called "Son of Fortune" to oust him and control the Lu family?

It was possible, highly possible!

No wonder he had dismissed Lu Qinglin and Lu Qingbang. He must have had a more suitable candidate in mind to promote!

Lu Lianyun again spoke before anyone else, giving Lu Feiyan an opening: "Xiao Yan, my dear, just tell us directly, what is going on? We all know the main branch has withered, and now the side branches are flourishing."

Lu Zhensheng and his clan brothers were the "side branches."

This time, however, Lu Zhenxian took over the conversation: "The last bloodline of the main branch was Lu Xiaoyun. By lineage, I should call her my paternal aunt. She left Bailie at the age of twelve, traveling west by boat, and was never heard from again. We all thought she had perished overseas, but she actually arrived in the western state of Yuan, grew up in Blackwater City, and married and had a child."

"Why has Bailie fared worse and worse over the years? Even with the resurgence of spiritual energy in the world, we have not seen any improvement. The root cause is that the Son of Fortune was forced to wander overseas and could not bless Bailie!"

"You're saying Lu Xiaoyun is the Son of Fortune? That's absurd!" Lu Zhensheng exploded in anger, forgetting Emperor Jiuyou's presence. He pointed at Lu Zhenxian's nose and reprimanded him, "Sixth Brother, where did you hear such fabricated nonsense!"

Lu Zhenxian tilted his head, looking at him with a glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes: "Why the rush? I haven't finished yet. Lu Xiaoyun isn't the Son of Fortune, but her son is!"

He exhaled and spoke, ensuring everyone inside and outside the garden could hear his next words:

"Lu Xiaoyun's son, his surname is He!"

Surname He... Surname He... The words seemed to echo in the garden.

Those who were slower to react still didn't understand what was happening. What was wrong with the surname He? But when they looked at their companions, anyone who was even slightly perceptive had their mouths agape, unable to close them.

Lu Qing'an sprang to his feet like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. Lu Zhensheng's body swayed twice, a breath caught in his throat, almost unable to inhale.

This news was too explosive. The other Lu family members at the banquet exchanged glances, momentarily speechless.

The Emperor Jiuyou right before them, it seemed, um, didn't he also have the surname He?

Lu Lianyun looked at Lu Zhenxian, then at Emperor Jiuyou. His eyes held no emotion other than shock.

"Sixth Brother, are you saying, saying..."

The two commanders, Wu and Huang, on the side, frowned deeply.

How had things suddenly escalated to this point?

They wanted to speak up and stop it, but they didn't know what to say. This was the Lu family's internal affair, yet it unexpectedly involved Emperor Jiuyou.

He Lingchuan reached out, picked up the wine pot, and poured himself a cup. In the midst of the silence, the gurgling sound of the pouring wine was particularly abrupt.

Just as his presence here was abrupt.

"My birth mother is Lu Xiaoyun." He Lingchuan's gaze swept over everyone present. Those he looked at instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes. "Protecting Bailie is my inherent responsibility, because—"

He enunciated each word: "Bailie is my territory!"