The guests were astonished to see the Duke of Lu barge in with his men, wondering what was going on.
Some recalled that the Duke of Lu and Chancellor Cen were related by marriage and lived next door to each other. Yet Chancellor Cen had not invited him today. Had something really happened between the two households? Many gazes instinctively fell on Lu Ming and his wife.
Lu Ming had already come forward to greet him, feigning surprise. "Father, weren't you feeling unwell? Why have you suddenly come?"
His wife's alarm, however, was genuine. Her voice trembled slightly as she said, "Father-in-law, what are you... what are you..."
The Duke of Lu waved for Lu Ming to step aside. There was no need for such pretense today. Then he gave his daughter-in-law a gentle smile and said, "Nothing's wrong. I've come to reminisce with your father."
With that, he walked toward the front of the courtyard.
The guests hurriedly parted to make way, bowing hastily, not daring to show the slightest disrespect.
The Duke of Lu had once kept a low profile, but after so many years, particularly after all the errands Jing Jiu had sent him on, that was no longer possible. Who did not know that he was indisputably His Majesty's foremost favorite?
Chancellor Cen looked at the approaching group. Naturally, he knew that the official beside the Duke of Lu was Jing Shang, and that the young man behind Jing Shang, who looked... rather pleasing to the eye, was Jing Li. He drew a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger, and looked at the Duke of Lu. "What important business brings you here so suddenly today, Duke?" he asked gravely.
The Duke of Lu feigned displeasure. "We're related by marriage. How could I not come when you're