Chapter 1657 – Securing Nan Sheng, Killing An Huan (Sixty-Seven)
Compared to Lü Zheng’s heaviness and concern, Kang Xintong’s voice sounded much more spirited.
“My daughter overheard something by chance; it seems Lord Lan Ting’s morale is quite high these days!”
Lü Zheng cast a faint glance at his adopted daughter and gently tapped her on the forehead to remind her to watch her words.
Why was Kang Xintong so excited about mentioning the enemy?
Anyone who didn’t know might think Kang Xintong had some close relation to Jiang Ji!
The corners of Kang Xintong’s lips curved into a charming arc, showing no fear of Lü Zheng’s warning.
Perhaps because she had been well-fed and taken care of lately, her previously emaciated chin was now more rounded, making her appearance even more wholesome and pleasing. Seeing her smile, Lü Zheng felt a mixture of gratitude and concern. Despite him telling her that good looks were inherent and not to worry too much, the truth was that the world had a natural malice towards beautiful women, especially in chaotic times.
“A gentleman does not become formidable if he lacks gravitas. Regardless of when, where, or whom you face, you must control your emotions. Do not act frivolously or give others a lighthearted impression,” Lü Zheng earnestly lectured his adopted daughter, speaking with righteous seriousness while secretly slipping in some personal thoughts.
Kang Xintong looked respectful on the surface, but in her heart, she was somewhat dismissive.
She had merely smiled at her adoptive father; how was that frivolous or lighthearted?
On another note,
“Father, is the saying ‘A gentleman does not become formidable if he lacks gravitas’ from the Analects?”
Kang Xintong indeed had some foundational knowledge, but the Analects at that point was too profound for her; her parents’ hired tutor hadn’t even reached that section. Recently, Lü Zheng had been pushing her hard to study the Analects, but Kang Xintong was still struggling to memorize it.
Lü Zheng replied, “A gentleman does not become formidable if he lacks gravitas, and learning is not solid.”
The meaning was clear enough, yet the typically bright Kang Xintong looked puzzled.
Lü Zheng assumed she didn’t understand and asked, “Is there anything you don’t comprehend? Don’t hesitate to ask.”
Kang Xintong brought a bamboo slip over, opened it for Lü Zheng to see, and pointed at the phrase inscribed on it.
“According to what you said, Father, the ‘gravitas’ in ‘A gentleman does not become formidable if he lacks gravitas’ means being sincere and solemn. But this bamboo slip’s annotation seems different…”
Annotation?
The bamboo slip that Kang Xintong was using from the Analects was one Lü Zheng had used during his student days; he knew every character by heart and didn’t need to keep flipping through it. If he weren’t teaching Kang Xintong, he wouldn’t have pulled it out at all.
Although he hadn’t looked at it in years, he didn’t recall writing any annotations on it.
Bamboo slips were different; inscribing them was inconvenient, and carving too many characters would hasten their degradation.
Thanks to his remarkable memory, Lü Zheng hardly ever made notes or annotations.
Curiously, he took the bamboo slip from Kang Xintong and opened it. To his surprise, right next to “A gentleman does not become formidable if he lacks gravitas,” there was indeed a small note inscribed.
“Gravitas means plumpness.”
Lü Zheng: “…”
In other words, according to that annotation, the meaning of the saying had been twisted to imply that if a gentleman isn’t plump, he lacks authority?
Who in the world scribbled nonsense on his bamboo slip?
Not just any casual writing; the meaning was so absurd, wouldn’t the sages themselves be upset?
“Father, did you…” Kang Xintong whispered, “did you write this annotation?”
Lü Zheng glanced at the handwriting, found it somewhat familiar, and scrutinized it more closely until he recalled who it was.
“No! No! Absolutely not!” Lü Zheng emphatically denied it three times.
Kang Xintong understood how precious books were and knew her adoptive father came from humble beginnings; he should cherish them even more. Unless the person who wrote on it was someone he trusted, they wouldn’t have the chance to make a mess of it. Therefore, she was curious about who the genius behind this annotation was.
“Then who did it?”
Lü Zheng casually tossed the bamboo slip on the table, curling his lips in disdain. “Who else could it be but that dandy Liu Xi?”
Indeed, this annotation had been left by Jiang Ji. Lü Zheng didn’t know exactly when it happened, but it was probably before she left Langya County.
Kang Xintong’s mouth fell open, stunned for a moment before bursting into a fit of laughter.
“Who would’ve thought that Lord Lan Ting had such a charmingly mischievous side in his youth!”
The expressionless Lü Zheng: “…”
Normal people, upon seeing such absurd annotations, would surely think Jiang Ji was a poor student, right?
Charming? Mischievous?
What is this nonsense characterization?
This isn’t a fan filter; it’s clearly blindness!
Lü Zheng suddenly regretted whether he had been too harsh on his adopted daughter; having her admire Jiang Ji like this was sort of over the top!
“Hmph!”
Lü Zheng scoffed disdainfully, pulling out his knife and brush, ready to scrape off Jiang Ji’s nonsense.
Unexpectedly, Kang Xintong wouldn’t allow it; she snatched the bamboo slip close to her chest, eyes gleaming with hope and a hint of pleading.
This is writing left by her idol; she wanted to keep it, not erase it.
Lü Zheng held the knife and brush, not knowing whether to keep them or put them away.
Kang Xintong seized the opportunity while Lü Zheng hesitated and smoothly altered the topic.
“Father, the situation at the front isn’t looking good. Don’t others have any plans?”
Lü Zheng paused for a moment, silently putting the knife and brush away, regaining his serious demeanor.
“There are indeed some plans. While the people under our Lord all have their own schemes, they aren’t all incompetent.”
“Then why are you so worried, Father? If they have plans, surely they know how to resolve them.”
Kang Xintong spoke somewhat bluntly; she had been around Lü Zheng long enough to understand him better.
This father figure was fine everywhere, yet he had his eyes closed to An Huan’s antics.
How could An not remember that it was Lü Zheng who accompanied him through his hardest times?
Isn’t this the same as a scumbag thriving after abandoning his struggling wife?
Trash!
Big oaf!
Kang Xintong didn’t like An and couldn’t wait for him to perish quickly.
Lü Zheng said, “What I fear is that some people have ulterior motives, secretly plotting something sinister.”
Kang Xintong didn’t understand.
“Would the people under Lord An actually harm him?”
Lü Zheng snickered, “Why not? Some people are insane; you really can’t treat them like normal folks.”
“In that case… would you remind Lord An?” Kang Xintong cautiously asked.
Lü Zheng coldly laughed, “Remind? Ha!”
I’ve warned him before, but it was useless!
Lü Zheng wasn’t one to cling stubbornly; An Huan’s continuous acts of self-destruction were already very off-putting to him.
Just a couple of days after this conversation, An Huan prepared his grand army and incidentally dragged Lü Zheng along.
An Huan recalled Lü Zheng, not out of conscience or old affection, but simply because Hua Yuan had strongly recommended him.
Every scumbag thinks they’re not scummy and doesn’t see it as a fault to neglect others. An Huan was willing to reuse Lü Zheng; what was Lü Zheng unsatisfied with? With this scumbag mentality, An planned to keep Lü Zheng stationed at the rear.
However, this decision faced Hua Yuan’s vehement rejection.
To retain such a huge talent like Lü Zheng in the rear was simply wasting talent!
“What is Hua Yuan trying to do?”
What is he trying to do?
Hua Yuan responded with a cold smile.
Naturally, he was trying to figure out a way to move out this annoying stumbling block named Lü Zheng!
