Keyboard Immortal - Chapter 2956

Chapter 1469 Every Family Has a Daughter

Unfortunately, Lu Zhi offered no explanation, and even when questioned, he merely smiled and remained silent.

Zu An couldn’t press him for answers, so he suppressed his doubts for the time being.

They returned to Luoyang in this manner. Dusk was approaching, and the city, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, resembled a crouching behemoth, its back weighed down by heavy clouds.

The city walls rose over ten zhang high, each brick gleaming with a cold, bluish-gray light. Zu An could feel an inexplicable sense of oppression. He could see various powerful array patterns on the walls and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly, wondering how such a large city could be breached without internal strife.

Outside the city gates, in a wide square, dozens of people stood silently, dressed in neat attire.

The leaders, though possessing distinct airs, were all names in Luoyang that could send shivers down one’s spine.

At the very front was an elderly man over seventy, thin and bony, yet his spirit and energy surpassed that of the middle-aged men beside him.

He wore a faded deep-colored robe, over which a worn-out crane-feather cloak; his hair and beard were all white, yet meticulously combed. This was Qiao Xuan—Lord Qiao, the former Grand Commandant, a veteran official of three dynasties. His eyes were deep-set, yet his gaze was sharp as a knife, fixed intently on the end of the official road. His staff, held firmly to the ground, remained motionless.

Beside Qiao Xuan stood a scholar in his fifties, his face lean and refined, his robe flowing and wide, exuding an unconventional elegance.

Cai Yong, courtesy name Bojie, was a literary master of his time, proficient in calligraphy and music. His brows were slightly furrowed; he occasionally glanced up at the Imperial Guards patrolling the city wall, then lowered his head again, his fingers unconsciously tapping a rhythm on his thigh. On

Qiao Xuan’s other side stood a slightly plump middle-aged man in his early fifties, wearing a dark purple official robe, a gold seal at his waist, his face kind yet carrying an air of quiet authority.

Yuan Wei, courtesy name Ciyang, was the head of the Yuan clan of Runan and the Grand Tutor of the court. His eyes constantly scanned the surrounding crowd, as if counting who had come and who hadn’t. The Yuan clan had disciples and former officials all over the land; his every move was observed and remembered.

Half a step behind Yuan Wei stood an official in his forties, with a square face and an air of unyielding integrity.

Wang Yun, courtesy name Zishi, was from the Wang clan of Taiyuan and was the Governor of Henan—the highest administrative official in Luoyang. Today, he wasn’t wearing his official robes, but rather plain clothes, with a seven-star sword hanging at his waist, the patterns on the scabbard worn smooth by constant use. He stood ramrod straight, his gaze calm, like a sharp blade sheathed, ready to draw blood when drawn.

Behind them were a group of renowned scholars including Yang Biao, Huang Wan, and Xun Shuang, as well as dozens of other scholars dressed in various official robes or Confucian gowns, standing in twos and threes, conversing in hushed tones, occasionally letting out suppressed coughs.

On the city wall, a troop of Imperial Guards with halberds stood motionless, their armor reflecting the setting sun.

On either side of the city gate, Imperial Guards formed two human walls, their iron armor clanging, their long spears like a forest, separating this square from the bustling marketplace outside.

Zu An saw this group from afar and felt a chill, worried that they might be hostile to Lu Zhi.

Lu Zhi chuckled and reassured him, “Don’t worry, they’re all on our side.”

He was shackled, his hair and beard disheveled, but his back was sturdy, and he squinted slightly as he gazed in the direction of Luoyang.

He then slowly introduced each person to Zu An, who was shocked. These were all top figures in the court; Cao Cao, Yuan Shao, and even Dong Zhuo were still mere underlings under these men at this time.

However, once the entire empire collapses and the world descends into chaos, everything will be different…

As they drew closer, all eyes in the square focused on them.

Many people curiously observed Zu An, marveling at his handsome features despite his dusty robes.

Qiao Xuan, leaning on his cane, took a few steps forward. His legs were no longer nimble, and he walked slowly, but each step was steady. Yuan Kui quickly stepped forward to help him, but he gently brushed his hand away.

The prison cart stopped, and Lu Zhi raised his hand in a slight salute, the shackles clanking. His gaze swept over Qiao Xuan, then to Cai Yong, then to Yuan Kui, then to Wang Yun, and then to every familiar or unfamiliar face behind him, a surge of emotion rising within him.

“Gentlemen—” he began, his voice hoarse, “I am but a disgraced official, why should I trouble you all to wait here?”

Qiao Xuan looked at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed: “Zigan, you old geezer.”

His voice trembled slightly, but he coughed to suppress the tremor, “I’m almost in my grave, and I still want to see you one last time before I close my eyes. I’m afraid you’ll die on the road and no one will collect your body.”

These words were harsh, but no one present felt offended.

Cai Yong stepped forward, looking at Lu Zhi’s injuries, his brows furrowing even more.

Zu An thought that he was the father of Cai Wenji, the talented woman with a tragic fate in history, and wondered if her fate would be different in this world.

Wang Yun then stepped forward, cupping his fists in a salute to Liu Bei: “This must be Liu Xuande, who saved Lord Lu on the road? I am Wang Yun, the Governor of Henan. Xuande’s noble character is deeply appreciated.”

Those present were all important figures in the court, each with their own intelligence network, and already knew everything that had happened on the road.

Zu An, remembering that the other person was Wang Yun, who had used a stratagem to eliminate Dong Zhuo in history, felt a surge of respect and quickly returned the greeting: “I dare not, Lord Lu is my mentor, this is merely my duty.”

He wondered if the legendary Diao Chan was truly his daughter.

Wang Yun’s gaze lingered on Zu An’s face for a moment, then he nodded without saying anything more, turning to Lu Zhi and saying, “Lord Lu, the city gates have been cleared, please come with us into the city.”

Yuan Wei also spoke at this time, his voice gentle: “Zi Gan, settle in the city first. Tomorrow at the court meeting, we will speak on your behalf. The eunuchs framed loyal officials; this debt is remembered by everyone in the court and the public.”

He spoke casually, but the words “everyone in the court and the public” were pronounced with particular clarity. The scholars behind him nodded in agreement, some becoming increasingly agitated.

Cai Yong’s voice was clear and melodious, like the plucking of a zither: “Zigan, everyone in the world knows what you’ve done in Jizhou. That scoundrel Zuo Feng thinks he can distort the truth with just a few words? Does he think everyone in the world is blind?”

His words were so harsh that Yuan Wei behind him frowned, subconsciously glancing at the Imperial Guards on the city wall.

Wang Yun stepped forward imperceptibly, blocking Cai Yong’s path between him and the city gate. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried clearly to everyone’s ears: “Bojie, it’s best not to say too much. Welcome Lord Lu into the city.”

At the city gate, the captains had already cleared a path. The Imperial Guards soldiers, expressionless, raised their long spears in a crossed motion, then lowered them in unison, making way for Lu Zhi.

“Xuande,” Lu Zhi suddenly turned around, “Stay by my side.”

Everyone present felt a jolt; they all understood what this gesture meant. It was an opportunity for them to get to know this junior, who was now clearly considered Lu Zhi’s most prized disciple.

Just then, a frail-looking young girl rushed out of the city, her soft, joyful voice ringing out: “Father, Senior Brother~”