As he left the Imperial City, Old Marquis Lu encountered Aunt Qiu once more.
It seemed she had already anticipated the outcome of his visit to Emperor Guangxi. Seeing his dejected expression, she wasn't surprised and asked directly, "What does Old Marquis intend to do next?"
Old Marquis Lu was still reeling from the scene in the grand hall. "The secret edict has been destroyed. Once the Weapon Diagram is crafted and created, it will be unjustifiable. I fear the Emperor might accuse the Lu Family of treason then."
"Then why didn't you heed my advice earlier?" Aunt Qiu asked.
"I thought the Emperor would at least take a moment to consider the late Emperor's good intentions," he replied.
Aunt Qiu remarked, "The Empress Dowager understands the Emperor better than you. You shouldn't have ignored her counsel."
Old Marquis Lu had his regrets, but things had escalated beyond his control.
