Chapter 109

 After the Cannon Fodder 'Top' Turns to Farming, He Gets a Happy Ending with the Aloof Male Lead (Transmigration)

Lu Lizhi yanked the gag out of the man's mouth, though he didn't expect to get any useful information out of him.

Sure enough, after half the night spent interrogating him, it turned out the man had indeed been in contact with Lu Changhuai.

"I... I was hired. I was told just to give you guys a beating. The people who hire us never leave their real identities behind—that's the rule of the trade, which is why we get so much business!"

The guard who had subdued the man nodded. "Still, everyone in this line of work is scum. Let's hand him over to the authorities."

Lu Lizhi instructed, "Make him forget what just happened."

"Understood."

Lu Lizhi didn't want to alert the enemy prematurely. "This was likely just a probe."

"Next time, they'll probably play for real." Jiang Baiye wiped the hand he had used to beat the man. "When do you plan to confront the Lu family?"

"Let's wait a few more days." Lu Lizhi lowered his eyes slightly.

He hadn't come here merely to give lectures and help Shen Feng; over the past few days, he had been quietly making inquiries among relevant people about the events of the past.

Jiang Baiye had only revealed part of the truth—specifically, the most dangerous aspect of it. As for the rest, he believed Lizhi would prefer to uncover the details himself.

After all, this was a knot in his heart that had persisted for years. After all, the course of events is not set in stone; take tonight’s incident, for example—the line between friend and foe can shift in the blink of an eye. Nothing is absolute.

The next day, Lu Lizhi went to class as usual. On the way, he ran into a hurried Lu Changhuai and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment, just as he had done before.

Lu Changhuai greeted him with a smile, "How are you settling in at the academy, Master Lu? If there is anything—be it food, clothing, lodging, or daily necessities—that you aren't quite used to, please feel free to let me know."

Although Lu Changhuai was not an instructor, he ranked just below the academy headmaster. He was effectively the second-in-command with real authority, overseeing everything from the admission of new students to the collection of tuition, the distribution of stipends, and the reception of various dignitaries. He was also responsible for logistics—such as the dormitories and the canteen—making him an incredibly busy man.

As for Lu Qingchuan’s father—the head of the Lu family—he had passed the imperial examinations years ago and been posted to a local government role. He now held a respectable rank; while perhaps not as dazzling as other Lu clansmen serving in key Grand Secretariat positions, his future remained bright.

He was widely praised for both his character and his reputation; truly, there was no fault to be found in him.

Lu Lizhi lowered his gaze. "Understood."

Lu Changhuai narrowed his eyes slightly as he watched Lu Lizhi’s tall, elegant figure—graceful as carved jade—walk away. Turning his head, he found himself facing a handsome face wearing an enigmatic, half-smiling expression.

He knew from Lu Qinghong that this man was Lu Lizhi’s partner. "I do have a suggestion: the security at your academy seems rather lackluster. You really ought to bolster it; otherwise, it would be a disaster if someone were to lose their life."

Lu Changhuai’s expression shifted. "What is the meaning of this!?"

Jiang Baiye couldn't be bothered to argue with him; he signaled the other guard and hurried to catch up with Lu Lizhi, sticking so close that it raised eyebrows.

At that moment, several students in green robes were crowding around Lu Lizhi, seemingly eager to ask questions. The weapons Jiang Baiye and his men had brought along for intimidation had been confiscated upon their entry into the academy.

He stepped forward, his face stern, and held up a hand to keep them at bay. "Save your questions for class. Master Lu dislikes having people crowd him."

Lu Lizhi glanced at him—clearly taking advantage of his position—and smiled. "I think I smell something sour."

"Want to get a little closer and have another sniff?"

Lu Lizhi blushed and quickened his pace to walk away.

Once the students dispersed, they scrambled toward the large lecture hall where Lu Lizhi was scheduled to teach, terrified they might miss out on a seat.

Upon arrival, they found their fears confirmed: the room was already packed to capacity.

Scholars of all ranks—from *tongsheng* and *xiucai* to *juren*—were huddled in corners; even those who had previously disdained him or spoken arrogantly were present, and a number of other instructors had joined the crowd as well. The original long tables were removed and replaced with round straw cushions; everyone sat on the floor, paper and brush in hand, whispering excitedly—their enthusiasm impossible to contain.

Lu Qinghong had initially been reluctant to come, dragged along only after much persuasion by his roommates, only to find he couldn't even squeeze through the doorway.

He was instantly dumbfounded.

"Make way, make way! Master Lu is here!"

The crowd immediately straightened up, gazing at the man in the long white robe. His dark hair hung loose, secured only by a simple jade hairpin; a jade pendant of the same color hung at his waist alongside a small, tasseled gourd—details that added a touch of endearing charm to his otherwise ethereal, otherworldly aura.

They also caught glimpses of the emerald archer's ring on his thumb; those from wealthy, well-to-do backgrounds marveled at the immense value of his jade accessories, becoming all the more intrigued by him.

Lu Qingchuan, however, seemed struck by a sudden thought and glanced at the man leaning against the doorway. In contrast, this man’s posture was casual—almost languid—creating a striking difference from Lu Lizhi.

Yet, one detail was identical: he, too, wore an archer's ring on his thumb exactly like Lu Lizhi's. He was idly turning and rubbing the ring when, sensing the gaze upon him, he raised his eyes to look back.

He recalled what others had said—that the two were a pair, inseparable, and even shared the same living quarters at night. "In this class, I won't be lecturing; instead, we’ll explore the topic together. Everyone should feel free to express their views—seeking common ground while respecting differences—and I will share my own perspective as well."

There were many present whose insights were deeper than his own; this was an opportunity to discuss ideas and learn from one another's strengths.

He began by posing a question to spark thought, dividing the group into two factions for a debate following a period of small-group discussion.

The participants split into opposing sides: one supporting Lu Lizhi and the other supporting Lu Qingchuan.

It was evident, however, that despite the respect Lu Lizhi had earned in recent days, the majority still sided with Lu Qingchuan.

Lu Qingchuan finally regained some confidence; he was certain his arguments would prove superior to Lu Lizhi’s.

While dozens of people joined Lu Qingchuan’s team, Lu Lizhi was left with only a dozen or so supporters.

When the "battle" began, it was a clash fought entirely with words rather than bloodshed. Lu Lizhi excelled at setting traps, while Lu Qingchuan was fiercely aggressive; one laid ambushes while the other pressed the attack—a verbal duel of the highest order.

The debate was so compelling that even Jiang Baiye—who usually had little interest in such matters—found himself listening with rapt attention, his heart tightening with suspense.

In short, he found the arguments presented by Lu Lizhi’s side highly convincing, yet the points raised by Lu Qingchuan’s faction seemed equally sound.

Standing at the entrance and witnessing this fierce clash of ideas, Old Master Lu felt a mix of gratification and concern. "Lu Qingchuan draws upon a wealth of classical references and possesses profound scholarship—perhaps even surpassing Lu Lizhi in that regard—yet he has not fully stepped out of the books to ground his knowledge in real-world application."

Moreover, the very fact that one man was debating against a dozen others spoke volumes about the outcome.

Lu Lizhi remained unflappable and composed throughout the exchange. As he debated the group, his opponents grew increasingly flustered and agitated; the hot-headed ones among them were practically stomping their feet in frustration.

They were clearly losing ground.

"That’s my husband for you," Jiang Baiye thought happily. The more he watched, the prouder he felt, and in his delight, he couldn't help but applaud.

"Mr. Lu is amazing!"

The crowd: "..."

Lu Lizhi: "..." What was I about to say again?

The rascal!

In the end, Lu Qingchuan opened his mouth as if to speak but found himself tongue-tied; any attempt to continue resulted only in stammering. Unwilling to humiliate himself further, he simply fell silent.

Lu Lizhi stepped up to the podium, his breathing steady and his composure unshaken, and began to summarize the points raised by everyone, offering his own commentary along the way.

Moments later, the crowd erupted in a buzz of excitement!

He had not only articulated the arguments of his own side but had also summarized the views of Lu Qingchuan’s entire group—distilling the very essence of their ideas. This demonstrated that, even while thinking rapidly, he had already committed every word spoken to memory.

Not a single syllable was missed; he could even attribute specific remarks to the exact person who had made them!

Lu Qingchuan’s back, previously held proudly erect, suddenly slumped.

An eidetic memory was a key reason he had been hailed as a child prodigy, yet he still could not match Lu Lizhi’s ability to remain utterly focused amidst a barrage of distractions.

After that, Lu Qingchuan never appeared again; he buried himself in seclusion to make a final, all-out push for his studies.

There was barely more than a month left until the Metropolitan Examination in August.

Lu Lizhi, too, had to quicken his pace; following that debate, an elderly scholar—who had long since retired from active teaching—had curiously invited him for a meeting.

This old scholar was the very person Lu Lizhi had identified as most likely to know the truth about the events of the past!

As Jiang Baiye accompanied Lu Lizhi into the secluded courtyard, the old man was busy pruning the plants. He wore a benevolent smile, but the moment he caught sight of Lu Lizhi’s face, the pruning shears slipped from his hand and clattered to the ground.

Late that night, within the Lu family residence adjacent to the Lu Academy, the Second Master of the Lu family entered his study and, with a tense expression, retrieved a box from a hidden compartment.

Inside lay a letter, the paper yellowed with age; had Lu Lizhi been present, he would have instantly recognized the handwriting on the envelope as his father’s. Lu Changhuai wore a peculiar smile as he stared at the words "will head to Jiangyi for detailed discussions as soon as the provincial examination concludes." He seemed to force the words out through gritted teeth: "I won't let your family get their way!"

It took several days for Lu Lizhi to learn the full story from the old tutor.

"Back then, the Clan Leader hadn't wanted the position either. But the Old Patriarch's father had been utterly disappointed in his eldest son, so he heaped all the pressure onto him. He... well, he likely harbored some resentment toward your grandfather, too."

What young man doesn't yearn for freedom? Yet, after the eldest brother—the designated heir—abandoned everything, left the family behind, and went off to pursue his own ambitions, the entire burden of the clan fell squarely onto the shoulders of the Old Patriarch.

"That was likely one of the reasons he never reached out to you all. But as time passed, he began to miss you. He eventually had someone track down your father; upon learning that he was doing well and had even earned the title of *Xiucai*, an idea began to take shape..."

The Old Patriarch had a dream—a dream in which the figure of the nephew he had glimpsed only once from afar seemed to merge with that of Lu Lizhi.

He woke with a start. Daylight streamed onto his face; he hurriedly shielded his eyes with his arm, though he felt a sudden, hot sting in his tear ducts.

At that moment, he recalled what his second son had asked him a few days prior—a conversation that revolved entirely around Lu Lizhi. He also remembered how, in the past, all communication with his eldest brother's family had been mediated through that same second son. He hurriedly summoned the steward. "That Mr. Lu—where is his ancestral home? I heard he was the top scholar (*jieyuan*) of his province; where exactly does he live?"

Seeing his agitation, the steward immediately moved to make inquiries.

"No need for that. Quickly call Qingchuan over—is Qingchuan at home?"

Soon, Lu Qingchuan arrived and said in surprise, "Lu Lizhi? His ancestral home is in Qingshui Village, Xuanhe Prefecture."

Lu Qingchuan could remember such details even after a mere glance, yet the information made Old Master Lu shudder all over, trembling in disbelief. "That child... wasn't that child a mute?"

He murmured in a daze. Hearing this, Lu Qingchuan grew even more puzzled. "Are you talking about Lu Lizhi? It is true that he used to suffer from mutism."

Old Master Lu nearly lost his balance and clenched his fists. "Why has he come here? Why did he wait until now to come..."

"Grandfather, what is going on?"

Old Master Lu sat alone for a long time, lost in thought, before finally making a decision. "Old Luo, go and invite him over for me."

Meanwhile, Lu Lizhi was also preparing to visit the old master to uncover the final truth; however, before doing so, he had to go see Jiaojiao.

He and Jiang Baiye made sure to set aside time every day to look after the little one; not only did the child need them, but they also found themselves unable to bear being apart from her. If they didn't see her for even half a day, they would worry whether she was getting enough to eat or sleeping well—even though they had made the most thorough preparations possible.

The little one had stayed inside for nearly a month yet remained full of vim and vigor; she had even sprouted a few tender, milky-white teeth, looking absolutely adorable with eyes that were even larger and more luminous than before.

After the fathers took turns holding her, Jiang Baiye—forcing himself to focus despite the distraction—dealt with some urgent letters sent by regional managers. He kissed the baby, then couldn't resist kissing the man who had given birth to such an adorable daughter.

"There’s good news: Dr. Pang has finally agreed to join Huichuntang. Now, Shanyitang won't be able to make any waves!"

Lu Lizhi’s eyes flickered; he wondered if there was already another life growing in his belly. "Where is he now?"

"Likely at the headquarters in the capital; the Shanyaofang branch in Chongzhou has finally gone under." Of course, this was largely due to Jiang Baiye’s deliberate maneuvering.

He had recently purchased the other half of Mount Daheng; without his status as a court official, acquiring so much land would have been impossible.

"I plan to designate specific zones for wild medicinal herbs there. Human activity on Mount Daheng is increasing, and the wild beasts are gradually retreating to other areas, so we can send more people in—though we must manage the resources wisely..."

Jiang Baiye scanned the letters quickly with one hand while the other caressed the waist of the beautiful man in his arms. Lu Lizhi held his hand down, glancing at him as he intently read the letter; yet, even while doing so, the other man was distractedly toying with Lu Lizhi’s fingers.

Their hands—distinctly different in size and skin tone—lay intertwined. Both wore matching thumb rings of lustrous, deep-green jade; placed together like this, they looked incredibly harmonious.

Lu Lizhi unconsciously rubbed the other man’s knuckles. After a while, his hand was suddenly seized and turned over, and his earlobe was caught gently between the other’s teeth.

"Does that feel good?"

Lu Lizhi froze instantly, like a kitten held by the scruff of its neck; his voice trembled as he whispered, "Stop messing around."

"Who’s the one messing around?" Jiang Baiye deliberately gave a light lick, causing Lu Lizhi to go completely weak.

If not for the fact that their little one was watching them with big, dark, grape-like eyes, the two "fathers" certainly would have kept "messing around" until nightfall before heading back.

They finished writing the necessary letters and settling their affairs, then set off for the Lu Family Academy.

On the way, a carriage broke down, and the occupants asked for their help. Just as Jiang Baiye was about to step forward, a guard hurried over and whispered a warning in his ear.

"Let's go!" He grabbed Lu Lizhi’s hand. Sure enough, it seemed they were walking into a series of traps; one wrong move could lead to any number of unforeseen dangers.

Lu Lizhi’s expression turned icy. The two of them had to fight their way through, overcoming obstacle after obstacle.

Jiang Baiye never once let Lu Lizhi out of his sight, though Lu Lizhi was far from helpless; he snatched up a broken basket from the roadside and hurled it at a man trying to close in on Jiang Baiye. It was draped right over his head.

The two of them clasped hands and ran.

"After them!" came a shout, tight with urgency.

As the pair ran ahead, the hired guards kept a vigilant watch behind them for any sudden trouble; everything proceeded smoothly.

Even as they kept glancing back over their shoulders, they were on the verge of reaching the Lu Family Academy. 

As they rounded the final bend, a carriage came to a halt ahead of them; the curtain was lifted in surprise.

"Mr. Lu, what has happened to you all?"