pappabearbooks Chapter 390 My family tried to stop me from achieving my ambitions, but I will forge my own path and
Chapter 390 My family tried to stop me from achieving my ambitions, but I will forge my own path and
Lu Xiao then grabbed Yang Ruyi's hand and patted it gently to comfort her.
Since Yang Guang has made this decision, it's useless for him to say that His Majesty is in his prime; he cannot change Yang Guang's mind.
So I simply agreed and decided to take it one step at a time.
"I'm so angry!"
Yang Ruyi cursed inwardly, her cheeks puffing out again.
She quickly lost her nerve, and a wicked idea popped into her head as her eyes darted around.
Although trusted ministers entrusted with the care of the young emperor are trusted by the emperor, they will be suspected by the new emperor after the emperor's death and will inevitably be purged.
She heard that both Yang You and Yang Tan came to her door trying to win over Lü Xiao, but Lü Xiao refused them both.
If one of them were to become emperor one day, how could they possibly forget what happened that day?
If the two sides are irreconcilable enemies, it's not impossible to purge the court of corrupt officials during the reckoning.
Although it sounds bad to usurp power, once things have come to that point, does the Lü family have to just obediently wait for death?
You can't just stretch out your neck and let someone chop you off, can you?
"Just eat yours."
Lu Xiao casually picked up a piece of pastry and stuffed it into Yang Ruyi's mouth.
I knew this woman was starting to overthink things again.
Judging from the way her eyes are darting around, she's probably plotting some wicked idea again.
"Brother, do you know Huo Guang, Zhuge Ke, Xu Zhanzhi, and Yuwen Hu?"
Lu Yan quietly approached Lu Zhen and whispered in his ear, his voice so low it was like a mosquito's buzz, full of mischief.
The people he was referring to were all powerful and influential ministers who had been entrusted with the care of the young emperor.
Each of them was imposing and arrogant, and even the emperor had to treat them with utmost respect.
But their fates are well-known: either their entire families were executed, or their entire clans were wiped out; none of them had a peaceful end.
Lu Zhen didn't answer, but instead raised her hand and silently patted the back of her younger brother's head.
Ok?
Sure enough, one bone was protruding extremely.
It feels hard to the touch, like a small stone.
Is this what they call a rebellious soul?
He had touched the back of his mother's head when she held him before, and he was quite rebellious, feeling like he had touched a small hill.
However, his father's head was flat and smooth, just like his own, without any bumps.
"You don't know? I can tell you! My mother told me all about it!"
Lu Yan's voice rang out softly, tinged with a hint of smugness.
"Shut up!"
Lu Zhen turned his head and stared at his younger brother, who was incredibly young but knew more than most people, his voice low and deep.
This kid is so young, yet he's already full of bad ideas. I wonder who he learned them from.
"Ugh."
Lu Yan sighed, shook his head like a little adult, and looked quite melancholy.
My eldest brother, like my father, is a very traditional person at heart.
Loyalty to the emperor, patriotism, loyalty, and adherence to rules—once you've chosen a path to the bitter end, nothing can pull you back.
However, when the tide of the times comes, even the most traditional person has to go with the flow.
In the end, it will be his younger brother who has to clean up his older brother's mess.
Honestly, none of them are any peace of mind. Can't they just stay at home and do nothing?
"Many generals have rendered meritorious service, but I have fallen ill and am unable to recover. Today, I hereby bestow additional titles upon them all!"
Yang Guang was not a stingy person; with a wave of his hand, he displayed great generosity.
Since Lü Xiao has been granted special privileges today, the others cannot be left out.
Those who deserve rewards should be rewarded, and those who deserve titles should be bestowed titles; no one should be left out.
He had been bedridden for so long, and owed these generals so much; today he would make up for it all.
Upon hearing this, everyone turned to look at Yang Guang, their eyes burning with anticipation and excitement.
Especially the generals who were suppressing rebellions in various places straightened their backs and pricked up their ears, afraid of missing a single word.
Has it finally come to this?
They risked their lives and shed their blood outside, waiting for this day.
Where is Pei Yuanqing?
Yang Guang recited names and officially began the Great Khan's Military Review, his voice loud and clear.
"Your subject is here!"
A figure darted out of the seat with incredible speed, moving as fast as an arrow released from a bow.
He bowed and clasped his hands in a respectful manner, all in one smooth motion.
"You followed Zi Lie to fight against the rebels, risking your life in the process."
"I hereby bestow upon you the title of Duke of a Commandery, with a fief of two thousand households!"
Yang Guang spoke slowly and deliberately, each word carrying weight and conviction.
Based on Pei Yuanqing's achievements, Yang Guang had long wanted to grant him a title of nobility.
However, he kept it to himself and did not rush to bestow rewards.
Now, it's a super-double jump, from Marquis to County Duke, a meteoric rise.
"Your Majesty, I thank you!"
Upon hearing that he had been granted the title of Duke, Pei Yuanqing was so excited that he wanted to perform a set of boxing moves; his mouth was practically stretched to his ears in a wide grin.
Among the Pei clan, there were also those who were granted titles such as Marquis, Duke of the Prefecture, and Duke of the County.
But most of them relied on the protection of their ancestors, the power of their families, and the connections of marriage alliances.
People like him, who climbed the ranks step by step through merit, are extremely rare, numbering only a handful.
Not only was Pei Yuanqing excited, but his father Pei Renji was too.
Sitting in my seat, my hands were shaking, my eyes were red, and my lips were trembling so I couldn't speak.
"Brother Pei, your family is truly blessed with good fortune!"
The general standing nearby said to Pei Renji with envy, his tone full of sourness.
Look at other people's sons, they followed the right person and rose to prominence overnight.
Then look at your own son, all he does is eat, drink and have fun all day long, he can't even fight.
Still caught up in his excitement, Pei Renji turned his head groggily upon hearing this and asked, "Who did it?"
"You."
Everyone shook their heads helplessly, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
That's a reckless fool.
His son was granted the title of Duke of the County, and he was so happy that he could hardly hear what he was saying.
When asked about the blue smoke rising from his ancestral grave, he assumed someone had set fire to it.
Seeing that Pei Yuanqing had become a duke, Yuwen Chenglong's eyes turned red with envy.
He followed Lü Xiao to Jianghuai and traveled all over the country, while Pei Yuanqing had spent far less time with Lü Xiao than him.
He went to the Jianghuai Campaign, and he went to the Western Regions Campaign. Which battle was without Yuwen Chenglong?
If a reward were to be given, wouldn't it have to start from the level of a county duke?
"Yuwen Chenglong".
Yang Guang looked at his grandson's teacher, sneered, and called out slowly.
"Your subject is here!"
Yuwen Chenglong grabbed the table and leaped out, moving even faster than Pei Yuanqing.
"Your grandfather is already a Duke, how can I bestow the title of Duke upon you as well?"
Seeing the boy's excited expression, Yang Guang immediately spoke.
In fact, it is not impossible for two members of the same family to be dukes.
In particular, Yuwen Chenglong rose to power through his own abilities, and his achievements are undeniable.
But he didn't like this kid and had to make things difficult for him.
"Can't we just seal it off?"
Yuwen Chenglong was stunned for a moment, then looked at his father.
It turns out that his family was the obstacle he was standing in the way of!
He had worked so hard to achieve his goals and was about to be granted the title of Duke, but his father blocked his way.
If his grandfather was a Duke, why can't he be a Duke? What kind of logic is that?
If that's the case, then what's the use of family?
My family tried to stop me from pursuing my lofty ambitions, but I will forge my own path alone!