Bian Ruohan rushed quickly to Lu Heng’s front, slapping both hands on the desk with a “pa” sound, her eyes flashing with excitement as she leaned forward to stare at Lu Heng.

“My lord, I’ve found where Lady Qin’s adulterer is!”

Lu Heng’s face immediately darkened. “What nonsense are you causing now!”

Bian Ruohan widened her eyes. “I’m just telling the truth! I really found the residence of Lady Qin’s lover! If you don’t believe me, command someone to go now and you can catch them in bed together!”

“Why should I believe you when you’re talking such nonsense? If you want to go, go yourself.” Lu Heng said impatiently. “Someone come, take Madam back to rest.”

“Yes.” Lu Wenru from outside the door lifted the curtain and entered, but didn’t dare to pull or drag Bian Ruohan, only saying, “Madam, please?”

Bian Ruohan viciously pushed Lu Wenru hard, then angrily said, “Why won’t you believe me? If I had no evidence, why would I say she’s having an affair? I know her position in your heart is special, but you must believe me!”

Lu Heng looked at Bian Ruohan coldly, already so irritated he wished he could strangle her.

But Bian Ruohan refused to give up. “Even if you won’t believe me just like this, you can at least go see whether what I’m saying is true or false! You’re wholeheartedly devoted to her, but while she refuses you on the surface, she’s secretly having affairs with others. Would you rather be kept in the dark and deceived by her? Don’t be fooled by her sanctimonious appearance – she’s nothing but gold and jade on the outside with rottenness within!”

Lu Heng looked at Bian Ruohan for a long time before giving a slight smile. “What exactly are you after, hmm?”

Bian Ruohan was both angry and anxious, shouting loudly, “I just don’t want to see you deceived by her! I’m your first wife, yet you’re constantly thinking of that wench. If she were good, and you were wholeheartedly devoted to her, I’d accept my bad luck – who told me I’m not as good as her? But she’s just this kind of goods – one way to your face and another behind your back. She’s just playing with you!”

Lu Heng fell into contemplation.

Though Bian Ruohan wasn’t very intelligent and had narrow vision and liked to cause trouble, she was insisting so firmly on such a major matter. He hadn’t believed her previous baseless rumors, but now she spoke with such certainty about finding the adulterer’s residence.

If she were lying about such a thing, wouldn’t she be exposed as soon as he sent someone to investigate?

So what Lady Bian said might actually be true?

Lu Heng began to hesitate.

Seeing Lu Heng’s hesitant expression, Bian Ruohan knew she had succeeded halfway and quickly said, “Don’t you want to see where you fall short compared to that adulterer?”

These words truly stabbed Lu Heng’s heart like a knife.

He couldn’t compare to that muddy-legged brute Pang Xiao. If Qin Yining truly had a lover outside but wouldn’t accept him, wouldn’t that mean he was inferior to even a guard?

Thinking of this, Lu Heng stood up and smiled slightly. “In that case, fine. You lead the way.”

Bian Ruohan’s eyes lit up as she nodded excitedly. “Good!”

In the residence in the south of the city, Qin Yining was speaking with Shi Fang.

“…If you refuse to believe me, then I have no choice. I came specially today to give you a warning. Lu Xiong has indeed betrayed us and wholeheartedly devoted himself to Earl Zhongyi. Not only is he hiding the treasure’s location and keeping Earl Zhongyi’s appetite whetted for benefits, but to consolidate his position with Earl Zhongyi, he’s also revealed your existence. I think Earl Zhongyi will soon order someone to take your life to prevent you from leaking the treasure’s secrets!”

Shi Fang’s forehead was sweating. He was very unwilling to believe Qin Yining’s words, but these past days he had been anxious about this very matter. If he were in Lu Xiong’s position, having latched onto a powerful figure like Earl Zhongyi, he would also use every means to bind himself tightly to the other party, making himself an important person. Following such a powerful figure would make his future path much broader.

People like them had done everything in private. When necessary, to achieve their goals, killing a few people was nothing.

Betraying brothers sounded bad.

But when real wealth and glory were right in front of you, requiring only reaching out to obtain them, who would give up such a good opportunity?

Shi Fang pressed his lips together and paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.

Qin Yining had spoken until her mouth was dry, but he was still hesitating, making her somewhat anxious.

She was now both worried about Lu Heng coming and worried about Lu Heng not coming, which would make her plan fail.

If Lu Heng truly listened to Bian Ruohan and came here, that would be good, but if Lu Heng came too early and trapped her here, that would be problematic.

So right now, she had to quickly take Shi Fang and leave this place.

“If you don’t want to believe me, that’s fine too. Come with me first. From the information I received, Earl Zhongyi will soon bring people to arrest you. Let’s go hide first. If Earl Zhongyi doesn’t come, then I’m being overly suspicious. If he really does come, at least you won’t be caught and suffer. Even if you listen to me and we have a false alarm, it’s still better than actually being caught, right?”

Hearing this, Shi Fang finally nodded. “Hall Master Qiu is right. It’s just a matter of taking a few steps – there’s no need to take risks over this.”

“Exactly.” Qin Yining could finally relax and quickly said, “Then let’s leave quickly. I also need to arrange this place properly and remove traces of our presence to avoid being caught.”

“Good.”

Having made the decision, Shi Fang no longer hesitated. He quickly packed his clothes and left with Qin Yining.

They didn’t dare use the front gate, leaving through the back corner gate. As they went out, they met face to face with an old woman bringing two young women in.

Qin Yining explained, “Such a large residence can’t be without inhabitants. I specially found people to live here.”

Shi Fang said admiringly, “Hall Master is truly thoughtful. If we just left like this, wouldn’t it arouse suspicion?”

“Exactly.”

The group left through the back corner gate, turned a corner to leave the alley to board their carriage, then drove the carriage to hide in a secluded corner.

Qin Yining carefully pushed open a crack in the carriage window to look out, then said to Shi Fang, “We’ll watch from here. If Earl Zhongyi doesn’t come, then the information I received was wrong. But if he does come, then Lu Xiong is someone we can never trust again. We must guard against him carefully to avoid being killed by Earl Zhongyi to silence us.”

Shi Fang nodded seriously.

The two waited for just a short while when they heard the sound of hoofbeats and wheels in the rain. Soon they saw two carriages and dozens of burly men approaching through the rain.

Those men were all strong and sturdy, uniformly wearing dark blue fitted clothing, wearing bamboo hats with straw raincoats on their shoulders, all carrying clubs in their hands.

Seeing their formation, Shi Fang couldn’t help but shiver and lowered his voice. “If Hall Master hadn’t come in time, I would probably be trapped to death in that house right now! Thank you for saving my life, Hall Master!”

Shi Fang repeatedly bowed to Qin Yining.

Qin Yining shook her head. “Let’s continue watching.”

Lu Heng got out of the carriage and took the oiled paper umbrella Lu Wenru handed him. When he turned back, Bian Ruohan had also gotten out with her maidservant’s help. Holding an umbrella and wearing wooden clogs, she quickly walked to Lu Heng’s side and pointed at the main gate. “It’s right here!”

Lu Heng’s face was stern as he silently raised his chin slightly.

Lu Wenru immediately understood and went to knock on the door.

Lu Heng said, “I’m listening to you this time. If what you say is true, that’s one thing. If you’re fooling me, I won’t let this matter rest.”

Bian Ruohan’s face turned red with anger as she stamped her feet and put her hands on her hips, shrilly saying, “If that wench isn’t in there having an affair, I’ll take off my head for you to kick like a ball!”

Lu Heng couldn’t stand her vulgar appearance and didn’t speak.

At this time, sounds of someone answering the door came from the courtyard. The corner gate opened, and a white-haired, hunched old man looked at Lu Wenru in confusion. “Who are you looking for?”

Lu Wenru looked back at Lu Heng, and seeing Lu Heng nod, immediately waved his hand without saying a word.

Those dozens of men with clubs rushed into the residence like a gust of wind.

The old gatekeeper was so frightened he cried out and stumbled backward in panic.

The men rushed into the manor, automatically dividing into several groups, with some opening the main gate.

Lu Heng and Bian Ruohan then entered through the main gate and stood in the center courtyard.

Soon, sobbing and crying sounds came from the residence, and the men pushed out an old woman, two young women, and several maidservants.

The old woman cried inconsolably, while the two young women sobbed in terror.

“Who are you people? Why are you breaking into a private residence! I’ll report you to the authorities! Let go of me…”

The old woman struggled as she was brought before Lu Heng.

Lu Heng’s face was already cold. He glanced at the old woman and two young women and asked, “Are there any other people in this residence?”

Lu Wenru said, “We’ve searched everywhere. Everyone is here.”

Bian Ruohan’s face turned pale as she said anxiously, “That’s impossible! They must be here. Did you search carelessly? Or is there somewhere in this residence that could hide people?”

The old woman began crying loudly. “Who are you people exactly? What’s the point of bullying us orphans and widows!”

Once the old woman started crying, the two young women and several maidservants also began sobbing loudly.

With all these women and children crying throughout the courtyard, Lu Heng bringing dozens of men to break in was simply tyrannical behavior.

Bian Ruohan still wouldn’t give up and stepped forward to grab the old woman. “Tell me! Where is Princess Consort Zhongshun hiding? If you confess yourself, I might spare you. If you don’t speak, you’ll suffer!”

“I, I, I don’t know any princess consort! Who are you exactly? Why have you come to my home to speak such nonsense!”

Bian Ruohan shook the woman’s shoulders. “Tell the truth! Where have you hidden her!”

“Enough.” Lu Heng grabbed Bian Ruohan by the collar and pulled her away, then raised his hand and waved.

Lu Wenru immediately understood and ordered everyone to withdraw, then took out a silver ingot and pressed it into the old woman’s hands.

“We’re officials investigating a case. Please forgive any disturbance.”

Lu Heng had already turned and was walking outside.

Bian Ruohan looked at Lu Heng, then at the old woman, and stamped her feet unwillingly. “Search more carefully, or go ask the neighbors. I absolutely didn’t see wrong!”

“The facts are right in front of you – what more do you want?” Lu Heng was beyond patience.