Bai Feng returned to Handan Pavilion and reported everything he had seen in the East Garden to Qin Wan.
Neither Fu Ling nor Bai Ying had expected the situation to escalate so dramatically. They became somewhat panicked, with Fu Ling saying, “Young Miss, shouldn’t we leave now? What if they report this to the authorities…”
Bai Feng explained, “Madam has secured all the gates and is stopping anyone trying to leave the mansion. The East Garden has been sealed off, and Second Master and Second Madam have been confined to their quarters.”
Qin Wan nodded, “We certainly can’t leave now. Not only would it be wrong to leave Aunt to handle this alone, but leaving now would only draw more attention – like pointing to hidden silver. Everyone knows Lu Jingcheng saw a female guest, and people will certainly ask who she was. As long as the authorities haven’t been notified, we needn’t rush.”
Fu Ling asked, “Did Lu Jingcheng perhaps die suddenly from some hidden illness?”
Bai Feng shook his head, “We don’t know yet. Lu Jingcheng’s body is still in Qingsong Court. A doctor will be called to examine it soon.”
Qin Wan frowned. There was no need to call a doctor – she was the best coroner available. But Lu Youxin hadn’t sent for her yet, likely not wanting her involved.
Bai Feng continued, “With Second Master and Second Madam confined, I doubt the other branches of the family will help Madam.”
From everything Bai Feng had reported, Qin Wan already understood the grudges within the Lu family. She remarked, “They’re probably hoping Aunt fails to find the killer. Then this would be another mistake on her record, and they could use it to pressure her into choosing an heir when they report to the clan elders.”
Fu Ling and Bai Ying exchanged worried glances.
Qin Wan sat with furrowed brows, glancing at the sky outside but making no immediate move to find Lu Youxin.
It was still early, not yet noon. Qin Wan said, “No need to rush. We’ll go see Aunt in the evening.”
…
After a busy half day, Lu Youxin finally called for Mama Huang, asking, “How are things at Handan Pavilion?”
Mama Huang replied, “All is peaceful there. They seem unaware of what’s happened here. Miss, should we go inform them?”
Lu Youxin waved her hand, wearing a troubled expression, “No need. Better if she doesn’t know. She’s just a young girl – she’d probably be frightened.”
Hearing this, Mama Huang hesitated before saying, “Miss, have you forgotten the information we gathered? The Princess Consort not only knows medicine but has helped solve cases and examine corpses for the authorities. That’s partly how she earned such great merit and was granted the title of Princess.”
Lu Youxin frowned, “Whether that information is true or false aside, how can someone of her status move about freely now? The Second Branch is confined and probably cursing me to death. I have no grounds to confine the Third and Fourth Branches. If they were to meet her, how would we explain?”
Mama Huang nodded, “True. When we first received that information, this servant didn’t believe it either.”
Lu Youxin gave a cold laugh, “She saved the Empress Dowager – that merit alone was enough to earn her a title. Who knows what’s true or false about royal matters? Looking at her appearance, could you imagine her examining corpses?”
Mama Huang shook her head, and Lu Youxin asked, “Have you asked everything that needed asking? What did they say?”
Mama Huang immediately replied, “Yes, we asked. They said when the masters and young masters visited Fourth Young Master last night, he was fine. After everyone left, Fourth Young Master said he was tired. The servants were going to attend to him closely, but for some reason, he wouldn’t let them near. So the servants all went to sleep in the side rooms of Qingsong Court, unaware of what happened in the main house. This morning, the servants got up early to sweep, and seeing Fourth Young Master hadn’t risen despite the late hour, they went to call him. The door was bolted from the inside, and after calling for a long time with no response, a servant broke the west window. Looking in, they saw Fourth Young Master sprawled on the ground, frost covering his body…”
Lu Youxin frowned at the thought of Lu Jingcheng’s death state, “Though that room was newly arranged, it had floor heating. Despite last night’s cold, it couldn’t have frozen someone to death. With his appearance showing no external injuries, it’s far-fetched to claim someone killed him.”
As New Year approached, the weather had indeed grown colder. Because of this, the masters’ rooms always had floor heating, and even servant quarters were provided with charcoal braziers.
Hearing this, Mama Huang said, “That’s the issue – last night the main house’s floor heating went out. The servants only discovered this when they woke this morning.”
Lu Youxin’s eyes darkened, and Mama Huang sighed, “We haven’t dared tell anyone else, but the courtyard sweepers are terrified. If Second Master finds out, those servant girls will likely lose their lives!”
Lu Youxin’s eyes flashed coldly, thinking that if this dispute could be settled, the deaths of two servant girls wouldn’t matter much.
“Anything else? No other suspicious points?”
Mama Huang nodded, “Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Master have been gone so long and haven’t returned. We’ve questioned everyone else – Fifth Master and the others didn’t come over yesterday.”
Lu Youxin clenched her fists and after a while said, “If we can’t find anything suspicious, proceed based on what you’ve learned.”
Mama Huang started, but quickly understood Lu Youxin’s meaning and nodded, “Yes, this servant understands.”
…
From morning until afternoon, Mama Huang led people in repeatedly questioning the servants of Qingsong Court.
The snow that had stopped in the morning began falling again after noon, making White Deer Estate appear even more desolate.
Second Master Lu Boyong and his wife were confined, and after cursing and wailing until their voices grew hoarse, they were left with only tears. Occasional sobs from their quarters made the guarding servants quite nervous, especially since Lu Jingcheng’s body still lay in the main house. Lu Youxin hadn’t given orders about funeral arrangements or changing him into burial clothes, and no one could help to feel afraid while guarding a corpse.
At dusk, Lu Boyou and Lu Bohong arrived together at Wutong Court. Though they hadn’t helped Lu Boyong and his wife that morning, they weren’t here to help Lu Youxin either, as Qin Wan had predicted. When they arrived, one had a bloody cut on his face while the other’s cheek was slightly swollen, making them look rather ridiculous.
Lu Bohong, as the third brother, spoke first, “Youxin, after investigating all day, have you reached any conclusions? Jingcheng was perfectly healthy – he couldn’t have just died for no reason. We saw him this morning, and he looked like he’d frozen to death. In this vast White Deer Estate, every room has floor heating and charcoal fire – why did only Jingcheng’s room lose heat? If it was servant negligence, that’s truly unforgivable!”
Lu Boyou added, “Third Brother is right, Youxin. The Fifth Branch matter remains unresolved, and now Jingcheng is dead. Though you’ve confined Second Brother and his wife, this is Jian Province – you can’t keep them locked up forever. When we return to Lan Province and enter the ancestral temple, someone will surely speak for them. Then your position as family head will be difficult to maintain.”
Lu Youxin listened coldly, “So what are Third Brother and Fourth Brother suggesting?”
Lu Bohong and Lu Boyou exchanged glances, and Lu Bohong coughed lightly, “Youxin, it’s like this – Jingcheng is already dead, and we all believe you had nothing to do with it. But between the Fifth Branch matter and this incident, you will surely be held accountable. In our opinion, you might as well choose an heir soon.”
Lu Youxin immediately understood – they had come to pressure her! If she chose one of their sons, at the very least they would speak up for her before the clan elders in the future. If not, no one would help her!
Lu Youxin looked at them and suddenly smiled, “Third Brother and Fourth Brother make some sense!”
Seeing Lu Youxin suddenly yielding, both men’s eyes brightened slightly. Lu Youxin continued, “However, there is one difficulty. Both Jingxun and Jingyun are talented young men – better than Jingcheng in many ways. Now that they both want me to choose, whom should I select?”
At this, Lu Bohong and Lu Boyou both frowned.
For many years, the Lu family had respected the First Branch’s authority. The second Branch’s Lu Boyong, controlling more family assets, acted rather arrogantly, while the Fifth Branch was close to the First Branch. This had brought the Third and Fourth Branches together, but now only one heir could be chosen – who should it be?
Lu Bohong immediately said, “Jingxun is the elder, naturally it should be him.”
Lu Boyou countered, “Jingyun’s scholarship surpasses Jingxun’s. He has leadership ability and social skills – he’s most suited to be family head.”
Lu Bohong immediately frowned. Seeing them about to argue, Lu Youxin raised her hand, “Don’t argue yet. I know you’ve always been close. How about this – discuss between yourselves who to choose between Jingxun and Jingyun, then come back with your decision for me to consider. There’s too much happening now for me to listen to all this. Furthermore, this incident wasn’t what any of us wanted. I hope that on major matters, you’ll think more about the Lu family’s interests. Otherwise, the Fifth Branch has Jinghe, and there are other children in the clan.”
Lu Youxin lowered her head to sip her tea. Though Lu Bohong and Lu Boyou felt she was openly threatening them, they could do nothing about it.
Lu Bohong shot an unsatisfied glance at Lu Boyou, snorted, and left first with a sweep of his sleeve.
Lu Boyou nodded to Lu Youxin before hurrying after him.
Watching them leave, Lu Youxin finally gave a cold laugh.
By now night had fallen. Outside the half-closed door, frost and snow howled. Wutong Court was empty, and the mournful wind made it seem even more eerie, but Lu Youxin wasn’t afraid. Over the years, she had seen all kinds of demons and monsters – rather than fear, she now felt only exhaustion.
Choosing to remain unmarried was her decision, and having made that choice, she should bear its consequences. But no one likes loneliness.
Lu Youxin raised her hand to massage her brow. Just then, footsteps sounded from the courtyard outside. Soon, someone hurried to the door, “Miss, the Princess Consort is here.”
Mama Huang’s voice carried a note of alarm. Lu Youxin suddenly raised her head.
She shrugged her shoulders and exhaled, then put on a composed expression and walked to the door. As soon as she opened it, Lu Youxin saw Qin Wan wearing a snow-white cloak, half her face hidden under the hood, walking slowly forward. Her maid held an umbrella behind her, but her slender figure seemed undaunted by the wind and snow, her steps calm and steady, making others feel at ease just looking at her. Watching Qin Wan, Lu Youxin somehow felt more relaxed.
“So late – why have you come?”
Lu Youxin stepped forward to meet her, but Qin Wan stopped her under the eaves, “Aunt, let’s talk inside.”
Qin Wan’s tone was somewhat serious, suggesting she had come on business. Lu Youxin’s eyes immediately focused.
Once inside and seated, Qin Wan got straight to the point, “Aunt, where is Lu Jingcheng’s body? May I examine it?”
Lu Youxin was pouring her tea and paused at these words. Qin Wan’s expression relaxed slightly as she said softly, “I knew this morning but didn’t come to disturb Aunt, knowing it would be inconvenient. A human life is at stake – this matter cannot end well. So I’ve come uninvited, hoping Aunt will let me help.”
Lu Youxin finished pouring Qin Wan’s tea. She placed the cup before Qin Wan without speaking, instead looking at her somewhat suspiciously.
Qin Wan said, “This matter is somewhat connected to me. If not for me, Aunt wouldn’t have confined Second Master and his wife today. Since Aunt has publicly stated she will investigate this matter clearly, everyone is watching. While other matters might be different, in this case, I can be of help. So I’m being presumptuous in asking for Aunt’s trust.”
Lu Youxin seemed about to speak but hesitated, looking at Qin Wan for a while before standing, “Since you’ve volunteered, I’ll let you try. But so late at night, I fear you might be frightened—”
Qin Wan gave a faint smile at this, “Aunt, just lead the way. Time is of the essence – after tonight, it will be more difficult.”
Lu Youxin gazed deeply at Qin Wan before finally saying, “Then come with me.”