Hearing Lu Youxin speak this way, Qin Wan’s face reddened slightly. Though she had spoken naturally about having children, as a newlywed with Yan Chi, she still felt somewhat shy.

Lu Youxin noticed how she had been composed one moment but now had suspicious pink on her cheeks, and covered her mouth with laughter. “Your bond with Chi’er is deep. Children will come when they’re meant to come. But with the current unstable situation and Chi’er needing to go to Xuoxi, I hope you won’t have children at this time – otherwise, you’ll suffer hardship.”

These words touched Qin Wan’s heart, and Lu Youxin continued, “Though I never married or had children, I’ve seen many women’s hardships – both in the Lu family and among other relatives and friends. I’ve observed it all. You’re Chi’er’s princess consort and like my own niece, so naturally I worry greatly.”

“Thank you, Aunt. I understand these things, please don’t worry.”

Lu Youxin sighed again, “Speaking of the current situation, you’re very intelligent and surely understand. This journey to Xuoxi won’t be easy. Even Qianzhou’s situation is unclear right now…”

Lu Youxin sighed, and Qin Wan’s heart tightened. Yan Chi had been gone for many days with no news yet, which was exactly what worried her.

After a moment’s contemplation, Qin Wan said, “General Jiang Heying of Qianzhou is connected to Father King’s death, and Qianzhou’s strategic location can’t be ignored, so he must go there. Aunt needn’t worry too much. Qianzhou is small, and he has made preparations. This mission will surely succeed.”

Qin Wan spoke with great conviction, making Lu Youxin smile and ask, “You trust him completely?”

Qin Wan smiled, “He’s spent many years in Xuoxi, naturally incomparable to those noble youths from the capital. He was forged in battle against barbarian swords and spears. He’s brilliant at military strategy and tactics. If he can’t secure Qianzhou smoothly, then Qianzhou must be extraordinarily formidable.”

“However…” Qin Wan paused, “Though he isn’t made of steel, while I worry about him being injured, I don’t worry about him being defeated.”

Lu Youxin took a deep breath and released it slowly. Seeing Qin Wan’s trust and admiration for Yan Chi stirred complex emotions in her middle-aged heart. She could no longer return to her youth, and in her half-lifetime, she had seen many love stories between men and women, most ending imperfectly. Yet seeing Qin Wan and Yan Chi now aroused a touch of delighted envy. Lu Youxin grabbed Qin Wan’s hand and held it tightly, “Good, I trust him too. Let’s wait for his good news to return.”

Qin Wan naturally agreed. Shortly after, Matron Huang entered from outside, “Miss, the two young masters have arrived.”

Qin Wan’s expression brightened, and Lu Youxin hurriedly said, “They’re here. I’ll go out and ask about that night. You just listen from behind.”

Qin Wan nodded, and Lu Youxin went out. Matron Huang remained in the inner chamber to serve Qin Wan tea. Just as Qin Wan lifted her teacup, voices sounded from outside.

Having been gone for two days and a night, both Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun showed signs of fatigue, clearly having not rested well the previous night. The incident at Bailuzhou had startled them both – they had just gone out for leisure, how could Lu Jingcheng have died?

Though Lu Jingcheng wasn’t well-liked, he was still their brother. When Lu Youxin summoned them, they naturally wanted to know the reason and didn’t dare treat it lightly!

Lu Jingxiu wore a purple robe, was tall and robust, and quite handsome. He walked with quick, vigorous steps. Lu Jingyun wore a green robe and had delicate features. Compared to Lu Jingxiu, he appeared more scholarly and refined. Upon entering and seeing Lu Youxin sitting in the main seat with a serious expression, they exchanged glances and hurriedly adopted solemn expressions, bowing in greeting, “Greetings, Aunt—”

Lu Youxin made an “mm” sound, “Sit down and let’s talk.”

As Lu Jingxiu and his brother sat, servants came forward with tea and refreshments.

“Have you heard?” Lu Youxin looked at them.

Lu Jingyun nodded, and Lu Jingxiu said, “Yes, Aunt, we just learned about it upon returning. We were shocked – how could this happen so suddenly?”

Lu Youxin sighed, “It happened suddenly, and I haven’t reported it to the authorities yet. Has your father told you everything?”

Lu Jingyun nodded again, and Lu Jingxiu said, “He told us everything. Aunt must have her reasons. Now that I’m back, I’ll naturally help Aunt investigate this matter. Though Fourth Brother wasn’t always proper, we’re still family. Whoever harmed him must be found out. We can’t let others bully our Lu family.”

Lu Youxin looked at them both, “The current situation isn’t that outsiders harmed our family member, but that someone from our own family harmed one of our own.”

Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun’s expressions changed instantly, though Lu Jingxiu had considered this possibility, showing less surprise. After a moment, Lu Jingxiu asked, “Aunt, are you certain?”

Lu Youxin’s expression grew more serious, “You should know the household situation that day. There were no outsiders. Everyone is suspect now, including you two. I called you here today to have you explain things clearly to me first.”

Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun exchanged glances, and Lu Jingyun hurriedly said, “Aunt, how could we possibly…”

Lu Youxin continued, “I’ve already had a coroner examine the body. Your Fourth Brother was killed that night when you were still in the mansion. Since you were there, it’s naturally possible. I’m questioning you for your good, to avoid suspicion later when things can’t be explained clearly.”

At this, Lu Jingyun shrank his neck, having nothing to say. Lu Jingxiu straightened his back and said, “Then please ask, Aunt. We went to bed early that night, right after seeing Fourth Brother. We retired, and the servants and Father all know this. We woke up after half past the fifth watch, and after getting up, we took our previously packed luggage and went straight out the mansion gate. You can verify this with the gatekeepers. The servants who followed us can also be questioned.”

Lu Jingxiu spoke firmly with bright eyes, and Lu Youxin turned to Lu Jingyun, “What about you, Jingyun?”

Lu Jingyun immediately replied, “Aunt, I was the same as Fifth Brother. It was freezing when we got up, and our carriage was already prepared. When we left our courtyard, Fifth Brother and I ran out of the garden. Our garden isn’t even near Fourth Brother’s, so it would have been impossible to harm anyone along the way.”

Lu Jingxiu nodded, then suddenly asked, “May I ask, Aunt, were there any other guests in the mansion?”

Lu Youxin frowned, “Why do you ask about this? There were no other guests. You needn’t concern yourself with that. You may go now. I will question your servants one by one, and once that’s done, everything will be clear!”

Lu Jingxiu nodded and stood up, “In that case, we’ll take our leave.”

Lu Youxin nodded, and Lu Jingxiu turned to leave. However, as he turned, he paused momentarily and glanced toward the screen in the inner chamber. This pause lasted just an instant before he smoothly turned and left. Lu Jingyun rose, bowed to Lu Youxin, and hurriedly followed.

Watching Lu Jingxiu stride away, Lu Jingyun took a few running steps to catch up, “Fifth Brother! That morning, we left together! Aunt won’t suspect us, will she?”

Leaving Wutong Court, Lu Jingxiu paused and looked back once more before continuing to walk and talk, “Aunt is discerning and won’t wrongly accuse us. Today was just about clarifying our whereabouts.”

Lu Jingyun sighed in relief, “That’s good then. It’s frightening – how could he just die so suddenly?”

Lu Jingxiu narrowed his eyes, “He did too many evil things. This is just karma catching up to him!”

At these words, Lu Jingyun immediately looked around, and only after seeing no one nearby did he relax, hurriedly saying, “Fifth Brother, don’t say such things anymore, lest others misunderstand you.”

Lu Jingxiu smiled, “Even if I don’t say these things, do you think others won’t suspect me?”

Lu Jingyun quickly said, “It couldn’t have been Fifth Brother, I can testify for you!”

Lu Jingxiu shook his head, frowning, “Of course, it wasn’t me, nor was it you. As for who it was, it might not even be someone from our family!”

Hearing this, Lu Jingyun’s eyes widened, “Fifth Brother, you mean…”

But Lu Jingxiu didn’t continue, a glint flashing in his eyes as he walked more quickly toward Lanxiang Court!