In the main hall of Wutong Court, Lu Youxin stared at Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun with a face full of anger. Granny Huang and others stood guard at the door, looking at the two young men with helpless expressions.
Lu Jingxiu held his sword, neck stiff, his face full of unwilling defiance. Seeing Lu Youxin’s silence, he lifted his chin and said, “Nephew wasn’t deliberately causing trouble. It’s just that Aunt’s actions have been strange, and that woman might be connected to Fourth Brother’s death. Not only does Aunt not question her, but lets her move freely around the garden. If nephew hadn’t known about this, that would be one thing, but now that I do know, I absolutely won’t tolerate it.”
Looking at Lu Jingxiu’s bruised and swollen face, Lu Youxin was so angry her fingers trembled. Seeing his unyielding attitude even now, she almost wanted to laugh. Composing herself, she asked, “Are you doubting your aunt?”
Lu Jingxiu’s expression changed slightly, “Of course not… I just don’t understand.”
Lu Youxin laughed coldly, “How many clan matters do you understand? Do you need to make a scene about everything you don’t understand?”
Lu Jingxiu knew he was in the wrong but persisted, “But this is a murder case!”
Lu Youxin raised an eyebrow, “You’ve never gotten along with your Fourth Brother, so why are you suddenly so concerned?”
“Though Fourth Brother and I had our differences, that was family business behind closed doors. My dislike for him never reached the point of wanting to kill him. But now Fourth Brother is dead, murdered by someone – this goes beyond family matters. And coincidentally, there’s someone with suspicious movements staying in our garden. Of course, I suspect her.”
Lu Youxin smiled enigmatically, “You’ve seen her now. Does she look like a murderer to you?”
Lu Jingxiu straightened his neck, “This… how can one judge by appearances?! If someone truly harbored ill intentions and didn’t want us to notice, how could we tell just by looking?”
His words implied that on the surface, at least, Qin Wan didn’t look like someone who would harm others.
Lu Youxin turned her gaze to Lu Jingyun, “Jingyun, what do you think?”
Standing toward the back, Lu Jingyun trembled at her words, “Aunt, Fifth Brother and I just wanted to find out how Fourth Brother died, nothing more. That young lady’s presence was intimidating, and it seemed we didn’t frighten her at all. Please forgive us, Aunt.”
Hearing Lu Jingyun immediately beg for mercy, Lu Jingxiu frowned instantly, “Be quiet!”
Lu Jingyun shrank back, not daring to speak further. Lu Youxin looked back at Lu Jingxiu, “Not frightened? You two confronted someone in the garden and attacked a guest. Is that not discourteous?”
Lu Jingxiu’s face showed stubborn defiance, while Lu Jingyun wanted to speak but didn’t dare.
Lu Youxin gave another cold laugh, “Look at you, a grown man beaten so thoroughly by a young girl – I’m embarrassed for you!”
These words seemed to hit Lu Jingxiu’s sore spot, and his face instantly flushed red!
His fists clenched at his sides, his lips pressed into a sharp line. He had always prided himself on his martial prowess, but while other matters could be argued, his defeat by Bai Ying was undeniable. What made Lu Jingxiu even more despairing was that Bai Ying was just a young maid, yet he had lost to a woman!
Seeing Lu Jingxiu standing rigidly, Lu Youxin’s anger eased slightly. Though she was getting older and the younger generation increasingly unrestrained, she understood what troubled this Fifth Young Master of the Lu family. Seeing Lu Jingxiu’s humiliated expression, she inwardly snorted.
After a moment, Lu Youxin softened her tone, “I understand your suspicions. Since you’ve encountered her, I won’t hide it from you anymore. The person you saw is no ordinary guest. She’s helping me investigate your Fourth Brother’s case. Thanks to her, we already have some clues about Jingcheng’s death.”
Both men’s eyes widened in surprise.
Lu Jingxiu stepped forward, “What? Is she helping investigate Fourth Brother’s case? Aunt, who exactly is she?!”
Lu Youxin frowned slightly but wasn’t angry at Lu Jingxiu’s persistence. After all, she had initially doubted Qin Wan. After some thought, she said, “Her identity is a secret, but you two aren’t children anymore. Your father may not see clan matters clearly, but the younger generation shouldn’t remain ignorant. She… is Princess Yongci, who was titled earlier this year, and is now Prince Rui’s wife.”
At these words, Lu Jingxiu was momentarily stunned, unable to react, “Princess Yongci, Prince Rui’s wife…”
The capital was very far from Lanzhou, and though the name seemed extremely familiar to Lu Jingxiu, it took him a while to place it. Then he heard Lu Jingyun say weakly, “Is… is she that Princess Yongci known for her exceptional medical skills?”
This jogged Lu Jingxiu’s memory with a flash of recognition!
Because the Great Zhou had never granted a commoner woman the title of princess in a hundred years, news of Princess Yongci’s appointment had spread even to the south.
During the height of the discussions, he had heard about her!
With this realization, Lu Jingxiu’s eyes widened in shock!
Because just two days ago in Jianzhou City, he had heard another piece of news!
The current Empress and Crown Prince had plotted a rebellion, and Prince Rui Yan Chi had joined their revolt…
This meant his aunt was harboring a rebel in their home?!