“Aunt! You’re saying… that was… that was Prince Rui’s consort?!” Lu Jingxiu gasped. “Aunt, do you know that Prince Rui has committed treason? The Emperor has already issued an edict announcing it to the world! Prince Rui and all his relatives are now fugitives and rebels!”
Lu Youxin remained calm, showing no surprise. Seeing this reaction, Lu Jingxiu understood everything. His eyes widened further, “Aunt, you… knew all along?! Prince Rui… the current Prince Rui is… is First Aunt’s son… You’re trying to…”
Lu Jingxiu’s chest heaved violently. “Do you know if this news leaks out, the Lu family will be implicated? It could lead to the extinction of our clan! How could you—”
Lu Youxin laughed coldly, “Speaking of which, Prince Rui also carries Lu’s blood. Since you understand the severity of this matter, you should know what to do next. Though you haven’t shown much progress usually, I know your loyalty to the Lu family, and I know you understand priorities. That’s why I told you the truth. If you insist on thinking I’m harming the Lu family, you’re free to spread this news. I can face the Lu family with a clear conscience!”
Lu Jingxiu took a deep breath. “Aunt, you’re… you’re being unreasonable…”
Lu Youxin looked at Lu Jingxiu’s bruised face with a mocking smile. “I may be unreasonable, but I’ve shouldered the Lu family’s responsibilities for twenty years, unlike you who can’t even defeat a young lady. Well? How many more rounds do you want to fight with others? Should I call everyone in the mansion to watch?”
Lu Youxin had arrived at Mei Garden just in time to see Lu Jingxiu blocking Bai Ying’s path. Seeing his current state made even Lu Youxin feel utterly embarrassed.
At her words, the flush that had just receded from Lu Jingxiu’s face returned, spreading even to his neck!
Seeing him speechless, Lu Youxin gave a cold laugh and waved her hand. “Enough! By rights, Prince Rui is your cousin, and the person you met today could be considered your cousin-in-law. I’m sure she won’t hold much against you. You and Jingyun, don’t say a word to your father about this. If what I just said leaks out, you two will face the consequences! Now get out—”
Lu Youxin scolded harshly. Lu Jingxiu stood stiffly for a moment before bowing and taking his leave.
Seeing Lu Jingxiu walk out, Lu Jingyun also bowed and left. After their departure, Lu Youxin heaved a long sigh.
Granny Huang approached Lu Youxin and softly asked, “Miss, will the Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Master…”
Lu Youxin shook her head. “Of course they won’t. Though none of the children are particularly outstanding, they all have their good points. Jingcheng was filial to his parents and never disobedient. Though Jingxiu is somewhat arrogant and rash, he’s very protective of his own. As for Jingyun, he’s usually gentle-natured without ill intentions and likes to mediate. Jinghe is even better, being quite sensible. While we couldn’t tell Jingcheng about Yan Chi and the others coming, we could tell Jingxiu and Jingyun. They understand what’s truly important.”
Granny Huang nodded and asked, “Should we check on the Princess Consort?”
Lu Youxin smiled bitterly. “Of course we should. The Lu family has been truly discourteous in this matter.”
With that, Lu Youxin ordered some pastries prepared and headed to Handan Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Lu Jingxiu walked quickly out of Wutong Garden’s main gate, with Lu Jingyun chasing after him.
As Lu Jingxiu walked, the cold wind blew constantly. By the time they reached Lanxiang Court’s entrance, Lu Jingxiu had calmed down. Seeing the familiar lit courtyard, he turned away and walked toward the deer pond. With his current state of mind, he didn’t want to return home. At the pond’s edge, he gradually calmed down as he thought about recent events and Lu Youxin’s words.
“Do you think what Aunt said is true?”
Though Lu Jingxiu asked this, he already believed Lu Youxin. Beside him, Lu Jingyun nodded, “I think it’s true. Otherwise… why bring up Prince Rui for no reason? Heavens, I never imagined it would be Prince Rui’s consort, Princess Yongci herself. No wonder she was so beautiful…”
Lu Jingyun’s tone was dreamy. Lu Jingxiu gave him a strange look. “Was she really that beautiful?”
It was now late at night, with only two dim lanterns hanging by the deer pond. The yellowish light cast strange reflections on the pond’s frozen surface. Lu Jingxiu stared at these flickering lights, momentarily recalling Qin Wan’s appearance.
“What’s her name?” Lu Jingxiu suddenly asked softly.
Compared to Lu Jingxiu, Lu Jingyun was more scholarly and fond of reading. Though forbidden by the clan from taking the imperial examinations, he paid close attention to capital affairs and knew more about Princess Yongci than Lu Jingxiu did.
“She’s from the Qin family in the capital, with the single character ‘Wan’ as her given name. Yes, that’s her name. It was written in the edict that appointed her.”
Lu Jingyun stepped forward to answer Lu Jingxiu’s earlier question, “Isn’t she beautiful? I’ve never seen such a woman before. She should be about our age, but did you see her presence? I found it quite intimidating.”
Though Lu Jingxiu’s mind was filled with Qin Wan’s image, he snorted, “In my view, she’s just a young girl.”
Lu Jingyun glanced at Lu Jingxiu. “Fifth Brother usually maintains his composure, but today before her, I felt even you were somewhat… well, somewhat subdued…”
“What?! How could I be weaker than her?!”
Lu Jingxiu raised his hand to strike, and Lu Jingyun quickly jumped back a step. Lu Jingxiu snorted again and continued, “Prince Rui committed treason and has already fled the capital. Haven’t you heard what people are saying? They say Prince Rui’s whereabouts are unknown, and the Emperor is sending people to capture him. Now his consort is here with us, but Aunt didn’t mention Prince Rui. Does this mean… only she is here with us, and Prince Rui isn’t?!”
Lu Jingyun nodded, “That’s right, but where could Prince Rui have gone?”
Lu Jingxiu frowned slightly. “Could he have gone to Shuoxi? His Highness Prince Rui was originally a young general in the Shuoxi army. In his current situation, Shuoxi is probably his only option. The Shuoxi army has always respected the Prince Rui household. Perhaps… perhaps he’s heading to Shuoxi, so he sent his wife to hide in Jian Province?”
Lu Jingyun always agreed with Lu Jingxiu’s opinions and nodded now. “Yes, Fifth Brother is right.”
At this, Lu Jingxiu’s eyes showed some disapproval. “They’re newly married, yet he abandoned her alone in Jian Province. Jian Province is quite far from the west. Is she supposed to stay here indefinitely?”
Lu Jingyun frowned, “Not necessarily. He might come to get her in a few days?”
Lu Jingxiu pursed his lips. “That still shows a lack of responsibility.”
Lu Jingyun found something odd about these words and gave Lu Jingxiu a complex look, but Lu Jingxiu stood lost in thought by the deer pond.
After a while, Lu Jingxiu suddenly came to his senses, touching his bruised cheek and mumbling, “That little girl is quite skillful… I should have guessed her identity earlier. With such capable maids by her side, she couldn’t be from an ordinary noble family…”
Lu Jingyun felt sorry seeing Lu Jingxiu’s severe bruising. “Aunt said she invited Prince Rui’s consort to investigate Fourth Brother’s case. Do you think that’s reliable?”
Lu Jingxiu snapped back to attention and frowned. “I’ve heard this Princess Yongci is supposedly skilled in criminal investigations, though I’m not sure if that’s true.”
Lu Jingyun muttered, “How could a woman be skilled in criminal investigations? It seems impossible. The royal family has all sorts of strange gimmicks…”
Lu Jingxiu didn’t immediately respond to this. His mind couldn’t shake the elegant, cool beauty amidst that subtle fragrance. Perhaps because all the young ladies he’d met before had always greeted him with smiles, but the more he thought of Qin Wan’s appearance, the more fascinated he became. He stood there entranced, trying to see Qin Wan’s image in the strange reflections on the ice, so absorbed that he didn’t even notice Lu Jingyun pulling at him.
…
When Lu Youxin arrived at Handan Pavilion, Qin Wan had already bathed and was reading. Seeing Lu Youxin arrive, Qin Wan guessed her purpose.
“Did my two incompetent nephews frighten you?”
Qin Wan laughed at this. “Not at all. I was just surprised. Aunt, after this incident, these two are no longer suspects.”
After all, would a murderer act so recklessly?
Seeing that Qin Wan wasn’t frightened and instead immediately thought about the case, Lu Youxin didn’t know whether to laugh or cry.
“I was worried you’d be angry, but you don’t seem to mind at all.”
Fuling, standing nearby, smiled and said, “Madam doesn’t know, but our Princess doesn’t care about such things. She’s faced even more dangerous situations before.”
Since learning that all those reports were true, Lu Youxin knew that Qin Wan was quite experienced. She sighed, “Those two nephews of mine aren’t much older than you, yet they couldn’t even match one of your fingers. Who was it that beat my useless nephew just now?”
Bai Ying, who had already returned, immediately stepped forward and curtsied. “Madam, it was this servant. This servant didn’t know her strength, please—”
Before Bai Ying could finish apologizing, Lu Youxin burst out laughing. Despite her elegant dress and noble makeup, she usually maintained strict composure, but now she laughed unrestrainedly. She looked Bai Ying up and down incredulously, “Oh right, it was you, you! You usually seem so quiet and rarely speak, I never imagined you’d be so formidable. That nephew of mine has studied martial arts since childhood with a master, and after learning a bit he thought he was invincible. Now, to be defeated by a young maid like you… you should have seen his face when I mocked him just now… hahaha, it was priceless, I’ll never forget it!”
Lu Youxin was delighted, leaving Bai Ying stunned. After a moment, Qin Wan and Fuling also started laughing. The room filled with merry laughter, and no one took the incident seriously. Lu Youxin stayed for a while longer, leaving only when the night grew deeper.
Qin Wan slept well that night, and the next day, she waited for news from the people Lu Youxin had sent out.
However, Hu Guangde proved difficult to find. The entire second day passed without any word from those sent to search. With no choice, Qin Wan stayed in Handan Pavilion examining the clothes.
A garment that had been soaked in water for so long wouldn’t yield much definitive evidence, especially with the newly added mud stains. Qin Wan looked for a long while without results. Fuling helped look too, soon muttering, “I wonder if these mud stains can be cleaned. Blood stains are extremely difficult to wash out, but what about mud stains? Should I try testing with the marks on these sleeves?”
Watching Fuling fiddle with it, Qin Wan suddenly noticed a flash of staining on the sleeve. She immediately sat up straight. “Wait, bring me the outer robe to look at…”
Though confused, Fuling brought the outer robe to Qin Wan, who moved closer to look and immediately spotted marks on the cuff.
She held it up to the daylight for a moment and suddenly realized the stain was a mixture of blood and mud. Qin Wan’s brows furrowed immediately. She clearly remembered that Lu Jingcheng’s wrists only showed bruising, no wounds. If so, how could there be blood on the sleeve cuffs?!
Because of the mud stains, Qin Wan hadn’t noticed the blood at first. But when Fuling held it up, the changing light revealed the stain’s true nature. Only then did she realize something was wrong. Qin Wan frowned, “I overlooked something. The killer’s hand must have been injured.”
Fuling’s eyes widened. “Was it injured by Fourth Young Master?”
Qin Wan shook her head. “No, it was probably cut by sharp stones on the ground while subduing Lu Jingcheng.”
Fuling immediately said, “If that’s the case, why don’t we check now to see who has a hand injury?”
Qin Wan held the sleeve and shook her head. “No, if we ask now, the killer will surely find many excuses. Under normal circumstances, it’s simple to explain away a hand injury.”
Fuling nodded. “True, they could just say they accidentally hurt themselves. We’d have no way to prove they’re lying.”
Qin Wan looked at the bloodstain on the sleeve again. “Let’s wait for people to return from Jian Province City.”
……
……
Qin Wan had resolved to wait, but this wait lasted two days. It was now late in the twelfth lunar month, with the New Year approaching.
With the incident at White Deer Isle, there was no festive atmosphere, though Lu Youxin still ordered the courtyards cleaned as the sole gesture toward the New Year.
Many days had passed since Lu Jingcheng’s death, but the killer remained unfound. The Second Branch had initially caused the most trouble but was suppressed by Lu Youxin. Later, when the Second Madam fell ill, they couldn’t make any more fuss. The Third and Fourth Branches were merely spectators, and with Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun having learned their lesson, the garden was quite peaceful.
Growing anxious from the long wait for news from Jian Province City, and with no word from Yan Chi since he left for Qian Province, Qin Wan felt restless. That day, she went to the Deer Garden to feed the deer and pass the time. Though not her first visit there, since the Deer Garden was in the north, separated from the east, Qin Wan didn’t call for strict security. Sure enough, she didn’t see anyone on the way, and the garden attendants respectfully welcomed her. Halfway through feeding, snow began falling again.
With the heavy snow and cold weather, Fuling urged Qin Wan to return, and despite her reluctance, she had to comply.
The Deer Garden sat high, and from its steps, one could see White Deer Isle’s cascading pavilions and towers. The accumulated snow from recent days remained unmelted, making White Deer Isle appear even more magnificent than when she first arrived. After descending the steps onto the corridor, Qin Wan’s pace finally slowed.
There was more than one path back to Handan Pavilion. Instead of taking the corridor she’d used before, Qin Wan chose a seemingly more secluded path. After a few steps, she noticed something. “Why do I smell medicine?”
Hearing this, Fuling quickly sniffed but said in surprise, “This servant doesn’t smell anything?”
At this, Bai Ying and Bai Feng also tried to smell but looked confused, clearly not detecting anything. Just as they were puzzled, a voice suddenly came from a pavilion among the flower beds ahead—
“Because the garden’s medicine hall is nearby.”
The sudden voice startled everyone. Looking toward it, they immediately saw Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun standing beneath the pavilion.
Though their last meeting had been tense, today the two brothers seemed very calm. Qin Wan raised an eyebrow, glanced toward the Deer Garden and then toward Handan Pavilion, and said coolly, “It seems Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Master have been waiting here deliberately.”
The bruises on Lu Jingxiu’s face had healed. Today he wore a blue robe, appearing quite handsome in the snow and wind.
He stepped forward quickly and gestured invitingly, “Please, Princess, take shelter from the snow and wind here.”
Qin Wan looked at Lu Jingxiu leisurely, then after a moment walked forward. Upon entering the pavilion, the two brothers followed.
Qin Wan brushed the light snow from her shoulders. “What brings Fifth Young Master here?”
At this question, Lu Jingxiu stepped back and cupped his hands. “Today, we’ve come to apologize to the Princess. That day, I misunderstood and was rude to the Princess. We’ve come specially to apologize, hoping the Princess won’t take offense—”
Qin Wan raised her eyebrows again. After Lu Youxin’s visit that night, Qin Wan had dismissed the matter. Since Lu Youxin had mocked and scolded Lu Jingxiu and his brother, she thought they wouldn’t cause more trouble, but unexpectedly, they had come to apologize today.
That night, Lu Jingxiu had stood wielding a sword, looking fierce, but today he was courteous, quite different from before.
Qin Wan observed him for a moment. “If it’s about apologizing, Fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Master needn’t bother. Those who don’t know cannot be blamed.”
The snowflakes were falling more heavily now. Considering her unfamiliarity with Lu Jingxiu, Qin Wan said, “The snow is getting heavier. The fifth Young Master and Sixth Young Master should return. I’ll take my leave now.”
As Qin Wan moved to leave, Lu Jingxiu instinctively stepped forward to block her path. His gaze fell on her face, his eyes slightly bright with an inexplicable focus. Qin Wan immediately frowned, and Lu Jingxiu suddenly realized his rudeness and quickly stepped back!
“I… I have another matter…”
Qin Wan felt something strange about Lu Jingxiu, though she couldn’t quite place what. “Please speak.”
Lu Jingxiu straightened his back. “That night, Aunt mentioned that Princess was helping investigate Fourth Brother’s case. We’ve come to ask if there’s been any progress. The New Year approaches and Fourth Brother’s body is barely cold, yet we don’t even know who harmed him. It’s truly unsettling.”
Qin Wan frowned slightly. “If you want to know the details, you should ask Aunt Lu. She knows what information you should and shouldn’t have.”
Though Lu Jingxiu had stepped back, he still blocked the pavilion exit. He responded righteously, “Aunt doesn’t trust us. I want to help but can’t. Princess’s expertise in criminal investigation is well-known. If you have any instructions, please just tell us.”
Lu Jingxiu spoke firmly, his gaze bright as he looked at Qin Wan. He consistently addressed her as “Princess,” clearly aware of her identity. Though she was now Prince Rui’s consort and others called her Princess Consort, as Lu Jingxiu wasn’t close to her, this form of address was acceptable.
Qin Wan looked at Lu Jingxiu helplessly. “The case’s circumstances remain unclear. Fifth Young Master’s help isn’t needed now. With the New Year approaching, Aunt Lu is quite busy. If you wish to help, you could assist her with clan matters.”
Recently, Lu Youxin’s visits to Handan Pavilion had been brief due to clan business, so Qin Wan’s suggestion was reasonable.
Lu Jingxiu quickly replied, “Of course, I’ll help Aunt, but… Fourth Brother’s matter is more urgent now.”
Seeing Lu Jingxiu’s persistence, Qin Wan didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. “Investigating a case doesn’t improve with more people. Your sudden involvement might complicate things. If I truly need help, I’ll ask you.”
After a pause, before Lu Jingxiu could speak, Qin Wan said coolly, “You’re blocking my path.”
Her tone showed slight impatience. Lu Jingxiu hesitated but finally moved aside. “Then… if you need anything, just send someone to find me at Lanxiang Court. I’ll be ready anytime…”
Lu Jingxiu spoke urgently. Qin Wan nodded and left the pavilion.
Lu Jingxiu craned his neck, watching Qin Wan’s figure gradually disappear into the distance, never taking his eyes away. Beside him, Lu Jingyun came to his senses first, looking in the direction Qin Wan had left, then at Lu Jingxiu, saying oddly, “Fifth Brother, why are you suddenly acting so strange?”
Lu Jingxiu snapped back to awareness, coughing lightly, “What’s strange about it? I just want to help.”
Lu Jingyun made an “oh” sound, “But it seems she doesn’t need our help…”
Lu Jingxiu said nothing, though his eyes showed traces of disappointment. He lingered in the pavilion for a long while before leaving.
…
On the way back, Fuling asked puzzled, “Wasn’t he supposed to be in the East Garden? How did he get here? These guards are becoming less vigilant!”
Qin Wan smiled wryly, “He’s a young master of the household. If he wants to come, he has his ways. Though his change is quite noticeable.”
Fuling snorted, “Indeed, he was so frightening that night, but now he’s as docile as a kitten. Madam Lu is truly formidable.”
Qin Wan shook her head, “He’s not a bad person, just… it would be good if he could truly help Aunt Lu.”
Qin Wan walked back without further comment. Bai Feng, walking last, looked back twice. Though Lu Jingxiu came under the pretense of apologizing, his gaze at Qin Wan was peculiar. Though Bai Feng had no one he admired, he was still a man, and he felt Lu Jingxiu’s gaze toward Qin Wan contained something inappropriate.
This thought made him deeply dislike Lu Jingxiu, and he secretly worried why his master hadn’t returned yet.
Qin Wan had thought this day would also be spent waiting in vain, but unexpectedly, by late afternoon, the people sent to Jian Province City finally returned. Not only did the Lu family’s people return, but Hu Guangde came with them. Lu Youxin sent someone to invite Qin Wan to Wutong Garden, then had Hu Guangde bound and brought to the main hall for personal questioning!
When Qin Wan arrived at Wutong Garden, she stayed behind the screen as before. After Lu Youxin exchanged a few words with her, people brought in Hu Guangde, and Lu Youxin went to the front hall to question him.
Hu Guangde wore an indigo cotton robe and was pushed in rather disheveled by the Lu family guards.
Upon seeing Lu Youxin, Hu Guangde’s expression instantly changed, and he immediately knelt, “Second Miss, so you’ve come to Jian Province. This humble one pays respects to Second Miss—”
Hu Guangde was over forty, with graying temples and a sallow complexion from long-term excess. He knelt and bowed without hesitation, his eyes full of ingratiation, but through the screen, Qin Wan could detect wariness in his gaze.
Lu Youxin smiled imperceptibly, “Since you saw Jingcheng, how could you not know I’d come to Jian Province?”
At these words, Hu Guangde’s expression changed, though he forced a smile and said, “Hehe, well… Fourth Young Master and I met by chance. I often visit Huaman Tower, and that day I happened to see Fourth Young Master, so I just paid my respects. Oh? Why isn’t Fourth Young Master here today?”
The Lu family guards had been reliable, not revealing a single word during the journey.
Seeing Hu Guangde ask about Lu Jingcheng, Lu Youxin’s smile deepened momentarily, “You want to see Jingcheng?”
Hu Guangde found Lu Youxin’s smile strange and shivered before saying with a grin, “Since I’ve come to the estate, naturally I should pay respects to all the masters and young masters.”
Lu Youxin had been smiling, but suddenly, her smile vanished, and she slammed her hand on the armrest, shouting harshly, “You dare to see Jingcheng?! Jingcheng confessed everything! You, Hu Guangde, did you think that since you left the Lu family, we couldn’t deal with you anymore?!”
This sudden change startled even Fuling in the inner room. Hu Guangde watched Lu Youxin’s expression change from a faint smile to cold severity and trembled in fear. What terrified him, even more, were Lu Youxin’s words, “W-what? What did he confess? Fourth Young Master…”
Lu Youxin narrowed her eyes and laughed coldly, “Still won’t talk? I don’t want to spread Lu’s family scandals to the officials. In this vast White Deer Isle, I could take your worthless life right now. Just throw you into Wangyue Lake, and who would know who killed you?! Hu Guangde! Do you think my position as the Lu family head is just for the show?!”
Hu Guangde instantly broke into a cold sweat. He already had a guilty conscience, and Lu Youxin’s fierce shouts were intimidating, terrifying him to his core. Combined with her ambiguous words, Hu Guangde could barely maintain his kneeling position. “Second Miss… I… I don’t know… Fourth Young Master…”
“Everything you discussed at Huaman Tower, Jingcheng told me word for word. I’ll give you one last chance now.”
Lu Youxin raised her chin, looking at Hu Guangde coldly and mercilessly, each word like an icy needle piercing his heart. Hu Guangde’s cold sweat increased, “This humble one… this humble one and Fourth Young Master…”
Hu Guangde never imagined Lu Youxin would know about their discussion at Huaman Tower. Hearing this, he believed Lu Jingcheng had truly confessed!
He crawled forward trembling, suddenly wailing, “Second Miss! It was Fourth Young Master! Everything was done on Fourth Young Master’s orders! Though I left Xiu Mountain, I trained all the managers there, so only I could easily contact them! Fourth Young Master… Fourth Young Master said I just needed to pass along a message, nothing else, and he’d give me Two Thousand Silver Taels. I… I just needed to make a living…”
After Hu Guangde’s wailing confession, Lu Youxin’s severe expression suddenly changed, “Xiu Mountain?”
Xiu Mountain was where the Lu family’s mining operations were located west of Jian Province. At her question, Hu Guangde nodded, “It was all Fourth Young Master’s doing. He said the Fifth Branch had gained your favor and was becoming too powerful, said they needed to take a big fa-“
Before he could finish saying “fall,” Hu Guangde suddenly froze. He stared at Lu Youxin, realizing something was wrong. If Lu Jingcheng had truly confessed everything, why did Lu Youxin seem so surprised about Xiu Mountain? In that instant, Hu Guangde knew he’d fallen into a trap!
He suddenly straightened up, “This humble one… I mean… about Fourth Young Master…”
Hu Guangde tried to backtrack, but Lu Youxin wouldn’t give him the chance. She had suspected Lu Jingcheng was plotting something sinister with Hu Guangde, and now hearing “Xiu Mountain” and that Lu Jingcheng wanted the Fifth Branch to fall, she instantly connected it to the mining accident!
A chill ran down her spine as an unbelievable thought occurred to her, “This… this mining disaster, was it orchestrated on his orders?!”
Hu Guangde’s eyes flickered quickly as he hurriedly waved his hands, “No, no, no… that’s not it… no. What I meant was that Fourth Young Master just wanted to make the Xiu Mountain mining accident harder to resolve. The Salt and Iron Commissioner, and the Prefecture Office, Fourth Young Master wanted them to give the Fifth Branch trouble… so…”
Though Hu Guangde’s eyes darted about and he responded quickly, Lu Youxin wasn’t so easily fooled!
She laughed coldly, “Oh? Trying to change your story? Do you know where Lu Jingcheng who ordered you is now?”
Hu Guangde shook his head repeatedly, “No, no, no, this humble one doesn’t know. I only met Fourth Young Master once. I know nothing…”
Lu Youxin narrowed her eyes, her smile taking on an ominous quality, “Didn’t you want to see him? Since you won’t talk now, fine. I bet you’ll talk after seeing him. Guards—”
Lu Youxin’s smile sent chills down Hu Guangde’s spine. As soon as she called out, several guards entered and lifted him from both sides.
Lu Youxin commanded, “Take him to see Fourth Young Master. Let them spend some quality time together.”
The guards acknowledged and left, with Hu Guangde being carried out.
“Hey, hey, hey, I can walk! Where is Fourth Young Master…”
“Second Miss, I don’t want to see Fourth Young Master, I didn’t listen to his orders…”
As the pushing and shoving voices faded into the distance, inside the room, Lu Youxin’s hand on the armrest was trembling.
Granny Huang, serving nearby, also understood the implications of Hu Guangde’s words and was thoroughly shocked!
His words indicated that the mining accident that killed over twenty people and caused great trouble for the Fifth Branch was ordered by Lu Jingcheng!
The sole purpose was to make the Fifth Branch take a big fall!
Lu Youxin’s chest heaved violently, and after a while, she slammed her hand on the armrest again, “So that’s it! That’s it! I wondered how two mine shafts could suddenly collapse, and why people fled as soon as it happened. This was all premeditated! This beast! This beast!”
As Lu Youxin cursed fiercely, Qin Wan in the inner room couldn’t help but come out. She had heard everything clearly and instantly understood the cause of the mining accident, leaving her equally shocked!
The Xiu Mountain mine was managed by the Fifth Branch, which had helped them gain power. For Lu Jingcheng to create such a massive mining accident just to make the Fifth Branch fail – over twenty lives casually decided by his word while living in luxury!
Though Qin Wan had seen many chilling cases, ones like Lu Jingcheng’s were rare!
Seeing Lu Youxin’s fury, Qin Wan didn’t know how to console her, “Aunt, we should wait for Hu Guangde’s detailed confession.”
Lu Youxin nodded. Granny Huang, seeing her state, feared she might faint from anger and quickly poured tea and rubbed her back. Lu Youxin held the teacup with trembling hands but didn’t drink. After a while, she finally let out a long breath and said, pale-faced, “I even thought it might have been other major households in Jian Province causing trouble. But I never imagined it would be one of our own Lu family, my nephew! This degenerate! He truly deserved death!”
If these twenty-plus lives were lost because of Lu Jingcheng, he indeed deserved his fate.
Though Qin Wan was chilled, she wasn’t as enraged as Lu Youxin. While Lu Jingcheng deserved death, he was still murdered. At this point, Qin Wan couldn’t help connecting the mining accident to Lu Jingcheng’s death. The cause of the Fifth Branch’s mining accident remained unknown, but could someone have learned the truth and sought revenge?
But how to explain Lu Suiyong’s words and that Spring Palace book?
Before Qin Wan could unravel all the mysteries, Hu Guangde was carried back by two guards!
Qin Wan retreated to the inner room first. When Hu Guangde re-entered, his face was deathly pale and he could barely walk. Looking closely, one could see his robe hem was wet – he had been frightened into incontinence! Lu Youxin’s anger had nowhere to vent; seeing Hu Guangde in this state, she wanted to end him with one stroke!
“Well? Did you see your Fourth Young Master?!”
Lu Youxin asked through gritted teeth, suppressing her rage. The guards threw Hu Guangde to the ground, where he collapsed, unable even to crawl. “H-how could Fourth Young Master be dead… how could he die… Second Miss, how could you…”
Lu Youxin laughed coldly, “After committing such evil, ending him with one sword stroke was lenient! Well? Will you talk or not? I could strike down my nephew, what about you?!”
Hearing this, Hu Guangde’s mind was in chaos, unable to distinguish truth from lies in Lu Youxin’s words. He had seen Lu Jingcheng’s corpse but couldn’t tell how he had died. Seeing Lu Youxin’s fierce expression and boiling anger, he was too scared not to confess, whether it was true or not.
“Yes… it was Fourth Young Master… Fourth Young Master sent a message…”
“This humble one received the message and instructed Liu Dacheng and Qi Ying. Promised them Five Hundred Silver Taels each after the deed. They… they were trained by me, addicted to gambling. After the Fifth Branch took over, they couldn’t touch the mine’s money anymore and harbored resentment. Now they could both take revenge and get paid, so they agreed immediately…”
“Initially… initially we only meant to kill one or two people, but unexpectedly… unexpectedly when the support pillars broke, both the front and back of the mine collapsed, burying over twenty people alive. They came to me once for money, then one fled south and one north…”
Hu Guangde knelt prostrate on the ground, his voice changed by fear. “This humble one was also planning to leave, but thinking my home was here, and I wasn’t at Xiu Mountain when it happened, I stayed in Jian Province. When Fourth Young Master came, saying the deed was done and would give me bank notes, that’s why I went to Huaman Tower…”
“That’s the whole story. I beg Second Miss for mercy… spare this humble one. I… I can reveal Liu Dacheng and Qi Ying’s whereabouts, let… let the officials arrest them. That would clear the Fifth Branch’s name. Please, Second Miss, I’ll burn incense and worship Buddha, never do evil again!”
Lu Youxin coldly watched Hu Guangde, “Burn incense and worship Buddha?! Someone like you doesn’t deserve to seek Buddha’s forgiveness! Someone bring paper and brush—”
Hu Guangde trembled, crying uncontrollably. Lu Youxin said, “Write down everything about this matter exactly as it happened. If you dare write one false word, I’ll throw you into Wangyue Lake to feed the fish!”
Hu Guangde dared not object, but when the writing materials arrived, his hands shook too much to write. He had to dictate the details again while Granny Deng recorded them. Only after he pressed his fingerprint was it complete!
“Take him away! Lock him in the dungeon! Don’t let him freeze to death!”
Hearing this, Hu Guangde begged repeatedly for mercy, but Lu Youxin wouldn’t listen. Several guards came forward and dragged Hu Guangde away like cargo!
Lu Youxin stared at the black characters on white paper, so angry her vision kept darkening!
Finally, she shouted harshly, “Go! Summon those two from the Second Branch, and the people from the Fifth Branch, all of them!”