CHAPTER 234: CHAPTER 231: COLLUSION!

"They want to use Liu Yan’s death to send my mother to prison, which is why the Zhang and Liu families insisted on sending it to the authorities earlier.

But most likely, both the Zhang and Liu families were pushed into this. The Zhang Family sees us as enemies and, having preconceived notions, believes Liu Yan died at the hands of the Ning Family. Zhang Feng is just venting his anger. Right now, we must first make him understand that Liu Yan’s death was indeed due to poisoning and not an accident."

At this point, Fu Zhen instructed Zhang Cheng, "Go relay this to Madam: we’re not going to the court today, nor anywhere else. We’re doing the trial right here! We’ll keep at it until we find the real culprit and restore Wanbin Building’s reputation!"

To reverse the situation now, we must first stabilize the Zhang Family.

As for who the real culprit is, there’s no need to guess. We can easily tell with eyes closed it’s either those from Prince Rong’s Mansion or the Xu family.

However, since the deceased is a relative of the Zhang Family, Mrs. Zhang can first be ruled out.

Xu Yin is a treacherous person, but he recently had He Huan mediate to ease relations with Pei Zhan, so it’s unlikely to be him. Prince Rong was just scolded by the Emperor and, even if harboring resentment, it’s unlikely he would act so hastily at this time.

Besides, there’s also Princess Rong and Yongping remaining.

This mother and daughter duo indeed have possibilities.

Princess Rong surely harbors a grudge against Fu Zhen for causing a scene at the Prince’s Manor.

As for Yongping, it’s hard to say.

After receiving a slap from Fu Zhen last time, she definitely harbors hatred.

But so much time has passed. She didn’t act when she wasn’t yet married into the Pei family. Why wait until now when she has power and influence to settle that old score of a slap?

Unless she has gone mad, this doesn’t seem likely.

Fu Zhen scanned the crowd, and when her gaze landed on Lou Zhao, the Commander of the Wucheng Military Division, who hadn’t spoken, she suddenly felt a pang of intuition: "Since people from Shuntian Prefecture have already arrived, why is Lou Zhao here?"

Li Jiang beside her replied, "After Liu Yan’s outburst, the three people who came with him started shouting here, causing chaos in the hall. The person surnamed Lu then sent someone to report to the Wucheng Military Division, and shortly after, Lou Zhao arrived!"

Fu Zhen pondered for a moment, "I recall that Commander Lou’s father-in-law is the Censor in charge of river transport. What does this Lu family’s business involve?"

Li Jiang paused and immediately responded, "The Lu family, along with the Qi Family and the Zhou Family, runs rice shops. They have many estates in Jiangxi, Huaiyang, and other places!" Upon saying this, he added, "I understand! These families must be in collusion with the Lou family. I’ll look into them right away!"

Since Lu Qizhou and these three families are in the grain business, they must deal with the grain transportation routes.

And with their businesses based in the capital city, currying favor with the Censor of river transport’s son-in-law, who also commands the Wucheng Military Division, Lou Zhao, is essential.

"You should first have someone find out if Lou Zhao has had any dealings with Princess Rong or Yongping recently? It will help me gauge the situation.

"Then send people to investigate if the Lu family has remained peaceful recently and if nothing has happened that might require seeking help from Prince Rong’s Mansion. Send more people and do it quickly. If necessary, ask the master for assistance and have him send some people to you!"

Guo Song immediately accepted the task and left.

The conspiracy involving a person’s life cannot simply be communicated through words; such matters require face-to-face plotting to ensure security.

Therefore, as long as it’s discovered which person from Prince Rong’s Mansion Lou Zhao has been in contact with, it would be clear who’s been manipulating things behind the scenes.

At this time, Zhang Cheng returned: "Madam said she understands and will not fear or back down. She asks the Young Madam not to worry and be anxious."

Currently, without any evidence, it’s not easy to turn the situation around, and Fu Zhen indeed needed time to maneuver.

She instructed Li Jiang and Li Huai, "While the place is bustling, go and get the purses of Lu Qi, Zhou and the other two!"

This was a simple task for Li Jiang and his group.

Before long, the two returned with three purses.

Fu Zhen examined each one, finding only some small items like broken silver and betel nuts. While going through them, a jade pendant the size of a copper coin caught her eye.

It was a Jade Buddha of not particularly good quality, but on the back of the Jade Buddha was carved the words, "May my child be safe."

It appeared to be a consecrated longevity charm.

"Whose is this?"

Li Jiang identified it and said, "It’s from Lu Yun."

Fu Zhen thought for a moment, "Is the Lu family far away?"

"Two streets away!"

"Go and find out how Lu Yun gets along with his mother?"

"I know about this!" At this time, a nearby guard, having overheard, walked over, "When Boss Guo had us investigate these people earlier, I was the one who inquired about the Lu family.

"Lu Yun’s biological mother is a concubine named Yang who doesn’t receive the favor of the main wife in the Lou family. Fortunately, the main wife has no offspring, allowing Lu Yun to be well educated.

"But mother and son have always had a difficult time in the Lou family, especially Lu Yun, who suffered a lot in his childhood. They rely on each other for support."

Hearing this, Fu Zhen handed the jade to him: "Take this and go with Yang Tong. You go to Lu Yun’s biological mother with this jade and tell her that Lu Yun is involved in a murder case and has been taken by the government.

"Now there is both testimonial and physical evidence against him, and even those who promised to help him can’t protect him. She should hurry if she still wants to see Lu Yun. She won’t get the chance if she delays.

"Yang Tong should go find Lu Yun’s father and legitimate mother and bring both of them to me!"

The guard immediately left on his errand.

Meanwhile, at the shop hall, with the looming figures of the Pei and Zhang families, Li Yangsong had already been reduced to a mere accessory. He dared not offend the Zhang Family, let alone the Pei Family. How the situation should proceed was beyond his control now.

So, when Fu Zhen proposed to set the court right here, he had no objections!

But at this moment, Lou Zhao spoke, "Mr. Li, the fact that Wanbin Building is not being responsible to its patrons is evident. Surely the case can’t be dismissed just because the General’s wife denies responsibility?

"This concerns a real human life. Mr. Liu and his wife were counting on Mr. Liu to have children and carry on the family line, and now he’s suddenly gone. Who will they rely on in their later years? There must be accountability!

"Since I’ve been called here, I must speak a few fair words for the Liu family. Even a prince is subject to the same laws as a commoner, and even if the young master of Wanbin Building’s owner’s family is of noble relation, a human life cannot be disregarded!

"General Liu, General Zhang, don’t you two agree?"

These words once again stoked the anger in the hearts of the Liu and Zhang families!

Mrs. Liu cried out in anguish, held back by several people to prevent her from throwing herself onto Liu Yan’s body.

Mr. Liu also shouted angrily, directing his anger at Mrs. Ning, "You merchants are all profit-driven and never have any conscience. A life was lost here in your place, and you cannot shirk this responsibility!"

The uproar within the shop echoed to the outside, but Fu Zhen maintained a calm and expressionless demeanor, not uttering a word.

In contrast, Li Jiang and Li Huai, having followed Ning Madam for many days, were long moved by her character. Seeing her being bullied like this, they couldn’t contain their anger!

They said, "Young Madam..."

Just as they were about to offer help to fight back, horses’ hooves sounded suddenly at the door, and it was Yang Tong who returned. He dismounted quickly and rushed to Fu Zhen, exclaiming, "Young Madam, I brought Lu Yun’s father and legitimate mother!"