CHAPTER 124: CHAPTER 124: SPECULATION

Yang Zheng strode into the study, dismissing his long-term follower. He sat at the desk and pulled out the letter from his elder uncle, Vice Minister Yang.

This letter arrived five days ago, and in these five days, Yang Zheng had read it back and forth no less than ten times, to the point where he could nearly recite its contents from memory.

"...The impeachment of Zuo Zhen of the Nanyang Army has taken the court by storm. Empress Dowager Zheng is heavily protecting Nanyang County Princess, yet even Prime Minister Wang couldn’t safeguard Zuo Zhen."

"Qiu Dianshan of the Nanyang Prince Mansion voluntarily resigned and is waiting for a position at the Ministry of Personnel. Few know about this affair, and I am among them."

"In my opinion, though the Nanyang County Princess is young, she is quite cunning and skilled. In these times, it is unwise to act recklessly. Continue to stay at the Prince Mansion and do not show any intention to leave."

Seeing this, Yang Zheng sighed long and hard, holding his head in his hands with a face full of worry.

His elder uncle, being far away, had not witnessed the ferocity of the Commandery Princess. The description of being somewhat cunning and skilled was not enough. She was outright ruthless!

This murder case, the facts were clear and plain; there was no need for him to investigate and judge. It was evident the Commandery Princess wanted to drag him into taking the blame!

When living under another’s roof, one must bow their head. Taking the salary of the Prince Mansion, he had to "share the worries" of the Commandery Princess.

With another long sigh, Yang Zheng stood up and pushed open the door of the study, furiously scolding the young servant outside: "What are you dawdling for? Haven’t you gone to pack the luggage yet? Don’t you know we have to set off at the fifth hour tomorrow morning?"

The young servant, insulted and with a dejected face, dared not utter a single word as he slunk away.

...

On the other side, Lu Junma was also somewhat at a loss after receiving the news.

"Shao Hua really instructed that?"

Like the other trusted aides, Qin Hu looked down on Lu Junma from the bottom of his heart, but maintained a respectful demeanor: "Yes, the Commandery Princess specifically instructed me to relay the instructions clearly. Please set off with Yang Shi to Ye County early tomorrow morning, Lu Junma."

Why would he go when Yang Zheng was going to handle the case?

The more Lu Xuan thought about it, the more something felt off, and he kept asking: "I don’t know the first thing about murder cases. Why would Shao Hua want me to go?"

Qin Hu had remained silent up until this moment, prepared just for this instant, and promptly replied with a serious face: "This is a case of a daughter murdering her father. The murdered man was a live-in son-in-law of the Zhou Family. After the passing of his parents-in-law, he plotted to seize the Zhou Family business. He even had mistresses and illegitimate sons. He forced Mrs. Zhou to acknowledge the illegitimate son, intending to include him in the Zhou family lineage to inherit the family business."

"Mrs. Zhou refused, and the man would often verbally and physically abuse them. The daughter, Zhou Ying, was often beaten as well. Though Zhou Ying was only ten years old, she had a strong temperament and secretly carried a dagger. When the man began his assault again, Zhou Ying stabbed her father in the back with a knife, ending his life!"

"The Commandery Princess sent Yang Shi to investigate the case, fearing Lu Junma might become anxious upon hearing any rumors. Thus, she asked Lu Junma to accompany him."

Lu Xuan: "..."

No matter how deep his scheming, Lu Xuan’s fair and handsome face reddened and then paled under such open and disguised ridicule.

Qin Hu secretly felt pleased, cupped his hands, and took his leave.

Lu Xuan forced out a smile and instructed his long-term follower, Fang Quan, to see Qin Hu out of the courtyard.

When Fang Quan returned after seeing Qin Hu off, he noticed his master’s face was flushed red, with sparks of anger in his eyes.

Fang Quan quietly closed the door of the study.

The next moment, Lu Xuan erupted in rage, sweeping all the pens, ink, and paper off the desk, which clattered heavily onto the floor. Ink from the ink stone splattered everywhere.

"What does she mean by this!" Lu Xuan was beside himself with anger: "Does she fear that I’ve forgotten I’m a live-in son-in-law, and must shame me in such a case?"

Fang Quan glanced up at his master: "It’s likely there’s more to it."

Lu Xuan’s face contorted with his eyes spitting fire: "What more is there? What else does she want? I, a father, am courteous and respectful to my own daughter, almost to the point of groveling, yet what more does she want from me?"

Fang Quan sighed and gently said: "The servant knows the Prince Consort is displeased. However, the situation is what it is, and the Prince Consort can only endure it."

"The servant thinks this: the Commandery Princess’s actions must bear profound intent. Since she specifically invited the Prince Consort to go along, it cannot be simply to humiliate you."

Among the two trusted aides, Bian Dong was careless and reckless, but Fang Quan was meticulous and perceptive. Lu Xuan had always relied heavily on Fang Quan, and his anger subsided somewhat: "In your opinion, what does the Commandery Princess expect me to do?"

Fang Quan looked up at his master: "The servant believes the Commandery Princess intends to use the Prince Consort’s voice to spare Zhou Ying from the death penalty!"

Lu Xuan: "..."

Lu Xuan, previously overwhelmed with anger, suddenly realized it painfully clear with Fang Quan’s reminder: "That’s right, it must be. This case is about a live-in son-in-law, and the daughter harbored resentment over her father’s scheming, and thus passion led to patricide. According to Da Liang Law, this is an unforgivable crime punishable by death."

"Even if she is the Commandery Princess, she cannot disregard Da Liang Law and arbitrarily pardon Zhou Ying."

"So, she thought of me. I, like the man in this case, am a live-in son-in-law, providing me the stance and qualification to plead for Zhou Ying... Hmph! I’m determined not to fulfill her wishes!"

If Lu Xuan had looked in the mirror, he might have been startled by his own distorted features: "She has never regarded me, the father, with any respect or filial piety, always looking down on me. Why should I cater to her or satisfy her whims, allowing my dignity to be trampled upon and even take the blame for her?"

"I will not let her have her way!"

Fang Quan remained silent, allowing his master to freely vent his anger.

Once Lu Xuan calmed down a bit, Fang Quan then spoke: "The servant will go pack the luggage now. How many people shall accompany the Prince Consort on this trip?"

Lu Xuan waved his hand impatiently: "Let Bian Dong go too, and select any two followers."

"Should Aunt Mei and the young master and miss accompany you?"

"No need." Lu Xuan became increasingly impatient: "What would they do?"

That live-in son-in-law of the Zhou Family kept mistresses and illegitimate children, while Aunt Mei and Lu Ying, Lu Ruohua, had equally awkward positions. In essence, there’s no substantial difference. Are they qualified to show up?

...

The next day, Lu Junma, who barely slept all night, had a shadow beneath his eyes, and his handsome face looked a bit worn.

Yang Zheng wasn’t much better; his complexion wasn’t pleasant either.

The two met at the main gate, internally mocking each other while outwardly exchanging polite greetings. At this moment, they saw a carriage driver from the Prince Mansion pull a spacious carriage to a stop at the main gate.

Lu Xuan was a bit surprised: "Is Yang Shi bringing family with him?"

Yang Zheng was confused: "It’s urgent. I’m going for official business to investigate, I wouldn’t bring family."

But such a standardized carriage was clearly meant for women to travel!

At this moment, a beautiful and gentle woman approached, flanked by a handsome boy and a pretty girl.

It was none other than Aunt Mei and her two children.

Lu Xuan: "..."