CHAPTER 25: CHAPTER 24: DISCIPLE

These words indeed cleared Zhu Yu’s doubts, and led him to another question: "Donating for an official title is expensive, but the Lu family has controlled the wine business in Qingshui County for years, and amidst such profits, surely donating for a title wouldn’t deplete their entire family fortune?"

"If they really donated for a title, that’s a different story." Lu Qing shook his head. "From what those people said today, it seems Second Young Master Lu still hasn’t managed to achieve anything substantial with his donation, which is quite interesting.

Now that something has happened to the Lu Family, even if we find Second Young Master Lu to question him, he might not dare to reveal anything to us.

So I think it would be better to directly find the person responsible, saving a lot of unnecessary talking.

Madam, please rest early, for tomorrow might be quite tiring."

Having said that, he stood up, carrying a Fu Lu, left Zhu Yu’s room, and turned into his own next door.

After closing the door, Lu Qing asked Fu Lu: "Any news from the rune today?"

"Not yet." Fu Lu shook his head. "But rest assured, master, I’ve already left a mark outside. If he arrives in Qingshui County, he’ll naturally find us!

Master, there’s something I’ve been pondering all day and I’m still not sure...

When we went to the ruined temple this morning, my elder brother was affected by the seductive fragrance. The scent...I feel like I’ve smelled it somewhere before...

It seems...just like on the day you got married..."

Lu Qing chuckled faintly, nodding to Fu Lu: "You’re correct. Although not exactly the same, it’s quite familiar, only mixed with so many other fragrances that it’s hard to be certain."

Upon hearing Lu Qing confirm his suspicion, Fu Lu’s expression became even more serious.

Lu Qing raised his eyes, sitting by the table, observing his guard’s worried face, and said to him: "No need to worry prematurely, it only disrupts our plans.

Fu Lu quickly nodded: "Master is right!"

Lu Qing asked again: "Have you prepared everything I asked for the Madam?"

"As per your instructions, everything is ready!" Fu Lu immediately replied, glancing towards the next room, but swallowed the words about to spill out.

Lu Qing seemed not to notice Fu Lu’s glance or his hesitation, gestured with his hand: "Alright, you should also rest. Tomorrow at the county government won’t be easy, especially if there’s news from the rune. So seize the time to recharge."

Zhu Yu slept soundly through the night, and upon getting up in the morning and tidying up briefly, was startled upon opening the door, seeing Fu Lu standing like a wall with his back to the door.

Hearing the door open behind him, Fu Lu quickly turned around, clasping his fists and bowing to Zhu Yu: "Second Master, you’re awake!

The master asked me to call for you. I heard no movement inside and feared you were not awake, so I dared not knock."

"You’re considerate!" Zhu Yu also smiled at him.

Fu Lu grinned and brought Zhu Yu to Lu Qing’s side.

Over there, Lu Qing was sitting by the table, listening to the report from the rune about his findings outside.

Seeing Zhu Yu, the rune quickly clasped his hands: "Second Master!"

It seemed he had been instructed by Lu Qing or Fu Lu.

Lu Qing shifted his gaze from the entering Zhu Yu back to the rune: "Are you sure the body-moving thieves haven’t returned there?"

"Certain." The rune quickly said, "After discovering it yesterday, I’ve secretly guarded there all day, and no one has come throughout.

Before heading back, I even went near the ruined temple again, and the person probably hasn’t been there. Having just killed one, he probably isn’t ready to strike again so soon.

Master, whether he appears or not, we’ll do what we must. With the two of us on guard, I doubt he has any vile tricks under broad daylight.

If we do encounter him, we’ll simply capture him!"

The rune clenched his fists tightly in anger over being previously tricked by the antagonist.

Lu Qing remained undecided, and said to Zhu Yu: "The rune discovered the place where the body is hidden, are you willing to go with me to check it out?"

"Leave now?" Zhu Yu, always ready for action, nodded immediately upon hearing Lu Qing’s question.

Upholding her principle of adhering strictly to commitments, she was determined to fully engage in this Ghost Temple Case, as agreed earlier with the two of them.

As the saying goes, rest is for better work.

Her current efforts are also for becoming a leisure moth in the future.

"But... isn’t it inappropriate for the Second Master to go?" the rune hesitated, looking at Zhu Yu with some reluctance.

"Brother, what nonsense are you spouting!" Fu Lu playfully punched his shoulder, "Second Master has formidable skills, this isn’t the first time we’ve witnessed that!"

"Of course I know," the rune glanced helplessly at his brother, "it’s just that the path to the body hiding place isn’t easy..."

"No problem, with so many of us, pulling and supporting, we can definitely lend a hand." Zhu Yu said, "The investigation is paramount."

The rune again looked towards Lu Qing, and seeing no objection, said nothing further.

But when it came to breakfast, seeing Zhu Yu’s good appetite, the rune hesitated again, stepped out with an excuse, and bought a box of alertness oil from a pharmacy, respectfully handing it to Zhu Yu.

"Second Master, you may find it useful later." he said to Zhu Yu.

Zhu Yu paused, guessing his concern. Although she wanted to say it was unnecessary, she thanked him with a smile, accepting it.

After eating, the rune, as per Lu Qing’s instructions, rented an inconspicuous small carriage, with the two brothers driving at the front, and the rather narrow cabin adequately accommodating both Zhu Yu and Lu Qing.

Before leaving, Zhu Yu checked the small cloth bag tucked within her robes to ensure it was secure, then set off steadily.

The small carriage rocked its way out of Qingshui County, gently taking the rural road through the forest towards the ruined temple seen on that previous day.

"About the Lu Family, what’s your take?" As they traveled some distance from Qingshui County, Lu Qing, who had been resting his eyes, prompted unexpectedly.

"There seems to be many entanglements within." Zhu Yu didn’t need much thought, for her mind was already made up on this issue, "Someone is hell-bent on bringing the Lu Family to ruin. Initially, I thought perhaps Lu’s was getting too independent, no longer as manageable as before, prompting someone to silence them.

That’s when I stumbled upon the clay wine barrels at the tavern, with vintage wine inside, radiating the same fragrance as that of the Ghost Immortal Temple, hinting at some connection to it.

Regardless if the elder of the Lu Family actually went to the Ghost Immortal Temple to wish for wealth, the fact that wine and fermentation brewer’s yeast in Lu’s house turned sour and smelly isn’t merely coincidental.

What’s desired potentially isn’t just the lives of the Lu Family, but also a complete dismantling of any chance at revitalizing their enterprise."

After she finished speaking, she paused and asked Lu Qing, "If Second Young Master Lu indeed manages to secure a title, wouldn’t that pull them out from under the County Magistrate’s thumb in Qingshui County?"

Lu Qing smiled slightly at her inquiry: "This County Magistrate in Qingshui County is named Li Wencai. He was originally from a commoner background and previously studied under Lu Zhang, and thus can be regarded as his student."