CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 43: LOCKED

"Oh?" Lu Qing’s tone carried skepticism, "Now that you are Li Wencai’s concubine, you should naturally understand that your fate is intertwined with his; you share in both his glory and his downfall.

Currently, Li Wencai is the County Magistrate of Qingshui County, allowing you to live peacefully in this grand mansion.

If I truly convict him, do you know what will happen to you?"

"I know!" Zhu Qiaoyun, initially sorrowful, straightened up immediately upon hearing Lu Qing mention her intertwined fate with Li Wencai. "From the day he forcefully dragged me into his household, I never expected a peaceful end!

He not only caused the death of my Zhou, but also had his rogues harass my parents daily, eventually forcing them to leave Taiping County. As of now, I don’t even know where they are, whether they are alive or dead.

He wishes for me to sever all ties and devote myself entirely to pleasing him, but I refuse!

I once thought of smashing my head in to turn this mansion into a haunted house, but then I realized, with hands stained with so much blood and responsible for countless deaths, how could he fear someone like me!

If I die, he’ll still repeat his deeds, perhaps targeting another family’s daughter someday and bringing them harm.

So I refuse to die; if I must, it will only be after I find a way to exact my revenge. I must die after Li Wencai!"

Zhu Qiaoyun knelt upright, with her neck stiffened. Her hatred for Li Wencai diluted her prior nervousness and unease, leaving only hatred and stubborn resolve.

Zhu Yu stood beside her, feeling an indescribable shock in his heart.

This woman, who appeared so weak, bore humiliation for the hope of one day enacting her revenge, even at the cost of her life. Such intense hatred must be supporting her!

"Where is this ledger you mentioned hidden?" Lu Qing asked again, his tone cold and detached throughout.

"In his study!" Zhu Qiaoyun quickly replied, "I discovered it by accident. There’s a secret compartment in Li Wencai’s study; you only need to remove the Lengyan Scripture from the shelf to see the hidden compartment behind it. The ledger is behind the wooden panel of this secret compartment.

If you, my lord, can punish Li Wencai justly, I vow to accompany the ancient lamp and Buddha, reciting scriptures for your blessing day and night, establishing a longevity plaque!"

"What you said has been noted. You may leave now." Despite Zhu Qiaoyun’s sorrowful plea, Lu Qing simply waved her off, indicating for her to depart, unwilling to exchange any more words with her.

Zhu Qiaoyun seemed a bit reluctant, but with nothing more to say and seeing that the Lord Imperial Censor appeared unmoved, she dared not disturb any longer, fearing only to anger him, making him more indifferent. She bowed her head and left.

As she walked away, she seemed somewhat lost, as though having mustered all her courage to accomplish something, only to be met with an ambiguous response, leaving her whole being dazed.

Zhu Yu felt relatively fortunate; having naturally been the daughter of Prince Shuo Zhu Cheng’s, though not the most favored legitimate eldest daughter, she was still a Vassal King’s daughter, never having suffered any bullying at home or outside.

Although an imperial decree married her to the aloof and unfamiliar Prince Xiaoyao Lu Qing, in retrospect, her husband possessed both looks and intellect; even if a bit cunning, he was not lacking overall.

Watching Zhu Qiaoyun walk away forlornly, Zhu Yu felt a complex mix of emotions.

As a sheltered lady, a noblewoman who always sees the world through confined spaces, everything indeed seems lovely.

But when you actually see the emaciated children in Wang Shan’s household, the desolate fields, the ruined houses...

Zhu Yu found it hard to close her eyes and deceive herself into believing that these don’t exist.

Lu Qing watched Zhu Yu standing at the door, seeing Zhu Qiaoyun off without a sound, then picked up a book on the desk and continued reading.

Only after Zhu Qiaoyun left did Zhu Yu retract her gaze and turn to ask Lu Qing, "Are we going to look for that secret ledger Zhu Qiaoyun mentioned?"

"No rush," Lu Qing said without lifting his eyes, "Li Wencai is locked up in his room, are you afraid he’ll destroy the evidence?

We don’t know the origins of someone willing to risk herself by coming forward with evidence against Li Wencai, if this is a trap, and we follow her lead to find such evidence, wouldn’t we be led by the nose?

So better to wait; the ledger won’t sprout legs and run away, but if there’s an agenda, someone might emerge due to our lack of action."

Zhu Yu pondered and found Lu Qing’s cautious approach indeed sound, yet couldn’t help being a bit surprised: "You are always so careful in your dealings."

Lu Qing merely curled his lips into a faint smile, saying nothing.

His smile bore no trace of happiness, resembling more a form of self-mockery.

Although she didn’t know what challenges Lu Qing faced growing up, just recalling the aggressive demeanor of Duke Yan at their wedding feast, Zhu Yu assumed that life with any royal connection is far from easy.

If Lu Qing didn’t possess caution and a keen mind, a misstep might lead to being skinned and the hide turned into a drum, "dong dong," mockingly beat to ridicule his foolishness.

"Should I have someone lock Li Wencai’s study?" Momentarily setting aside sympathy for Zhu Qiaoyun, Zhu Yu agreed with Lu Qing’s caution, yet felt a bit uneasy.

"That matter is up to the Chief Historian." Lu Qing replied carelessly.

Zhu Yu immediately went out, called upon the governmental officials at their beck and call, asked for a large bronze lock from the steward of Li Mansion, larger than the one for Li Wencai’s bedroom, and went to lock up the study, afterward returning steadily to the side courtyard with the key.

By evening, the governmental officials returned, delivering a meal in a food chest.

This time, having placed the food box on the stone table, he hesitated, not daring to speak to Lu Qing, and boldly approached Zhu Yu.

"My Lord..." He struggled with how to address Zhu Yu, knowing only that this figure with a mask had been closely following the Imperial Censor the past few days, appearing quite esteemed, with even the guards being respectful and polite. He was likely a confidant of the Imperial Censor, so asking him couldn’t go wrong, "The lock has been placed on County Magistrate Li’s bedroom door, and the Imperial Censor forbids opening it. Should we still deliver Mr. Li’s meals?"

"Did the Imperial Censor tell you to deliver them?" Zhu Yu retorted.

The governmental officials suddenly realized and nodded vigorously, expressing gratitude by bowing respectfully to her: "Thank you, my lord, for the guidance! I understand now! I know what to do, rest assured!"