Hearing Lu Youxin say this, Qin Guan's face flushed slightly. The words about children's blessings had slipped out without thinking, but as she and Yan Chi were newly married, she still felt somewhat shy.
Seeing her composed demeanor moments ago now tinged with a suspicious pink hue on her cheeks, Lu Youxin covered her mouth and laughed. "You and Chi'er share a deep bond—when the time for descendants' blessings comes, it will come naturally. Given the current unstable situation and Chi'er's impending departure to Shuoxi, I actually hope you don't have a child at this moment, or else you'd suffer hardship."
These words stirred Qin Guan's heart. Lu Youxin continued, "Though I never married or bore children myself, I've witnessed much of women's suffering—among the Lu clan, other relatives, and old acquaintances. I've seen it all. You are Chi'er's princess consort and like my own niece to me, so of course I worry deeply."
"Thank you, Aunt. I understand these matters too, so please set your heart at ease."
Lu Youxin sighed again. "Speaking of the current situation—you're exceedingly clever and must already grasp it. This journey to Shuoxi won't be easy for you both. Never mind Shuoxi, even the circumstances in Qianzhou remain unclear now..."
As Lu Youxin sighed, Qin Guan's heart clenched. Yan Chi had been gone for days with no news yet, which was precisely what troubled her.
After a moment's reflection, Qin Guan said, "Jiang Heying, the Regional Commander of Qianzhou, is connected to Father Prince's passing. Moreover, Qianzhou's geographical position is too critical to neglect, so he must go there. Aunt, you needn't worry excessively. Qianzhou is but a tiny place, and he has long made preparations. This endeavor will surely proceed smoothly."
Qin Guan's eyes held firm determination as she spoke. Seeing this, Lu Youxin smiled. "You trust him completely?"
Qin Guan's lips curved upward. "Having spent years in Shuoxi, he's naturally incomparable to those noble youths from the capital. Amid beacon fires and ruthless blades, he was tempered beneath the swords of the barbarians. He commands troops with divine strategy and masterful planning. If even he cannot secure Qianzhou safely, then Qianzhou must be formidable indeed."
"But..." Qin Guan paused. "He isn't made of steel, so I still worry he might get wounded. Yet I never doubt he would be defeated."
Lu Youxin drew a slow, deep breath. Seeing Qin Guan's unwavering trust and admiration for Yan Chi stirred complex emotions within her. Middle-aged now, she could never return to her youth. Over half a lifetime, she had witnessed many romances between men and women, most rarely reaching fulfillment. Yet observing Qin Guan and Yan Chi now, she felt a thread of wistful envy. Lu Youxin grasped Qin Guan's hand tightly. "Very well, I shall trust him too. Let us await his good news."
Qin Guan naturally agreed. Not long after, Huang Momo entered from outside. "Young Lady, the two young masters have arrived."
Qin Guan's spirits lifted. Lu Youxin promptly said, "They're here. I'll go out and inquire about that night's events. You listen from behind."
Qin Guan nodded. Lu Youxin went out, while Huang Momo remained in the inner chamber to serve Qin Guan tea. Just as Qin Guan lifted her teacup, voices sounded from outside.
Having been away for two days and a night, Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun both wore weary expressions, clearly having had little rest the previous night. Yet the incident at White Deer Isle had startled them profoundly—how could Lu Jingcheng have died merely from a casual outing?Although Lu Jingcheng was not particularly likable, he was still their brother. Since Lu Youxin had summoned them, and they too wished to know the reason, they naturally dared not delay in coming!
Lu Jingxiu wore a purple robe, standing tall and robust with quite handsome features. His steps were light and vigorous as he walked. In contrast, Lu Jingyun, dressed in a blue robe, appeared refined and scholarly with clear-eyed, delicate features. Upon entering, the two immediately saw Lu Youxin seated in the main position, her expression rather stern. Exchanging a glance, they promptly composed themselves and stepped forward to pay respects, "Greetings, Aunt—"
Lu Youxin acknowledged with an "Mm," then said, "Sit and speak."
Lu Jingxiu and the others took their seats, and maidservants promptly served them tea and pastries.
"Are you aware?" Lu Youxin looked at them.
Lu Jingyun nodded, while Lu Jingxiu said, "Aunt, we know. We found out as soon as we returned and were quite startled. How could something like this happen out of the blue?"
Lu Youxin sighed, "It happened suddenly. For now, I haven't reported it to the authorities. Have your fathers spoken to you?"
Lu Jingyun nodded again, and Lu Jingxiu replied, "They have. Aunt's considerations have their reasons. Now that we've returned, we will naturally assist you in investigating this matter. Even if Fourth Brother was often frivolous, we are still family. Whoever harmed him must be uncovered—we cannot let outsiders bully the Lu family."
Lu Youxin looked at them, "The current situation suggests it wasn't an outsider who harmed our family, but one of our own."
The expressions of Lu Jingxiu and the others instantly shifted. However, Lu Jingxiu seemed to have considered this possibility before, so his surprise was somewhat muted. After a moment's thought, he asked, "Aunt, is this confirmed?"
Lu Youxin grew even more solemn, "You should know the circumstances in the household that day—there were no outsiders. At present, everyone is under suspicion, including both of you. I summoned you today to first have you clarify things with me."
Lu Jingxiu and Lu Jingyun exchanged glances. Lu Jingyun urgently said, "Aunt, how could we..."
Lu Youxin interjected, "I have already summoned a coroner to conduct a corpse examination. Your fourth brother was killed that very night, and you were both still in the estate at the time. Since you were present, it is possible. I am questioning you for your own good, to avoid suspicion falling on you later due to unclear accounts."
At this, Lu Jingyun shrank back, speechless. Lu Jingxiu straightened his posture and said, "Then please ask, Aunt. That night, we retired early—after visiting Fourth Brother, we returned to rest. The servants nearby and our fathers are aware. We rose at half-past mao hour the next morning and, with our previously packed belongings, went straight out of the estate gates. This can be verified with the gatekeepers. Our accompanying attendants can also be questioned."
Lu Jingxiu spoke with conviction, his gaze sharp and clear. Lu Youxin then turned to Lu Jingyun, "What about Jingyun?"
Lu Jingyun promptly replied, "Aunt, my situation is largely the same as Fifth Brother's. It was freezing when we woke in the morning, and our carriage was ready. We hurried out of the garden together—our courtyard isn't even in the same area as Fourth Brother's, so there's no way we could have harmed him along the Path."
Lu Jingxiu nodded in agreement, then suddenly asked, "May I ask, Aunt, are there any other guests currently in the estate?"Lu Youxin frowned. "Why are you asking these questions? There are no other guests in the manor. There's no need for you to interfere. You should return first. I will question each of your attendants shortly. Once the inquiries are complete, everything will become clear!"
Lu Jingxiu nodded and stood up. "In that case, we shall take our leave."
Lu Youxin gave an approving nod. Lu Jingxiu turned to leave, but at that moment, his body paused briefly as he glanced toward the screen behind the inner chamber. This hesitation lasted only an instant before he smoothly turned and departed without a trace of abnormality. Lu Jingyun rose, bowed to Lu Youxin, and hurried after him.
Watching Lu Jingxiu stride away briskly, Lu Jingyun jogged a couple of steps to catch up. "Fifth Brother! That morning, we left together! Surely Aunt doesn't truly suspect us, does she?"
After leaving Wutong Courtyard, Lu Jingxiu paused once more to glance back before continuing on his way. "Aunt is fair-minded and would never wrong us unjustly. Today was merely about clarifying matters through questioning."
Lu Jingyun breathed a sigh of relief. "That's good, that's good. It's truly frightening—dying so suddenly for no apparent reason."
Lu Jingxiu narrowed his eyes. "He committed too many wicked deeds in his lifetime. Now he's merely reaping what he sowed!"
At these words, Lu Jingyun immediately turned to check their surroundings, relaxing only when he saw no one nearby. "Fifth Brother, you mustn't speak like that anymore. People might misunderstand you."
Lu Jingxiu chuckled. "Even if I don't say such things, do you think others wouldn't suspect me anyway?"
Lu Jingyun hastily replied, "It couldn't possibly be you, Fifth Brother! I can testify on your behalf!"
Lu Jingxiu shook his head, furrowing his brow. "Of course it wasn't me, nor was it you. As for who it truly was—whether it's even someone from our family remains uncertain!"
Hearing this, Lu Jingyun's eyes widened in shock. "Fifth Brother, are you suggesting...?"
But Lu Jingxiu didn't elaborate further. A faint glimmer flashed in his eyes as he quickened his pace toward Lanxiang Courtyard.
OpenNovel