Chapter 605: The Proud Couple
Chapter 605: The Proud Couple
The southwest was hotter than the Great Zhou, and by late April, a hint of summer heat had already crept into the night.
Meng Qianqian boldly went to the Cold Palace.
Wearing Lu Fengyin’s face, she now had the authority to investigate the case, and no one dared to stop her.
Pang Zhong, the head steward of the Cold Palace, led the way for her.
Pang Zhong respectfully held up a lantern. "That day, this old servant was scolding a few errant servants at the front when I suddenly heard the sound of a struggle from the back garden. By the time I hurried over, I only saw His Majesty and the Miao King falling into the dry well. Not long after... Miss Zhaozhao also fell in..."
Thinking of Zhaozhao, Meng Qianqian felt a pang in her heart.
The little one had been away from her for so long. Would she look for her?
Was she hungry?
Was she scared?
As they spoke, they arrived at the scene of the incident.
"Right here."
Pang Zhong pointed to the dry well, which was now surrounded. "Prince Jin had this area cordoned off."
"Has anyone else been here?"
Meng Qianqian composed herself and asked.
Pang Zhong thought for a moment. "Prince Jin, the Imperial Tutor, the Grand General, several consorts, and... the other princes have all been here."
He paused slightly when mentioning the princes, perhaps recalling the recently deceased Rui King.
"I understand. You may withdraw now."
"This..."
Meng Qianqian's eyes turned cold. "What? Has my word lost its power? Or are you, a mere head steward of the Cold Palace, daring to monitor my every move?!"
Pang Zhong fell to his knees with a thud. "This servant dares not! This servant is guilty!"
Meng Qianqian coldly said, "Haven't you heard me? Get lost!"
"Yes, yes! This servant will withdraw!"
Pang Zhong put down the lantern and scrambled away.
Meng Qianqian looked down at the dry well and said, "Any findings?"
A familiar voice came from the bottom of the well. "Not yet, it's too dark down here."
Meng Qianqian was about to jump down with the lantern when Lu Yuan climbed up first.
"What are you doing?"
Lu Yuan frowned.
Meng Qianqian said, "I'm bringing you the lantern."
Lu Yuan carried her away from the well and gave her an exasperated look. "Meng Xiaojiu, can you stop risking your life every time?"
Meng Qianqian blinked and looked at him innocently.
Here we go again...
Lu Yuan took a deep breath and conceded, "I suspect there's a trap mechanism down there. If you fall, you'll land in a trap and won't be able to get out."
Meng Qianqian sniffed hard.
Lu Yuan asked curiously, "What are you doing now?"
Meng Qianqian stuck her head into the well, sniffing around like a little kitten. "I'm checking for any scent of death."
Lu Yuan: "..."
He found her little upturned butt somewhat endearing.
Meng Qianqian lifted her head from the well. "I'm dizzy, I'm dizzy."
Lu Yuan, both amused and exasperated, helped her sit by the well.
Meng Qianqian recovered and said earnestly, "I didn't smell anything. His Majesty and my maternal grandfather must not have died in there."
Lu Yuan: "...Thank you."
Meng Qianqian said, "Is there something hidden down there?"
Lu Yuan nodded. "I suspect there's a secret passage, but it can only be entered, not exited."
Meng Qianqian suddenly realized, "So that's why you stopped me from going down."
Lu Yuan explained, "Even those two old men couldn't find their way back. If we get stuck, we'll just be wasting two of our best generals."
If anyone else had heard this, they would have sarcastically remarked, "Not many people are so eager to flatter themselves."
However, Meng Qianqian nodded in complete agreement.
The young couple was bold enough to flatter and embellish themselves.
Lu Yuan stroked his chin, gazing meaningfully at the dry well, "Instead of figuring it out ourselves, let's make them bring the clues to us."
---
Lu Fengyin had a magnificent mansion in the capital.
Her new lover was staying there after entering the city.
To ensure the mission's success, Hu Lie dispatched his three most skilled shadow guards, who managed to avoid the patrol and abducted the new lover just as he was about to retire for the night.
The new lover was taken to Hu Lie's courtyard.
Hu Lie was a general.
He didn't like receiving guests in his study.
Besides, the new lover wasn't a guest.
In the simple teahouse, apart from the furniture and tea set, the only other things were the weapons on the wall—a crescent moon saber, a sky-splitting battle axe, and an empty rack.
The rack had originally held the Houyi Bow.
But Hu Lie had been careless, and the Houyi Bow had fallen into Lu Yuan's hands.
The new lover was thrown to the ground by the shadow guards.
Hu Lie looked at him sharply, "You're Zhu Huan, right?"
Luo Shan smiled, "That's me."
Hu Lie, exuding a murderous aura, rarely met with fear, "A pretty face, but you have some guts. Speak up, who sent you to get close to the Elder Princess?"
Luo Shan lazily shrugged, signaling the shadow guard to remove his dirty hand from his shoulder.
The shadow guard looked at Hu Lie.
Hu Lie gestured.
The shadow guard stepped back, standing guard at the door with a stern expression.
Luo Shan stood up, brushing the dust off his clothes.
He used his real face.
After all, he had always worn a mask in the Great Zhou, and few had seen his true face.
Hu Lie, a man of war, naturally disapproved of a man's cosmetics, but he had to admit that this pretty face was far more handsome than his own son.
Luo Shan calmly found a chair and sat down, "General, would you believe me if I told you who sent me?"
Hu Lie said, "Speak first, and I'll make my decision!"
Luo Shan smiled faintly, "What do I get out of it if I tell you?"
Hu Lie spoke sternly, "You desecrated a princess of the realm, a crime punishable by death. If you are willing to atone for your sins, I can speak to Prince Jin and spare your life. Not only that, I promise to let you and your younger sister leave the capital safely, ensuring you both live a life of comfort!"
Luo Shan spoke with contempt, "If the Elder Princess becomes Empress, it will be you who face execution."
"Blasphemy!"
Hu Lie slammed his hand on the table.
Luo Shan only smiled lightly, "General, it's you who should reconsider. You know what Prince Jin has done. He is the one who has committed treason, and you have been misled. If you are willing to atone and support the Elder Princess, Zhu Huan will speak on your behalf to the Elder Princess."
Hu Lie felt a great insult.
How could a man of his stature bow before a woman?!
Hu Lie, enraged, said, "Zhu Huan, don't push your luck! I've killed more than a thousand men, and you don't think I'm merciful, do you?"
Luo Shan shrugged, "If you want to kill me, go ahead. Falling into your hands was my bad luck, but I will not betray the Elder Princess."
Hu Lie sneered, "Kill you? That would be too easy. Bring the torture instruments!"
The shadow guards outside carried in a table of torture instruments, each one stained with blood and rust, a sight that was truly horrifying.
Hu Lie walked over to the table, picked up a pair of leg irons, compared them, glanced at Luo Shan, and then put them down, opting for a set of iron hooks instead.
"These aren't ordinary hooks. They are specifically designed to pierce the clavicle. I doubt a pretty face like yours could last even half an hour!"
(End of Chapter)
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