Bearing News of a Death

Qi Lingheng, dressed in princely robes, personally went to the prison to interrogate Lu Zhengliu.

Lu Zhengliu looked up at the esteemed Prince Huan, his eyes blank, unsure of what to say.

Qi Lingheng was equally indifferent, and ordered, "Inflict cruel torture."

"Yes!"

Screams echoed from the prison, sending chills down the spines of those who heard them.

Qi Lingheng was drinking tea outside.

With the heavy snow in the twelfth lunar month, the matter of the Wuding Marquis Residence was finally settled, and the news spread throughout the streets and alleys.

"Have you heard? Lu Zhengliu committed suicide in prison."

"He deserved it. Such a large family fortune, ruined like that in his hands."

"Fortunately, the Prince was kind and lenient, sparing the eldest son of the Lu family from being implicated and not stripping him of his eligibility for the Imperial Examinations."

"What about the Lu family's Concubine?"

"You don't know? She's sentenced to death, to be executed next autumn. She conspired with the old maid in the mansion to murder the Old Madam of the Lu family. The evidence is irrefutable. How could she possibly escape?"

Two members of the Lu family died at once.

"The Lu family should be... covered in white lanterns by now, right?"

"Of course."

The plaque of the Wuding Marquis Residence's residence is gone. The Lu family is in a mess right now, and they haven't even put up a new plaque yet.

The entrance was decorated with either white lanterns or white banners, and the few servants present were dressed in mourning clothes.

Seeing that no guests had come to pay their respects, Qiao Da shook his head, closed the door, walked to the mourning hall, and said to Lu Chang'gong, "Eldest Young Master, no one has come."

Lu Chang'gong burned paper money in front of the mourning hall.

Lu Zhengliu suicide, and his body wasn't even properly preserved. The Lu Zhengliu contained the clothes he usually wore.

Lu Chang'gong said, "No rush. Let's wait a little longer."

Qiao Da nodded. "Then I'll go out and wait a little longer."

He was right when Wei Shi returned with the insane Marquis. Seeing the state of their home, the couple committed suicide by smashing their heads against the stone lions in front of the gate.

The coffin of the Wuding Marquis Residence has finally been laid to rest by a real person.

"Qiao Da, go and deliver the news of the death."

Lu Chang'gong held paper money in his hand, his eyes red. The thin young man shouldered the entire mansion's funeral arrangements. Who wouldn't feel heartache seeing him like that?

Qiao Da wiped away her tears. "Yes, I'll go right away."

After the Marquis of Wuding wife passed away, people from the Lu family gradually came to offer their condolences.

Old Madam Xia arrived with her children and grandchildren. Xia Jin helped the elderly woman. After leaving the Lu family, everyone felt heavy-hearted.

Old Madam Xia said, "... Don't follow Lu Zhengliu of favoring concubines over your wife. What a mess that once was!"

Xia Jin glanced at his sister-in-law Lu Jia beside him and whispered, "Eldest Sister-in-law is still here."

Old Madam Xia snorted coldly, then said, "That adopted son of the Lu family is truly remarkable. At such a young age, he's already so sensible."

Xia Jin also greatly admired Lu Chang'gong.

Old Madam Xia sighed, "It's all because of Lin... she's so well-mannered. No girl from the Lin Family is ever bad."

Xia Jin lowered his head, recalling the days when Jiangqian was studying.

Yes, there's nothing bad about it.

Old Madam Xia brought up Xia Jin's marriage, saying with a smile, "After you finish the Metropolitan Examination, you should go and meet the third daughter of the Lin Family."

Xia Jin nodded. It was time for them to get married.

Lin Residence.

Madam Lin Yunyi, "... Let's go burn some paper money for Master Lu family and Wei Shi!"

Lin Yunyi initially didn't want to go, but after thinking about it, he said, "Alright, I'll go check on Chang Gong."

The mother and son went together anyway.

Seeing Lu Chang'gong and the remaining people from the manor guarding the mourning hall, Lin Yunyi over to speak with Lu Chang'gong.

Upon arriving at the side hall, Lu Chang'gong smiled faintly and bowed, saying, "Maternal uncle."

You couldn't tell she was sad at all.

This is exactly the outcome he wanted for the Lu family.

Lin Yunyi paused for a moment, then said, "But if that's the case, it will be more difficult for you to enter officialdom and get married in the future."

Even if the Wuding Marquis Residence is not good, keeping an empty shell of it will at least make it look presentable.

Lu Chang'gong didn't care about these things; he even had the mind to joke, "Didn't maternal uncle also Metropolitan Examination at eighteen and not get married yet?"

"You..."

The topic of marriage gave Lin Yunyi a headache. He waved his hand and said, "I won't say anything to you. Do as you please."

"Thank you, maternal uncle."

Lu Chang'gong smiled slightly.

Lin Yunyi didn't say too much, after all, the Lu family had fallen, and Lu Chang'gong still had a long road ahead of him.

He patted Chang Gong on the shoulder and said, "If you ever have any difficulties in the future, just come to your maternal uncle. That's my Elder Sister— "

They won't stand idly by.

Lu Chang'gong smiled and said, "Okay."

Lin Yunyi nodded and went back with Madam Lin.

Madam Lin, being a woman, was preoccupied with matters concerning the inner quarters of the Inner Residence. She was very worried. "The Lu family's Inner Residence will rely on just one Concubine in the future. Chang Gong's life is going to be so difficult."

Taking the opportunity Lin Yunyi said, "Therefore, when choosing a wife, one should marry someone who is intelligent and capable of managing the household."

Madam Lin surprisingly did not refute this.

As the year drew to a close, the emperor was about to bestow the imperial seal for the New Year. Lin Yunwan and Qi Lingheng brought Qi Zaijun to the palace to pay their respects to the emperor Empress.

However, at the Imperial Palace banquet, the Crown Prince was nowhere to be seen; only the Crown Prince Consort was present.

The Crown Prince Consort was wearing makeup, but it was still obvious that her complexion was not good.

Why didn't the Crown Prince come?

A Princess Consort went to ask the Crown Prince Consort.

The Crown Prince Consort smiled wryly, "The Crown Prince... he's not feeling well. He can't come out."

The Princess Consort had a general idea of what was going on, and politely said, "I will visit the Crown Prince with the Prince another day."

"No need."

The Crown Prince Consort refused outright, and the other party didn't press for details, awkwardly retreating.

Lin Yunwan went over to pay her respects and asked directly, "Has Your Highness reached the point where you can no longer leave your home?"

The Crown Prince Consort was quite surprised when she heard the voice.

She returned the greeting, saying helplessly, "... I can't eat anything anymore. The Crown Prince forbade me to tell anyone."

Lin Yunwan's heart sank.

No wonder the Emperor looked so heavy-hearted; Qi Zaijun tried to cheer him up, but it was no use.

The Crown Prince Consort suddenly burst into tears, grabbed Lin Yunwan's hand, and explained anxiously, "Seventh Sister-in-law, the Crown Prince is confused. He's sorry to you and Seventh Brother. I... I had no choice but to obey the Crown Prince."

Lin Yunwan pushed away the Crown Prince Consort's hand and asked calmly, "What does the Crown Prince Consort want me to do?"

The Crown Prince Consort wiped away her tears with a handkerchief, knowing it was embarrassing, but she still couldn't help but say, "The Crown Prince is very fond of the Young Heir Apparent. The Crown Prince and I have no children. Could we allow the Jun'er Heir Apparent to keep the Crown Prince company?"

Lin Yunwan thought for a moment and said, "That depends on Jun'er's own thoughts. Crown Prince Consort, I cannot decide for the Heir Apparent."

To the Crown Prince Consort, this was a polite refusal.

Too...

It would be strange if the Prince Huan and his wife still granted their request after she let the Crown Prince do such a wicked thing.

"Your Crown Prince Consort, farewell."

Lin Yunwan curtsied and went to find Qi Lingheng.

Qi Lingheng had already seen them talking. He held Lin Yunwan's hand tightly and asked in a low voice, "What did the Crown Prince Consort say to you?"

Lin Yunwan smiled gently, "Your Prince, please don't be nervous. This is the palace; the Crown Prince Consort wouldn't dare to do anything to me." She paused, then added, "The Crown Prince Consort won't do anything to me now either."

"Why?"

Lin Yunwan told Qi Lingheng, "The Crown Prince is almost up."

She looked at Emperor Jingshun on the throne and said, "Imperial Father should already know everything. Since the Crown Prince doesn't want to talk about it, Imperial Father will pretend not to know. This year, Imperial Father neither sent the imperial physician nor questioned why the Crown Prince didn't come."

Qi Lingheng paused for a moment, then continued, "What else did the Crown Prince Consort say to you?"

"He says... the Crown Prince wants Jun'er to keep him company."

Qi Lingheng quietly drank a cup of wine.