Zhang Hua led Ji Kang and Lü An to the Court of the Commandant of Justice.
Chen Qian was extremely busy just then and had no mind to meet them at all, so he simply ordered Xun Yu to receive them.
Because of Xun Xu's investigation, Chen Qian's workload had exploded once again. He was rigorously investigating the disaster relief efforts and the inexplicable disappearance of supplies, and had no time whatsoever to accompany Ji Kang and the others in clearing anyone's name.
Lü An was quite excited to see Xun Yu.
Xun Yu was likewise a representative figure among the young scholars, and they had dealt with one another before.
Seeing the two men, Xun Yu could not help smiling bitterly.
"Please come with me."
"Lord Ji, I know you and Master Lü are old and dear friends, but the evidence of his crimes is conclusive. I can swear on my own reputation that there was no framing or fabrication involved."
"I followed Duke Chen into his residence. He was in a most disgraceful state."
As he spoke, Xun Yu led them to a special cell. Six women sat there, imprisoned separately from the others, their faces filled with terror as they trembled.
Xun Yu frowned and had them explain, one by one, why they had been in Lü Xun's residence.
Their answers were much the same. They had all been beautiful concubines in the households of different ministers before their masters sent them to Lü Xun's mansion. Several had received instructions from their lords to urge Lü Xun to accomplish the great undertaking as soon as possible.
Hearing their words, Ji Kang frowned without speaking, while Lü An opened his mouth, then stopped.
After letting them hear the women's accounts, Xun Yu led them to the next place.