Xiao Yan did not linger long at the Tang residence, as if he had truly come back just to "coax" Song Tangning and see how her injuries were. After his own little girl had calmed down somewhat, he hurriedly left again.
But upon leaving the Tang residence, the gentle and soft expression on his face vanished completely. With a chilling aura, he turned to the person beside him and asked, "Have you caught Lu Zhinnian?"
Canglang replied in a low voice, "No. There have been people watching the Lu family, but Lu Zhinnian hasn't returned. We've also searched all the places the young lady visited earlier, but there's no sign of him."
He found it strange as well. Lu Zhinnian had previously been flogged in prison; those injuries couldn't have been faked. Moreover, after causing such a big trouble, he hadn't returned to the Lu family to seek shelter. He had ordered people to search the entire capital, yet they couldn't find even a half-disabled young master. It was as if Lu Zhinnian had vanished into thin air.
Canglang continued, "Spies at the Lu family say that Lu Zhinnian had a quarrel with Lu Zhao and left in anger, accompanied only by a servant. After the incident with the young ladies, Lu Chongyuan was furious and ordered people to find Lu Zhinnian and bring him back. But the Lu family's people haven't found him either; only that servant was carried back."
Xiao Yan's voice turned cold and deep. "He probably knows that the Lu family has abandoned him. Send people to all the city gates. He's caused a major incident and knows the Lu family won't tolerate him anymore; he likely won't stay in the capital."
Canglang was surprised. "You mean Lu Zhinnian will leave the Lu family?"
"If he still wants a future, he will."
In the past, Lu Zhinnian was the young master of the Lu family, the heir apparent. But now, he's like a stray dog.
Not to mention his engagement with Tangning—if he truly came to Jiyun Alley to kneel, there would be no place for him in the capital anymore. Even the Lu family wouldn't hand over the future family head position to someone notorious. Moreover, today he injured the daughter of the Minister of Revenue and caused Lu Qin to be crippled. Knowing he's already been abandoned, returning to the Lu family wouldn't provide shelter; they might even offer him up as a "compensation" to appease the Qian family, leaving him with no chance to turn things around.
As long as Lu Zhinnian has any sense, he won't return to the Lu family.
"Send people to the docks outside the capital and search all roads leading out of the city to see if we can capture him," Xiao Yan ordered coldly. "Tell our spies within the Lu family to try their best to sow discord between Lu Qin and Lu Zhao."
Today, Lu Qin was disgraced because of Lu Zhinnian and was crippled by him—losing both legs. Given Lu Qin's usual stubbornness, while hating him, he might also resent Lu Zhinnian and his elder brother Lu Zhao. This resentment is the root of internal strife within the Lu family.
What he wanted was still in the Lu family. Although he had found where it might be during today's chaos, to obtain it, the Lu family needed to fall into turmoil.
"If we can't catch Lu Zhinnian, find a way to stage a scene that makes Lu Qin believe Lu Zhao, out of deep paternal love, knew Lu Zhinnian caused trouble but still secretly let him escape, leading to today's disaster."
Sometimes, brotherly discord doesn't require a major event.
A single misunderstanding is enough.
Canglang nodded. "Yes."
Xiao Yan sat in the carriage, watching the passing streets and pedestrians. His mind drifted back to the image of Song Tangning's tears earlier. He rubbed his fingertips, his sharp eyes cold as frost. "Bring Song Jinxiu along and enter the palace."
Canglang acknowledged, and the carriage headed toward the imperial prison.
=====================
The Black Armored Guards had trespassed into the Lu family estate, and Xiao Yan had injured people without imperial orders. The grand residence of the Chancellor was thoroughly searched as if it were unguarded. Lu Chongyuan didn't delay for a moment; even though he was so angry he nearly fainted, he immediately gathered other aristocratic officials to file a complaint at the palace.
When Emperor An summoned Qian Baokun, he could hear the continuous clamor outside, causing him a headache.
"Your Majesty, Chancellor Lu and Grand Preceptor Liang are kneeling outside the hall, along with over twenty officials. They all wish to see you to impeach Lord Xiao..." The eunuch serving inside the hall nervously reported, his voice trembling.
Before he could finish, an old minister's voice, full of anger and vigor, erupted from outside.
"I, your loyal servant Liang Chunrong, favored by the late emperor and having assisted Your Majesty for many years, deeply understand that if the court is not clear, the ruler cannot make wise decisions. This traitor Xiao Yan disrupts the court, disregards the laws with his eunuch status, and, relying on Your Majesty's favor, acts recklessly and humiliates important ministers. If Your Majesty does not severely punish this traitor, it will be hard to rectify the court's integrity and will dishearten all your ministers!"
"I second this! Minister of Revenue Qian Baokun colluded with the Privy Council and trespassed into the Chancellor's residence. We ask Your Majesty to severely punish him!"
Emperor An listened to the escalating impeachments, his head throbbing. He looked irritably at Qian Baokun. "Did you hear that? As for Xiao Yan, I'll deal with him myself. But you, a Minister of Revenue—not from the Ministry of Justice—why did you storm into the Lu family?"
Qian Baokun knelt on the ground. "This minister is guilty."
"Guilty? Of course, you're guilty! But at least give me a reason. Why did you, without cause, bring your three sons to break into the Lu family? What were you trying to do?"
Emperor An actually quite liked the Minister of Revenue before him. Since Qian Baokun took charge, the court's financial needs had been met without much difficulty. Moreover, Qian Baokun was loyal; although from an aristocratic family, he never shielded other noble ministers and stayed out of court disputes.
The Ministry of Revenue is a crucial position in the court. Unless absolutely necessary, Emperor An didn't want to replace the "trusted aide" he had personally promoted.
Qian Baokun lowered his head. "It was the Lu family's son who humiliated my daughter first."
Emperor An frowned. "Which son of the Lu family?"
"The third son, Lu Zhinnian."
Upon hearing this name, Emperor An's face darkened.
Qian Baokun continued kneeling as he spoke. "Previously, that son of the Lu family caused a significant incident. Your Majesty, in your benevolence, did not severely punish him and allowed his release from the imperial prison. But who knew that as soon as he was free, he sought revenge against County Princess Yiyang.
"My daughter happened to be traveling with the county princess, and Lu Zhinnian harbored evil intentions, instructing his men to abduct both the princess and my daughter. If not for the timely intervention of a young man from the Fu family, my daughter might have..." His voice caught slightly, filled with anger. "Though this minister was enraged by the Lu family's actions, I only sought to demand justice from them. But my son Qingran, in his anger, revealed a shocking secret: before returning to the capital, he had inadvertently obtained an account book. After reading it, I sensed something was amiss. So I personally approached Lord Xiao and had my three children collaborate with him to stage this event."
Qian Baokun knew well that when lying, one shouldn't fabricate everything. Mixing truth with falsehood is most effective.
He didn't deny the incident involving Qian Qiyue, nor did he hide his anger. He simply took responsibility for the account book matter. Retrieving it from his sleeve, he presented it with both hands. "Here is the Lu family's account book detailing the embezzlement of canal grain. Please, Your Majesty, have a look."
You can read ahead to chapterr 300 here
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