Ever since the fright he had received, Magistrate Chen could hardly wait for the break of day.
The moment the sun rose, he hurried as fast as he could to Prince Jin's Manor. He had already offended Marquis Qingfu's Manor, and he knew he couldn't handle the fallout on his own!
Yesterday, Second Young Miss Lu had hinted that if he wanted her to look at the trouble with his waist, he could come to Prince Jin's Manor. If he hadn't misunderstood her meaning, she was telling him he could take the opportunity to ask Prince Jin for support.
And then, she would come as well. In the manor, away from outsiders, she could check his back for him.
Thinking of this, his waist flared up with a sharp pain so intense he couldn't even stand straight. By the time he saw Prince Jin, his posture was naturally hunched, looking for all the world like he was bowing and scraping.
"This official, Chen Deshan, greets Your Highness. Long live Your Highness."
This was the first time Chen Deshan had met Prince Jin. Before the Prince left the capital years ago, Chen Deshan had been a low-level official posted to a remote county, far from the center of power. He had heard that Prince Jin was exceptionally handsome and had prepared himself, but no one had told him the man was this beautiful!
To put it plainly, even an old man like Chen Deshan felt shaken by the shimmering brilliance in the Prince's eyes when he glanced over.
"Chen Deshan," Prince Jin said, his voice slow and indifferent.
"This official is here!" Magistrate Chen hurriedly bent even lower.
Ssss. It hurt. If Second Young Miss Lu had no way to fix this, he might have to go beg Elder Fu. Wait, what if the Prince was willing to invite Physician Fu on his behalf?
"What have you come for?" Prince Jin asked.
"This official has matters to report and seeks Your Highness's guidance." Magistrate Chen felt the weight of the Prince's majesty. Why did a simple question make him feel so much pressure? Did the Prince not know what happened yesterday?
"Speak."
Prince Jin acted as if he truly didn't know, continuing his breakfast with calm deliberation.
Magistrate Chen chose his words carefully as he recounted the events of the previous day. "...Zhu Minghao has already been detained by this official, but Marquis Zhu of Marquis Qingfu's Manor will certainly not sit idly by. Your Highness, if the Marquis comes looking for me, I... I..."
He definitely wouldn't be able to hold out. He wasn't like Lin Rong from years agothat man was a hard bone, willing to endure any amount of sabotage just to uphold the truth. Chen Deshan knew his own spine wasn't nearly that straight.
Prince Jin looked at him with a trace of disdain.
"Zhu Minghao has already confessed his guilt. What is there to fear, Magistrate? Even if Marquis Qingfu wants to make a scene, he needs a reason. You are handling a case according to the law. If anyone tries to use their status to bully others, simply arrest them. Do I really need to teach you this?"
Magistrate Chen understoodthe Prince was definitely supporting him in going against Marquis Qingfu! However, without an explicit promise to back him up, he was still a bit timid.
"Your Highness, this official is also worried that Marquis Qingfu and his people will put pressure on Second Young Miss Lu..." Magistrate Chen tested the waters obliquely.
Prince Jin let out a soft, cold chuckle.
"Anyone who dares to stretch their claws toward my person shall have them chopped off."
Wow...
Magistrate Chen's eyes lit up instantly. Did Prince Jin really protect Second Young Miss Lu that fiercely? Then what did he have to fear!
He felt like he could stand a little straighter now. He hurriedly declared his stance, "Second Young Miss Lu mentioned several witnesses, including Physician Fu Yuan, Your Highness yourself,
and an old servant of the Lu family named Nanny Jin. This official intends to send men to arrest Nanny Jin for interrogation. I will also do my utmost to find out who sent the message to the Young Lord and pushed Second Young Miss Lu into that pit."
"Mhm."
Prince Jin gave a grunt of affirmation. Magistrate Chen's heart settled even more; this was a clear sign of approval.
"Physician Fu and I are indeed witnesses. You may ask us."
Magistrate Chen quickly added, "Your Highness, could we perhaps invite Second Young Miss Lu to Prince Jin's Manor? There are some details this official would like to ask her about."
"You want to interrogate her?" Prince Jin's gaze swept over him again.
Magistrate Chen trembled. "No, no, not an interrogation. Just a few questions." He thought for a moment and then confessed honestly, "Second Young Miss Lu told me to come to the manor yesterday. This official was thinking that she might also want to come..."
Prince Jin's heart stirred. For the matter of Zhu Minghao alone, Lu Zhaoling had no reason to send Chen Deshan to him. Therefore, she must have sent the Magistrate here for some other reason.
"Qingfeng, send someone to ask."
"Yes."
"You wait here," Prince Jin said, having finished his meal. "Tell me exactly what foul things Zhu Minghao said to my fiancée yesterday."
"Yes." Magistrate Chen immediately began his narration.
Over at the Lu residence, Sun Yingying arrived early.
She, too, had been unable to wait for dawn. When she told her parents about what Lu Zhaoling had calculated yesterday, they were shocked. Madam Sun had truly loved Mo Qingqing in the past; in fact,
she was the one who had given the nod of approval for the marriage between Mo Qingqing and the Liu family. If Mo Qingqing had really been murdered, she would be devastated.
Master Sun, on the other hand, wanted his son to return home and meet Lu Zhaoling with Sun Yingying first. He feared his youngest daughter was simply too naive and was being swindled.
But Sun Yingying couldn't wait.
Lu Ming was just returning from the morning court session when he saw Sun Yingying stepping down from her carriage at the main gate. He froze for a moment.
Who is this? Is she here for Zhaoyun or Zhaoyue?
Judging by the carriage, she was clearly a daughter of a wealthy family. The vehicle was exceptionally grand, and her silk robes were obviously of no ordinary quality. Only Lu Zhaoyun could have such a friend,
though her wealthy acquaintances rarely visited the Lu residence. Compared to their circles, the Lu family's Tingnuan Building was nothing in the eyes of such noble young misses.
"Young lady, might I ask who you are?" Lu Ming took the initiative to greet her.
Sun Yingying stopped and looked at him, feeling uncertain. "And you are?"
"I am Lu Ming. This is my home." Lu Ming felt a prick of annoyance. She came to his house but didn't recognize him? Was his rank really that low?
If only the Second Prince were willing to go public with his engagement to Zhaoyun. Once he became the father in law to the Second Prince, who would dare not know his name? Lu Ming's mood soured at the thought.
"So it is Magistrate Lu. Greetings, Magistrate Lu." Sun Yingying performed a polite salute. This was Lu Zhaoling's father; she had to show proper etiquette.
"Have you come to see my daughter?"
"I have."
Lu Ming felt a bit better. Zhaoyun and Zhaoyue had been through so much lately and had both fallen ill; his heart ached for them. Now that a friend had come to visit Zhaoyun so early, it proved that Zhaoyun's social standing was still quite good.
"Please, come in." He put on a smile, acting the part of a kind and welcoming elder. "Mind the threshold."
Sun Yingying followed him inside.
Lu Ming immediately had a maid lead her to the back courtyard. He also sent word to his wife, telling her to prepare tea and refreshments to help their daughter entertain the guest.
Sun Yingying was a bit confused. Lu Ming seemed like a good father; why hadn't he helped Lu Zhaoling file a complaint against Zhu Minghao earlier? To leave such a thing to a young girl to handle alone was strange.
When Madam Lu heard that a noble girl had come to find Zhaoyun, she was overjoyed. She immediately called for Qiuju to get Lu Zhaoyun up to do her hair.
"Master says she is a girl of great wealth. Perhaps she can help Zhaoyun with her troubles," Madam Lu bustled about. "Hurry, brew the tea! Use the best leaves!"
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