Chapter 42: Rivals Meet

Jiang You'an wore a slightly troubled expression. "I have pondered this question countless times, but my father never made enemies with anyone, and he always got along well with his colleagues. After his death, the Junior Vice Minister of the Ministry of War took his place, which was a normal promotion. As for whether he kept any secrets in his heart, I have even less way of knowing."

Su Mingxiu pondered for a moment, then asked her, "During the period just before the incident, did Minister Jiang show any abnormalities or did anything strange happen?"

Jiang You'an fell into thought, rubbing her chin as she said, "Strange things... nothing really. If I must name one, a month before my father left for the Qibei Pass, he had a dispute with Shen Heping. My father was always amiable to others; it was rare to see him flush with anger at anyone, and he was very patient with his students. But that time, I heard him sternly reprimand Shen Heping. I am not clear on the specifics."

Su Mingxiu's gaze shifted slightly. "Shen Heping? He used to be your father's protégé?"

Jiang You'an nodded. "He came from a humble background, and my father appreciated his talent and took him under his wing."

"As far as I know, he is currently working for the Earl of Zhongyuan."

Jiang You'an was somewhat surprised. "The Earl of Zhongyuan?"

She suddenly recalled the five hundred taels Shen Heping had waved and given her. At that time, she had found it strange that a low-ranking official could be so extravagant; it turned out he had another backing all along.

"When I crossed paths with Shen Heping recently, he spent money very extravagantly. If it is because he works for the Earl of Zhongyuan, then his money must also come from improper sources. There is definitely something wrong with him."

Su Mingxiu immediately said, "Since we have no other leads right now, we might as well go and meet this Shen Heping first to probe the situation."

Jiang You'an agreed, and the two set off immediately.

Meanwhile, in the Lu Residence, within the Embracing Moon Pavilion.

Lu Xuanheng's wounds had healed considerably. Taking advantage of the afternoon, he was practicing his swordplay in the center of the courtyard.

Suddenly, Xiuzhu hurried over. "Young Master, there is news."

Lu Xuanheng twirled his sword in a flourish, neatly put it away, walked over to pick up a cup of tea, and took a sip. "What did you find out?"

"Those inflammatory words inciting the refugees to riot came from Shen Heping."

Lu Xuanheng's tea-drinking motion paused, his expression turning to one of astonishment. "How could it be him?"

Regarding Shen Heping, Lu Xuanheng had two impressions: first, he had almost become Jiang You'an's matrilocal husband, and second, he had married Lu Yunzhu.

He had no idea that this cousin-in-law of his had such great capability as to dare commit such acts.

"Saddle the horses, let us go to the Shen residence."

***

Shen Heping and Lu Yunzhu had been married for over a month. Initially, he had exhausted all his schemes to secure this marriage, but now that they were truly wed, life was not turning out quite as he wished.

He had set his sights on Lu Yunzhu primarily because of her family background, believing that after marriage, her cousin Lu Xuanheng would promote and support him. Who could have known that Lu Yunzhu was so useless, utterly unable to get a word in before Lu Xuanheng? Moreover, Lu Yunzhu possessed the temper of a pampered young lady, demanding that everything go her way or else throwing a tantrum. Had he known it would be like this, he would have been better off marrying a gentle and considerate woman.

The two of them had quarreled again just yesterday. In a fit of pique, he had left home in the middle of the night, spent the entire night at a pleasure house, drank until his head was spinning, and only returned home now.

Just as he was turning into the alley, strolling leisurely toward his front door, a hand suddenly patted his shoulder.

He shook his arm off unhappily. "Who is it?"

Xiuzhu smiled without any warmth. "Second Brother-in-law, have you forgotten even our Young Master?"

Shen Heping turned around and looked closely, only to find it was Lu Xuanheng. He hurriedly changed his expression. "Elder Brother, what favorable wind has blown you here?"

Lu Xuanheng raised an eyebrow slightly. "Where has Heping been making a fortune lately?"

Shen Heping stepped closer, his face full of ingratiating smiles. "Elder Brother, have you forgotten? I serve as a compiler in the Hanlin Academy."

"I am naturally aware of that, but I wonder for whom you are secretly rendering your service?"

The smile on Shen Heping's face grew somewhat stiff. "What does Elder Brother mean by this?"

Lu Xuanheng tossed a few sheets of paper in front of him and said coldly, "Did these come from your hand? Is your literary talent only used for such purposes?"

Shen Heping looked down, his face turning pale as he scrambled to quibble, "Elder Brother, this... this must be some misunderstanding..."

"A misunderstanding? Then let us go to the magistrate's office and thoroughly investigate this misunderstanding."

Lu Xuanheng grabbed Shen Heping by the back collar like a small chick, preparing to drag him away.

Shen Heping was so frightened his legs turned to jelly. "Elder Brother, we are all family, why must you be so ruthless!"

Lu Xuanheng hurled him to the ground. "Since you know we are in-laws, you still commit such deeds—are you trying to bring ruin upon the Lu family? I know you lack the ability to orchestrate this scheme; who on earth is instigating you?"

Shen Heping shivered as he crawled up from the ground. "It was... it was the Earl of Zhongyuan. He approached me and told me to write those things."

Lu Xuanheng's expression remained cold and stern. "Why did he have you do this?"

Shen Heping glanced at him and said submissively, "I merely wrote some things; I know nothing else."

"You dared to casually incite refugees while knowing nothing? Do you have too many lives to spare?"

"He wields great official authority, and I was forced by circumstance with no choice; I dared not offend him. After all, I still have a whole family of old and young to support. Otherwise, perhaps Elder Brother can protect me from now on?"

Lu Xuanheng cast a glance at Shen Heping as if looking at a pile of dead objects. "Stop acting so flippant here. The waters behind this matter run deep. Once I investigate it clearly, I will undoubtedly settle accounts with you."

Shen Heping anxiously grabbed Lu Xuanheng's arm. "Elder Brother, I was only momentarily confused; you cannot sacrifice family righteousness for the sake of justice. Think of Yunzhu."

"It is precisely for the sake of our two families' marital ties that I am sparing you; otherwise, you would already be a dead man. If you still wish to keep your life, keep your mouth tightly shut."

Lu Xuanheng flung Shen Heping aside and strode away.

Xiuzhu hurried to keep up, asking with puzzlement, "Could this matter really be the work of the Earl of Zhongyuan?"

Lu Xuanheng gave a cold command, "Go and investigate the Earl of Zhongyuan's daily social interactions first."

As he finished speaking, he caught a glimpse of a shadow flashing past the corner ahead.

Was someone eavesdropping?

His eyes sharpened, and in two or three strides, he gave chase, drawing his long sword with a *shing* sound.

"Ah—" Jiang You'an cried out in fright at the sharp blade crossing her path, and Su Mingxiu hurriedly pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly to protect her.

Seeing that it was the two of them, Lu Xuanheng almost failed to keep his grip on the sword, freezing completely in place.

It turned out the two of them had been eavesdropping here...

Lu Xuanheng had no time to ponder their purpose in coming here; his eyes were fixed solely on the sight of them embracing one another.

Jiang You'an cast a complex look at Lu Xuanheng, pressing her hand against her chest to slowly calm her nerves. Su Mingxiu pulled her close, looking her up and down with worry in his voice. "Were you hurt?"

Jiang You'an shook her head and offered him a faint smile. "I'm fine."

Su Mingxiu let out a breath of relief, then finally looked toward Lu Xuanheng standing to the side, giving a slight nod. "First Young Master Lu, it is a misunderstanding."

As he spoke, he held Jiang You'an's hand and pulled her behind him, as if afraid Lu Xuanheng might injure her.

Lu Xuanheng watched his actions, layers of coldness surging in the depths of his eyes.

Suppressing the fire burning in his heart, he sheathed his sword, ignored Su Mingxiu, and looked with a smile that was not quite a smile at Jiang You'an standing behind him. "So it is Cousin You'an."

Hearing him address her thus, Jiang You'an felt her scalp tingle, and she responded in a low voice, "Cousin."

"Apologies, did I frighten you just now? Since Young Master Su is also here, how about I invite you both for tea? The two of you are already betrothed, yet Young Master Su and I have rarely interacted; today is a good opportunity to grow closer."

Jiang You'an had a gut feeling he was up to mischief and was about to refuse.

Su Mingxiu nodded a step ahead of her. "It would be our absolute honor."

The corners of Lu Xuanheng's lips curled upward. "Please lead the way."