Chapter 353 Family Rules

Meng Wan's hand holding the soup trembled, and she almost dropped the bowl.

Lu Zhenguo frowned and looked towards the door.

The young officer standing there was ramrod straight, with one bar and two stars on his shoulder, and a hint of defiance in his eyes.

"Jingyuan?" Lu Zhenguo stood up. "What brings you here?"

Lu Jingyuan saluted. "Reporting to Uncle, I heard that my cousin had an accident, so I rushed back overnight."

After he finished speaking, his gaze fell on Bai Shu.

Bai Zhu was still standing there, holding a soup bowl in her hand, her face frighteningly pale.

Lu Jingyuan glanced at her, his tone unfriendly, "Uncle, I overheard some conversations at the door just now."

Lu Zhenguo frowned even more deeply. "What did you say?"

"Regarding the bounty, regarding the use of black market forces," Lu Jingyuan's voice was firm.

“Uncle, my cousin is a soldier. The rescue operation should be led by the military. How can we let a woman like me interfere?”

Meng Wan's expression changed. "Jing Yuan! How dare you speak to me like that?"

Lu Jingyuan ignored her and looked directly at Bai Shu, "Sister-in-law, I know you're worried about my cousin, but this isn't something you can interfere with. The military has discipline and procedures; you can't just do whatever you want."

Bai Shu raised her eyelids to look at him.

Just one glance.

Lu Jingyuan felt a chill run down his spine for no apparent reason.

"Procedures," Bai Shu said calmly. "Lu Jingyuan, right? I'm asking you, how long do the military's procedures take?"

Lu Jingyuan was taken aback. "That depends on the specific circumstances..."

"One day?" Bai Shu interrupted him. "Or a week?"

Lu Jingyuan opened his mouth, but no words came out.

"How long can Jingyan wait in the enemy's hands?" Bai Shu asked again. "An hour? Or a minute?"

Every word struck Lu Jingyuan's heart like a hammer blow.

His face flushed red. "Sister-in-law, I know you're worried, but..."

"But what?" Bai Shu put down the soup bowl and slowly stood up. "Are you afraid that the methods I used are dishonorable? Afraid that they will tarnish the honor of soldiers?"

Lu Jingyuan gritted his teeth, "It's not that I'm afraid, it's that we shouldn't have done this in the first place! Soldiers should solve problems using military methods. What kind of nonsense is this, resorting to these underworld tactics?"

“The military’s method.” Bai Shu laughed, a cold laugh. “Then tell me, what is the military’s method? Report it up, wait for approval, and then send people to search? How long will it take? Will they find Jingyan’s body?”

"You!" Lu Jingyuan trembled with anger.

"What do you mean, 'what do you mean'?" Bai Shu approached him, her belly already showing, making her walk a little heavy, but her momentum was not diminished in the slightest.

"Lu Jingyuan, let me ask you, is your cousin's life more important, or your pride?"

Lu Jingyuan was speechless when asked the question.

“You say the military has discipline and procedures, and I don’t deny that.”

“But can discipline save lives? Can procedures wait? You say I’m just a woman, fine, then I’ll use a woman’s methods. Bounties, buying intelligence, buying heads—as long as I can bring Jingyan back, I don’t care what methods I use.”

Lu Jingyuan's face flushed red, "But this will embarrass my cousin..."

"Shame?" Bai Shu interrupted him. "If he's dead, what shame is left to be felt?"

The living room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Meng Wan covered her mouth, and tears fell again.

Lu Zhenguo stood to the side, his face frighteningly grim.

Lu Jingyuan opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything for a long time.

“I understand your dissatisfaction.” Bai Shu looked at him. “You are a top student from the military academy. You have your pride and your principles. But Lu Jingyuan, remember one thing.”

She paused, her voice as cold as ice, "Principles and rules are meant to save people, not harm them."

Lu Jingyuan's face turned pale.

“Uncle.” He turned to look at Lu Zhenguo, “This matter cannot be allowed to be handled recklessly; it should be decided by Grandpa.”

Lu Zhenguo looked at him and remained silent for a long time.

Bai Shu's lips curled into a mocking smile.

Do you know where Jingyan is?

Lu Jingyuan shook his head.

Do you know the enemy's firepower configuration?

Lu Jingyuan shook his head again.

"Do you know who posted the bounty on the black market and how many people are hunting him down?"

Lu Jingyuan gritted his teeth and remained silent.

Bai Shu sneered, "You know nothing, yet you come here to teach me how to do things?"

She turned around and walked back to the sofa to sit down.

“Lu Jingyuan, I don’t care if you’re doing this out of kindness or just trying to get attention from your elders.”

“Jingyan is my husband and the father of the child in my womb. I want him to come back alive more than anyone else.”

"If you have a way to get him back faster, come up with your plan."

"If you don't have it, get out of here and stop getting in the way."

Lu Jingyuan's face turned pale and then red.

He had never been treated like this before.

“Uncle!” He turned to look at Lu Zhenguo, “Look at her…”

That's enough.

Lu Zhenguo's voice wasn't loud, but it carried an undeniable authority.

He walked up to Lu Jingyuan, his face grim. "Jingyuan, I heard everything you just said."

Lu Jingyuan was stunned.

"You're right about the military taking the lead and adhering to procedures and discipline," Lu Zhenguo said coldly. "But you've forgotten one thing."

"Jingyan is my son and Wantang's husband."

"He's in trouble, and our whole family is frantic with worry. What's the point of you coming here to say these high-sounding things?"

Lu Jingyuan opened his mouth, "Uncle, I didn't mean that..."

“That’s what you mean,” Lu Zhenguo interrupted him. “You look down on Wan Tang, thinking that she’s a woman and not qualified to take the lead in this matter.”

He paused, his voice growing deeper, "But you've forgotten, she's carrying my Lu family's grandson. She's Jingyan's lawfully wedded wife, and she has the right to be."

Lu Jingyuan's face turned completely pale.

Lu Zhenguo walked to Bai Shu's side and stood still.

"From now on, Wan Tang will be fully responsible for rescuing Jing Yan."

He looked at Lu Jingyuan and said, "She can use all the resources of the Lu family at will. Anyone who disagrees can get lost."

Lu Jingyuan's lips moved, but in the end he didn't say anything.

He took a deep breath, saluted Lu Zhenguo, and strode out of the living room.

The door was slammed shut.

Bai Zhu sat on the sofa and closed her eyes.

A fine layer of sweat appeared on her forehead.

Meng Wan held her hand tenderly, "Wantang, you..."

"Mom, I'm fine."

Bai Shu opened her eyes and looked at Lu Zhenguo. "Dad, thank you."

Lu Zhenguo shook his head, "You are my daughter-in-law, this is only right."

He sat down on the sofa, his voice sounding tired, "Jingyuan has been spoiled since he was little, he doesn't think before he speaks. Don't take it to heart."

“I didn’t take it to heart,” Bai Shu said calmly. “He’s just unconvinced.”

Lu Zhenguo sighed, "He's still young. He'll understand when he suffers some losses in the future."

Bai Zhu did not respond.

She looked out the window; it was already broad daylight.

"Dad, I want to go back to Courtyard No. 1."

Lu Zhenguo was taken aback. "Now?"

“Yes.” Bai Shu stood up. “I need all the military maps and sand tables in Jingyan’s study.”

Lu Zhenguo looked at her, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

What are you going to do?

“Deduction.” Bai Shu’s voice was calm. “Since the military’s procedures are slow, I’ll do it myself.”

Lu Zhenguo was silent for a few seconds, then nodded.

"Okay, I'll have someone move it over for you."

Bai Zhu turned and walked out, but stopped at the door.

"Dad, Mom, Jingyan will definitely come back."

She didn't turn around, and her voice was very soft.

"I will not allow him to die."