Chapter 37: Suppressing Bandits

Lu Yu was dragged away, and the room finally became quiet.

Old Madam Lu breathed a sigh of relief. God knows how anxious she was when she heard someone report that something had happened to Ran.

Jiang Ran struggled out of Lu Weiqing's arms, walked to Old Madam Lu's side, squeezed her hand, and called out carefully, "Grandma."

Lu Weiqing cleared his throat and said, "Aunt."

Jiang Ran blushed and changed his tone, saying softly, "Aunt, Aunt..."

Oh, forget it, I really can’t say it out loud.

Seeing this situation, Mrs. Lu had nothing unclear.

She stroked the back of Jiang Ran's hand and glanced at Lu Weiqing, "You're lucky, kid."

"Be good to our Ah Ran, otherwise I will punish you even if I have to sacrifice my old bones."

Lu Weiqing smiled warmly, a rare gesture. "I will follow my aunt's instructions."

His parents were very strict with him, but his aunt always loved him and was the only elder with whom he had a close relationship.

"This sachet that my aunt is wearing today is exquisite. Could you give it to me?"

Madam Lu scolded, "No, this is a gift from Ran. You want it? Go ask for it yourself."

She gave Jiang Ran a few more instructions before going to the front hall to receive the guests.

Jiang Ran breathed a sigh of relief, "Eleven, thank goodness you came in time."

Eleven scratched his head embarrassedly and smiled. Fortunately, Miss Jiang didn't notice that he was squatting on the tree branch from beginning to end.

Sensing the murderous gaze of his master, Eleven quickly stopped smiling and said seriously, "It is the master who foresaw the situation so well. I dare not take credit for it."

"Oh, hurry up, take Lord Lu to find Chen Que, his poison hasn't been cured yet!" Jiang Ran almost forgot about this and secretly cursed himself for being so careless.

"Go! I'll find Er... Jiang Chuan. The remaining pills are with him. Let's split up."

Seeing Jiang Ran's anxious expression, Lu Weiqing felt secretly happy. He pretended to be calm on the surface and strode away with a stern face.

Jiang Ran was filled with admiration at his composure. As expected of Prime Minister Lu, who was known for his aloofness, he remained calm even after being drugged. Amazing!

The Lu Mansion is a dangerous place, and she doesn't want to stay there any longer.

Jiang Ran hurried back home in a hurry, and Jiang Huan happened to return home as well. The two had just met and hadn't said a few words when the emperor's decree to grant the marriage arrived.

"The imperial edict has arrived—"

Jiang Ran was shocked. Could it be an imperial decree granting marriage?

No, not so fast. Could it be that my second brother has been discovered?

She looked over in surprise and doubt, but saw that the eunuch was full of joy. She calmed down and went with her second brother to pay her respects and receive the order.

"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: Jiang, the legitimate daughter of the General Zhennan, is dignified and prudent; and Lu Weiqing, the Prime Minister, is renowned for his political skills and contributions to the state. They are a match made in heaven, and an auspicious day has been chosen for their marriage. I hope you two will unite in heart and soul, serve the country with all your heart, and do not disappoint me. I decree this."

After the eunuch finished reading the decree, Jiang Ran lowered her eyes and said softly, "Your servant accepts the decree."

Taoli was very perceptive and quickly stepped forward to give the wedding money.

The head eunuch accepted it with a beaming smile. The money was secondary; the main thing was the difference in status. He kept saying, "Congratulations, congratulations to the Prime Minister's wife."

Seeing the person leave, the joy on Jiang Ran's face faded.

Before she was ready, it was all settled.

Jiang Huan, on the other hand, expressed his admiration, "Lu Weiqing even went to ask the emperor to grant the marriage. He was very thoughtful."

Jiang Ran didn't want to talk any more, so he turned to ask Jiang Huan, "Brother, how's the investigation going on with the Lingxi poison?"

"A Ran, I was just about to tell you. What a coincidence, that Chen Que is the itinerant doctor that father hired."

"There has been significant progress in this matter, and I believe the truth will soon be revealed."

It turned out that Jiang Huan took the medicine bottle to find Chen Que and learned that it was because he failed to completely cure the young soldier last time that he suffered intellectual problems, so Shen Que developed the antidote.

They quietly went to Tianxiang Pavilion to investigate, but unfortunately the scene had been cleaned up so thoroughly that they couldn't compare whether the Lingxi used by the prince and the poison that the young soldier was poisoned with were from the same source.

For now, they have to go to the Yongqing Marquis Mansion to find out the truth.

"Okay, if they really did it, I will make the Marquisate pay double!"

Jiang Ran had no intention of telling him what happened in the Lu Mansion today. He only told his brother to be careful.

Coincidentally, at this time, Marquis Yongqing was also discussing the two brothers and sisters with others.

"Father, it must be the Lu brothers and sisters who harmed me."

"After hurting me so badly, Jiang Ran turned around and got engaged to Prime Minister Lu. I won't accept this!"

The prince was paralyzed in a wheelchair and had to be pushed to the meeting place. He was already a disabled person.

Yongqing Hou put down the cup in his hand fiercely and scolded: "Useless thing! What's the point of complaining in front of me? If you want revenge, go and do it yourself."

"You still have the nerve to say that. If you hadn't stolen Lingxi and done that shameful thing, how would they have found you?"

The prince was so angry that his face turned purple. He was extremely lustful, and now that he could no longer touch a woman, he wished he could catch them and eat their flesh and drink their blood.

The counselor advised: "My Lord, Prince, please be patient."

"In my humble opinion, the most important thing right now is to deal with the Jiang brothers and sisters, so that they can't follow the Lingxi poison and find the Crown Prince, the Marquis, or even... the Third Prince."

The Marquis's face darkened when he heard this. Although his sister and the third prince had returned to Chang'an, they had been living secretly in his mansion. The emperor did not mention making them concubines, nor did he issue an edict to restore his nephew's title of prince.

At least she should be given the title of Imperial Concubine and the Third Prince should be included in the family tree, so that they can fight against the Queen and the Crown Prince.

"Our people cannot move. What do you think?" The Marquis knew that he could not rely on the prince, so he turned to ask for the advice of his advisers.

"Wushan Stronghold. If things don't work out, they'll definitely blame it on banditry."

The Marquis pondered for a moment and nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll leave this matter to..."

"Father! Please allow me to participate in this matter. I must take revenge with my own hands."

The prince clenched his teeth, filled with hatred.

-------------------------------------

"Master, there is some unusual movement at the Marquis' Mansion."

Eleven reported late at night that Lu Weiqing was discussing matters with the prince, indicating that he knew.

Ever since Jiang Huan found Chen Que, he had anticipated that this day would come.

In order for the Third Prince to seize power, what he needed most was money and military power. Coincidentally, the Jiang family had both, so the Marquisate had its sights set on Jiang Ran.

He let the prince propose to Jiang Ran in marriage, took control of the wealth of Jiang's family, the richest family in Jiangnan, poisoned General Zhennan, forced the Jiang family to rely on the Marquis' Mansion, and placed his own people in the army.

They all want money and military power. What a wishful thinking!

Now that they have tracked down the prince, in order to prevent them from finding out who is behind this, the Marquis' Mansion will definitely send someone to take action.

"Master, you have sacrificed so much for me."

Upon learning that Lu Weiqing was proposing to marry Jiang Ran, the prince immediately tried to find him.

The prince was convinced that Lu Weiqing wanted to marry Jiang Ran in order to prevent the Jiang family from siding with the third prince and to secretly gain the support of the Jiang family for him.

Lu Weiqing glanced at him and immediately understood why the prince insisted on meeting him today.

"No." He was too lazy to explain and just blocked it with two words.

As a result, the prince became more convinced and was moved to tears.

"Master, I will definitely work harder and will not let you down."

He changed his mind and decided that he couldn't keep letting the teacher suffer.

"Master, when your great cause is accomplished, I will search the land for you and bring the most beautiful women to your house."

Only then did Lu Weiqing look at him straight in the eye.

The prince was very pleased with himself, feeling very considerate. He never expected that the next second—

“No need.”

"roll."

"see a visitor out."

After a series of smooth moves, by the time the prince could react, he had been thrown into the secret passage and was completely dizzy.