A sudden change on the way home raises doubts

Chapter Quote: Fresh from leaving the den of wolves and tigers, I see the smoke of war rising from my hometown. A loyal servant brings the terrible news: my mistress is committing adultery!

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After leaving Liangshanpo, Yan Qing's uneasiness didn't dissipate, but instead grew thicker like a dark cloud. The strange appearance of the monk in charge of reception at Daxiangguo Temple was like a thorn in his heart. He was eager to return home, worried about the safety of Lu Junyi and Daming Prefecture, and urgently needed to verify the monk's story with Gongsun Sheng.

He dared not take the Shandong official road again, and instead headed north, circumventing the various prefectures in Hebei. He traveled cautiously, hiding during the day and moving at night. What he saw along the way was the decline of people's livelihoods and the rise of bandits. It was clear that the unrest caused by Liangshan had begun to spread to the surrounding areas.

That day, he finally entered Daming Prefecture. Seeing the familiar outline of the city walls from afar, Yan Qing felt a sense of relief. However, the closer he got to the city, the more he sensed something was amiss.

The number of soldiers checking the city gates doubled, each one looking tense, as if facing a formidable enemy. Passersby were repeatedly searched and questioned, and anyone who appeared suspicious was taken away. Flags fluttered overhead, patrols came and went frequently, and the air was filled with an oppressive feeling of impending storm.

Could it be that Liangshan had already reached Damingfu? Impossible! Although Hu Yanzhuo was defeated, Damingfu was a major city in the north, with high walls and deep moats. Lu Junyi had been cultivating it for a long time, so it was definitely not something that could be easily conquered.

Yan Qing suppressed his suspicions and disguised himself as a down-and-out scholar, blending in with the crowd entering the city. He lowered his head and observed his surroundings out of the corner of his eye.

When it was his turn to be questioned, the soldier looked at him for a long moment against a portrait in his hand, then carefully checked his luggage (which consisted of only a few books and a small amount of money), then waved his hand impatiently: "Go, go! Next!"

Yan Qing's heart skipped a beat; that portrait... seemed familiar. But he didn't have time to dwell on it, and hurried into the city with his head lowered.

The scene inside the city frightened him even more. The streets were deserted, many shops were closed, and pedestrians looked panicked, whispering to each other. He could vaguely hear scattered words such as "Liangshan", "spies", and "officials".

He quickened his pace and walked towards the Lu Mansion. One street away from the mansion, he suddenly stopped!

The Lu residence was surrounded by a large group of armored soldiers! Swords and spears were everywhere, and the air was filled with murderous intent! The gates were closed, and there was no one in front of the gate. The bustling scene of the past was gone!

What's going on?! Is something wrong with the master?!

Yan Qing felt a chill running from the soles of his feet straight up to his head! He resisted the urge to rush forward and quickly dodged into a small alley nearby, his heart pounding and his mind in a state of confusion.

Was it the imperial court's anger at Lu Junyi because of his own affairs? Or did Liangshan use some trick to frame their master?

We must find out the situation immediately!

He went around to the back street of Lu's mansion and found a familiar and relatively hidden corner gate. He was just about to find an opportunity to sneak in when suddenly, the corner gate opened silently from the inside and a familiar figure flashed out nimbly. It was Yan An, a trusted attendant he had left in the mansion!

When Yan An saw Yan Qing in his disguise, he was stunned at first, then he recognized him. His eyes instantly turned red, and he fell to his knees with a plop. He lowered his voice and cried, "Brother Xiaoyi! You're finally back! Something big happened in the mansion... in the mansion!"

Yan Qing pulled him up and dragged him to the back of the alley, asking urgently, "Tell me! What happened? Where is the master?"

Yan An looked around to confirm that there was no one around, then he said with a trembling voice, "Master...Master, he's been arrested by the government!"

"What?!" Yan Qing was struck by lightning and grabbed Yan An's shoulders, "Why are you arresting people?!"

"The charge... the charge is that you're secretly communicating with Liangshan with evil intentions!" Yan An burst into tears. "Shortly after you left the capital, word came from somewhere saying that you... you're the Liangshan bandit leader, 'The Prodigal Son,' Yan Qing, and that you've committed a serious crime in the capital. The evidence is irrefutable! They also say that the official had been colluding with you for a long time and was plotting to take over Daming Mansion!"

Yan Qing's entire body went cold; it was indeed because of him! Wu Yong's calculations were quite wicked! He killed two birds with one stone, confirming his own guilt while also using this opportunity to bring down Lu Junyi!

"Where is the master now? Has he been tortured?" Yan Qing's voice was hoarse.

"The gentleman was imprisoned in the government jail, and the prefect was personally guarding him. No one was allowed to visit him. We made arrangements in many ways and only then vaguely heard that the gentleman denied everything in the lobby and cursed the corrupt officials for framing loyal officials. It is said... it is said that he suffered some torture, but did not sign the name..." Yan An burst into tears.

Lu Junyi was tortured! Yan Qing felt a surge of hot blood rushing to his head, his vision went black, and he could barely stand. He clenched his fists tightly, his nails digging deep into his palms, and only then did he manage to calm his mind.

"And...and..." Yan An seemed unable to speak, with an expression of extreme anger and humiliation on his face.

"Anything else? Tell me quickly!" Yan Qing said sternly.

Yan An gritted his teeth and said hatefully, "It's the mistress! It's that bitch Jia! She...she came forward to testify, saying she saw the master conspiring with you with her own eyes, and she also said...she also said that the master had long intended to rebel! What's even more hateful is that after that bastard Li Gu died, she somehow colluded with Liu Kongmu from the government office! It was them who colluded inside and outside to frame the master!"

Jia?! Liu Kongmu?!

There was a buzzing sound in Yan Qing’s head, as if something exploded!

He took every precaution and eliminated Li Gu, but he never expected that the evil that led to the destruction of Lu Junyi's family in his previous life would break out again in another way, at another time, and in an even uglier form!

Jia Shi had committed adultery with Li Gu in her previous life, after Lu Junyi had gone up the mountain. In this life, Li Gu had been eliminated early on, yet she had unexpectedly hooked up with Liu Kongmu, the official in the government office! And at this crucial moment, she jumped out and bit back, dealing Lu Junyi a fatal blow!

No wonder the soldiers surrounded the mansion, no wonder the charges were confirmed! With Lu Junyi's "wife" testifying and the official in charge of criminal cases acting as an insider, even if Lu Junyi had a mouth full of words, he wouldn't be able to explain himself!

Raging rage and a deep chill mingled in Yan Qing's chest, nearly tearing him apart. He had thought that by changing Li Gu's trajectory, he could avoid tragedy, but he hadn't expected fate to play such a trick on him!

"What's the situation in the mansion now?" Yan Qing forced himself to remain calm, his voice as cold as ice in the coldest days of winter.

"The mansion was searched and many servants were taken away for interrogation. Now it is guarded by soldiers inside and outside, and people are only allowed to enter but not leave. I had to risk my life to find a chance to sneak out, and tried to send a letter to the clan elders far away in Tokyo. I didn't expect to meet you, Brother Xiaoyi!" Yan An said while wiping his tears.

Yan Qing took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't afford to panic at this moment. Lu Junyi was imprisoned, Daming Prefecture was leaderless, Jia and Liu Kongmu controlled both the internal and external affairs, and he himself had become a wanted criminal... The situation was precarious!

"Yan'an, listen to this." Yan Qing held his shoulder, his eyes sharp as a knife. "Go back immediately and pretend nothing happened. Reassure the rest of the people in the mansion, especially those loyal guards. Tell them that the master has been wronged. I, Yan Qing, have returned and will definitely rescue him and clear the house! Have them make preparations in secret, but they must not act rashly!"

"Yes! Brother Xiaoyi!" Yan An seemed to have found his backbone and nodded heavily.

"Also, find out where and when Liu Kongmu and Jia usually meet in secret. How is the security at the government jail? Report to me immediately!" Yan Qing's eyes were filled with murderous intent. To capture the thief, one must first capture the leader. To save Lu Junyi, they must first eliminate the adulterous couple and obtain the evidence they have framed him!

"I understand!" Yan An accepted the order and sneaked back to the mansion quietly again.

Yan Qing stood alone in the dark alley, looking at the Lu Mansion in the distance which was surrounded by heavy troops. His heart was boiling with anger, but he was also extremely calm.

Wu Yong, you are really cruel! Jia Shi, Liu Kongmu...you are very good!

Since you are so unkind, don't blame me, Yan Qing, for being unjust!

The weather in Daming Prefecture needs to change!

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Chapter 24 End