Chapter 90: Setting up a trap in Kyoto, she wants to stay

Lu Tingwan fell into deep thought. Thinking carefully, he realized that since the Lu family was taken to prison, the charges had already been determined without any interrogation or investigation by the Dali Temple. If there was no irrefutable evidence, how could such an important process be skipped?

The emperor wanted to protect the person behind the scenes or he didn't dare to alarm the emperor. Who else could have reported so much evidence to the emperor, making it impossible for the Lu family to recover, except for the accomplices who had conspired with Lu Mingqian, or the people who drove Lu Mingqian?

Now that I think about it, the Lu family is nothing more than a discarded pawn, a pawn that was pushed out to divert attention.

But the Lu family's crime is true, and the people behind the scenes want to kill the Lu family. Although the Lu family did not deserve it, their death was not unjust.

So who in the court has this ability?

Lu Tingwan moved back to the table, holding the wine cup tightly in her hand. After a long moment, a cruel look appeared on her lips as she muttered, "Jiang Family, Queen Mother Jiang!"

Weiyang Street, located just under the Weiyang Building, is about a dozen feet away from the Chamber of Commerce. In the past, she often walked along this street in search of Luo Yunchu. The sounds of vendors from downstairs drifted up, becoming much quieter as they entered the private room. The wine cup was turning in her hand, and the noisy sound penetrated her ears. Lu Tingwan closed her eyes tightly, feeling the atmosphere of the hustle and bustle of life.

Kyoto!

She wants to stay!

Everyone wants to settle down in Kyoto and make a living. Travelers are in a hurry, all for a job.

The whole family was executed, and the remnants of the Lu family were not a big deal. At least she was alive. There were some truths that she didn't want to rot in the dark where no one knew about. She wanted to find out!

Now that the Lu family is dead, she will live again just for herself!

Lu Tingwan, who stayed behind, will one day abandon this identity and leave this place under the name of Jiang Yanli, but not now.

Gongsun Xue exchanged a few words with Miss Liu. When the girls in the boudoir gathered together, they would talk about rouge, powder, clothes and fabrics. The two of them were no exception. Seeing that it was almost time, Gongsun Xue said goodbye and left the private room. Miss Liu's private room was upstairs, so she had to go downstairs before she could go back.

It was noon at this time, the time for lunch. The building suddenly became crowded with guests. The servants moved among the crowd, handing out snacks and drinks to the guests.

Suddenly, Gongsun Xue was bumped to the side by someone, missed a step, and fell down. Just when she thought she was going to roll down, a strong and sturdy arm wrapped around her slender waist and held the pale-faced person tightly in his arms.

Gongsun Xue took a quick look and leaned in the man's arms. She could see his outline in a trance, and the man was also looking at her.

After a moment of silence, Gongsun Xue came to her senses and struggled out of his arms. How could she be so intimate with another man?

Suddenly, a blush appeared on her fair and delicate cheeks. The usually gentle and dignified Madam, the most noble lady in Kyoto, had a wooden expression and said in a slow and tepid voice, "Thank you very much for your help, young master..."

The two men were at a distance. The man's skin color was slightly darker than the young man from Kyoto, but he was well-built and strong. His gorgeous clothes made his broad shoulders and narrow waist look more slender.

This figure is obviously a military commander. Considering Kyoto's age, noble status and military demeanor, she can only think of one suitable candidate!

Just as she was lost in thought, the man bowed and returned the greeting: "I am Jiang Qingsheng from Duke Jiang's Mansion. I was in a hurry just now and I am sorry for any offense. I hope Madam will forgive me."

As she thought, this person was the eldest son who had been with Jiang Haiyi since he was a child. Because he was stationed in Shanhaiguan all year round and rarely appeared in Kyoto, it was not surprising that she had never seen him before.

Gongsun Xue nodded slightly, and the blush faded. The people of the Jiang family had always been at odds with her father and husband. Even if she had received a favor today, she could not have too much contact with them, not to mention that men and women were not allowed to touch each other, and she was still a married woman.

"It's okay. I should be the one thanking Young Master Jiang..." Gongsun Xue replied hastily and was about to leave, but Jiang Qingsheng raised his arm to block his way.

"Madam, wouldn't you like to invite me for a drink?" Jiang Qingsheng was a wild person by nature, but after returning to Kyoto, Jiang Haiyi repeatedly reminded him to restrain himself. Therefore, his gentle and polite behavior just now was already his limit. Now that he said this, it sounded like he was repaying a favor.

Gongsun Xue's face looked grim. She had come here with her husband today, so how could she privately entertain others? Regardless of her political views or status, she should not have any contact with the Jiang family.

Her slender knuckles clenched the handkerchief tightly, but she didn't know that this scene had been seen by Cheng Xianzhi who was not far away. Han Zhou followed his gaze through the crowd and locked onto the stairs between the third and fourth floors. The man in front of Gongsun Xue was Jiang Qingsheng.

"It seems that the eldest lady has encountered difficulties." Han Zhou leaned against the pillar with his arms folded.

The man leaning on the railing was getting up: "Let's go."

Han Zhou followed closely up the stairs, and a cold and deep voice broke through the noise of the crowd at the bottom of the stairs: "Isn't this Young Master Jiang?"

Cheng Xianzhi climbed the stairs, his steps as swift as the wind. His aura of coldness and dignity, untainted by the mundane world, made the other men around him look inferior. It was like a knife engraving into Gongsun Xue's heart, and the dark clouds were swept away, replaced by a smile.

"Husband." She called out in a soft voice and leaned towards Cheng Xianzhi.

Husband? Jiang Qingsheng suddenly realized that this woman was Cheng Xianzhi's wife.

He was casual, with a wicked smile, "Minister Cheng, originally the wife of Minister Cheng, but I only know that there are two wives in the Minister's mansion. The first wife is the only daughter of the Minister of the Central Secretariat, the most noble lady in Kyoto. As for the second wife, she is a remnant of the Lu family and the daughter of a guilty minister. I wonder who this one is?"

Cheng Xianzhi smiled faintly, "The First Madam of the Palace, as for the Second Madam Lu, they have been pardoned by the Emperor's grace, so there is no remnant of evil."

"Just now, Master Jiang wanted to treat my wife to a drink? If you don't mind, I'll do it for you."

Jiang Qingsheng couldn't stand Cheng Xianzhi's cold, aloof and arrogant look, which could seduce a girl from a noble family in Kyoto to the point of losing her seven souls.

In addition, the relationship between the two families was tense, and they had not yet reached the point where they could sit together and drink and chat.

"Qingsheng was just chatting with the lady. There are guests upstairs. Please excuse me." After saying that, he bowed and went up to the fourth floor, disappearing into the crowd.

"Let's go back." Gongsun Xue was obviously delighted to be rescued by Cheng Xianzhi. She followed him very closely, almost clinging to him.

Cheng Xianzhi felt a gust of wind behind him and tilted his head slightly to ask, "How did you get out?"

After Gongsun Xue explained, Cheng Xianzhi responded indifferently and then reminded her, "Well, be careful when you go down the stairs."

Gongsun Xue stood there in a daze. For some reason, he felt his steps suddenly become heavy. Did he see everything just now?

"Sir, I...Xue'er..."

"No need to explain anything. I'm not a petty person," he said in a cold voice, his expression frozen. "As long as Xue'er is alright, that's all that's good."

Gongsun Xuesong took a deep breath and returned to the private room while floating up and down.

The meal was already served, and Lu Tingwan seemed to have moved her chopsticks, but she had only touched a few of the dozen or so dishes, and she didn't eat much, so it looked like she hadn't touched anything at all.

Cheng Xianzhi's gaze first swept across the table, then landed on her. Seeing that she reacted normally, he casually explained, "My colleague delayed us. Sorry for keeping us waiting."

"It's okay. I didn't have to wait. It's early for the banquet. I saw that you and the mistress hadn't returned yet, so I started eating first. I hope you don't mind, sir?" Lu Tingwan was respectful in words, but his actions showed no respect at all, and he didn't bother to be polite to him.

"No problem." Cheng Xianzhi replied calmly.

She didn't care that the two of them came back together. After she had eaten her fill, she just sat down at the table and didn't pick up her chopsticks again.

But the pot of fruit wine was almost empty, and she only now felt the alcohol taking effect, her cheeks burning and feeling stuffy.

She endured for a while, then decided, "I'll go out and get some fresh air."

Cheng Xianzhi glanced over, his delicate features were blushed, and it was obvious that he had drunk some wine.

Han Zhou was waiting outside, so he didn't say anything. Fortunately, Han Zhou was keeping an eye on him, so nothing happened.

During the meal, Gongsun Xue wanted to explain the scene on the stairs, but Cheng Xianzhi didn't take it to heart and had no intention of talking. She had no choice but to suppress her emotions and silently filled his glass with fruit wine.

Lu Tingwan was leaning on the corridor, reeking of alcohol, observing all kinds of people upstairs and downstairs. She tried to see something from them. The reek of alcohol slowly dissipated as time passed, and she became more sober.

The words of the chief clerk of the Dali Temple echoed in his ears.

If the Jiang family had betrayed the Lu family in order to protect themselves, they would have been able to enjoy wealth and glory, be loved by the people, and receive the emperor's grace. However, in this ugly and shameful curse, the Lu family was the only one that became the victim of public criticism.

He was the abandoned child of the Jiang family, discarded if useless. But if that was the case, how could Queen Mother Jiang tolerate the emperor keeping her, the bloodline of the Lu family? Was it because she would have nothing to fear even if she survived the execution ground?

In the case of Han Zhangling, Han Zhou was left behind. Many years later, the Lu family repeated the same mistake and the crime was exposed, and Han Zhou was indispensable in secretly investigating it.

She couldn't figure it out, and the alcohol was driving her brain, making her headache even worse. Han Zhou upstairs witnessed all this, took a sip of wine leisurely, and continued to stare.

After Liu Qiyuan was punished, the entire Liu family was executed and the position of Vice Minister of Revenue remained vacant. Originally, Queen Mother Jiang wanted to promote Jiang Yanli to be Vice Minister of Revenue, but after Lu Tingwu's death, Jiang Yanli became insane and no one was available for the position for a while. Cheng Xianzhi fulfilled his promise and let Han Zhou take over the position.

Lu Tingwan shook her head in an attempt to clear her mind and try to think deeper, but her thoughts were blocked. Suddenly, a fist came down from behind. She took the force, frowned, and was about to turn around and curse.

"Jiang Yanli!" A clear outline rushed into his eyes, his body suppressed some light, and his physique was even bigger than that of Jiang Qingsheng.

"Xie Zhao?" Lu Tingwan almost called out this name. She vaguely recalled the scene where he risked his life to protect her at the execution ground that day. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but also like yesterday.

Hot tears welled up in her eyes and she suddenly choked up. After losing her blood relative, the only person she met who gave her this feeling of kinship was Xie Zhao.

"Xie Zhao, why are you here?"

The man was crying, but he didn't know how to comfort him. He could only scratch his head and smile foolishly.

"Of course we come to Weiyang Tower to drink and eat." He looked down at the petite figure. She had lost a lot of weight.

The silly smile turned bitter at this moment, and even the voice softened: "I heard that you have aphasia, I was worried."

Lu Tingwan's eyes sparkled with emotion, and he wanted to beat him up for being so impulsive and putting himself and his brothers in danger.

"Worried? You know how to worry, but do you know how I felt when you and your brothers rushed into the execution ground? If you die because of me, I will never forgive myself in this life." Lu Tingwan's eyes were serious, "My sister is dead, and my father is..."

Although this father was not responsible for her duties and she had never felt any love there, she had half of his blood in her body, and they were still blood relatives. Even if there was no love, there was an unbreakable bond.

"If you also...how can I live..."

Crystal clear tears dripped onto the wooden board. Xie Zhao didn't dare wipe them away. He could only pass a handkerchief from his bosom and comfort her, "It's over now. You can speak now, but are your injuries healed?"

Upstairs, leaning against the railing, Han Zhou twirled a wine jug in his hand, saying lazily as if watching a play, "I don't know what the Master is thinking. Knowing that Xie Zhao risked his life to save her, he still arranged for Xie Zhao to meet her. Now that Xie Zhao is here, will Lu Tingwan still remember him?"