After Tang Min and Zhao Xueqian left, Lu Zheng helped Lu Che back to the room. Lu Che was worried and asked him, "Is the second cousin...really?"

Lu Zheng shook his head and said, "I don't know, but my second cousin is very calm. I don't think he is."

Lu Che sighed, "I hope he is not. The Lu family has declined too badly in recent years. If there is such a scandal, I am afraid it will never recover."

After being educated by his elder brother, Lu Zheng also knew the importance of family. Although they have separated, in the eyes of the world, the Duke of Ying's Mansion and the Lu family are still connected. If something really happens to the Lu family, the Duke of Ying's Mansion will definitely be affected.

The Duke of Ying's Mansion seems to be flourishing in recent years, but in fact it is in a turbulent situation. Duke of England Lu Qing controls an army of 300,000. Although he has retired, the military power has not fallen into the hands of others and is still in the hands of Lu Xun. Therefore, Duke of England has been a good man in the court these years and has kept silent about military and national affairs. Although Lu Che has talent and qualifications, he has never been sent out.

Lu Che has always regarded his younger brother as a child, so he has never told him about these things. After being poisoned this time, he has become more open-minded. Instead of letting his younger brother live in ignorance, it is better to tell him everything.

Lu Zheng was shocked. He always thought that his family was favored by the emperor, but now he found that the so-called wealth and status were in jeopardy. This is the ruthlessness and cruelty of the ancient imperial power.

Lu Che said in a cold voice: "Zhao Xueqian is the Fourth Prince's man. If he wants to use me as a stepping stone to make meritorious deeds, we have to see if he has the ability!"

"Fourth Prince?"

Lu Che hesitated for a moment, but in the end he did not tell Jian Yu about his agreement with him. It was not because he thought Lu Zheng would be unable to control his mouth, but because he did not want him to fall into the quagmire of politics too early. He is still too young now. To put it nicely, he is simple, and to put it bluntly, he is a little stupid, but stupid people also have good fortune.

Lu Zheng had no idea that he had such an image in his eldest brother's mind. Seeing that his eldest brother did not say anything, he skipped the matter and talked about the gossip he heard from You Xiaowu.

Lu Che's face suddenly darkened: "Who told you all this nonsense!!" Seeing that Lu Zheng still had no remorse on his face, he was ready to give him a good scolding.

At this time, he heard that the King of Chu Rong Zhen came to visit.

Lu Che was stunned: "King of Chu?" Let's not talk about the fact that he had never met the King of Chu. Just say that this famous man only entered the palace once after returning to Beijing. All the invitations sent to the King of Chu's mansion were simply lost without a trace. Almost all the dignitaries in Yanjing were eagerly waiting to see who the King of Chu would accept the invitation. No matter what the reason was for him to go to the Duke of Ying's mansion at this time, I'm afraid everyone would think it was for the three-division meeting after the new year?

Lu Che thought so too, but he couldn't help but frown. Now that he was poisoned, he didn't show up in public for the time being. Let's not talk about why the King of Chu came, but his coming here would probably attract the attention of all Yanjing.

Rong Zhen came to visit in a serious manner. Princess Xiangyi was Rong Zhen's aunt, and Yun was his cousin. So, Lu Che and Lu Zheng had to call him uncle.

Rong Zhen was not only an elder but also a prince, so he naturally couldn't condescend to come to Feihong Courtyard. Lu Che asked someone to carry him to the main courtyard in a sedan chair, but he saw Lu Qing talking to him happily.

Yun smiled and said, "Come quickly, meet your uncle the King of Chu."

Lu Che, Lu Zheng: "..." Rong

Zhen smoothed things over at the right time: "It doesn't matter. We are officials in the same dynasty, so there is no need to judge by seniority."

Lu Che has never been the kind of person who would get entangled in such matters. Hearing him say that, he just bowed and said, "Your Highness the King of Chu."

Lu Zheng wanted to follow his elder brother, but was interrupted by Rong Zhen: "Is this the Third Young Master Lu who solved the skinning case earlier? I have heard of your deeds when I was far away in Yangzhou. It is true that heroes emerge from young people."

"You... flatter me."

"I have always admired young people with abilities. If you don't mind, you can call me Nineteenth Uncle!"

"..." We agreed that we are officials in the same dynasty, so there is no need to judge by seniority! !

Lu Zheng looked at Rong Zhen with grief.

When Rong Zhen saw his expression, his eyes, which were originally calm, showed a hint of smile: "Why? Don't you want to?"

"No..." Lu Zheng felt the power transmitted from his elder brother on his waist, and said aggrievedly, "Uncle Ten...Nineteen..."

"Be good." Rong Zhen smiled and nodded, took off the jade pendant from his waist and handed it to him, "This is the first time I see you, and I haven't prepared anything. You can play with this."

Lu Zheng looked at the jade pendant, which was as white and flawless as mutton fat, with embarrassment. Even if he couldn't understand the carving of the jade, the quality of the jade alone was rare in the world.

Yun frowned: "I'm afraid this gift is too expensive."

"It's just a toy." Rong Zhen said lightly, and directly swallowed back Yun's words.

Lu Zheng looked at his mother and saw that she no longer objected, so he stepped forward and put away the jade pendant.

After the greetings, Yun took the servants in the room and left. Only the father and son and the King of Chu were left in the room. The King of Chu went straight to the point: "This time, the King came for the three-division trial after the new year."

Lu Che's face was frightened: "What do you mean?"

"If I say that the King will not participate in the three-division trial, I'm afraid you won't believe it." Rong Zhen didn't care that his words caused a huge uproar.

Lu Che was shocked and said, "What did you say?"

If the biggest gain of this trip to the south of the Yangtze River was said to be the King of Chu, the King of Chu had to rob so many people's homes, and the carts of gold, silver and jewelry that flowed into the palace were already eye-catching, and there were probably more left in the hands of the King of Chu. Besides, there is the Three Departments Review after the New Year. Everyone knows that this is a great opportunity. At least Lu Che has been rubbing his hands, and wants to use this Three Departments Review to seize political capital in order to resolve his current embarrassing situation in the officialdom.

However, the King of Chu gave up this power so easily.

Unlike Lu Zheng who was still confused, Lu Che and Lu Qing looked at each other, and both father and son realized the seriousness of the matter.

"Your Highness, King Chu, this is not a joke." Lu Qing said seriously.

"This king never jokes." Rong Zhen said.

Lu Che glanced at his still worried father, gritted his teeth and asked, "Your Highness revealed this news to me, but I don't know what order you want me to give you?"

Rong Zhen looked at him steadily, his lips curled slightly, "Lord Lu is a straightforward person, so I won't beat around the bush. I want to see all the case files from the 27th year of Jianwu to the early years of Yongning."

Lu Qing stood up suddenly: "Your Highness!"

In the 27th year of Jianwu, Prince Wei rebelled, and a major turmoil occurred in the palace. It took a lot of effort for Emperor Yongning to suppress the rebellion and ascend the throne. The first thing he did after ascending the throne was to seal up all the case files of the past two years, including the palace's daily records and so on.

Lu Che's face turned ugly: "Your Highness, this is simply impossible."

"Is it possible that all of this was done by humans?" Rong Zhen said, "As far as I know, the fire in Xichunfang in the eleventh year of Yongning also affected the Ministry of Justice. These sealed case files were once moved out. At that time, Lord Lu should have entered the Ministry of Justice?"

"It seems that Your Highness has a purpose." Lu Che lowered his voice, "But even if I knew, how could I dare to do such a deadly thing?"

Rong Zhen's tone was a little careless: "If Lord Lu is afraid, just pretend that I didn't say anything."

Lu Che had already calmed down. He ignored his anxious father and showed his usual shrewdness and strength: "Your Highness's request is not appropriate to exchange for just a place in the three-court review."

"A quota?" Rong Zhen suddenly laughed, "A mere chief judge is indeed a bit shabby."

"Chief judge!" Not only Lu Che was surprised, but even Lu Qing couldn't sit still, "Isn't the chief judge old master Yan Yongzhi?"

Rong Zhen didn't say anything.

Sweat beads appeared on Lu Che's forehead. After a long time, he raised his head and looked at Rong Zhen. The ambition in his eyes was clear: "Your Highness the King of Chu, it's a deal."

"Lu Che!" Lu Qing looked at his eldest son in disbelief. Did he know what he had agreed to? !

Rong Zhen achieved his goal and wanted to leave immediately. Seeing Lu Zheng staring blankly at his father and brother quarreling, he suddenly changed his mind.

"I heard that the scenery of the Duke of England's garden is pleasant. I wonder if I would be lucky enough to have a tour?"

As soon as he said this, not only did Lu Zheng turn his head to look at him, but even Lu Qing and Lu Che, who were arguing with each other, were stunned.

Is it okay for you, Your Highness, to enjoy the scenery in this winter?

Lu Zheng, who was helplessly arranged to take the King of Chu to the back garden to enjoy the scenery, looked depressed. Looking at his own bare back garden, he thought it would be better to look at his pot of golden oranges in the room.

Rong Zhen turned his head and saw that Lu Zheng was obviously distracted. Thinking back to the last time this kid turned his head away with a bored look on his face, he had never been ignored so thoroughly before. Rong Zhen thought, and reached out to pinch Lu Zheng's chin and turned his face around: "You brought me here to see these things?"

Lu Zheng tried hard to pry open Rong Zhen's fingers, and then was once again defeated by the reality gap. He could only say incoherently: "Well, this is how it is in the mansion. You have to see it."

Rong Zhen completely ignored the strength in his hand. Instead, he was very interested in Lu Zheng's words: "You are so disrespectful. I won't call you Nineteenth Uncle anymore."

"I was forced to do that!"

"Um... I didn't hear clearly. What did you say just now?"

"Ten... Nineteenth..."

Rong Zhen let go of his hand with satisfaction.

Lu Zheng rubbed his cheeks while looking at Rong Zhen angrily but not saying anything. Rong Zhen seemed not to notice and asked with interest: "Where do you live? Take me to see it."

Lu Zheng wanted to refuse stubbornly, but when Rong Zhen looked at him with a half-smile, his cheeks suddenly hurt: "...In Zhutanju."

Rong Zhen looked at Lu Zheng with amusement as he covered his cheeks and led the way. The boy's round eyes looked at him with a little fear. With this action, it was just like when he encountered a little squirrel falling from a tree while hunting. He looked

silly and cute without knowing it.

Rong Zhen said slowly: "You don't remember, I held you in my arms when you were little."

Lu Zheng stumbled, turned around and looked at Rong Zhen in disbelief: "You're lying!"

"You were only three years old at that time. Princess Xiangyi celebrated her birthday, and your cousin took you to celebrate. You mischievously avoided the wet nurse and the maids, and ended up getting lost in the garden." Rong Zhen's face was a little nostalgic, "You were so well-behaved at that time. I gave you a candy and you obediently called me Uncle Nineteen. Later, when your cousin wanted to take you home, you held me tightly and wouldn't let go..."

Lu Zheng's face flushed: "Who still remembers what happened when you were little!"

"Oh? Don't you remember?"

Lu Zheng looked at him warily as he smiled that annoying smile again. The hair on his back stood up and he quickly ran forward two steps: "We're here."

Rong Zhen didn't really plan to do anything to him, but he found him interesting when he saw him and couldn't help but tease him. He was afraid that he would scare the little squirrel away, so he could only restrain his bad taste helplessly.