Chapter 29
Does Auntie recognize this?
Thanks to Lu Hua's efforts, the bandit leader was successfully kidnapped and brought to the clinic before sunset.
After handing the person over, Lu Hua stood in a stance, holding a kitchen knife in her hand. The blade gleamed red in the setting sun, adding to her intimidating aura.
The bandit leader was much more resilient than his underlings; even when faced with a gleaming cleaver, he remained calm and composed.
Seeing this, Lu Qin and Hao Jingshi took turns playing the good cop and the bad cop, using a combination of threats and inducements, until they finally got the truth from back then.
The bandit leader finally broke down in tears and admitted his mistake: "Aunt Zhao said she would give me ten thousand taels of silver to push Madam Lu off the cliff, and then I would leave the mountain with my men... I... I was blinded by money for a moment... I sent my brothers to rob her, but before they could even make a move, Madam Lu accidentally slipped and fell. This... this is not my fault!"
Upon learning the truth, Lu Qin felt a pang of sorrow and didn't know who to blame.
Hao Jingshi was originally standing by Lu Qin's side with his arm around her, but when he saw that there seemed to be sadness in her eyes, he frowned.
He snatched the kitchen knife from Lu Hua's hand and approached the bandit leader: "Say one more word and I'll kill you."
"Big brother!" The bandit leader was terrified when he saw that he was serious and begged for mercy repeatedly. "I swear I'm not lying! We only rob people of money, we never kill anyone! Besides, Madam Lu has no grudge against us. If it weren't for Aunt Zhao paying a lot of money to instigate me, how could I have committed such a crime!"
"Husband," Lu Qin quickly called out to him, reaching out to stop his arm.
Hao Jingshi then put the knife down.
Lu Qin turned to the bandits: "Even if you have no intention of harming anyone, my mother died because she fell while being chased by you. You are not innocent."
The bandits lowered their heads as far as they could and said, "We brothers were forced to become bandits. We only ask for food and drink. Please, gentlemen, have mercy and spare our lives. We are willing to serve you like cattle and horses to atone for our sins!"
Lu Qin said calmly, "Can working like an ox or a horse bring my mother back to life?"
Upon hearing this, the bandits were stunned and at a loss for what to do.
"However, it's too late to undo what's done."
Lu Qin continued.
"I can spare you, but you must do as I say."
...
Lu Qin had Lu Hua take the bandits away, and specifically instructed her not to lock them up with Lu Ming.
Lu Hua nodded: "No problem, brother. My family also has cowsheds, chicken sheds, and duck sheds. We'll make sure you have enough."
Lu Qin was amused and wanted to casually ask him to inquire about Lu Pan'an, but then she remembered that Hao Jingshi was also there and was afraid that he would misunderstand, so she swallowed her words.
After Lu Hua left, she thought about it again and decided that it would be more appropriate to let Ling'er go instead.
After all, when Lu Hua arrives, he'll definitely be carrying a knife and asking in a loud, gruff voice, "Who is Lu Pan'an?" Don't scare him again.
Three days later, the family dinner took place.
The servants got up early and busied themselves preparing dishes, decorating the banquet hall, and greeting guests, keeping their feet constantly on the ground.
To spend more time with his daughter, Master Lu arrived at the Hao family early, his face beaming with joy. Aunt Zhao and Lu Ping followed closely behind, each dressed in a beautiful new outfit, looking like sisters.
Because Lu Qinhuai was the first legitimate grandson of Master Hao, he was highly valued. The respected elders of the Hao family all attended the banquet and sent congratulatory gifts to express their congratulations.
The servants served tea and washed fruit to the distinguished guests as an appetizer before the meal. The guests sat in a row according to their seniority, each sitting at a small table, chatting and laughing.
Amidst the excitement, the two true protagonists were still making preparations in their dormitory—
Lu Qin stuffed pre-prepared blood plasma packets into her sleeves and trousers, while Hao Jingshi stood guard at the door for her.
He leaned against the door frame, his head tilted to one side. After a while, he turned back and whispered to Lu Qin, "Madam, perhaps we should just forget about it. I'm afraid my parents can't handle such a blow."
“What’s so unbearable?” Lu Qin straightened the blood pack. “My husband is always up to no end, practically turning the sky upside down, but they’re still doing just fine, aren’t they?”
"..."
Hearing his wife speak of him like that, Hao Jingshi was a little displeased and silently turned his head back.
"Alright, alright." Lu Qin noticed his displeasure, ran over, and tugged at his hand. "Husband, don't take it personally. I didn't mean anything by it. Besides, you promised to help me deal with Aunt Zhao, so you can't go back on your word now."
Hao Jingshi glanced at her, still looking sullen: "I don't want to go back on my word, I'm just afraid they'll be disappointed."
"It was fake to begin with. If we don't set up the scheme today, it will be exposed sooner or later. We might as well go all the way and save ourselves more trouble later, right?"
"That's true... After that, we need something real."
"What?" Hao Jingshi mumbled the rest of his words, and Lu Qin didn't hear him clearly.
Hao Jingshi glanced in the direction of the banquet hall and said, as if to cover up his embarrassment, "It's nothing. Everyone's almost here. Let's go."
"All right."
Lu Qin asked no more questions, took his arm, and went with him.
...
Dealing with all those distant relatives was the most troublesome thing, and the Hao family had so many relatives that Lu Qin had to greet them all before she could sit down.
Once everyone had arrived, lively singing and dancing began in the hall, with the gentle sounds of string and wind instruments rising and falling. The guests enjoyed the delicious food, raising their glasses in toasts to each other in a joyful atmosphere.
As the atmosphere grew more heated, Lu Qin subtly signaled to her bodyguards that they could begin their operation.
Before long, the bribed servants of the Lu family secretly ran to deliver a false message to Aunt Zhao, saying that Lu Ming was tied up by the koi pond in the backyard and that she should find an opportunity to go and see him.
As Lu Qin had predicted, Aunt Zhao couldn't hold back any longer and immediately made an excuse to leave the banquet and go to the backyard.
When the time was almost up, Lu Qin followed along under the pretext of drinking a pregnancy-stabilizing medicine.
There is a short path leading from the banquet hall to the backyard, with pleasant scenery, which guests can take a stroll and enjoy after their meal.
The largest area in the backyard is a koi pond, with crystal-clear water that makes the fish seem to swim in mid-air.
Seeing that Aunt Zhao had arrived at the koi pond and was starting to search for Lu Ming around the courtyard and side rooms, Lu Qin quickly followed and called out to her.
"Auntie."
Hearing the shout, Aunt Zhao felt a pang of guilt and turned around.
Upon seeing Lu Qin, she smiled and said, "What brings you here, Miss? You can't leave your seat so easily, after all, you are the main character today."
Lu Qin didn't waste any words and walked straight up to her.
"Why is Auntie here all of a sudden? Could it be that she thinks my elder brother is here?"
Aunt Zhao paused.
But she quickly regained her composure and said, "What are you saying, Miss? I just drank too much in high spirits and wanted to come out to sober up."
"Really?" Lu Qin held up a hairpin in her other hand. "Does Auntie recognize this?"
Aunt Zhao took a closer look and recognized it at a glance.
But she didn't admit it was hers; instead, she sneered indirectly, "If Miss likes hairpins, your aunt will give you a few. There's no need to do something like stealing and making yourself a laughingstock."
Lu Qin smiled. It seemed that Lu Ping hadn't mentioned the chance encounter at the restaurant to Aunt Zhao. In that case, things would be much easier.
She lied, saying, "My elder brother knows he has done something wrong and is filled with remorse. He has confessed everything to me, so naturally I cannot let you see him. As for this hairpin... how did Auntie conclude that I stole it?"
Aunt Zhao snorted: "Of course the eldest young lady knows the origin of the hairpin, otherwise she wouldn't have made a special trip to show it to someone as insignificant as me."
Lu Qin shook her head: "Auntie, you're mistaken. This was given to me by your good daughter herself."
Aunt Zhao glanced at her and said, "Nonsense. This hairpin is something Ping'er cherishes. How could she have given it to you?"
“Auntie really does recognize this hairpin,” Lu Qin said. “I’m not making this up. Three days ago, Lu Ping and I ran into each other at a restaurant. She gave me this hairpin to congratulate me on my pregnancy. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her yourself.”
Seeing how vividly she described it, Aunt Zhao's eyebrows twitched, half believing and half doubting.
Lu Ping did indeed go to the restaurant three days ago to entertain the young master of the Li family.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, Lu Qin continued to bluff, "Why don't you guess what Lu Ping said to me?"
"It has nothing to do with me."
Aunt Zhao vaguely understood her intentions, so she hurriedly started to leave.
"Please make yourself at home, Miss. I'm sober now and need to go back."
“She told me everything.”
Lu Qin immediately stepped forward to block her.
"The matter of the clothing shop, and the matter of you killing my mother. Aunt Zhao, you don't think you can fool me like this forever, do you?"
Aunt Zhao froze.
She never expected that the sickly man she had completely disregarded would be so meticulous and quietly uncover the secret she had kept hidden for so many years.
After pondering for a while, she smiled foolishly and took a few steps back weakly: "Miss, you must have evidence to back up your words. After the Madam left, I have always treated you as my own daughter. Your slander of me like this really breaks my heart."
Lu Qin didn't respond, but continued staring at her, saying, "Do you want to know where Lu Ming is?"
"..."
“I’m telling you, Lu Ming is in the clothing shop. I’ve specially invited some of his creditors, and they’re torturing him right now.” Lu Qin spread her hands. “Do you think my brother can take it? Will he confess the truth?”
"you!"
Aunt Zhao then began to show a hint of fear.
She had noticed early on that since marrying into the Hao family, Lu Qin had become sharp-tongued and increasingly difficult to deal with.
She had intended to take things slowly, but to her surprise, Lu Qin was not only more cautious than before, but also managed to make her suffer many hidden losses.
She said, somewhat exasperated, "If you have evidence, you can expose me openly. There's no need to involve your older brother. I think you're just making trouble because you don't have enough evidence!"
“Of course I have witnesses and physical evidence.” Lu Qin raised the hairpin and said coldly, “I will expose the good deeds you have done in public in a moment, and see how you will still have the face to stay in the Lu family.”
Aunt Zhao simply walked around her: "I don't have time to waste with your nonsense. If you're so capable, take the evidence and go complain to your father. I'll be waiting."
She walked briskly, fearing that she would be entangled in a conspiracy. In a moment of panic, Lu Qin suddenly grabbed her hand and squeezed it tightly.
Aunt Zhao was startled and struggled to break free: "What are you doing? Let go!"
Lu Qin did not let go, continuing to delay.
According to the plan, Hao Jingshi will come to this place to find her and become the only bystander at the scene, providing cover for her.
She absolutely cannot let Aunt Zhao leave until Hao Jingshi arrives, otherwise all her efforts will be in vain.
Lu Qin grabbed Aunt Zhao with both hands, and Aunt Zhao sensed something was wrong and hurriedly shook her off.
After a few tugs and pulls, seeing that she was sticking to her like a leech, Aunt Zhao got a little angry and pushed her away abruptly.
Just then, Lu Qin saw Hao Jingshi rushing over.
Taking advantage of the opportunity, she grabbed Aunt Zhao's hand and fiercely stabbed the hairpin into her own stomach.
The momentum from the shoving caused her to stagger back to the edge of the pool.
Under Aunt Zhao's astonished gaze, Lu Qin screamed and leaned back, clutching the hairpin stained red with blood.
"thump".
Water splashed everywhere.
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