Lu Yu'e saw this.
She quickly pulled Zhou Wenbin and Zhou Yaozu back, shouting shrilly, "I'm a married woman! I'm no longer a member of the Marquis's family! My husband is the Vice Minister of Rites, and has nothing to do with our Lu family!"
The leading general glanced at her coldly, then tossed out a file: "Lu Jin's sister, Lu Yu'e, and her husband, Zhou Wenbin, abused their positions to pass messages to Lu Jin and collude with Consort Chen's relatives. The evidence is here! Arrest them both!"
Zhou Wenbin was so frightened that his legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground: "I'm innocent! I didn't do it!"
Lu Jin was held down by two imperial guards, and he heard the list of crimes he was charged with—colluding with the deposed crown prince's former subordinates, embezzling military funds, framing loyal officials...
Every single charge pointed to him, and he was so enraged that his eyes turned bloodshot. He struggled and roared, "I didn't! These are all slanders! I refuse to accept this! I demand to see His Majesty!"
"Hmph, the evidence is conclusive, it won't change anything even if we go before the Emperor!" the general sneered. "Take him away!"
The imperial guards dragged the crying and struggling crowd away.
Lin Peirou completely broke down, shouting incoherently, "It wasn't me! It was all Lu Jin's doing! I don't know anything!"
Lu Yu'e screamed, "Let me go! I am the family member of an official of the imperial court! You can't treat me like this!"
Lu Jin was pinned down by the Imperial Guards and could not move. He saw that Lin Peirou was also forcibly tied up.
The trigger for all of this was Shen Qingtang's seemingly unintentional remark, which instantly enraged him, causing him to shout, "Shen Qingtang! You vicious woman! What did Rou'er ever do to you that you would do this to her!"
Jiaojiao, nestled in her wet nurse's arms, also screamed, her little face full of resentment: "You wicked woman! How could I have such a vicious mother! You're the one who ruined Father and Aunt! You're a jinx!"
Shen Qingtang heard this.
Her heart felt like it had been gently pricked by a needle. Yes, how much effort had she poured into this child? She had taught her to speak and walk, and at night she had gotten up countless times to check on her, afraid she would kick off the covers.
They saved the best ingredients and the sweetest treats for him... but in the end, they raised a thankless wretch.
Or perhaps it's the illegitimate child of an enemy.
The last vestiges of warmth from the past were instantly crushed by hatred.
Shen Qingtang's eyes turned cold. She stepped forward and slapped Jiao Jiao across the face again.
"Smack!" The sound was crisp and loud. Jiao Jiao was hit so hard that her head turned to the side, and blood immediately trickled from the corner of her mouth.
"How dare you hit my granddaughter!" Upon seeing this, Lu's mother struggled like a madwoman, but was restrained by the Imperial Guards.
Still glaring at Shen Qingtang with bloodshot eyes, she said, "I'm going to kill you, you bitch!" As she spoke, she broke free from the grasp of an imperial guard and lunged at Shen Qingtang with her cane in hand.
Shen Qingtang stepped aside, a calculating glint in her eyes, and raised her voice, "My lord, please look! Even now, this old lady is still putting on airs as the mistress of the Marquis's mansion, attacking an official of the imperial court. Does she not take the Emperor's decree seriously?"
These words struck a nerve with the commanding general.
He was already dissatisfied with the arrogance of these noble ladies, and now, reminded by Shen Qingtang, his face darkened, and he shouted sternly, "Insolence! How dare you act so wildly in front of the Imperial Guards! You really don't know what's good for you!"
Before he could finish speaking...
One of his guards had already raised his whip and lashed out, the whip striking Lu's mother hard on the back with a "crack".
Lu's mother screamed and staggered to the ground, a red and swollen welt instantly appearing on her back.
"If you dare to resist again, don't blame me for being impolite!" the general said coldly.
Lu's mother was trembling with pain, looking at Shen Qingtang's calm appearance.
Only then did he belatedly realize that he had been used as a tool by his usually "docile" daughter-in-law to kill him.
She was so angry that her vision blurred, but she dared not move again and could only lie on the ground groaning.
Lu Jin watched as his mother was beaten, his daughter was slapped, and Lin Peirou was tied up.
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