Chapter 174 The Real Culprit
Zhu's eldest daughter-in-law agreed to let her father come in person to collect the gold, so Zhou Ruiyuan waited at home.
Two or three days later, he really came.
Du Wanchun heard a knock on the door outside the courtyard, got up, went to the door, and opened it.
There stood an elderly man with graying temples.
Du Wanchun asked him, "Old man, who are you looking for?"
The old man slightly raised his eyes to look at Du Wanchun, "I've come to collect the things from the field."
Upon hearing this, Du Wanchun immediately understood that this must be the steward, Mr. Sun.
Seeing that Du Wanchun did not reply, Butler Sun asked, "Is this the Zhou family's residence?"
Du Wanchun quickly smiled and said, "That's right, this is the Zhou family's place. Please come in, sir."
She didn't immediately call Zhou Ruiyuan out, but instead welcomed Steward Sun into the house and closed the gate behind her.
Welcoming Steward Sun into the house, Du Wanchun poured him a glass of water and called into the house as she did so, "Husband, we have a guest."
Hearing the sound, Zhou Ruiyuan came to the door and peeked out through the crack. He saw it was Steward Sun, and lifted the curtain to slowly walk out.
Butler Sun was drinking tea when he looked up and saw Zhou Ruiyuan, and was suddenly startled.
"you......"
Zhou Ruiyuan raised the corners of his lips slightly and said slowly, "Butler Sun, it's been a long time."
Butler Sun looked terrified and quickly got up and walked outside.
Just then, Aunt Zhou and the Third Prince returned from outside.
Zhou Ruiyuan quickly shouted to them, "Mother, don't let him get away!"
The Third Prince recognized Steward Sun. Upon seeing him, he strode over and kicked him.
"Finally caught you!"
Butler Sun collapsed to the ground, whimpering in pain.
The Third Prince stepped forward, grabbed him, and then slammed him into the house.
Steward Sun fell to the ground, trembling with pain, and begged for mercy, "Your Highness, I was wrong, please don't kill me, I was wrong!"
The Third Prince raised his foot and stomped heavily on his back, saying, "Let's see how you run now."
After saying that, he took a rope and tied him up.
Zhou Ruiyuan slowly walked over and said, "Steward Sun, don't run away. We're not here to kill you. We just have some questions for you."
Steward Sun nodded hurriedly and said, "Your Highness, please speak, and I will tell you everything I know."
Aunt Zhou rushed over and yelled at him, "You damned Steward Sun! My parents have always treated you well, and you actually colluded with outsiders to ruin our Lu family!"
Steward Sun lowered his eyes and said through gritted teeth, "Your Majesty, I had no choice. If I didn't do this, I would lose my own life."
As she spoke, she looked around and said, "Oh, right, didn't you take the gold from the ground? I didn't dare use any of the silver. I thought I would have to pay for my sins sooner or later, so I kept it, thinking about when to return the gold to you!"
Aunt Zhou spat at him and said sternly, "You're not trying to leave any for us, are you? You're just afraid to use it yourself. You're afraid that if you use this money, those people will come looking for you, right?"
Butler Sun lowered his head, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Du Wanchun quickly came over and helped the agitated Aunt Zhou to the side.
Zhou Ruiyuan continued, "Butler Sun, as you know, the Lu family is eager to kill you. You can let us go, but you must answer my questions honestly."
Steward Sun nodded repeatedly and said, "Yes, Your Highness, please speak freely."
Zhou Ruiyuan took out a dagger and slowly walked to his side. "How did Lord Wu allow you to place the thing that framed my maternal grandfather in our Lu residence?"
Butler Sun remained silent and did not reply.
Zhou Ruiyuan pressed the tip of the dagger against Steward Sun's throat.
Steward Sun was startled and quickly said, "Your Highness, that thing wasn't given to me by Lord Wu."
"Who is that?" Zhou Ruiyuan asked coldly.
Butler Sun remained hesitant, not uttering a single word.
Zhou Ruiyuan pushed the dagger into his neck again.
The sharp tip of the knife sliced through his throat, drawing blood.
Steward Sun was shocked and hurriedly said, "Your Highness, wait, I'll talk, I'll talk."
Zhou Ruiyuan patted him on the shoulder, "Don't try to play tricks on me, my patience has its limits."
Steward Sun trembled with fear and stammered, "Your Highness, it was the Emperor, the Emperor sent me to release them."
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