The prefect glanced at him and thought the couple was ridiculously calm. Normal people would be angry even if they were wronged in this situation, but the couple acted as if it were none of their business, making the two Ouyang brothers look like clowns.
However, he didn't say much. He was there to investigate the case and went in to check the situation himself.
He knew how favored Lu Baichuan was now, and that he couldn't afford to offend him. Besides, the other party didn't seem like the type to resort to violence. He had to investigate this matter thoroughly, hoping to curry favor with Lu Baichuan and then speak well of him to the emperor when he returned.
The prefect was quite adept at investigating cases; he isolated everyone and interrogated them separately, getting them to reveal everything that had happened the previous night.
After asking around, it turned out that it was Ouyang Hao who discovered the assassin. He said he was worried that his father wouldn't be able to sleep, so he came to keep watch, but he saw the assassin jump out of the window and leave. He then described the assassin's figure.
He described Lu Baichuan exactly as he did.
"You could have just said you saw Lu Baichuan's face directly."
Jiang Jiuniang laughed sarcastically. She knew in her heart that the two brothers were staging their own show, but without solid evidence, she could only listen to them brag.
The matter is quite simple: he just needs to find the real assassin and prove his innocence.
But that person was too mysterious and rarely showed up, making him very difficult to figure out. Lu Baichuan had been keeping an eye on him for the past few days but had not received any news.
"It was him all along! You had an argument with my father yesterday, and then you killed him last night. You...you are utterly heartless!"
Ouyang Hao pointed at Jiang Jiuniang, looking as if he wanted to make her a widow, a far cry from his previous pitiful appearance when he begged her to save his son.
"Fine, since that's the case, then we'll have a verbal argument with you now. Remember to lock the doors and windows tonight, or you'll be the one who dies."
Lu Baichuan glanced at him coldly, as if he were already a dead man.
Ouyang Hao shuddered, fearing that Lu Baichuan would really retaliate against him.
Ouyang Jing gave Ouyang Hao a meaningful look, but his gaze was blocked by Lu Baichuan, who said meaningfully, "Seriously speaking, I have a grudge against both of you brothers. If I were to take action, I would definitely wipe you out in one fell swoop."
As he spoke, he gave Ouyang Jing a warning look.
Some people are capable of anything to achieve their goals, such as murdering their own father and brothers.
Unlike Ouyang Hao, Ouyang Jing was not cowardly and said directly, "Then we'll see if you have the ability."
After the prefect finished his inspection, he saw that they were about to fight again, so he stepped forward and advised, "Before the matter is investigated, it would be best if you all refrained from suspecting each other. I will send people to investigate the case carefully and will definitely give you all an explanation."
Then, he looked at Lu Baichuan and said, "In that case, the general's family will not be able to leave Quanzhou for the time being."
Lu Baichuan nodded in agreement, and his attitude towards the prefect was quite good.
Back at the inn, Lu Baichuan ate a simple meal and carried two flatbreads with him in his pocket to tide him over when he got hungry, before heading out again.
Both Ouyang brothers will make a move tonight, but Lu Baichuan feels that Ouyang Jing's situation is more attractive, so he chooses to stake out Ouyang Jing.
Ouyang Jing said he was going to keep vigil for his father, but he left shortly after Lu Baichuan's family left. He first found a female doctor to treat his daughter's injuries, and didn't mention anything else.
Ouyang Zhen, who couldn't contain herself, couldn't help but ask, "Father, was Grandfather killed by my uncle? The way he looked, it was as if the words 'the thief cries 'stop thief!' were written all over his face."
As she said this, Ouyang Zhen's face was full of disdain. She always felt that her uncle was useless and always wanted to compare himself with her family. This matter was also full of loopholes. If it was really found out, she couldn't let it implicate their family.
Ouyang Jing pondered for a moment, then replied seriously, "Not entirely."
He made a special trip there today to confirm his suspicions, and he actually found some clues that it was that person's men who did it.
The second brother's demeanor clearly indicated that he knew the truth, and it was probably something they had planned beforehand.
I never expected that the second son would do something like this just to compete with him.
He clenched his fists tightly, feeling somewhat angry.
The old man had always treated his second son very well, but he never expected his second son to do something like this. So don't blame him for being ruthless.
They are all the old man's sons, so naturally he wants the old man's property as well.
The second son's family enjoyed so much for so many years, but now they've brought about their own destruction. It's as if even God is helping them.
"Father, what do you plan to do?"
Ouyang Zhen looked at Ouyang Jing with anticipation in her eyes.
If her family handles things well this time, that person will definitely look at her differently, and might even make time to see her more often in the future. She must work hard.
"Don't worry, I have a plan."
He casually brushed his daughter off, saying there were some things he couldn't tell her.
His wife agreed with his idea and did not ask him about these things in person, but simply acted as a virtuous wife and loving mother who did not concern herself with worldly affairs.
On a dark and windy night, he went out alone, heading towards the Zhao family's gambling den.
Lu Baichuan followed quietly, without anyone noticing.
Sure enough, the man was in the gambling den, seemingly having anticipated Ouyang Jing's arrival, waiting for him in a private room.
The hall was very noisy, with people placing bets loudly, and no one noticed Ouyang Jing when he came in.
Lu Baichuan didn't follow him in, but watched from outside which room he entered before cautiously approaching.
"You've arrived."
As soon as Ouyang Jing entered, the man had his back to him, his voice was deep, and he gave people an inexplicable sense of oppression.
"Master, why did you attack my father?"
Instead of answering, the man asked, "What, feeling sorry for you? When he drove you and your family of three away back then, did he feel sorry for you? Don't forget who helped you and saved your whole family back then."
Ouyang Jing gritted his teeth and asked again, "What benefits did the master give my second brother to make him willingly participate?"
"Since when did it become your place to meddle in my affairs?"
The man's tone was tinged with amusement, yet it still sent chills down one's spine.
Ouyang Jing shivered and hurriedly knelt down: "This subordinate dares not."
The man waved his hand and said, "Alright, it's just one chance anyway. We'll see if he has the ability. Why are you in such a hurry? Do you not have any confidence in yourself?"
"Use this incident to shift the blame to Lu Baichuan and find a way to get what I want. As long as you do a good job, no one can ever replace you."
"By the way, if necessary, we can shift the blame onto your good brother. Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?"
These words gave Ouyang Jing a clue. It turned out his master was cultivating a scapegoat for him; indeed, his master valued him the most.
A smile instantly spread across his face: "My lord is wise!"
The flu has broken out, and I'm sick again. I went to get an IV drip yesterday, and afterwards my fingers started shaking uncontrollably. Even typing is painful. I'm so frustrated... I'm on the verge of tears. Once I recover, I'm going to lose weight, I'm going to exercise, and I'm going to boost my immunity... sob sob...
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