Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 129: Extra 2
Early the next morning, Lu Yan went to the Jingzhao Prefecture.
As soon as he entered, he saw Sun Xu sighing over some documents.
Lu Yan walked over and asked, “Lord Sun, what’s troubling you?”
Sun Xu sighed and said, “The daughter of Secretary Lang Tong Jingnian, Tong Family’s Eleventh Young Lady, has gone missing. This was just reported by the county office. I have a bad feeling about it.”
Meng Wei, who was nearby, added, “Seven bodies in six counties. The Ministry of Justice sent people to question the families and found no connections among them, ruling out revenge as a motive.”
Lu Yan took the file and said gravely, “Any actions from the Ministry of Justice?”
Meng Wei replied in a low voice, “Lord Yao has assigned people to monitor several eunuchs in the capital who are known to be indiscreet.”
So far, the biggest clue in the case came from autopsy reports.
Although the women’s chests, hips, and waists had severe injuries, the autopsies revealed no signs of rape. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice first suspected some powerful eunuchs within the court.
Sun Xu shook his head. “This case is extremely difficult. Our court has 2,000 eunuchs, and at least 300 hold positions of rank seven or higher.”
Lieutenant Lu added, “This involves the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Palace Bureau, the Servant Bureau, the Imperial Treasury, and others. If we investigate thoroughly, the court might descend into chaos.”
Lieutenant Lu scoffed, “They’re bold because they know the numbers work in their favor. These people always seem polite on the surface but are strange underneath. If we point the finger at them with these flimsy clues, they’ll unite in defense.”
As they spoke, Yang Zong came in with two officers.
The shorter officer reported, “Reporting to the lords, we inquired at various districts. The eldest son of the Xu family has been drinking nonstop at Zui Xi Lou these past days and hasn’t left.”
At that, Sun Xu’s eyes widened. “Lord Lu suspects Xu Wei?”
“Only a suspicion,” Lu Yan said, glancing at the officer. “There’s no evidence yet.”
Lieutenant Lu drew a sharp breath. “With the Xu family in its current state, would he really dare act so recklessly?”
Lu Yan replied, “Many high-ranking eunuchs have women in their households, and they’ve lived in peace for years. There’s no reason to suddenly stir trouble now.”
Sun Xu frowned. “Then why would he do this? To provoke tensions between us and the eunuchs?”
Lu Yan continued, “It might not be that complicated. Xu Wei’s impotence is no secret. When Prime Minister Xu was in power, people may have avoided talking about it, but now that the Xu family has fallen—”
Lieutenant Lu cut in, “The aristocratic heirs who’ve long hated the Xu family might be stabbing him in the heart while he’s down.”
Meng Wei considered it. “When we did the autopsies yesterday, all the women’s pubic bones had been shattered by wooden rods. I recall, the same was said of Xu Wei…”
Sun Xu ground his teeth. “But he was at the Golden Tower the whole time! And there are witnesses!”
Just then, another officer rushed in, shouting, “Another body found—!”
Exactly what they feared.
It was indeed Tong Family’s Eleventh Young Lady.
Lu Yan said quietly, “Go to the Tong residence. Tell Tong Jingnian we’ve found her and ask for his cooperation with the investigation.”
Madam Tong wept bitterly at the Jingzhao Prefecture.
After examining the body, the coroner shook his head. “Same cause of death, but the marks around the neck suggest varying finger sizes—possibly not the same person.”
Lu Yan twisted the ring on his finger and turned to Yang Zong. “How’s the investigation on Prince Teng?”
Yang Zong answered in a low voice, “Prince Teng recently went to the Golden Tower with Lord Suning and had an argument with Tong Family’s Fourth Son.”
At the mention of Prince Teng, everyone’s face turned grim.
During the Lantern Festival, Prince Teng had publicly caused a death without a second thought, and just two days later, he strolled out of Jingzhao Prefecture unscathed.
Even Lu Yan’s audience with the Emperor yielded nothing.
Lu Yan had reported the matter to Emperor Chengyuan.
The Emperor frowned and tapped his knee repeatedly. After a long pause, he said, “Drunken misconduct—utterly disgraceful! Lu Yan, I will personally reprimand him. You may let him go for now.”
Lu Yan understood instantly.
The matter was to be swept under the rug.
From prince to crown prince to emperor, Emperor Chengyuan had blood on his hands. It had taken him over a decade to secure the realm, but now the princes had grown up. With age came ambition, and history was starting to repeat itself.
The Third Prince stockpiled private troops with intentions of rebellion. The Sixth Prince colluded with foreign ministers in treasonous acts.
Compared to them, Prince Teng—who merely caused trouble while drunk—was far less threatening.
In short, what royalty fears isn’t madness—it’s delusion.
Lieutenant Lu slammed the table. “Prince Teng again? Are they going to let it go this time too? Some of those girls were only fourteen!”
Meng Wei asked, “Shall we bring Xu Wei in for questioning?”
Lu Yan said, “If we call him in now, we’ll get nothing and only alert the real culprit.”
Sun Xu sighed, “I thought this was a great mystery. Now I see—it’s merely a bold crime with no fear of consequence. As long as no one at the Golden Tower talks, they’re untouchable.”
After a long silence, Lu Yan turned to Yang Zong. “Bring Shen Lan out of prison for questioning.”
Shen Lan—Shen Zhen’s infamous aunt—must know something.
Half an hour later, Lu Yan sat across from Shen Lan.
Last May, Lu Yan and Sun Xu had shut down an illegal casino in Chongren Lane. Shen Lan was pushed forward by Lord Suning to take the blame and sentenced to five years.
Once the elegant Lady Suning, now in prison garb, hair matted, eyes dull, grinning constantly like a madwoman. Lord Suning had visited several times, and she acted the same each time.
But Lu Yan knew—she wasn’t insane.
She was protecting herself.
“The official seal at Lishan Villa—has Lord Lu retrieved it?” Shen Lan asked, no longer pretending, with a slight smile.
Lu Yan replied, “I have.”
Last time, he had drugged her to extract details about Shen Wenqi’s massive debt and the seal’s location.
Shen Lan tilted her head. “What else do you want to know, Lord Lu? No need for drugs this time—just ask.”
“The Golden Tower,” Lu Yan said softly. “You mentioned once you overheard Lord Suning, Prince Teng, and Xu Wei talking there. Did you go in through the front door or through a hidden passage?”
Shen Lan’s pupils contracted. Feigning calm, she said, “Naturally the front door. What hidden passage?”
Lu Yan got to the point. “Tell me where the Golden Tower’s hidden passage is. Redeem yourself, and I’ll make sure you’re released by year’s end.”
She took a deep breath. “Next year, the Emperor will hold a grand sacrifice ceremony outside the capital. Then, unless one’s crimes are truly heinous, most will be pardoned. I can wait another year.”
Lu Yan said flatly, “You can wait—but I fear Xie Peng can’t.”
The mention of her son made Shen Lan’s heart tremble.
Lu Yan added, “Lord Suning remarried a Lady Wang last September. She’s now five months pregnant.”
That was enough.
Household matters—Shen Lan understood them better than Lu Yan ever could.
Xie Peng was Lord Suning’s legitimate heir. Even if he had ten sons with his new wife, the title should pass to Xie Peng.
That was why Shen Lan took the blame before.
She didn’t want Lord Suning to lose his title.
But now?
If she were Lady Wang, could she tolerate a stepson with no mother and no favor?
If Lady Wang had no children, she might play the part of the dutiful wife. But now, Xie Peng was a threat.
Shen Lan clenched her fists and whispered, “Why investigate the Golden Tower now?”
Lu Yan pushed the case file toward her. After reading it, Shen Lan turned pale.
Eight lives, plus the Golden Tower’s secret—enough to strip Lord Suning of his title. The Emperor would protect Prince Teng for the royal family’s reputation.
But not the Xu or Xie families.
Lu Yan said, “Lord Suning won’t keep his title. If you speak now, I’ll send you and Xie Peng out of Chang’an. You won’t be caught in the fallout.”
Shen Lan asked quietly, “Why should I trust you?”
Lu Yan replied, “I married Shen Zhen. By seniority, I should call you Aunt.”
Shen Lan inhaled deeply and stayed silent for a long while.
By dusk, Lu Yan personally ordered the Golden Tower surrounded—but was stopped by the ambush troops of Prince Teng.
Lu Yan said to Yang Zong, “There’s a hidden passage behind the painting by Wang Luo at the corner of the first floor. Take your men in.”
Prince Teng came downstairs and shouted, “Lu Yan, I’m still your uncle—haven’t you had enough?”
Lu Yan handed him a search warrant.
It bore Lu Yan’s signature.
“Your Highness, save your words for the Emperor.”
