Une jeunesse errante

Chapitre 114

Xu Yun stared at her with surprise and uncertainty.

Madam Lu was furious and stood up, saying, "Let's go."

Supported by her arm, Xu Yun, amidst Liu Mei's maniacal laughter, trembled as she walked out of the room. A personal bodyguard approached and bowed, saying, "Madam?"

"Go over there," Madam Lu ordered Xu Yun.

Xu Yun cautiously walked to the side, then turned back. Madam Lu seemed to be giving instructions to the person. She couldn't help but look at the window with the lit candle, and her heart felt as if it had fallen into an ice cave, so cold. She watched the person go in, watched the candle in the window suddenly go out, and an extreme fear suddenly rose from the depths of her heart.

The man came out, bowed, and said, "Madam, Miss Liu has hanged herself and ascended to heaven."

Xu Yun's mind went blank for a moment, and her body swayed, almost causing her to fall.

Footsteps sounded outside, and a burly man entered to report: "Madam, please return to Yixin Garden as soon as possible. I heard that an assassination attempt occurred at the Second Lord's residence. Lin Feng was assassinated, and his fate is currently unknown. The Lord of the Fortress has already received the news, and I believe the Fortress will soon be sealed off inside and out."

Madam Lu commanded, "Return to the manor?"

The attendants helped them into soft slings, lifted them up, and hurried away as if fleeing something. Leaving the Plum Garden, they rushed towards the Joyful Heart Garden, escorted by their attendants. Although they tried their best to avoid the patrolling guards, they still bumped into Liu Xicheng.

Liu Xicheng asked in surprise, "Madam, what are you doing here so late?"

Madam Lu forced herself to be alert and asked, "What happened? Why are there guards everywhere?"

Liu Xicheng said, "Reporting to Madam, Lord Lin the Second has been assassinated. I heard that his injuries are very serious, and the Lord of the Fortress has personally gone to visit him. We are here on orders to search for suspicious persons."

"Understood. Go and attend to your business," Madam Lu commanded. "Return to the manor."

The attendants carried the soft-sided bag away as quickly as possible. Liu Xicheng watched the hurried group, his heart filled with doubt.

According to the doctor's report, although Lin Feng's injuries were serious, fortunately his heart was not damaged, and with careful recuperation, he would be able to recover soon. Lu Qingcheng was relieved. After making some further arrangements, she left the Lin residence and returned to the Shuxiang Courtyard, escorted by Cai Zhonghe, Li Anguo, and their personal attendants. Qing Jianyue, holding the white fox, stood eagerly waiting at the gate. Seeing them return, she felt a great sense of relief.

"How is the Second Lord?"

Upon entering the hall, Qing Jianyue put down the white fox, reached out to help him take off his cloak, and then took Cai Zhonghe's cloak.

"Judging from the doctor's words, you should be fine." Lu Qingcheng sat down and glanced at the charcoal stove burning brightly on the ground. "I'm sorry to have troubled you. I told them not to wake you up, but they still woke you up."

Qing Jianyue brought over hot tea, first handing a cup to Lu Qingcheng, and said with a smile, "I thought that the Lord of the Fortress would definitely not be able to sleep tonight, so I had them burn the stove brighter to make it easier for you to carry out your business." She then handed a cup to Cai Zhonghe, "Handsome brother, have you caught the assassin?"

Cai Zhonghe took the hot tea and said, "The assassin escaped. According to the only eyewitness, Luo Yuting, the assassin only used one move to take down Lin Feng."

Kiyoshi bent down and picked up the white fox that was scratching at him with its claws, exclaiming in surprise, "With Lin Feng's skills, how could he be so easily defeated?"

Cai Zhonghe said, "That's the key."

Suddenly, a report came from outside, interrupting their conversation. "Chief Supervisor Su and Chief Supervisor Zhou request an audience."

"Please invite them in," Lu Qingcheng said.

The cotton curtain was lifted, and Su Haibo and Zhou Peng entered. After exchanging greetings, they took their seats according to their seniority. Qing Jianyue placed the lazy, sulking white fox on Lu Qingcheng's lap and hurriedly went to pour tea.

Lu Qingcheng said, "The two senior managers have also arrived."

Su Haibo said, "How can I sleep soundly after such a major event?"

Zhou Peng asked, "Fourth Lord, have the assassins been captured?"

Cai Zhonghe said, "We are discussing this matter. According to Luo Yuting, this assassin's swordsmanship is as fast as lightning, unpredictable, and extremely terrifying."

After handing tea to Su Haibo and Zhou Peng, Qing Jianyue immediately pressed, "Who exactly is the assassin?"

Cai Zhonghe said, "Luo Yuting said it was Xu Lan."

Kiyoshi's expression froze, and Su Haibo and Zhou Peng were taken aback.

Holding the tray, Qing Jianyue frowned, pondered for a moment, and then looked at Lu Qingcheng with concern. Lu Qingcheng stroked the white fox listlessly, his head slightly lowered as if deep in thought. From his profile, he appeared very calm, without the anger Qing Jianyue had feared. His calm demeanor seemed so profound, lonely, stubborn, and lofty… Qing Jianyue was unconsciously mesmerized, captivated. His entranced, foolish expression was all seen by Cai Zhonghe, making his heart even more weary.

This scene of the three people was unexpectedly witnessed by Su Haibo and Zhou Peng.

The atmosphere in the living room only returned to normal when voices could be heard outside. Cai Bo'an entered. Lu Qingcheng asked, "How did the questioning go?"

Cai Bo'an said, "Luo Yuting insisted that the assassin was Xu Lan."

No one said anything after hearing that.

Lu Qingcheng pondered for a moment and asked, "What does the Grand Enforcer mean?"

Cai Bo'an said, "I feel there is something strange about this matter. Please allow me to summon Xu Lan for questioning, Lord."

Lu Qingcheng thought for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Where is Qingfeng? As the Grand Lord, why is he nowhere to be seen when such a major event has occurred in the fortress?"

Everyone looked puzzled, and no one answered.

Lu Qingcheng added, "It's fine to summon Xu Lan for questioning, but don't disturb Mother."

"Your subordinate obeys."

As Cai Bo'an emerged from the Shuxiang Academy, he encountered Liu Xicheng.

Liu Xicheng said, "Your Excellency, Miss Liu from Plum Garden is dead."

Cai Bo'an was taken aback, and hesitated before asking, "You mean Liu Mei?"

"Yes." Liu Xicheng said, "There is something I don't know whether I should report. When I was on patrol tonight, I encountered Madam Lu. Her hurried and flustered appearance was really suspicious. After investigating, I found out that Madam Lu came from Plum Garden."

Cai Bo'an's expression immediately turned serious, and he instructed, "I understand. Don't tell anyone about this."

Liu Xicheng nodded hurriedly and said, "Your subordinate understands."