Chapter 255: Chapter 255: Taken to the Ministry of Justice

When government officers surrounded the second branch’s residence, Lu Jingsi looked exceptionally grim.

"This is absurd! How could my daughter commit matricide? She’s already died once. Are you trying to hound her to her death again?"

"Second Master Lu, no one is saying Lu Lan committed matricide. I am merely investigating this case under imperial decree. Please do not obstruct my official duties! In this case, Lu Lan is a key suspect and must come with me to assist in the investigation," Ouyang Lei said sternly, presenting his token.

"If that’s the case, Aunt Xu died in Yaoguang Pavilion. As the master of Yaoguang Pavilion, Zhi Wan is also a key suspect. What do you have to say about that, Junior Minister Ouyang?" Lu Jingsi sneered.

Ouyang Lei said flatly, "Miss Zhi will, of course, also be accompanying me to the Ministry of Justice to cooperate with the investigation. That is no concern of yours, Second Master Lu. Men! Carry Miss Lu Si to the Ministry of Justice!"

The government officers below immediately stepped forward, intending to carry Lu Lan away from the bed.

"You brutes, have you no sense of propriety? My daughter is an unmarried young lady! It’s bad enough you’ve brazenly barged into her chambers, but now you want to lay your hands on her? Are you trying to ruin her marriage prospects?" Lu Jingsi stepped forward, spreading his arms to block the officers, his face a mask of fury.

Ouyang Lei remained unprovoked. "I was only having my men carry Miss Lu Si out of consideration for her frail condition, as she has only just awoken. If you object, then please have Miss Lu Si walk to the Ministry of Justice on her own."

Hearing this, Lu Jingsi’s expression soured, but he could offer no rebuttal.

On the bed, Lu Lan huddled under the covers, her face pale. A bandage was still wrapped around her forehead, making her look fragile, pitiful, and helpless.

Seeing her father’s predicament, she spoke in a hoarse voice. "I... I’ll walk myself..." With that, she pushed aside the covers and struggled to sit up.

Perhaps because of her head injury, a wave of dizziness washed over her as she rose, and she nearly collapsed back onto the bed.

Old Madam Lu steadied her, her face etched with sorrow. "This is a travesty! It was clearly that orphan girl who committed this evil act, yet our Lan’er is the one who must suffer for it. She has already lost her birth mother, why must she endure this torment?"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Lei barely managed to stop himself from rolling his eyes.

’Aside from Lu Jun, there isn’t a single sane person in this second branch. And Old Madam Lu is hopelessly muddled.’

To avoid a conflict of interest in the Lu Family’s case, Lu Zhan had reported it to the Emperor and recused himself. However, when Mr. Chen handed the case over to Ouyang Lei, he had already explained all the details.

’In truth, the case was full of holes. Anyone who wasn’t blind and deaf could see that Lu Lan was a key suspect and very likely the one who had murdered Aunt Xu.’

’But for some reason, Lu Jingsi and Old Madam Lu were acting as if they were blind and deaf, brazenly favoring and shielding Lu Lan.’

Just then, Lady Lou entered with several matrons.

She gave Lu Jingsi a sarcastic look. "Afraid of damaging her reputation, are we? Then it shouldn’t be a problem if *they* carry her, right?"

Lu Jingsi’s expression changed. He grabbed her arm and hissed, "Are you out of your mind?"

"*You’re* the one who’s out of their mind! Keeping a cruel, heartless monster who killed her own mother in this house! You may have a death wish, but I certainly don’t," Lady Lou retorted furiously.

"You foolish woman! You believe everything outsiders say? Don’t you know what Lan’er is like? She wouldn’t even step on an ant! How could she possibly commit matricide? Are you trying to destroy the second branch?" Lu Jingsi was seething. "Jun’er has his imperial examinations next year! If you aren’t afraid of jeopardizing them, then by all means, keep making a scene!"

Lady Lou had been furious, but she faltered upon hearing that her son’s examinations could be affected.

Lu Jun, who had followed them in, happened to overhear Lu Jingsi’s words. He frowned and said gravely, "If Lu Lan truly did kill Aunt Xu, then she deserves to be severely punished. We should not be shielding her for fear of affecting my examinations!"

At his words, Lady Lou’s resolve hardened. She ordered the matrons, "Take Miss Si to the Ministry of Justice!"

"Yes!"

The matrons acknowledged the order, moved forward, and lifted Lu Lan onto a prepared wooden plank, ready to carry her out.

"Do you have no respect for me? All of you, stand down!" Lu Jingsi roared.

"Second Master Lu is obstructing an official investigation by the Ministry of Justice. I will be sure to report this to the Emperor," Ouyang Lei said coolly.

Hearing this, Lu Jingsi froze for a moment before finally taking a step back.

A flicker of sarcasm flashed in the eyes of Lu Lan, who was lying on the wooden plank.

’Just as I expected,’ she thought. ’When his career is on the line, my father won’t hesitate to sacrifice me.’

Ouyang Lei had just led his men to the front courtyard when he saw Lu Zhan, Zhi Wan, and Lady Wei standing there.

He paused, looking somewhat awkward, but still stepped forward and spoke in an official tone. "My Lord, by order of the Emperor, I am to take full charge of the case at the Lu Residence. As one of the suspects, Miss Zhi must accompany me to the Ministry of Justice to assist with the investigation."

Before Lu Zhan could speak, Zhi Wan stepped forward. "Junior Minister Ouyang, I was waiting here precisely to cooperate with the investigation. I will go with you."

At her words, Ouyang Lei glanced at Lu Zhan’s face.

Seeing that his expression was still calm, he relaxed slightly. He walked over and said in a low voice, "I’ll take good care of our cousin. Don’t worry."

Lu Zhan nodded. "With you there, I have nothing to worry about."

Just as Ouyang Lei was about to say more, Lady Wei suddenly grabbed his arm and pulled him aside.

"Leizi, I’ll have to ask you to look after my Wan’er," Lady Wei urged in a low voice.

"Rest assured, Aunt. I’ll handle everything. I guarantee not a single hair on cousin Zhi Wan’s head will be harmed," Ouyang Lei promised.

"Then I can rest easy." Lady Wei nodded, then walked to Zhi Wan’s side and gently touched her neck.

Although medicine had been applied, Lu Lan had been ruthless when she’d choked her, so a ring of bluish-purple fingerprints still marked her skin.

Lady Wei’s heart ached, but she was helpless.

She reached out to hug Zhi Wan and said softly, "Don’t be afraid, Wan’er. I’ve already spoken with Leizi. He’ll look out for you."

"Don’t worry, Aunt. I’ll be fine," Zhi Wan said reassuringly.

"Mm." Lady Wei nodded firmly.

’Based on the current evidence, Lu Lan was the one who killed Aunt Xu; it has nothing to do with Wan’er. Now, all they need to do is find that maidservant, and Lu Lan can be convicted.’

As Zhi Wan followed Ouyang Lei and his men out of the Duke Dingguo Mansion, she couldn’t help but glance back. She saw that her cousin had followed her out and was standing on the steps, watching her from a distance.

Their eyes met, and though no words were spoken, a silent understanding flowed between them.

"Miss Zhi, please board the carriage," Ouyang Lei said formally, but the smile in his eyes held a clear hint of teasing.

’If that maid Zhenzhu hadn’t told him, he’d have never known Old Lu had his sights set on cousin Zhi Wan for so long—and that they were getting married at the end of next month.’

’Tsk, tsk. Old Lu, that beast, actually made a move on his own cousin!’

Zhi Wan snapped back to her senses, her face growing warm. She quickly averted her gaze and boarded the carriage.

She rode in one carriage by herself, while Lu Lan rode in another, guarded by the matrons.

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Lu Zhan gave Jiang Shi a low-voiced command. "You must find Huan’er before anyone else does!"

"Yes, sir," Jiang Shi responded respectfully.