Contentment with modest wealth

Chapter 275 Uninvited Guest

“That’s right,” He Qu nodded heavily, “Only Minister Lu led a group there, and they stayed for a quarter of an hour or two before coming out.”

Lu Jia's heart skipped a beat: "What's he going there for?"

The news of the Liu family being sued had spread like wildfire throughout the city; Lu Jie couldn't possibly be unaware of it. His visit to the Ministry of Works at this critical juncture was definitely related to the case. Therefore, it was highly likely that he had taken what they wanted!
It's common knowledge that Lu Jie and the Yan family are in cahoots. But he's a high-ranking official; would he really go and run errands for the Yan family himself?

"Young Master, Young Madam!" Just as Shen Qingzhou was frowning, Tang Yu returned. "Yan Liang also went to the Ministry of Works just now!"

Lu Jia paused: "Yan Liang?"

"That's right. He first went to the Ministry of Revenue, presumably to look for Lord Lu, but he didn't find him, so he hurriedly went to the Ministry of Works."

"Upon arriving, he immediately found the Left Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works, and after exchanging a few words, he turned around and left, returning to the Yan residence even faster than he had come!"

The courtyard became quieter than if no one were there.

If Lu Jie took the items for the Yan family, then why did the Yan family send Yan Liang to the Ministry of Works?
"Where is Lord Lu?" Shen Qingzhou suddenly looked at Tang Yu.

"He has now returned to the Lu residence!"

"Then Jiajia, can you still order around the gatekeeper of the Lu residence?"

Lu Jia was stunned and said, "Of course, I chose all of them!"

“Very well,” Shen Qingzhou instructed Tang Yu, “Take a few people to the Lu residence and keep Lord Lu company. I will pay my respects to him after dark!”

Lu Jia watched Tang Yu retreat in an instant, then looked at Shen Qingzhou: "Are you so sure my father will hand it over?"

She knew that Lu Jie would not harm her or deliberately oppose her, but he had kidnapped Granny Du and only handed her back at the very end.

Throughout all these battles, Lu Jia has always been the one in charge and leading the charge. Who knows what he's thinking right now?

"How will we know if we don't try?" Shen Qingzhou's gaze deepened. "Jiajia, I have a feeling that your father might not be what we think he is."

……

When Yan Liang returned to Yan Song's study, everyone was still there.

He let the servants at the door come in, called Yan Shu out, and then said, "The item was not found; its whereabouts are unknown."

Yan Shu frowned: "Doesn't the Ministry of Works conduct its inventory on schedule?"

“There have been regular inventory checks; the most recent one I saw was ten days ago.”

"How could it have disappeared?!"

Yan Shuqing couldn't help but raise his voice.

Yan Liang paused for a moment, then said slowly, "I asked the people at the Ministry of Works, and they said that Uncle Lu went there early this morning."

"Him?" Yan Shu's eyes suddenly flashed. "What is he going to do?"

"Request the Right Vice Minister to provide a list of river transport projects that have been involved with the Ministry of Revenue in recent years."

Yan Shu frowned and stared at him for a moment: "Did he take the missing item?"

Yan Liang's voice softened further: "It is said that when the Right Vice Minister went inside to retrieve the list, he made him sit outside for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."

Yan Shu gazed ahead, then put his hands behind his back: "Prepare the sedan chair, let's go to the Lu residence!"

……

When Yang Bonong entered, there were two files on the desk in front of Lu Jie, one stamped with the Ministry of Revenue's seal and the other with the Ministry of Works' seal.

He suddenly turned around, closed the door, and strode closer: "Did you succeed?"

He quickly flipped through the two files, his eyes lighting up. But then the light faded: "It was a risky move after all. There was absolutely no time to cover it up; the Yan family will likely become suspicious very soon."

Lu Jie's brows furrowed, his eyes unfathomably deep: "The Six Ministries are heavily guarded. The items are locked in the Ministry of Works. To get them, you first need to enter the ministries." Yang Bonong paused for a moment: "I heard that when Lord Cheng and his group went to the Ministry of Works just now, they brought quite a few people with them. Among them were several familiar faces. They recognized them as guards from the Shen family."

"It seems that Jia'er's thoughts are the same as yours."

"If the guards of the Shen family took these today, the Yan family will definitely trace it back to the Shen family."

"If Grand Commandant Shen knew what Jia'er had done, his situation would be even more dangerous."

"But the adults rushed to take this risk, and I'm worried—"

A quarter of an hour earlier, he had received news that Yan Liang was rushing to the Ministry of Works.

He believed that Lu Jie already knew as well.

For so many years they have been extremely cautious, even managing to deceive the Jiang family, who had been under their noses for over a decade. They never expected Lu Jia to suddenly strike without the knowledge of the Su and Liu families.

Of course, Liu Zheng had also become a major concern for Lu Jie, and Lu Jia was more than happy to take action against him, but this also disrupted their plans.

There are many people involved behind Lu Jie.

The fact that he was able to make the Yan family bow down to him time and time again, thereby gaining benefits, was the result of years of planning.

Once the Yan family becomes suspicious, the impact will be far more than just a little.

Lu Jie pressed down on the dossier and slightly raised his eyes: "Go and keep an eye on the yamen. In today's urgency, there might be some flaws."

Yang Bonong turned his head to look at the still bright sky and nodded.

"My lord, Lord Yan has arrived."

The servant who came in to report also looked more serious than usual.

Yang Bonong looked at Lu Jie and said, "This is truly an uninvited guest!"

After saying that, he quickly put away the two files and rushed into the inner room.

Lu Jie sat in the same spot, slowly smoothed his clothes, and got up to walk out.

Yan Shu was already standing in the courtyard.

Lu Jie glanced at the large number of servants behind him, then strode forward: "I heard about the Liu family's matter. I made a special trip to the Ministry of Works this morning. I had just arrived at the mansion and was about to look for you when you happened to arrive."

Yan Shu gently tugged at the corner of his mouth: "You and I always have this kind of tacit understanding."

As he spoke, he walked up to Lu Jie and said, "In that case, let's go to your study. This matter is thorny, and I have to discuss it with you properly."

After saying that, he walked up the steps with his hands behind his back and headed towards the study without saying another word.

Lu Jie watched his retreating figure and followed him.

After entering, he looked around, passing the desk on the west side, then examining the screen on the east side. Finally, he glanced at the antique shelf in the corner, and then sat down on the couch by the window: "Simple and elegant, as always."

He then turned to look at Lu Jie: "Are you alone?"

Lu Jie spread his hands and sat down at the kang table: "I just got back and haven't even had a sip of tea yet. Perfect timing, you're here—bring some tea!"

The servant at the door responded.

Yan Shu fanned himself with his fan: "When you went to the Ministry of Works, didn't anyone invite you for tea? By the way, when Brother Liang went to the yamen to look for you earlier, he didn't see you, but all your subordinates were there?"

“I got this list from the Ministry of Works.” Lu Jie opened the window and pushed the list to him. “So I didn’t bring anyone else with me.”

"This is a river project that has been involved between the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Revenue in recent years. Liu Zheng's matter is very troublesome, so it is best to deal with these issues as soon as possible."

Yan Shu took it, looked at it twice, and then folded it up: "Who did you take with you?"