A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 138 The Truth Revealed to the World (24)

The Marquis of Huai'an's Residence.

Just as the eunuch delivering the imperial edict finished reading its contents, Song Shuyu arrived at the door.

He did not send a formal invitation in advance, nor did he bring any attendants; he arrived alone on horseback.

To receive the imperial edict, the Marquis's residence opened its central gate and set up an incense table. The Marquis of Huai'an, along with his wife, heir, legitimate and illegitimate children, stewards, and servants, knelt reverently to listen to the proclamation.

"So be it—"

As the eunuch's long, sharp voice faded, a handsome man in a purple official robe lazily stepped into the gate of the Marquis's mansion.

Logically speaking, at such an important moment, no one would dare to barge in, nor would anyone rudely barge in without prior notice.

The gatekeeper, bowing and nervously following beside Song Shuyu, was a young servant.

Everyone in the Marquis's residence was shocked!
The Marquis of Huai'an nudged his heir, Lu Xun, with his shoulder, his eyes questioning. The Marquis of Huai'an's residence and the Duke of Song's residence had virtually no contact on the surface, except for Lu Xun.

Lu Xun gently shook his head, signaling his father to calm down.

The eunuch delivering the imperial decree heard footsteps and instinctively turned around, intending to reprimand the impolite person. However, upon recognizing the person, he quickly bowed and said, "This servant, Xiao Xuzi, greets Lord Song!"

Song Shuyu raised his hand and said, "No need for formalities."

"Thank you, sir!" Little Xu was Zhou Chun's apprentice and was well aware of the relationship between Song Shuyu and the emperor, so he dared not be negligent in the slightest.

Song Shuyu glanced around, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "It is my bad timing that I have arrived. I apologize for the intrusion. Please continue, Your Excellency!"

Following protocol, Lu Xun raised his hands above his head. Xiao Xuzi rolled up the imperial edict, placed it in Lu Xun's hands, and said, "Congratulations, Lord Marquis! Congratulations, Young Minister Lu!"

"Thank you, sir!" Lu Xun and the Marquis of Huai'an said with delight.

Little Xu flicked his whisk and said, "Get up, all of you."

Everyone got up one after another.

Xiao Xu said with a smile, "Lu Shaoqing's official position was recommended by our Lord Song. It's just in time that Lord Song came to witness the announcement of the imperial decree!"

Upon hearing this, the Marquis of Huai'an's eyes lit up with surprise and joy. He immediately stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed in gratitude: "I will remember Lord Song's kindness forever!"

"You're too kind, Lord Marquis." Song Shuyu returned the greeting and said calmly, "Young Master Lu is exceptionally talented and should be loyal to the country and share the Emperor's burdens!"

"You flatter me, Lord Song." The Marquis of Huai'an's joy deepened, and he earnestly instructed Lu Xun, "In the future, you must be careful to uphold the principles of officialdom to repay the Emperor's grace!"

Lu Xun respectfully bowed towards the direction of the palace, and then bowed to Song Shuyu and the Marquis of Huai'an, saying solemnly: "Lu Xun will certainly live up to the Emperor's grace, the kindness of Lord Song's recommendation, and the kindness of my father, the Marquis, in raising and nurturing me!"

The steward of the Marquis's mansion presented a thank-you gift to Xiao Xuzi and politely saw Xiao Xuzi and his party out.

As for how to thank Song Shuyu, the Marquis of Huai'an had not yet decided. This matter came too suddenly, and he was unprepared. He could only invite Song Shuyu into the hall for a chat and arrange a banquet as a distinguished guest.

However, Song Shuyu declined the Marquis of Huai'an's offer, saying, "I have come here on official business to discuss with Minister Lu. I would be grateful if Your Excellency would grant me this favor."

Lu Xun immediately said, "Father, don't worry. Brother Song is no stranger to me. We can do as we please."

Marquis Huai'an bowed and took his leave, departing with his household entourage.

"Brother Song, let's go back to our room and have a good chat." A slight smile relaxed appeared on Lu Xun's usually serious and rigid face.

The late autumn sun cast a warm glow upon me.

Song Shuyu tilted his head slightly, feeling a burning heat in the corners of his eyes and brows. The chill he had brought from Shou Kang Palace was gradually being dispelled. He said, "It's dark and cold in here. I don't like it."

“Alright, let’s not go back inside.” Lu Xun smiled, looking towards the west courtyard in the direction of the sun. “Let’s go to Changqiu Garden. The setting sun will retreat to Changqiu Garden. How about we stage a scene of Kuafu chasing the sun?”

Song Shuyu nodded, "Okay."

Although Lu Xun did not know what was troubling Song Shuyu, he tried to comfort him by saying, "I'll prepare two more jars of peach blossom wine. Let whatever sorrows you may have, let them all be discussed over fine wine."

"The public trial is tomorrow. I need to go back to the Jingzhao Prefecture later to make various preparations before the trial, so it is not advisable for me to drink alcohol."

Song Shuyu was still rational. He countered by administering the poison "Qianji" to the Empress Dowager. Even with an antidote, it would severely weaken her, leaving her unable to attend to the case for a short period. Therefore, these next few days were his chance to solve the case!
However, to avoid worrying his friend, he forced himself to cheer up and joked, "It would be a shame to miss out on the peach blossom wine brewed by Prince Lu himself, so I must pack it up and take it with me."

Lu Xun's smile suddenly froze on his face.

Song Shuyu raised an eyebrow. "What, is Young Master Lu reluctant to part with it?"

"Not so." Lu Xun shook his head, his expression becoming slightly more serious. "It's just a few jars of wine. If Brother Song likes it, how could I be reluctant to part with it? However, this wine of mine cannot be known to outsiders. I cannot tell you the specific reason now, and I hope Brother Song will understand."

Upon hearing this, Song Shuyu's interest was piqued. "The young master Lu's wine is actually something that can't be shown to others? If I bring it back to my residence and enjoy it all by myself, I guarantee that no outsiders will smell it, how about that?"

Lu Xun sighed, "That's feasible."

The two walked hand in hand toward Changqiu Garden.

Lu Xun dismissed all the servants working in the west courtyard.

Although Lu Xun had been checking on his servants every quarter for the past few years, he remained cautious, fearing that some unscrupulous servants might reveal his secret with his twin brother Lu Zhao.

The two of them walked and talked.

Lu Xun asked with concern, "Brother Song, you must have gone to a lot of trouble to recommend me today, right? Has it implicated you?"

"It was indeed difficult. The Empress Dowager wouldn't allow it, and I had a fight with her," Song Shuyu replied casually.

Lu Xun's expression turned serious, "Brother Song has fallen out with the Empress Dowager? Then... then wouldn't that damage your relationship as aunt and nephew?"

Song Shuyu forced a smile, her words sounding insincere. "How could that be? Our aunt-niece relationship is very strong; it won't sink. At least, it won't sink now."

Lu Xun felt extremely apologetic. "In short, I've caused Brother Song trouble."

"You flatter me." Song Shuyu said seriously, "I recommended you not only because of the promise I made to you earlier, but also to place people in the Emperor's service and set things right. Do you understand?"

Lu Xun was stunned. "You mean..."

"There are some things that it's best for Prince Lu to know in his heart. All I can say is that the Song family stands behind me, and my goal is also what my father and brothers have planned."

"I understand. I, Lu Xun, will certainly live up to the expectations of the Emperor and Brother Song."

Song Shuyu nodded with satisfaction, but then, as if remembering something, he asked, "Young Master Lu, why did you ask me to bring up the massacre at Shuiyun Pavilion twelve years ago? Why did the Empress Dowager react so strongly to it...?"

"Queen Mother!"

"Yes, I had just started when the Empress Dowager stopped me. She looked a little flustered."

Lu Xun was shocked. He suddenly grabbed Song Shuyu's arm, his emotions surging. "Brother Song, do you know what I went through when I was eight years old?"

(End of this chapter)