The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 255 Being Taken to Dali Temple
When the second branch of the family was surrounded by officials, Lu Jingsi's expression was particularly unpleasant.

"This is utterly absurd! How could my daughter possibly kill her mother? She's already died once. Do you want to force her to her death again?"

“Second Master Lu, no one has said that Lu Lan murdered her mother. I am only investigating this case by imperial decree. Please do not obstruct my investigation! Lu Lan is a major suspect in this case and needs to come with me to assist in the investigation.” Ouyang Lei took out his token and said in a deep voice.

"Since that's the case, and Aunt Xu died in Yaoguang Pavilion, then as the owner of Yaoguang Pavilion, Zhiwan is also a prime suspect. Ouyang Shaoqing, what do you say about that?" Lu Jingsi sneered.

Ouyang Lei said calmly, "Miss Zhi will naturally accompany me to the Dali Temple to cooperate with the investigation. There's no need for Second Master Lu to worry about that. Men, carry Fourth Miss Lu to the Dali Temple!"

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

"You uncouth men, don't you know any manners? My daughter is still an unmarried girl. You brazenly barged into her boudoir, and you even tried to touch her? Do you want to ruin her chances of getting married?" Lu Jingsi stepped forward, spread her arms, and blocked the officials, her face full of anger.

Ouyang Lei was not annoyed. "I only had her carried because Miss Lu had just woken up and was not feeling well. In that case, please let Miss Lu walk to Dali Temple by herself."

Upon hearing this, Lu Jingsi's face turned ugly, yet she was unable to refute it.

Lu Lan lay on the bed, pale-faced and huddled under the covers, with a bandage wrapped around her forehead. She looked weak, pitiful, and helpless.

Seeing her father's predicament, she said in a hoarse voice, "I... I can walk by myself..." As she spoke, she threw off the covers and sat up with difficulty.

Perhaps due to the head injury, she felt dizzy when she got up and almost fell back onto the bed.

Old Madam Lu supported her with a look of heartache. "What a tragedy! It was clearly that orphan girl who did the evil deed, yet our Lan'er has to bear the consequences. She has already lost her birth mother, why should she suffer this pain?"

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Lei almost rolled his eyes.

Apart from Lu Jun, there isn't a single normal person in this second branch of the family, and even the old lady Lu is extremely confused.

Regarding the Lu family case, Lu Zhan, to avoid suspicion, reported it to the Emperor and then did not get involved again. However, when Lord Chen handed the case over to him, he had already told him the whole story of the case.

In fact, this case has many flaws. Anyone with eyes and ears can see that Lu Lan is a prime suspect and is very likely the real murderer of Aunt Xu.

But Lu Jingsi and Madam Lu seemed to have gone blind and deaf, and actually sided with and protected Lu Lan.

At this moment, Lady Lou entered with several old women.

She looked at Lu Jingsi with a sarcastic expression, "Afraid of damaging your reputation, huh? Then have them carry it, that should be fine, right?"

Lu Jingsi's expression changed, and he grabbed her arm, scolding in a low voice, "Are you sick?"

"You're the one who's sick! How could you keep a heartless bastard who killed his mother in the house? You're tired of living, but I'm not!" Lou Shi shouted angrily.

"You stupid woman, you believe everything outsiders say? Don't you know what kind of person Lan'er is? She wouldn't even dare to step on an ant, how could she possibly kill her mother? Are you trying to ruin our second branch of the family?" Lu Jingsi was furious. "Jun'er has to take the imperial examination next year. If you're not afraid of affecting his exam, then go ahead and do it!"

Lou was initially furious, but upon hearing that it would affect her son's imperial examination, she hesitated.

Lu Jun, who followed in, happened to hear what Lu Jingsi said. He frowned and said in a deep voice, "If Lu Lan really killed Aunt Xu, she should be severely punished, instead of us protecting her for fear of affecting my imperial examination!"

Upon hearing this, Lady Lou calmed down and instructed the old women below her, "Send the Fourth Miss to the Dali Temple!"

"Yes!"

Several old women responded and stepped forward to lift Lu Lan onto the prepared wooden door, preparing to carry her out.

"Don't you even respect me? Get out of here!" Lu Jingsi shouted angrily.

“Second Master Lu is obstructing the Dali Temple’s handling of the case; I will certainly report this to the Emperor,” Ouyang Lei said calmly. Upon hearing this, Lu Jingsi paused, then finally took a step back.

Lu Lan, who was placed on the door panel, had a hint of sarcasm in her eyes.

Sure enough, when it came to her career, her father would push her forward without hesitation.

As soon as Ouyang Lei and his men arrived at the front yard, they saw Lu Zhan, Zhi Wan, and Wei standing there.

He paused, somewhat hesitant, but still stepped forward and said in an official manner, "Sir, I have been ordered by the Emperor to take full control of the Lu family's case. As one of the suspects, Miss Zhi must come with me to the Dali Temple to assist in the investigation."

Before Lu Zhan could speak, Zhi Wan stepped forward and said, "Young Master Ouyang, we've been waiting here to cooperate with the investigation. I'll go with you."

Upon hearing this, Ouyang Lei glanced at Lu Zhan's expression.

Seeing that his expression was relatively calm, she felt a little relieved, walked over, and whispered, "I will take good care of my cousin, don't worry."

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

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

"Lei Zi, please take good care of my Wan'er," Madam Wei whispered.

"Don't worry, Auntie, I'll take care of everything. I will make sure that Cousin Zhiwan doesn't suffer even a hair on her head," Ouyang Lei assured her.

"Then I'm relieved." Madam Wei nodded, then walked over to Zhiwan and gently touched her neck.

Although the medicine had been applied, Lu Lan had pinched her hard, so there was still a ring of purplish-blue finger marks on her skin.

Wei was heartbroken, but there was nothing she could do.

She reached out and hugged Zhiwan, whispering, "Wan'er, don't be afraid. I've already spoken to Leizi, and he'll take care of you."

"Aunt, don't worry, I'll be fine," Zhiwan reassured her.

"Yes." Madam Wei nodded emphatically.

Based on the evidence we have so far, it is Lu Lan who murdered Aunt Xu, and it has nothing to do with Wan'er. Now, as long as we find that maid, we can convict Lu Lan.

As Zhiwan followed Ouyang Lei and the others out of the Duke of Dingguo's mansion, she couldn't help but look back, only to see her cousin following her out, standing on the steps, watching her from afar.

Their eyes met, and although they didn't speak, a tacit understanding flowed between them.

"Miss Zhi, please get into the carriage," Ouyang Lei said in a serious tone, but there was a hint of mockery in his eyes.

If Pearl hadn't told him, he wouldn't have known that Old Lu had long been interested in his cousin Zhiwan and that they were getting married at the end of next month.

Tsk tsk tsk, that beast Lao Lu actually laid a hand on his cousin!

Zhiwan snapped out of her daze, her face slightly flushed, and quickly looked away before getting into the carriage.

She rode alone in one carriage, while Lu Lan, watched over by several old women, rode in another.

Watching the carriage disappear into the distance, Lu Zhan solemnly instructed Jiang Shi, "You must find Huan'er before anyone else!"

"Yes," Jiang Shi replied respectfully.