The warm sun had just risen, and the gentle spring breeze caressed the face. Time had finally entered March, and spring had boldly revealed itself. It was truly a wonderful time to go on an outing on the Shangsi Festival.
However, this year, rather than going on outings and flying kites, the attention of the people in the capital was drawn to another matter.
"Aunt Li, is what you said true? Was the fourth young lady of Prime Minister Lu's mansion really kidnapped by the bandits at Anguo Temple?"
"Of course! I was there at Anguo Temple burning incense that day. I saw it with my own eyes."
The woman called Aunt Li spoke with absolute certainty.
The air around them suddenly seemed to freeze for a moment.
Although there were not as many restrictions on women in the Great Qi Dynasty, being kidnapped by bandits was a different matter.
It was easy to imagine what might happen when a cruel and violent man faced a noble young lady from the capital.
"What happened later?"
Someone's curiosity was piqued, and they asked.
Aunt Li didn't hold back and said straightforwardly, "Later, of course, she was rescued. But Miss Lu Si..."
Here, she deliberately paused and shook her head regretfully. Although she didn't say a single word, it seemed as if she had said a great deal.
Seeing the expressions on the onlookers' faces, Aunt Li was secretly delighted. The hundred taels of silver should be within her grasp.
Just then, someone else spoke up and broke the silence.
"Aunt Li, you're wrong. There's no fourth young lady in Prime Minister Lu's mansion, is there?"
"Brother Xiao Song, you don't know this," someone in the crowd explained for him. "The daughter - in - law of the younger sister - in - law of the daughter of the son of Aunt Lin next door to me has a neighbor. There's a girl who serves in the prime minister's mansion.
She said that this fourth young lady had been in poor health since childhood and had been raised on a manor on the outskirts of the capital. She was only brought back last month for the prime minister's birthday."
Hearing this, everyone's faces showed a trace of pity. It was really unfortunate for this Miss Lu Si to encounter such a thing just after returning to the prime minister's mansion.
If Lu Yinxi could hear their thoughts, she would surely agree.
You're right. I also think my fate is not so good!
The pain from resisting the spirit - word twice in a row made her unconscious for a relatively long time. Madam Lu was so frightened that she stayed in Lu Yinxi's Luoxia Courtyard all day.
So when the young girl woke up and was able to get out of bed, she found that rumors about her were flying everywhere outside.
So, this spirit - word should really be used less!
It hurts like hell and comes with a bad - luck debuff. It's better for me to take matters into my own hands!
"Miss, the medicine is here."
After waking up completely, Lu Yinxi half - forced Madam Lu to go and rest. Now it was Liusu who was serving by her side.
"Liusu, this medicine is useless to me. I'm already better."
Seeing the black potion in Liusu's bowl, the young girl's face was full of resistance. She felt as if her mouth was already bitter.
Since Madam Lu thought the first pain - killing medicine had worked, she told Liusu according to the doctor's advice to give Lu Yinxi the pain - killing medicine three times a day without fail.
"Miss, if Madam knows, she'll be sad."
Liusu stubbornly persuaded.
But this medicine was really useless to her!
Lu Yinxi was very conflicted. Just then, Lu Yinjian came. His voice came before his figure appeared.
"Xier, are you feeling better today?"
"Big brother, you're here!"
Deliberately ignoring Liusu beside the bed, the young girl opened her bright eyes and happily watched as her big brother appeared in front of her.
Lu Yinjian was a bit puzzled and just told Liusu to take the others down first.
When there were only the Lu siblings left in the room, the young girl spoke again, "Big brother, how's the matter I asked you to investigate?"
"Why on earth did you ask me to investigate that bandit Fang Qinhu?"
At this point, Lu Yinjian was both scared and angry.
The bandits had tried to hold Anguo Temple hostage, and his little sister had fainted because of them. Now there were all sorts of rumors outside. But the first thing his sister did when she woke up was to ask him to find out the whereabouts of that bandit.
"Xier, you're not going to..."
"Big brother, don't think blindly."
Lu Yinxi interrupted Lu Yinjian's wild thoughts in time. After hesitating for a moment, she still told her big brother that Fang Qinhu had saved the original owner, but she skipped the details of the original owner being bullied.
It was better for her to avenge the original owner herself!
"So, brother, I don't think Fang Qinhu is a bad person."
Just now, Big Brother Lu had been quite critical of Fang Qinhu, but after hearing what his sister said, his opinion of him wavered a bit.
"I asked someone to find out. Fang Qinhu is now locked up in the dungeon, waiting for trial."
"Can I visit him?"
"Xier, what are you up to?!"
Suspicion arose, and Lu Yinjian's skeptical gaze fell on his sister again.
"Big brother, he saved me once after all. I want to thank him in person."
At Anguo Temple, the young girl always felt that there was something else hidden in Fang Qinhu's eyes when he looked at her. She wanted to confirm it herself.
"He did save you, but he also hurt you once. That should even things out. There's no need to see him again."
"Brother~"
Just as he stepped out of the palace gate, Chen Guang saw the man's figure and immediately strode towards him.
"Your Highness, the eldest young master of Prime Minister Lu's mansion has been inquiring about Fang Qinhu's news these days."
"What has he been asking about?"
"Seemingly, he's been asking where Fang Qinhu is locked up."
The man didn't stop walking. He mounted the horse that Chen Guang had led over. The smile in his eyes flickered, as if he had thought of something interesting.
Not getting a response, Chen Guang hesitated for a moment and changed the topic.
"Your Highness, are you really going to reverse the verdict for that bandit?"
Fang Qinhu had been brought back to the capital for several days. From his mouth, Shang Luoshu had heard another version of the "Battle of Zongyang".
Because of this statement, he had been holding Fang Qinhu back until yesterday when he finally allowed Fang Qinhu to be sent to the dungeon and had heavy guards placed there.
Tomorrow, the case of Fang Qinhu would be officially placed on the emperor's desk.
"I have my own plans for this matter. Besides, is there anything else happening in the capital?"
Chen Guang looked up at his master but didn't say a word.
"If there is, just say it. Don't be hesitant."
"Well, there is one thing. It's about the fourth young lady of the Lu family."
The next day, the Shangsi Festival
After much persuasion with Madam Lu, Lu Yinxi was finally allowed to leave the prime minister's mansion. She didn't know where Lu Yinjian had found the connections, but he really managed to get her into the dungeon to see Fang Qinhu.
The cramped and dark space was filled with a damp, musty smell. The dim candlelight was chilling. This was the capital's dungeon, a place specifically used to detain extremely vicious criminals.
"You're here."
Fang Qinhu was already wearing prison clothes. He was leaning against the corner of the cell at the moment. His messy hair covered his eyes and eyebrows, but he could still sense someone approaching.
"You knew I was coming?"
Lu Yinxi stopped in front of the cell door and put away all her softness.
"Because I saved your life!"
He had really recognized her!
"Is that the only reason?"
The young girl continued to ask.
Hearing this, the man in the corner suddenly moved. He pushed all the hair in front of his forehead behind him so that she could see clearly.
As his mouth opened and closed, he whispered two words very softly!