As soon as Lu Wanning got home, she went to the martial - arts training ground and dragged Lu Hongxi to talk to him.
"I found a strange case file in the Court of Judicial Review today, Father. Do you know Yan Songbai?"
Lu Hongxi was taken aback. "Yan Songbai? How did you look into him? I've met him twice. He passed the highest imperial examination and became the top scholar in his teens. Instead of entering the Hanlin Academy, he went directly to work in the Court of Judicial Review. He served as the chief justice there. As he was young, capable, and daring to think and act, both the late emperor and the current emperor, who was then just the crown prince, thought very highly of him."
Lu Wanning's eyes widened. "He once served in the Court of Judicial Review? There's not a single word about it in the case file. It only says that he came from a wealthy family and was an official in the court, without even mentioning what position he held."
Lu Hongxi nodded. "Later, he got his leg injured while handling a case outside and was transferred to be the secretary of the court, which was actually just a clerk dealing with case - file management."
Lu Wanning quickly asked, "That's exactly what I'm doing now."
Lu Hongxi stroked her head. "You're a clerk now?"
Lu Wanning gave an embarrassed smile. "Not really. I've heard that those who just start working in the Court of Judicial Review have to do some file - management work."
Lu Hongxi continued, "But later, it was found that he was involved in many cases. Under the pretext of solving cases, he actually provided convenience for bandits to make profits. I don't know the details, but I remember this case caused quite a stir. The emperor strictly prohibited people from discussing it."
"I saw his wanted poster. Did he escape then?"
Lu Hongxi frowned and thought for a long time. "It was so long ago, and I didn't pay much attention to these things. I don't remember clearly. I guess so. Anyway, in the end, justice prevailed. He couldn't escape. And since his crime had implicated his family, he set fire to the whole Yan Mansion."
Lu Wanning asked in surprise, "He set the fire and killed his own family?"
Lu Hongxi nodded. "A ruthless and extremely evil person may do such a thing when he is at the end of his rope. There's no need to be surprised."
A fire...
For some reason, Lu Wanning remembered the scene in the original book when she heard the tragic news about her family and set fire to her own yard.
Was it really like this?
Lu Wanning asked, "So, did the Yan family disappear from the capital and never exist again?"
Lu Hongxi stroked his chin and hesitated for a while before saying, "Except for Yan Songbai's two married sisters. You should know that one was the noble consort who was once the most favored in the harem, and the other was the third wife of the Lu family."
This time, Lu Wanning was truly stunned. So, Yan Songbai was actually the uncle of the Prince Yu. No wonder, no wonder she felt that there was a bit of resemblance between Yan Songbai and the Prince Yu when she saw him.
Lu Hongxi sighed deeply. "It's an old story. Since the Yan family had a daughter who entered the palace as a consort, it's not good for such things to spread. Ning'er, just keep it to yourself. Don't tell others everywhere, and don't try to verify anything. Do you understand?"
Lu Wanning pouted. "Got it, got it. But Father, I don't want to go to the Court of Judicial Review anymore. They won't let me investigate cases. I just organize case files every day. It's so boring."
Lu Hongxi laughed heartily. "My child, if you don't want to go, then don't. In the end, I'll explain it to the Prince Yu when I see him. You're a girl. With your father and elder brother around, you won't lack anything. You really don't need to be so busy and tired."
Although Lu Wanning said she didn't want to go, in her heart, she still decided to continue. Staying at home was boring. It was better to go out and do some work to keep herself busy. Moreover, she was very interested in the Yan family's case and wanted to find out the truth.
The next day was a day off, so Lu Wanning didn't need to go to the Court of Judicial Review. She slept until she woke up naturally, took a bath, and thought that she hadn't visited Jiang Shishi for several days. She wondered if He Nanfeng, that blockhead, had managed to win over Imperial Scholar Jiang.
Just as she got up and was about to go out, Jiyue came over, looking mysterious. She pulled Lu Wanning and said, "Your Highness, didn't you ask someone to secretly follow Miss Shi before? Just got the news that Miss Shi has invited Young Master He to meet at the Xiangyu Teahouse."
Lu Wanning was a bit dazed for a moment. "What do you mean? Wait, you mean Shi Aohan has invited He Nanfeng to meet? They have nothing to do with each other. What are they meeting for?"
Jiyue quickly said, "Miss Jiang has tuberculosis. Young Master He has been searching everywhere for suitable medicinal herbs recently. Miss Shi used to be a doctor and has quite some medical skills. She got several good herbs and is going to give them to Young Master He."
Lu Wanning rolled her eyes. "It's not tuberculosis. It's just chronic bronchitis. Don't talk nonsense."
Jiyue was confused. "What?"
Lu Wanning waved her hand and just said, "You said, if Miss Shi has the herbs, why doesn't she just give them to He Nanfeng at home? They live in the same house. It would be so convenient for them to meet. Why do they have to make an appointment to meet outside?"
Jiyue shook her head. "I don't know."
Lu Wanning clapped her hands. "Alright, go and let Fu Rongxuan know, and then let's go and meet them."
The Xiangyu Teahouse was a high - class teahouse. Usually, many high - ranking officials and nobles went there to discuss business. Ordinary people without power and influence couldn't even go there without making a reservation in advance.
Lu Wanning arrived at the door on time and, as expected, was stopped by the doorman.
"Sorry, miss. You haven't made a reservation in advance, so you can't go in."
Jiyue got a look from Lu Wanning and immediately put her hands on her hips and shouted, "Do you know who is standing in front of you? How dare you be so disrespectful?"
The doorman felt wronged but just continued to bow and scrape. "Miss, this is our store's rule. No matter who it is, without a reservation in advance, they can't enter. There are so many people today. I really have no way. Miss, you see..."
Jiyue continued to shout, "Hey, this is the honorable Princess Zhaoyang, the most beloved princess of the Empress Dowager and the emperor. How dare you stop us from entering?"
Sheng Songyan on the upper - floor private room paused for a moment, then leaned out to look down. "Hey, Jinyu, it's really Lu Wanning. It seems the rumor is true. This Lu Wanning is really arrogant. She doesn't even look at where this is."
Sheng Jinyu frowned slightly but didn't say a word.
Sheng Songyan took another look at the arrogant mistress and maid and couldn't help laughing. "Jinyu, how about sending someone down to give her a convenience and let her come to our place..."
Sheng Jinyu gave him an unhappy look. "Stop being naughty."
Sheng Songyan spread his hands and rolled his eyes. "Alright, if you're not willing, forget it. Anyway, the girls I've invited will come later. It won't be appropriate for the Princess Zhaoyang to see them. Hahaha."
Lu Wanning didn't know what was happening upstairs. When she saw a graceful young girl getting off a carriage nearby, she told Jiyue to stop shouting and pretended to look back curiously.