The Cold Minister’s Obsession: Chasing His Wife - Chapter 25

Before dawn the next day, Lu Yan got up to leave, turning his head to say to Tao Xi, “If I hear even a whisper of what happened today outside these walls, I’ll have your tongue ripped out.”

Tao Xi trembled and hastily waved her hands. “Understood, Young Master. This servant would never speak a word of it.”

Upon returning to the Duty Hall, Lu Yan was met by Fei Jiu, who reported, “Master, we have news.”

The man in the high seat suddenly turned cold, his entire body radiating a bloodthirsty aura.

“Speak.”

“Those two men were loan sharks from the Longchang Underground Bank in the capital. Their methods for collecting debts are notoriously brutal—arson, murder, robbery, nothing is beneath them. Both have criminal records with the Capital Prefecture Magistrate, and…”

Fei Jiu glanced at him but didn’t dare continue.

“And what? Finish.”

“And this bank has ties to the Zhou merchant family, who supply the imperial court. We investigated the relevant parties but found no direct connection to Consort Zhou.”

Lu Yan’s expression darkened as he ordered coldly, “Then wipe them out entirely.”

……

Because of Lu Yan’s orders, Hua Qingyue rested in her room for two days. By the second morning, as she sat before the bronze mirror, her face had completely healed.

“Just one day, and there’s no trace of swelling left.”

“This medicine is truly miraculous,” Tao Xi remarked while applying the ointment to Hua Qingyue’s face.

Hua Qingyue grew even more determined to bring Qingyang to the capital for treatment. Whether it would work or not, it had to be better than staying in Yangzhou. Therefore, her marriage arrangement with Lu Li could not be delayed any longer.

This incident—she had a gut feeling it was connected to the Lu family, but without evidence, even if Lu Yan investigated, if it led back to someone in the Lu household, the matter would likely be swept under the rug.

She was nothing more than a lowly outsider in the Lu residence.

No one she could contend with.

Lowering her head, she concealed the turmoil in her eyes.

“Has anyone from the household come to ask after me? Or visited these past two days?”

“Young Master Lu told everyone that our carriage was spooked and you were badly shaken, so no one was to disturb you. Mama Xia from Old Madam Lu’s side came to inquire about your condition. The Third Young Master visited several times—he seemed quite anxious—but due to the eldest young master’s orders, he wasn’t allowed in.”

Tao Xi thought for a moment before adding, “Oh, Miss Zhiyue also came to ask about you.”

The maid beside her seemed to want to say something but ultimately held back.

“Mm. Let’s go see Old Madam Lu first. After that, we’ll return to the Duty Hall for etiquette lessons.”

The concern Lu Yan had shown her last time—she had been too startled to dwell on it then, but now, recalling it, the pity in his eyes hadn’t seemed feigned. If she told him she wished to marry Lu Li, she wondered if he would agree.

If he did, the matter would be much easier to resolve.

As she pondered how to secure Lu Yan’s approval, a familiar voice suddenly came from outside:

“Qingyue, may I come in?”

Hua Qingyue composed herself before stepping out, speaking softly,

“Brother Li, you’re here.”

Lu Li hurried forward, studying her with concern. “I’m relieved you’re alright, Qingyue. You have no idea how terrified I was the night before last. If not for Eldest Brother’s message assuring me it was just your horse getting spooked, I wouldn’t have known what to do.”

“Brother Li, I’m fine.”

“I even looked back on the way and counted—everything seemed correct at the time. It wasn’t until we reached the gate that I realized a carriage was missing. It’s all my fault.”

His expression suggested genuine ignorance, his face filled with anxiety.

“Brother Li, there’s no need to blame yourself. What’s done is done, and here I am, safe and sound, aren’t I?” Hua Qingyue said softly.

Sure enough, his eyes flickered with pity upon hearing this, his emotions tangled in complexity.

“Qingyue, don’t worry. Next time, I’ll make sure to protect you.”

Lu Li’s remorse warmed Hua Qingyue’s heart.

He stayed with her a while longer before leaving his ears slightly red as he awkwardly added, “Yesterday, when I went to pay respects to Grandmother, she asked me what I thought of you. I said you were wonderful.”

Both understood the implication of those words, and at almost the same moment, they averted their gazes.

Hua Qingyue’s face flushed even deeper.

“Rest well, Qingyue. Grandmother mentioned that our matter will be announced during the Lotus Banquet.”

After expressing his concern a while longer, he finally took his leave. He had to settle affairs outside before the banquet.

The moment he left, Tao Xi immediately stepped forward. “Miss, do you think the Third Young Master had anything to do with this?”

She refused to believe he hadn’t noticed a missing carriage.

Hua Qingyue already had her suspicions but lacked proof. She smiled and said, “Enough. Eldest Brother said he’d investigate. We’ll just wait for the results.”

Though the incident had been perilous, it unexpectedly brought her into contact with the Head of the Imperial Hospital and stirred Lu Li’s pity—a silver lining.

Spring Rain Pavilion.

Wu Shi furiously swept everything off the table. “Auntie Xue, the old madam has actually spoken for Li Ge’er!”

Auntie Xue frowned beside her, unable to fathom the old madam’s intentions. If that Hua girl married into the Lu family, it would bring no benefit, only harm.

“Auntie Xue, help me.”

Auntie Xue patted her hand reassuringly. “Don’t worry, Miss. This old servant will handle it.”

“My head aches,” Wu Shi groaned, pressing her temples in agony. “Someone, call the physician!”

Auntie Xue sent for the manor’s physician before heading to the side courtyard of Spring Rain Pavilion.

Consort Zhou was wailing uncontrollably in the yard.

Beside her, Lu Zhiyue said helplessly, “Mother, Grandfather’s loansharking was wrong to begin with. Now that they’ve been stripped of their imperial merchant status, no one else is to blame.”

“What do you know? If your grandfather loses his worth, do you think we’ll be able to stay safely in Anning Marquis Manor?” Consort Zhou snapped. “Come, we’re going to beg Third Madam.”

The Zhou family had funneled so much money into covering the marquis manor’s deficits—surely, she wouldn’t refuse to help.

Before Consort Zhou could leave the courtyard, she spotted Auntie Xue entering through the gate.

“Consort Zhou, the madam is suffering from a headache and must not be disturbed,” Auntie Xue stated bluntly. “If you’re here about your family’s affairs, the madam can’t help. Young Master Lu took action overnight—hundreds of money lenders across the capital were shut down. Who would dare intervene now?”

Consort Zhou collapsed to the ground, weeping anew.

Auntie Xue had no patience for her theatrics and offered a pointed reminder. “The madam has been preoccupied with Li Ge’er’s marriage lately. You know what to do. Once the matter is settled, the madam might persuade Young Master Lu to spare a life or two—it shouldn’t be too difficult.”

Due to the incident from the other day, the young ladies had been keeping to themselves in the courtyard for the past two days. With the Lotus Appreciation Banquet drawing near, certain preparations had to be made.

Hua Qingyue had just come out of Chaohui Hall and changed her clothes, intending to head to the Duty Office.

The unmarried Lu sisters were gathering dew from lotus leaves by the pond. The entire household was busy preparing for the banquet half a month away. Spotting them from afar, Hua Qingyue was acutely aware of her awkward position and didn’t wish to upset them. If the elders were to learn that unrest had followed her arrival, she could only imagine what they would think of her.

Better to avoid trouble than invite it. She quickened her pace, eager to leave this contentious place behind.

But someone seemed determined to thwart her plans.

Lu Zhining had been keeping an eye on the situation. These past few days, seeing Lu Zhiyu unscathed had already put her in a foul mood. Moreover, this woman was so affected—making a fuss over a mere carriage scare and even causing their mother’s headache to flare up. Today, she would settle the score properly.

“Sister Hua, you’ve finally emerged. We’ve missed you terribly,” Lu Zhining called out. “We sisters are all here gathering dew from the lotus leaves. Since we’re all family, why don’t you join us? We can teach you how to brew tea with it. How does that sound?”