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Chapter 73
"Huan, there's something on the ceiling of the bed."
Upon Li Shuchen's reminder, Huan turned to look at the bunk bed, she jumped a few times, but didn't see anything.
Just as she was about to move the chair in front of the dressing table, her waist was suddenly grabbed by a pair of large hands, lifting her up.
Suddenly, her field of vision became wider.
Huan looked around, only to see that the area on the outside of the bed was cleaner than the surrounding area, indicating that someone often stood on a stool to reach for things on top.
"Shuchen, a bit further."
Getting closer, she supported the edge of the bed with one hand and reached for the scroll on top with the other hand, holding it in her hand.
After taking it, she said, "Shuchen, put me down."
After her feet touched the ground, Huan unfolded the scroll, the slightly yellowed surface indicating it had been examined before, the two figures in the painting seemed somewhat familiar.
After looking closely for a few moments, she realized that Mei Chun was not only after money.
But it wasn't quite appropriate for her to take out the painting.
Huan thought for a moment, folded the painting back, opened the small wooden box again, and stuffed it inside.
After everything was done, she concealed her actions, turned around, and proactively hugged Li Shuchen's waist, looking up at him with a smile, "Shuchen, take me flying."
Seeing her mischievous look, Li Shuchen's heart stirred slightly, he extended his long arm, holding her in his arms, bypassing the tangled Lu's servants, they flew out.
"Shuchen, we still need to go to the restaurant, bring Heizi!"
At Qi Ji, they sneaked in through the back door, only to see Heizi squatting under the eaves licking its paws, there was still a large bone in front of it, which it disdainfully glanced at, showing no interest.
Spoiled dog, not even finishing the meat, who would gnaw on bones. This was just a chew toy for when it was bored.
Smelling the familiar scent, it happily pounced towards its master, sticking out its long tongue, wanting to lick Li Shuchen's hand.
"Go away."
Heizi grumbled a few times, pitifully looking at him, seeing that he wasn't moved, it thought to itself, it must be because the master had a cleanliness obsession that he didn't let it lick. So it licked Huan instead, as a welcoming gesture.
So, it wagged its tail and licked Huan.
Her hand was slightly itchy from being licked by it, Huan smiled and patted its head, "Heizi, be good, run along with us and get to work."
With that, Li Shuchen picked her up to take a shortcut, running quickly. Occasionally, one or two scattered passersby in the alley, before they could see the faces of this couple cuddling in broad daylight, they saw them whoosh past.
Heizi followed closely with agile steps.
As they neared, Li Shuchen put down Huan, and they walked side by side towards the County Office. f𝐫e𝚎𝘄eb𝚗o𝐯𝐞𝐥.𝐜𝚘m
Heizi also slowed down, panting: tired dog.
The master was indeed the master, carrying a big person, running faster than it. Fortunately, it had just eaten the meaty bone, filled with strength, otherwise it couldn't keep up.
Four legs couldn't run as fast as two legs, woof woof woof! Unfair dog!
Lu's Residence was quite far from the County Office, and Lu Yueming's group was also carrying Lu Baiian in a wheelchair, as well as the bound Mei Chun, so they had only just arrived not long ago.
When they arrived, they attracted a lot of attention, followed by many onlookers, causing a commotion around the County Office.
As Qi Huan was about to squeeze in, he caught sight of Chen Jinyou riding past with his servant Heizi, and quickly called out to him.
"Young Master Chen, my friend is inside, there are too many people here, can you take us through the back door?"
Chen Jinyou dismounted and handed the reins to Heizi, cheerfully saying, "Of course, but it's a bit far from the back door to the County Office. I have a shortcut, follow me."
As they walked, Qi Huan watched him struggle to push open the dog hole in the corner of the wall, falling silent.
"This is my secret passage, I don't tell just anyone. If my tall and strong, slender and fit figure can fit through, your small frame should be fine too, Ah Huan."
With that, he demonstrated by sticking his head into the courtyard, only to see Li Shuchen carrying Qi Huan over the wall and landing on the ground.
Wow, can one do that?
As he stood there in shock, he suddenly felt a poke on his backside, and quickly crawled forward, turning around to see Heizi leisurely crawling in.
He bared his teeth, and Heizi bared his teeth back.
Seeing Heizi's sharp teeth, Chen Jinyou decided not to mess with it.
Brushing off the dust on his robe, he led Qi Huan and the others quietly to the side of the County Office hall.
Inside the hall, Chen the county magistrate sat at the head, looking at the father and daughter below, pressing his temples.
The onlookers also discussed.
"Do you want some peanuts, melon seeds, or water bags? It looks like it will take until evening to figure out the truth. Everyone, buy some snacks to fill your stomach."
"Peddler Shen, why aren't you selling your goods properly, what are you doing here?"
"There are so many people, hehe. Besides, it's a rare exciting case in Mo County in a hundred years, how can we not come and take a look?"
"Yes, Miss Lu said that Mr. Lu poisoned his wife, Mr. Lu said that Miss Lu is insane and matricidal. Regardless of who is telling the truth, it's shocking to hear."
As everyone talked, Chen the county magistrate felt like a bunch of ducks were quacking around him.
He was furious, and slammed the table, instantly silencing the room.
He looked at Lu Yueming, who was wearing brightly colored clothes, and asked, "Without evidence, do you have any proof?"
Lu Yueming raised her eyes, and with a clear and direct look at him, following the wording Huan had taught her earlier, she said firmly, "Your Honor, he who accuses must provide evidence first. It was Lu Bailian who first slandered me, so if there is any evidence to be presented, he should present it first. You should ask him."
Her evidence was still being fabricated, not knowing how well Huan's preparations were going. Following the plan they had discussed in the latrine, she decided to pass the ball to Lu Bailian first.
It would be best for him to reveal his cards first, so they could then respond accordingly.
Lu Bailian whimpered a few times, unable to speak.
During the confrontation just now, he had cursed Lu Yueming so harshly that Xiuwen tore off his sleeve and stuffed his mouth shut. The cloth was packed in so tightly and deeply that he had been gagging for a long time without being able to spit it out.
Lu Baiian's hand was still not fully recovered, so he couldn't use much strength to pull it down. Chen the county magistrate's face turned red with anger, his eyes widened in disbelief, whether from being suffocated or enraged.
Seeing him in such a miserable state, Chen the county magistrate secretly suppressed a laugh.
Both officials in the same locality, one civil and one military, but he knew this guy was quite arrogant.
Many years ago, Chen the county magistrate took his son Chen Jinyou to watch a play. When he went to the restroom halfway through, Jinyou just made a slight comment about the actress, saying her makeup was too thick and her scent was too strong, which led to Lu Baiian holding him down and hitting him.
When he returned from the restroom and saw his son crying loudly, he angrily asked who did it, but Lu Baiian sarcastically suggested comparing fists.
As a civil official, he didn't fight with rough men. After writing a satirical poem cursing him, he left.
Never did he expect the tables to turn, now it was his turn.
Chen the county magistrate cleared his throat and listened as Lu Baiian grumbled and struggled for a long time before leisurely saying, "Bring me the cloth from his mouth. I want to hear how he defends himself."
"...Hah!" The cloth from his mouth was pulled off, and Lu Baiian took a deep breath.
He then argued, "I'm not defending myself! I'm stating the facts."
"My wife Lu's wife surnamed Du couldn't bear a son for our Lu family, feeling guilty, she brought back my... my son who was wandering outside. Little did she know this rebellious daughter, used to being domineering at home, neither wanted to accept her own brother nor was she satisfied with her mother's decision.
She argued with her mother, but seeing her mother persist in her decision... um, I misspoke, let me rephrase.
...seeing her mother stick to her guns, she was so angry that she went crazy and bribed the senior maid beside her mother to poison her. Mei Chun has already confessed, I have a witness! Sir, why not interrogate Mei Chun."