Chapter 535: There’s No Time Like the Present
Xiao Wu blinked.
Ye Chutang pushed her thoughts aside and calmly took her hand.
Xiao Wu stepped on a small stool to get out of the carriage. She then glanced down to check her purse, which was still hanging securely from her waist. A happy smile spread across her face.
’Her mind is entirely focused on that little grasshopper A Feng gave her.’
She probably hadn’t even noticed it herself, but this was the first time she had gotten out of the carriage without being carried.
Ye Chutang didn’t mention it, simply leading her inside with a natural ease.
As they walked, she said, "Your third brother is coming home tonight. We can show him the letter then."
Tomorrow was a rest day, and it was also her birthday. Yan would definitely be home early.
Xiao Wu skipped and hopped as she nodded. "Okay!"
They passed through the covered walkway and continued inside.
As they reached the bedroom door, Ye Chutang paused.
She gently patted Xiao Wu’s head and let her go into the room first. Then she turned around and called out to the quiet courtyard:
"Lord Lu."
Soon, a tall, lean figure appeared in the courtyard.
It was Lu Yu.
Before, they had guarded in secret, always careful never to show themselves.
But since the assassination attempt, both sides had laid their cards on the table, and Lu Yu and his men no longer bothered to hide their presence.
After all, Ye Chutang was keenly aware of their existence and movements.
Although they didn’t know how she was so perceptive, it was a good thing for them. It saved them a lot of trouble compared to before.
At the very least, Ye Chutang could now just call out, and they could appear for a direct conversation.
"Second Miss Ye."
Ye Chutang sized him up and smiled. "I thought Lord Lu was still at the Shuntian Prefecture. I didn’t expect you back so soon."
Lu Yu was concise. "The testimony has been submitted. This subordinate naturally had to return."
Ye Chutang: "..."
’He’s not being shy about it at all...’
For anyone else, such an act could be considered interfering with a Shuntian Prefecture investigation—a serious offense that could lead to severe punishment. But the Black Cavalry Guard was different.
Shen Yanchuan’s unit answered only to him, and he, in turn, worked for His Majesty. Therefore, not even the court officials had the authority to interfere with the Black Cavalry Guard.
And this morning, when Lu Yu went to the Shuntian Prefecture to directly interrogate Wu the Fourth, Emperor Muwu was still unconscious, which meant they could act with even fewer restraints.
Of course, Ye Chutang privately thought that even if Emperor Muwu knew about all this, he wouldn’t hold them accountable.
Shen Yanchuan had taken a hard-line approach, and his investigation had directly uncovered a string of cases related to Xiao Lansi. Emperor Muwu was probably too furious to have the time to care about such details.
Ye Chutang said, "There are a few things I’d like to ask Lord Lu, and I hope you will answer me candidly."
Lu Yu nodded. "Please speak, Second Miss Ye."
Ye Chutang looked at him and asked very directly, "Everything Wu the Fourth said in his testimony—is it all true?"
Lu Yu paused for a moment before saying, "It all came from his own mouth."
Ye Chutang’s eyes narrowed slightly.
’So that means Wu the Fourth did mention Xiao Lansi’s name, and he volunteered that incriminating evidence himself.’
’However...’
Seeing the doubt in Ye Chutang’s expression, Lu Yu added, "The Shuntian Prefecture has already sent people to verify every piece of evidence he mentioned. It all checks out."
In other words, it was an undeniable fact that Xiao Lansi had ordered Wu the Fourth to assassinate Ye Chutang.
This also greatly increased the credibility of Zhou Kangxue’s accusation against Xiao Lansi.
And then there was that Jade Pendant—
"Your master already knows all of this?" Ye Chutang asked suddenly.
Lu Yu was taken aback, not having expected her to ask such a question.
Then, he nodded. "Yes."
Shen Yanchuan had seen Wu the Fourth’s testimony even before the Eldest Princess and the others.
’As I thought...’
Ye Chutang wasn’t surprised by this answer, but what she found strange was—
"Then why didn’t he go to the palace to report it himself?"
With so much discovered and the case being so significant, Shen Yanchuan should have gone straight to the palace.
But Ye Chutang had spent a long time at the palace today and hadn’t seen him at all.
"Has your master been very busy lately?"
Lu Yu paused, then understood. "You wish to see him?"
Ye Chutang: "..."
Lu Yu said, "I will inform him at once. I’ll have a reply for you within a quarter of an hour."
With that, he turned to leave.
The master had said that anything happening here must be reported promptly. Moreover, this was a personal request from Second Miss Ye, so it naturally had to be handled with extra urgency.
Ye Chutang: "...???"
’Why does he make it sound like I’m desperate to see Shen Yanchuan?’
’Did he misunderstand something?’
"Hey—" Ye Chutang called out.
Lu Yu turned back. "Do you have any other orders?"
Ye Chutang was momentarily speechless, unsure how to explain herself.
’How could she say she was just asking casually?’
But he had sent his men to protect her. If she really said that, she would seem far too ungrateful...
Ye Chutang cleared her throat. "I do have something I’d like to discuss with your master in person, but if it’s inconvenient for him, then never mind—"
"Understood."
Lu Yu nodded.
"I will be sure to convey your wishes."
Ye Chutang: ’...Huh? No, wait, something doesn’t seem right here?’
"I didn’t..."
Before she could finish, Lu Yu’s figure had already vanished from the courtyard.
"...mean that."
Ye Chutang stared at the empty courtyard with mixed feelings, muttering to herself.
’The lords of the Black Cavalry Guard are certainly capable in their own ways, but why... are they all so single-minded?’
’Yun Cheng is probably the most flexible of them all. No wonder Shen Yanchuan chose him to hold the fort in the Capital City.’
Anyone else in his place might not have been able to navigate such a treacherous and unpredictable city.
"...Forget it."
Ye Chutang had originally planned to pick a time to treat Shen Yanchuan to a meal at the Yunlai Tavern to express her gratitude. But since things had turned out this way, there was no time like the present.
Today would have to do.
There’s no such thing as a wall that doesn’t leak. Who knew how far the news of what happened in the palace today had already spread.
By tomorrow, the powerful and noble families of the Capital City would probably be in an uproar.
The Black Cavalry Guard, the Shuntian Prefecture, Xiao Lansi...
All the previous incidents now had a cause, and it was bound to stir up another storm.
In that case, she had no reason to be secretive either.
With this thought, Ye Chutang suddenly felt refreshed and invigorated.
She raised her voice and called out.
"Someone, prepare a banquet!"