"She won't," Lu Jingxing said without reservation.
Yu Mingyue sneered, "It seems she hates you to the bone, unwilling to even let you see her soul."
Yu Mingyue truly believed Lu Jingxing was mad. He had sent people to Qinghe and even to the Cui family's old residence in Anping more than once during this period.
Fortunately, her brother knew he couldn't deceive him for long. Youyou had left Anping immediately after recovering from her injuries.
She was originally meant to live with the Zheng family, who had also survived the ordeal, so she would have someone to look after her. However, Youyou felt that the Zheng family had been implicated unjustly this time. Even if they were willing to care for her, she would have no face to meet them.
Youyou must have also known that Lu Jingxing was still looking for her. Fearing she would implicate the Duke's Mansion, she hadn't dared to write a letter for so long.
Du Rui was extremely anxious on the side, wanting to advise but not daring to. No, it wasn't that he didn't dare, but rather that he was a minor official with a humble background and couldn't possibly offer advice.
Hearing their conversation, it seemed Lord Yu had some old grievances with Commander Lu. Why would they offend this閻王 (Yan Wang - King of Hell, a term for someone powerful and feared) in the officialdom?
"Because she... is alive," Lu Jingxing emphasized the word "alive."
"I also hope she is alive. Commander Lu, why don't you try looking in the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment and courtesan establishment)?" Yu Mingyue said with a contemptuous smile.
If he hadn't forced Youyou into such a place, she would still believe that even if he wanted revenge, he at least liked Youyou.
Was his current pretense of affection because he wouldn't be satisfied until Youyou was dead?
The words "Jiaofangsi" struck Lu Jingxing, and he froze on the spot.
He hadn't intended for her to enter the Jiaofangsi; he just wanted to teach her a lesson, to let her know that some words couldn't be spoken lightly.
Yu Mingyue was very pleased with his current expression, feeling a sense of vengeful satisfaction. Since he wanted to play the role of a love saint, he probably wouldn't mind having his scars exposed.
Yu Mingyue finished speaking and left. It was truly bad luck to encounter this on her first day in office.
Du Rui didn't dare to be as bold as Yu Mingyue. After bowing respectfully to Lu Jingxing, he followed Yu Mingyue.
"I will definitely find her!"
Lu Jingxing's voice came from behind. Yu Mingyue ignored him, not even pausing her steps.
The world was vast, but if Lu Jingxing was determined not to give up until he achieved his goal, how long could Youyou hide? Yu Mingyue felt a little worried.
Lu Jingxing looked at Yu Mingyue's retreating back. Was she too adept at disguise, with her watertight facade, or was Youyou truly...
No, she was alive!
He had a premonition that she was definitely alive, she just didn't want to see him.
There were still people in this world whom she cared about; she wouldn't die.
"My lord, your room is this way," Du Rui reminded her.
As the principal official, Yu Mingyue had her own room. The room was very neatly cleaned, with books on law on the bookshelf. "I don't know your preferences, my lord. Please feel free to instruct me if you need anything."
"Very good, thank you, Lord Du, for your trouble."
Du Rui opened the drawer of the main seat. "Your official seal is kept inside. Please keep it safe. The desk is piled with newly delivered case files. Please feel free to instruct me if you need anything."
"I understand. Thank you for today."
"My lord, the Five Cities Military and Police Command is responsible for the defense of the capital. We often have case interactions with the Dali Temple. Commander Lu and Shaoqing Zou are close friends," Du Rui said, stopping there and not saying more.
He was now her assessor, and their fortunes were linked. There were some things he should remind her of.
Yu Mingyue recalled Ye Feisheng's words. Shaoqing Zhou was relatively weaker than Lord Zhang and Lord Fan, but he was on good terms with Ye Feisheng, so that wasn't an issue. He, along with the other two, formed a tripartite balance in the Dali Temple.
"I understand. Thank you, Lord Du."
Du Rui knew that Yu Mingyue had understood the implication of his words. He cupped his hands and took his leave.
Yu Mingyue was unaware that her confrontation with Lu Jingxing had made her famous in the Dali Temple.
Although everyone in the Dali Temple was highly skilled and daring, with some stubborn tempers, there were truly few who dared to argue with their superiors like that.
The news of Deputy Temple Lord Yu confronting Commander Lu spread throughout the morning. After all, gossip traveled fast.
The Dali Temple provided lunch. When Yu Mingyue went to eat at noon, she noticed the meaningful glances from everyone.
There were those who were amused, those who were watching the show, those who were curious, and of course, a few oddballs, no, unusual people, who saw her as an idol.
"Lord Yu, I'm rooting for you. I like officials like you who speak justice and dare to confront evil forces," a young man in a light green robe said, placing his meal tray opposite Yu Mingyue.
"Thank you!" Yu Mingyue replied with a polite smile, while remaining cautious in her heart.
"Don't be so formal. My name is Song Yuming. I have some acquaintance with your elder brother. Although I'm just a seventh-rank minor official, I know quite a few people. If you need any help in the future, don't hesitate to ask."
"So you are Brother Song. I've heard my elder brother mention you. I didn't expect to meet you at the Dali Temple." Yu Mingyue had heard her elder brother speak of him as generous and righteous.
However, wasn't he in the Northern Army and had participated in the pacification of Youzhou? He should have become a general in the army. Why had he come to the Dali Temple?
"My mother cried and insisted that being a general was too dangerous, so she asked me to find a leisurely post. So, I came to the Dali Temple to make a living," Song Yuming said casually, not forgetting to remind Yu Mingyue, "Eat up quickly. The chef at our Dali Temple is quite skilled."
Yu Mingyue, with her astute mind, had already guessed the reason. Song Yuming was a son of a concubine, suppressed by his two legitimate elder brothers, making it difficult for him to rise. That's why he had joined the military.
Perhaps his family hadn't expected him to earn military merits and return. It was likely that his legitimate elder brothers didn't want to see him succeed, so he resigned his military post and took up a leisurely position at the Dali Temple.
Who would have thought that the Song family, with the formidable General Song Wei of the Jinwu Guard, would also have such troubles? Truly, every family has its own difficult issues.
Song Yuming had been at the Dali Temple for more than half a year and quickly gave Yu Mingyue an overview of the general situation there.
"So, at the Dali Temple, it's all about speaking with strength. Lord Zhang values this the most. Everything else is nonsense. You can do whatever you want with all your might..."
"That puts my mind at ease. Thank you, Brother Song."
"It's nothing. Just ask if you need anything," Song Yuming said heartily.
...
In the afternoon, Yu Mingyue spent her time reviewing case files from the past few months. Two of the cases were handled by Song Yuming.
Compared to other case files, his investigative thinking was meticulous and his logic was sound. Moreover, his calligraphy showed that he had practiced diligently. It seemed he was truly a versatile scholar. It was truly... blind of Song Wei not to value or even suppress this son.
Unfortunately, she was still only a Deputy Temple Lord. If she were a sixth-rank Temple Official, she would have found a way to request Song Yuming to work under her.
"Yu Mingyue!"
As Yu Mingyue was looking at the case files, the door to her room was opened, and the person calling her name barged in directly.
Yu Mingyue recognized the person; it was Zhao Yayan, who had taken the examination for female officials at the Dali Temple with her.
Yu Mingyue raised an eyebrow and stood with her arms crossed, watching her calmly.
"Yu Mingyue, how dare a mere sixth-rank official be disrespectful to Big Brother Lu? You are presumptuous!"
"司务 (Siwu - a minor official title) Zhao, are you not the one who is presumptuous?"