Lu Zhenting cordially welcomed Lu Qingwan into his manor, and only after avoiding everyone's gaze did he quietly ask, "What exactly happened? Why was I summoned back in such a hurry?"
He said this while glancing at the imperial guards searching throughout the Marquis's manor.
"And them, what are they doing?"
"I just received news that someone intends to make a move against Father. As a precaution, I had people bring you back."
Without waiting for Lu Zhenting to ask further, Lu Qingwan recounted everything about Su Bojun colluding with Ming Wuya to intercept royal army intelligence.
The latter was shocked, "Intercepting royal army intelligence? What is Su Bojun trying to do?"
"Isn't his objective obvious enough?"
Lu Qingwan dropped a bombshell, "Naturally, it's to help his nephew, Prince Chen, ascend to the throne.
They are also well aware of the animosity between Feng Qingheng and me. They know you would never support Feng Qingheng, as you bear the crucial responsibility of guarding the capital.
If they want to succeed, they will naturally need to remove you from the capital first.
My mother's true identity being exposed was their first step in dealing with you.
However, they didn't expect His Majesty to prioritize the bigger picture and not escalate the matter. When their first attempt failed, wouldn't they resort to their next move?"
Lu Zhenting was stunned by his daughter's words, but he had to admit that while Lu Qingwan's claims were shocking, they did hold some truth.
He fumed, "His Majesty is still alive, and they are this impatient?
The collusion between court officials and martial artists is a grave taboo throughout history.
Ming Wuya would stoop to any means to become the leader of the martial arts alliance. Aren't they afraid of seeking help from a tiger, only to be devoured by the ferocious beast in the end?"
"If they could think of these things, they wouldn't be doing them."
Lu Qingwan was unconcerned.
Lu Zhenting, however, clearly couldn't remain as calm as her. Although he appeared scholarly, after decades in the military, his core had no room for tolerance.
Upon hearing this, he immediately said, "You stay in the manor for now. I will go into the palace to inform His Majesty of the situation and let him make a decision."
"Father, please remain calm."
Lu Qingwan sighed with some helplessness, "Currently, we have no evidence whatsoever to prove that this matter is related to Prince Chen.
Please wait for Li Jin and the others to investigate and see what Prince Chen intends to do to you. It won't be too late to report to His Majesty after everything is clear."
Although Lu Zhenting was annoyed, he could still heed advice.
Hearing this, he forcibly calmed himself. "The manor guards are unfamiliar with the Marquis's estate, and there might be oversights. I will personally go and see.
I want to see how they intend to slander me."
Lu Qingwan nodded, "I'll go with you."
The Zhaolie Marquis Manor was a residence specially bestowed by Emperor Jingyou after Lu Zhenting had earned military merits. It was much larger than an ordinary marquis manor.
Finding some letters or similar items would indeed be difficult.
They searched Lu Zhenting's study, bedroom, and the warm pavilion where he usually took naps, but found nothing.
Li Jin yawned repeatedly, "Princess Consort, could it be that those people never intended to use letters or the like to harm the Marquis, but rather a different method?"
Lu Qingwan stood with her hands on her hips, pondering for a long time in the room, and still insisted, "Father holds high authority and enjoys the Emperor's trust. Ordinary charges won't bring him down.
Even if the other party intends to harm Father using external matters, there would be no lack of preparation within the manor.
Continue searching. All places where letters could be hidden, search them all over again."
As her words fell, Li Jin led the way, while Lu Qingwan muttered to herself, "It shouldn't be! What place haven't we searched yet?"
Liang Xia, who had accompanied them, weakly raised her hand, "Princess Consort, do you remember where the incriminating evidence from the Wenchang Marquis Manor was found back then?"
"My mother's dowry!"
Lu Qingwan suddenly realized, "Quick, everyone follow me!"
When Lu Qingwan got married, she was unaware of her mother's true identity. To leave some belongings for Lu Zhenting as a memento, she did not take all of Princess Anyang's dowry.
Those items were stored in the storeroom and no one touched them year-round.
Upon hearing this, Li Jin led the guards into the storeroom to search together. Lu Qingwan and Lu Zhenting, father and daughter, also joined the search.
The group searched like spirited dogs tearing down a house. Although it was the depths of winter, they broke out in a sweat from exhaustion.
The group was quite tired but still found nothing. Lu Qingwan turned to Liang Xia and asked, "Where are the dowry items sent back by Prince Chen?"
When she married, her only maid was Yue'er. The dowry was arranged by Man Chun and others, so Liang Xia and the others should know.
As expected, Liang Xia surveyed the surroundings and quickly located the portion of the dowry Lu Qingwan mentioned, "Princess Consort, it's here!"
This time, without Lu Qingwan saying anything further, the guards proactively began searching through the dowry items sent back by Feng Qingheng.
They dismantled everything they could: inside vases, gaps in large ornaments, and layers of various sized brocade boxes.
Just as everyone was about to be disappointed again, a guard exclaimed, "Princess Consort, look, is it this?"
After searching for an entire afternoon, with the first glimmer of hope, everyone looked at the guard as if a halo was shining above his head!
"Let me see!"
Lu Qingwan lunged forward. Having been crouched on the ground for too long, she almost knocked over the multi-treasure cabinet displaying jade ornaments when she suddenly stood up.
"Princess Consort, be careful!"
Ren Dong, with quick reflexes, rushed to support her. Lu Qingwan didn't have time to regain her composure and leaned on Ren Dong to take the item.
It was a well-sealed oil-paper packet. Lu Qingwan quickly tore open the packaging, but upon seeing what was inside, she was stunned.
She knew that if someone truly intended to harm Lu Zhenting, their actions would not be minor, superficial attempts.
However, she never expected them to be so willing to spare no expense to harm Lu Zhenting.
She looked at Lu Zhenting blankly, "Father, when you were in Xijiang, did you have any dealings with the Xiliang people?"
Lu Qingwan had just mentioned that someone intended to harm him, and now Xiliang people were involved.
Lu Zhenting immediately became vigilant, "During the war, our army couldn't get used to the northern staple foods for a period. To ensure my soldiers had the strength to fight, I found Xiliang merchants to exchange white flour for some rice.
Other than that, I never contacted them privately.
But that person who sold me rice, are they the problem?"
Lu Qingwan handed the parchment in her hand to Lu Zhenting, "Whether the Xiliang grain merchant has a problem is uncertain, but the person behind it will definitely make them seem problematic."
Lu Zhenting, not understanding, took the parchment and looked at it, extremely surprised, "Trading iron sand?
How is this possible? The three iron ore mines in the thirteen prefectures of Xijiang are all under the jurisdiction of the Regent.
If the Regent hadn't mentioned it himself at His Majesty's birthday banquet, I wouldn't have known there were iron mines in Xijiang, let alone how to sell iron sand to the Xiliang people?"
Lu Qingwan took the parchment back, "Whether you sold it or not is no longer important.
Father, take this and go to the palace immediately to see His Majesty.
Li Jin, investigate immediately. Were any of my father's subordinates in Xijiang exhibiting unusual behavior?
If anyone had contact with Su Bojun or Prince Chen's men, regardless of their identity, apprehend them immediately. I, this Princess Consort, will personally explain to His Majesty if there are any issues."