Firefly Journey

Chapter 255 Thunderous Sound from an Earthenware Pot (2)

Lu Xianju's move may seem ruthless, but it was actually a way to stabilize the situation first and then make a long-term plan.

But surprisingly, he actually succeeded.

Because the current situation is that Lin Yuanran has taken action and crippled all three superhumans.

Having received favors from the Lu family for many years, the three of them would not honestly testify. They could easily insist that they acted according to their own will and that their actions had nothing to do with the Lu family.

As for Lu Xianju, at most it was just verbal provocation; he didn't even qualify to stay for a few days. By sacrificing Lu Huai first, he was already showing weakness.

Although Duan Feibai and Lin Yuanran have concluded that the Lu family is acting like local tyrants in Yunzhou, everything requires evidence, and for now, they cannot bring them to justice.

Duan Feibai said expressionlessly: "Officials of Taiqian should be guardians and practitioners of the laws of the Great Chu, not used as tools for personal gain."

Lu Huai was first suspected of murder in a brothel, and today he instigated another violent crime. Arrest him and lock him in the state jail to await his fate.

The governor gave the order, and none of the officials in the prefecture dared to disobey. In an instant, several knives were placed against Lu Huai's neck.

"Prefect He, please keep a close eye on him for me. If he gets lost, you'll be lost too," Duan Feibai said.

He Changqing's heart skipped a beat, and he quickly agreed. He thought the governor was about to take action against him, but to his surprise, he was only reprimanded and there was no real punishment.

He had a feeling of having survived a disaster.

"I like peace and quiet. If you don't have anything to do, get out of here and don't interfere with the boss's business."

Lu Xianju, leaning on his cane, nodded to the servants, and they gradually withdrew.

As He Changqing led the officials from the prefectural government away, Duan Feibai said, "There are many suspicious points in the case of the courtesan of Yuqiong Tower. Tell the relevant personnel to be ready to serve at any time. Starting tomorrow, I will conduct a thorough investigation."

"Yes, I will go and give the order right away." He Changqing left, drenched in sweat.

After the two groups of people left, only Lin Yuanran and his companion remained in the inn's lobby, along with the innkeeper's assistant who was terrified, and the accountant.

The two went back upstairs, and Lin Yuanran said, "Boss, bring us a plate of braised fish, a plate of braised beef, a roast chicken, and a barrel of wine."

Duan Feibai added, "We'll also have some vegetarian dishes, like peanuts, smashed cucumber, and stir-fried cabbage."

"Oh, and have the person who does the accounting bring it up; no one else will do."

After saying that, the two returned to Duan Feibai's room.

After instructing the kitchen staff, the boss was a little puzzled. The food was fine, but why did the governor send the accountant to deliver it?

Having run the shop for many years, he knew the principle of not asking questions or inquiring about things he shouldn't. As soon as the dishes were finished, he would have the person in charge of the bill take them away.

A crisp knock sounded, and after receiving permission from the two, the accountant, dressed in plain clothes, entered.

One dish after another was served until all the ordered dishes were served, at which point Duan Feibai said, "Please sit down and eat with us."

The accountant didn't stand on ceremony and immediately sat down, while the bowls and chopsticks on the table were clearly three sets.

Lin Yuanran laughed and said, "We didn't ask for three sets of cutlery."

The accountant smiled and said, "I knew you were looking for me."

"Alright then." Duan Feibai smiled at the two of them. "Then tell me, what is your relationship with that girl from Qinjue Valley and Bingyan Valley?"

The accountant poured himself a glass of wine, drank it all in one gulp, and said, "Cousin."

"Just cousins?" Lin Yuanran pressed.

"She's also my childhood sweetheart, and she's my fiancée."

Lin Yuanran was taken aback. He hadn't asked, but now the question had led him to orthopedics.

The accountant explained, "It's a family that's been together for three generations. Our two families have a good relationship. I've known her since I was a child, and we gradually fell in love with each other, so we got engaged."

Why did you have to explain this in the first place...?

Lin Yuanran didn't pay attention to this detail, but then it suddenly dawned on him: she's not your buddy, she's your fiancée, and you're selling her into a brothel?

What an amazing move!

The accountant continued to explain: "My surname is Hu, and my given name is Jun. I live in Fushui City, Yunzhou. My family was living peacefully until that incident happened."

It turns out that Hu Jun and his extremely distant cousins ​​lived very close to each other, and the two families had a very good relationship.

The two families became close, and naturally their children became close as well. Childhood sweethearts and innocent playmates naturally developed into a perfect match.

At that time, although the Hu and Gu families were not wealthy, they were not short of money, and their children were receiving higher education.

Hu Jun aspired from a young age to become the top scholar in the imperial examination, a first-rate minister, and to serve the country.

Gu Bingyan loves music and plays the piano with unparalleled skill. She has no great ambitions and only wants to stay by Hu Jun's side, to be a good wife and mother and live a peaceful life.

Later, Hu Jun was going to the capital to take the imperial examination. Gu Bingyan was really reluctant to let him go. Seeing this, the two families let the two children go to the capital together so that they could look after each other on the way.

Unfortunately, Hu Jun lacked the talent and failed the imperial examination that year. However, he was not discouraged and decided to try again the following year.

After staying in Danyang for a while, the two set off back to Yunzhou.

Little did they know that this trip home would be the beginning of a nightmare for the two of them.

When the two men opened the door to the Hu and Gu families in Fushui City, it was already a ruin, with charred wood and black stones everywhere.

According to insiders, it was when the old man of the Gu family was strolling through the bustling market that he was knocked down by the Lu family's runaway horse. Unexpectedly, the Lu family turned around and accused him of knocking down their horse, thus turning the tables on the Gu family.

The Lu family demanded compensation, which angered the Gu family patriarch. He and the Hu family went to the authorities to seek justice. Little did they know that the magistrate of Fushui County was Lu Xianju's student and had long been in cahoots with him.

So, with no way to seek redress, the two families resolutely refused to pay. Then, on a dark and stormy night, a fire broke out in both houses, and the next day, not even a single animal was left alive.

Upon hearing the devastating news, the two were furious, but they knew they couldn't act rashly, which led to their subsequent plan.

“I remember the day I left Yuqionglou, I turned around and saw her smiling at me. Her smile was especially beautiful, just like the apricot blossoms of Yunzhou.”

As the story progressed, Hu Jun's expression became numb and his tone indifferent, but the two could tell that beneath the calm surface of the lake lay a raging storm.

"I didn't marry her, and she didn't marry me."

Hu Jun picked up the barrel of wine and gulped it all down into his mouth.

Lin Yuanran and Duan Feibai remained silent.

After hearing his story, both of them were furious. The Lu family of Yunzhou was truly arrogant and disregarded the law. They were utterly hateful!

Hu Jun said sadly, "Originally, I planned to wait until Lu Huai was off guard so that Yan'er and I could kill him together. I didn't expect things to happen so suddenly... I don't even dare to go and identify the body."

Lin Yuanran comforted him, saying, "Now that the governor and I are here, we will never allow such an incident to happen again."

"Please accept my condolences. Once this matter is settled, we will go and claim Miss Gu's remains."

Upon hearing this, Hu Jun covered his face and wept bitterly.