TGCFNM -Chapter 67 Going to the Lu Residence

Everyone at the table stopped mid-action, all turning to look at Yang Huaishan.

Wan Sanjin hesitated for a moment before asking, “So… you’re basing it purely on your trust? You’re sure Lu Anming wouldn’t kill?”

Yang Huaishan faltered, his voice weak, “I… I truly trust his character. I believe… he wouldn’t.”

Chu Ling put down her chopsticks and bowl. “Has his stepmother been buried? Can we examine the body?”

Yang Huaishan awkwardly tugged at the corner of his mouth. “She’s been buried… it’s not possible… we can’t examine the body.”

“Unless the grave is exhumed,” Chu Ling added.

Yang Huaishan’s eyes widened. Flustered, he looked up at Chu Ling, unable to sit still. “I… I do know where the grave is.”

Su He also set down his bowl. “If we’re going to exhume the grave, then it has to be at night. No need to set off so early in the morning.”

Chu Ling stroked her jaw. “Su He, you rest here at the inn. I’ll leave Xiao Hua and Zhang Dong with you.”

“All right,” Su He replied.

Chu Ling turned to Wan Sanjin. “Wan Sanjin, we’ll split into two groups. You try to get details about the case from Lu Anming in the death prison.”

Wan Sanjin nodded. “And you, sir?”

Chu Ling looked at Yang Huaishan. “I hope someone can help me sneak into the Lu Residence to see if there’s any evidence.”

Yang Huaishan pressed his lips together and nodded firmly. “I’ll think of a way with Lu Shiming.” Saying this, he got up and headed out of the inn.

“Who’s Lu Shiming?” Wan Sanjin asked curiously.

Chu Ling tapped the table lightly with her finger. “He’s the child of Lu Anming’s stepmother, practically a brother to Lu Anming, though they have different fathers and mothers.”

“They must be very close as brothers,” Wan Sanjin said. “If Lu Anming harbors suicidal intentions, perhaps we can use Lu Shiming to give him some hope.”

Zhang Dong sighed. “Such a fine family… sigh…”

After breakfast, Su He returned to his room to rest and regain his strength.

Wan Sanjin went out alone, looking for a way to the death prison.

Chu Ling sat in the main hall for a while, waiting, until Yang Huaishan returned briskly with a young man—likely Lu Shiming.

After the three greeted each other, Yang Huaishan introduced them, “This is the county magistrate of Sishui County that I mentioned.”

“And this is Lu Shiming, Lu Anming’s brother.”

Chu Ling nodded casually. “Let’s go. No time to waste. We can talk on the way.”

Yang Huaishan immediately responded, “The carriage is ready.”

The three boarded the carriage in turn. The wheels slowly began to turn, heading toward the Lu Residence.

Lu Shiming, a little nervous facing Chu Ling, spoke up, “Today Uncle Lu went out to meet friends. I said I was bringing friends to organize Mother’s belongings… that’s how we can get inside.”

Chu Ling nodded and smiled reassuringly. “Why don’t you introduce your parents first?”

Lu Shiming let out an ‘ah’ and glanced at Yang Huaishan before speaking quietly, “My father… my surname is Lu. When I was three, he was killed by horse bandits.”

Chu Ling immediately asked, “Your father was a businessman, right? Is that why he ran into bandits on the road?”

Lu Shiming nodded. “I heard my mother say that back then, my father had just died, his body still warm, and many people came to bully our household. My mother, just a woman, had to hold the family together, protect me and my grandmother—it was really hard. At that time, only Uncle Lu was willing to help us and keep our home afloat.”

“Was your Uncle Lu a close friend of your father?” Chu Ling asked.

Lu Shiming quickly shook his head. “No. Uncle Lu’s surname is Lu, the ‘Lu’ from Lu Shu, and my father’s surname is Lu as in Shui Lu. Two different families, different businesses. Uncle Lu despised my father for being so money-minded, and my father thought Uncle Lu was pretentious. They didn’t get along since they were children.”

Chu Ling sighed. “It’s ironic. The person they didn’t get along with back then ended up helping, while those who were normally kind tore off their masks.”

Lu Shiming sniffled a little pitifully. “Uncle Lu lost his wife early on and never remarried. My grandmother saw that he was a good man, so she took the initiative to match him with my mother. Over time, my mother and Uncle Lu married. She wanted to take me to live with them, but my grandmother didn’t agree and insisted I stay at the Lu household.”

Chu Ling, having understood some of the background, continued, “Yang Huaishan said your mother treated Lu Anming very well, and that you and Uncle Lu never had any other children.”

Lu Shiming nodded. “Yes.”

“What is Uncle Lu’s reputation here in Wanzhou?” Chu Ling asked.

Lu Shiming thought for a moment before answering, “He’s upright, kind, and learned, though unfortunately he failed the imperial examinations every time. With little family wealth to support him, he became a teacher. I was tutored by Uncle Lu from the start.”

At that moment, the carriage slowly stopped. Lu Shiming lifted the curtain and said, “Sir, we’ve arrived.”

Chu Ling gave a hum and climbed out of the sedan chair. Looking at the imposing vermilion gate before her and the two stone lions standing at the entrance, she turned back in surprise and asked, “No extra money to support the household?”

Lu Shiming smiled. “My mother was quite skilled in management, and when she married in, my grandmother had prepared a substantial dowry, including several shops.”

“Your grandmother treated your mother well—her own son died, yet she found someone new for her daughter-in-law,” Chu Ling said as she jumped down from the carriage.

Lu Shiming then stepped down using a small stool, hurriedly saying, “Mother struggled to hold the family together; grandmother thought she had suffered too much and was still so young—she shouldn’t remain a widow.”

Chu Ling admired her. “I’d really like to meet your grandmother.”

Lu Shiming said, “That’s easy. Once we leave here, sir can come with me home. My family’s chef makes exquisite fish slices, and my older brother loves them too…”

His voice grew quieter as he thought of his brother, who was to be executed in three days, and how helpless he felt.

Chu Ling patted his shoulder in consolation.

Yang Huaishan said, “Shiming, lead us inside first.”

Lu Shiming nodded, stepped forward to knock on the door, and after explaining the situation to the steward, beckoned them inside.

Chu Ling and Yang Huaishan climbed the stone steps together and entered.

“Steward, I’ve come to sort through my mother’s belongings. I’d like to take a few things as mementos,” Lu Shiming said.

“Young Master Lu, please go ahead. I won’t disturb you,” the steward said, turning his back to wipe his eyes sadly.

Lu Shiming whispered, “My mother was a good woman. Everyone liked her very much.”

Chu Ling sighed. Such a pity.

Having practically grown up in the Lu residence, Lu Shiming knew his way around. He quickly led them to the outer courtyard of the main house.

“Ever since my mother passed away, Uncle Lu has never set foot here again,” Lu Shiming said sadly.

“Is this where your mother was killed?” Chu Ling asked.

Lu Shiming nodded. “Uncle Lu said he had recently acquired a painting of a boy sitting before a Bodhisattva and wanted to give it to my mother. But when he pushed open the gate, he saw my older brother plunge a dagger into my mother’s abdomen. My mother’s hands were still tightly gripping the dagger.”