Xiao Yan?
Queen Lu's heart skipped a beat and she glanced at Jinzhi.
Jinzhi quickly signaled the eunuch to go out and shut up and stop talking nonsense, then she walked to the front of the hall, calmed herself down and bowed to Xiao Yan.
"This servant greets Governor Xiao. Your Majesty has been feeling unwell recently. I wonder what Governor Xiao is here for?"
After Prince Cheng was imprisoned, the Queen suddenly fell ill. Xiao Yan also knew about the people from the Imperial Medical Bureau going in and out of Fengxi Palace. He said calmly, "I am following the order of His Majesty to investigate the case of the Lu family's collusion with Prince Cheng. I have some questions for the Queen."
Jinzhi said, "Your Highness has lived in the palace for a long time and rarely asks about state affairs. The ladies of the Lu family are also unaware of this. If Governor Xiao has anything to ask, he can go to the Lu family."
"Of course we have to go to the Lu family, but the Queen should know about this first." Seeing that Jin Zhi was unmoved, Xiao Yan looked up at the closed palace door: "Prince Cheng confessed that he colluded with the Lu family, and Xie Yin is not of royal blood, but pretended to be a descendant of the Lu family..."
"Master Xiao!"
Jin Zhi almost lost control of her expression, and quickly interrupted Xiao Yan's unfinished words, changing her attitude: "Please wait for a moment, Governor Xiao, I will pass the message right away."
Jinzhi hurried in, and a moment later, Xiao Yan entered the palace.
Queen Lu's face was no longer as calm as before. Even though she tried her best to keep a steady expression, a hint of anxiety could be seen between her brows.
She didn't know how much Xie Tianyu had revealed, nor did she know why Xiao Yan came to see her, but since it was Xiao Yan who came alone, and not to directly search the guards of Fengxi Palace, she tried her best to tell herself not to lose her composure first.
Empress Lu sat back in her chair, frowned, and said in a deep voice, "What did Governor Xiao mean by what he said just now? What did he mean by Xie Yin being the heir of the Lu family?"
Xiao Yan looked distracted: "Does the Queen know what happened in the morning court?"
Empress Lu was stunned for a moment: "I don't know what happened in the previous dynasty..."
Xiao Yan glanced at the queen vaguely, but did not expose her words. He just said, "Prince Cheng was arrested and imprisoned for treason. After interrogation, he revealed that he was secretly colluding with the Lu family. I have reported this to Your Majesty at the morning court, but there is one thing I have not told others."
"When interrogating Prince Cheng earlier, he not only revealed his collusion with the Lu family, but also confessed that he had had an affair with a woman from the Lu family. Before he tricked Second Lady Rong into marrying him, he had already had sex with a woman from the Lu family. Later, he coveted the power of the Rong family and was reluctant to give up the help that the Rong family brought, nor did he want to give up the Lu family easily. So when Second Lady Rong gave birth, he replaced the blood of the Lu family with the blood of the Rong family."
"This child is Xie Yin today."
Queen Lu seemed shocked by his words and stood up suddenly: "Impossible, then how could Master Xie be a member of the Lu family?"
Xiao Yan said calmly, "This is Prince Cheng's own confession. This woman was the middleman between him and the Lu family. Even Hou Rui, the Minister of War, helped Prince Cheng because of her. I am here to investigate Prince Cheng's case under the order of Your Majesty. So I came here to ask Your Majesty, do you know who in the Lu family might have an affair with Prince Cheng?"
"Didn't Prince Cheng confess?" Queen Lu pinched her palms.
Xiao Yan said: "It would be easy if he confessed. I guessed it from his words."
"Although I caught him out of control and tricked him into revealing this, he refused to say a word afterwards. Now we only know that Xie Yin is a descendant of the Lu family, but we have no idea who his biological mother is, or who secretly had an affair with Prince Chen."
Empress Lu's heart, which had nearly jumped out of her throat, finally calmed down a little. She tried her best to keep her expression low and said, "This matter is really too shocking, but I have been married into the royal family for many years, and I really don't know anything about the Lu family..."
"Your Majesty, do you really not know?" Xiao Yan frowned. "If your Majesty really doesn't know, then I can only take people to find the Lu family. However, when the war breaks out, everyone in the world will know that the Lu family has done such a shameful thing. Your Majesty's reputation will be implicated, and His Majesty will probably be furious."
Empress Lu naturally knew what the consequences would be if Xiao Yan went to the Lu family. She looked at the people in front of the palace calmly: "Superintendent Xiao and the Lu family are at war to the death. If this matter is exposed, the Lu family will become the target of public criticism. Why are you helping me for no reason?"
"The Queen is the Queen, and the Lu family is the Lu family."
Seeing that Empress Lu was puzzled, Xiao Yan said, "In the matter between Tang Ning and the Lu family, if the Empress had not sent someone to give the phoenix hairpin and promised to seek justice for Tang Ning, the Lu family would not have been so easily controlled, and half of the collection of books would not have been given to Tang Ning."
"Tang Ning has used this opportunity to clear her bad name, and the academy will protect her for the rest of her life. She owes you a favor for the Lu family. I have promised her that if there is a suitable opportunity, I will repay you for her. This time, it is to repay the favor of the phoenix hairpin. Tang Ning will not owe you anything in the future."
"As for the Lu family..."
Xiao Yan's expression became a little colder: "That person can not only instigate Hou Rui, but also touch the secrets of the Lu family and secretly act as a matchmaker for Prince Cheng. Her status in the Lu family must be high."
"I have Xie Yin and the confession of Prince Cheng in my hands. Even if the Queen knows about it, it will only help her to get out of the way and not be implicated by the Lu family. When the person who had an affair with Prince Cheng is found, the Lu family will still be infamous, and I will get what I want."
"Aren't you afraid that I will tell the Lu family?" Queen Lu said in a deep voice.
"Will the Queen do that?" Xiao Yan raised his lips, with a firm look in his eyes: "The Queen and the Fourth Prince have already given up the Lu family, haven't they?"
"If you were truly of one mind, I would not have come to see the Queen today."
Queen Lu's original suspicion was completely dispelled by his cold and harsh words.
She was glad that she had given up the Lu family and surrendered the Phoenix Hairpin without hesitation, and she was also glad that Song Tangning was stupid enough. If she was not as loyal as the old man in the Rong family, and Xiao Yan had exposed the matter directly in the court, she would not have had any chance of saving herself.
The stern expression on Queen Lu's face softened: "I just disdain what the Lu family did. Tang Ning is a good child. The Lu family was wronged by her. I have always loved her as my own daughter."
"As for what happened today, thank you Governor Xiao for telling me. Although I don't know who is the one who committed adultery with Prince Chen, Governor Xiao saved my mother and me once. No matter what, I will remember your kindness."
Xiao Yan raised his eyes and looked at her: "Is it true that the Queen doesn't know about the Lu family's affairs?"
Queen Lu shook her head: "I really don't know."
Xiao Yan frowned upon hearing this: "Then it seems that I can only go to the Lu family to investigate personally."
Empress Lu quickly spoke up: "If Governor Xiao rashly goes to the Lu family, the Lu family will definitely not admit it. If the Lu family knows about this matter concerning the clan's reputation in advance, they will probably try to silence you."
"If we can't find anyone who has an affair with Prince Cheng by then, even if we have Prince Cheng's confession, the Lu family can still turn around and say that Governor Xiao tortured him into confessing. After all, who can prove that Xie Yin is a descendant of the Lu family?"
Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows: "Then what does the Queen think I should do?"
"Of course, we should make plans before we act." Empress Lu said, "Rather than letting the Lu family and that person be on guard, it would be better for Governor Xiao to investigate secretly first. I will also find a way to investigate among the clan. If we can capture the person in one fell swoop, the Lu family will not be able to make excuses no matter how many excuses they have."
Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes slightly: "The Queen is really concerned about this matter."
"Superintendent Xiao also said that I was almost implicated by the Lu family."
Empress Lu looked sullenly, "This palace and the prince just want a peaceful life, but the Lu family keeps causing trouble. Previously, they almost ruined his reputation by handing over Rong's things to the prince, and now this despicable thing has happened."
"As Governor Xiao said, the Lu family is the Lu family, and I am me. Although they are my clan members, if they endanger me and my son, and block my son's path, then I cannot be blamed for being heartless."
She played the role of a mother who would give up everything for her son's future to perfection. When she looked up at Xiao Yan, a serious expression appeared on her face.
"I have never wanted to be an enemy of Governor Xiao, and I hope that if I can really help Governor Xiao this time, I hope that when Governor Xiao settles accounts with the Lu family, he will not involve me and my son."
She paused.
"Although I don't know what the future will be like, I can promise you that if the Fourth Prince has a chance to succeed the throne in the future, Governor Xiao can still maintain the same status in the court as when Your Majesty was in power, and his position will be even higher than it is now, and there is no doubt about it."
After Empress Lu finished speaking, she looked straight at Xiao Yan. She knew that the man in front of her was a eunuch without any family or clan, so he naturally had to seek a way out. His honor, disgrace, wealth and status all depended on the emperor, so he naturally had to consider his retreat after Emperor An passed away.
She didn't believe that Xiao Yan would not be tempted.
Sure enough, Xiao Yan, who had been cold just now, showed some emotion on his face. He narrowed his eyes and looked at the queen for a moment before speaking: "I will consider this matter carefully."
"What about the Lu family?"
"I will take people to investigate secretly first."
Queen Lu knew that she had convinced Xiao Yan, and her expression relaxed: "Okay, if I have any clues, I will inform Governor Xiao as soon as possible."
Xiao Yan lowered his head: "Then I'll trouble you to do your best."
…
Xiao Yan did not stay in Fengxi Palace for long. He told the Queen about Prince Cheng and made the Queen think that he could be won over before turning around and leaving.
After everyone left, Queen Lu forced a smile and returned to the bedroom in the back. After closing the door and leaving the room alone, she waved her hand with a grim face and knocked the cups on the table away.
Jinzhi's feet were almost hit. Seeing Queen Lu's gloomy face, she also looked flustered: "Madam, Xiao Yan's mind is unpredictable and may be difficult to bribe."
"I know." If Xiao Yan was so easy to bribe, why would she be so restrained!
Empress Lu said coldly, "He is rootless after all, so he has to find someone to rely on. As long as he doesn't do anything too extreme, I will have a chance."
Jinzhi was uneasy: "But the methods used by the criminal department are not something that ordinary people can withstand. It has only been a few days and Prince Cheng has already revealed so much. If he is allowed to stay any longer, I am worried that he will not be able to bear it sooner or later."
Of course, they have the magic weapon of the Fourth Prince in their hands, and they also know that King Chen will never betray the Queen for the sake of this only "bloodline", but Xiao Yan's methods are cruel.
If the punishment is severe, who can guarantee that King Cheng can really hold his tongue? If he relaxes even a little, their lives will be in vain!
Queen Lu's face darkened when she heard this. She knew, of course, that this matter could not be delayed. Xiao Yan was a lunatic. In order to please Emperor An, he had always spared no effort in dealing with the aristocratic families.
Xie Tianyu probably knew that he could not bear the torture, so he deliberately misled Xiao Yan to think about the Lu family. He was trying to pass the message to her so that she could make a choice as soon as possible.
Queen Lu grasped her fingertips and looked serious.
Now that Hou Rui was arrested, the affairs of Prince Cheng's Mansion and the Lu family could no longer be concealed, but everything she did in the past was to avoid Lu Chongyuan and the others.
She had been secretly using the Lu family's things to "nourish" Prince Chen, and had been maintaining a "private affair" with Prince Chen without telling Lu Chongyuan, hoping that one day he would be able to "repay" the emperor, but now this had become the most fatal thing.
Once Xiao Yan finds Lu Chongyuan, there is no need for a confrontation. With Lu Chongyuan's shrewdness, he will immediately suspect her.
Once he knew what she had done, the Lu family would be the first to sacrifice her in order to protect themselves. Then, there would be no need for anyone else to take action, as Lu Chongyuan would be the first to take her and the prince's lives, to prevent them from dragging down the entire Lu family and causing them to be executed.
Queen Lu would never let this happen.
Even if there is no way out this time and she is destined to break with the Lu family, she still has to protect herself and the prince, so that the Lu family dare not, and cannot, take the initiative to tear this layer of window paper and bear the blame for her.
Queen Lu stood there and walked back and forth a few steps, thinking about countermeasures in her mind.
Xie Tianyu is definitely not going to be saved. If Xiao Yan wants to give up and let the matter of Prince Cheng's Mansion stop here, he must find someone as soon as possible to confirm the affair with Xie Tianyu, and make Xiao Yan feel that there is no need to continue investigating. By then, Xie Tianyu will become a useless "waste" and naturally will not be tortured anymore.
Empress Lu quickly came up with a plan in her mind. After thinking about all the people in the Lu family, a figure emerged in her mind, and she made a decision in an instant: "I am very worried about the morning court. Please go to the Lu family to see my father and others."
"Go to the Lu family?" Jin Zhi was stunned: "At this time?"
"Yes, let's go now."
Queen Lu walked to the storage cabinet in the room, took out a string of green jade and gold-inlaid bracelets from the innermost case, and handed them to Jinzhi.
"After my eldest brother went to prison, Lu Zhinian suddenly disappeared. I'm afraid my sister-in-law is worried. Go to the Lu family to see my father. After asking them about the morning court, go visit her on the way for me."
Jinzhi's expression changed immediately when she looked at the bracelet. This bracelet...
"My lady, you want the first lady..."
"I had no choice but to do this."
Empress Lu placed the bracelet in Jinzhi's hand and looked up at her: "If this matter is not resolved as soon as possible, no one will be safe. You have been with me for many years, you should know what to do, right?"
Jinzhi's face turned pale, and she instantly understood what Queen Lu meant. Facing Queen Lu's stern eyes, she quickly lowered her head and said, "I know."
"Avoid people and do it cleanly."
"yes."
Empress Lu said, "Go ahead and pick some things from the storehouse and send them to the Lu family."
"I understand."
After Jinzhi left, Queen Lu looked at her back for a long while, with a hint of cruelty in her eyes. Recently, Jinzhi had been doing her job poorly and made many mistakes. She knew too many things that she shouldn't know.
Once Xie Tianyu's matter is settled, Jinzhi can no longer stay.
She must not leave any trouble behind.