Because the new girls entering the palace had to undergo the most important test, there were quite a few body inspection grannies in the palace. The eyes of these grannies were extremely sharp. Any girl that was a bit impure would be seen through by them. Apparently, even if the girl was still pure, if they did something that was just a step away from perfection, they would be able to clearly see through it. It was just that they did not know how to see through it.
When Feng Yu Heng heard about this matter, she had come to a conclusion. She felt that the grannies would not only look at the body, but they would also have studied psychology. Just by looking at the body, they would be able to guess most of the situation.
But ever since Imperial Concubine Yun entered the Imperial Palace over 20 years ago, no new person entered the Imperial Palace. Gradually, the body examination grannies no longer had much use. As time went by, some were let out of the palace, and the remaining few were just taken care of with nothing to do. They were just tasked with this job.
Later on, the Empress gave them the task of inspecting the bodies of the official princesses and secondary princesses that the princes had brought into their palaces. This allowed them to gain a bit of value.
Granny Gui was the most experienced of the body inspection grannies, and she had the sharpest eyes. When the palace heard that Princess Ji An had sent someone to invite her, she was immediately sent out. In regards to this, Feng Yu Heng was very satisfied.
But while she was satisfied, someone else was disappointed. Lu Yao looked as though her soul had left her body, as she sat on the ground. Her face was as pale as a corpse's. Even Lu Song, who was kneeling at the side of the Xuan Tianhua, appeared to be flustered. Furrowing his brow, he seemed to be thinking about something.
Feng Yu Heng watched coldly. Looking back at the Yao family, they all had anger written all over their faces. A perfectly good banquet had turned into a funeral banquet. What sort of situation was this? Yao Xian glared at Lu Song, as if he would not let him off if he did not provide an explanation.
Gui Momo was also someone who was used to seeing big scenes and although she was shocked by the corpse on the ground when she entered the courtyard, she immediately calmed down and quietly walked in front of Feng Yu Heng. She knelt down and greeted in a clear voice, "This servant kowtows in salute to Princess Ji An. Long live Princess!"
Because it was Feng Yu Heng who invited her, she bowed to Feng Yu Heng first. After Feng Yu Heng called for her to rise, she bowed to the princes.
After the people with high positions bowed one by one, they did not pay any attention to the officials present, as they stood at Feng Yu Heng's side.
At this time, Xu Jingyuan, who was seated at the head of the table, spoke up: "Someone come! Bring the girl from the Lu Family in. "
Her words stunned the Lu Family. Lu Song was even more puzzled. What girl from the Lu Family? Wasn't the person that the Lu Family had sent into the Yao manor present? Why was there someone else outside?
Just as he was thinking, he saw an official bring someone in. That person was dressed as a maidservant. Lu Yao's heart sank upon seeing this. It was Lu Yan's personal maidservant.
Ever since she was young, she had never gotten along with Lu Yan. Because they were both daughters of the first wife, and her birth mother had passed away early, over the years, Lu Yan had been focused on trying to remove her from the position of daughter of the first wife. That way, the Lu Family would only have one daughter of the first wife. Like this, Lu Yan's status would be a bit more noble. Unfortunately, her plan never succeeded; however, who knew that it would be Lu Yan's personal maidservant that would come to undermine her.
Lu Yao's entire heart was trembling. Although the governor had not said what the evidence was, she could roughly guess. It was nothing more than the matter between her and Lu Cuo. She resentfully glared at Lu Song, as scenes from the past surfaced in her mind.
Even now, Lu Yao still could not understand. Why was it that Lu Song did not raise his eldest son, Lu Cuo, in the manor, nor did he acknowledge him? It was only after she accidentally met Lu Cuo that she was told that they were siblings? If anyone was to blame for this matter, it was Lu Song. Everything that had happened today was caused by Lu Song!
Lu Yao held in her anger and thought to herself that if she could not get through this ordeal today, she would risk her life and drag this irresponsible father down with her!
Seeing that Lu Yao's gaze towards Lu Song was becoming more and more vicious, the Lu Family's servant that had been brought forward sneered to herself. She then obediently knelt in front of the governor and waited to be questioned.
Lu Song knew that his two daughters did not get along; however, he never thought that the governor would take the initiative to call Lu Yan's personal servant to the court. This servant had taken care of the manor for many years and was raised by the family. If she let out a single word, everything that had happened today would be over.
However, with things as they were, it was no longer a situation that he could control. He heard Xu Jing Yuan say: "Servant of the court, this official has determined that the death of the Lu Family's eldest young master is definitely related to the Lu Family's second young miss. The culprit has already been determined to be her. Right now, we only need one piece of evidence. As for you, are you willing to provide this evidence?"
"That servant raised by the family!" Lu Song finally spoke, "Lord governor has asked a question. You must think carefully before replying."
It was this "servant raised by the family" that caused her to hesitate a little. At the same time, she also managed to react. She had only remembered the third young miss' instructions; however, she had forgotten that her own father and mother were still in the manor. This time, it was not just the second young miss' reputation that had been ruined. It was also the Lu Family's reputation!
Just as she was hesitating, the wet nurse at Lu Yao's side moved slightly while no one was paying attention. Using her body, she quietly said: "Young miss, you must quickly think of a way to protect yourself. You must not hesitate at a time like this."
Lu Yao was startled and did not understand what she had said. The wet nurse quickly added: "In the end, it's just finding the eldest young master's murderer. He was not killed by young miss. You must not allow the governor to make a random judgment at a time like this and place the blame on you."
Lu Yao's mouth moved, and her gaze turned toward the slightly chubby servant. That servant immediately had a bad feeling. But in the end, it was too late. Her status had already determined her fate. In the instant that she had taken action to get rid of Lu Cuo for Lu Yao, she should have thought of the various consequences. One of them was that she would die; however, who knew that it would come so quickly.
"Lord Xu!" Lu Yao suddenly spoke up, rushing to speak before the servant could: "Lord Xu, there's no need to pour dirty water on me. To frame me like this, it's nothing more than wanting to use me to reveal the true culprit. Alright, I'll speak. Even if we don't care about our many years of relationship as master and servant, today's matter concerns a person's life. I cannot continue to hesitate. " As she spoke, she pushed the slightly chubby servant forward and loudly said: "The culprit is here. This servant's name is Pan Chun. She has been at my side for many years and knows a bit of basic martial arts. She is proficient in embroidery. Just now, after eldest brother brought back his gift, this servant quickly chased after him. I know that there are some feelings between eldest brother and her. Eldest brother even mentioned to me that he wanted to take her in as a concubine, thus I did not stop her; however, who knew that eldest brother would suffer a vicious attack. Speaking of, this Pan Chun is the last person to have seen eldest brother. "
Pan Chun was pushed forward, and she personally heard Lu Yao fabricate such an absurd story; however, she had to admire her young miss for having some brains at such a critical moment. But this replacement with a brain was her life!
Following Lu Yao's words, Lu Song also spoke up, as he said: "You servant, this prime minister thought that you have some basic martial arts, thus I kept you at young miss' side to protect her; however, who knew that you would be so vicious! Over the years, has this prime minister not shown enough grace to your family? Which one of your family members does not rely on the prime minister's manor to survive. How could you turn around and harm this prime minister's son? "
Lu Song repeated the same trick. The pressure of the family forced the servant to lower her head. While admitting her crimes, she also found an excuse for herself to kill: "Eldest young master originally said that he would take me in as a concubine, but he said many heartless words this time, causing me to give up on that idea. I was unable to endure this anger and accidentally … killed him. "
Once these words were said, the members of the Lu Family let out a sigh of relief. Lu Yao fell to the ground and began to cry once more.
Feng Yu Heng squinted her eyes and looked at the members of the Yao family. She saw the looks of disbelief on their faces. At this time, Xu Jing Yuan also looked at her; however, she helplessly nodded. The culprit was Pan Chun, and it could not be forcefully blamed on Lu Yao. As for Lu Yao's punishment, she was not waiting for this opportunity.
Xu Jing Yuan repeated the case and found the embroidery needle on Pan Chun's body. After consulting with the princes, the sentence was officially announced.
Pan Chun had killed the eldest young master of the Lu Family and was sentenced to be executed.
When the officials escorted Pan Chun out of the manor and toward the government office, Pan Chun suddenly began to laugh. While laughing, she shouted to Lu Yao: "Second young miss, this servant will be waiting for you downstairs. You must come quickly!"
Lu Yao's sobs came to an abrupt stop, as she subconsciously looked toward granny Gui. Lu Song thought to himself that this was not good and quickly changed the topic, saying: "Lord Xu, since the case has already been concluded, please allow this prime minister to bring his deceased son's body back to the manor to conduct the funeral!"
Who knew that Xu Jing Yuan would not give him any face as the left prime minister, only spitting out: "The body naturally needs to be carried away by the Lu Family's people, but whether or not Prime Minister Lu can leave will depend on his Highness the seventh prince. This official does not care." Turning around, he looked toward Yao Xian and stood up, saying: "Lord Yao, this official's task here has already been completed. Take a look, is there anything else that is inappropriate? If there isn't, this official will be bringing people back. "
Yao Xian nodded and said: "Thank you for the trouble, Lord Xu."
"Lord Yao is too courteous." After Xu Jing Yuan finished speaking, he saluted to Feng Yu Heng and all of the princes before leaving the Yao manor with all of the officials. Right before leaving, he called for the officials to bring Lu Cuo's body back and told Lu Song: "On this joyous day, don't cause trouble for the Yao family. This lowly official will help Prime Minister Lu send this body back."
What could Lu Song say? Looking at Xu Jing Yuan's back, he gritted his teeth in hatred.
At this time, Feng Yu Heng led granny Gui forward a few steps, as she said: "The case has been concluded, but this matter has not been concluded." She looked toward Lu Yao, "Today, this imperial daughter will bestow upon you a great honor. I will allow you to enjoy the treatment that only imperial concubines and official princesses can enjoy."
Granny Gui took a step forward and said to Lu Yao: "Young miss Lu, get up and follow this old servant!"
Lu Yao trembled: "Where are we going?"
Granny Gui said: "Naturally, we are going to the bridal chamber. Or perhaps the Yao family can arrange another room."
Lu Yao screamed: "I'm not going! I don't want to go! You … you are humiliating me! "
Feng Yu Heng pretended to be confused, "Humiliating? Young miss Lu, don't say it like this. If you say it like this, what would the masters and imperial concubines think? They have all passed through this trial. "
"I …" Lu Yao was at a loss for words. If she continued, she would be disrespecting the imperial concubines. That was a crime that she could not bear. After thinking a little more, she thought quickly and suddenly said: "That's also fine, but I have a request." After saying this, she turned to look at Yao Shu with a pitiful expression, "Yao 'er is afraid. Can husband accompany Yao' er?"
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