As Lu Mingxuan’s heart pounded with apprehension, Lin Qingge smiled and bowed to Lu Sanniang:
“Clan Leader Lu, you flatter me. Your brother is intelligent and quick-witted, possessing not only keen insight but also the ability to draw inferences from one instance. He has indeed been of considerable help to me.”
Lu Mingxuan, surprised by his superior’s high praise, looked at her with astonishment. His gratitude lasted less than three seconds before he heard his superior speak again with a smile:
“However, Clan Leader Lu, you should perhaps rein in your brother’s habit of tricking women out of their money.”
“What—?!!!”
Lu Sanniang roared, raising the whip in her hand.
In the next moment, a more earth-shattering roar erupted:
“Lu Xiaoming, have you grown bold?
Not only do you swindle people!
You specifically prey on women’s money!
Your sister, me, is a woman. Don’t you know how difficult life is for women in this world? Yet you have the audacity to cheat women out of their money?
Unacceptable!
I’ll skin you alive, you brat!”
“Your Excellency—!!!”
Lu Mingxuan’s worry turned into reality as he uttered a chiding cry to his superior, then skillfully crouched down, covering his head.
“Lu Mingxuan, what your superior means is that a secret cannot be kept forever.
Instead of hiding it, it’s better to inform Clan Leader Lu from the start. Perhaps Clan Leader Lu will spare your corpse then~”
Hua Jinrong, who enjoyed watching the drama unfold, fanned herself and spoke. She then waved to An San and An Si, who were still standing guard despite their internal injuries, signaling them to leave.
The long whip lashed Lu Mingxuan’s body like a venomous snake, while Lin Qingge and the others continued their meal and drinks.
During this time, Fan Liu, who had become a sycophant, had the best rooms in the mountain stronghold cleaned immaculately, even changing the bedsheets and bedding to new ones. He then sincerely invited everyone to stay as guests in the stronghold.
“Tsk, just as Your Excellency said, this Clan Leader Fan is indeed very hospitable.”
Hearing Murong Bai’s seemingly complimentary yet teasing remark, Lin Qingge introduced to Fan Liu beside her:
“Brother Fan, this Young Master Murong is the great contributor who researched the cure for the plague.”
“I, a mere mortal, thank Young Master Murong for saving my entire family. May I know Young Master Murong’s full name? I shall erect a longevity tablet for Young Master Murong later!”
“That’s an excellent idea!”
A playful curve appeared on Lin Qingge’s lips as she enthusiastically explained:
“This Young Master Murong is indifferent to fame and fortune, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say he views money as dirt. Therefore, rather than offending Young Master Murong’s eyes with worldly possessions, a longevity tablet would be more practical.
If conditions permit, a golden statue would also be acceptable.”
Murong Bai glanced at his superior, who practically had ‘schadenfreude’ written all over his face, and let out an arrogant sound from his nose:
“Hmph, that’s perfect. It can be placed alongside Your Excellency’s longevity tablet.
Those who know will think two deities are being worshipped, while those who don’t might assume it’s a family shrine!
As for a golden statue, there’s no need for such trouble. I happen to be experiencing eye dryness recently and need some worldly possessions to moisten my eyes.”
Lin Qingge was about to retort when Lu Mingxuan, his skin torn and clothes tattered from the whipping, ran over, pleading:
“Sister, I know I was wrong!
I’ll never dare again!
Your Excellency, please save me!
My one-year sentence hasn't even ended. If I’m gone, won’t Your Excellency lose a capable helper?”
“What???
Sentence—!!!”
Lu Sanniang’s mind reeled at the word ‘sentence.’ Her chest felt tight, making it difficult to breathe, and her vision even briefly blurred.
After waiting for a long time without another whip falling, Lu Mingxuan, who had been covering his head, looked up and noticed his sister’s unusual state, asking with concern:
“Sister, are you alright?”
“I’m fine, I’m better than fine!
So much better that I wish I could grab you, you little brat, and strangle you at our parents’ graves!”
Lu Sanniang, who had finally caught her breath, placed a hand on her hip and pointed at Lu Mingxuan’s nose, saying:
“Yes, your sister doesn’t have much ability, nor do I engage in honest work.
To put it bluntly, my head is on the line, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if I were arrested and beheaded any day!
But—
Although my profession is robbery, I have never harmed an innocent person, nor have I done anything that goes against my conscience!
Our Lu family has been loyal and upright for three generations; we are, in a way, descendants of a scholarly family.
Your sister doesn’t ask you to achieve great things or bring glory to our ancestors.
But you, brat, with your hands and feet, only scheme for crooked and harmful methods!
At such a young age, you’re already eating prison meals!
Unacceptable!
Today, I must skin and dismember you, young man, to atone to the ancestors of the Lu family!”
Lu Sanniang seemed truly provoked by the word ‘sentence.’ The whip she raised again was clearly different from the previous minor scuffles.
The whip, carrying a sharp whistling sound through the air, was like a poisonous viper baring its fangs. Although Lin Qingge did not know martial arts, she could tell that if Lu Mingxuan took this blow, he would be half-dead at best.
Seeing this, Lin Qingge quickly signaled Ling Han.
Ling Han did not block the whip. Instead, he directly grabbed Lu Mingxuan and moved him to the side.
Lin Qingge then took the opportunity to step forward as a mediator, “Clan Leader Lu, please calm your anger. While it’s true that a young tree must be pruned to grow straight and a person must be disciplined to be upright, considering Lu Mingxuan has already realized his mistake, please grant me some face and spare him this time.
Furthermore, during his time with me, he has not made any further mistakes, which shows his sincere repentance.”
Lu Sanniang, who had been in a rage, had calmed down slightly. She didn’t truly want to kill her only brother. Seeing an opportunity to de-escalate, she agreed, “Very well, since Lord Lin says so, I will spare him this time!”
With the crisis finally averted, Lu Mingxuan cast a grateful glance at his superior. However, as he was being helped by Qin Han to have his wounds treated indoors, he remembered that it was his superior who had first exposed this matter…
Although the new Emperor’s enthronement required the Prefect of Shuntian Prefecture to attend, Lin Qingge had been transferred. Therefore, she only needed to arrive in the capital before the date specified in her transfer order.
With half a month remaining until the transfer order date, Lin Qingge decided to stay in the mountain stronghold for a few days to experience daily life there.
Due to Lu Mingxuan’s relationship, Lu Sanniang also stayed in the mountain stronghold.
Fan Liu, beyond expressing his welcome, dared not have any other thoughts.
However, after Lu Sanniang had stayed in the stronghold for only one night, a subordinate rushed to find her:
“Great Clan Leader, the mountain controlled by Hu Er was raided last night by an unknown party. Over a hundred people in the camp were killed without a single survivor. Please go and see!”