C9 (2/2)
The moon shines.
The coals in the copper furnace were burning brightly. The little girls arranged the dishes on the tablecloth, added some utensils, and each of them took up their respective duties.
On the mahogany round table, there was a golden, silver duck pot, crab yellow mushrooms, steamed mandarin fish, silver needle fried wings, yulan slices, bird's nest and wild chicken soup. They were alluring in color and fragrance, making one salivate.
Lu Zhinan returned from the palace to the manor and changed into his usual indigo brocade robes. The color was stable and the body was cut in half, which made him look like a handsome and elegant noble young master.
When there weren't any outsiders present, the mother and son pair, Grand Princess Han-shan and Lu Zhinan, interacted very leisurely. There weren't many rules or restrictions, allowing them to chat casually over dinner.
”Are you saying that Qingyuan is a fine bird?”
Grand Princess Han-shan opened his eyes wide. She felt that Lu Zhinan's experience at the Orchid Rest Temple was much more wonderful than the story in the book.
Lu Zhinan put down his bowl and chopsticks, picked up a cloth and wiped the corner of his lips, and said apologetically: ”Mother, did you scare you?”
He had never thought of hiding anything from the Grand Princess Han-shan. In fact, with so many pairs of eyes watching him, even if he wanted to, he couldn't hide it.
When Lu Zhinan was very young, his father had already left. The mother and son pair depended on each other for survival, and although their lives were wealthy, it was not easy for a woman to support a family by herself. It could be said that in Lu Zhinan's growth, he was not only a mother, but also a teacher and a friend. Lu Zhinan trusted her as much as he trusted himself.
Grand Princess Han-shan waved his hand, ”It's fine. Does your mother look like a timid person?”
Lu Zhinan laughed, ”It doesn't look like it.”
Grand Princess Han-shan's voice was very light, like a gust of wind. Lu Zhinan did not hear it clearly, so he asked: ”Mother, what did you just say?”
”No, nothing.”
Grand Princess Han-shan laughed and changed the topic.
”How is the investigation on the Zhenjiang City going?”
Once the case is mentioned, Lu Zhinan's expression became serious and said: ”There's no clue. Usually, after killing so many people, the culprit should have left behind some traces, but after a month of patrolling around Zhenjiang City, we didn't find anything suspicious. ”
Three months ago, more than twenty people were killed in succession in Zhenjiang City. What was even more horrifying was that their blood was sucked dry and their hearts were dug out.
The Zhenjiang City Prefect had spent all her time trying to solve the case, and had ordered the soldiers of the Prefecture to patrol the city day and night to capture the murderer. However, the murderer had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and killed the soldiers as well. In a short period of time, the Zhenjiang City was in a state of panic, causing everyone to feel threatened. The bustling town had suddenly become deserted because the big guys were hiding at home, not daring to go out.
The Prefect reported the case to the government, causing the Emperor Yongle to be greatly infuriated. Thus, the Emperor sent Lu Zhinan to lead the Embroidered Uniform Guard to the Zhenjiang City to investigate.
Grand Princess Han-shan scooped a bowl of wild chicken soup for Lu Zhinan and comforted him: ”Don't be anxious, paper cannot contain fire, the murderer will reveal himself one day.”
When Lu Zhinan took the bowl, his mind suddenly flashed across the sorrowful faces of the victims and their relatives. His chest was blocked, and only if he caught the culprit earlier and brought them to justice would he be able to comfort his wasted soul.
”Reporting, the Imperial Secret Service's Liu Qianhu requests an audience.”
The servant raised his voice outside the parlour.
Lu Zhinan suppressed his emotions and said: ”Invite him in.”