Translator – Xiao He Lian
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Chapter 7.1
Lu Yan looked at Shen Zhen firmly and mercilessly and opened her thin lips lightly, “Third young girl, where are you going?”
His eyes were so sharp that she had nowhere to escape.
Shen Zhen lowered her head, blocked Shen Hong’s ears with her hands and said, “Hong’er, close your eyes.”
Her father had taught them not to lie since they were young, so even in this situation, she still didn’t want Shen Hong to hear her next words.
Shen Zhen pretended to be calm and said in a calm tone, “There was a fire at home just now. When I saw that the fire was too strong and spreading everywhere, I took my brother and ran out to report it to the official.”
She knew that her words must be full of loopholes, but she still had a glimmer of hope.
Hope he can help her again.
However, as soon as she finished speaking, Yang Zong came over with a soldier on his side, “Master, we found someone.”
Shen Zhen looked up after hearing this. After seeing the scars at the corners of the soldier’s eyes, her face instantly turned pale and her fingertips were trembling slightly. Shen Hong was a little scared and couldn’t help but whisper: “Third sister, what’s wrong with you? Can I open my eyes?”
Lu Yan gave her a confused look.
According to the laws of the Jin Dynasty, when arresting people in the yamen, they can use hemp ropes or shackles to restrain the prisoners to prevent them from escaping halfway. But thinking of her face, he stepped forward in person, restraining both her hands and said with a calm voice, “Shen Zhen, do you plead guilty?”
***
Shen Zhen originally thought that Lord Lu would take her back to the Yamen, but unexpectedly, he actually led her through two main streets and into a small but elegant courtyard in a deep alley.
Looking up, she saw two words carved on the plaque from red cedar wood – Chengyuan
The paths in the courtyard are winding, lined with sycamores and plantains, ponds and bridges, and waterside pavilions with doors and windows, all of which are exquisite. In the spring, there will be a wonderful scene of “the empty pavilion shades the tung trees, the clear pond covers the moon”.
But Shen Zhen wasn’t here to watch the scenery right now. The more she looked around, the more uneasy she felt.
However, her hand was tightly held by him, and she couldn’t use any strength, so she could only continue to move forward with his footsteps.
When he reached Lanyue Pavilion, he stopped, glanced at Shen Hong and said to Yang Zong, “Take him to the west chamber first.”
Shen Hong has always been a good child. The five-year-old child did not cry or make any fuss along the way. But when he saw that he was about to be taken away, he suddenly kicked up his legs with all his strength and said, “Third sister, third sister, where are they taking me?”
Shen Zhen quickly comforted him, “It’s okay Hong’er, please go with this lord first. Third sister will find you soon.”
Shen Hong kept kicking his legs.
Yang Zong knew that his master hated children fussing the most, so he quickly picked him up and whispered: “Little Master, you will be able to meet your third sister in a while, okay.”
After Yang Zong took Shen Hong away, Lu Yan took her into Lanyue Pavilion.
As soon as he entered the door, he let go of her hand, lit the lamp and then said solemnly: “I will give you a chance, speak.”
Perhaps because he has been an official for a long time, his speaking momentum has become natural.
Therefore, even though there is a rather ambiguous canopy bed made of Chinese rosewood behind him at this moment, it does not affect his inhuman official authority at all.
Shen Zhen clenched her fists, not knowing where to start.
Confess?
How would she confess to such a big crime?
Can she plead guilty?
How could she plead guilty when he caught her red-handed?
She frowned and thought, and after a while, she couldn’t stand his torturous gaze, so she could only whisper: “Everything that happened tonight was my fault alone, I admit it.”
After hearing this, Lu Yan raised the corners of his mouth in a nonchalant manner and said, “What are all the things? Can you please elaborate?”
Shen Zhen bit her lips, her eyes were red, but she refused to shed tears. She followed his instructions and whispered: “Fleeing before paying off the debt … .is a violation of the contract and is a crime.”
Saying this, she seemed to be completely let go, saying: “Since Lord Lu has caught me, I will no longer argue. Tomorrow, you can just send me to Jin Family’s money shop.”
Lu Yan sneered. Send her to the money shop?
He slowly came to her side, put his hand into her jacket and accurately searched for a household registration form.
Shen Zhen’s pupils shrank, and she immediately reaches out to grab it, but the man suddenly raises it up, preventing her from succeeding reaching it.
Due to her size, Shen Zhen could not reach it even if she stood on tiptoe.
Lu Yan shook the paper, spread it out in front of her, and said word by word: “Forging documents, tampering with household registration, arson, bribing officials, what do you think should be the crime?”
When she heard this, Shen Zhen completely panicked.
Those eyes as clear and translucent as an elk were full of panic, and a little cold sweat appeared on her forehead.
It turned out that he knew everything.
If he continues to investigate like this…
An momo, eldest sister, no one will be safe.
After a while, his deep voice slowly said, “Just for forging official documents and seals, the penalty is exile to a place more than two thousand miles away. If other things are included, hanging is not enough..” Having been around the treacherous court for many years, he knows very well what kind of words can defeat a person.
Not to mention a sixteen-year-old girl.
Shen Zhen’s body became weak after what he said. Her heart collapsed, she could hardly stand and tears welled up in her eyes.
Lu Yan stretched out his hand, pulled her chin back and forced her to look at him, with stern eyes: “Shen Zhen, why do you think I brought you here?”
Shen Zhen’s heart was as chaotic as beating a drum when he met his oppressive gaze.
Yes, why didn’t he take her to Jingzhao Prefecture?
Instead, he took her to his private residence.
Thinking of this, she suddenly realized that what he was wearing today was not the dark purple official uniform, but a black cloak.
She suddenly guessed what his eyes were implying at this moment.
