A trace of pride appeared on Xun Mou's face, "Yes, the prince and I have made a new plan, and we will implement it during the Flower Festival in a few days."
Zhao Shanqian looked confused and complained, "What? Does it mean our plan has changed?"
"Don't be impatient, Mr. Zhao." Xun Mou smiled and reassured, "Our original plan remains unchanged, but the implementation time has been changed to the time of the Flower Festival."
Everyone nodded, seeming to understand Xun Mou's intention. Quan Shidao then asked: "Does General Xun mean to take action at the 'Hundred Flowers Feast' planned by King Ning for the emperor?"
There was a hint of cunning in Xun Mou's eyes, "I will tell everyone about this operation the day before the Flower Festival. Now you just need to follow the arrangements."
Xun Yu, the Duke of Wei, who had been silent for a long time, also stood up and raised his hands to his colleagues around him, "Today's conspiracy must be kept secret to the death. If any information is leaked to outsiders, everyone knows what the consequences will be!"
All the officials present also stood up and returned the salute, saying, "Don't worry, Lord Wei, we will defend you to the death."
"master……"
The butler's voice suddenly came from outside the door, and everyone held their breath. Xun Yu asked impatiently: "What's the matter?"
The butler answered through the door: "Someone has sent a secret letter."
"Who sent it?"
"It was said that it was sent by the daughter of He Younian, the governor of Suzhou."
Everyone was a little surprised. After Xun Yu and his son looked at each other, they were a little overjoyed. It seemed that there was news. Xun Yu said in a loud voice: "Bring it in!"
The housekeeper pushed the door open gently, bowed his head and walked to Xun Yu respectfully, and then held his hands in front of Xun Yu. Xun Yu took the letter, then waved his sleeves and motioned for the housekeeper to go down.
Everyone in the hall stared at Xun Yu, trying to judge whether the news in the letter was good or bad through Xun Yu's expression. Everyone saw Xun Yu's brows flexing when he read the letter. They thought it must be good news, and some people couldn't wait to ask: "Mr. Wei Guo, can you tell everyone the content of the letter?"
Xun Yu hadn't finished reading it and didn't pay it any attention. After reading it for a moment, he held the letter and said with a smile: "Do you know He Younian's daughter?"
Quan Shidao laughed loudly, "He Younian was the governor of Suzhou, and his daughter He is now the wife of Lu Renxiang, the Minister of Household Affairs."
Xu Bingde said disapprovingly: "Lu Renxiang is Lu Zuo's biological brother. Can you believe what He said?"
Xun Yu laughed happily and said: "He Younian is a confidant of His Highness the Crown Prince. This He family is also our specially arranged spy. There is no mistake!"
"What did the letter say?" Xun Mou asked.
Xun Yu took the letter and showed it to the people around him and said: He said in the letter that he followed Lu Renxiang back to their hometown a few days ago and found out some clues. It is said that the Lu Zuo brothers are not locals of Lujiazhuang, Shanzhou, but migrated here more than ten years ago. "
Xu Bingde sneered: "There were frequent wars more than ten years ago, and it was common for families to move. What's the fuss!"
"Is it normal to have contact with bandits?" Xun Yu asked.
"Bandits?" Everyone was stunned.
"That's right!" Xun Yu put away the letter and continued, "The bandits in Fengji Mountain who had done great service in protecting the country have long known each other and they were close friends. According to He's investigation of the Lu Zuo brothers and Feng Ji, they have known each other for a long time. The background of the Jishan bandit leader is very suspicious."
Everyone wondered: "Is the news reliable? How did He know about it?"
Xun Yu nodded, "He also found out from Lu Renxiang's mouth again and again. However, He's letter said that when she asked Lu Renxiang again, no matter how much she cried, Lu Renxiang refused to tell her his life experience. He only said that the matter was of great importance and he had to go out. Maybe your life will be lost.”
Quan Shidao stroked his beard and said: "It seems that there must be something to be done about this. As long as we find out their life experiences, it may be the key to overthrowing Lu Zuo!"
Xun Mou said sternly: "Father, I think you should reply immediately and ask He to find a way to find out the situation from Lu Renxiang."
The dim lamp shadow swayed in the moonlight, and a forlorn figure was reflected on the screen window. The man sighed from time to time, and his pale face looked even more gloomy against the dim candlelight.
"Brother..." Lu Renxiang stood at the door and called in a low voice.
Lu Zuo turned around at this time, showed a weak smile, and greeted: "When did you come back? I didn't ask anyone to come and let me know."
"As soon as I came back, I rushed over here non-stop." After Lu Renxiang said this, his face was as heavy as water, and he breathed a sigh of relief before feebly walking into the house.
"At home..." Lu Zuo didn't dare to think anymore, "Did something happen?"
Lu Renxiang suppressed his tired expression and began to look a little excited and sad. A trace of tears appeared in his eyes, "Mother..." She burst into tears when she said it and almost collapsed, "She passed away..."
Lu Zuo's face was ashen for a moment, and he slumped on the stool. After a long silence, tears burst out, and then he stood up and cried together with Lu Renxiang.
The two brothers sobbed and cried for half an hour before they were stopped by someone outside the door. When they looked back with tears in their eyes, it turned out that Huo Yan was here.
As soon as Huo Yan entered the door, he drooped his head and started to sigh. Lu Zuo had wiped away his tears at this time and looked as normal. Before Huo Yan could speak, he asked, "Brother Huo, why are you here?"
Huo Yan asked, raised his head and pouted towards the door, "Is there more than just my little brother?"
Lu Zuo looked up at the door and saw two beautiful figures in the moonlight. When he looked closely, they turned out to be Lu Manxi and Qin Hong. Lu Zuo walked up to them with a sullen expression and shouted: "What are you two enemies doing in the capital? I wonder if the situation has reached a critical moment!"
When Lu Manxi and Qin Hong saw their senior brother approaching with great momentum, they both took two steps back timidly. Qin Hong looked at the senior brother with dismay and said, "My father agreed for us to come..."
Lu Zuo was stunned for a moment, then looked back at Huo Yan. Huo Yan nodded and said, "What Qin Hong said is true. It was indeed the chief and the second chief who asked us to come."
Lu Manxi followed closely and said, "Yes, my father said that the situation has changed now and he asked you to go back quickly."
Lu Zuo didn't know it, but the current situation could only be sustained. As long as Prince Ning took over as soon as possible, there might be a turn for the better. However, if Liu Yan and the others were one step late, everything would be lost.
Lu Renxiang thought differently from them, "Brother, my mother's coffin is parked in the old house now. You are not here and there is no one to host it. You should go back to mourn!"
Lu Zuo fell into deep thought again. According to the court system, as long as an official is in mourning, he must stay in mourning for three years. Unless the emperor personally begs the official to stay, the mourning period can be waived.
"Elder brother, Brother Renxiang is right. Now you are required to preside over my aunt's funeral, and the court is in chaos again. We'd better get out of here quickly!" Qin Hong said urgently, "Last year was a lesson learned from the past!"
