The abstinent and powerful minister is cold and aloof during the day, but he adores her in his dream

Chapter 139 Confused
Zhiwan felt guilty and uncomfortable, especially when she saw Ouyang Zhenzhu making funny faces at her, which made her even more embarrassed.

Now everyone's bound to misunderstand.

Most importantly, why doesn't my cousin deny it?

She couldn't help but steal a glance at the man's face.

He then turned his gaze to Liang Qixian and said, "So, Lord Liang also wanted to arrest my cousin to threaten me? Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

When I came to the manor, I brought my cousin with me. The men you sent will find nothing."

Upon hearing this, Zhiwan finally understood why her cousin had asked her and Pearl to mingle among those thin horses and bring her to Panyun Manor, because he had long anticipated Liang Qixian's actions.

When Liang Qixian discovers that she did not go to Jurong with Chen Jiu and Jiang Shi to retrieve the account books, he will assume that she is still in the villa.

Therefore, when Liang Qixian led his men to attack Panyun Villa, he also sent someone else to Lu's villa to kidnap her.

The purpose was that if she failed to murder her cousin, she could still use her to threaten him into submission.

Fortunately, her cousin had the foresight to bring her to Panyun Villa beforehand.

Otherwise, she would inevitably fall into Liang Qixian's hands.

But how could Liang Qixian be so certain that capturing her would make his cousin submit?

Thinking of what Liang Qixian had just said, she pursed her lips.

Liang Qixian must be desperate to resort to using her to threaten his cousin, right?
The moment Liang Qixian saw Zhiwan appear, his last glimmer of hope was shattered.

He was dejected, yet unwilling to accept defeat, and roared angrily at Lu Zhan, "Lu Zhan, I have been cautious and careful all my life, but I never expected to fall into your trap!"

Lu Zhan sneered, "Haven't you heard of the saying, 'The net of heaven is vast, and though its meshes are wide, nothing escapes it'? You've done all sorts of bad things and lost all conscience. Do you think you can get away with it?"

Back then, you embezzled funds for the river channel project and cut corners, causing the river embankment to become unstable. A flood washed away the embankment, causing countless deaths, injuries, and displacements among the people!

Upon learning that the magistrate of Jurong County at the time possessed irrefutable evidence of your embezzlement, you even sent your men, disguised as bandits, to rob and kill Zhiyu and his wife. To prevent the news from leaking out, you did not hesitate to execute all your subordinates. Now, for the sake of the account books, you have gathered your men, intending to murder me and my cousin.

You are so utterly depraved, your crimes are absolutely unforgivable!

His voice wasn't deliberately raised, but every word he spoke was powerful and resonant, leaving a deep impression on the listener.

As he finished speaking, all the soldiers in the garrison clenched their fists and shouted angrily, "Kill him! Kill this corrupt official!"

Many of them had experienced that flood and witnessed firsthand the deaths of people and their loved ones in the devastating inundation.

Zhiwan's eyes were also red, and she clenched her fists. It was all because of Liang Qixian, that corrupt official, that her parents left her so early, leaving her an orphan.

"kill him!"

"kill him!"

The soldiers of the garrison were in high spirits, some even grabbing knives and about to rush forward, but fortunately Chen Jiu and the others stopped them in time.

"Please calm down, everyone. The heinous crimes committed by Liang Qixian, this corrupt official, will be judged by Lord Lu. Lord Lu will not let him off the hook, so please rest assured!"

Seeing the soldiers, who were in a fit of rage and about to charge forward, Liang Qixian turned pale with fright and moved his body backward.

It wasn't until his body was blocked by the steps that he came to his senses and forced himself to remain calm, saying, "I am a fourth-rank official of the imperial court. Even if I am guilty, the case should be handed over to the three judicial departments for joint trial before a verdict can be reached. Lu Zhan, you have no right to convict me on your own!"

Lu Zhan stood on the steps, looking down at him. "Don't you know that His Majesty appointed me as Imperial Envoy this time, giving me the power to act expediently. If necessary, I can directly execute corrupt officials without having to hand them over to the Three Judicial Offices for joint trial?"

Liang Qixian's pupils shrank. "No, this is impossible. I am, after all, a fourth-rank official of the imperial court. You have no right to bypass the court and deal with me directly..." Lu Zhan said impatiently, "Guards, immediately imprison Liang Qixian. After searching Liang's residence tomorrow, behead him at Caishikou the day after tomorrow!"

Immediately, soldiers from the garrison stepped forward and took Liang Qixian into custody.

Liang Qixian's mind was buzzing, and he finally realized that Lu Zhan was not joking.

He immediately struggled to his feet, shouting, "No, I am not guilty of a crime punishable by death! I will report this to the imperial court and ask for a judgment. Lu Zhan, you cannot abuse your power to murder me!"

"What you have committed is a heinous crime. Even if you die a hundred times, it would not be enough to atone for your sins. The day after tomorrow, I will personally carry out the execution and send you on your way!" Lu Zhan's brows were icy cold.

Leung Kai-yin was so frightened that he collapsed.

Everyone felt an unpleasant odor wafting through the air.

"That corrupt official is scared out of his wits!"

Suddenly, someone chuckled.

Just as Zhiwan realized what was happening and was about to look at Liang Qixian, a tall, slender figure suddenly stood in front of her, blocking her view.

She was stunned.

Looking at her cousin's broad back, she suddenly felt a surge of unease.

"Liang Qixian, is there anything else you want to say?" Lu Zhan asked in a deep voice.

"Yes, I have reported that officials Zeng Gong, Zeng Tongpan, Jiang Li, Jiang Tongzhi, and others are corrupt and embezzling. I beg Lord Lu, in consideration of my cooperation, to be lenient and reduce their punishment..." Liang Qixian said, tears and snot streaming down his face.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhan looked at Chen Jiu and Jiang Shi and said, "Take my warrant and go to the respective prefectures to arrest the people."

"Yes," the two replied respectfully.

The commotion at the mountain villa finally subsided as dawn approached.

Liang Qixian was taken away, and Chen Jiu and Jiang Shi also took Lu Zhan's warrant and led the garrison soldiers to various prefectures to arrest people.

Seeing that her enemy had been convicted and was about to be executed, and that her parents' great revenge had been achieved, Zhiwan's eyes couldn't help but moisten.

She bowed slightly to the man beside her, saying, "Thank you, cousin, for everything you have done for my parents and the people of Yangzhou."

Looking at the tears welling up in her eyes, Lu Zhan paused for a moment, then said gently, "It's my duty, cousin, you don't need to thank me." He twitched his fingers, then finally stepped forward, took the girl's arm, and helped her up.

Zhiwan was taken aback and subconsciously wanted to back down, but then she felt that doing so would only make her look more suspicious, so she did not back down.

She looked at her cousin with clear and open eyes.

Lu Zhan looked down at her, pursed his thin lips, and finally let go of her hand, saying in a low voice, "It's almost dawn. There are still many things in the city that I need to take care of. I'll go back first. You and Ouyang Zhenzhu have fun here. I'll send someone to pick you up later."

Zhiwan knew that the situation in Yangzhou was bound to change today, and her cousin had to go back to keep order.

"Then cousin, be careful," she said softly.

"Alright." Lu Zhan replied, mounted the horse brought by the guard, then flicked the reins and galloped away with his men.

Zhiwan stood in front of the mansion gate, watching her cousin's figure disappear into the morning mist, her gaze lingering for a long time.

"You can't even see the person, why are you still looking?" Just then, Ouyang Zhenzhu's teasing voice rang in her ears.

(End of this chapter)