C4 Dead

Second Old Master Jing's face darkened completely. This kid really knows how to push my buttons!

First, he brought up the land deed, reminding him that he was occupying someone else's territory. Then, he mentioned the Imperial College admission, hinting that the First Branch still had powerful connections. If he wanted to bully them, he better think twice about his own strength.

Pingyuan could only vent his anger at Mrs. Zhao: "Hurry up and arrange two courtyards for the First Branch. If they're not satisfied, you can forget about running this household!"

Being scolded in front of the staff, Mrs. Zhao's face turned beet red, but she had no choice but to lower her head given the situation. She gritted her teeth and approached Mrs. Lu. "Sister-in-law, I was out of my mind earlier and neglected you. Please don't take it to heart."

Before Mrs. Lu could respond, Jing Bao chimed in, "Then please, Aunt, arrange for the two best courtyards in the estate."

The emphasis on "best" was unmistakable, even a fool could understand. Mrs. Zhao was so angry she could hardly breathe and snapped at the servants, "Hurry up and move the courtyards!"

This commotion lasted until the latter half of the night before everyone was settled. In the middle of the night, rain began to fall again.

In the dark of night, Gu Changping, dressed in his official attire, stepped out of the carriage. The steward, who had been waiting at the door, welcomed him into the estate. Once inside, he changed into casual clothes, washed up, and sat down by the bed.

The maid brought in the food box and carefully arranged the exquisite dishes.

Gu Changping picked up a piece of radish with his chopsticks, just taking a bite when Qi Lin rushed in, a light sheen of sweat on his forehead.

“Sir, you were right, something did happen with the Lu family!”

Gu Changping chewed his food thoroughly, swallowed, and rinsed his mouth with tea before speaking. “Tell me, what happened?”

His demeanor had become even more composed than before.

Qi Lin stepped forward. “The Fourth Miss of the Marquis Mansion is gone!”

There wasn’t a flicker of emotion on Gu Changping’s face. “How did it happen?”

Qi Lin gritted his teeth. “She... she was assaulted by the Shea brothers, and during the night, she used a silver hairpin to cut her wrist, bleeding to death.”

Gu Changping’s brow furrowed deeply.

In the past life, the Fourth Miss had hanged herself from a locust tree. How could it be different in this life?

Could his rebirth have altered some events?

Gu Changping’s dark eyes held a hint of anger as his long fingers tapped the table twice. He asked in a low voice, “Who was the Fourth Miss engaged to?”

“I heard it was Seventh Master Jing Bao from the First Branch of the Jing family in Lin’an Prefecture.”

“Pass this news on to him.”

Gu Changping’s brows knitted tightly as he paused and added, “And tell him this: the late Old Master Lu once took a blow for the Former Monarch, earning merit in service. Though his descendants may not be accomplished, they shouldn’t have met such a tragic end. It truly chills the hearts of their ancestors below.”

Qi Lin didn't hesitate and vanished into the night. Gu Changping lost his appetite and got up to leave. Outside, a thick fog had settled, obscuring everything around, much like the current situation.

In a past life, after the Xuanping Marquis Mansion was seized, Consort Lu in the palace took her own life when she found an opportunity. With no support left, the Xuanping Marquis Mansion faced complete ruin. The men of the Lu family were exiled to the southern regions, while the women were forced into servitude.

Despite Seventh Jing's desperate efforts, he couldn't change the outcome. His family connections even cost him his spot at the Imperial College.

Enough! Debts of the past life must be repaid in this one! Gu Changping strode away with determination.

...

"Seventh Master, something terrible has happened!"

"What?" Jing Bao sat up in bed, still groggy and confused.

After some rustling outside, Mann entered with red eyes, hesitant to speak.

"What happened?" Jing Bao asked.

Mann sniffed, "Master, we received word that the fourth Miss of the Lu family... she was wronged by the Shea brothers and took her own life!"

"What?" Jing Bao felt as if his heart was pierced by a thousand arrows. He tried to get out of bed, but his legs trembled uncontrollably.

How could this happen?

Mulan also had to "marry and have children."

To avoid being discovered, Mrs. Lu had to rely on her own family, choosing the fourth young lady of the Lu household.

Jing Bao had another wish on this trip to the capital: to meet that fourth young lady of the Lu family.

Her mother had deceived her into marriage, and she didn't dare ruin the young lady's life. She thought she should be honest, but she never expected this outcome.

"That person had another message for the Seventh Master. He said... he said... the late Old Master Lu once took a blow for the former monarch. Though his descendants may not be accomplished, they shouldn't have to die so tragically. It truly chills the hearts of their ancestors underground."

"Who is this person?"

Jing Bao's voice suddenly became sharp and piercing.

"I couldn't see clearly; their face was covered."

Mann, sobbing and choking, asked, "Master, what does this mean?"

Jing Bao stood there, silent for a long time.

After a while, she suddenly stood up and coldly said, "Yan, come in!"

Yan was waiting outside and quickly pushed the door open, kneeling on the ground.

"I need you to do something for me."

"At your command, Master!"

"No matter what, get me the fourth young lady's body!"

Jing Bao's voice was calm, but Yan still shivered in fear, breaking out in a cold sweat.

"Master, what are you planning to do?"

An indescribable look of sorrow and bitterness suddenly appeared on Jing Bao's face.

"I need to head to the city first thing tomorrow to seek justice for my fiancée!"

"Sir!"

"Seventh Master!"

The siblings spoke in unison.

Jing Bao closed his eyes, his shoulders trembling slightly.

"If I die without the truth coming to light, who will know that the old master of the Lu family once took a blade for the former monarch? Who will know the tragic fate of the Fourth Miss? And who will understand that the hearts of the Lu ancestors have been utterly chilled?"

The message sent in the dead of night was clear—make a big deal out of this, the bigger, the better!