Traveling through time and space, being replaced by a bride, happily married into a marquis's m

Chapter 136 Palace Maid

Minister Lu immediately straightened his clothes and went to the palace with several aides.

In the palace, Minister Lu was led to a side hall, where the Empress sat at the head of the table, looking solemn.

After Minister Lu finished his greetings, the Empress asked directly, "Lord Lu, do you know that your fourth son is missing?"

Minister Lu replied respectfully: "Your Majesty, I have learned about it. But I still don't know the whereabouts of the four sons. Please give me some advice, Your Majesty."

The Queen nodded slightly, with a complicated look in her eyes: "Lord Lu, do you know that in recent years, there have been forces in the palace of Western Wei trying to usurp the throne?"

Minister Lu was startled and immediately replied, "Your Majesty, I have not heard of this matter."

The Queen sighed and spoke slowly: "The disappearance of your fourth son may be related to this force. I summoned you to help me investigate this matter."

Minister Lu was moved and immediately agreed: "Don't worry, your Majesty, I will do my best to investigate this matter for you."

The Queen smiled slightly, with a look of trust in her eyes: "I believe you, Lord Lu. When you go back, pay close attention to the movements in the palace. If there is anything suspicious, report to me immediately."

Minister Lu accepted the order, but his heart was filled with turmoil.

Minister Lu returned to the mansion with a solemn expression. He knew that this matter was of great importance. His fourth son was missing, and now it was involved in the struggle for the throne in the palace. How could he not be alarmed? He sat in the study, tapping the table unconsciously with his fingers, and his mind was full of thoughts.

At this time, Master Lu of the Lu Mansion, Lu Tianqing, walked in. He looked at Minister Lu's expression and asked with concern, "Sir, what's wrong with you? Did something happen in the palace?" Minister Lu raised his head and told Lu Tianqing what the Queen had said.

After hearing this, Lu Tianqing's face became solemn. He pondered for a moment, then said, "Sir, this matter is of great importance. We must act with caution. We should not interfere too much in the fights in the palace, but we cannot ignore the safety of the four sons. How about this, I will send some people to secretly investigate this matter."

Minister Lu nodded in agreement. He looked at Lu Tianqing and couldn't help but sigh in his heart. The Lu family could only be what it is today thanks to Lu Tianqing's support. He asked, "Father, who do you think this force is?"

Lu Tianqing shook his head: "I don't know about this either. The affairs in the palace are complicated. We can only observe secretly. However, my lord, you must remember that at all times, the interests of the family must be the most important."

On this day, a guest came to Lu's mansion. His name was Zhao Guangyi and he was a guard in the palace. He was once a close confidant of Minister Lu and came this time to deliver a message to Minister Lu.

Zhao Guangyi entered the study. He looked at Minister Lu and said seriously, "Sir, the situation in the palace is getting more tense. That force seems to have already taken action."

Minister Lu was startled and asked hurriedly, "What's going on?"

Zhao Guangyi said: "Just a few days ago, a eunuch in the palace suddenly disappeared, and I found the eunuch's body. He was murdered in a cruel way."

Minister Lu's heart tightened. He realized that the matter was much more serious than they had imagined. He looked at Zhao Guangyi and asked, "Do you know who did it?"

Zhao Guangyi shook his head: "I don't know yet, but I will continue to investigate. My lord, you have to be careful, that force may be unfavorable to you."

Minister Lu nodded and looked at Zhao Guangyi gratefully: "Thank you, Brother Zhao. I will be careful and you should also pay attention to safety."

After Zhao Guangyi left, Minister Lu immediately summoned the servants in the Lu mansion. He told them in a serious tone: "From now on, the mansion must be guarded more strictly and no strangers are allowed to enter. You must always be vigilant and protect the safety of the mansion."

The servants took orders, and Minister Lu returned to his study. He looked at the intelligence in his hands, and his heart became heavier.

An aide from the Lu residence came in. He looked at Minister Lu and said hesitantly, "Sir, I heard that the power in the palace seems to be related to the crown prince."

Minister Lu was stunned, and looked at his staff with a hint of surprise in his eyes: "Are you telling the truth?"

The aide nodded: "This is just my guess, but I think you should pay attention to the prince, sir."

Minister Lu was silent for a moment, then said, "I'll pay attention. You go down first."

At this moment, a maid from the Lu Mansion ran in in a panic. She looked at Minister Lu with horror and stammered, "Sir, it's bad. The Fourth Young Master is back, but he...he..."

Minister Lu's heart tightened, he immediately stood up and walked out of the study quickly. When he saw the appearance of the fourth young master, his heart couldn't help but ache. The fourth young master was covered in blood, his clothes were tattered, and his eyes were full of fear and despair.

Minister Lu hurried forward to support Lu Zhiwei. He asked anxiously, "Zhiwei, what happened to you? Who hurt you?"

Lu Zhiwei looked at his father, his lips trembling. He wanted to say something, but in the end he just lowered his head weakly.

Minister Lu felt uneasy when he saw this. He held his son's hand tightly and asked anxiously, "Zhi Wei, tell me quickly, was it the assassins who did this?"

Lu Zhiwei slowly raised his head, a trace of pain flashed in his eyes. He suppressed his discomfort and said softly: "Father, things are not what you think."

Minister Lu frowned, staring at his son with a sharp gaze: "Then tell me, what's going on?"

The inner hall of the Lu Mansion was brightly lit and the atmosphere was tense. Minister Lu and his fourth son Lu Zhiwei sat opposite each other, with an invisible pressure between them.

Lu Zhiwei took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. He said slowly, "A few days ago, I ran into a mysterious person on the street. She claimed to be a palace maid who had escaped and knew some palace secrets. I wanted to get some useful information from her, but I didn't expect..."

Minister Lu interrupted his son impatiently: "What did you not expect? Explain it clearly!"

A trace of fear flashed across Lu Zhiwei's eyes. He gritted his teeth and continued, "The maid told me that there was a force in the palace that had been secretly controlling the government. She gave me a poison needle, saying that it was to give me a chance to get close to that force and expose their conspiracy."

Upon hearing this, Minister Lu's face suddenly changed. He slammed the table and said angrily, "Nonsense! How can you easily trust a palace maid of unknown origin? She gave you a poison needle, why didn't you report it to the court immediately, but took the risk yourself?"

Lu Zhiwei lowered his head and was silent for a while before he slowly said, "Father, I know I was wrong. But I was really attracted by what the palace maid said and wanted to investigate it myself. Unexpectedly, the poison needle had an accident with me."

Minister Lu widened his eyes and glared at his son: "What did you say? Did you use the poison needle yourself?"

Lu Zhiwei nodded, a trace of regret flashed in his eyes: "Yes, father. When I was using the poison needle, I accidentally cut my finger. I didn't pay attention to it at the time. I didn't expect the poison to be so strong that I couldn't control it."