Accidentally dressed as an empress

That day, upon Lu Zhen's return from the prefectural government, a tense atmosphere permeated the Lu family. Lu Bing discovered something amiss with the Lu family logo on the inferior weapons, and gained a new clue.

The next morning, Lu Bing got up early, tidied her clothes, and then went to her mother's yard.

"Mom, good morning." When she stepped into the yard, she saw her mother sitting at the stone table, holding a cup of hot tea in her hand and a faint smile on her face.

"Bing'er, you're here." Lu Zhen looked up and saw her, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

"Mom, I have something to discuss with you." She walked to her mother and said softly.

"Oh? What's the matter?" Lu Zhen put down the teacup and looked at her.

"Mother, I have thoroughly investigated with the guards, and none of the craftsmen have admitted to secretly taking the Lu family seal."

Those Lu family logos are almost indistinguishable from the real ones.

Lu Zhen was also worried. "There are so many blacksmith shops in Wufeng City. It's like looking for a needle in a haystack. How can I find the person who makes and sells counterfeit goods?"

Lu Bing thought for a moment and said, "Mother, let's spread the word that we're going to forge a new batch of weapons for the court to make up for this mistake. Those counterfeiters might commit crimes again. We can lure them out of their holes and catch them all in one fell swoop."

As the night deepened, Lu Bing, Ji Yun, and several elite Lu family members quietly arrived at a remote workshop in the city. Under the moonlight, the outline of the workshop was vague, but the busy figures and flickering lights of the fire could be vaguely seen.

They approached quietly, and through the gap in the window, Lu Bing and the Lu family guards raided the counterfeiting workshop.

When the leading craftsman was brought before Lu Bing, she was pale and trembling all over. Faced with overwhelming evidence, she could not deny it and had to admit what she had done. She had secretly stolen the Lu family's mold and forged it in a workshop outside.

After Lu Bing found out who the supporters behind them were, he released them and quickly gave orders to several of his men to secretly monitor the workshop.

Under the hazy moonlight, Ji Yun changed into her nightgown and quietly left the Lu residence. Her figure loomed in the night. She crossed the quiet streets and arrived at the merchant's mansion. Inside, the lights were bright, as bright as day, and laughter and chatter could be heard from time to time.

Ji Yun embraced Lu Bing and jumped lightly onto the wall of the mansion.

She and Lu Bing quietly observed all the movements in the mansion.

Ji Yun lightly leaped down from the wall, landing silently, as if swept by a gust of wind, and hid in a shadow. She held her breath and cautiously approached the brightly lit room.

Through the gap in the window, Qian Yong's face was flushed, and he was talking and laughing loudly with several guests. Qian Yong was seen raising his glasses and drinking with several unidentified guests, and their faces were filled with smug smiles.

Ji Yun sneered in her heart, she knew what these people were celebrating.

Time passed little by little, and the banquet between Qian Yong and his guests finally ended. The guests left one after another.

Lu Bing and Ji Yun waited until late at night, when the lights in the mansion gradually went out. Then they quietly approached the study, gently pushed open the door, and walked in.

The study was completely silent, with only the moonlight streaming in through the window, illuminating the account book Qian Yong had placed on the table. He quickly walked over, picked up the book, and began to flip through it.

The account book was densely written, recording Qian Yong's transactions with the craftsmen. Lu Bing flipped through the pages, her anger growing stronger.

This is a record of cutting corners, using inferior materials as good ones, and how to make huge profits from it.

Lu Bing held the account book tightly, anger flashing in her eyes. She took a deep breath, carefully put the account book away, and prepared to leave the Qian Mansion.

Just at this moment, a singing voice was heard from afar. Qian Yong was humming a tune to his own amusement and was coming towards the study.

Ji Yun whispered, "Miss, let's just tie her up."

Lu Bing nodded and took action.

Qian Yong was startled by the sudden black shadow. She looked up and saw two men in black. A trace of fear flashed in her eyes, "Come..." Ji Yun quickly covered her mouth and knocked her unconscious with a knife.

When Qian Yong woke up, he found himself in a dilapidated hut.

"You, who are you...why am I here?" Qian Yong asked stutteringly.

Lu Bing didn't answer, but walked straight towards the bound arms dealer lying on the ground. She held the account book in her hands and flipped it open. "This one records every detail of your crimes, including colluding with the craftsmen to cut corners, produce and sell counterfeit goods, and profit from them. The evidence is irrefutable. What do you have to say?"

"This, how did you get it? It's not me, I feel wronged."

Ji Yun said coldly, "You dare to replace the weapons presented to the court, but you dare not admit it?"

The merchant's face turned pale upon seeing this. She struggled to stand up, but Lu Zhen held her down.

"You...what exactly do you want to do?" Qian Yong asked in a trembling voice.

Lu Zhen looked at him coldly and said, "The crimes you have committed are enough to make you die without a burial place. But I will give you a chance. As long as you tell me everything you know, I can consider sparing your life."

When Qian Yong heard this, a glimmer of hope flashed in her eyes. She nodded quickly, indicating her willingness to cooperate.

Lu Bing asked in a deep voice, "Who ordered you to do this? What's your purpose?"

The merchant hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke, "It was...it was Lord Qiu. She had her eyes on the profits from the arms sales and wanted a piece of the action. She sent someone to find me and told me to bribe the craftsmen and cut corners. It really wasn't me. I...I was forced into this."

Lu Bing was shocked. She didn't expect that this matter would involve Qiuping, the sister-in-law of Xu Taishou.

She took a deep breath and said to the arms dealer Qian Yong, "Your guilt is beyond doubt. I will hand you over to the patrol officer for trial."

This matter definitely cannot be handed over to Prefect Xu for trial, otherwise he would be sent in on the left and released on the right.

As for the person who instructed her, she will also find out and bring him to justice with the help of the iron-willed official, Lord Gu.

"Let's send her to the government post tomorrow morning." Lu Bing said to Ji Yun, and Ji Yun replied, "Yes."

After saying that, Lu Bing turned and left.