She's skilled in medicine, martial arts, and even understands animal language—the abandoned dau

At the Lu residence, Lu Yuan left in a hurry when he met Shen Man because a servant came to report that Yao Ping wanted to ask for leave to return to his hometown.

Lu Yuan was a smart man who was able to rise step by step in the officialdom. He secretly wondered if Yao Ping was really related to the death of that scoundrel Wang Er and wanted to use the excuse of returning home to escape from the capital.

Lu Yuan summoned Yao Ping to his study and asked calmly, "Steward Yao, why do you suddenly want to leave the manor and return to your hometown? Has something happened?"

"Reporting to my lord, I haven't been back to my hometown for many years and I really miss it. Since there's nothing much going on at the manor recently, I thought I'd like to go back and take a look."

"Oh, so you've returned to your hometown this time for no other reason than because you miss home?"

Yao Ping still wore a respectful smile, but his eyes flickered slightly before he regained his composure, knelt on one knee, and said loudly, "Master, everything I have said is true, and I have not lied to you."

My parents are elderly. The last letter I received from home informed me that my father was unwell, and I was extremely worried. That's why I thought of going back to fulfill my filial duty.

Lu Yuan stared intently at Yao Ping, trying to find a flaw in his expression and words.

He slowly stood up, put his hands behind his back, and paced around the study. His footsteps were particularly clear in the quiet room.

After a long while, he stopped and said coldly, "Yao Ping, you've followed me for many years, and I've always trusted you. But now, at this critical juncture, with Wang Er's affair just happened, you're going back to your hometown. How can I not have some doubts?"

Upon hearing the name "Wang Er," Yao Ping stiffened abruptly, but quickly regained his composure.

He raised his head and said sincerely, "Master, I really don't know the details of Wang Er's matter. I work diligently in the manor and serve you wholeheartedly. How could I dare to do anything out of line? My return to my hometown is purely due to family reasons. I hope you will investigate thoroughly, Master."

Lu Yuan walked up to Yao Ping, looking down at him, and suddenly changed the subject: "A few days ago, someone saw you and Wang Er go to Yuelai Restaurant together. What's your explanation?"

Yao Ping's heart skipped a beat, and he secretly groaned, but on the surface he pretended to be surprised: "Master, this is impossible... they must have seen wrong!"

"These past few days I've been at the manor checking the accounts, and the accountant and several servants can testify to that. I am utterly loyal to you, sir; how could I possibly have any dealings with scoundrels, much less do anything illegal?"

Lu Yuan snorted coldly: "Is that so? Then I'll send someone to your hometown to ask if there's really an emergency at your home. What do you think?"

Fine beads of sweat appeared on Yao Ping's forehead, but he still tried to remain calm: "Master, please send someone to investigate. If I have uttered even the slightest lie, I will be at your mercy."

Lu Yuan stared at him for a long while before slowly saying, "Get up. If you are really just going back to your hometown to visit relatives, I will not stop you."

But remember this: the rules of the Lu family cannot be broken. If you are truly involved in Wang Er's death and tarnish the reputation of the Lu family, even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I will never let you go.

Yao Ping stood up, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and said respectfully, "Thank you for your kindness, sir. I will return to my hometown as soon as possible to settle my affairs and come back to serve you again."

Watching Yao Ping's departing figure, Lu Yuan's gaze grew increasingly profound. He knew that although Yao Ping's answer seemed watertight, the matter was far from simple.

"Someone come here!" Lu Yuan shouted at the door, and a moment later a servant came over.

"Follow Yao Ping quietly and see where he goes next, then report back to me truthfully."

"Yes, sir!"

After receiving the order, the servant silently disappeared into the night, following Yao Ping like a shadow.

After leaving the study, Yao Ping's steps appeared steady, but were actually somewhat hurried.

He returned to his room and quickly began packing his luggage, his movements revealing a hint of panic.

A short while later, he hurriedly left the house carrying a bundle on his back.

As soon as he stepped out of the Lu residence, Yao Ping seemed to sense something and looked back warily.

The servants in the shadows quickly held their breath and pressed themselves against the wall, managing to avoid being discovered thanks to the cover of night.

Yao Ping noticed nothing amiss, so he turned around and quickened his pace, heading towards the backyard of the Lu residence.

The servants were full of doubts, not understanding what Yao Ping was doing in the backyard.

Yao Ping stopped in front of a charming little courtyard and gently knocked on the door.

The door opened, revealing the face of Lu Jing's wet nurse, Xiao Shi. She looked anxious, glanced around, and quickly pulled Yao Ping into the courtyard.

The servants dared not approach, and could only hide behind the flower bushes in the distance, listening intently.

He vaguely heard Madam Xiao say, "Manager Yao, you should take these and leave quickly. This is your indenture and a hundred taels of silver notes, enough for you to fly far away. Once Wang Er's affair is exposed, Miss will also be implicated."

Yao Ping seemed to hesitate: "It seems that the master has already noticed this matter. You must tell Miss to be extra careful."

"Don't worry about this, just go!" Xiao's voice was tinged with urgency.

The two exchanged a few more words in hushed tones, after which Yao Ping came out of the courtyard, his expression even more solemn than before, clutching a package tightly in his hand, presumably the indenture and silver notes that Lu Jing had given him.

He didn't leave immediately, but stood at the door for a while, seemingly thinking about something.

Suddenly, as if he had made a major decision, he ran towards the outskirts of the city.

Upon seeing this, the servants inwardly cried out in alarm, realizing that things were likely spiraling out of control.

He had no choice but to give up the chase and turn back to report to Lu Yuan.

"Master, Master, Steward Yao just went to Miss's courtyard. Miss's wet nurse, Madam Xiao, gave him a contract of indenture and a hundred taels of silver, and then he left the manor."

Upon hearing this, Lu Yuan's face was filled with shock: "Could it be that Jing'er ordered the killing of Wang Er? Why would she do such a thing?"

He knew that this matter would have far-reaching implications, and if it was not handled properly, the Lu family might face great disaster.

"Master, should I take some men and bring Steward Yao back?"

"Go quickly!"

After saying this, Lu Yuan quickly walked towards Lu Jing's courtyard.

Lu Jing was talking to Madam Xiao in the room when she saw Lu Yuan enter. She turned pale with fright, "Father..."

Lu Yuan rebuked him, "Do you know what you've done? Is Wang Er's death related to you or not?"

Lu Jing knelt down with a thud, crying, "Father, I know I was wrong. I just wanted to close down the Jinxiu Weaving Workshop and teach that bitch Ding Man a lesson. I never expected that Manager Yao would accidentally kill someone."

"How did Ding Man offend you? How are you going to deal with her?"

"She knew I was engaged to Zhu Lang, yet she still had an affair with him..."

Lu Yuan was trembling with anger. "How could you, as the daughter of the Lu family, do something so unbecoming of your status and even try to cover up the truth?"

At this moment, Madam Xiao also knelt down, begging Lu Yuan to forgive Lu Jing.