Lu Qingwan was so excited that the blade had already drawn a shallow bloodstain on Feng Qingheng's neck.
Feng Qingheng was stunned, "Lu Qingwan, you lunatic, what nonsense are you spouting?"
Li Su, seeing that Lu Qingwan had no intention of hiding the matter of Princess Anyang, explained from the side.
"The Divine Strategy Camp has just received a clue that Princess Anyang was murdered eleven years ago by Zhang shi, the old madam of the Wenchang Hou Manor, and Lan Yurou. Her remains are in the lotus pond of the manor."
Feng Qingheng was stunned, and Han Guang and his subordinates were also shocked.
Given the matter concerned Princess Anyang, Lu Qingwan's agitation was understandable.
Han Guang boldly cupped his hands towards Feng Qingheng, "Your Highness Prince Chen, what do you think...?"
Feng Qingheng knew that Lu Qingwan wasn't investigating Lan shi's case, and should have been relieved. But upon hearing that Princess Anyang's death involved Lan shi, he changed his mind.
"This matter concerns Princess Anyang, how can it be decided by a mere magistrate of the capital?"
Feng Qingheng blocked Han Guang, then tentatively tried to push away the knife at his neck.
"Lu Qingwan, stop fooling around. If it is true as you say that Princess Anyang was murdered, I will go to the palace immediately and inform Father Emperor, and ask him to personally preside over the investigation, alright?"
Anyway, Lan shi's burial arrangements had been made. As long as he could stall Lu Qingwan and Han Guang for a while, Steward Zhou and Lu Siwan would immediately arrange for the burial.
Once she was buried, even if they wanted to investigate Princess Anyang's case, it would have nothing to do with him.
But he didn't consider that Lu Qingwan could be so easily appeased.
Upon hearing his words, she replied without thinking, "No, the thought of my mother still floating in that dirty, cold wastewater makes me unable to wait for a single moment."
With that, she didn't bother arguing with Feng Qingheng anymore. She pushed him away and strode into the Vermilion Gate.
Li Su and his group quickly followed. Feng Qingheng, pushed by Lu Qingwan, landed squarely on his backside.
By the time he got up and wanted to stop them, even the slowest-moving Han Guang had disappeared.
Lu Qingwan hurried to the lotus pond mentioned by Zhang shi. It was the Mid-Autumn Festival, and the lotus flowers had already fallen. The pond full of lotus seedpods looked somewhat picturesque.
But Lu Qingwan raised her voice and ordered, "Li Su, order men to drain the pond and find my mother's remains.
Ying Er, come with me to open the coffin. Zhang shi only revealed the truth of my mother's death, and Lan Yurou died suddenly. I want to see if such coincidences truly exist in this world?"
Ying Er was inexplicably renamed and felt quite helpless.
Lu Qingwan, however, had already turned back to call Han Guang, "The Magistrate of the Capital has no right to interfere in my mother's case, but surely you have the right to intervene in the case of Lan shi, a mere concubine, Lord Han?"
"This Wangfei speaks the truth. To tell the Wangfei, this official came today precisely for the case of Concubine Lan."
Han Guang, unaware that Lu Qingwan had reported Lan shi's death, explained to her respectfully.
"Yesterday, someone reported to the authorities that Concubine Lan's death was suspicious. This official sent men to investigate.
However, Second Miss Lu, Prince Chen, and Steward Zhou all said that Concubine Lan died of illness and did not require official intervention, so they sent my men away.
Han Guang also felt wronged as he spoke, "So today I came to see for myself. They actually said Concubine Lan was to be buried today.
She died only two days ago, how could she be buried so quickly? Not even a funeral was held.
This official found it suspicious and wanted to open the coffin to examine the body, but I was driven away by His Highness Prince Chen.
Fortunately, Wangfei arrived in time, otherwise, this case would have become an unsolved mystery."
After all, Lan shi was married into the Zhaolie Hou Manor. If her own relatives did not pursue the matter, then even as the magistrate of the capital, he had no right to investigate.
But Lu Qingwan was different. She was not only the Regent's Consort but also the legitimate daughter of the Zhaolie Hou Manor. She had more qualifications than anyone to decide whether or not to investigate the truth of Lan shi's death.
Bypassing Feng Qingheng, that obstructive dog, Lu Qingwan's mood did not lighten much.
Upon arriving at Lan Yuan, she saw Lan shi's coffin placed in the small hall of Lan Yuan, with only a few white silks draped about.
Lu Siwan and several maids and wet nurses were kneeling before the mourning hall, crying and burning paper money into the brazier.
Lu Qingwan went forward directly, "Lord Han, you may open the coffin now!"
"Lu Qingwan, how dare you!"
Lu Siwan jumped up from the ground upon hearing Lu Qingwan's voice, "My mother is already dead, and you still come to disturb her. Lu Qingwan, what exactly do you want?"
Lu Siwan was wearing mourning clothes, her face veiled by white gauze. Even so, Lu Qingwan could tell from the skin condition around her eyes and forehead that Lu Siwan's face was basically beyond saving.
She did not wish to waste words with a fool who did not realize she was on the brink of death. She said to Han Guang politely, "Lord Han, today, as the legitimate daughter of the Zhaolie Hou, I guarantee you that you can investigate the truth of Lan shi's death.
If anyone obstructs you, you may order your men to take action. If anyone is beaten to death or injured, I will not pursue it."
Han Guang was delighted and respectfully clasped his hands, "Thank you, Wangfei, for your understanding."
He then waved his hand, "Men, open the coffin!"
"You cannot!"
Lu Siwan screamed and rushed forward to stop them. Lu Qingwan gave Ying Er a look. Ying Er stood there imposingly, blocking anyone, be it Lu Siwan or the maids and wet nurses, from getting near the coffin.
When the coffin was opened, the yamen runners of the capital cried out in alarm. Lu Qingwan walked over upon hearing the sound. Han Guang quickly reminded her, "Wangfei, the corpse is unsightly. Wangfei should not look."
"It's alright."
Lu Qingwan held her breath and looked. The scratches on her face extended from the left brow bone directly to the right jawline, and a wound on her neck was right on the carotid artery.
"With such obvious signs of foul play, you tell me it was a sudden death?"
Lu Qingwan said coolly, "Lord Han, I think these people who are bearing false witness can be arrested."
Han Guang cupped his hands towards Lu Qingwan and said in a deep voice, "Lan Yurou was murdered, the evidence is conclusive. Now, tell us the truth of what happened.
If you were to be taken to another place, this official would not be so polite with you."
Upon hearing that they might be taken to the capital's prison, the servants' faces turned pale with fear.
Lu Siwan, seeing this, quickly started to shift the blame, "Lu Qingwan, what right do you have to bring people here to investigate my mother's death?
If it weren't for you, would she have ended up like this?
Are you guilty and afraid of bearing the reputation of forcing your concubine mother to death, so you are so eager to find someone to be your scapegoat!"
Lu Qingwan was utterly shocked and pointed at her own nose, disbelievingly, "I, forced Lan Yurou to death?
Lu Siwan, did Lan Yurou treat your placenta as a daughter when she gave birth to you? Otherwise, how could you say such a mentally deficient thing?"
Han Guang was choked by Lu Qingwan's sharp tongue, "Ahem, Lu— no, Madam Wan, you say that the Regent's Consort forced your concubine mother to death, do you have any evidence?
Otherwise, slandering a prince's consort of the present dynasty is a serious crime!"
"Of course I have evidence!"
Lu Siwan said haughtily, "It was she, relying on her status as the legitimate daughter of the Hou Manor and the Regent's Consort, who insulted my mother in front of everyone!
The people of the Wenchang Hou Manor also said that my father had already fallen on the battlefield. My mother, feeling that her life was hopeless, could not bear it any longer and committed suicide. Who else could be the murderer if not her?"