Prince YongKang's old hideout was close to Liuzhou, and Li Hui worried about his parents far away in Liuzhou, "Do they know where Prince YongKang has fled to?"
Cao Fugui sighed, "Prince YongKang completely disappeared after leaving the Capital City. The Emperor has sent many people to search for him, but they have found no news." This was the most worrying matter at present. Whether Prince YongKang had chosen to hide after his escape or continue to recruit soldiers and horses was unknown.
Because of this, the Emperor was furious, and the entire city was under martial law. These days, apart from hunting down the rebel prince and serious criminals, they were thoroughly investigating those involved in the rescue of the rebel prince.
Whether it was members of the royal family or ministers in the court, as long as they were implicated, they were all arrested and sent to the prison for interrogation. Those confirmed to have participated were subjected to confiscation of property and execution, and those who had inadvertently participated were dismissed from their posts, with their descendants barred from entering officialdom for three generations. As he said this, Cao Fugui glanced at Li Hui.
Seeing Cao Fugui's expression, Li Hui knew that there were people here who were familiar with the Li family. The Beining Marquis Manor and Gongshun Marquis Manor had already sent people to visit their home, so naturally, they were safe, "Is the Lu Family also involved?"
"Whether the Lu Family is involved has not been found out yet, but the Lin Family is involved. The person who was on duty in the forbidden area that night was the Lin Family's Eldest Son. Now, the Lin Family has been dismissed from their posts, their property confiscated, and the entire family exiled three thousand miles away." When Cao Fugui mentioned the Lin Family, Li Hui thought for a while before reacting. Lu Madam's maiden name seemed to be Lin, so this Lin Family should be Lu Madam's maternal family.
"What will happen to the Lu Family?" Li Hui didn't care about what happened to the Lin Family, he was only worried about whether this matter would affect the Lu Family. Old Madam Lu had been very kind to them, and Li Hui didn't want anything to happen to the Lu Family.
"Considering your sake, as long as the Lu Family doesn't have any major issues, they will be fine." Cao Fugui reassured Li Hui. Li Hui had saved the princess and had given them an early warning. Otherwise, they wouldn't know what kind of chaos the Capital City would be in.
"Thank you," Li Hui thanked Cao Fugui, knowing that Cheng'en Marquis must have helped to speak for him.
"We are brothers, there's no need for formalities. If you really want to be formal, why not give me your Dapeng Spreading Wings as a token of appreciation?" Cao Fugui really liked it.
"No, I can't give you this." This was specially carved by Li Xia for Li Hui. Li Hui couldn't part with it, "Next time, I'll give you something special."
"Alright, I'll be waiting." Cao Fugui was very much looking forward to it. After saying these things, Cao Fugui prepared to leave. When he reached the door, Cao Fugui suddenly stopped, "Brother Li, who do you think this Justice Hero really is?"
Li Hui didn't understand, "Why do you ask, Brother Cao?"
Cao Fugui didn't hide it. After the Emperor's uncle knew what he wanted to do, he sent him to investigate the identity of the Justice Hero and confirm whether this Justice Hero had any connection with the rebel prince. After all, the timing of this person's appearance was very coincidental.
"The Justice Hero, despite offending the court, insisted on posting the list of wronged people. Such a person would not collude with the rebel prince." Li Hui was certain. After knowing that Li Xia was the Justice Hero and why he posted the list, Li Hui understood. It was for Aunt Mei, to redress the injustice for the Xu Family.
Cao Fugui nodded, he thought so too.
After sending off Cao Fugui, Li Hui told Li Xin and Li Xia about the current situation. He also instructed the people in the manor not to go out if there was nothing to do, to stay at home, as the current situation was still unclear.
"Xia Xia, Brother Cao has helped us a lot. I want to send him a thank you gift. Do you have any finished carvings?" Li Hui asked Li Xia after everyone else had left.
"I need to go back and check." After finishing the carving, she casually put it aside. Whether there were any left, she couldn't remember. She would have to ask Qiu Shui.
After discussing the carving, Li Hui, worried, advised Li Xia not to go out recently. "Cao Fugui is investigating the Righteous Hero, you should lay low for a while."
Back at the Plum Blossom Pavilion, Li Xia called for Qiu Shui. "Are there any finished carvings left?"
"Yes, miss, please wait a moment." After saying this, Qiu Shui called Qiu Chan to bring out a large box from the storeroom. Upon opening it, it was full of Li Xia's finished carvings. She hadn't expected there to be so many.
"Qiu Chan, take this box to my elder brother's courtyard. He can do as he pleases with these carvings."
Qiu Chan closed the box again, hoisted it up, and headed towards the front courtyard. Just as she reached the door, she was stopped by Wen Zhu. "The young master has a guest, Miss Qiu Chan, please wait a moment."
"Then I'll leave the box here with you. Once the guest leaves, you can give it to the young master," said Qiu Chan, carefully setting down the box and instructing Wen Zhu.
"Alright," Wen Zhu nodded.
"Oh, right, the miss said that the items in this box are at the young master's disposal," Qiu Chan relayed Li Xia's instructions to Wen Zhu after setting down the box, asking him to pass the message along.
"Alright, I will relay it to the young master."
Inside the living room, Uncle Lu was somewhat hesitant, unsure of how to broach the subject.
After the Lin Family's incident, the Lu Family had been living in constant fear. Uncle Lu reassured himself that he would be fine, as he hadn't been involved in the matter. However, he also feared that his marital ties to the Lin Family would cause the emperor to bear a grudge and implicate him.
Lu Madam had lost her usual spirit and was holed up in her courtyard, burning incense and praying to Buddha, hoping that the Lu Family would be spared. Her maternal family was already gone. If her marital family were to be implicated, Lu Madam would have no choice but to drink poison and descend to the underworld.
The few families that used to be close now shut their doors to them. This made Uncle Lu truly understand the fickleness of the world. He was anxious, wondering where he could find someone to pull some strings for him. Just then, Lu Steward rushed in to report that he had seen the carriage of the Chengen Marquis Residence in Osmanthus Alley.
Lu Steward, following Old Madam Lu's orders, had come to Osmanthus Alley to check on the Li Family and to deliver some food and necessities. The Lu Family was in trouble, and as a servant, Lu Steward was also worried. He had come somewhat reluctantly upon receiving Old Madam Lu's orders.
Upon reaching the entrance of the alley and seeing the carriage of the Chengen Marquis Residence, Lu Steward turned around and ran back to the Lu Family to report to Uncle Lu.
Only then did Uncle Lu remember that his nephew had connections with the Chengen Marquis Residence. The Chengen Marquis Residence was the maternal home of the crown prince. If they could put in a good word for them, his family would surely be safe.
Without even changing his clothes, Uncle Lu had a carriage prepared and rushed to Osmanthus Alley. Upon arriving and not seeing the carriage of the Chengen Marquis Residence, he felt somewhat disappointed. However, since he was already there, he decided to visit his nephew.
"I apologize for not visiting my grandmother and uncle due to unforeseen circumstances these past few days. I appreciate your concern for us," Li Hui said, fully aware of Uncle Lu's intentions for visiting.
Li Hui's words made Uncle Lu's face turn red. In the past few days, due to his own family's troubles, he hadn't worried about his nephew's family at all. Looking at Li Hui, who stood tall and straight, and then thinking about his own son, who had become completely despondent due to the troubles at home, he had to admit, albeit reluctantly, that his son was far inferior to Li Hui.
"How are you all doing? Do you have enough to eat and use?" Uncle Lu asked carefully.
"We're all fine," Li Hui naturally replied positively.
"As long as you're all fine," Uncle Lu said, unable to voice the question he wanted to ask.
Upon seeing this, Li Hui stopped beating around the bush and asked, "Uncle Lu, is there something you need?"
Uncle Lu, unsure of how to phrase his concerns, no longer concealed anything after Li Hui's inquiry. He explained the situation, "The Lin Family has been exiled three thousand miles away and left yesterday. But we are uncertain about the current state of affairs in the Lu Family. So, Hui, could you help me find out?"
Without hiding anything from Uncle Lu, Li Hui revealed, "Brother Cao just visited. Regarding the Lu Family's situation, Brother Cao mentioned that as long as they weren't involved, they wouldn't be affected." Hearing this, Uncle Lu immediately shook his head in denial, "Not involved."
