Meng Qianqian was a bit dazed, simultaneously suspecting that if she remained still, Lu Yuan might say something along the lines of, "Don’t push it, Meng Xiaojiu. Don’t tell me you want me to carry you too?"
Meng Qianqian quickly jumped to her feet.
Lu Yuan snorted coldly: "I knew you wanted me to hold your hand."
Meng Qianqian: "...!!"
Lu Yuan took Meng Qianqian by the hand and led her out of the courtyard.
Nanny Wan, Nanny Hu, and Lady Du emerged from various corners and gathered in the courtyard center, curiously watching the affectionate departing figures of the couple, clicking their tongues in admiration.
Lady Du said, "The son-in-law and the young lady are becoming more and more loving!"
Nanny Hu nodded repeatedly. "Indeed! The last time the son-in-law carried the young lady back to the courtyard, oh my, my old face turned red."
Nanny Wan said, "What do you know? That’s called true love!"
Lady Du said, "Our young lady truly married the right person this time... Speaking of, when the son-in-law was out these past few days, he didn’t catch the attention of any flirtatious women, did he?"
Once burned twice shy—the trauma caused by Lu Lingxiao left them scarred with suspicion.
"Impossible." Nanny Wan pulled out a handful of sunflower seeds from her pocket and cracked them while saying, "Those outside flowers and grass? The son-in-law doesn’t even bother looking."
Lady Du grabbed a few seeds from Nanny Wan and asked curiously, "How do you know?"
Nanny Wan replied, "Yu Zichuan said so."
Lady Du was startled and asked, "He even told you this? Are you two that close?"
Nanny Wan snorted, "You just don’t get it, do you? Guard Yu is actually a kind person."
Sitting on the rooftop polishing his bow, Yu Zichuan thought: Hmm, Lu Yuan’s gossip really trades for quite a few snacks.
The young couple paid their respects to the elderly matriarch.
The matriarch was absolutely delighted, holding Lu Yuan’s hand. "Great-grandson-in-law, you’re back! Why were you gone for so long? Your great-grandmother missed you terribly!"
Lu Yuan said, "I missed you too, Great-grandmother. I’ll try to return sooner next time when working outside."
Meng Qianqian muttered, "One thing restrains another. Before me, he’s a tiger, but before Great-grandmother, he’s a little kitten."
Lu Yuan turned his head. "What did you just say?"
Meng Qianqian smiled sweetly. "Nothing. These oranges you’re peeling taste wonderful, Husband!"
Lu Yuan said, "Getting accustomed to ordering me around?"
Meng Qianqian: "Hmm?"
Lu Yuan picked up another orange and meticulously began peeling it for her.
Meng Qianqian looked at the orange in her hand, with not even a trace of pith left, and finally understood why even the border children liked having him crack walnuts.
It truly was perfection.
Soon after, Bao Shu, tired from playing, came looking for Meng Qianqian.
She held a small milk jug in both hands, sipping as she walked into the room.
She nonchalantly sneaked a glance at her "cheap" father, her little feet not stopping as she threw herself straight into Meng Qianqian’s arms.
Lu Yuan, both amused and exasperated, lifted the purposely ignoring little one up: "It’s been days since you saw me, and you don’t even call me Dad?"
Bao Shu released the small milk jug, puffing out a bubble from her little mouth.
The bubble burst and sprayed milk all over Lu Yuan’s face.
All Twelve Guards appearing in the Capital City were currently being held here.
They were not convicted criminals but were being detained as suspects and witnesses for investigation.
The Minister had not used torture on the Twelve Guards—firstly because he did not believe in severe corporal punishment, and secondly because such methods would likely be useless against the Twelve Guards.
"Lord Minister, the same question you’ve asked for five days straight now—my answer remains identical to before."
Minister nodded toward Sheep, instructing Steward Hu to record today’s testimony from Sheep and verify its consistency before asking Sheep to press their handprint.
"Lord Sheep, please bear with staying at the Ministry of Justice for a few more days. Once the truth is fully revealed, if you are innocent, I will release you accordingly."
Even the closing statement mirrored the previous days word for word.
Sheep could hardly fathom how someone had become the Minister of the Ministry of Justice.
How could this be his interrogation method?
Was the court truly running out of capable individuals?
Sheep said no more, crossing their legs and meditating in silence.
Minister exited Sheep’s cell and proceeded to Chen Long’s, repeating the same procedure again.
Steward Hu also felt puzzled and softly asked, "Sir, their statements haven’t changed. Should we try a different approach?"
Minister replied, "I have my own plans."
Chen Long and Sheep were confined in specific sealed rooms, each in their own.
Ji Li, Si Snake, and Hai Pig were newly arrived and temporarily placed together in one sealed room.
The Minister didn’t rush inside for questioning but stood by the door to quietly eavesdrop on the movements within.
Ji Li was the first to speak.
Their weapons had all been confiscated, except for Ji Li, who, with Lu Yuan’s leniency, had retained a ceremonial folding fan for dramatic flair.