My low-key cultivation of immortality was discovered by the emperor in my diary.

Chapter 50 The Prefect of the Capital Visits with a Satirical Demeanor

"That's strange, didn't the sky suddenly brighten for a moment just now?"

In the palace, Princess Jin'an lowered her hand that had been blocking her eyes and asked in confusion.

The palace maid, Yinzhu, hesitated before replying, "It seemed like there was a flash of light, but I couldn't see it clearly."

"Never mind." Princess Jin'an had no intention of pursuing the matter and pondered as she walked.

Today, her father suddenly summoned her to the imperial study, which made Princess Jin'an feel flattered and overwhelmed.

To her surprise, her father asked her about the snow-viewing banquet. Fortunately, Princess Jin'an had taken the banquet very seriously and made ample preparations, giving her father a satisfactory answer.

However, the princess was quite puzzled by what her father said at the end.

The Emperor said, "At the snow appreciation banquet, it doesn't matter who else is there, but there is one person, Jin'an, you must treat with utmost care."

"It's Chu Lengyu from the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion. You might know her. Father Emperor hopes you can become friends with her."

"As for the others in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, you don't need to pay them any attention."

Princess Jin'an agreed, but she was very confused about it.

The Emperor actually ordered her to curry favor with an orphan girl with an awkward background?

What's the benefit of this? It can't be that they've taken a fancy to her and want to betroth her to one of their brothers, can it?

Princess Jin'an pondered for a while but couldn't come up with any conclusion.

She was on her way to find her mother, as the snow appreciation banquet was the day after tomorrow, and she had to make sure everything went perfectly on that day.

If she lost face in front of the four kings and eight dukes, even if her father didn't punish her, her mother wouldn't let her off easily, since her mother and the empress had always been at odds.

Princess Jin'an was frustrated. She really didn't know what her father was thinking. How could he entrust such a big matter to her alone?

……

Zhenguogongfu.

Ever since the thieves were captured yesterday, followed by the upheaval in the capital and the news that Steward Zhao and others had been imprisoned, Chu Wenchen and Madam Song have been uneasy and haven't slept well all night.

The couple argued for a long time, trying to absolve themselves of responsibility.

Upon hearing that the Prefect of the Capital had brought people to visit them, the two men, already feeling guilty, panicked even more and claimed that they were ill and unable to receive guests.

Unexpectedly, the Prefect of the Capital was not buying it and barged in despite the obstruction.

He was surrounded by government officials and yamen runners, far more than a few guards and servants could stop him.

Judging from his posture, he will not leave until he sees the main character today.

Left with no other choice, Chu Wenchen tidied himself up, put on his fake smile, and rushed out to meet the guest.

He smiled and said, "A rare guest indeed, Your Excellency the Prefect of the Capital. I am unwell, please forgive my rudeness."

"Lord Zhenguo, it's been a long time," the Prefect of Jingzhao returned his greeting.

He looked at the dashing and refined man in his thirties before him, a hint of reminiscence in his eyes.

Two years ago, Chu Hanchen passed away suddenly, and the Prefect of Jingzhao also came here to participate in his funeral.

However, at that time, the emperor had not yet spoken about whether the title should be abolished or retained, so the guests were unwilling to stay any longer and all came and went in a hurry.

He hadn't really looked at this second master of the Chu family closely.

Chu Wenchen asked casually, "May I ask what brings you here today, sir?"

"Oh, does Lord Chu not know?" the Prefect of the Capital asked in surprise. "Chu Lengyu, Miss Chu, came to the Capital Prefecture yesterday to file a complaint against you for hiring someone to commit murder!"

"I... how could I possibly hire someone?!" Chu Wenchen said indignantly. "Lord Prefect of the Capital, you wouldn't believe such nonsense, would you?"

When the Prefect of the Capital saw that he didn't mention Steward Zhao or inquire about him, he realized that Steward Zhao was genuinely not worried at all about betraying him or implicating him.

In fact, the Prefect of the Capital did not send anyone to interrogate him at all.

This butler was clearly pushed out by Chu Wenchen as a scapegoat.

The Prefect of the Capital then pretended to have forgotten about this person, not mentioning him at all, and said, "Well, of course I only believe in evidence."

Chu Wenchen forced a smile and said, "The Prefect of the Capital is deeply trusted by His Majesty and will certainly not be deceived by a mere child. He will find out the truth and clear my name."

The Prefect of the Capital frowned and said, "But Lord Chu, the intelligence I received is clearly detrimental to you."

Upon hearing this, Chu Wenchen felt a pang of anxiety, but after much thought, he was certain that he had not left any evidence against himself.

He chuckled and said, "I have nothing to fear if I am upright. There are always people who are jealous and envious of me. They are just a few petty people who are not worth worrying about as they are lucky enough to obtain this Duke of Zhenguo's mansion."

"These mere two words are probably inappropriate..." the Prefect of the Capital muttered.

Chu Wenchen didn't hear what he said clearly, and continued, "Sir, how is Yu'er? She suddenly ran away from the manor a few days ago. I went to Xuanzhen Temple to pick her up, but she wouldn't come back with me."

The day before yesterday, I took people to fetch her again, but she still refused. I wonder if it's because the anniversary of her elder brother's death is approaching that she doesn't want to stay in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion and wants to get away from this place of sorrow.

He looked worried and anxious, just like a good uncle.

Seeing his appearance, the Prefect of the Capital inwardly scoffed at how convincingly he was putting on an act, but outwardly he comforted him, saying, "Since you are not in good health, you should worry less."

"Thank you for your concern, sir." Chu Wenchen assumed that the Prefect of the Capital believed him.

Unexpectedly, the Prefect of the Capital changed the subject and asked, "However, I heard that after Lord Chu left, Miss Chu was repeatedly harassed at home, which is why she ran away in a huff? And you and your husband want to bring her back, but only because you covet the inheritance left to her by your elder brother and want to force her to hand it over?"

"These are all slanderous words from petty people, and should not be believed!"

Chu Wenchen said with great distress.

"This is the first time I've heard of this. I really don't know who would slander and frame me like this! Yu'er has always been the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and no one has ever mistreated her."

"Besides, do I really need to do this? Anyone who spreads such rumors must have malicious intentions, trying to sow discord between me and Yu'er, and to harm the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!"

"Your Excellency, please tell me who said such things to you. I want to confront this person face to face!"

His indignant demeanor prompted the Prefect of the Capital to applaud: "Lord Chu, what courage! Why don't you write a memorial now, requesting a face-to-face confrontation with him?"

Chu Wenchen was completely bewildered and asked in confusion, "Write a memorial?"

“Yes, even I don’t know where that person is now,” the Prefect of the Capital pointed in the direction of the palace, “but His Majesty certainly knows.”

Chu Wenchen was jolted and almost lost his balance.

Suddenly, a crisp sound of breaking cups and saucers came from outside the window, and the Prefect of the Capital raised an eyebrow.

Not long after, Song was forced by the yamen runners to walk to the door.

She forced a smile: "Sir, I've come to bring you tea, but I'm so clumsy, please excuse my awkwardness."

The tray in her hand had no cups, only tea stains, clearly indicating that she had accidentally dropped them.