Lucan Lu remained silent. Serena Feng knew this old fox was waiting for her to speak first, but she refused to do so. She still didn’t know what had happened—worrying before she had the facts was pointless.
She picked up her tea and took a small sip, using it to steady the shock in her heart.
Lucan Lu watched Serena Feng closely. He expected that by dropping this hint, she would panic and urgently ask questions. To his surprise, aside from her initial moment of shock, she showed no trace of anxiety—her calm far exceeded what was typical for someone her age.
Lucan Lu silently admired her composure, unwilling to concede defeat. Instead of answering, he countered with a question: "Since Miss Feng didn’t come because of the Summers affair, may I ask what brings you here today?"
People rarely visit the Lu Residence without a reason—most who come are seeking favors. Serena Feng is an exception; ordinary visitors can’t even get a meeting with Lucan Lu.
Serena Feng set down her teacup and gave a helpless, bitter smile. "Lord Lucan, what if I told you I came to the Lu Residence simply because I was bored, and thought I’d drop off a small gift while I was at it—would you believe me?"
That really was the truth, but Lucan Lu surely wouldn’t believe it. If their positions were reversed, she wouldn’t either—this coincidence was simply too much.
As for the Summers matter Lucan Lu mentioned, Serena Feng vaguely guessed it must be about Sun Yijin’s family. But since they were now in Lucan Lu’s hands, and judging by his tone and his knowledge of her ties to the Sun family, he wouldn’t make things difficult for them—so she truly wasn’t anxious.
"I believe you," Lucan Lu replied, trusting what he saw—Serena Feng’s expression just now had clearly shown she was unaware.
"The gift for Lord Lucan has already been placed in your study by Lady Lu. Be sure to check for it." As for what the gift was, they both knew perfectly well. Serena Feng deliberately pointed it out, reminding Lucan Lu that she hadn’t forgotten his needs.
Ahem... It was a bit awkward for a young woman to bring up such matters. Lucan Lu flushed red, but he was a seasoned man and quickly regained his composure. "Thank you for remembering, Miss Feng."
If Serena Feng hadn’t come, he would have visited her himself. Once a man has tasted such favors, he’s reluctant to let them go. He’d just never found a suitable excuse before.
He’d even considered using the Summers affair as a pretext to ask for a favor, but Serena Feng came on her own, asking nothing in return. That made Lucan Lu feel unexpectedly content.
"How could I ever neglect Lord Lucan’s needs?" Serena Feng replied lightly, deliberately avoiding mention of the Summers matter.
Lucan Lu cursed inwardly that Serena Feng was getting more cunning, but remembering the favor she’d done for him, he took the initiative: "Miss Feng, today the Bloodcloak Guard invited Lord Sun for tea."
The Bloodcloak Guard’s tea was no ordinary invitation—few survived it. Only Serena Feng and her mother had ever come out alive.
"For what reason?"
"Embezzlement," Lucan Lu replied, feeling more at ease now that Serena Feng was asking questions.
Serena Feng wasn’t as indifferent as she appeared. From what Lucan Lu knew of her, she was deeply sentimental—Sun Yijin had died because of her; she would never stand by and watch the Summers family suffer.
"Embezzlement? They called him to the Bloodcloak Guard for something so trivial? These days, what official doesn’t embezzle?" Serena Feng mocked. "Lord Lucan, is there a single honest official in Eastlyn?"
Ahem... Lucan Lu nearly choked on his tea.
He couldn’t help but feel Serena Feng’s words carried a hidden meaning. Whether Eastlyn had honest officials, he didn’t know—but he was certainly one of those who embezzled.
"Lord Sun embezzled Jiangnan disaster-relief silver." In officialdom, embezzlement was normal—as long as you did it cleanly. Embezzling relief funds was even more common, since those sums were the largest.
"Lord Sun embezzled disaster-relief funds? What’s his position?" That was a real problem—of all the money to steal, why target relief funds? Still, the real issue was getting caught.
Normally, once this kind of scandal broke, whether true or not, the Emperor would confiscate property and exterminate the family to appease public outrage.
"Vice Minister of Revenue." Lucan Lu stared at Serena Feng, wanting to see if she understood.
Serena Feng’s eyes widened. "What? Vice Minister of Revenue? When did he get promoted?" Half a year ago, Lord Sun had no position at all—he couldn’t have rocketed up so quickly.
Vice Minister of Revenue—what a setup. Someone had clearly dug a pit for him to fall into.
Lucan Lu nodded approvingly. Serena Feng had gotten to the heart of the matter. It was obvious now—the whole affair targeted Sun Yijin’s father and had been planned far in advance.
"Two months ago. As soon as he took office, he was put in charge of the Jiangnan disaster-relief funds. The memorial for his promotion came from Duke Zhen, and there’s plenty of evidence." Lucan Lu didn’t hide anything; he shared everything he knew.
"Duke Zhen? He really is a restless one—bullying me because I’m easy to deal with, is that it?" Serena Feng’s face darkened, a faint killing aura radiating from her. Lucan Lu shivered inwardly: Miss Feng truly resembled General Feng—commanding even when silent.
"Today Duke Zhen hauled a cart of thunder-blast grenades back from Liancrest Mountain for the Emperor." Lucan Lu knew Serena Feng wasn’t impulsive, but he still warned her—Duke Zhen was riding high in imperial favor, and confronting him head-on now would be unwise.
"What? Thunder-blast grenades? Did Liam Li make them?" This time Serena Feng was truly shocked. She’d thought crippling Liam Li would keep him out of trouble for a while, but she’d underestimated the others...
These days, no one’s a fool—she’d underestimated them.
"That’s right. Not many people know about this." As commander of the Bloodcloak Guard, Lucan Lu had his own sources.
Serena Feng nodded, assuring him she wouldn’t spread it further. She might resent Liam Li, but she wouldn’t let Lucan Lu notice—after all, he was still the Emperor’s man.
"Thank you for the warning, Lord Lucan. I know what to do now." Serena Feng rose and bowed to Lucan Lu in gratitude.
"Miss Feng, you’re too kind—it was nothing." Lucan Lu hurried to his feet, turning aside to avoid her salute. Serena Feng didn’t insist. "Lord Lucan, Lord Sun’s daughter once saved my life. Please look out for Lord Sun in the Bloodcloak Guard—he’s old and can’t bear torture."
"Don’t worry, Miss Feng. Lord Sun won’t be mistreated in the Bloodcloak Guard—I believe he’s not that kind of man." Lucan Lu knew Serena Feng would do everything possible for Lord Sun.
He wanted to see just how capable Serena Feng really was—could she resolve this mess?
"Thank you, Lord Lucan. With Lord Sun facing such trouble, his family must be frantic. I need to visit the Summers Estate—please let Lady Lu know, and thank her for her kindness. I’ll skip dinner tonight, but I’ll come another day to apologize properly."
Lucan Lu didn’t try to stop her, and generously added, "Miss Feng, if the Summers family is worried, they can visit the Bloodcloak Guard tomorrow."
In other words, he was allowing the Summers family to visit the prison.
Serena Feng’s eyes lit up, and she nodded. "Lord Lucan’s kindness—I’ll remember it."
This was an enormous favor. Back when she was imprisoned by the Bloodcloak Guard, not even William Wang Jinling or Warren Yu Wenhua could get in to visit.
Lucan Lu really was an interesting man.
Serena Feng boarded her carriage and headed straight for the Summers Estate. As she’d expected, the entire household was shrouded in gloom—lifeless and without a trace of energy.
Serena Feng sighed. When Lord Sun was promoted to Vice Minister, why hadn’t the Summers family thought twice? Good fortune never falls from the sky for no reason—and if it does, it’s never just for you.
She was dissatisfied with the Summers family’s carelessness, but thinking of Sun Yijin and the misery they now faced—she knew, in part, it was because of her. All her resentment faded away...