They all want to change my future.

Chapter 63 Individual Thoughts

As soon as Luo Wengang sat down, without even touching his chopsticks, he looked at Wei Yu and asked directly, "What happened?"

Wei Yu didn't beat around the bush and recounted the events of the day in detail.

After listening, Luo Wen picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and slowly said as he put the glass down, "This Li Zhi is really persistent."

Judging from his tone, Wei Yu's heart skipped a beat. It seemed the Star Gazing Tower had investigated. He picked up the wine jug and filled Luo Wen's cup, then asked casually:

"Judging from what you're saying, Brother Luo, you've also been concerned about Li Zhi before?"

"Worrying?" Rowan glanced at him, a smirk playing on his lips.

"The day he moved into Zhaoyang Mansion, someone from the building came to visit him, but it didn't work out."

Wei Yu's brows immediately furrowed.

"They sent..." He instinctively wanted to ask what level of cultivation they were, but then realized that this question was a bit too much. He didn't want to be accused of prying into the secrets of the Star Gazing Tower, so he immediately stopped and asked instead,

"So, he really does have a powerful protector by his side? No wonder he was able to sound the 'petition drum' (a traditional Chinese prayer drum)."

"Otherwise what?" Luo Wen's tone was calm, but with a hint of coldness. "That's why the Lu family is so stupid. They dared to make a move without even knowing the details. And not only did they make a move, but they also let their people come back unharmed, only to create such a huge mess."

There was a hint of disappointment in his words, but also a subtle sense of lingering fear.

After all, Qu Hongxiao had explicitly warned that Li Zhi could not die.

If I really die at the hands of the Lu family, the investigation afterward might actually trace it back to me.

However, looking back now, it's actually a good thing. Bringing things out into the open has actually created more room for maneuver.

Do you think suing the authorities is such a good thing?

Luo Wen understood why Wei Yu had summoned him.

He raised his eyes and looked calmly at Wei Yu.

Unaware of the gazes, Wei Yu lowered his head in thought. Lu Qi was at the fifth level, and even that couldn't keep Li Zhi there.

Moreover, judging from Li Zhi's calm and composed demeanor, he probably wasn't even seriously injured.

The one protecting him must be at least at the sixth realm or higher, right?

If that's the case, then this case is indeed quite tricky.

Thinking of this, Wei Yu fell silent.

Luo Wen didn't say anything more.

Both were seasoned veterans; some things didn't need to be explicitly stated, the unspoken meaning was crystal clear.

What to do about this? Whether to speak up or not, and how to speak up, is inherently a silent struggle.

Originally, Wei Yu needed Luo Wen's help and wanted to use the information from the Star Gazing Tower to get a sense of the situation.

Judging from Luo Wen's tone, he clearly had a long-standing displeasure with Li Zhi, and might even have suffered some hidden losses.

In this way, the two sides had a common goal, and Wei Yu's eagerness to obtain it diminished somewhat.

Both of them were extremely patient.

Wei Yu even enthusiastically urged the waiters to hurry up with the food preparation, and the kitchen staff acted quickly, soon serving several exquisite dishes.

The wine was fine, the food was delicious, and the two of them ate like old friends having a casual get-together, taking turns to eat and chatting about trivial matters, never mentioning anything serious again.

Qu Hongxiao, hidden in the shadows, was speechless.

You two are doing well, eating while I'm just standing here watching?

After several rounds of drinks, most of the dishes were gone.

In the end, Wei Yu couldn't hold back any longer. After all, this matter had fallen on the shoulders of the Jingzhao Prefecture official, and Li Zhi was coming tomorrow, so time was of the essence.

Moreover, seeing Luo Wen's calm and collected demeanor, focusing only on enjoying the food and wine, Wei Yu knew that without taking a stand, no result would be achieved today.

So he gently put down his chopsticks, sighed, stood up, and respectfully cupped his hands in greeting to Luo Wen.

Then he picked up the wine pot, personally poured a full cup for Luo Wen, and presented it with both hands: "Brother Luo, this matter is thorny. I hope you will not hesitate to give me your advice and point me in the right direction."

This stance is humble enough.

He was a fourth-rank official, the Prefect of Jingzhao, a high-ranking official in the imperial court, while Luo Wen held no official position.

But the position of the Star Observer is far superior to any other position; after all, they are people whose status is in the heavens.

Seeing Wei Yu lower his head, Luo Wen slowly put down his chopsticks, respectfully accepted the cup of wine with both hands, but didn't drink it immediately. He held it to his nose and gently sniffed it before looking up at Wei Yu and smiling:

"What were your original plans, Brother Wei? Did you intend to follow the law?"

Wei Yu glanced at Luo Wen, thinking that he really wouldn't act until he saw the benefit. He pondered and said, "This matter is clear-cut, and it's not impossible according to the law."

"Oh?"

Luo Wen listened, his smile unchanged, but his tone suddenly shifted, becoming somewhat stern.

"Brother Wei, are you planning to uphold justice? Have you already found a way out with the sect?"

Just as expected, they only feel satisfied when they've outdone me.

Wei Yu sighed inwardly, but his face immediately contorted with fear, and he hurriedly said:

"Brother Luo, you flatter me! I owe my current position entirely to Her Majesty the Empress's favor in selecting me; how could I possibly harbor the slightest thought of betrayal?"

"Since you're loyal to Her Majesty, then things will be simple, won't they?"

The stern look on Luo Wen's face vanished instantly, replaced by a warm smile. He downed the wine Wei Yu had poured for him in one gulp. "I knew it. Lord Wei's loyalty to the Empress is as clear as day."

It can be said that a cup of wine can erase all grudges. Wei Yu knew that this matter was settled. Everyone knew that Guan Xinglou was the Empress's confidant and that Guan Xinglou was on par with the Empress.

"Returning to the case, has Lord Wei sent anyone to the Lu family to inquire?"

"Not yet, my first thought was to come and discuss it with Brother Luo," Wei Yu said truthfully.

"Perfect." Luo Wen clapped his hands. "Since the trial is scheduled for tomorrow, shall I send someone to invite Lu Qi over now? There are some things we need to know in advance, to clarify things between the two sides, so that there won't be any mishaps in court tomorrow. Don't you think so?"

With the tone set, Rowan immediately took over the leadership without hesitation.

Wei Yu was happy to hand over part of the hot potato, and the pressure in his heart immediately eased a lot.

But he was also puzzled as to why Rowan was so concerned about this matter, even somewhat eager.

He was naturally unaware of Luo Wen's scheming: Li Zhi was a difficult matter to handle. The lord forbade him to kill Li Zhi, but Luo Wen himself arranged for someone to make Li Zhi famous, intending to kill him by praising him.

I never expected this person to be so capable.

The more impressive the performance, the more uneasy Luo Wen felt. Wasn't this a sure thing that he would take first place?

My position as the main food vendor on the third floor is no longer secure.

Now is the perfect time to use the law to sentence him to a year or two in prison, or at least keep him locked up for a few months.

By the time Li Zhi finishes his sentence, he will have already missed the Dragon Gate Examination.

Therefore, he must seize control of this matter.

As for things escalating?

This is perfect; if things get out of hand, Her Majesty the Empress will naturally intervene.

Those sect members still dare to oppose the Empress?

Qu Hongxiao, hidden in the shadows, had a furrowed brow.

Rowan?

Why is he so eager to get involved?

I warned you before not to do assassinations, but you chose to flatter me to death. I'll let you off this time since it will benefit me too.

Why are you still targeting Li Zhi, acting all eager?

And is this the snake I was trying to lure?

This snake was actually one of his own minions?

What kind of situation is this? They've gotten themselves investigated.

Qu Hongxiao was somewhat angry.