CHAPTER 70: CHAPTER 69: COFFIN

Cao Tianbao was talking to Duke Yan, laughing happily, when the loud noise startled him. He frowned and looked over, about to scold the clumsy and reckless servant, but on closer inspection found that these people were strangers. From their appearance to their clothing, they were clearly not part of the General Mansion.

"Who are you? What are you doing?!" he shouted, instinctively sensing that the visitors meant no good.

A middle-aged man in mourning clothes looked at Cao Tianbao with a face full of grief and indignation, then turned and pulled off the red cloth tied on the large wooden box.

Everyone present instinctively gasped.

It was not a large wooden box but a coffin!

On the Assistant General’s grand birthday, these few people carried a coffin here—this was deliberately bringing him bad luck and causing trouble!

The key is, with General Cao’s prestige and power, what kind of person would have the audacity to do such a thing?

Zhu Yu hadn’t been married long and had been proving she was "devoted to the household," so she hadn’t gone out and naturally didn’t know anyone.

After a brief surprise, Lu Qing scrutinized the middle-aged man in mourning clothes and quickly recognized him.

"Isn’t that the owner of Qiong Niu Mountain Villa?" He turned his head as if speaking to Prince Shu Lu Ze beside him, but his voice was loud enough for Zhu Yu to hear clearly.

Lu Ze, shorter than Lu Qing, craned his neck to look forward for a while before nodding, "Seems like it, he’s called Zhuang Zhi or something.

I remember his winery had a kind of fruit wine, very sweet, and my mother especially liked it. I even had someone specially buy it for her.

It’s really strange, a wine merchant having dealings with General Cao?"

Lu Qing didn’t reply, silently watching Zhuang Zhi, who had one hand already on the coffin.

Zhu Yu now confirmed that Zhuang Zhi was indeed wearing mourning clothes, the kind worn for funerals.

"General Cao, I, Zhuang Zhi, run a winery in the Capital and have never had any dealings with the General. I did not come today to ruin the General’s celebration."

Zhuang Zhi, dressed in mourning clothes, spoke up, his eyes bloodshot and face unshaven, "But the tragic death of my daughter—I cannot let her injustice go unanswered.

Lately, I have searched everywhere for the General’s nephew, Cao Chenfeng. Today, I have no other choice but to ask the General to hand over Cao Chenfeng and give my deceased daughter an explanation!

If the General refuses to turn over Cao Chenfeng, insisting on shielding his own kin, then I have no other way. Since I cannot obtain justice for my daughter, I would rather die here—this coffin is my own!"

His words were filled with grief and indignation, with a choking tone, his hand on the coffin lid clenched into a fist.

Although his words were not detailed, they were enough for others to pick up on the clues, and when they looked at Zhuang Zhi and Cao Tianbao again, their gazes changed.

Cao Chenfeng, mentioned by Zhuang Zhi, was the eldest son of Cao Tianbao’s younger brother, also the eldest among his nephews, and the one Cao Tianbao favored the most, often bringing him along despite lacking an official position.

Cao Tianbao, throughout his life, had fathered many children but only daughters, and no sons to inherit his martial skills and legacy. In earlier years, he hoped for good news from his many wives, but now he had given up on such hopes.

Thus, everyone in the Capital knew that General Cao, having no sons of his own, especially cultivated his nephews, intending to find a talented heir among his brothers’ sons to pass on his martial skills and consolidate the Cao Family’s status.

Now Zhuang Zhi not only caused a scene but accused of a grave matter involving human life, demanding Cao Tianbao hand over his nephew, insinuating corruption and favoritism—this was enough to cause embarrassment.

If earlier Cao Tianbao managed to suppress his anger, now he was nearly exploding with rage.

On his birthday, being accosted by a merchant carrying a coffin to his door was already embarrassing enough. Now this man publicly accused his nephew, Cao Chenfeng, of murder—intolerable!

"In broad daylight, speaking such nonsense! Someone, tie this man up for me!" He ordered the Protectors who had already hurried over behind Zhuang Zhi, "I’m entertaining distinguished guests today; do not disturb them, drag him away and punish him!"

Several Protectors immediately stepped forward, intending to seize Zhuang Zhi and drag him away.

But it seemed Zhuang Zhi anticipated this reaction from Cao Tianbao. Before the Protectors could get close, he drew a sharp dagger from his waist and, under everyone’s gaze, pressed it firmly against his neck.

"Nobody come closer!" he shouted hoarsely, "My daughter died unjustly and tragically. If I, as her father, cannot get justice, I have no face to continue living; I might as well die here today!"

Those Protectors, who were about to rush forward, suddenly dared not move recklessly.

With their master’s grand birthday and someone blending among the gift bearers with a coffin, this was bad enough.

If blood were to be shed and a life lost, the impact of the news spreading would be even worse.

"Hmph, I’ve fought on battlefields for many years, what scenes haven’t I seen! You, a mere city ruffian, think you can scare me?!" Cao Tianbao sneered, his large fan-like hand grabbing his robe’s wide sleeve to roll it up. "My nephew is devoted to martial arts, diligent in training, what dealings did he have with your daughter!

To dare slander the Cao Family’s reputation in broad daylight, today, even if you lack the courage to act, you will not leave this gate fully intact!"

Cao Tianbao, fifty years old, had spent most of his life on the battlefield and had a fiery temper. Now truly enraged, he looked ready to personally deal with Zhuang Zhi.

Those around quickly tried to dissuade him, fearing the hot-tempered general would make a mistake out of anger, but Cao Tianbao’s burly stature made it impossible for anyone to restrain him, and they were simply thrown aside.

As he passed Lu Qing, who had stayed silent, suddenly reached out and grabbed Cao Tianbao’s arm, "General Cao, calm down, don’t be impulsive."

Cao Tianbao, in the midst of rage, felt someone suddenly grab his arm and tried hard to shake it off, but it wouldn’t let go, even when he tried pulling, his arm wouldn’t come free. Slightly startled, he turned to see who held him.

It turned out, Lu Qing’s previous words were not wrong at all; from the bottom of his heart, Cao Tianbao never liked him. It was normally so, let alone when he was in a rage, eyes glinting about to burst. But then Lu Ze also stood in front of him.

"Prince Shu, please step aside!" If Lu Qing had been blocking the way, Cao Tianbao would probably have pushed him aside without hesitation.

But now it was Lu Ze blocking him, this Seventh Prince had always been not as tall and strong as other boys, and was favored by Emperor Jin, Cao Tianbao had to restrain his strength, fearing he might accidentally hurt Lu Ze and couldn’t explain it later.