Chapter 574: Deng Family in Luzhou

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

Xiao Juan originally planned to ask around about the Deng family in Luzhou and see what outsiders thought of the Deng family.

Unexpectedly, not long after they arrived in Luzhou, they were targeted.

After Xiao Juan discovered it, he pulled out the stalker. After asking, he found out that the other party was from the Deng family.

The four of them were alreadv consDicuous. When thev were asking around

about the Deng family, it was impossible for the Deng family not to notice them.

Since their whereabouts had been exposed, Xiao Juan might as well visit them.

From the results of the current investigation, the Deng family’s position was unclear. Just in case, Xiao Juan asked Lo Pingsha and Ling Hai to stay outside the residence to receive them. He brought Niaoniao into the residence to see the head of the Deng family.

On the way here, Xiao Juan had already roughly introduced the Deng family to Niaoniao.

The Deng family was a famous family second only to the Wen family in the entire Dayan Dynasty. Their history was long and deep, and almost every emperor would marry someone from the Deng family.

The current Queen Mother Deng was from the direct line of descent of the Deng family.

The family head who was in charge of the entire Deng family was Empress Dowager Deng’s biological brother, Deng Yuchuan.

When Deng Yuchuan was young, he was a general who had been stationed at the border for decades. Later, when he became old, he retired and returned to Luzhou.

The butler led Yu Niaoniao and Xiao Juan into the reception hall and served refreshments. His attitude was very respectful. “Please wait a moment. I’ll inform Master now.”

However, the butler did not return.

Even after Yu Niaoniao and Xiao Juan finished the tea in their cups, they still did not see Deng Yuchuan appear.

Yu Niaoniao pursed her lips. “Looks like he doesn’t want to see us.”

Xiao Juan stood up. “Let’s go.”

“Yeah.”

As soon as the two of them reached the door, they saw a group of people walking over. The leader was Deng Yuchuan.

His hair was already white. It was obvious that he should have been tall when he was young, but now that he was old and weak, his figure was little hunched. He held a walking stick in one hand and walked slowly.

A young man held him up, afraid that he would accidentally fall.

Deng Yuchuan’s eyesight was not good. He narrowed his eyes for a long time before confirming Xiao Juan’s identity.

“Where are you going, Your Highness?”

Xiao Juan said calmly, “We waited for a long time and didn’t see him. We thought that Old Master Deng was busy and didn’t have time to see us, so we planned to visit another day.”

When the young man beside Deng Yuchuan heard this, he was very unconvinced and explained for his grandfather.

“My grandfather is old and not in good health. He has just caught a cold these few days. The doctor originally did not let him go out in case he caught a cold.But he still forced himself to meet you.

“It’s a little slow. Please forgive me, Your Highness.”

Deng Yuchuan gestured for the young man to say less before introducing him to Xiao Juan.

“This child is my youngest grandson, Lu Yun. He’s usually spoiled by his family, but his temper is very good. I hope Your Highness won’t lower yourself to this child’s level.”

He was talking about a child. If Xiao Juan really wanted to argue with him, he could not help but look too petty.

Xiao Juan said calmly, “It’s fine.”

Deng Luyun helped his grandfather into the house and let him sit down at the main seat. He was very patient the entire time.

It was obvious that this kid was really filial to his grandfather.

Deng Yuchuan noticed that the tea on the table was gone and immediately got someone to change Xiao Juan and Yu Niaoniao’s tea.

Xiao Juan said, “There’s no need to trouble yourself. We’re only here to ask some questions. We’ll leave after that. It won’t take too much time.”

Deng Yuchuan was very easy to talk to. “Your Highness, feel free to ask. I’ll definitely answer everything.”

Xiao Juan turned to look at Niaoniao.

Niaoniao took out the drawing paper from her sleeve and unfolded it. She raised it so that Deng Yuchuan could see the woman in the painting clearly. “I wonder if Old Master Deng knows the person in the painting?”

Deng Yuchuan narrowed his eyes and stared at the young woman in the painting for a long time.

His expression didn’t change. She couldn’t tell if he knew him or not.

“I wonder where you got the portrait?”

Faced with his question, Yu Niaoniao immediately had an affirmative answer.

She kept her expression neutral and replied calmly.

“I drew this myself.”

Deng Yuchuan seemed surprised.

He stared at Yu Niaoniao for a while longer. “The Princess Consort looks very young. How has she seen the person in the painting?”

Yu Niaoniao said, “In that case, Old Master should know the person in the painting.”

Deng Yuchuan neither admitted nor denied it.

He looked away and said coldly, “There’s no need to mention the past. If Your Highness and the Princess Consort are here today for the person in the painting, please forgive me for not being able to receive you.” With that, he picked up the teacup beside him.

This was what it meant to serve tea and send the guest off.

Yu Niaoniao was unwilling to give up just like that. She took a step forward with the portrait and said.

“The person in the painting is called Li Niang. She was killed three months ago and her corpse was placed in the Justice Department. If you know her, please tell us about her. This way, we can find out the truth and arrest the murderer to give her justice!”

Deng Yuchuan’s hand trembled slightly as he held his teacup, and the tea almost spilled out.

But he quickly regained his composure and said expressionlessly.

“Send the guest out!”

Before Yu Niaoniao could say anything else, Deng Luyun began to chase her away.

“I’ve never seen the woman in the painting. She has nothing to do with our Deng family. Princess Consort, please don’t make things difficult for us anymore. butler, send the guest off!”

The butler immediately walked in and gestured for Yu Niaoniao and Xiao Juan to leave.

“Please come this way.”

Yu Niaoniao looked at Deng Yuchuan one last time. Seeing that he was ignoring her, no matter how unwilling she was, she could only leave with Xiao Juan.

After walking out of the Deng family’s door, Yu Niaoniao immediately said to Xiao Juan.

“Old Master Deng must know Li Niang!”

Although Old Master Deng did not admit it, from his reaction, it could be seen that there was definitely a connection between him and Li Niang.

Xiao Juan comforted her. “Don’t be anxious. We’ll think of something else.”

Lo Pingsha and Ling Hai, who had been waiting outside, walked over quickly.

They were relieved to see Duke Lang and the Princess Consort safe and sound. Seeing that it was getting late, Xiao Juan and the others went to a nearby restaurant to eat and discuss things.

Yu Niaoniao was very indignant.

“Old Master Deng clearly knows Li Niang, but he still pretended not to know her. He must have something on his mind!”

Lo Pingsha said, “But he doesn’t want to admit it. There’s nothing we can do to him.”

As the saying went, a strong dragon could not suppress a local snake. Luzhou was the Deng family’s territory. They were extremely powerful here. Even if Xiao Juan was Duke Lang, he could not touch Deng Yuchuan without full confidence.

Xiao Juan picked up a piece of braised deer tendon and whispered.

“Let’s eat first. Tonight, I’ll take a look at the Deng family and see if I can find their genealogy.”

If Li Niang was from the Deng family, she would definitely leave her name on the genealogy.

Yu Niaoniao’s eyes lit up.. This was a good idea!