Chapter 2344: I've Met the Leader of Dongqing Sect

Chapter 2344: I've Met the Leader of Dongqing Sect

Ma Lu had come along with Wang Changdong. As soon as he entered the inn, he gulped down two sips of water and said to Meng Yunzheng, "I came to the county to find you. I didn't know where you were staying, so I went to see Brother Wang, and he brought me here directly."

Shu Yu and Meng Yunzheng exchanged glances, and Shu Yu asked, "You came to find us. Is there something you need?"

Ma Lu replied, "Master Cheng heard that you've come to the southwest and specifically asked me to invite you to the Prefect Magistrate's Mansion."

He took out an invitation and handed it over, adding, "Oh, Master Cheng also asked me to tell you that the Leader of Dongqing Temple is at the Prefect Magistrate's Mansion."

Shu Yu was surprised and didn't even look at the invitation; she handed it directly to Meng Yunzheng. "You said the Leader of Dongqing Temple is at the Prefect Magistrate's Mansion?"

"Yes."

"Have you met her?"

Ma Lu nodded. "Yes, I saw her once before we left. However, we didn't speak."

Even Meng Yunzheng squinted his eyes at this news. The Leader of Dongqing Temple was at the Prefect's Mansion? Could it be that Prefect Magistrate Cheng had also sided with the Second Prince's faction early on, just like Cheng Wenbao and his group?

The timing of Ma Lu's visit was also quite peculiar. They had just returned from Qingxuan County yesterday, and today Ma Lu showed up, inviting them to the Prefect Magistrate's Mansion for a visit. It all seemed very suspicious.

While Shu Yu was questioning Ma Lu, she asked, "What does the Leader of Dongqing Temple look like? What was her condition when you saw her?"

Ma Lu described the Leader's appearance and then said, "Her condition seemed okay at the time. She had a blank expression and was sitting in the hall with her eyes closed. I just glanced at her when I passed by."

"So, you didn't get too close to her?"

Ma Lu nodded, "That's right. The Chengwu guards who were with me told me that she was the Leader of Dongqing Temple."

It seemed that their master was indeed at the Prefect Magistrate's Mansion. Given the circumstances, they had no choice but to visit the mansion, even though they had some doubts about Prefect Magistrate Cheng's intentions. The trip to the Cheng Mansion was inevitable.

"We understand now, but it's a bit late today. Let's set off tomorrow," Shu Yu said.

Ma Lu looked at the sky; it was getting late, and traveling now would mean arriving halfway in the dark. It was indeed not suitable.

"Alright, let's stay for the night."

However, the next moment, Meng Yunzheng said, "Let's stay in Zhengdao Village directly. Staying in the city means waiting for the city gates to open tomorrow. Starting from Zhengdao Village would be more convenient. You came straight from the Prefect Magistrate's Mansion, right? Without going home?"

Ma Lu suddenly felt a bit embarrassed, "Yes, I rushed here as quickly as I could." While he had visited home not long ago, he still missed his wife and son.

"In that case, we'll go to our rooms and pack our things. We'll leave while the city gates are still open and head to Zhengdao Village."

Ma Lu agreed and went to the stables to attend to the horses.

Wang Changdong, seeing that he wasn't needed here, left first.

Meng Yunzheng and the others went upstairs. Zhao Xi approached him and asked quietly, "What's your plan? Why are you going to Zhengdao Village overnight? Isn't that suspicious?"

Shu Yu had guessed Meng Yunzheng's intention and rolled her eyes when she heard Zhao Xi's question. "Naturally, it's to take care of my sister-in-law. We've been going back and forth, and I almost forgot I still have an injured patient who can't travel. It wouldn't be convenient for her to go to the Prefect Magistrate's Mansion with us."

Zhao Xi hesitated, realizing that they had overlooked the fact that Wei Qin was still recovering from her injuries. It wouldn't be suitable for her to accompany them to the Prefect Magistrate's Mansion, and it would be suspicious to leave her in the city.