Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 110 - 109: Grand Display

"What is this cold and rigid illness of Prince Shu, like a stone?" Zhu Yu was puzzled. Although healing wasn’t her strong suit, she knew a little about it, and she’d never heard of such a strange acute illness before.

"That’s unknown. It’s just that different paths lead to the same outcome, probably with similar considerations. It’s just unclear whether this idea was his own or the result of his mother’s advice." Lu Qing’s lips curled slightly, with a hint of playfulness in his eyes.

Earlier, when Lu Qing suddenly "fell ill," Zhu Yu had already guessed a bit of the situation based on their previous conversations, and now, with the situation at Lu Ze Mansion, she felt even more certain.

Perhaps because since Lu Qing’s wedding day, first there was the "first time," and then the "second time" on General Cao’s birthday, the "sharp ones" in the Capital sensed a conspiracy. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

So, the wedding of Prince Yi, which was supposed to be highly sought after, now became a hot potato — feared to be held and difficult to let go.

People like Lu Qing and Lu Ze, who had the capital to abandon it, coincidentally opted for the excuse of being "indisposed."

"Both you and Lu Ze are ’ill,’ and Prince Xu is not in the Capital... From what you know, will the Third Prince and Fourth Prince hurry back for the banquet?" Zhu Yu asked with curiosity.

"If Lu Yan and Lu Jun wanted to get involved in this trouble, they wouldn’t have volunteered early to guard the border," Lu Qing replied.

So, as the night passed, by the next day, Rune had disguised himself early and left the mansion, only returning in the afternoon to tell Lu Qing and Zhu Yu that Prince Yi’s wedding was indeed somewhat quiet. Because Prince Xu was not in the city, and Prince Xiaoyao and Prince Shu had both fallen ill, it resulted in a lack of royal family members to show the presence.

As for the imperial relatives, Lu Zhang did not lack them, for Duke Yan Zhao Bi brought almost his entire family to support his grandson.

Zhao Bi’s eldest son, Zhao Mo, nearly fifty, was mediocre and achieved nothing. His only ’accomplishment’ was having a legitimate grandson like Zhao Bocai for the Zhao Family.

This man had no ambition, relying on being Zhao Bi’s eldest legitimate son, who, by law, would inherit Zhao Bi’s title as Duke, and he seemed to believe that having no other desires in life would suffice. He spent his days gardening and bird-watching, living nonchalantly, even more leisurely than Prince Xiaoyao, Lu Qing.

It was for this reason that Zhao Bi chose to bring his grandson, Zhao Bocai, rather than appear publicly with his disappointing son, fearing that such a son somewhat tarnished the prestigious reputation of Duke Yan.

Today, for Lu Zhang’s wedding, he even called Zhao Mo and his wife to accompany him.

Not only them, but also Duke Yan’s second son, Zhao He, accompanied them to the banquet.

His second son once shared the semblance of his father, being sent by Zhao Bi to the frontier for military training at a young age, hoping he would soon earn his merits.

Zhao He did indeed strive, earning a small reputation in the military in his first year and achieving merits in the second year.

Unfortunately, in the third year, Zhao He had a run of bad luck — he fell off a horse and was severely trampled by a startled horse, leaving one leg completely crippled, rendering him lame.

From then on, he became disheartened, living in seclusion at the Duke Yan Mansion, unwilling to show himself in public again.

"Today he wore a veil hat, covering himself completely. If not for his limping gait, it would have been difficult to recognize him," Rune told Lu Qing.

"Did you see Bai Qihong?" Lu Qing asked.

"No," Rune shook his head, "I heard Vice Minister Bai was sent by the Holy Emperor to supervise canal construction and water diversion near Huazhou for the Ministry of Industry. However, his wife, Duke Yan’s legitimate second daughter, came with Duke Yan’s entourage."

"By this count, Duke Yan had almost all his family present, showing his affection for Lu Zhang," Lu Qing nodded.

"Sir, before I returned, the Holy Emperor himself went over as well," Rune quickly added, "But he didn’t stay long, leaving after less than an incense stick’s time, probably just stopping by for a celebratory drink, to support Prince Yi."

Lu Qing wasn’t surprised, turning to ask, "How is the situation outside?"

"There are signs of Jie people," Rune responded firmly, "but those people don’t appear to be looking for trouble. They’re all dressed in Jin people’s usual attire, with some disguised as vendors, roaming the streets and alleys near Prince Yi Mansion."

Mentioning this, Rune couldn’t help but laugh and cry: "They are quite single-minded; knowing they can disguise themselves as vendors, they actually did just that!

On this day of Prince Yi’s wedding, the mansion was likely too preoccupied with entertaining guests and guarding against any sabotage to mind the outside, especially the alleyway around the back door.

Otherwise, on an ordinary day, what street vendor with no sense would carry their goods to peddle around the mansion, without drawing attention to something unusual!"

"There’s nothing strange about it; the Jie are known for their martial prowess, not their disguises. Isn’t this known to all military strategists?" Lu Qing reflected, "In the coming days, you and Fu Lu should go out more, keeping an eye on the movements of the Jie people on the streets."

"Understood!" Rune responded immediately.

"Should I also go out to take a look for you?" Lately, Zhu Yu had been feeling stifled at home, and seeing Lu Qing arranging for Rune and Fu Lu to gather intelligence, she felt tempted.

"I’m afraid, madam, that in the coming days you’ll still need to stay in the mansion, taking care of your ailing husband." Lu Qing pointed to himself, "If today the Holy Emperor hadn’t gone to Lu Zhang’s celebrations, I might be uncertain.

Since he went to Lu Zhang’s place today, giving Duke Yan and Lu Zhang ample face, then afterwards he cannot neglect to honor Princess Consort Duan, and naturally must also visit the ailing Lu Ze."

At this point, he paused, giving Zhu Yu a somewhat helpless look, and nodded slowly.

"I understand," Zhu Yu sighed, "After seeing Lu Ze, he would naturally want to be fair, and come see you.

And as your wife, I must attend to you, to avoid showing any fault."

Zhu Yu thought she understood Lu Qing’s thinking, only for him to shake his head: "No, you need to be in the mansion because you are also ill."

"Me?" This answer surprised Zhu Yu.

"The day I ’fell ill,’ the Medical Officer asked Rune where I had been and what I had done. I had been with the Holy Emperor at the palace during that time, so naturally there was no need to inquire further, but after that I came back and had dinner with you.

If I have an issue and you don’t, whether to suspect you depends entirely on the holy emperor’s mood.

But if my appetite was large and yours small, so after the Medical Officer left you developed the same symptoms, only then can suspicion be removed from you, avoiding unnecessary trouble for you, your father, and even the entire Shuo Country."