Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 119 - 118: The Silver-Armored General

Rune turned his head to look at Lu Qing with some doubt.

Logically speaking, in households of military generals like the Commander, aside from the maidservants and matrons who serve daily life, almost all the male servants carry some martial arts skills.

Although the court has not explicitly stipulated that the servants of military generals’ families must be practitioners, informally, this has become an unspoken rule.

Just like the servants in the households of civil officials who frequently quote the classics—even if they cannot read or write—at least should not be completely illiterate.

Such things relate to the face of the master of the house.

Especially the gatekeeper, while their role is not considered important, they are the first person a visitor sees.

Thus, in major households, gatekeepers are typically either clever or strong.

However, this Commander is peculiar; not only is the gatekeeper elderly and frail, but he also struggles to walk.

After a while, the old gatekeeper hobbled back, reached the gate, and hurriedly invited the five guests inside.

"Honored guests, our Commander is training new soldiers in the imperial guard camp today; he hasn’t returned yet.

The steward suggests you may have some tea and rest in the guest hall. The sky is getting dark, and the commander should return soon," the old gatekeeper said with a friendly smile.

Zhu Yu initially didn’t understand the customs of Jin Country military generals’ families, so upon seeing the old gatekeeper’s age and mobility, he didn’t react much. However, he now sensed something amiss.

From what the old gatekeeper said, the master of the Commander’s Mansion was not home, and the steward—without consulting anyone—invited them to wait inside.

No one inquired about their names, positions in the Capital, or their purpose of visiting the Commander in Li State!

Had they been in ordinary dress, it might not matter, but now each of them wore veils, and amongst them was the extraordinarily tall and burly Rune, who seemed unfriendly.

Aren’t the servants of this Commander’s Mansion a bit too trusting and careless?

Upon entering the gate, two young boys led the five of them to the guest hall, where the steward—a very thin middle-aged man of around forty or fifty—appeared quite nervous upon seeing their mysterious attire, served tea and snacks, and quickly retreated outside.

"Why do the servants in this Commander’s Mansion all appear timid and anxious? What are they afraid of?" Zhu Yu whispered to Lu Qing after taking a seat.

In principle, the imperial guard stationed in each state is at a notable Secondary Fourth Rank. Although far from the top positions, in a region like Li State, the largest official in the State Government Office, Lord Prefect, is merely a Fifth Rank.

While it may seem only half a rank apart, an imperial guard Commander holding military power at Secondary Fourth Rank is much more powerful and favored by the Emperor than a Standard Fifth Rank Prefect of Zhongzhou.

A household of such a powerful military general—from the steward to the gatekeeper, including the few young servants—all seem like mice who saw a cat, timid and nervous, which is indeed puzzling.

Realizing the odd behavior of the Commander’s Mansion servants, the five of them sat in the classroom, despite their travel fatigue, none touched the tea or snacks on the table.

Uncertain how long it has passed, the sky outside turned completely dark, and the mansion’s servants lit the lamps in the guest hall. At this moment, a young boy rushed in, and in his haste, tripped over a raised stone slab in the courtyard and fell flat.

"The master is back! The master is back!"

Lu Qing and Zhu Yu immediately focused their attention towards the corridor in the courtyard, whereas Yan Daoxin sitting opposite them remained motionless, maintaining his pose with one arm supporting his head.

A tall man clad in silver armor emerged from the far end of the corridor, taking large strides, with the plates of his armor clanging as he moved.

Shuo Country not only produces minerals but also boasts the world’s best smelting and forging techniques. Many renowned weapons and armor worldwide come from the hands of Shuo Country artisans. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Because of this, although Zhu Yu was not skilled in martial arts, he knew the silver armor weighed at least thirty to forty jin, which would be exhausting for a typical person to bear.

This Commander, however, walked lightly, as if unbothered by the weight on him.

Upon returning, he must have received a report from the steward, knowing mysterious guests from the Capital had arrived, thus he was not surprised by their attire, entering the classroom with large strides and greeting Lu Qing, Zhu Yu, and the others who had already stood up.

"I am the Commander of the imperial guard in Li State, Captain of Light Cavalry Situ Jing. May I know your names? What brings you all the way from the Capital to see me?" Situ Jing’s voice was very loud, and he silently scrutinized them with eagle eyes as he spoke.

Situ? Zhu Yu was stunned.

Previously, he heard that Emperor Jin bestowed marriage between Prince Yi Lu Zhang and the Commandery Princess of Jie Country, welcomed at the Jiejin border by the famed General Situ.

Situ is not a common surname.

Therefore, it seems that this Commander Situ Jing has impressive origins, undoubtedly of meritorious descent and a family of generals.

Lu Qing raised his hand to remove the veil hat on his head, revealing the golden crown and the fierce golden mask on his face.

Situ Jing, being experienced, showed a momentary surprise upon seeing the mask, but then quickly saluted with fists clenched and knees bent, his silver armor clinking: "Subordinate pays respects to Lord Imperial Censor!"

"The general need not be overly courteous." Lu Qing stepped forward and helped Situ Jing up. "I’ve heard the general has been tirelessly overseeing the troops in the camp, why don’t you remove your armor and sit down to talk?"

Situ Jing did not stand on ceremony with him, calling for two servants to help him remove the silver armor and store it, leaving only the robe inside, taking a seat in the guest hall, picking up the teapot, and quickly downing a cup of water.

"Has Lord Imperial Censor come by the Holy Emperor’s command? Do you have any orders in Li State?" He put the cup down and inquired of Lu Qing.

"I indeed come under the Emperor’s command, concerning the mysteries within the military camp of Li State." Despite Situ Jing recognizing him, Lu Qing still took out the waist card of the Golden-faced Imperial Censor from his pocket, handing it to Situ Jing for closer inspection.