Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 178 - 177: Rising to the Challenge

Zhu Yu heard the rune and looked nervously toward Lu Qing.

Before they set off, Prince Shu Lu Ze had visited Prince Xiaoyao Mansion to tell Lu Qing that Lu Zhang had taken the initiative to accept the mission from Emperor Jin to patrol the border.

Now that they had reached Huazhou, very close to Shuo Country, if Lu Zhang ran into them, wouldn’t it be like handing leverage over to the other side?

"Which direction?" Lu Qing asked in a low voice.

"Huazhou." The rune looked nervously at Lu Qing.

On Bai Qihong’s side, the craftsmen were fervently chiseling at Black Stone Mountain using the method Zhu Yu taught, and if Lu Zhang and his people saw it, they might write a report to Emperor Jin.

Lu Qing remained calm, only furrowing his brow slightly. Then, without any warning, he suddenly stood up and strode toward the direction of the official road.

The runes were a bit confused, but having followed Lu Qing for many years, they seemed used to their master’s unpredictability and hurriedly followed.

Yan Daoxin also grew up with Lu Qing, but after Lu Qing was brought back to the Capital, they rarely saw each other.

While their friendship remained strong and deep, Yan Daoxin didn’t fully understand Lu Qing’s way of handling things, as he hadn’t gone through the same challenges and experiences Lu Qing faced after returning to the Capital.

He walked beside Zhu Yu, puzzled, and whispered, "Is he meeting the crisis head-on?! Isn’t this too risky?"

Zhu Yu, unable to guess Lu Qing’s intentions at the moment, could only shake her head, "He must have his reasons, so let’s handle it as it comes."

The five of them returned to the official road, standing by the roadside as Lu Zhang’s group approached them.

Lu Zhang saw Lu Qing standing calmly by the roadside, waiting for him, and hurriedly reined in his horse, stopping it. His face was briefly unable to hide his surprise.

He quickly jumped off the horse, cupping his hands toward Lu Qing, and with a somewhat awkward expression, said, "Brother..."

"I saw you coming from afar, so I hurried to the roadside to wait," Lu Qing replied with a relaxed demeanor, "I heard that His Highness Prince Yi was tasked by the Holy Emperor to patrol the border, which must have been quite a long and arduous journey.

To meet here today, you indeed look a bit worn out."

Lu Zhang listened to him, his expression even more uneasy, and instead of responding, he turned to the others who had already dismounted and paid respects to Lu Qing, "After traveling so far, everyone must be tired, so let’s rest here for a while. I’ll take this chance to talk with my brother."

The others naturally wouldn’t go against his wishes, promptly responding and leading their horses into the nearby woods to rest.

Lu Zhang dismissed his companions, turned to face Lu Qing again, and glanced at Zhu Yu and the others behind him, making his intentions clear.

Lu Qing just waved his hand, "There’s no need to avoid them, feel free to speak your mind, Your Highness."

His unguarded attitude towards those around him made Lu Zhang’s expression even more complex. He didn’t particularly agree but simultaneously showed a hint of envy, as if such a situation was something he had always desired but couldn’t attain.

"Since that’s the case, I will speak frankly with my brother." Lu Zhang furrowed his brow and shook his head at Lu Qing with some helplessness, "Why are you here, brother?"

"Speaking of which, I owe Your Highness an apology." Lu Qing cupped his hands toward Lu Zhang, "I missed Your Highness’s grand wedding due to illness and couldn’t attend to offer my congratulations, for which I am deeply sorry.

The illness came on suddenly, and even though the Medical Officer from the Pharmacy Bureau examined me personally, they couldn’t identify the cause. Although I have somewhat recovered since then, my health hasn’t fully returned.

It just so happened that my master sent me a letter, stating he predicted a bad year for me, and advised I travel and do good deeds along the way. He also sent a junior brother to meet me and help restore my health.

Hearing about the floods in Huazhou, I came here with my junior brother, planning for him to conduct rituals for blessings in the area.

However, the rainfall in Huazhou was so intense we had to take a detour, which led us here to meet Your Highness by chance. Perhaps, it was destined this way."

Upon hearing this, Lu Zhang glanced at Yan Daoxin, who remained impassive and indifferent.

Lu Zhang had previously visited Shanqing Temple with Duke Yan and knew Lu Qing’s master, Qi Yun Mountain People, was a reclusive sage. His disciples were all quite capable, but they preferred not to engage in worldly affairs.

He had also met Yan Daoxin before, known among Qi Yun Mountain People’s disciples for his medical skills, which made Lu Qing’s words quite believable to him.

"Forgive me, brother, for forgetting to inquire about your health during our meeting!" Lu Zhang said apologetically and glanced at Yan Daoxin, "But when I saw brother earlier, he seemed in good spirits, not much different from before, surely thanks to the careful care of the Divine Doctor!

If Father Emperor knew about your recovery, he would certainly feel relieved. So I thank the Divine Doctor on his behalf!"

As he spoke, he cupped his hands toward Yan Daoxin.

Yan Daoxin clearly didn’t like Lu Zhang, responding with only a slight, expressionless nod.

"Your Highness, did you come from near the Jie Country border?" Lu Qing, noticing Lu Zhang’s evasive demeanor, decided to ask directly, "While patrolling near Jie Country, have you noticed anything unusual?" 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

"What do you mean?" Lu Zhang, initially avoiding such topics, felt suspicious when Lu Qing brought them up, "Why would you ask that, brother?"

"Before reaching Huazhou, we passed through Li State and heard some things." Lu Qing’s expression remained unchanged, but before continuing, he glanced briefly at the people resting nearby, lowering his voice as if fearing they might overhear, "In the Li State camp, there was a major incident with many imperial guards poisoned."

"Does this... have anything to do with Jie Country?" Lu Zhang noticed Lu Qing’s look and instinctively wanted to glance behind him to check the group’s proximity and safety but restrained himself just in time, lowering his voice like Lu Qing.

Lu Qing nodded slightly at him, "The poison those people suffered, Da Jin has never seen or heard of it before. Among all the lands under Heaven, only Jie Country could have such a thing."