Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 199 - 198: Securing Favor

"What does the Pang Family do in Shuo Country?" Lu Qing suddenly asked upon hearing this.

Zhu Yu glanced at the doorway where the runes stood like two gate gods. With them there, no one could easily approach the Prince Shuo Mansion, making it much more convenient for them to talk.

"The Pang Family was originally the largest iron casting merchant within the borders of Shuo Country, and they also had some other businesses. After my father inherited the throne, they gradually obtained the rights to mine iron." Zhu Yu answered succinctly but clearly enough.

Lu Qing’s eyes were meaningful, knowingly nodding, giving Zhu Yu a deep look.

From his eyes, Zhu Yu immediately understood the unspoken implication, furrowing his brows slightly.

If she didn’t misunderstand, and Lu Qing wasn’t mistaken, the matters in Shuo Country were far more complicated than they had imagined.

Originally, they thought only Prince Shuo, Zhu Cheng, was unavoidable in their investigations. Now it seemed more troublesome than they anticipated.

Yan Daoxin, somewhat speechless, watched the two exchange a glance, understanding each other’s intentions. He tapped his fingers on the table, drawing their attention: "Now I’m curious. Since this Princess Shuo’s family is quite prestigious and powerful in Shuo Country, and she herself quite dominating, it seemed from earlier that she keeps a pretty close eye on your father?

So...how did your father manage to take concubines and have so many concubine’s children?"

This question from someone who appeared otherworldly, dressed in a Taoist robe, seemed incredibly strange coming from a Daoist’s mouth.

Lu Qing shot an annoyed glare at Yan Daoxin, then turned his eyes back to Zhu Yu.

Despite his disdain, he had to admit that Yan Daoxin raised a question that puzzled him as well, and he was quite curious about the answer.

"No matter what, my father is still the Vassal King of Shuo Country. Though not the most imposing within the Four Seas and Five Provinces, he is still prominent enough in this land that many wish to curry favor with him."

Zhu Yu was almost amused by their curious expressions. Normally, one is aloof, and the other moralistic, appearing proper, but now, gossiping, they were no less than ordinary folk: "Back then, the Pang Family bet on the right horse, rising to prominence in Shuo Country with my father’s influence. Naturally, some were displeased, wishing to challenge them.

So, when my father was young, it’s said many sought angles to insert themselves into his life or the Prince Shuo Mansion.

No matter how domineering Pang Yuzhen was, she couldn’t cover all bases, fearing that some other woman might be inserted into their home, threatening her status.

So, to keep control, she would personally place her people around him, making them his concubines."

She sighed: "Like my mother, originally Pang Yuzhen’s dowry maid, dutifully serving her, hoping that when the time came, she’d be matched with a capable servant, living a stable life in the Mansion.

However, things went awry when Pang Yuzhen was pregnant with my legitimate sister, Zhu Ning, outsiders began plotting, trying to insert people into the mansion.

So, to guard against outsiders, she chose my mother, the prettiest among her maids, to become a concubine for father. Father understood Pang Yuzhen’s intention, gladly accepted her, and rejected outsiders’ advances.

Hence, whenever Pang Yuzhen was pregnant, she’d repeat this tactic, leading to us, those concubine-born sisters."

"Sisters..." Yan Daoxin found Zhu Yu’s words quite intriguing, "No concubine-born brothers in your family?"

Zhu Yu shook her head: "No, for some reason, only concubine daughters could be healthily born.

It’s said that previously, some concubines either lost their unborns or both the mother and child didn’t survive, ultimately no concubine’s offspring were successfully born."

Yan Daoxin sneered, glancing at Lu Qing: "I thought vassal states weren’t like this, never expected them to resemble the palace so closely.

It seems I’ve underestimated the medical officers and doctors in the surrounding vassal states!

They can’t cure ailments with miraculous drugs but are quite adept at diagnosing the gender of unborns!"

"How many legitimate sons does Prince Shuo have?" Lu Qing asked.

"Three." Zhu Yu held up three fingers, "Two slightly older than Zhu Ning and me, and one is the youngest, not yet ten years old."

Lu Qing nodded, asking again: "And the Pang Family?"

"The Pang Family?" Zhu Yu paused, never having paid attention before. Surprised by the question, she had to think carefully, "They have many offspring; if you ask how many legitimate descendants they have, I really couldn’t say offhand, suffice to say they are quite numerous."

Lu Qing raised an eyebrow, as if the answer fit his hypothesis. He shifted the topic, asking: "You said earlier that your mother has to serve in the Princess Shuo’s chambers every morning?"

Zhu Yu, resting her cheek in her hand, sighed, thinking of her mother, Madam Miao, feeling a tinge of warmth, mixed with a deep helplessness.

"Although Pang Yuzhen placed her trusted people around my father, any concubine capable of bearing children for him was closely watched and guarded by her.

Since my mother served Pang Yuzhen for many years, she was naturally quite familiar with her nature.

After giving birth to me, she dared not do anything to please or curry favor with father, making sure never to show any intent to compete for attention, maintaining a somber demeanor before him.

In essence, whatever kind of woman my father disliked, she made sure to present herself that way.

Aside from that, each morning, after father left early for the Weapon Supervision, my mother would go serve the Princess, as if she were still her personal maid before becoming a concubine.

Over time, my mother had no more children besides me; father found her dull, losing any interest in her, ignoring her altogether.

But Pang Yuzhen became more assured, leaving her be.

Especially after father, by imperial decree, sent me to marry in Jin Country, my mother was left alone. Pang Yuzhen, perhaps out of sympathy or pity, showed her more leniency starting from the time I was preparing to depart."