Plotting with You: The Forensic Scientist in Ancient Times!-Chapter 203 - 202: Capability

As the oil lamp went out, the room was instantly plunged into darkness. 𝑓𝘳𝑒𝑒𝓌𝘦𝘣𝘯ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝑚

Zhu Yu could only vaguely see Lu Qing, turned into a shadow, rustling beside her and lying down. At first, she wanted to close her eyes and pretend to sleep, but she could clearly feel Lu Qing lying behind her, not asleep, seemingly very awake.

She could even distinctly hear his breathing.

This feeling... was truly too strange.

At the time in Situ Jing’s Personal Soldier Camp, because there were many personal soldiers living on the other side, having Lu Qing by was beside her gave Zhu Yu a sense of calm and security.

Spending the night in that desolate house in Huazhou, the room was damp all around; if it weren’t for utter exhaustion, sleep would have been difficult to come by, with no concern for much.

But right now, lying on the soft silk mattress, everything was so quiet, quiet enough that Zhu Yu not only could hear Lu Qing’s breathing but also her own heartbeat, this was a different kind of feeling.

"You’re still not asleep, are you?" Lu Qing suddenly asked.

Zhu Yu responded with a soft hum.

Then she heard Lu Qing’s voice carry over from behind: "Why didn’t you tell your father about the weapons and the missing strong men tonight?

Coming all the way here, weren’t these things always troubling you and causing concern?"

Talking with one’s back turned felt odd, so Zhu Yu rolled over to lie flat, able to make her voice clearer without the awkwardness of being face-to-face in the dark at such close proximity.

"My father may not know what type of person I am, but his character I’ve understood seven to eight parts." She sighed gently, staring at the canopy above. Even in the darkness, the gold thread on the silk faintly visible. "He has never been a person filled with ambition and courage. Though he seems to love crafting weapons, even obsessed, at his core, he’s truly not one with foresight and capability.

If I were to tell him early on the fundamental reason we’re here to see him, plus those matters we’ve heard along the way, he’d probably be frightened instead.

To clear any suspicion of plotting rebellion, he wouldn’t dare to build the waterway and might even complain about Bai Qihong leading water over Black Stone Mountain to Shuo Land, saying it troubles him.

You worked hard to find the opportunity to facilitate the waterway’s construction. This is the best possible thing for the people of Jin Country, for the people of Shuo Country, impacting every household’s supply of rice and food, everyone’s rations.

If due to father’s cowardice and self-preservation all efforts are in vain, it would probably be hard to find another suitable chance in the future.

Privately making weapons, including those forged from Black Iron, is likely deeply involved, intimately tied with those missing from Shuo Country, the smiths, inseparably connected; not something easily traced root and branch immediately.

Since that’s the case, it’s better to put it aside for now. In a few days, once the grain’s transported and the waterway starts digging, by then, when we discuss with father, it’s already a bow that won’t turn back. Whether he regrets or is scared, it’s too late.

Only this way can one try for a win-win situation."

Lu Qing laughed softly in the dark, sighed lightly: "Previously unsure, now I’ve become certain of one thing.

Your father indeed doesn’t understand your capability; otherwise, he probably wouldn’t have married you to me."

"He neither knows my capability nor yours; perhaps this is what’s called providence." Zhu Yu smiled too.

It’s really like Lu Qing said, had Zhu Cheng known her capability, she’d probably be locked in the courtyard, alone till old age, never daring to marry her off, avoiding trouble from shocking the world.

And if Zhu Cheng knew Lu Qing wasn’t like rumors suggested, he definitely wouldn’t have married Zhu Yu, such a concubine’s daughter, but kept such a capable son-in-law for his favored daughter, Zhu Ning.

Thinking of her legitimate sister, Zhu Yu couldn’t help but shake her head.

If back then Zhu Ning was married off, with her disposition, she’d likely be left in the back courtyard of Prince Mansion like that Jie Commandery Princess.

Lu Qing would certainly not bring such a wife out to traverse mountains and rivers, covertly scheming, unable to help and possibly dragging him down.

Thinking this way, Zhu Yu suddenly realized something: "Speaking of which, you seem somewhat different today compared to before."

"Oh? Different how? Please enlighten me, wife."

"Honest. Not sure why, but today your attitude towards me is more honest than before."

Lu Qing remained silent for a moment, just as Zhu Yu thought he wouldn’t want to speak of it, she heard him say, "There’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you."

Zhu Yu heard his voice seemed lower than usual, a palpable heaviness in his tone, making her heart tighten: "Go ahead."

"Supposing one day, I lose against Duke Yan’s faction, and it’s an endless fall. Do you think your father would try everything to protect you?" Lu Qing asked.

Zhu Yu laughed, "Isn’t today’s response from him clear enough? The answer is right in front, why ask unnecessarily?"

"Then... Suppose I give you a perfect escape route, if both Lu Chao and I ultimately fail, to help you leave this contentious place, after things calm down, you could live properly, marrying or living however, calmly and safely, would you be willing?"

After Lu Qing asked, he didn’t hear Zhu Yu’s reply.

In the darkness, he instinctively kept his breathing light, waiting for Zhu Yu’s answer, a strange sense of apprehension in his heart.

That unease and nervousness were never experienced before, like a stone placed on his chest, or a hand gripping his heart, ready to squeeze it tightly, suspending him between breaths.

So waiting, not knowing how long passed, the room was quietly still, whether hoped-for or not wished-for answers, Lu Qing received none.

Without sensitive hearing, he would’ve thought the person beside him fell asleep unknowingly.

Lu Qing didn’t know why Zhu Yu hesitated to speak, if it’s because she herself is uncertain of the answer, or has other concerns.

Thus he couldn’t resist reaching over, felt Zhu Yu’s hand beside her, lightly squeezed it.